V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[Keith McGoff]

not the V85tt but I think this is where Twodogs is saying the shim goes, on top of the pads below the cover (I don't have the V85 yet)

[Huzo]

not the V85tt but I think this is where Twodogs is saying the shim goes, on top of the pads below the cover (I don't have the V85 yet)

Thank you Keith, I’ll toddle out and check.
There is only one ?

[Faisal]

Does anyone have any idea if there are aftermarket options for the clutch of the V85TT?

The clutch on the V85 is weak sauce and doesn't give you confidence ESPECIALLY offroad.

Either way I would like to install a new clutch in the near future and if anyone knows if there are other options out there that would fit the V85 please, enlighten me / us.

[Huzo]

Does anyone have any idea if there are aftermarket options for the clutch of the V85TT?

The clutch on the V85 is weak sauce and doesn't give you confidence ESPECIALLY offroad.

Either way I would like to install a new clutch in the near future and if anyone knows if there are other options out there that would fit the V85 please, enlighten me / us.

Can you outline where in particular you think the clutch is deficient, or are you having a laugh..?
Welcome BTW..

[twodogs]

Hey Huzo, Keith explained it better than I did.( sorry I was in a hurry) and yes there is only 1.

[Knuckle Dragger]

Does anyone have any idea if there are aftermarket options for the clutch of the V85TT?

The clutch on the V85 is weak sauce and doesn't give you confidence ESPECIALLY offroad.

Either way I would like to install a new clutch in the near future and if anyone knows if there are other options out there that would fit the V85 please, enlighten me / us.

When you describe the clutch as "weak" what do you actually mean?

Is the actuation too stiff/sticky/soft for you?

Is there too much or too little slip between clutch plates?

Is the slip/takeup zone too broad or narrow, or maybe at the incorrect place on your handlever's travel?

In the first instance, you could try a simple adjustment of your existing unit, or perhaps choose either Guzzi's OEM adjustable lever/s from their options catalogue or an afternarket alternative.

You could theoretically replace the clutch pack with different materials.  At considerable expense.  The Swiss Suter company is renowned for high quality and expensive clutch friction materials.  I don't know whether Suter actually make clutches for Guzzi.  Maybe, maybe not.

If there's a problem with actuation/travel/stiction then maybe consider an aftermarket hydraulic actuation unit from the likes of Germany's Magura that make drop-in hydraulic solutions.  As the v85 is relatively new, they may not have developed an actual kit for the bikes yet.  I've had remarkable success with mounting Magura hydraulic units to a BMW Boxer & a Husqvarna twin.  Just be careful not to spill or waste any of their expensive "blood" hydraulic fluid, especially over any painted surfaces.

[Faisal]

Can you outline where in particular you think the clutch is deficient, or are you having a laugh..?
Welcome BTW..

Thank you, and no, I'm not having a laugh about the clutch. My clutch genuinely feels like its weak and cannot handle the "power" properly. It lugs at take off and there's a slight delay between the clutch engaging and the bike accelerating, even when changing at higher gears.

6th speed will not engage properly during "fast" shifts and will give me a false neutral (which is displayed on the screen as 3rd gear which makes my heart skip a beat).

When I was offroading during the Summer, I actually needed to slip the clutch often to make the bike move on soft-ish sand.

I took the bike to the dealer to adjust it but they said it was up to spec according to the manual.

I don't know if this is clutch related or not, but I still feel the clutch they have on the V85 falls under the "good enough" category and I would like something a bit more than that.

[Kiwi Dave]

I think I know where you're coming from with this.  On my V85 when I release the clutch, there appears to be a little delay before the plates engage fully.  Once this has happened, there's no slip as far as I can tell, but it doesn't offer confidence to what is happening.

[Faisal]

I think I know where you're coming from with this.  On my V85 when I release the clutch, there appears to be a little delay before the plates engage fully.  Once this has happened, there's no slip as far as I can tell, but it doesn't offer confidence to what is happening.

Bingo. This is especially annoying when rolling from a stop since I need to feather the clutch lever and slip the clutch more than I would like to as to prevent the bike from lugging or possibly even stalling. It has never stalled on me but it has lugged like a tractor if I don't slip the clutch enough.

This feels like an issue from the clutch itself, maybe the pressure plate is crap? Maybe it needs tighter adjustment? I have no clue but I dont like the feeling of the clutch the way it is now.

