New To Me 2016 Eldorado 1400

[TN Mark]

So, this is the only Moto Guzzi I gave a whit about for many years. My first Moto Guzzi was a 1977 Convert in 1978. My last Moto Guzzi was a white CalVin I traded off in March of 2013.
An agreement has been reached to acquire one from a forum member. Of course, it has the usual go faster/run better parts. Plus a few other things I'm very excited about.

I'll be the third owner and the bike only has 1342 miles, yes, 1342. The first owner returned it after about 300 miles saying he was too old and the bike is too heavy. The second owner bought it 3 years ago, added all the stuff I'd want it to have, except a set of Moto Guzzi heated grips. But only put about a 1000 miles on it due to back surgery.

But, my eyes are wide open.

I already have plans to:

Correct the Tip Over valve issue. It's a moaning whale.
Perform the alternator TSB wire issue. Not sure if it's been done yet.
Confirm the valve adjustment
Install a new battery
Ensure the fuses are clean and tarnish free
Replace a bent clutch lever
Replace the 35W halogen driving lights with an LED light set
Likely remove the side stand switch and harness
Either figure out the Security Code or send the dash off to The Netherlands
Install a K&N air filter
Open up the air box cover
Review what tune is installed and use the GT tool to ensure it's good to go
Install a set of FOBO Bike2 TPMS units
If I can find a set, install the Moto Guzzi heated grip kit

Yes, there's more, but you get the idea.

[blu guzz]

Best of luck with it and welcome to the 1400 club.

[Joliet Jim]

Congrats Mark, I always lusted after a red one.

[SemperVee]

Welcome back to your Tribe Mark.....

[TN Mark]

Congrats Mark, I always lusted after a red one.

Thank you Jim. I read with saddess about you having to put the Psycho Chicken up for sale. That bike, and you, are legendary.

[TN Mark]

Welcome back to your Tribe Mark.....

Thank you SemperVee. I never fully 'left' the Moto Guzzi tribe.Moto Guzzi left me though when they stopped making the one bike, and bike line, I cared about. I started out on a 1977 Convert in 1978 and I'll be glad to finish with what I believe is the best Italian V-Twin and the best American V-Twin. My first Victory, a 2012 Cross Country Tour, glorious in gloss pearl white isn't gong anywhere as long as I can ride.Time will tell if the Moto Guzzi Eldorado 1400 can earn it's place. I do have great hopes for it.
Normally I'd run from a 10 model year old bike with about 100 miles a year. It's been mostly a static display which frankly could be a bigger worry than the tings I know that need attention. Fortunately, the bike is sttill in 'break-in' mode. The first owner bought it new and retuerned it 300 miles later saying he's too old and the bike is too heavy. The second owner bought it in 2022 and only put 1000 miles on it due to back surgeries. That's one reason I'll trailer it home, it's not ready for a 500 mile highway ride because I want to correct what the factory got wrong first.

[blu guzz]

Are the tires original?  If they need replacing, take a deep breath, its going to cost a good bit of change.  Mine, bought 2 seasons ago with 18,000 miles, came with brand new dealer installed Dunlops and they were hard even brand new, but they lasted for long miles and not confidence inspiring in rain but fine on dry roads.  Changed to Metzler 880s about 4,000 miles ago.  More confident in wet weather, but a little weird feeling in turns, not dangerous, but a tad less than perfectly stable.
I wouldn't ride on them if they are original even if they look good.
Best of luck with her.

[TN Mark]

blu guzz, no, the tires are new as of last year, whew. Nice Avon white walls.
The seller has added just about every Guzzi accessory an Eldorado rider would want: comfort gel seats, rider and passenger, 21” windshield, windshield ‘winglets’, driving lights, heavy duty Eldorado luggage rack, full GTM exhaust system, full GTM fueling system, Matris rear shocks, Matris fork internals  plus a several other items he wanted.
If I can find the accessory heated grips I’ll add them as well.

