Bulldog's V85

[Bulldog9]

When I dropped my V100 on my ankle I had my dry bag on the luggage rack. The rack is pretty high which probably contributed to the fall. In my defense I didn't have room to get away from the bike so I wound up under it. Anyway I now have a V7 850 with which I will be going camping this weekend. I intend on carrying my dry bag on the seat with the extra length riding on top of the side cases. I am not going to carry the kitchen sink anymore either. 
kk

I may have to re-arrange how I pack on the V85 due to bag sizes. For years its been:

- Right Bag - Tools/rain Gear (facing Shoulder/side of the road)
- Left Bag - Clothes/shave kit
- Topcase - Camping Gear, snacks and Easy Access
- Tank Bag - phone, Keys, Sunglasses, eyedrops, chapstick, earplugs, maybe protein bar

Given that the left bag is the smaller of the two, I may have to switch the tools and clothes, but time will tell.

[yrunvs]

I use my topbox multiple times every ride. It carries everything I need.....water, cap, sandles, extra sweat shirt, doggie treats, rain gear etc and the wifey likes it there for safety/security/comfort reasons. I did the lock mod so I don't have to use my key anymore as theres never anything of great value in it.

[PeteS]

I have used top boxes on my two up bikes. One up I just use a big duffle bag I can bungee on the rear seat. Doubles as a back rest.
If you have a way to mount a trailer hitch and can find one, a Pakit Rak is the bees knees.
Carries weight way down low and is exceptionally well built and designed. I ran one on my Goldwing and he offered a small mount that didn’t require installing a full trailer hitch. They appear to be NLA but show on the auction sites.

Read more about it here.

https://www.angelridevideos.com/reviews/pakitrak.html

Pete

[ridingron]

May be no longer available but pretty easy to fab something similar. If you have a trailer hitch.

[Bulldog9]

I have used top boxes on my two up bikes. One up I just use a big duffle bag I can bungee on the rear seat. Doubles as a back rest.
If you have a way to mount a trailer hitch and can find one, a Pakit Rak is the bees knees.
Carries weight way down low and is exceptionally well built and designed. I ran one on my Goldwing and he offered a small mount that didn’t require installing a full trailer hitch. They appear to be NLA but show on the auction sites.

Read more about it here.

https://www.angelridevideos.com/reviews/pakitrak.html

Pete

Me with a trailer on my motorcycle? HAMSANDWICH NO! 

[PeteS]

Me with a trailer on my motorcycle? HAMSANDWICH NO! 

Not a trailer.

Pete

[ridingron]

Just because there is a trailer hitch on your bike doesn't mean you pull a trailer. Like just because you have a rear seat means you have a passenger all the time.

[Bulldog9]

Regardless, a Trailer mounted trunk, or trailer, I don't ever see a need for either, and would never have one on my motorcycle. If you do, more power to you and God bless but I'll have none of that.

[PeteS]

Regardless, a Trailer mounted trunk, or trailer, I don't ever see a need for either, and would never have one on my motorcycle. If you do, more power to you and God bless but I'll have none of that.

Not trying to sell you on the idea, but my experience as well as others say a top box compromises handling. This alternative has essentially no affect on the handling plus makes it easier for a passenger to get on and off.
I don’t see it as an option for a V85 but maybe a V7 or 1400 or older Cruiser bike.

Pete

[kingoffleece]

I don't put anything heavy in my top case but it's never affected my handling-ever.

[PeteS]

I don't put anything heavy in my top case but it's never affected my handling-ever.

Try case of bottled Yuengling. Then try and keep up with your buds scraping knees on PA 144.

Pete

[kingoffleece]

Nope.  GOOD bourbon in the side bag.  Keep your beer.

[Bulldog9]

75 Mile ride today, a brisk overcast 50's day. Started at the local bikes & breakfast, then up the GW Parkway, crossed over to MD, followed the Potomac down to Fort Washington, then back up to the Woodrow Wilson bridge, crossed back over to VA, down to George Washington's Mount Vernon and looked across the Potomac at Fort Washington from Fort Hunt (my backyard)

A great ride, and 100 miles closer to first service. Decided I want a bit more exhaust Noise, so came home and ordered a Zard Exhaust from Moto Machines. (paypal credit is a beautiful thing).

