V7 Record Kit Fairing Kit -- first ride report

[jas67]

IMG_7603 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_7605 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_7604 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

What are these parts that were in the hardware bag?
IMG_7601 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

The clip-ons have to be lowered about 32 mm in order to clear the fairing, resulting in a more committed riding position.    I should be able to raise them a little after trimming the wind screen some.

The geniuses at MG packed TWO right mirrors, and non left one.     I don't like mirrors anyway, and am likely to seek out an alternative.    I should be able to find a sport bike mirror that fits.

Has anyone found any actual installation instructions for these?

The worthless "instruction sheet" included in the box states, "installation must be carried out by the specialized staff of an official Aprilia Dealership."    Yes, that's right, Moto Guzzi dealerships are apparently not qualified.

[mwrenn]

Here's the instructions...
http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/st3/B063722_INST.pdf
I think those brackets you showed are spacers for lowering your handlebars.

[jas67]

Thanks, Warren!

MG only saw fit to put that first page in the box, along with the TWO right mirrors.

Oh, and they didn't use any grease either 

[Kev m]

1. You need a Waaaaaahmbulence? 







2. Damn, I totally forget that AF1 is awesome like that putting the PDF instructions on their website. I actually like to download and read them before I even purchase stuff.







3. WOW, that looks GREAT!

[jas67]

Here's the instructions...
http://www.af1racing.com/store/ProdImages/st3/B063722_INST.pdf
I think those brackets you showed are spacers for lowering your handlebars.

Yep -- that is correct, that's what they're for.   I won't be using them though.   They move the clip-ons down a full two inches.   Things work out with them only down 1 1/4".     I might get away with an inch if I trim the lexan where it extends below the metal bracket.

[tonUPRacer]

Looks great. Didn't realize it required dropping the bars 32mm, that is a significant change. I'm not sure I'm up for that, my SS900 had a pretty "committed" position and it worked for me, but then again that was over 10 years ago. I'll be curious to hear your reviews after you get some miles in. I guess I could just go ahead and drop my bars to help me make my decision whether to go for the fairing or not. Thanks for the update!

[jas67]

Looks great. Didn't realize it required dropping the bars 32mm, that is a significant change. I'm not sure I'm up for that, my SS900 had a pretty "committed" position and it worked for me, but then again that was over 10 years ago. I'll be curious to hear your reviews after you get some miles in. I guess I could just go ahead and drop my bars to help me make my decision whether to go for the fairing or not. Thanks for the update!

Will do.    I'm hoping to continue work on it tonight.   I'm going to have to back track a little, as I'm not real happy with the cable routing.    The headlight wires is a little too tight for comfort.

Hopefully, I'll have it back on the road by the weekend.

[V7Record]

Notice that those brackets are "keyed" to prevent the clip-ons from rotating, you might not want to leave them off... but they could be shortened.  I didn't really mind the drop, they riding position really isn't as extreme as it appears.

The wiring is really tight on mine as well, I couldn't route it through the brackets as per the instructions even after unwrapping the loom a couple inches to get some extra length.

As for the mirrors, they are garbage anyway.  On mine the plastic failed (from vibration) and they broke off in 600 miles.

I also had to zip tie the clutch cable to the side a bit to clear the instruments after lowering/remounting them.

I also had to modify one of the brackets where it fit to the frame. 

Wonderful looking kit but the fitment leaves something to be desired...  still love mine.  :)

[jas67]

I wrestled with it for quite a while to get it long enough to route through  the bracket, and also to reach the headlight.

Yes, I agree, the mirrors are garbage.    I don't think that I'll even bother with them.

[leafman60]

I really like the V7 with the Record fairing.  I also like the Ducktail Seat that came with the original record kit.

[jas67]

For those following along at home, I pulled it part way back apart last night to pull the wiring harness a little further forward so it wasn't so tight going into the instruments and the headlight, as that was only going to cause future electrical problems.

I had to pull the fuel tank completely to do that.   So, now that the tank is apart, I might as well replace the "time bomb" fuel filter with an all metal one.   I ordered that today, so, I need to wait for that to arrive before putting it back together.   I'll be away all weekend, so, early next week, I should have it all back together.   

I'll post pics when it is done.

[Kev m]

For those following along at home, I pulled it part way back apart last night to pull the wiring harness a little further forward so it wasn't so tight going into the instruments and the headlight, as that was only going to cause future electrical problems.

I had to pull the fuel tank completely to do that.   So, now that the tank is apart, I might as well replace the "time bomb" fuel filter with an all metal one.   I ordered that today, so, I need to wait for that to arrive before putting it back together.   I'll be away all weekend, so, early next week, I should have it all back together.   

I'll post pics when it is done.

HEY, so let's do some failure analysis on the "time bomb".

When you pull it, plug it on one end (hose a clamp, bolt, hold it against the wall whatever.

Then apply air pressure using your compressor. Go up in increments of 10 psi, till it fails.

Don't wait on this till it's been out of the fuel for days. Do it right away.

I'll do mine too this winter as a second data point.

I want to see where it separates. I'm betting WELL ABOVE operating pressures, but am curious to see a few examples.

[jas67]

HEY, so let's do some failure analysis on the "time bomb".

When you pull it, plug it on one end (hose a clamp, bolt, hold it against the wall whatever.

Then apply air pressure using your compressor. Go up in increments of 10 psi, till it fails.

Don't wait on this till it's been out of the fuel for days. Do it right away.

I'll do mine too this winter as a second data point.

