E5+ Valve Adjustment made easier?

[kennneee]

I have adjusted the valves twice since I have had my 2025 V85TT. Everything has gone well but the biggest time sink has been lifting the tank to get more clearance to remove the valve covers and getting the spark plug wires out of the plastic keepers. After doing an adjustment today and putting everything back together, I started wondering if lifting the tank is really necessary to get the valve covers off. I just assumed it was and as we all know assuming is not always the best bet. Dealing with the spark plug keepers is a PITA. I spray a bit of silicone on the wire and keeper and carefully pry the wire out while lifting the valve cover. I would be interested to hear if anybody has any other techniques that have simplified this task. None of the above is that difficult but I always like the easy path on these things. Call me lazy. Thanks. Ken

[bad Chad]

That’s pretty much how I do it on my 25.  There is just enough room to get the covers off without f***ing with the tank.  I have no clue why they made lifting the tank so seemingly unnecessary?   But it would be great to have a bit more room!

[YellowDuck]

I just leave the wire where it is, move the valve cover to one side and let it hang from the wire.  Definitely a tight squeeze getting the valve cover free, but I figure if I scratch the tank cover it's on the underside where you wouldn't notice, and its just plastic anyway.

[JHBettsSr]

I lift my tank just a bit using a block of wood. For me trying to diddle with the spark plug wires w/o lifting the tank takes almost as long and is a bit frustrating.

[kennneee]

Do you unbolt the front and back of the tank? That is what I have always done but perhaps just removing the back bolt and the side panels is enough. I will try that the next time I do a service.

[JHBettsSr]

Do you unbolt the front and back of the tank? That is what I have always done but perhaps just removing the back bolt and the side panels is enough. I will try that the next time I do a service.

Yes, I have been unbolting the front and rear but not disconnecting any wiring or fuel/vent lines. Let us know how it goes by just unbolting the rear. Next time I may try unbolting the rear and just loosening the front bolts. It's too bad Guzzi used bolts at the front instead of slip-on rubber mounts like most bikes have.

[Vagrant]

I just can't believe all the bitching here about the best bike Guzzi has ever created. It's easier to work on than 99% of the other 2025/26 brands out there.
I had a little time to kill before church this am so I went to the garage put the bike on the center stand and did a valve check. From the start to the last tool wiped off and starting it up was a whole hour and ten minutes. What a bitch! Now I admit the first time I did them I threw away the four tiny screws that hold the plug wire to the top of the rocker cover. Totally unnecessary! From then on you just pull the wire off the plug and move it off to the side. I then removed just the rear tank bolt (a smart man will tape the clipped nut to the frame so it doesn't disappear) and slipped a wedge under the rear of the tank. You only gain about 1/2" but it really helps.
One thing I really recommend is this tool I bought years ago.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/383783382267?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=383783382267&targetid=4580909060970897&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=45609&poi=&campaignid=606298299&mkgroupid=1236951940831611&rlsatarget=pla-4580909060970897&abcId=10641794&merchantid=51291&msclkid=657f73e1300a1843fed319c4aede521c
It keeps you from over or under tightening the lock nut and at least for me makes life easier.
This is a 2025 v85 with 9200 miles on it and only 4500 since I last did them. One exhaust was 1/2 a thousandth loose. The rest were fine. Surprising since both exhausts are usually about 2 loose. So surprising I double checked both of them.
Now let's quit scaring away mew customers.
 

[DoubleGuzzi]

I had a little time to kill before church this AM ..

Did you really need to tell us that!? (Thought this forum had guidelines on religion and politics)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383783382267

The above is sufficient for a link and doesn't screw up the thread page - thought you should know that by now. 

[YellowDuck]

From the start to the last tool wiped off and starting it up was a whole hour and ten minutes.

You're slow. 

[DenverSteve]

Curious what your mileage is on your 2025.  Since valve adjustments are every 6,000 mi. (10,000 km) and you've already done two and now thinking about the third.  Are you approaching 20,000 miles in one year?

[Vagrant]

Curious what your mileage is on your 2025.  Since valve adjustments are every 6,000 mi. (10,000 km) and you've already done two and now thinking about the third.  Are you approaching 20,000 miles in one year?

As stated 9250 on the 25 v85. But I have three other small blocks under my roofs. I do them between 4500-5500 with oil changes. I did todays at 4500 to prove a point.

[Vagrant]

Did you really need to tell us that!? (Thought this forum had guidelines on religion and politics) :rolleyes:The above is sufficient for a link and doesn't screw up the thread page - thought you should know that by now. 

Sensitive aren't you!

[Vagrant]

One thing I forgot is it's a smart idea to put a gasket sealer between the rocker cover and it's O ring gasket. If a corner drops out while installing you will find out how good the oil pump works. FWIW, 10-60- synthetic doesn't wash out very well.

[kennneee]

I didn't realizing I was bitching! Take a long breath and re-read my post I love this bike but always like to learn better ways to get a task acompished. If making it easier inspires more guys to do their own work that is an added bonus. I have around 12K miles after around 1 year of ownership on my 2025 and had the dealer do the first service. I have done the last 2 valve adjustments. I have always maintained my own bikes for the last 50 years. I still have a lot to learn and will always defer and respect anybody that knows more than me. I guess that is why I like forums like this. Ken

[PeteS]

I didn't realizing I was bitching! Take a long breath and re-read my post I love this bike but always like to learn better ways to get a task acompished. If making it easier inspires more guys to do their own work that is an added bonus. I have around 12K miles after around 1 year of ownership on my 2025 and had the dealer do the first service. I have done the last 2 valve adjustments. I have always maintained my own bikes for the last 50 years. I still have a lot to learn and will always defer and respect anybody that knows more than me. I guess that is why I like forums like this. Ken

No worries. There are lot of old codgers here, me included, with different levels of patience. The new Guzzis are lot more difficult to work on than the old bikes. Not at all intuitive. I can have the tank off my ‘76 in under minute, valve covers another couple of minutes.
I have only done the first valve adjustment on my V85. I took off the tank first as I was running new wires for a GPS power outlet on the handle bars. I may try the next one leaving the tank in place but may loosen the back if needed.

Pete

[JHBettsSr]

I didn't realizing I was bitching! Take a long breath and re-read my post I love this bike but always like to learn better ways to get a task acompished. If making it easier inspires more guys to do their own work that is an added bonus. I have around 12K miles after around 1 year of ownership on my 2025 and had the dealer do the first service. I have done the last 2 valve adjustments. I have always maintained my own bikes for the last 50 years. I still have a lot to learn and will always defer and respect anybody that knows more than me. I guess that is why I like forums like this. Ken

It's okay Ken, you were just asking/sharing information. You're good, don't let one egg ruin the whole henhouse. Most of us are glad you're here and appreciate your inputs.

[fotoguzzi]

I would have skipped church and gone for a ride.. it’s sorta like church but better.

[DoubleGuzzi]

No comment. 

[DenverSteve]

As stated 9250 on the 25 v85. But I have three other small blocks under my roofs. I do them between 4500-5500 with oil changes. I did todays at 4500 to prove a point.

Thank you but...... that was for the OP and I don't see any mention of mileage.....But, thanks for reading my post.

[ridingron]

I would have skipped church and gone for a ride.. it’s sorta like church but better.

Is it better to be in church thinking about riding or better to be riding thinking about church?   

[guzziart]

Cornfucius say "Man who go to church, sit in own pew".

[yrunvs]

I rode my TT to church. Best of both worlds.

[Vagrant]

I ride seven days a week weather permitting. I need to keep on good term with my guardian angel.

[DenverSteve]

I guess I use the easiest way for valve adjustment..... I ride over to my dealership that's 13 blocks away.  I know I'm fortunate to have a dealership so close and that the vast majority of riders don't.

[YellowDuck]

I guess I use the easiest way for valve adjustment..... I ride over to my dealership that's 13 blocks away.  I know I'm fortunate to have a dealership so close and that the vast majority of riders don't.

Yuck.  Drop it off and wait in their waiting room, or leave and come back hours or days later, while somebody else does something to my bike that I could easily do myself in 45 min?  Sorry, but that would make me feel like a punk-ass bitch.  Not a single one of my bikes ever saw the inside of a dealership again after I brought it home.  I've been lucky I guess that none of them ever needed anything that was beyond my abilities to handle.  I can understand not wanting to deal with something that needs special tools or involves opening the engine, but an MG valve adjustment is sooooo easy.  It's not about being cheap - it's about having a personal hands-on connection with the machine.

Everyone is different I guess.

[DenverSteve]

.... Sorry, but that would make me feel like a punk-ass bitch.  Not a single one of my bikes ever saw the inside of a dealership again after I brought it home.  Everyone is different I guess.

I think I understand where you're coming from. It would similarly make me feel like a broke-ass bitch if I couldn't or wouldn't support my dealership's shop and they went out of business because I was too cheap, or broke, to get my after-sale support from them.  Everyone is different I guess.  Laissez les bons temps rouler

[DenverSteve]

Is it better to be in church thinking about riding or better to be riding thinking about church?   

I would say neither.  Church isn’t a physical construct. Church is where you are and my church is peacefully communing with nature riding my bikes.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I would say neither.  Church isn’t a physical construct. Church is where you are and my church is peacefully communing with nature riding my bikes.

For balance/fairness: Other places of worship brainwashing venues are available.

[red stripeguz]

For balance/fairness: Other places of worship brainwashing venues are available.

Complains about someone mentioning church, whining about forum rules on religion, then makes sure to get childish dig in against religion


well aren't you special

[DoubleGuzzi]

Rules should be for everyone, not just those who sit on one side of the fence, so to speak. Unless you feel 'entitled', of course.
'Nuff said.