[Moparnut72]

Nice find. Enjoy. I had an Audace, super motor. Although it surged in 1st and 2nd below 3k rpm. I would look at a map from Beetle. He didn't have one suitable for release when I had mine but he does now. I believe the ECU is the same or similar to the V85. I enjoyed mine but too heavy and slow speed handling was very heavy due to excessive rake and trail. Super stable on the slab even with strong cross winds.
kk

[TN Mark]

This one, having the GTM complete fueling system eliminates (bypasses) any and all OEM fuel mapping issues. With the GTM system a PCV is installed and the map in that is what controls how the motor runs.
A PCV, combined with intake and exhaust modifications, completely transforms the engine. Literally adding about a 20 rear wheel horsepower, and 20 rear wheel feet pounds of torque.
Also adding increased fuel mileage and vastly reduced engine in exhaust heat. All road going in motorcycles today are delivered with very lean fuel maps. Designed primarily to pass EPA regulations, not at all designed for the efficiency or the longevity of the engine. Most new motorcycles today, even if completely stock, will benefit greatly with aftermarket fueling.

[blu guzz]

Man, that sounds like a fine bike.  Congrats again.

[bad Chad]

Wow, sounds like you found a really nice one there, and it's red!   I'm questioning your numbers though Mark.  As you know in stock form, the bike is claimed to make 96HP at the crank and given a conservative drive train loss of 10% that puts the rear wheel at 86-87, and your saying with the mods done, it easily puts down at least 20hp more, to the tarmac?   

A minimum of 107hp to the ground, and similar increase in torque, that's a lot.  Where do you get these numbers from?  GTM has made many claims about there products, not all of them have lived up to the hype.

But if your actually putting down a good rideable, reliable 107-110 hp for a Cal 14, more power to you!

[TN Mark]

I pay little attention to Moto Guzzi, or any manufacturer claims of power. They’re taken, or sometimes estimated, at the crank. Rear wheel numbers are what matter. And the changes to the before and after Hp and Trq curves (lines). A before and after dyno sheet doesn’t lie. Top end numbers also aren’t nearly as important as are the changes in the rpm you use most. Plus 20 does not mean the top number, it’s a gain in the meat, the useable part of the rpm range. A +20 gain there is beyond noticeable. These dyno graphs are readily available on another Guzzi site.

Similarly, when I had the standard ‘low hanging fruit’ go faster stuff done with my two Victory bikes. With the Victory, changing cams is also a no brainer.
Bike on the Dyno, do a run, change parts, do a run and compare the differences to the Hp and Trq curves. With the Victory 106”, +10 on the top line but plus 25 to 29 in the 2700 to 3700 rpm range. My first test ride on a Victory 106” I thought: this motor sounds and feels constipated. And it most certainly was, to pass EPA. A few changes made with aftermarket parts and it’s a night & day difference.
I’m still amazed when I read posts of people saying: ‘my bike runs so good, why would I need x, y and x. That’s because they’d never ridden their bike with the things that make it run as the designers imagined.

The intake system on the 1400 prevents it from being a actual powerhouse. It will never put out the numbers of my Victory. How they put down the power they make are a bit different though.

When you can control the timing and the fueling per cylinder throughout the rpm range, you have the potential to make serious progress.

[bad Chad]

20 plus horsepower punch to the midrange is impressive. I’m still a bit skeptical that that’s really achievable with fueling and exhaust changes alone, but I’m not expert.

I couldn’t find any dyno runs except from Rider magazine 2017 on line, and that of course was stock.  Perhaps you could post a link to some?

[TN Mark]

If you’re a member over at GTM, the dyno graphs are readily accessible.
Essentially:
one line is a stock 1400, a second line is the same bike with exhaust and fueling changes and the third line is exhaust, fueling and air filter/air box mods.
The fueling needs to change with every mod. Therefore, the fuel map changes when you add the air filter/air box mod into the mix.
Sorry, but there’s no cutting and pasting between the two sites.

I’ve seen and read for years where people who either don’t know the process, don’t understand the process or don’t trust the process downplay what modifications can do to their bike.

There are hundreds of thousands of owners who have been through the process and know it works. I have two bikes in my garage that have benefitted greatly through aftermarket fueling and other changes. Soon to add a third bike in the garage that also benefitted from the experience and the knowledge of others.

