Guzzi, errr, character?

[nudemetalz]

Ha,..had a laugh today.
Took the V11 down to Scooterazzi (in the pouring rain) to get it's WOF today.

Anyway, couple of hours later, I go to pick her up (after passing with no worries of course !!).
Put the key in, hit the starter motor, she turned over a little slower than normal, then an almighty bang of a back fire, followed by an engine running on one cylinder making a squealing noise.
Hmm,...what has gone wrong?
Turned out the backfire blew the RHS throttle body (it's EFI) right off it's intake manifold !! :shit:
Easily fixed and starts up fine also to a nice ride home in the rain...
(thanks to Garth, the mechanic, for fixing her :niceone:)

Yup, Guzzi character, that's why I bought her .. :laugh:

[MDR2]

ahaha mint, couldn't of happened in a better place too!

[Highlander]

I read in another thread on here that it is that "Character" you liked about your bike (Guzzi, Ducati etc) that will leave you parked on the road side on a rainy night.

Still beats riding a bike with no soul though.

[nudemetalz]

Yes, that character has left me swearing at it,...but this cracked me up !!

[pritch]

I read in another thread on here that it is that "Character" you liked about your bike (Guzzi, Ducati etc) that will leave you parked on the road side on a rainy night.

That sounds familiar :whistle:

In a couple of years I'll know better how I rate "character" but I sincerely hope those who champion the character marques are right,
now that I own one.

In a couple of years though I'll be about ready for a Deauville?
Then again I've never owned a triple, or a parallel twin, or...

[Nagash]

Someone said somethign on KB not too long ago which I thought was bloody brilliant.

He said that Triumphs have so much character you have to catch it in a drip pan.

Guess the similar relates here.

[MotoKuzzi]

Ha,..had a laugh today.
Took the V11 down to Scooterazzi (in the pouring rain) to get it's WOF today.

Anyway, couple of hours later, I go to pick her up (after passing with no worries of course !!).
Put the key in, hit the starter motor, she turned over a little slower than normal, then an almighty bang of a back fire, followed by an engine running on one cylinder making a squealing noise.
Hmm,...what has gone wrong?
Turned out the backfire blew the RHS throttle body (it's EFI) right off it's intake manifold !! :shit:
Easily fixed and starts up fine also to a nice ride home in the rain...
(thanks to Garth, the mechanic, for fixing her :niceone:)

Yup, Guzzi character, that's why I bought her .. :laugh:

Funny that. I recently noticed my RHS throttle body just making contact with the inlet manifold. Only noticed it because I was doing a general tighten on all clamps etc. Similar thing must have happened. :eek5:

[Molly]

It's that same 'character' that has me carrying a couple of spare relays and a wee card to remind me what each one does. Only have to change one every six months or so though.

Incidentally, Moto Guzzi is Italian for: 'Fuckin' wonderful bike that you'd be mental not to love and if you don't then there's something wrong with you because it's the very esence of motorcycling and wouldn't it be nice to ride one around Lake Como some day' (or something like that).

[avgas]

Someone said somethign on KB not too long ago which I thought was bloody brilliant.
He said that Triumphs have so much character you have to catch it in a drip pan..
Likewise - i was reading about a restored norton. Said it "oozed character" and to make sure it wasn't all left in the driveway.

[Insanity_rules]

Ah yes I remember lovin my italians character as it was being loaded on to the back of a ute in the middle of Kilbirnie with a fearked regulator. But when it was fixed and I got back on it after riding a yamaha for a week it felt blardy great.

[Taz]

Last time I rode my guzzi one of the mufflers nearly fell off. Welded cracked bracket and all is good again for now. Never had a muffler fall off a Jap bike......:)

[Dodgyiti]

The owners have a fair bit too, guess it's catchy :woohoo:

[Mystic13]

Having a bike with character is like having a partner you argue and fight with who drives you crazy but you love being with.

Thankfully I don't have a partner like that. Although I have accidentally stumbled onto owning a bike with character. F'ing piece of shit. I can't wait to see the back of it. I hope for theft, spontaneous combustion or binning it to write off point without injuring myself. Sadly none of those options are working and we're taking the legal road.

In this day and age you don't expect a bike manufacturer to produce products based on the Microsoft system. That is produce a half baked product, release it to market and let the consumer's iron out the flaws.