Really liking the bike. Small Block Charm, with close to big block power..... 600 miles to breakin service.

I'm thinking of doing the trans and rear differential during the initial service, and install all the parts. So far, and I think I am finished:
- Zard Exhaust
- Mytech Tool Box
- Givi Tanklock bracket
- Isotta Engine/Crash bars
- AUX lights
- Greg Bender Wire Harness with Relay





At the bikes and breakfast, I saw this oddity. It's been a LONG time since something surprised me. Never heard of this before. Very interesting E bike. Out of the UK, removeable Battery Packs, Motor is in the hub.

[Cam3512]

As far as exhaust, I did the opposite.  Left the stock pipe, but installed an Agostini “Y” pipe shortly after I bought it.  On the ‘20’s, the stock headers stay put.  Separate from the Y pipe.  It eliminated some substantial weight and heat on the right foot. 

[SIR REAL ED]

Try case of bottled Yuengling. Then try and keep up with your buds scraping knees on PA 144.

Pete

I fondly remember PA 144 from the late 1970's riding my XS750!!!  Great ride!

[Bulldog9]

I fondly remember PA 144 from the late 1970's riding my XS750!!!  Great ride!

I'm getting ready to bring my 1978 xs750 back to life.

I'll make to have it ready and sell hopefully by the Vintage Yamaha Rally this fall.

[Huzo]

I got a Zard twin outlet exhaust for my V85 but took it off after a short while. Mine didn’t have the mellow sound I was after.
I still have it if anyone wants it.

[Bulldog9]

I got a Zard twin outlet exhaust for my V85 but took it off after a short while. Mine didn’t have the mellow sound I was after.
I still have it if anyone wants it.

What didn't you like about it? I find Zard to be between the rumble of a Mistral and Bark of an Agostini.

[kingoffleece]

I have the Agostini slip on fitted to my 2022.  Could use a bit more "umph" to the sound.  It's almost as tame as the OEM.  It is much lighter though.

[Bulldog9]

I have the Agostini slip on fitted to my 2022.  Could use a bit more "umph" to the sound.  It's almost as tame as the OEM.  It is much lighter though.

Jim, While coming back from my ride I stopped at the ABC store and stocked up for our upcoming company. 8 bottles, 4 wine, 1 bourbon, 1 Drambuie, i Ouzo, 1 Sambuca all in the topcase. I could feel it coming off the side stand, but not otherwise.

Looks like Beam has released a 'Cask Strength" Single Barrel 9 Knob Creek. The Single Barrel 9 is my favorite of them all, and is normally 100 proof, this Cask Strength is 118 proof. Also, when I got home and read the fine print on the bottle, it is comically an Eli Manning Barrel pick! LOL. Had I know that, I would have passed on it, I hate celebrity worship.

[Huzo]

What didn't you like about it? I find Zard to be between the rumble of a Mistral and Bark of an Agostini.

I’d hoped it would be a bit more like a Conti on a Ducati or Termi.

[Bulldog9]

Was able to peel away from the union boss/slaver yesterday and put another 250 on the V85. 300 miles to go till first service.

I am still impressed with the overall power of the motor, and the character of a small block. It just feels fun. Man is it hard to keep below 6K..... The suspension is softening nicely, I may need to up the spring preload.

Though the seating position and reach is the best out of the box on any Guzzi I've ridden, I think a 1/2-3/4 bar riser will do well, just a little too much pressure on the arms. Very wide controllable bars, and the seat is very comfortable. Being without a tank bag and not wanting to go through the hassle of opening one of the cases, I discovered this bike has a built in bottle holder (eat your heart out Harley). I did do one small farkle, added my trademark heraldry to the side cases and covered the Moto Guzzi on the Fork Protectors.

As I prep for the first service, and looking through my stock, I have:

Valvoline full synthetic 75-140
Valvoline full synthetic 75-90
Redline Synthetic 80-90
Lucas Heavy Duty 75-85

My plan is to use the Valvoline 75-140 in the trans and diff. I've no worries on the trans level, but know I should put less in the rear differential. Anyone have the cc's? Or do I just fill so that it is a bit below the rear level plug?  Also, It looks like there is a rubber plug over the breather on the rear diff?

