V100 Mandello Merged Threadfest

[kingoffleece]

http://www.iscracerstape.com/

Trust me AND the 5 Star review this stuff got at the former great publication MotorCycle Consumer News.  Use this stuff ALL OVER-it's fantastic and leaves ZERO marks or residue even after years.  Under a tank bag with stop any marks before they happen.

[vintagehoarder]

I noticed that cadre motorcycles now has the V100 owners manual on their website.

https://cadrecycle.com/moto-guzzi-owners-manuals-2/

[lazlokovacs]

oh dear... reports of leaking radiators and /or hoses, new purchasers and owners check this!!

[Tkelly]

Top Gear Motorsports in Roselle IL is unveiling the Mandello Saturday with free lunch at noon.

[Tusayan]

I noticed that cadre motorcycles now has the V100 owners manual on their website.

https://cadrecycle.com/moto-guzzi-owners-manuals-2/

Thanks for that.  The manual says it’s OK to check the oil yourself but if the oil level is low that you need to take it to an authorized dealer to have it topped up.  I’m not kidding…  BTW the engine does not have an oil level sight glass, just an old style dipstick.

And naturally the dashboard service icon can be only be reset by an Piaggio authorized dealer “after they have performed the service”.  The way it’s written appears to imply Piaggio coercion of the dealer into refusing to reset it for an owner doing oil changes on his bike.  I bet the dealer mechanic has to certify that he did the work in the Piaggio software to reset the light, and that Piaggio maintains the record of him doing so. That might fly in Europe but I don’t think so in the US. 

I really wish this practice would make it into US courts, and it’s pushing me away from European manufacturers.  As far as I can tell the Japanese manufacturers are not going down this road - they have a light but it can be reset by the owner after he completes work on his bike. 

[Huzo]

Have a nice day guys….

[LowRyter]

Thanks for that.  The manual says it’s OK to check the oil yourself but if the oil level is low that you need to take it to an authorized dealer to have it topped up.  I’m not kidding…  BTW the engine does not have an oil level sight glass, just an old style dipstick.

And naturally the dashboard service icon can be only be reset by an Piaggio authorized dealer “after they have performed the service”.  The way it’s written appears to imply Piaggio coercion of the dealer into refusing to reset it for an owner doing oil changes on his bike.  I bet the dealer mechanic has to certify that he did the work in the Piaggio software to reset the light, and that Piaggio maintains the record of him doing so. That might fly in Europe but I don’t think so in the US. 

I really wish this practice would make it into US courts, and it’s pushing me away from European manufacturers.  As far as I can tell the Japanese manufacturers are not going down this road - they have a light but it can be reset by the owner after he completes work on his bike.

I think some of these bikes are overfilled from the factory, don't know why.  It was shown on one of the videos that the oil would come out the crankcase when attempting to check the oil on the side stand.  The local shop guy mentioned that the first bike he set up was about a quart overfilled.

[bad Chad]

Stop nitpicking based on anecdotal, second or third hand stories of whoa.  Most if not all of you guys going negative, are never going to own one of these anyway. 

PS. Tusayan, the Mandelo clearly has a sight glass, try looking at the bike before criticizing it.

[lazlokovacs]

Badchad, not sure if that was aimed at me?

I'm firmly in the market for one of these and very much looking forward to guzzi sorting out the issues. 2 people  reported the same issue regarding the coolant and posted some pretty worrying looking pics. I thought I'd share that info with new owners so that a possible hypothetical disaster could be avoided.

Ride safe everyone
 

 

[blackcat]

Owner's manual page 17, detail 27: Engine oil level inspection port

I've read two reports of leaking radiator fluid and they said it had something to do with the engine part for the radiator hose. And I've seen a couple of photo's of the flaking engine paint on the timing cover.  None of this is surprising for a new production bike. 

[Tusayan]

Thanks for the info on the oil window, that's a good thing but I wonder for what reason they also included a dipstick and recommend using it instead to check the oil level, on page 146?



I rode one and I think my ST4 is better for me overall, in combination with a Guzzi that I can quickly service myself, like my V85TT.    The only current solution to the service light insanity on either of the newer Guzzis is to ignore the light.  Hardly ideal but it's better than submitting any bike I own to the typical dealer service gorillas. 