If I had the money I'd publicly destroy the thing on TV and make a spectacle of it. Sadly I don't, but donations would be welcome.

[nudemetalz]

Funny thing is, is that Guzzi mount the throttle bodys on rubber intake manifolds with hose clamps, almost like they know this backfire issue will happen.......

[Dodgyiti]

Funny thing is, is that Guzzi mount the throttle bodys on rubber intake manifolds with hose clamps, almost like they know this backfire issue will happen.......

Saves creating more damage, see... they love you really:love:

I had a flashy Honda, a late model BMW and all they did was bore the crap out of me. Did the job with mind destroying efficiency, bah! Gimme some entertainment!

If it had not backfired and popped off the rubber, how much do you have to tell the missus when you get home?

"uhhhh passed another WOF, rode home, slashed my wrists..."

[Taz]

Saves creating more damage, see... they love you really:love:

I had a flashy Honda, a late model BMW and all they did was bore the crap out of me. Did the job with mind destroying efficiency, bah! Gimme some entertainment!

If it had not backfired and popped off the rubber, how much do you have to tell the missus when you get home?

"uhhhh passed another WOF, rode home, slashed my wrists..."

You have a whole closet full of whips and chains don't you??:yes:

[nudemetalz]

Yeah, with a Guzzi you can't just pass a WOF without drama !!!

[shafty]

Determined to buy a Euro shaft drive tourer, I tested a demo Guzzi California years ago, loved the idea of V Twin cred etc, but unfortunately I returned to the shop 20 minutes later with my pockets full of the bits that rattled off her, - tank badge etc etc - Bummer! Bought a 900 Trophy instead. :(

[Molly]

When you take a V11 for a WoF, how do they lift the front wheel to check bearings?

My V11 went through compliance a few months ago and I noticed too late that they'd jacked it on the sump. Thankfully no damage but I thought it had to be risky.

Have I really got to drag my front and rear stands down to the WoF station with me?

[Paul in NZ]

When you take a V11 for a WoF, how do they lift the front wheel to check bearings?

My V11 went through compliance a few months ago and I noticed too late that they'd jacked it on the sump. Thankfully no damage but I thought it had to be risky.

Have I really got to drag my front and rear stands down to the WoF station with me?

Block of wood and jack it on the sump - whats to break???

[Voltaire]

I've had my Jap import 900ss for nearly a year now and its started first time every time, nothings fallen off it, and its very reliable.... I'm thinking of asking Haldanes for my money back and getting a Guzzi.:whistle:

[caseye]

Ya won't do it! Eyes nose ya wont! Bloody Guzzi's they fall down when boats are anywhere near them, they backfire at the warrant shop, but hell they look and sound great.

[Dodgyiti]

Bloody BFTP Riders!

There is nothing that a big hammer can't fix.

As for things rattling off- Loctite

As for Haldanes giving anyone their money back, good luck with that!

It is really hard for someone to go out and buy a Guzzi for the first time, not the new ones though, they are fairly normal, but the older ones are so out there compared to say a BMW boxer even though they are pretty much the same that I can understand someone doing a 20 min test ride and never cocking a leg over a Guzzi again. Which is why they are so special :love:

[Dodgyiti]

Ya won't do it! Eyes nose ya wont! Bloody Guzzi's they fall down when boats are anywhere near them, they backfire at the warrant shop, but hell they look and sound great.

Sound great, you ain't heard nothing!
Just put a full competition exhaust on my Mk1, and it is radical, and even more antisocial than I am!!
Just wait till the BFTP Anniversary Ride, wear earplugs and stay a safe distance behind because I am shooting flames out the back on the over run baby!
:woohoo:

[caseye]

EWE anti social? Neva.So if I was exactly the right distance behind ya I could score a scorch Flame Paint job then???
Looking forward to hearing and seeing that special bike mate.

[nudemetalz]

Block of wood and jack it on the sump - whats to break???

Exactly, as long as you support the weight across the whole sump, you're okay. The sidestand has to have a little extra block of wood too as that extra lean angle on the spindle stand (which is bolted to the sump) can be a concern..
I hope this is what they did !!!

[Taz]

Nothing weak about the sump on my '79

p.s Dodgy - I'm gonna have to replace that rear seal :cry:

[Molly]

So do I...

I've got nice front and rear stands for the bike but not one that'd let you check the head bearings. Good to know I can safely lift it on the sump.