I want to see where it separates. I'm betting WELL ABOVE operating pressures, but am curious to see a few examples.

OK, will do.

This sounds like one those "Hold my beer and watch this sort of things."   

I'm thinking that I'm going to want a Mythbusters style blast shield and a high speed video camera for this one.

I'm with you in the thinking that it is a non-problem, but, for $14, I might as well, while I'm in this far.

[Kev m]

OK, will do.

This sounds like one those "Hold my beer and watch this sort of things."   

I'm thinking that I'm going to want a Mythbusters style blast shield and a high speed video camera for this one.

I'm with you in the thinking that it is a non-problem, but, for $14, I might as well, while I'm in this far.

Yup on all counts...

[tonUPRacer]

You had me at "failure analysis". 

[Zoom Zoom]

Regarding the fuel filter: Are you certain it is half plastic? The only reason I ask is that when I checked my '09 Stelvio, which I am the original owner of, it has an all metal fuel filter. If you are able to use a small dentist mirror and have a look in there without pulling the assembly, it might save you a little time. Don't know, just a thought......

John Henry

[jas67]

Regarding the fuel filter: Are you certain it is half plastic? The only reason I ask is that when I checked my '09 Stelvio, which I am the original owner of, it has an all metal fuel filter. If you are able to use a small dentist mirror and have a look in there without pulling the assembly, it might save you a little time. Don't know, just a thought......

John Henry

You can't do with with a dental mirror on the V7 tank.   Maybe an inspection camera, which I don't have.
The tank is already off the bike, so, I might as well just change it out.    Then, even if it is a metal filter, I reset the clock on when I need to change the filter in the future.

[Kev m]

No one has reported an all metal filter from the factory on any late-model smallblock, including 2016's.

[Cam3512]

You can't do with with a dental mirror on the V7 tank.   Maybe an inspection camera, which I don't have.
The tank is already off the bike, so, I might as well just change it out.    Then, even if it is a metal filter, I reset the clock on when I need to change the filter in the future.

Word is you can remove that small restrictor on the gas tank filler by unscrewing the outer ring then lifting it out.  I hate that small filler hole. 

[oldbike54]

 Who the hell is Warren ?

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Who the hell is Warren ?

  Dusty

A friend of Jay's who is a member here... Maybe Jay just misread the post....

[Kev m]

    Maybe Uncle Jay needs to borrow Sea 

  Dusty

Shay's grammar is already better...

[F-Man]

HEY, so let's do some failure analysis on the "time bomb".

When you pull it, plug it on one end (hose a clamp, bolt, hold it against the wall whatever.

Then apply air pressure using your compressor. Go up in increments of 10 psi, till it fails.

Don't wait on this till it's been out of the fuel for days. Do it right away.

I'll do mine too this winter as a second data point.

I want to see where it separates. I'm betting WELL ABOVE operating pressures, but am curious to see a few examples.

For what it's worth . . . I pressure tested my 2007 Breva 1100's original half metal / half plastic fuel filter back in 2009 when I changed out the original fuel filter (MicroStar KL-150, made in Austria) for an all-metal BMW filter.  To do the test, I put a short hose and plug on the metal side of the filter and applied pressure to the plastic side.  For safety, I had the  filter to be tested under a metal shield as well as immersed in a bucket of water, located many feet away from me, while I increased pressure on it.  I took it up to 97 psig (per my compressor gauge).  The filter did not burst or leak.  Note that the test was not performed immediately after I took the filter out of the tank; It had been out for about 18 hours before testing as I had removed it from the tank one afternoon and pressure tested it early the next morning.  I don't know if that would make any difference.  If you do such a test, make sure you take appropriate safety precautions to prevent injury to yourself and/or others in case your filter does rupture.  My filter looked like some others that I have seen photographs of which have been removed, i.e. with the plastic section bulged out, but it held pressure fine, at least under this test.  I feel better having the all-metal filter installed, but can't say whether it was necessary.  That said, the change-out was a simple exercise and the all-metal filter was not expensive.

[Kev m]

Thanks F-man... Noted.

[jas67]

I'm finally done!   I need to take some close up shots too, as I've removed the leather belt thing that I never really cared for, and that interfered with magnetic tank bag.

I rode it over to the Lawn breakfast today, were I met a few other Guzzisti, including Big Dave, and Jeff Whitehead.    I'll post another thread with pics later.   There were SIX guzzis in attendance, so, I guess qualifies as a rally!

IMG_7770 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

IMG_7767 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

IMG_7762 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

I ended up putting on a pair of CRG Lane Splitter bar end mirrors on a set of Rhino bar end weights that are machined just for mounting bar end mirrors.

In addition to looking great, the aerodynamics are perfect!    The air is perfectly smooth at any speed, even up to 95 MPH, which is as fast I as bothered to go today.    Even at 95, there is no pressure on my chest, and my head is in clean air, also without much drag.   

The lower clip-on position, about 1 1/4" lower (the kit actually comes with spacers to mount them 2" lower) isn't awful, but, does put a little more pressure on the wrists.    This is definitely not an all day bike for me.   For that, I'd want a V7 Special or Stone.   I've got other bikes that fulfill that roll for me anyway.

I'm very happy with it.    It was well worth the price of admission, and the time to install.

[blackcat]

Looks great.

[drums4money]

That ain't nothing but NICE !

[rocker59]

That's a nice looking fairing!   

[Cam3512]

Nice job Jay.  That is one beautiful fairing!

 

[Gliderjohn]

Cool how that that tank changes colors.
GliderJohn