[Cam3512]

Somethings amiss.  Mine is smoof as butter.

[Huzo]

I wouldn’t wet my pants too much about the 3rd gear indication on the muffed 6 th gear thing.
As I’ve discovered, the gear indicator gets its info from the engine revs/rear wheel revs, relationship.
If you’re between gears, the revs will have possibly risen temporarily to that which would suggest to the brain, that you’re in 3rd..
Or some bloody thing else...

[Zinfan]

I wouldn’t wet my pants too much about the 3rd gear indication on the muffed 6 th gear thing.
As I’ve discovered, the gear indicator gets its info from the engine revs/rear wheel revs, relationship.
If you’re between gears, the revs will have possibly risen temporarily to that which would suggest to the brain, that you’re in 3rd..
Or some bloody thing else...

Sort of, my bike does the same thing.  Any quick stabs to get the bike from 5th to 6th may result in a missed shift and my rev's will bounce off the red line and the gear indicator will show 3rd or 4th or 5th until the rev's settle back and it will display the correct 5th gear.  So while the display of 3rd gear might not be an issue the fact that the bike missed it's shift to 6th seems to be an issue.  I have reported it to my dealer but since I live 230 miles away I have yet to get it back to them to look at, they think the shifter may be mis-adjusted but I wonder. 

[Bisbonian]

Just put down my deposit, flying to Austin in 2 weeks to ride it home. I guess I'll be ready for the 900 mile service as soon as I get here.
From what I've read, the dealer has to turn off the service icon? At least I have a dealership in town, who can do it.

Guy is picking up my Versys-X this weekend, so I'll have the necessary space for the V85. Another guy is supposed to come look at my 1200 Sport this week, we'll see, but that would free up the last of my space as I'm planning on the V85 to do it all.

[Zinfan]

My recall notice arrived, here is a copy/paste of what I wrote on ADVrider.

My recall notice arrived in the mail yesterday.  Upshot is they plan to inspect the rear drive for leakage and if found will replace internal seals and then fit a outer seal/cover to prevent any oil from getting on the tire.  If no leakage found they will fit the outer cover.  Foot peg clips will be inspected and replaced if found defective (I think they should just replace them anyways, can't cost anything to do that).  Also listed is additional tech updates including based on VIN installing a new clutch cable guide arch, tightening the oil sump screws and sump guard screws, installing locking nuts on the lumbar support cushion and inspecting rear brake master cylinder for fluid seepage.  All those I've done myself apart for the clutch cable arch.

They are also going to do a general inspection of the bike and run the diagnostic tool to check the computers (hey they can reset my wrench light) .

Final thing is the Piaggio is going to extend the warranty an extra year so I get 3 instead of 2.

Looks like I'll be burning up the last of the Conti trail attack tires on the 500 mile round trip to get this done.

[usedtobefast]

They are also going to do a general inspection of the bike and run the diagnostic tool to check the computers (hey they can reset my wrench light) .

Final thing is the Piaggio is going to extend the warranty an extra year so I get 3 instead of 2.

Is all of this for free?  (well, other than your cost to get it there and back)

For warranty work (for my Griso) I've had the dealer say I would have to pay for certain inspection work and if there was an issue found that was under warranty, that specific issue would be covered (but I'd be out the inspection $$$).  So I said bye bye, and did the inspection/fix myself.  (saved about $200-$250 doing it this way)

But hoping a recall covers things 100%.

[Zinfan]

Is all of this for free?  (well, other than your cost to get it there and back)

For warranty work (for my Griso) I've had the dealer say I would have to pay for certain inspection work and if there was an issue found that was under warranty, that specific issue would be covered (but I'd be out the inspection $$$).  So I said bye bye, and did the inspection/fix myself.  (saved about $200-$250 doing it this way)

But hoping a recall covers things 100%.

All free.

[Zinfan]

Local (230 miles away) shop doesn't have the parts needed to do the recall so I will have to wait for awhile, they said next week maybe.
Also thinking further on the notice they actually aren't going to address the underlying cause of the leak.   If the rear drive doesn't show oil leaking they are just going to put a cover on that will I assume prevent oil from getting on the rear tire if/when it does leak.  I'd hate to have to take the bike back to get fixed if the inner seal fails sometime in the future because Moto Guzzi decided to hope the inner seals will last instead of putting an actual fix in place.