Cheers :-)

[idb]

Ah yes, character!
That is the very reason I own two Ducatis, so the odds are that I'll always have one on the road.
The longer you own one the more you actually know about it, not just how to turn it on and make it go, but what makes it go.

[Paul in NZ]

Nothing weak about the sump on my '79

p.s Dodgy - I'm gonna have to replace that rear seal :cry:

What model???

[Max Headroom]

Ah yes, character!
That is the very reason I own two Ducatis, so the odds are that I'll always have one on the road.
The longer you own one the more you actually know about it, not just how to turn it on and make it go, but what makes it go.

I guess that's why a high mileage Ducati is a rare thing . . . .:whistle:

[Voltaire]

I guess that's why a high mileage Ducati is a rare thing . . . .:whistle:

...its about quality time on the road....not commuting , touring or riding in the rain....:gob:

[Taz]

What model???

Mainly V1000sp....
Will put pic in my profile.

[Drew]

I'd heard the old school Guzzi's would sometimes spit a carb off, if you pump the gas too much, (they have a throttle pump like a car), but ya wouldn't expect it on the injected model.

Good larf, cheers

Drew

[Dodgyiti]

Mainly V1000sp....
Will put pic in my profile.

Aww bummer about the rear main, I am going to do yet another one for someone, want me to do yours as well? Or stop in and grab my clutch alignment spigot jigger, will save approx 37 swear words, or 435 if your a Westie:rolleyes:

[Taz]

You feel like giving me a hand to do it If I bring it up? Or I could borrow your tools if you busy.

[SDU]

Have I really got to drag my front and rear stands down to the WoF station with me?
Nah go & see Wofman(kber) at Glouster motors on Glouster st just about on fitzgerald ave corner on the right if coming from town. He's use to Guzzi's =he's put seen ours enough.

[Molly]

Cheers for the tip.

[Paul in NZ]

Mainly V1000sp....
Will put pic in my profile.

I replaced mine and - it still leaked.... Drat...

There are several possible leak points as well as the rear main, went through them as well and eventually pulled the rear main and there was corrosion on the seal surface. I burnished it out, fitted a new seal and all good again..

Let me know if you need the whole drama about the procedure...

[Molly]

Fired my V11 up today just because it'd been stood a few weeks. Bloody marvellous I tell ya. Bit of a small transmission oil leak but that'll wait a month or so until the new garage is built.

In terms of grin factor, that V11 has got to be the best value for money bike I've ever bought. Bloody love it.

[nudemetalz]

Yeah, V11's rock alright !! :clap:

Great to see another Guzzi thread working.

[Dodgyiti]

I replaced mine and - it still leaked.... Drat...

There are several possible leak points as well as the rear main, went through them as well and eventually pulled the rear main and there was corrosion on the seal surface. I burnished it out, fitted a new seal and all good again..

Let me know if you need the whole drama about the procedure...

I hear you Paul, did it TWICE on my T-3. Leaked when I bought it, leaked when I replaced it. I machined up a bit of ali tube that can be used to set the depth of the seal. So when you get the old one out, clean up the crank end and find a 2-3mm area all the way around that has no pitting and measure then set the depth using the modified tube to seat the seal perfectly level and in the 'sweet spot. Second time worked a charm with this method.
:banana: :banana:

Andy,
For sure you can bring her 'round and we will do it, as it is safer to have another person to steady everything when you lift the arse up to get the 'box out. On my own it takes about 4 hours start to finish, so an extra pair of hands will reduce that by quite a bit as I spend a lot of time being carefull when it is all half in the air and on the ramp. Grab a seal off Pete and let me know when your ready.
How is the clutch? Something to think about when you get into it that far...

[sondela]

I guess that's why a high mileage Ducati is a rare thing . . . .:whistle:

Hmmm..thought this was a guzzi thread...:wacko:

I rode my le Mans mk11 for 50 000 k's trouble free, cept for the time I fell off it, and that was because of me not the bike!
It had speed and character, and it was beautiful..gotta love a guzzi!

[idb]

Hmmm..thought this was a guzzi thread...:wacko:

I rode my le Mans mk11 for 50 000 k's trouble free, cept for the time I fell off it, and that was because of me not the bike!
It had speed and character, and it was beautiful..gotta love a guzzi!

I like Guzzis too...I really like the look of the V7.

