My 'new' Stornello

[egschade]

Just purchased this basically new Stornello. 94 miles on the odometer, molding nibs still on the tires, untouched except for a new battery. The PO is a collector with several ultra low mileage toys in his collection including a Ford GT, 80's vintage Silverado with a 454 and original tires, and a handful of International Scouts.

First order of business is changing all the fluids and replacing the in-tank fuel filter. Next is tires despite that the OEMs are basically new and actually feel somewhat pliable. Will probably go with Bridgestone AX41S but still thinking about others. Anyone run the Kenda K761 tires?

Other minor, reversible mods I'll make are adding a left side saddle bag, skid plate and better horn. I already put my tail pack on the seat, have a magnetic tank bag and ran the wiring for a USB port and GPS. Will also try a set of Hagon shocks I'm buying from Bulldog9.

[kidsmoke]

Congrats, I really like the Stornello.

[Dirk_S]

Congrats! Must feel weird to have to break in a motor that’s a decade old.

[Brand X]

I ran the stock rear, and a Pirelli MT-60 RS on the front.. Super matches to each other..Both radials .Just put a new set on a Ducati SC 1100 the other day..Same rubber compound as the Sp V3 sport tires.. I bought a set of Shinko 705 for my current BMW X country and those are good also. I would of bought the Kenda 761 if they were in stock. Had good luck with the sport touring tires from them. I noticed the front Shinko has a bit or run out on it, but cannot feel anything from that..It's enough for me to buy something like the Kendra's next time for it..

Be sure to watch your clutch lever travel. Mine went back to the Handle bar right at 2000 miles. Went right to the max crank thrust clearance
at that time.. Mine is the only Stornello on the web that has that dreaded crank issue. Just be aware of the 2016 issues and get some miles
on it to see. i bought mine with 400 miles on it a few years ago.. 

[Kev m]

Be sure to watch your clutch lever travel. Mine went back to the Handle bar right at 2000 miles. Went right to the max crank thrust clearance
at that time.. Mine is the only Stornello on the web that has that dreaded crank issue. Just be aware of the 2016 issues and get some miles
on it to see. i bought mine with 400 miles on it a few years ago..

I warned him about yours before he pulled the trigger...

[guzzi ride]

Beautiful bike, it's the only small bore Guzzi that appeals to me.

[davethewelder]

A few years back I passed on a Stornello at a dealer, there are so cool lookin'.

[JJ]

Good for you and CONGRATS!!!   Always liked the look of this model Guzzi!

What's all this about..."the dreaded crank issue?" ?????

[Bulldog9]

I ran the stock rear, and a Pirelli MT-60 RS on the front.. Super matches to each other..Both radials .Just put a new set on a Ducati SC 1100 the other day..Same rubber compound as the Sp V3 sport tires.. I bought a set of Shinko 705 for my current BMW X country and those are good also. I would of bought the Kenda 761 if they were in stock. Had good luck with the sport touring tires from them. I noticed the front Shinko has a bit or run out on it, but cannot feel anything from that..It's enough for me to buy something like the Kendra's next time for it..

Be sure to watch your clutch lever travel. Mine went back to the Handle bar right at 2000 miles. Went right to the max crank thrust clearance
at that time.. Mine is the only Stornello on the web that has that dreaded crank issue. Just be aware of the 2016 issues and get some miles
on it to see. i bought mine with 400 miles on it a few years ago..

Thats the first Stornello I heard of having that issue.......... YUK  What is your Series #?

[Dirk_S]

Good for you and CONGRATS!!!   Always liked the look of this model Guzzi!

What's all this about..."the dreaded crank issue?" ?????

A number of V7 II bikes were gifted crankshafts whose clutch flange was milled too far back, causing excessive free play that somehow wasn’t caught. The excessive play eventually allowed the thrust bearing to pop out, which then allowed for even more excessive thrust, and the crankshaft would begin drilling its way through the aluminum engine case. Engines often failed within 10,000 miles, often much sooner. Quite a number of warranty replacements for a model year that lasted ~2 years.

[blu guzz]

I like the old dodge truck in the drive too.  Great looking bike.

[egschade]

<SNIP>

Be sure to watch your clutch lever travel. Mine went back to the Handle bar right at 2000 miles. Went right to the max crank thrust clearance
at that time.. Mine is the only Stornello on the web that has that dreaded crank issue. Just be aware of the 2016 issues and get some miles
on it to see. i bought mine with 400 miles on it a few years ago..

Did MG take care of the engine repair/replacement or were you stuck with the bill?

[egschade]

I warned him about yours before he pulled the trigger...

Yes you did - time will tell...

[Kev m]

Did MG take care of the engine repair/replacement or were you stuck with the bill?

IIRC he was stuck with the bill as they stopped handling replacements years before.

[Brand X]

I don't remember the # on mine seems like the low 200 range. (#216 I think?)

