New (to me) Norge

[MerleLowe]

Temptation came too close to home and I could not resist.  I picked up a 2007 Norge today and now have a big-block after two small-blocks.  I had looked at a later Norge a few years back but opted for a Concours since I had wanted to try one for about two decades.

Only thing I noticed during the test ride was a noisy clutch when disengaged.  Sounds like a Ducati dry clutch.  Did a quick internet search before handing over my money and saw a few comments along the lines of "some are noisier than others, etc.) so I blew it off and bought the bike anyway,  Did some more looking once I got home and found a video of the same sound and Pete Roper himself had commented it was preload on the face cam shock absorber in the transmission.  So, what did I get myself into this time lol ?!   

I did enjoy the ride home.  This is going to replace my old 1995 Concours.  The Norge feels so much better all the way around and (apart from the clutch) makes wonderful sounds.  Like my V85, it wants to be 3500 and up. 

[Rocket Rod]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Norge-istas. I've had mine since last December, so I'm an OG. Of course, there are some other members here who may have more experience with this model. They may be along shortly. This is a fun forum with some very knowledgeable and engaging members.

[Huzo]

Mine is identical to yours.
I’ve owned it from new and now it has 220,000 km.
I’ve done all my own work with one exception when Pete Roper did a specialist job.
Ask anything you want.

[SemperVee]

 I love that sound on mine with great relish.

[Tkelly]

Just wear earplugs and enjoy the ride.

[guzzisteve]

It is a dual plate rattely just like all the other 2V bigblocks

[Bulldog9]

WHen I first fell in the world of Guzzi in 2015, Dave Richardson told me that "Guzzi's make odd noises, only be worried if the stop making noises'  RIde it and enjoy.

I have found that balancing the TBs helps with the off clutch lever chuck chuck sound.  Not sure if the 4V Norge is a dual plate like the Griso or 1200 Sport, but they make a racket on and off the lever. Each of my CARC bikes make/made different noises.

[John A]

What you hear when you pull the clutch lever is the floater ( or called the intermediate plate) . It resides between the two friction plates and is unclamped when the lever is pulled. It has teeth that ride in grooves so it rattles if it’s not held together by the pressure plate.

[AirPirate]

Keep us up to date on how its working out. I'm 30 minutes away from the seller, and couldn't make up my mind if I should go from my Griso to the Norge. Congrats on your purchase.

[Bulldog9]

Keep us up to date on how its working out. I'm 30 minutes away from the seller, and couldn't make up my mind if I should go from my Griso to the Norge. Congrats on your purchase.

Keep Both, it's worth it.

[MerleLowe]

Good to hear the rattle is normal.  It sounded like the Ducati and Harley dry clutches I've heard so I uncharacteristicall y moved forward without all the info lol.  I have a 2022 V85TT and had a 2010 V7.  Boith of those just made a little ticky from the rockers, wasn't sure if the clutch rattle was normal on the big blocks.  Always learning something new.

Was only a 20 mile ride home but already growing on me.  Just like my V85, the handling is easy and intuitive.  It just seemed to read my mind.  Power is good, I'm not a fast rider so the 90-ish of the 2v is plenty.  Like my smallblocks, I see it likes to run in the midrange and rewards smooth roll-ons between corners.  No hit, just deceptively quick progress without drama, much like a Sportster.  Won't be riding it again until I get a tag for it Tuesday.

The top case latch is broken with pieces missing so I think I'll replace it with a Givi of some sort.  The mounting plate looks like a Monokey setup, so I'll see if one of my cases fits.

One other odd thing is there is an exhaust tip inserted into the muffler.  It necks down to less than an inch and also turns down maybe 60 degrees to be roughly parallel to the road.  I had a similar insert on my CB500X but that was something that Givi made to keep exhaust off of the side case.  Not needed here.

Oh, and there were two valve cover gaskets in the top case!  Free stuff.

