Norge Clutch Failure

[B24LongRangers]

If Pete is right and I have no reason to challenge him, I don't see this as a strike two. If it is still considered a strike two pity the person that has the same rules applied to their behavior and personal qualities or lack thereof.

[Rough Edge racing]

 The OP says the clutch was slipping badly with the burnt clutch smell.....Depending on the clutch friction material it may be glazed and not exactly good as new. I base this on years of experience abusing car and bike clutches...
 Not to be critical and as always hind sight is perfect,  if the bike couldn't be ridden home without clutch slipping,it should not have been ridden once the problem occurred.

[JeffOlson]

The OP says the clutch was slipping badly with the burnt clutch smell.....Depending on the clutch friction material it may be glazed and not exactly good as new. I base this on years of experience abusing car and bike clutches...
 Not to be critical and as always hind sight is perfect,  if the bike couldn't be ridden home without clutch slipping,it should not have been ridden once the problem occurred.

In hindsight, I agree with you. However, at the time, on a very warm day ,with my wife on the back of the bike, and home only two miles away, I figured I would go for it.

[canuguzzi]

In hindsight, I agree with you. However, at the time, on a very warm day ,with my wife on the back of the bike, and home only two miles away, I figured I would go for it.

 :1:

Damn right.

[jlburgess]

+1 on the grub screw.  I had an Aprilia that did the same thing and left me stranded 1 mile from my house. A tiny adjustment makes a big difference! Hopefully it's not epoxied in too much.  As Pete said use a high quality allen because you will have strike 3 when it gets rounded out 

[toma nova]

+1 on the grub screw.  I had an Aprilia that did the same thing and left me stranded 1 mile from my house. A tiny adjustment makes a big difference! Hopefully it's not epoxied in too much.  As Pete said use a high quality allen because you will have strike 3 when it gets rounded out 

Trying to change to shorty aftermarket levers, I rounded out the grub screw.  Heat did not help, it was stuck good.  I had to get an additional plunger and grub screw (thanks MPH!) for the new lever.

I would suggest that the shop tackles the grub screw and plunger as long as they have the bike.  Might cost a few dollars but will save some serious headaches if you round it off yourself!

[bratman2]

I love this forum! So many willing to help a brother in need. Good luck with your Norge!

[JeffOlson]

SUCCESS! The plunger was screwed in too far, and the grub/set screw was missing, allowing the plunger to screw in and out at will.

Fixed. No more problems.

Thanks everyone, especially Pete! I owe you several beers!

The only real downside today was having my wife drive me to the shop. It's really only several miles away, but with Portland "rush" hour traffic, it took over an hour to get there, which did not make her happy. Fortunately, I traded in my car and got her a new truck last week, so I have a few credits left...

[Arizona Wayne]

Ahhh............... .Portland rush hours.    Used to live in Gladstone, Aloha, Vancouver b4 205 was built.  Son lives in the 'Couve now.  Definitely lane splitting is needed there!    When I ride there I lane split whether it's legal or not if needed.  Haven't gotten a ticket yet but I do PISS off a lot of Oregonians doing it.     They're just jealous. 

[Vasco DG]

SUCCESS! The plunger was screwed in too far, and the grub/set screw was missing, allowing the plunger to screw in and out at will.

That'll do it!

Pete

[Nic in Western NYS]

Bingo. If they don't understand what I'm talking about get 'em to email me.

Pete

Pete deserves a group flush salute for this one.

[Vasco DG]

No. It's just experience and following the trail of sugar cubes.

Pete

[lucian]

Nice work Pete! Glad it was an easy fix and not another strike on MG Jeff, happy trails. In this world there are givers and there are takers and Pete is a shining example of which team we all should want to be on. Dave

[Idontwantapickle]

That was a million dollars waitin' on a nickle! Glad it worked out.
Hunter

[JeffOlson]

Thanks again, everyone!

The Norge is running great. No problems (but I am putting together a toolkit just in case: hammer, duct tape, wooden dowel for the footage springs...).

[jas67]

I would say that this is the regular sorting out that some guzzis require....

Sorting is something that I expect to do when I buy and older, used bike.

But, a new bike with only 2,000 miles on it?    Inexcusable!

The clutch going out at 24,000 miles on my B11 soured me on buying another Guzzi (though, I never learn, so, I'll likely still buy another someday).

But, a new bike, 2,000 miles?    I'd be pretty pissed!   (that' mad for you Brits and Aussies  ).    That'd be enough to keep me from buying another Guzzi.

[jas67]

My wife and I have a great relationship, and she really does allow me to ride or drive what I want. She would not force me to dump the Norge if and when there is another problem, but she is rightly concerned about the Norge's dependability a this point--and so am I. I think the key for me will be what the issue turns out to be and how long it will take to repair it. If it is a simple fix and I am back on the road tomorrow, that is one thing. But if will require a new clutch two months to fix, I will definitely dump the Norge and move on. (That would be a shame because I have really been growing to love Moto Guzzis.)

We Guzzi (and BMW) owners extol the virtues of shaft drive, and note having to deal with chain maintenance, but, after doing a clutch on my B11, and needing to do transmission output shaft seal on a BMW (airhead = much easier job than an oil/hex head or CARC bike), I'm starting to think that chain maintenance on a transverse engine bike just might be a good trade off for the bigger, less frequent jobs, such as an 8-10 hour clutch job, or the occasional BMW final drive failure.     A wet clutch in most transverse engines is what, an hour job to change?

Of course, you can avoid the chain maintenance with belt drive -- cue. Harley fans (Kev M.) here (and BMW F800ST/GT fans).

EDIT: That said, I still like shaft drive, but, see the benefits of the others.
EDIT2: I finally had time to read the rest of the thread, and do acknowledge that the drivetrain layout has nothing to do with this problem happening, but, if the clutch discs need to be replaced, that the job is a lot bigger.

[Gian4]

I've owned them all, chain,belt and drive shaft.  For my money a belt provides the best method of power transfer in-terms of weight, simplicity and ease of maintenance.
My 2 cents for what it's worth.
Gian4

[canuguzzi]

No. It's just experience and following the trail of sugar cubes.

Pete

It is far more than that, much more. Plenty have experience and more than that can follow sugar cubes.

Few can deliver on either.

[jas67]

No. It's just experience and following the trail of sugar cubes.

Pete

This thread will likely help others too -- that's what makes forums great.
I hope I remember this in case it ever happens to me. 

I raise my pint to Pete!