I'm still laughing about the Piaggio direction to take the bike to the dealer to have them top up the engine oil.  These people live on another planet. 
 

[Bulldog9]

Thanks for the info on the oil window, that's a good thing but I wonder what they also included a dipstick and recommend using it instead to check the oil level on page 146?



I rode one and I think my ST4 is better for me overall, in combination with a Guzzi that I can quickly service myself, like my V85TT.    The only current solution to the service light insanity on either of the newer Guzzis is to ignore the light.  Hardly ideal but it's better than submitting any bike I own to the typical dealer service gorillas. 

I'm still laughing about the Piaggio direction to take the bike to the dealer to have them top up the engine oil.  These people live on another planet. 
 

Sadly, the traditional Guzzi Owner is a dying breed.......... WAY too many younger and new riders (AKA Lemmings) will read that and think the MUST bring it to the dealer, and will........

I haven't seen the V100 to visually check myself, but I have seen several posts mention that it does and and others that say it does NOT have a sight glass as the V85 does.

If it doesn't that's a real shame. I can accept that my 1976 doesn't have one, but have been frustrated that my other more 'modern' Guzzi's do not. My 1997 C-10 Concours and 2005 FJR both had them.  No excuse if Guzzi does not. But hey why would we need one?  The "Authorized" dealer is the only one capable of checking and adding oil 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I think some of these bikes are overfilled from the factory, don't know why.  It was shown on one of the videos that the oil would come out the crankcase when attempting to check the oil on the side stand.  The local shop guy mentioned that the first bike he set up was about a quart overfilled.

The owner's manual reads:
Engine oil level check (04_01, 04_02)

• Shut off the engine and wait a few seconds;
• Keep the vehicle upright with both wheels on the ground;
• Make sure that the vehicle is on a level surface;
• Unscrew the oil filler cap with dipstick;

So why would anyone check the oil level on the sidestand? 

PS. Tusayan, the Mandelo clearly has a sight glass, try looking at the bike before criticizing it.

So Chad, where is the sight glass on the V100 (owned by "Florida Lime" on ADV Rider) in this photo? There's a spot for one, but it's not there.

[Tusayan]

So Chad, where is the sight glass on the V100 (owned by "Florida Lime" on ADV Rider) in this photo? There's a spot for one, but it's not there.

That explains that.     Same thing on the factory website photos.  A review of photos on the net indicates they deleted the sight glass on production bikes, I'd suppose because it proved to be unreliable, and used a dipstick instead as per the owners manual instructions. 

Since the bike has a dipstick but no center stand, the practical way to check the oil while holding the bike vertical will be with a race stand.  Checking oil level on the road will likely require a helper.

[NWrider]

If the V100's dipstick is on the same side as the kickstand then my method of checking the oil level on my Aprilia Tuareg won't work.   My recent experience with the Aprilia Tuareg is that, in spite of having a dipstick that, being black, is very hard to see oil on, my procedure is to place it with the kickstand down then unscrew the dipstick, wipe it clean, then place the dipstick in the hole without screwing it in.  Then stand along side and bring the bike upright, lean the bike back on the kickstand and pull the dipstick.  This is repeatable on the Tuareg.   However, the dipstick is on the opposite side from the kickstand.   I much prefer the sight glass on my V85TT.   

Reminds me of my 2007 Norge that required removal of part of the lower fairing just to check the oil --- so not the first time Guzzi has dropped the ball.

[bad Chad]

Okay, I will have to eat crow, when it comes to the sight glass, at least on some production v100.  Clearly there is a number, perhaps all North American v100 do not have a sight glass, to my dismay.