[Pescatore]

Congratulations. I have the same but 2008 and love it.
I see you got spot lights too.
The box lock cannot be trusted. If the box is not held down tight to the frame, it can fly off going over bad roads.
Take a peek under the fairing from the header pipes.  Check for dirt accumulation on the engine, indicative of leaks/seepage.
Keep an eye on final drive for same.  Could be stuck vent or reused crush washers.
If you're in cold climate, the OG Stelvio hand guards fit, but need risers or helibars.  Depending on your height, risers will help with riding posture.
See also topics on the nylon gas tank swelling.
Hopefully you already have the SI mod to the starter.

[MerleLowe]

I'll have to look into the Startus Interruptus issue.  I read about that when I had my V7 and the details left my head over the past two years.  I only starts in neutral, not sure if that is right.  My Ultra Limited was doing that and I hosed the clutch switch out with contact cleaner and that fixed it.

Got the tag for it yesterday and rode it this morning for gas and some breakfast.  took 1/2 tank of 90 octane E0.  Best I can get without ethanol around here.

The power windscreen is dead.  Just a click from a relay.  Have to sort that out eventually.  Bike also has the extended oil dipstick. 

If I ride this to the Concours Owner Group (COG) rally in two weeks, I'll be passing right by guzzisteve's former place of work.  The rally is in Helen, GA and I always go though Dahlonega.  btw Steve, the building is up for sale again it seems.  Was a meadery for a while.

[MerleLowe]

Rode the bike again during my lunch break.  Put it up on the centerstand and it was leaning hard to the right.  The foot pedal end is touching and the left centerstand foot is off the ground by a few mm.  Doesn't look bent or damaged.  Also, the stand hits the exhaust.  Little difficult to get back off the stand.  Guess I'll have to work that out.

[MerleLowe]

Took another look at the center stand after looking over the parts schematics.  Appears that the special bushings and bolt were replaced with a regular bolt on the left side.  The right side was loose, allowing the stand to slide past the stop, hence the near-drop and flop yesterday.

Took the stand off for now until I get parts.  Might be a while - AF1 does not stock any of the pieces.

One other thing I found was the rubber bumper for the stand is hanging out in the air so the stand is hitting the exhaust.  If someone with a Norge take a photo of the part that contact the rubber rest?  The parts diagram dose not have everything together as installed. The rubber bumper is part number 21.   I need 2,8, and 9. 

[Gusable]

I think every bike I’ve owned has made “concerning” noises that I live with. For sure every bike I own, ride around the block with no helmet you hear rattles in the tail area, plate, lights, chain etc.  bmw oil head the worst. Bucket of bolts in tin can at idle. Enjoy the norge. I’d like one someday

[racer1735]

Took the stand off for now until I get parts.  Might be a while - AF1 does not stock any of the pieces.

You might check some other Guzzi dealer/service shops for parts.  My go-to are Cadre Cycles (OH), MG Cycles (WI) as well as AF1.  Each have very good parts availabilities and Cadre has a full line of parts fiche.  Hamlin Cycles in CT is a respected outlet, as well.

[red stripeguz]

Took another look at the center stand after looking over the parts schematics.  Appears that the special bushings and bolt were replaced with a regular bolt on the left side.  The right side was loose, allowing the stand to slide past the stop, hence the near-drop and flop yesterday.

Took the stand off for now until I get parts.  Might be a while - AF1 does not stock any of the pieces.

One other thing I found was the rubber bumper for the stand is hanging out in the air so the stand is hitting the exhaust.  If someone with a Norge take a photo of the part that contact the rubber rest?  The parts diagram dose not have everything together as installed. The rubber bumper is part number 21.   I need 2,8, and 9. 

Are you in Austin? If so, welcome to physically take a look at my Norge to see what's up with center stand

[MerleLowe]

I'm near Atlanta.  Long drive, but I appreciate the invite!

Looks like the muffler is supposed to have a bracket on it, attached to the pipe just ahead of the can.  I found a full exhaust on ebay and it had it.  The pipes on that looked rusty, whereas mine appear to be polished stainless.  For now, I will fix the center stand, then put some muffler wrap on the center stand arm to keep it off the pipe.  Lots of other little things to fix on the bike.

[MerleLowe]

Pulled the bags off and scrubbed the muffler down so I could ID it.  There it was...  STAINTUNE !!!

No wonder it didn't look like all of the pics.  Looks like I'll have to fab a stop for the centerstand.

[MerleLowe]

Update on the Norge.