Guzzi told me to take it to any dealer and they would look at it.. This was way out of Warranty The dealer had no clue how to really measure the crank thrust. It was 9 thou I found real nice e-bay 2016 engine with 4000 miles on it. Perfect thrust clearance. I traded the bike with the extra engine for a 2015  BMW F800r (Rotax)   So just run with it, and hope for the best. Put a Beetle map in it, and enjoy it  So now I have G650 X country, and it a pretty good SC type bike

I have no issue with Moto Guzzi, just the dealer in Portland.. I believe they would of did something if I pushed it..
I would own one again,(Moto Guzzi) but I would pay attention to known issues on this forum.

[TN Mark]

What a beauty, congratulations on your good fortune.

And, yes, it is odd breaking in a 10 year old motorcycle.

[egschade]

I don't remember the # on mine seems like the low 200 range. (#216 I think?)

Guzzi told me to take it to any dealer and they would look at it.. This was way out of Warranty The dealer had no clue how to really measure the crank thrust. It was 9 thou I found real nice e-bay 2016 engine with 4000 miles on it. Perfect thrust clearance. I traded the bike with the extra engine for a 2015  BMW F800r (Rotax)   So just run with it, and hope for the best. Put a Beetle map in it, and enjoy it  So now I have G650 X country, and it a pretty good SC type bike

I have no issue with Moto Guzzi, just the dealer in Portland.. I believe they would of did something if I pushed it..
I would own one again,(Moto Guzzi) but I would pay attention to known issues on this forum.

My VIN ends with M000220. Looking at the GuzziTech thread on the subject, all the VINs they list as being affected start with M200### so hopefully that means mine is not in the series of defective engines. Clutch adjustment is perfect and will be monitored. Time will tell.

[Kev m]

My VIN ends with M000220. Looking at the GuzziTech thread on the subject, all the VINs they list as being affected start with M200### so hopefully that means mine is not in the series of defective engines. Clutch adjustment is perfect and will be monitored. Time will tell.

The problem is that, AFAIK, Guzzi didn't have a list of affected VIN #'s BECAUSE only SOME of the crankshafts were machined undersized. Presumably they were mixed in with ones that weren't undersized and one motor might be built with a bad crank when the next one wasn't. It was hit/miss. So VIN numbers are a clue it COULD be in the affected range, but that wasn't a guarantee.

Especially since it seemed that bikes were built in batches - and MOST of the affected bikes were Stones or Racers.

[egschade]

Here's another discussion point with this bike - tires. It has the original tires and was stored indoors in a climate controlled garage. There are no signs of aging and are still soft. A very unscientific comparison to the new trials tires I have on the SL350 back this up with the Goldens feeling very similar in terms of rubber friction and knob compliance (edge deflection when pressed). I know the general wisdom is to replace tires older than 5 years regardless but then I did some research and among other things supporting use of older tires, found this Revzilla video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w

All that said I still intend to replace the tires before the riding season gets underway in earnest but maybe it's not as urgent as I originally thought.

And in a related question, has anyone run the newer Bridgestone 90/10 Adv AX41S tires? They've received good reviews and look the part. I had the street AX41 on the Carbon and they felt good.

[Dirk_S]

FWIW, I’m running the original 40 year-old Soviet-era tire that was installed on my 1986 Sputnik sidecar when I bought it 5 years ago, still in its crate. It was stored for many years in a climate-controlled environment, and now, 5 years later in outdoor conditions year-round in New England, the side walls are still gummy bear pliable, with no dry cracks.

I mean sure—your tires may not be high quality Soviet-era civilian motorcycle tires—and sure—my sidecar weighs one-third less than your V7 II—and sure—at least I did switch out the inner tube—and sure…um…

…I lost my point.

[Bulldog9]

My VIN ends with M000220. Looking at the GuzziTech thread on the subject, all the VINs they list as being affected start with M200### so hopefully that means mine is not in the series of defective engines. Clutch adjustment is perfect and will be monitored. Time will tell.

My Stornello's VIN ends with M000280 and is #742. I am a 13K IIRC. No issues.

As for tires, it depends how you plan to use the bike.  IMO, the stock front tire was garbage, the rear was pretty good. I was always having the front step out while in the twisties, especially if the road conditions weren't perfect.

If staying street, I would go with Jim Hamlin's recommendation for Michelin Road Classics. Avon used to have a nice pairing, but they went the way of the dodo.

I have Shinko 705's as I was going for more off road capability, but they have been excellent if a bit noisy. They have been very good overall on and off road. (My off road issues are ME). I got 6K out of the rear and the front is barely 1/2 worn. The issue is you have to buy a 'rear' tire and mount it backwards. Because of this the edges are knobby and it took 6K to get them down to eliminate the feeling of the knobby lump lump lump. I'm on the fence with what to do, and will likely just replace the rear Shinko with another and then replace the set when the 2nd rear is done.

Bill Hagan has the Pirelli Trails on his Stornello and is happy with them.

I'm sure you know this, but the V7ii requires that you retorque the head before setting valves at the 1st service.

I've loved my Stornello, especially with the upgraded suspension. One of my all time favorites. IMNSHO, it is the sweet spot of all the 750 V7's.  Heron Head motor, 6 Speed Trans, better engine position and pegs, with the benifit of ABS & TC. Look forward to getting together this summer. I am planning several rides up through NJ/NY/CT