[Tusayan]

The oil level sight glass is not present on any production V100s, only pre-production bikes appear to have had it.  This issue would not be related to one particular national market, more likely that the location and size of the sight glass didn’t function well when tested by the factory. Here’s a link to a photo of a bike in stock at Teo Lamers, in Holland. Note that the sight glass is not present.

https://tlm.nl/moto-guzzi-triumph/32660459-moto-guzzi-v100-mandello-bianco-polare-32660459?sku=32660459&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2qyo5fqE_gIVyG1vBB0VUwOCEAQYAiABEgLv8PD_BwE

@NWrider, that is an ingenious way to check the oil solo when the dipstick on a sidestand-only bike is on the right side of the bike!  When it’s on the left we have to do what we do on e.g. my Daytona RS, which is buy a race stand.

I note that the V100 has 4.9 liter oil capacity or slightly over 5 quarts.  That’s a lot and likely means you could ride it on a pretty long trip without checking the oil, if it burns oil.  Very different than the small blocks with their less than 2 liter capacity. More expensive to change the oil though.

[Yan]

@NWrider, that is an ingenious way to check the oil solo when the dipstick on a sidestand-only bike is on the right side of the bike!  When it’s on the left we have to do what we do on e.g. my Daytona RS, which is buy a race stand.

Or you could do what I do with my Griso: do the oil-level checking while keeping the bike upright by sitting on it (with both feet on the ground).  It is advisable to unfasten the dipstick beforehand, but other than that it is a very easy method.

[jrt]

Why not just put a mark on the dipstick so one can check it on the side stand?   "level" isn't magic...What am I missing here?

[Tusayan]

Why not just put a mark on the dipstick so one can check it on the side stand?   "level" isn't magic...What am I missing here?

Black plastic dipsticks are a bit harder to mark than the older steel type.  Also the oil level may be very high on the dipstick when the bike is on the side stand.  I think you’d have to try it.

[Huzo]

Black plastic dipsticks are a bit harder to mark than the older steel type.  Also the oil level may be very high on the dipstick when the bike is on the side stand. 

Well yes but if you made a nick with a hacksaw, that might work.
You could check the level on the sidestand and mark it appropriately.

I can see it now…(wavy dream sequence and distant harp music…)
“V100 Mandello for sale, owned 6 months, 1,200 miles, balance of new bike warranty…
I liked the bike but didn’t bond with the dipstick….

[rtbickel]

I seem to remember that when I was watching the salesman show the new owner how to check the oil the other day that the dipstick was white, but I could be mistaken.

[Moparnut72]

I painted mine white. Helps a great deal. Also I have a sight glass on my Triumph, which I hate. On the road I have to find something to put under the side stand to get the bike close to level to check the oil. I have no problem sitting on the bike to hold it upright to use a dipstick. Furthermore why do we need a tool to remove the cap. Of all the bikes I have owned I kept the cap hand tight and never had a problem. Am I missing something?
kk

[Tusayan]

A centerstand is the solution for many things, including checking the oil in an accurate and repeatable way.  Also for cleaning the wheels and loading bags. Only three bikes of my nine don’t have a centerstand (996, belt SS and SV650) and although each is stored on a race stand at home and those three aren’t touring bikes I’d still prefer it to be nine out of nine. I’d also prefer all nine to have an oil level sight glass.

PS forgot the Daytona RS, so it’s four out of nine in my garage.  Still under half and better that way.

[Moparnut72]

Looks like I cross-threaded my post somewhat. The wrench comment belongs elsewhere. I am old so I get lost easily.
kk

[lazlokovacs]

I drilled two tiny holes my plastic dipstick on the mighty griso, works well

[Tusayan]

Here’s the factory center stand option for the V100

https://www.motoguzzi.com/en_EN/accessories/vehicle-accessories/safety-parking/centre-stand-v100-2s001998/

Nice to see it listed.

[jrt]

I promise that I am not usually 'that guy' to see things at this level of attention, but I was looking (ok, drooling over) pictures of the V100 on the motoguzzi dot com official site.  Drive down to the V100 S, and expand it (side view).  Click between Verde and Grigio and you can see the oil sight glass on the Verde is gone on the Grigio. 

Coincidence?  Or conspiracy? lol.

[guzzisteve]

Mark your calendars , April 1st,,,,,,,, Top Gear Power Sports is unveiling the new Guzzi V100 , come on down and get a free lunch too

A few pics sent to me from Burd

[egschade]

I do like the red even if it's not the "S" model.