When done correctly, the fuel mapping has to be done in conjunction with other modifications. Change mufflers? It goes back on the Dyno etc.

A bone stock Moto Guzzi will benefit greatly by just a fuel map change on a dyno run. Even when the owner thinks it runs fine. The stock maps are 80% for emissions and 20% for marketing and running correctly. The OEM fuel map is terribly lean and generates a tremendous amount of engine and exhaust heat. Exactly what no ICE wants. Especially an air/oil cooled one.

[bad Chad]

No doubt about it, emissions regulations cause some major performance concessions.  I had a Betel map and Mistral can and crossover on my B1100 and the improvement was eye opening.

[TN Mark]

I trailered the Eldo (Bella) home on Thursday of last week. I was able to finally pay it some attention on Saturday evening and a bit this evening.
Some of the things I’ve done so far are:

Got it registered in TN.

Removed a front and rear camera and its associated connections and over 15’ of wire loom tie wrapped above the dead battery.

Remove the GIVI trunk and mount from the Guzzi ‘Heavy’ luggage rack. Along with its associated wiring for a trunk mounted brake light and turn signals.

Remove the new, but now dead battery and install a new one.

Drained the tank and then added 2.5 gallons of non ethanol 87 with Seafoam and Sta-Bil.

Aired up the tires, they were both at 15psi.

Removed the carbon fiber intake covers and put the OEM stainless ones back on.

Removed the Guzzi ‘dark’ bar end mirrors.
 
Installed Guzzi accessory grips and grip ends.

Took a 12 mile shake down ride.

Observations: the riding position and ergonomics are very different to my Victory Hard-Ball and Cross Country. But I like it. This little 1400cc engine is helped greatly by the full GTM exhaust system as well as the GTM fueling package (PCV & Autotune). It sounds glorious and is very quick. It’s quite intoxicating.


Next up:

Fix the moaning whale gas tank caused by not being properly vented.

Cut the top alternator wire if it hasn’t been done yet.

Wire in a USB port.

Change oil and filter.

Flush brakes.

Add FOBO Bike 2 TPMS sensors

Clean the yellowish white walls.

Clean and polish the whole bike.

[DaGootz]

Congratulations!!! They are beautiful bikes......Enjoy!

[blu guzz]

I think you will love it.  As big as it is, it feels lighter to me that my Victory did.  As to the "whale" song, I think of it as a Goose honking.

[TN Mark]

That’s the thing, I read on Guzzi forums how big and heavy the 1400s are. It’s all perspective really. The  Eldorado is, to me, the size and weight of an old Honda 750. It’s not the size of a Victory CCT, CC or a Vision. It certainly feels smaller than my Victory Hard-Ball. The Victory feels more balanced as well.

Plus The 1400 certainly carries its weight higher.

So, like any bike, the rider needs to adjust to the bike. No biggie, (pun intended).

[bad Chad]

Quote from Mark, "The  Eldorado is, to me, the size and weight of an old Honda 750." 

What???     A CB weighs something a bit over 500LB fueled and ready to roll, a newer Eldo flirts with 700lb plus.

Now I realize you left the back door open by including "to me" but come on brother, is that what you really are trying to say?

I owned a 96 CB750 Nighthawk, and it was a great bike, relatively easy to move around as one would think.  I have also pushed a 1400 around the garage, and the difference between the two is noticeable!  I'll give you the 1400 doesn't feel its weight under way, but one can say that for an awful lot of M/C.

Perhaps your exaggerations regarding weight may explain your super optimistic horsepower and torque numbers you have claim on your vaunted Victories?

[TN Mark]

Before and after dyno sheets don't lie Chad. My Victory bikes are both putting out about 113 Hp and 114 Ft/Trq at the rear wheel. These are not claims, they're facts shared by anyone else with a Victory 106" with intake, cams, exhaust and a tune. Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant, it's still true.

The 1400 is quite shy of those rear wheel numbers, but it feels a bit quicker.

And yes, the 1400 is smaller and feels lighter than either of my Victory bikes.

