belfastguzzi

Mama mia–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– All set to use groovy new plug pliers that Pete very kindly sent me (USA > AustriaLand > UK) but they don't fit in the space. You find that too Pete? Note the rust stain. Emulsion, or as someone on one of these forums thought, Lithium grease: Blacker than I would like: Note the 2 bolt heads in cam cage, top right corner: One comes out, just like that, easy as pie. Not even the tiniest bit tight. While a nice coil of alloy also comes out, just like that: So I cut a bit of alu tube and cut down a spouting bolt and added a coupla washers and black sealant and the rubbery washer, hoping that a bit of extra length over the oe screw will be enough to catch the bottom couple of threads in the hole. Spit. Spit. Spit. Just to 'cap' it all off, when I lifted the stupid wee badge/screw cover to make the final fitment, I thought, hmmm... that leg (which holds the cover in place) is wobbly. That won't last long. It didn't.

When I took the head covers off, they were pretty gunky with emulsion, but I expected that amount of yuk, or more. Interesting to see the rust in the plug hole, where the top of the inner steel tube is – as if these plugs aren't hard enough to get out as it is. Cry butchery. Four wide, flat headed screws with rubbery 'washers' keep the head covers on, and press a rubbery gasket between cover and head to make sure that the oil stays inside. When I started to unscrew them – they were very tight. Far too tight, I thought. I know that oil can leak from these screws, but surely they didn't need to be forced down this hard? The first 2 broke out. Then the third came out – bringing the alloy threads from inside the head with it. Yes – these screws had been put in with far too much brutish force. This screw threads into the cage that holds the cam in place. As I've had occasion to say before, this is not why I purchased a new Guzzi. This is the sort of thing that I found on old knackered Hondas that I bought when I was 18. So I never did get plugging in the Axone. After settig the valve gaps and cleaning up a bit, I spent the rest of the afternoon/early evening making up a bodge to get the cover screwed down by the last couple of threads left at the end of that hole. When I then put the left side back together, my finger touched against one of the 2 bolts holding the cam cage down onto the head. The bolt turned freely! It hadn't even been tightened when the cam was changed! Unbelievable. Believable. What else is undone and damaged (in addition to my previous finds)? So, just in case, I unscrewed the right side cover again to check the bolts in there. Ohh Mama mia––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Some of you know the long tale of woe created by this 8V motor. So much damage caused by factory faults and useless dealers. At last I've got the opportunity to put the basics right, as Pete has lent me an Axone. I've bought a 'carb' balancer too. This afternoon, I started off by checking the valve gaps and then hoped to get the Axone plugged in. Things didn't go well... –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Started work by checking the valve gaps. These were last set by the 'authorised service agent' because they were quite out of whack, after previously being set by the 'authorised service agent' when he did the cam replacement melarky. Not that many miles ago. Gaps should be .1 and .15. Well, right side inlet was .55, while the exhaust side gap - wasn't. I couldn't even get the smallest, 0.04 leaf into it. !! Left side was slightly better(!), in that the inlet was .3 and the exhaust was .15 / .2 Pete, for the first time, I looked for the flywheel timing mark. What is it? Is it the little cast flange thing, on the right side through the hole: You'll not be surprised to hear that more trouble follows.....

First FI of the season is on in the background. Seems to be biggest bore ever, so nothing much new there. Or did I miss the good bits?

It's gonna be invasion of the 1200 Sports. Davy Russell has bought the one that was for sale here. Jaap, you coming on the S, or the G-B whizzer? Fergal, is John coming?

Is that your garage - workshop!? (In the gallery pics) Wow. It's fantastic! Bike looks well too.

I started this one > http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15520&view=findpost&p=167962 to keep the information as it develops

Super-duper. Just bring your dosh when you come over. What crossing do you think you'll take?

PORPOISE and leave the poor thing alone

The main thread was this one: 1) here Then the roadside repair one, as above, is: 2) here 3) and actual roadside job is here and the original sequence of photos is at: 4) Belfastguzzi pawl spring page 1 and 5) Belfastguzzi pawl spring page 2

Swap you?

Mike I wouldn't bother buying Redline for the V11 engine in the UK. It is very expensive here. It's no doubt relatively cheaper buying it in USA, plus their oils are different anyway (generally worse) hence the American recommendations for Redline. As it happens, I did order some Redline for the gearbox yesterday, but only a small amount to see what it's like. The rest of the big order that I made was for top quality European oil. I think you'd be better doing that. There is no shortage of high quality Euro oils and they'll probably all be better speced than most of the American oils. The European oils have different formulations and a lot retained higher levels of the protective elements that the Americans are referring to. There is no need for hair pulling concern. You'll not go wrong with most of what is available in the UK. Look at the Opie site as someone said at the beginning, particularly as they have a sale on.

Now that this event is confirmed and accommodation booked, I have started a new thread for information. Ulster 2 new thread here

Ulster 2 – Sheep Island View –– Spring Bank Holiday 28-31 May 2010 –– A beautiful place on the North Coast of Ireland: Ballintoy, near Ballycastle. Hostel website, click here > Sheep Island View Hostel Attendees and dates Please contact me or post here to update your attendance details or to enquire about attending. You can pm me here or send an email to belfastguzzi@me.com David Boyd - 28, 29, 30 - Northern Ireland Jaap Veldhorst - 28, 29, 30 - Netherlands - arrive from Dublin, back Wednesday Newcastle ferry Antonio Carroccio - 28, 29 - Netherlands Jens Andersen - 28, 29 - Netherlands Trevor Smith - 28, 29, 30 - England Louise Taylor - 28, 29, 30 - England Fergal Grimes - 28, 29, 30 - Ireland Gary Ross - 28, 29, 30 - Scotland Harry Boyle - 28, 29, 30 - Scotland Davy Russell - 28 - Northern Ireland Bob Berwick - 28, 29, 30 (4 or 5 days) - England – Cairnryan to Larne 13.30 hrs on Thursday 27th May returning on Tues 01 June @ 16.30 hrs from Larne. John Kitney - 28, 29, 30 - Ireland/Scotland Gerry Duffet - 28, 29, 30 and possibly 31 - England Andy Roo - 28, 29, 30 - Shropshire, England Steve Waller & familly - 28, 29, 30 - Northern Ireland James - 28, 29, 30 - Ayrshire, Scotland Christ Spoorenberg - 29, 30 - Sligo, Ireland Marty Hanse - Co, Down, Northern Ireland Dave Graham - Co, Down, Northern Ireland James Hanna - Co, Down, Northern Ireland Steve Adams - England Somersetlemon - England Euan MacGuzzi - Edinburgh, Scotland Photos of hostel rooms > here Photos of the area > here Webpage here > belfastguzzi.com

were

you're bang on with that (sic)

Excellent. That's great Gary.

There is something very wrong about that, but I'm not quite sure what it is.

Jaap if that is a reply to my post, then yes, that would be great thanks.

The hostel Sheep Island View Hostel

A blue rain cloud. Are you coming?

See photos in the Travel forum Sheep Island View I will post pics of the Hostel later

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