Got the centerstand parts from Cadre.  All better now.  Works as designed and doesn't flop over. Loctite blue applied to bolts.  lol.

Changed the oil.  Used Motul 7100 since that's what I use for the V85TT.  Found that I already had a filter I'd bought for my HDs.  Was easy since it's fitted with the extended dipstick.

Re-attached the top case.  All of the locking mechanisms were missing except the hook-like latch for the lid.  Didn't find a replacement top case yet or find the parts.  Decided to find another way.  Drilled 3 holes where the case locks in on back of plate.  Now case is held down with 3 zip ties.  The thin and weedy case will break before the ties do.  I'll just carry spare ties if I need to pull the case off.  Should only take a couple of minutes to remount.  For the lid latch, I glued in two washers to hold the latch pivot axle in (was slotted with opening upward).  I then made a spring to hold the latch forward.  Got a file cabinet lock set and the arm on that cams the latch backward to release it.  Looks normal from the outside, only downside is needing two hands.  Might fab a push button to take the place of the lock.

Next items are tires, then doing a valve adjustment (right side is much noisier than left so at least one is wrong) then checking out the windshield mechanism.  Also confused as it's fitted with factory heated grips, but no button on controls, just a blank off plate where one would be.

Did look into the warranty/log book.  Seems it was unsold until October 2011.  Sold at Leo's South in MN.  The seller got it from an auction.  No idea what happened in between, but since the tires are Bridgestone t30s dated 2013 ans 2015 I expect it sat unused for at least 5 years, maybe more.

[Huzo]

Heated grip button is a blue button on the front of the left switch block.

I made a 5 mm pin attached to the mounting plate, that sticks up through a hole that I bored in the top box and is secured by a clevis pin on the inside. It’s been there for 15 years and 230,000 km, never failed because it can’t.

Have a look at “Norge service schedule” on these pages.

[MerleLowe]

Heated grip button is a blue button on the front of the left switch block.

I made a 5 mm pin attached to the mounting plate, that sticks up through a hole that I bored in the top box and is secured by a clevis pin on the inside. It’s been there for 15 years and 230,000 km, never failed because it can’t.

Have a look at “Norge service schedule” on these pages.

No button there... just the outline in the plasitc.  It would seem a previous owner replaced the switch block with one minus the button.  Probably the same guy that put the Staintune muffler on it without a centerstand stop bracket and used wire nuts to wire in a brake light flasher.  I end up with too many like that, fixing bodges and bad work.  My defense in this case is, it's very,very red and I took a good test ride down verdant country roads.  I was under a spell it seems.  :)

It reminds me of way back in the 90s when my friend let me take his 750 Paso out for an hour or so.  Had F1 slip-ons that just sounded amazing.  He tried to sell it to me and I almost caved.   At least this is a Guzzi, so once sorted should be fine.

Saw the service schedule. Thanks.

[Huzo]

Is yours a GT or a GTL ?

[MerleLowe]

I'm not sure,  It has the power windshield, color matched side and top cases, bottom lug, centerstand and heated grips but no Navigation. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

For now, I will fix the center stand, then put some muffler wrap on the center stand arm to keep it off the pipe.  ..

Looks like I'll have to fab a stop for the centerstand.

This week I "fixed up" a centre stand stop for my scabby V7C. I'd totally forgotten that the supplied unattached stand didn't include one.  I've been messing about changing pipes and spotted the now melted rubber stop. D'oh! Time to get creative..
After a few failed ideas, I used a right angled steel bracket that was previously a hanger for a central heating radiator - I knew that metal would come in handy, eventually. A good many swipes of a hacksaw blade later, plus a couple of 6.5mm drilled holes and I had some form of solution. I had a wee bit of aluminium that already had a hole in it, to use a cross piece, though I'll need something just a little bit stronger. I'll make that change when I slap a coat of Hammerite Smooth on it (* other products may be suitable).
My phone pics are not the best but maybe it'll give you ideas/inspiration. 


   


Drat - missed your update. See, you could've saved a buck or three. Good that you got sorted out.
 

[Moparnut72]

I have a box in the corner of my shop the I throw misc bits into. It is amazing how often dig something out.
kk