General rant, Air Filters!

[SIR REAL ED]

Did I not predict that it'd turn into a H-D thread? 

Of course you were right!

YOU STARTED IT!   

[SIR REAL ED]

For the record, last night I took the V85 Strada airbox apart again (second time).  From the time I started to the point that I was holding the airbox lid in my hand, 10 min.  Maybe 90 s more to unscrew the retainer to get the filter out?  Definitely not in the running for worst ever.  At most, mildly annoying.

30 minutes to an hour with a hacksaw and Dremel tool modifying the airbox cover and you can shave that time in half the next time.   

[DoubleGuzzi]

Today, I removed the (replaced with metal) fuel tank on the V7 Classic. Te purpose was to lube the throttle mechanisms, adjust free play and discover why the fast idle was stuck.. I digress.
Lo & behold, I have déjà vu when I see the sinister shape of the airbox. It's the 750 Breva reborn! 
I remember thinking that getting at the air filter wasn't as bad as the heresay/reports had mentioned, except having to remove the front cowl/grid. On send thoughts, it was a bit of a nuisance however it needs relatively infrequent access. At least it isn't as complicated as the V50 air filter "extraction" and "re-entry". 
Instead, I face removing H-B crashbars to gain access, from a quick glance. I think that I'll leave the air filter alone, for now.

[Dirk_S]

Piaggio, if ever a thread were evidence—take note of what idle minds resort to. You see what happens when you don’t put out a new small block / short block model for a given year, instead sticking with “new color ways.”

[YellowDuck]

Piaggio, if ever a thread were evidence—take note of what idle minds resort to. You see what happens when you don’t put out a new small block / short block model for a given year, instead sticking with “new color ways.”

Dont worry they are planning a sportbike based on the VVT V85 motor for 2027. Very tidy packaging.  Ram air setup with the air filter accessible by pulling the headstock bearings.

[SIR REAL ED]

Dont worry they are planning a sportbike based on the VVT V85 motor for 2027. Very tidy packaging.  Ram air setup with the air filter accessible by pulling the headstock bearings.

Sounds like the best time to service the air filter is when you are crabbing the frame to replace a clutch....

[Tusayan]

"OTHER PEOPLE BITCH, I MAKE CHIPS!!!" would be a great Moto Guzzi Owner's Tee-Shirt!  I think that is why Norton owners also have milling machines and lathes....

I adopted that motto in 1998, but in a slightly different sense 

My latest acquisition is a Laverda and it has supremely easy air filter access. The only problem is that you have to remove the entire seat and bodywork ensemble to reach one of the four cover screws, but that is actually not difficult.  Old Guzzi air filter access was an exception but in general old bikes were so much easier to work on than new ones.

[MikeP996]

Over the years I have concluded that if you want a bike that's as easy to work on as an "old bike" then you need to buy an old bike! 

New bikes are not designed for owner maintenance; they are designed for the dealer to service.  Is that good or bad?  I suspect that most new riders nowadays are not interested in performing the maintenance that many (most?) of us older types expected and routinely performed as normal "motorcycle stuff." 

Heck, the owners manual of some OLD motorcycles contained instructions for the owner to "de-coke" the cylinders every 1000 miles which included pulling the head at a minimum!  ;)  I doubt we'd see any motorcycles sold today if that was still needed!
 

[Tusayan]

Over the years I have concluded that if you want a bike that's as easy to work on as an "old bike" then you need to buy an old bike! 

Yes, I’ve been selling off newer bikes for that reason, to make room in the garage.  Right now the V85TT is on the block, already replaced by a low mileage ‘92 R100GS and other than the TT the newest bikes are three 2001 models.  I’ve also recently bought an ‘86 Laverda and a ‘01 K12RS, both with very low mileage and in good condition.  The idea is to avoid buying any newer bikes in the future.  I think the 90s was the peak in terms of motorcycle technology, serviceability, quality and performance. Nothing I keep will have a plastic headlight lens. 

Newer bike ownership has been a real turn off for me as is having the transient low paid monkeys at most motorcycle dealers lay a hand on my stuff.  Low skill level plus dealer tools does not provide quality service - that ‘system’ is just a money extraction and client control scheme and if they break the bike working on it, no problem, they make money selling you a replacement. Welcome to the narcissistic manufacturer ‘family’