The thing with character is that the Italians have never quite worked out a way of measuring it accurately, so that the amount of character they install in each bike can vary, one bike might get a handful, another a smidgun, another a soupcon, another a splash and another might fall into the whole damned vat of character and just get fished out and sent out to a dealer.

If you're unfortunate you end up with one that has too much factory-installed character and it can be damned hard to fix...it doesn't just buff out.

[SDU]

Fired my V11 up today just because it'd been stood a few weeks. Bloody marvellous I tell ya. Bit of a small transmission oil leak but that'll wait a month or so until the new garage is built.

In terms of grin factor, that V11 has got to be the best value for money bike I've ever bought. Bloody love it.

My V11 fire up in the weekend first pop after sitting for @ least 2 months- should have seen my surprised grin

[sondela]

My V11 fire up in the weekend first pop after sitting for @ least 2 months- should have seen my surprised grin

So you going to keep it now? go on..you know you want to.. :D

[nudemetalz]

yes !!
Keep it, keep it, keep it, keep it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have I made myself clear ??!! :niceone:

[popelli]

Ha,..had a laugh today.
Took the V11 down to Scooterazzi (in the pouring rain) to get it's WOF today.

Anyway, couple of hours later, I go to pick her up (after passing with no worries of course !!).
Put the key in, hit the starter motor, she turned over a little slower than normal, then an almighty bang of a back fire, followed by an engine running on one cylinder making a squealing noise.
Hmm,...what has gone wrong?
Turned out the backfire blew the RHS throttle body (it's EFI) right off it's intake manifold !! :shit:
Easily fixed and starts up fine also to a nice ride home in the rain...
(thanks to Garth, the mechanic, for fixing her :niceone:)

Yup, Guzzi character, that's why I bought her .. :laugh:


I had a guzzi california once, it broke down virtually everytime I rode it, it had large panniers fitted, they were very ueful for carrying tools

Its a toss up between that and a honda cb450 that I owned as to which was the most unreliable but the honda may have had the edge in performance

Compared to the iron head sportster I had owned before the guzzi

the guzzi drank more fuel

the guzzi was noticably slower

the guzzi was less reliable

however on the plus side the guzzi had good brakes, unfortunately it usually broke down before you ever had the need to use them

in short the bike was a great disappointment

[AllanB]

however on the plus side the guzzi had good brakes, unfortunately it usually broke down before you ever had the need to use them
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Bloody funny, probably not at the time for you but I had a good chuckle :niceone:

[laRIKin]

yes !!
Keep it, keep it, keep it, keep it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have I made myself clear ??!! :niceone:

It is up to SDU if she keeps it.
Looking more likely by the day.:corn:

Well we are keeping the MKIII.
And I'm riding her again for awhile.
It normally fires up OK if you hold your mouth just right.:ride:

Just gave it a tune and new blood and filter.

[Paul in NZ]

I had a guzzi california once, it broke down virtually everytime I rode it, in short the bike was a great disappointment

yeah - they are not for everyone but generally they are very reliable...

[Drew]

I had a guzzi california once, it broke down virtually everytime I rode it, it had large panniers fitted, they were very ueful for carrying tools

Its a toss up between that and a honda cb450 that I owned as to which was the most unreliable but the honda may have had the edge in performance

Compared to the iron head sportster I had owned before the guzzi

the guzzi drank more fuel

the guzzi was noticably slower

the guzzi was less reliable

however on the plus side the guzzi had good brakes, unfortunately it usually broke down before you ever had the need to use them

in short the bike was a great disappointment


yeah - they are not for everyone but generally they are very reliable...

Some years back, my father had an '86 GSXR750, with some Yoshi gear in it. A friend of his had a Guzzi California, two stage auto thingy.

At the time we lived in Dunedin, and on a trip back from some place, dad with Jimmy on the back came up Ratray st WFO on the Gixxer. Jimmy turned to see how fast they were leaving Bo behind on the Guzzi, to find the tractor powered cop bike, thundering up the hill a very short distance behind indeed.

And the only time I heard of something going wrong with the Guzzi, was a flat tyre. You can trust this too, the bike was perhaps the least maintained motorcycle I've ever laid eyes on.

[Molly]

I resign myself to the idea that one day my Guzzi will suffer a terminal explosion and it'll become an expensive but beautiful ornament. In the mean time I'll rag the arse off it :niceone: