Advice appreciated, bringing a '07 Norge up to date

[Hormel Chavez]

Howdy Wildguzzistas.

I hope you're all well. I am trying to bring a '07 Norge I acquired up to speed, maintenance-wise. The bike didn't come with records, but it was obviously well cared for and loved. I think it sat for a bit and I just purchased it so I am trying to get everything up to date. I was able to get some info from Bombar's Beemers in Wilmington NC, where it was last serviced (big props to those guys, super nice folks, great rep in the area for doing good work). Here's what I know...

Owner (who was a really nice straight up fellow) said he personally changed out the oil, rear diff (CARC fluids), and transmission fluid about 500 miles ago, also did a new fuel filter. Checks out, I looked at the fluids, they all seem pretty clean and new (clearish, no smells etc.)

Bombar's Beemers said the following was done in April of '25...

-New plugs
-New air filter
-Valves adjusted
-Throttle bodies sync'd
-Valve cover gaskets

What am I missing? I think only hydraulic fluids and perhaps a round of greasing various bearings, right? If you can think of anything else, any advice would be appreciated.

The bike runs well, in general. It's kind of a slow one to warm up. This may be a Guzzi thing, I have owned many bikes but my first Guzzi. The valve train seems noisy to me, but I have been told that's normal Guzzi noise. Also, the bike occasionally bogs down around 4500rpm under acceleration. It's not a consistent thing. It feels like the fueling just cuts out for a fraction of a second. Idle is inconsistent, swinging between 1200rpm and about 900rpm. It never bogs so much that it cuts out, but it feels like it is going to.

Otherwise, this thing is a blast to ride. Reminds me of my Buell XB12 Firebolt, except less angry and more comfortable. And it seems to actually start when I want it to...

Any advice about getting it in great shape would be appreciated. And thanks to Huzo's excellent post, which covers a lot of this maintenance. I am just looking for anything else I am missing before I take this noble steed on a camping trip.

[guzzisteve]

Just go down the list in the book, service book.

[Pescatore]

Were the inner plugs also replaced?
How many miles?  Could need injector cleaning.
Set yourself up with Guzzi Diag software and look for error codes.

Edit: I presume they did a tps reset

[kingoffleece]

The bodywork traps a LOT of heat.  Clutch fluid and rear brake get a lot of abuse.

If you e really want it to be perfect take a nice ride to Hamlin in CT.  He knows more about the Norge than anyone.  Ho sold a boatload of them and still has a Norge as one of his personal bikes.  I worked with him over the years at the shop when I would visit.  Idle hunt and bog are absolutely not normal.  I had a Norge for quite a while and assisted on a bunch more at the shop.

Better check the timing belt.  If not serviced it'll be past due.  Front fork oil will be roached, too.

[Huzo]

There is no timing belt.
It has a timing chain and an alternator belt.

[toomanybikes]

Besides what you have already mentioned, I would ...
1. Flush brake and clutch fluids, if the clutch is hydraulic
2. Put the injectors through an ultrasonic cleaner. If that's not available, run a heavy dose of Berryman's B12 carb/injector cleaner
3. Beware the fuel pump, I had to replace one on a '16 Audace that sat for multiple years. The symptoms are that it will cut out under fast WOT condition, but only when the tank is low. It's a heat issue and a full tank helps cool the pump. Replacing the pump solved the problem.
4. How old are the tires, per their datecode? If more than 6 years old, consider replacing them even if no dry rot. If more than ten years old, definitely replace them.
5. Easiest fix for the noisy valve train ... earplugs

[kingoffleece]

My mistake.  Was in a hurry.  Yes, alternator belt.  DUMBA** error by me.

[pehayes]

Does this  year and model have the dreaded 'auto-start' feature?  Do you have to hold the start button throughout the start cycle?  Or can you just tap and let go and it will continue to crank by itself?

If you have the autostart then read up on that feature.  A headache to many.  Eventually installing a bypass or override start switch will get you out of trouble.

Its a long read, but follow this thread:

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=117948.0

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Perazzimx14]

When I buy a used bike it doesn't matter to me if it was fully serviced the day before I bought it or its been sitting for years, its getting fully serviced, highly detailed and gone over with a fine tooth comb by me. In addition to fluids/filters I also like to remove all the bodywork, racks, fuel cell etc. to expose as much of bike for deep cleaning, detailing and access to parts not usually seen for inspection, repair and/or cleaning. I am also a big proponent of if it has aftermarket electrical accessories they all come off and then only what is wanted is properly added back in. That old 12v cigarette lighter adapter is of no use or those incandescent Hella 100watt'ers can be replaced with a $30 set of LED off Amazon that have much higher quality light output. Also there are very few 12v electricians and usually the wiring is shoddily done and/or with cheap automotive crimp connectors that usually become problematic. So getting rid of all the subpar wiring can save you a lot of headache in the future.

Normally I spend 20 or 30 hours on a new bike getting it to where I'm happy with it. Admittedly since I'm not a motorcycle business I can take my time and go at it at a casual pace sipping a few drinks listening to the radio and enjoying some garage time while getting to know the bike. My goal is to make the bike as good as it can be no matter how long it takes.

[Jon8V]

Howdy Wildguzzistas.

I hope you're all well. I am trying to bring a '07 Norge I acquired up to speed, maintenance-wise. The bike didn't come with records, but it was obviously well cared for and loved. I think it sat for a bit and I just purchased it so I am trying to get everything up to date. I was able to get some info from Bombar's Beemers in Wilmington NC, where it was last serviced (big props to those guys, super nice folks, great rep in the area for doing good work). Here's what I know...

Owner (who was a really nice straight up fellow) said he personally changed out the oil, rear diff (CARC fluids), and transmission fluid about 500 miles ago, also did a new fuel filter. Checks out, I looked at the fluids, they all seem pretty clean and new (clearish, no smells etc.)

Bombar's Beemers said the following was done in April of '25...

-New plugs
-New air filter
-Valves adjusted
-Throttle bodies sync'd
-Valve cover gaskets

What am I missing? I think only hydraulic fluids and perhaps a round of greasing various bearings, right? If you can think of anything else, any advice would be appreciated.

The bike runs well, in general. It's kind of a slow one to warm up. This may be a Guzzi thing, I have owned many bikes but my first Guzzi. The valve train seems noisy to me, but I have been told that's normal Guzzi noise. Also, the bike occasionally bogs down around 4500rpm under acceleration. It's not a consistent thing. It feels like the fueling just cuts out for a fraction of a second. Idle is inconsistent, swinging between 1200rpm and about 900rpm. It never bogs so much that it cuts out, but it feels like it is going to.

Otherwise, this thing is a blast to ride. Reminds me of my Buell XB12 Firebolt, except less angry and more comfortable. And it seems to actually start when I want it to...

Any advice about getting it in great shape would be appreciated. And thanks to Huzo's excellent post, which covers a lot of this maintenance. I am just looking for anything else I am missing before I take this noble steed on a camping trip.

Did they say whether they reset the TPS after doing the valves and TB's?

And a starter relay fix isn't a bad idea either: https://mphcycles.com/starter-relay-fix-kit/

[ridingron]

Was the guy riding it? Check and top off the fluids, tire pressure and gas it up and go! Ride and do maintenance as you go.

[kingoffleece]

Cannot agree with this.  I'm 100% in the Prez14 camp.  Go thru everything. Maybe it's where I live.  Here, one can be a LONG LONG way from anywhere in 110 degree heat with no shade for 30 miles.  Not the best place to be to find out something was not up to snuff.  No cell coverage in many places either.

[cappisj1]

Change out the swing arm bearings. I was told to. I waited. Things felt fine.  Don’t wait mine were almost dust. It’s easy just a little time consuming is all. Kind of like chrome cylinders, they will fail if they haven’t yet.

[ridingron]

Cannot agree with this.  I'm 100% in the Prez14 camp.  Go thru everything. Maybe it's where I live.  Here, one can be a LONG LONG way from anywhere in 110 degree heat with no shade for 30 miles.  Not the best place to be to find out something was not up to snuff.  No cell coverage in many places either.

Yes, I would have said something different. The OP live in a more populous area with "nicer" climate.

[Bulldog9]

Great advice above. I'm in the same camp as KOF and P14. It's important to go through the whole bike and address any cherry rigged electrical additions or modifications as well as getting all of your fluids consumables (filters, brake pads, plugs, bulbs)  baselined.

I also concur with the addition of the starter relay.

The one area where I am deficient with my CARC bikes is the greasing of the rear swing arm.....

AFAIK, my 2012 Norge with 60k miles and 2007 Griso with 15k have never had this done. I know I need to, but....

Excuses aside, I really haven't had the time or opportunity or the space dig that deep. Although when I've changed tires on each I've removed the rear shock and move the swing arm up and down And checked for any play. I felt no binding or grinding but it was smooth. Eventually hopefully in the next year or so I'll get to it.

[Perazzimx14]

Great advice above. I'm in the same camp as KOF and P14. It's important to go through the whole bike and address any cherry rigged electrical additions or modifications as well as getting all of your fluids consumables (filters, brake pads, plugs, bulbs)  baselined.

I also concur with the addition of the starter relay.

The one area where I am deficient with my CARC bikes is the greasing of the rear swing arm.....

AFAIK, my 2012 Norge with 60k miles and 2007 Griso with 15k have never had this done. I know I need to, but....

Excuses aside, I really haven't had the time or opportunity or the space dig that deep. Although when I've changed tires on each I've removed the rear shock and move the swing arm up and down And checked for any play. I felt no binding or grinding but it was smooth. Eventually hopefully in the next year or so I'll get to it.

On probably my 2nd or 3rd GS I made it standard practice to check out the swingarm pivot bearings no matter how low the mileage the bike is. More than once I had been surprised to find bearings that were in excellent shape with a clean and repack was all they needed and in other instances I found rusty crusty failing/failed bearings that I'm not sure how or why there still managed to perform. I have also gotten to the point where a set of 30203 tapered roller bearings are so inexpensive (>$15) its really not worth cleaning old bearings to repack so I just keep a new set in the freezer at the ready and when I pull the swingarm I just knock out the old races, bung in the new, pack the new bearings with high quality grease and reassemble.