[jmee54]

Ok, how do you guys clean your bike? How do you get all of the black paint looking tickety-bo again in all of the nooks and crannies? Got my bike thoroughly filthy and have just spent 2 hours cleaning it, but I am not happy with the engine and other black bits. I have also got a manky front engine/alternator cover which is corroding along with the exhaust header nuts and a nasty looking cross over pipe with bobbles of rust - certainly not stainless! Any tips of the trade welcome. I've not really been so house proud before, but this is on PCP and it's already looking a bit second hand.

[Huzo]

Ok, how do you guys clean your bike? How do you get all of the black paint looking tickety-bo again in all of the nooks and crannies? Got my bike thoroughly filthy and have just spent 2 hours cleaning it, but I am not happy with the engine and other black bits. I have also got a manky front engine/alternator cover which is corroding along with the exhaust header nuts and a nasty looking cross over pipe with bobbles of rust - certainly not stainless! Any tips of the trade welcome. I've not really been so house proud before, but this is on PCP and it's already looking a bit second hand.

Are you sure it’s not stainless ?
I’m doing a full stainless system for mine, but I’m wondering if what you think is rust, is actually burnt on filth.
You may very well be right though.

[Kiwi Dave]

Got my bike thoroughly filthy and have just spent 2 hours cleaning it, but I am not happy with the engine and other black bits.

My favourite to spray these bits is CRC "Wet Look" ultra gloss tyre shine.  Can't remember if it is available in the USA, but if it is, it won't be with this spelling.  There may be equivalents.

[jmee54]

Are you sure it’s not stainless?


It certainly doesn't look like any stainless I've seen before. It does look like very rusty, rusty metal.

[Zinfan]

Ok, how do you guys clean your bike? How do you get all of the black paint looking tickety-bo again in all of the nooks and crannies? Got my bike thoroughly filthy and have just spent 2 hours cleaning it, but I am not happy with the engine and other black bits. I have also got a manky front engine/alternator cover which is corroding along with the exhaust header nuts and a nasty looking cross over pipe with bobbles of rust - certainly not stainless! Any tips of the trade welcome. I've not really been so house proud before, but this is on PCP and it's already looking a bit second hand.

Your post got me thinking about my V85 engine as well.  I've washed it a few times and it remained dirty with some places hard to get a brush into.


A bit of internet searching and I found this

Which cost me $10 and seems to have enough spray to do the bike 2-3 times.  I didn't clean the bike before applying the spray so the first picture is what the bike looked like moments before trying this stuff.

Directions are to spray liberally (won't harm paint or electrical connections) and wait 10-15 minutes before wiping off.  You can see some excess liquid in places.

15 minutes later and a quick wipe down and here she be.  I'm happy with the results considering how the bike looked in the first picture taken 15 minutes before this one.

I figure the swingarm is painted just like the engine so I gave it a spray as well.


Will see how it looks tomorrow after the stuff has dried even more but I'm happy with what I have now.

[Cam3512]

I always heard S100 WILL damage the paint on the tank, side covers, etc?

[Kiwi Dave]

Wasn't S100 a Honda product?  I doubt if they would allow their name to be used if it was going to attack the paint.

[Zinfan]

The can says it is not harmful to paint.

[Moparnut72]

I used that on my Harley when I had it. Also used Purple Slice on the rest of the bike.  Both good products.
kk

[jmee54]

Looks good! I always wonder what the trade use. My last bike, a V Strom never had looked as shiny as when I saw it in the dealer's that took it after my PCP. They must use some magic potion.

[Huzo]

Looks good! I always wonder what the trade use. My last bike, a V Strom never had looked as shiny as when I saw it in the dealer's that took it after my PCP. They must use some magic potion.

Could be the grease that you can find on your elbow ?

[jmee54]

Elbow grease is required in spades in this part of the UK, it never stops raining and the roads are covered in mud from tractors. You lot in Australia don't know you're born!

[Tusayan]

The can says it is not harmful to paint.

And it may well not be.  However, just to compete the picture and respond to the concerns noted above, it may be worth noting that the regular S100 (Total Cycle Cleaner) is acidic and definitely attacks black plastic, turning it slightly grey.  I love the stuff regardless on wheels and elsewhere away from black plastic, and on less than pristine bikes everywhere.  I use it carefully and locally about once a year on my bikes.

Again not the same stuff, only the same S100 brand.