V7 Stock Toolkit with Aluminum Mudguards?

[Dirk_S]

I just bought and installed the polished aluminum mudguards to replace my V7II Stone’s plastic—which is probably a mistake seeing that I live in New England AND don’t store the bike during the crud months (Corrosion Heaven, amiright?)

These mudguards leave quite an open gap from the frame underneath the seat that leads me to question how Stornellos, Roughs, and other V7s with the aluminum mudguards keep their stock tool bags from slipping through the cracks.

Can anyone with these bikes or knowledge of them chime in? I mean, is it even expected that you can keep the toolkit and owners manual underneath?





upload image online

[malik]

Not having one of those new-tangled variations, all that follows is mere speculation.

Forget the owners manual. Leave it on the bookshelf where it belongs. Those that came with my earlier models are in multiple languages, thus quite thick. Besides it gets very dusty in there, and it would likely be ruined quick smart.

You could take a leaf out of the GRiSO's book and build a small pocket into the underside of the seat. Somehow. I see adhesion/fixing problems there.

I would be tempted to add at least four hooks or eyes down the sides, perhaps as spacers where the guard is bolted on, then use elasticated cord (best from the ships chandlers), either as straps (in an X pattern), or better still weave a small net out of the same cord to fit. A couple of the elastic acted ends of the small ROK straps might alsoWork here. Otherwise, a flap of silicone (cut, say, from a silicone baking tray), could be fixed to one side to close the gap there, and folded over the tool bag to keep it from falling out.

A different toolbag that keeps the tools flatter (there's not much room 'twist seat base & guard), spreading from frame to frame, and kept in place by a couple of short posts may be an alternative.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[Cam3512]

Modern Guzzi tool kit?  What’s that?

[Kiwi Dave]

Modern Guzzi tool kit?  What’s that?

Two spanners to adjust the rear suspension was all I got with my Cali 1400.  Haven't seen a spark plug spanner in years!

[Huzo]

Two spanners to adjust the rear suspension was all I got with my Cali 1400.  Haven't seen a spark plug spanner in years!

Are they the ones you use to adjust the pre load and make the suspension firmer..?

[Kiwi Dave]

Are they the ones you use to adjust the pre load and make the suspension firmer..?

I'm not biting, Huzo.  You know my opinion on preload adjustments!

[Kiwi_Roy]

The Aluminium fenders look very nice but i'm stuck with the plastic ones for now.
I heated up the fender with my hot air gun then pressed it down with a piece of wood to create a flat spot with a 3 sided wall to keep the tool kit in place
The toolkit is supplemented with additional wrenches and a full set of Allen keys. I also carry a USB charger for my phone or other accessories.
There is a lot of room under the side covers, the wireless Girbing heat controller is under the Left hand side just stuck to the airbox with silicone, the control is attached to the bars.
The manual I tore in half and discarded the French version so its much thinner, I have that under the toolkit in a ziplock bag. The insurance papers are in a pocket attached to the seat.

[Dirk_S]

I actually have two kits—the stock kit with additional tools that I deem ‘minimal but essential’ for every ride that’s stored in the fender bay, and a larger kit for most maintenance work that I often take with me on trips. The manual resides in a ziplock bag like Kiwi_Roy’s. This was a good setup, and I know I can customize underneath to make it work; it just made me wonder how those bikes with the aluminum fenders as stock came factory. Thought maybe there might be a bay that also comes with the bikes to sit in the area.

[mechanicsavant]

Obviously the “tool kit” goes in the saddlebags along with the other stuff ya might actually need on the road . One of my pet peeves on the rear fender is the gap @ the front edge near swing arm that allowed road debris to get thrown onto the clutch release arm . I’ve made a few mud flaps to fill this oversight & they seem to work . It’s about a 2”X6” piece of rubber old inner tube etc. secured to the front mount w/ stainless washers under existing nuts . I’d post a pic if I could figure it out . Unfortunately in saddled w/a commodore 64k brain in a 5 gig world .

[Kiwi_Roy]

https://ibb.co/gSfMRsW
just looking at the gap between fender and the frame, perhaps you could make a tray to sit in there, 18 0r 20 gauge aluminium would be easy to work, 2 nice big holes to bolt it to at the front.
Cut one out of cardboard as a pattern.

[twowheeladdict]

Didn't read everyone's response so forgive me if I repeat something.

Put he plastic fenders back on for the winter and the cool looking fenders for the summer.  Now it will feel like you have two bikes.

I added a document box that goes where the license plate is held and the plate attaches to it.

If I truly needed to carry tools, I would put them in a tank bag, tail bag, or maybe mount a tool roll on the front forks. 

[Dirk_S]

Keep the solutions coming (who am I to throttle creative problem-solving!), but my original post was more a request for clarity, wondering how those bikes actually come standard.

[twowheeladdict]

Keep the solutions coming (who am I to throttle creative problem-solving!), but my original post was more a request for clarity, wondering how those bikes actually come standard.

My Carbon Fiber fenders came standard and that is why I made the suggestions I did.  They look to be the same size as you aluminum ones.

[Perazzimx14]

You could always go KLR and bungee a milk crate to the pillion seat. Then zip tie a couple Agri supply manual holders to the milk crate for tools and stuff. Then you'll you have room for groceries and can brag that it works as well a Jesse cases a 1/10,000th the cost.

[malik]

Keep the solutions coming (who am I to throttle creative problem-solving!), but my original post was more a request for clarity, wondering how those bikes actually come standard.

It would be good to know if the factory had anything different there.

Another brain-wave. One of those silicone loaf tins may fit easily in there (& I've seen them in hot pink). Throw it in on top of the guard, thrown in the tool bag, put the seat back on & Bob's your uncle. Major benefit - no special tools & reduced scratching. Fringe benefit - can be used, at a pinch, to grab hot parts.

[Andy1]

On my Mk I I had the same problem when I had an aftermarket tail tidy fitted (which was useless) - I closed the gap using some rubber trim which came from the back of some old hang glider uprights.  I guess there is other trim available - look on ebay - but the trim I used was soft rubber, about 15mm deep, and was free!
AndyB