Guzzi virgin - advice please

[Molly]

Just saw a V11 for sale locally. I'm really keen but have never owned a Guzzi before.

 

Could I ask members what they're like to live with? My present bikes are a new and an old Harley. The old one keeps me busy so I'm used to tinkering. That said, they're straight-forward enough to work on.

 

So, as a day to day bike, how do you think I'd find a V11?

 

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Molly.

[wheelsucker]

Your in luck, this was just discussed.

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10343

[Molly]

Thanks for that.

 

Can I ask also: How are the cams driven in a Guzzi? Also, are the valve clearences 'bucket and shim' like some Japanese bikes, hydraulic lifters maybe (requiring no attention) like my Harleys, or good old Brit bike style that you can adjust yourself?

 

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

[pete roper]

Thanks for that.

 

Can I ask also: How are the cams driven in a Guzzi? Also, are the valve clearences 'bucket and shim' like some Japanese bikes, hydraulic lifters maybe (requiring no attention) like my Harleys, or good old Brit bike style that you can adjust yourself?

 

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

 

Imagine the end two cylinders sawn off a chev smallblock and air cooled. The camshaft runs in the valley of the V, (Driven by a chain that also drives the oil pump.) and the valves are operated by pushrods working on rockers with screw and locknut lash adjustment on the pushrod end of the rocker arm.

 

The Guzzi motor has changed very little since 1967, it is also incredibly strong and very, very easy to work on.

 

Most of the other componentry is similarly robust and although if you peruse the forum you will find recurring problems there are no more or less than with any other manufacturerand the fixes, especually if you are capable with tools, are usually quick and easy.

 

There are a few models that had glaring faults, the Scura for exmple has a time-bomb flywheel, and all V11's can suffer from oil pck-up exposure during hard, sustained, acceleration in lower gears but they are generally a happy, happy thing, but someone on this list, even thugh he doesn't own one, would say that wouldn't he

 

Pete

[Zoom Zoom]

Pete is a very bashful person. What he neglected to tell you is that he developed a sloppage sheet to install in the bottom end that cures the described oil situation. Fairly easy to install too. Valve adjustment will take you around 30 minutes tops, start to finish.

 

Zoom Zoom,

John Henry

[rocker59]

I came off Harleys, so I can say that you should get along with Guzzi just fine.

 

They are easy to tinker with, very reliable, and good handling.

 

You'll love it !!!

[mznyc]

Thanks for that.

 

Also, are the valve clearences 'bucket and shim' like some Japanese bikes, hydraulic lifters maybe (requiring no attention) like my Harleys, or good old Brit bike style that you can adjust yourself?

 

Ha., ha.ha.,ha,.....ha, ha,ha!

[theoneandonly]

hi molly , totally off topic ,if you bump into a chap called martyn sharp out there in nz say hello to him from me (baldrick/neil) ta .

[Baldini]

....me (baldrick/neil) ...

 

 

So baldrick is here among us ...

[Admin Jaap]

Yep

[kevdog3019]

Some of us just add a bit more oil to the large sump so that if there is sloppage of the oil it won't starve the engine. I have never seen the oil light, however, I'm pretty easy on this thing, except for the time some teens decided to drag race me from a light in there Ford Escort. They beat the piss out of it which surprised me, so I layed into the throttle and damn near had the wheel off the ground on shift changes. I was out in front by second gear, and need I say more. I think they just wanted to hear the motor run up since I came up on them at idle to the light with my engine purring with the Mistral cans. Do you fault them?