Well that was easy.... Valves...

[s1120]

First guzzi here, and learning the ropes...  First time valve adjustment...  count in looking for the tools, and learning where all the bolts were, cleaning and regapping the spark plugs, and all... took me a hour...  I can get use to this!!!  My last bike, a basic old Suzuki GS would take a day... and longer if you needed shims, .,,,and a special tool to remove them... Think Im going to like this. :) 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I predict you will.. 

[Cam3512]

Yup, and nothings really changed since 1968!

Only thing with V7 II and the wet alternator is you can’t pop the front cover and rotate the engine to find TDC with a wrench.  You need monkey arms to spin the real wheel.

[oldlegs]

I find my 2015 V7 Stone so easy to live with and as you say service compared to other bikes I've had.

[s1120]

Yup, and nothings really changed since 1968!

Only thing with V7 II and the wet alternator is you can’t pop the front cover and rotate the engine to find TDC with a wrench.  You need monkey arms to spin the real wheel.

This is a 02 Cali stone, so I had the removable cover... longest part was finding the socket that fit the nut on the alt!  Im also building a tool kit for it becouse it came with no tools, so that added to the time as I was writing down tools I would need.

[Joliet Jim]

This is a 02 Cali stone, so I had the removable cover... longest part was finding the socket that fit the nut on the alt!  Im also building a tool kit for it becouse it came with no tools, so that added to the time as I was writing down tools I would need.

Never done the wrench on the alt. I just turn it with a screwdriver on the flywheel. I should try that next time I check them.

[s1120]

Never done the wrench on the alt. I just turn it with a screwdriver on the flywheel. I should try that next time I check them.

I started doing that but its pretty slow..  Motor turns easy with the plugs out though. Only 4 screws takes that cover off, and I found a 15/16th socket fits good enough...  didnt have a metric that fit it.. 

[Cam3512]

Yup, and nothings really changed since 1968!

Only thing with V7 II and the wet alternator is you can’t pop the front cover and rotate the engine to find TDC with a wrench.  You need monkey arms to spin the real wheel.

Oh yea, confused you with the other new guy that bought a smallblock.  Carry on...

[Kev m]

Never done the wrench on the alt. I just turn it with a screwdriver on the flywheel. I should try that next time I check them.

The nice thing with the wrench on the alt (and this was true for my Jackal, B11, and my V7 Stone) is that the first time I do it I make left and right TDC marks on the face of the motor and a corresponding mark on the nut using a sharpie) and next time in I can quickly and precisely spin the motor to TDC for either side. It's very convenient and much easier than spinning the rear tire. I imagine the screwdriver on the flywheel would work as well but still not quite as quick and easy.

Of course the B11 was the king because it had a cover that popped out for that, on the Jackal or V7 Stone I have to remove 4 bolts, so that eats of some of the convenience.

Now with the upcoming V7 III that will be joining us I guess I'm going to have to spin the rear wheel or look at turning the flywheel like you do (but if I do that I may add timing marks for reference again).

[Kiwi_Roy]

So Kevin, where will you make the marks if the alternator is not exposed?
On the flywheel?
Just curious.

[Kev m]

So Kevin, where will you make the marks if the alternator is not exposed?
On the flywheel?
Just curious.

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking (assuming there's still a cover that can be removed in the bellhousing to see the flywheel). In both cases they can tell me when the piston is at TDC, then I just have to pay attention to the valve movement to tell whether it is Exhaust or Compression.

[Wayne Orwig]

I always just put it in fifth gear, bump the rear wheel, look at the flywheel marks.

That wrench on the alternator takes too much time IMHO. And you have to remember the direction.

[Kev m]

That wrench on the alternator takes too much time IMHO. And you have to remember the direction.

Is clockwise hard to remember?

[s1120]

I dont have a center stand [yet!] so cant do the rear wheel thing.

[Kev m]

I dont have a center stand [yet!] so cant do the rear wheel thing.

I'll also assume you also don't have a lift table with a roller insert.

But FWIW if you are interested, you can buy a rear tire roller that works pretty well relatively cheap. Last one I purchased with a friend was from CycleGear and it might have been less than $20.

Looked a lot like this one:

[s1120]

LOL  Nope no lift table ....  yet... 

Im really kinda full... in my 24x24 garage I allready have a 70 Mustang, a 72 ford LTD convertible, tool boxes, work benches, a badn saw, and now the Guzzi....  I can dump a glass of water and it will take three hours to hit the ground. :)

[Muzz]

I always just put it in fifth gear, bump the rear wheel, look at the flywheel marks.

That wrench on the alternator takes too much time IMHO. And you have to remember the direction.

The fifth gear thing is me as well, only I take both plugs out, insert straw and look at what the top of the valves are doing.

I have done the alternator thing but it's a hassle undoing all the hex screws.  I did put an arrow on it though, just in case.

[Dilliw]

So easy that I  can even do it...

[Huzo]

Is clockwise hard to remember?

What do you do if you only have a digital clock..?  

[Huzo]

The fifth gear thing is me as well, only I take both plugs out, insert straw and look at what the top of the valves are doing.

I have done the alternator thing but it's a hassle undoing all the hex screws.  I did put an arrow on it though, just in case.

Is there not a rubber plug on the later ones ?

[Muzz]

Is there not a rubber plug on the later ones ?

It's a 2003 Breva 750. Cover is solid plastic. no rubber plug.  Sounds like a good idea to have one though.

[earemike]

Never done the wrench on the alt. I just turn it with a screwdriver on the flywheel. I should try that next time I check them.

I’m a spin the rear wheel guy but I don’t bother putting it in top gear - engine seems to want to sit at TDC.


I might have missed it, what Guzzi did you buy mate?

[Rick in WNY]

Mmmm.... so when should I adjust the valves on my 04 Cali?

Oh, wait, hydro motor, valve adjustments not needed. 

Hey now, there had to be at least ONE good point of that experiment...

[Dilliw]

Mmmm.... so when should I adjust the valves on my 04 Cali?

Oh, wait, hydro motor, valve adjustments not needed. 

Hey now, there had to be at least ONE good point of that experiment...

 

Yep, my '03 EV in the background doesn't suffer the pain of me fiddling with its jugs :)

[Wayne Orwig]

I dont have a center stand [yet!] so cant do the rear wheel thing.

My Centauro did not have a center stand. Easy to bump it forward a bit to accomplish the job. No rubber plug in the alternator cover.

[Tom H]

I think the rubber plug mentioned is in the bell housing of a 5 speed. You can get to the ring gear and see the timing marks through it. The timing marks may not match TDC if the flywheel has been removed and installed incorrectly.  4 speeds did not have the hole there, at least not with the ones I have.

Tom

[Muzz]

I think the rubber plug mentioned is in the bell housing of a 5 speed. You can get to the ring gear and see the timing marks through it. The timing marks may not match TDC if the flywheel has been removed and installed incorrectly.  4 speeds did not have the hole there, at least not with the ones I have.

Tom

Misread it then.  I thought Huzo was referring to an easy method to get to the alternator bolt.

Mine has the rubber bung in the bell housing.  The straw is easy peasy and with the Heron head it works every time.

[Wayne Orwig]

Misread it then.  I thought Huzo was referring to an easy method to get to the alternator bolt.

The CARC bikes have a large rubber plug in the front pulley cover.

I don't know any Tonti bikes that has a plug. Not saying they never did though.