New to me 2013 V7 Special - replacing rear tire question

[DudenLA]

I lurk this forum quite a bit before/since I purchased my V7.  I love this bike and it suits me fine.  Nothing but compliments from other riders abut the V7 for which I have to thank the previous owner because he made the upgrades and the upkeep - I'm just enjoying them.

My question is the rear tire will need to be replaced soon and I was wondering if there is a video or wiki on how to get the wheel off the CARC assembly.  In previous searches I've seen a few pics and discussions on how difficult it is but have not been successful on finding a tutorial in video form.  I don't mind working on bikes but I'm not the most mechanically inclined person.  With such a tutorial I'm sure I could get the wheel off and save me some hassle getting the tire replaced.  there seems to be some great knowledge being shared on this forum but I think tutorial will help "capture" that knowledge and make it more readily available to MG noobs -- like me

Thanks in advance

[guzzisteve]

I have not seen such a thing.   Maybe we can get a camera at our own Mr Roper and make some vids. I don't have a tire coming up on a smallblock so I can't do it.

The workshop manual has some good pics in it.

[Perazzimx14]

It is not a CARC drive your dealing with or it would be a single sided swing arm. You are dealing with a Cardan drive. Follow this even though its for a Breva 750 it is the same for all small blocks 1978 - present:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmotoguzzimaintenance.wikifoundry.com%2Fpage%2FBreva%2B750%2BRear%2BWheel%2BRemoval&ei=qt6RVZTpOomr-QHs-pWQAw&usg=AFQjCNEwrdQp7DbPW1gTmlypmkXjVwRyMw

[fotoguzzi]

I know nothing of small blocks but,
2 things come to mind if your new to this..

a bike can roll or fall off a lift, be aware and if needed use some ratchet straps to keep it from such an event.

there are probably some points you could grease when the wheel is off, like the gear that meets the rear drive..

YOU CAN DO THIS!

[Cam3512]

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MG_750/info

There's a photo tutorial, among others by Sign on this Guzzi 750 site.  Look under "Files".

[pyoungbl]

Well, I have a '13 V7 Special so let's consider ourselves to be related.  If you have a centerstand installed life is good.  Just prop the bike on the stand, remove the left muffler, withdraw the axle, disconnect the rear caliper, and Bob's your uncle.  (that's Pete Roper speak for saying that the job is done...or something like that).  If you are such a poor sod as to not have the aforementioned center stand, well you have a different problem.  Of course you could just throw the bike down on the right side, like a banker getting rid of a bad loan, and then proceed.  Most owners will have to find a way of jacking the bike up to get the rear wheel off the ground.  Your imagination is limitless when it comes to this trick (Guzzi content!).  Then you do the same steps and end up with the wheel in your hands.  Oh, you will find that a few interesting rubber bits will be left on the ground.  They are the cush drive and actually do something useful.  Resist the urge to simply ignore them.  It helps to slop some grease on these rubber bits to keep them in place when putting the whole mess back together. 

Adult beverages are recommended for this procedure. 

Peter Y.

[Kev m]

Sign's photo essay is probably the best source you'll find.

If memory serves he probably has you pull the rear drive.

That's how I did it last time, BUT next time I'm probably going to pull the shock from the other (left) side instead and leave the rear drive in place.

Either way it's not rocket science. If you run into trouble, just stop and give us all a holla and we'll get you unstuck.

[DudenLA]

Thanks for the encouragement on being able to tackle this.  I will do another search for the photo tutorial, however, I'm looking for something a little more elementary... remember my mechanical skill set is not as developed as most on this forum   

I come from the scooter side of two wheel propulsion and have been riding for five years.  I've had motorcycles as well, but only about 7 to 8 thousand miles of experience on them during the same time.  I've learned to work on my scoot and other bikes, and I'm still learning.  One of the ways I learn is through tutorials such as this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSvFcNRFEuM

This video tutorial shows a) the tools needed, and b) a step by step process that a viewer/learner can pause, rewind, and view again.  This videographer is one of better organized people I have watched who does these maintenance tutorials.

If there is someone in the Guzzi world who would love to pass along their knowledge to the thousands (okay, hundreds  ) of us new V7 owners some videos like this to share would be great... especially for those of us with limited mechanical skills but a desire to learn in order to maintain our machines.

PS  I do have a center stand (luckily) and will try to follow the photo shoot and advice written while writing the above post.

[Kev m]

Where are you located, maybe someone can help you (and make a video).

[DudenLA]

Ahhh, I'm near Hollywood, too. 

I just signed up for the yahoo group and am searching.  Found some written instructions... could be the narration of the vid  :)

[fotoguzzi]

If there is someone in the Guzzi world who would love to pass along their knowledge to the thousands (okay, FEW ) of us new V7 owners some videos like this to share would be great... 

if your Dude'n L.A. surely someone around you could help and, you make a video for the next few hundred.

[Kev m]

Wrong coast for me to help, but there should be someone local.

I'm happy to try and answer questions and lend long distance moral support though. 

[DudenLA]

I would be happy to help shoot a video, if I can be sure I'm doing it correctly -- which is the intent of the original post, to learn how to do this procedure correctly.  I've had the front tire off to do some rotor updating and that was straightforward so hopefully the rear is only slightly more challenging.

I'll review the yahoo group for the info and try a practice run before I need the tire, thanks Kev, for the offer of help in advance.

[kirkemon]

Ahhh, I'm near Hollywood, too. 

I just signed up for the yahoo group and am searching.  Found some written instructions... could be the narration of the vid  :)

I'm in the Hollywood Hills. PM me if you want help with the video.
Kirk

[Kev m]

I'm in the Hollywood Hills. PM me if you want help with the video.
Kirk

Atta boy Kirk, hope it works out!

[sib]

Not to gloat too much, but I found that the easiest way to take care of my '13 Stone needing a new rear tire at almost 12,000 mi was to sell it and get a new '16 Stone.  I didn't say the cheapest way.