Breva 1100 fork stanchion - rotate to hide corrosion?

[Philnewbike]

Hi all, am new here.
Bought a Breva 1100 recently, all good mainly... i will post a couple of things that I'd appreciate help with.

Firstly, the forks are pitted above the seal area and so i wondered if i can simply fix this then rotate the stanchions so the repaired  pits are out of view? Is there are problem doing that?

Cheers!

[Huzo]

Hi all, am new here.
Bought a Breva 1100 recently, all good mainly... i will post a couple of things that I'd appreciate help with.

Firstly, the forks are pitted above the seal area and so i wondered if i can simply fix this then rotate the stanchions so the repaired  pits are out of view? Is there are problem doing that?

Cheers!

I have an early Norge mate and I can tell you there are no demons waiting there.
If you will accept some advice, put a zip tie around both legs (the bike’s not yours), and go out for a ride with a few decent stops.
That’ll obviously tell you where the maximum travel point is.
Welcome too, good to have a big block owner sign up...
Do check the greasing of swingarm and rear drive splines, there are countless pages on the topic here.
Also do some research on startus interruptus, well worth it and an easy fix if required.
How many kilometres has the bike done and how about a picture ?

[Philnewbike]

I have an early Norge mate and I can tell you there are no demons waiting there.
If you will accept some advice, put a zip tie around both legs (the bike’s not yours), and go out for a ride with a few decent stops.
That’ll obviously tell you where the maximum travel point is.
Welcome too, good to have a big block owner sign up...
Do check the greasing of swingarm and rear drive splines, there are countless pages on the topic here.
Also do some research on startus interruptus, well worth it and an easy fix if required.
How many kilometres has the bike done and how about a picture ?

Thanks Huzo.
I will attept a pic, but bear with me, tricky on little phone.
It has about 22,000 miles and seems to run fine so tho i am usually a tinkerer i think I'll leave it alone... first bike in 20 years and twice size of my kast obe! Really like it, not sure why there're so cheap as love the torque and comfort. Only bugbear is handling is a bit squirmy, throttle is very sensitive and the engine is hot in trafgic, oh and first gear feels is too high... hard to set off uphill without lots of clutch slip

So, can i rotate the fork stanchions so pits are out of view??

[guzzi ride]

You will need to clean those pits up with some fine sand paper as you will be prone to leaking fork seals.
After they are clean and smooth you can rotate them out of view.

[Huzo]

You will need to clean those pits up with some fine sand paper as you will be prone to leaking fork seals.
After they are clean and smooth you can rotate them out of view.

Our OP says the pits are above the seal stroke portion, he’ll be ok if that’s the case.

[Huzo]

Thanks Huzo.
I will attept a pic, but bear with me, tricky on little phone.
It has about 22,000 miles and seems to run fine so tho i am usually a tinkerer i think I'll leave it alone... first bike in 20 years and twice size of my kast obe! Really like it, not sure why there're so cheap as love the torque and comfort. Only bugbear is handling is a bit squirmy, throttle is very sensitive and the engine is hot in trafgic, oh and first gear feels is too high... hard to set off uphill without lots of clutch slip

So, can i rotate the fork stanchions so pits are out of view??

They are cheap because no one wants them because they’re cheap....!
Yes you can rotate the staunchions without fear, but do make sure the pits are not within the seal stroke by the zip tie method.
If she’s a bit squirmy, make sure the tyres are good Michelin Pilot 5’s, wheel bearings are good, headstem bearings clean, greased and in good condition, swingarm bearings are in good nick and greased, triple clamp bolts are snugged.
All easy stuff, happy days...

[Philnewbike]

Thanks Huzo.
I will attept a pic, but bear with me, tricky on little phone.
It has about 22,000 miles and seems to run fine so tho i am usually a tinkerer i think I'll leave it alone... first bike in 20 years and twice size of my kast obe! Really like it, not sure why there're so cheap as love the torque and comfort. Only bugbear is handling is a bit squirmy, throttle is very sensitive and the engine is hot in trafgic, oh and first gear feels is too high... hard to set off uphill without lots of clutch slip

So, can i rotate the fork stanchions so pits are out of view??

My new to me and fist bike after 20 years... hopefully attachment works, is scottish boarders on first day of ownership

[Huzo]

Yep..
That should do nicely..

[Philnewbike]

Hi all

Thanks for all the replies and advice and apologies for all the typos, I was on a little phone.
The pits are above the fork seal swept area to should be ok to seal with paint and rotate out of view, I just wanted to check that that was ok and there was nothing preventing rotation inside the forks themselves.

cheers
phil

[malik]

I've used 000 steel wool with fork oil as a lubricant to good effect. Fork oil again after each washing to keep the rust at bay. If your fork seal start leaking, the rust wasn't far enough above the swept area. Start putting away a few pennies regularly for some new sliders. Keep an occasional eye out for the bargain. Ride the wheels off it.

[tris]

Thanks Huzo.
I will attept a pic, but bear with me, tricky on little phone.
It has about 22,000 miles and seems to run fine so tho i am usually a tinkerer i think I'll leave it alone... first bike in 20 years and twice size of my kast obe! Really like it, not sure why there're so cheap as love the torque and comfort. Only bugbear is handling is a bit squirmy, throttle is very sensitive and the engine is hot in trafgic, oh and first gear feels is too high... hard to set off uphill without lots of clutch slip

So, can i rotate the fork stanchions so pits are out of view??

Throttle - TB balance and remove the slack from the throttle cables will probably sort that
Hot in traffic - go another way 
1st gear - Agreed!

Good to see that yours is the fastest colour like mine, I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do mine!

[Philnewbike]

OK thanks may look in to TB balance, any links to a clear explanation (there are a few, some make it sound simple, some make it sound like I should take it to the MG dealer)

BTW, are MG dealers generally trustworthy for tune ups, in that they understand the sacred screw etc?

thanks
P

[Huzo]

OK thanks may look in to TB balance, any links to a clear explanation (there are a few, some make it sound simple, some make it sound like I should take it to the MG dealer)

BTW, are MG dealers generally trustworthy for tune ups, in that they understand the sacred screw etc?

thanks
P

Just forget that it has a sacred screw mate..

[tris]

Its not hard to do, search for one written by Pete Roper but you'll need a manometer/carbmate/etc. to check the balance and Guzzidiag and the RIGHT cable to reset the throttle position switch

[Philnewbike]

Thanks all

While its running ok, i'm no touching owt, as they say up north (UK)

cheers
P

[malik]

Right. Generally, if it ain't broke, it doesn't need fixing.

Cousin Mal in Sunderland recently acquired a V7 III with Night Pack. And did a traipse over the border last week - a trifle damp, of course. He's one who prefers to leave fettling to the professionals. He, and other Guzzi owners in the area will likely have a better handle on the skills (or otherwise) of local dealers. Reach out & see what you can find.