99% of the guys I ride with are on a Harley. When my Victory CCT is parked next to their Street Glide, the Harley looks like a boys bike compared to the Victory looking like a mens large motorcycle. Same with my Hard-Ball when parked next to a Road King. The Harley's look, well, a bit small and cramped. IMHO, the 1400 Eldorado is sized similar to a Harley Road King.

The average Guzzi 750 and 850 are very similar in size and weight to bikes I rode in grade school and junior high school. If these bikes feel big and heavy to others, ok. To me, my first 'big bike' was a Honda 1200 Goldwing. The last years they sold it without a fairing etc.

Like I said, it's all relative and in perspective to what the rider is used to.

A few years ago when the 1400 was coming out, I wanted Guzzi to punch it out to an 1800. That was around the time BMW was talking about their R1800. Which has been a huge sales disappointment, for several reasons. Had Guzzi made the 1400 into an 1800, I 'think' it would likely have been returned in more sales and a longer life span for the range.

Euro emission specs? Yea, right. That hasn't stopped Harley from selling the production line and all the tooling for the Sportster to China. Who now builds that exact same bike in Italy and sells it under the Chinese brand name. Euro emission standards? All the Chinese did was lower the compression ratio 1 point and added oil cooling to the bottom of the pistons. It obviously passed Euro specs. Therefore the Euro specs excuse some use wasn't/isn't true.

Piaggio simply didn't have the stomach for an 1800 and/or they didn't see the sales potential and/or they didn't care to make the change.Maybe the larger displacement idea never really entered their mind.

Anyway, before and after dyno sheets are readily available by reputable tuners as well as independent shops.
   

[TN Mark]

Over the weekend I found and purchased a factory heated grip kit for my 2016 Eldorado. I bought the kit from an eBay seller in Italy with excellent reviews.
I have read about a few horror stories and how DHL often demands a ‘fee’ prior to delivery. Often times a very high ‘fee’.

Today the package was delivered. Yes, I was contacted by DHL and told I had to pay a fee or they’d return the package. The fee was $20.10. About what TN sales tax would come to.

I also purchased a factory USB kit as well as a MultiMedia kit. When everything else comes in I’ll pull the tank to get these installed as well as correct the moaning whale tank vent issue. I’ll also snip the alternator wire per the TSB.

But before any of that, I have a Yuasa battery issue to resolve.

[TN Mark]

Good progress in the garage tonight with Bella.
I removed the seat, battery and the gas tank.
I’ve read so much about how brittle the red plastic fuel connector is I bypassed it completely. Disconnecting the fuel line at the right hand connector by the frame rail is as easy as can be.
I installed the heated grips on the handlebars.
I installed a switch to control a MoDoor garage door controller.
Next up is to route the heated grips wiring to their connections.
Route the wiring for the MoDoor which will be mounted under the USB bracket under the RH side cover.
Route a USB cable from the RH side USB socket to the handlebars to power my phone.
Connect the AutoTune to a switched 12VDC source. I’ll use the power for the USB connector.
Reinstall everything and get Bella out on the road.
Next week I should receive a set of Guzzi billet mirrors and ‘Journey’ adjustable levers from Italy.
So, by next weekend, Bella should be ready to roll.

I still need to clean the white walls. Too bad the 1400’s don’t have a center stand.

[blu guzz]

I would love to have a center stand on mine as well.  I am about to gear up for what for me will be my first really cold weather ride this season, cloudy and damp which make it feel colder than it actually is.
I have the heated grips which you will love.  I have also had for years a set of battery powered electric gloves which in my opinion are far superior to just the grips alone.  I think the Parrabellum windscreen will give me better protection than the basically home made screen I used for 2 cold weather seasons.

[TN Mark]

Wow, sounds like you found a really nice one there, and it's red!   

No sir, all black. My TN plate finally came in today: 1BELLA

[bad Chad]

There is a lot to be said for the sweet subduction of black. 

My guess in the majority of motorcycles made over 500cc are black.

[Bill W]

I wanted anything but a black bike to which I found my white Cali 1400 which I owned for 11 months and 1 day before a brand new Harley rider came out her driveway and right in front of me and totaled my bike. I was lucky enough to find another Cali 1400 4 weeks later not to far from me and guess what color it was!!