For oil, I am going to stick with the Castrol. The Stornello started on Motul then to Liquimoly, and it always burned a bit. On the 3000 mile Arkansas ride last year, I flogged the daylights out of the bike trying to keep up with several V85's, and it never burnt a drop. 10W60 of course.

Hopefully all the ordered parts will be in by the time I do the first service.

PICS of ride.















Heard about a bikes & coffee event at a "Cafe Racer" themed bike shop in Culpeper, was a big event and cool little shop. A few Guzzi's in the mix.












Nice V7 Sport...... Take a look at how far those fork tubes are raised!!!! Anyone on the forum?




Beautiful day for a ride, though I was overdressed for a day that turned out to be 85 degrees.

[kingoffleece]

Steve,
Check with Jim.  I think I remember hearing that the final drive now gets 130cc.  I'm pretty sure the "fill it until the inspection plug says enough" does not fit the new spec-but I'm not sure.

Totally with you on the Knob 9-and, btw, the EW rye is not finished.  Really nice-I would have never bought that.

Finally, I've been on PA 144, 44, and a whole basket load of more roads in PA plenty of times.  It was a favorite destination when I lived in WNY.  Hyner Point was always a must do.  And, a good buddy lived in Renovo, so there's that.

[PeteS]

Renovo is very cool. A town built to support a railroad, much like Dunsmuir, CA. Stuffed in a narrow valley with tracks and a river running through it. When I first visited there in the early ‘90s most all the tracks and yard were still there even though little work was done. Now its down to single track.

Pete

[Vagrant]

The first change on the rear end was to 160CC. Now the 2025 book says 130. I will go to 140 when I change mine next because I never heard of any issues with the 160 but they must have had some. I use a old gear oil bottle with a chunk of fuel line to fill it from the hole at 9 O'clock that you would assume is a fill level hole.
Your trans should have a level hole in it. I fill it through that hole on the side stand because the engine guard blocks the fill plug. It calls for 700CC but I use 650 because I assume that was a dry fill # like so many other capacities seem to be.
Crank the thing up and hit the rev limiter once in a while.
 

[ridingron]

Vagrant said

 "Crank the thing up and hit the rev limiter once in a while."

    I do that numerous times every ride! Have some fun and live a little!

[Bulldog9]

The first change on the rear end was to 160CC. Now the 2025 book says 130. I will go to 140 when I change mine next because I never heard of any issues with the 160 but they must have had some. I use a old gear oil bottle with a chunk of fuel line to fill it from the hole at 9 O'clock that you would assume is a fill level hole.
Your trans should have a level hole in it. I fill it through that hole on the side stand because the engine guard blocks the fill plug. It calls for 700CC but I use 650 because I assume that was a dry fill # like so many other capacities seem to be.
Crank the thing up and hit the rev limiter once in a while.

Thanks for the info on rear diff level. I knew it was lower than the . Is very similar to the others and mosty the Stornello. I use the same, a piece of fuel line or hose from the bottle to the case. On the Stornello, I remove the top vent and fill from there till it runs out the level hole. A good opportunity to clean it and makes filling super easy.  Seems that I've read the V85 has had issues of pissing rear diff fluid through the seal when it gets hot and expands, and the solution is to lower the level of the diff lube.  It looks like the rear diff vent is sealed or covered by a rubber flapper. Does it allow the diff to breathe? Has anyone done a mod to route it up to under the seat the way some did on the V7?

When I was foolish enough to think I would be riding off road, trails, water crossings on the Stornello, while converting it to ADV use in 2017-18, I bought a fitting and routed the rear diff breather with a tube to under the seat. But I was quickly reminded that my skills and abilities were best left to paved, gravel and hard pack. The Joint replacements in 2020 sealed that deal.........

I always clean the rear diff vent and blow it out when doing a fluid service. I'll probably pull the plug and remove the breather when servicing the rear differential.

On engine RPM's, I've fully bedded the rings with hard accel and decel, but am keeping the RPMs to 6K till after first service. Never been an intentional bounce off the rev limiter guy, but almost always rev to the top of the rev range just below redline. Looking at the chart, 7500-7600 is likely where I will rev to, but I'll let the motor tell me what it likes.