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Should I get service or do it myself?

v7flier

Tuned and Synch'ed
GT Famiglia
Joined
Jul 4, 2017
Messages
55
Location
Northern CA
Hello all. I will donate again to this site for the answers to this question. I'm a first time moto owner. I bought a use 2013 v7 stone through a private party, and it has about 37000 kilometers on it.

I want to know if I should pay the shop for the service or learn to do it myself?

The shop wants about $800 to do the 40 K service (see attachments of service to be rendered, from OM)

Alternatively, I could do each one of these things myself, and learn in the process. I use this bike to get to work. I like to working on things, but don't have much experience with motorcycles. Curious if all this work is best left to the shop, in which I would learn nothing, or I should take on myself and learn. It might take a bit longer to do myself, but will it cost me more? Is there a high risk of messing something up?

Thank you.

R=Replace, I=Inspect, A=Adjust (Note, I already changed the oil filter, and oil.)
Screen Shot 2017 07 24 at 110627 PM Screen Shot 2017 07 24 at 110636 PM
 
Generally the dealer does the major service on my bikes, at least the major items, even though I'm capable of doing it myself. I like to support the dealers that treat me well, they've gotta eat, they've got bills to pay and payroll to make. I want then to be around should I need them in the future.

Paul
 
The only real PITA in all that is the air filter replacement. Everything else is relatively simple. Also I don't know how you would inspect clutch wear without taking the bike apart and measuring the thickness of the friction disk.
 
So the nearest Dealer is Elk Grove Powersports. From Fair Oaks it will take you about 45 minutes each way and if you've got to make two trips --- 3 hours just driving. Subtract that from your Guzzi work time.

I've done all those service items on my Griso (except the fork oil) and done the fork oil with new fork springs on my son's V50-III and Scarabeo 150. Small blocks are easy.

Replacing the Air filter every oil change in Sacramento area seems way to often. It just isn't that dusty here.

For the clutch find a steep hill. Iron point road east of East Bidwell / Scott is pretty steep and should be long enough. You could also try Ebbitts Pass on HWY4 from the Markleeville side but that would take a day.

Another option is to talk to Clay at Pasta Performance, off Sunrise in Rancho Cordova. He does the CHP bikes, is a Duc shop and did my Griso's fork seals and a set of tires. He works on Guzzi's every so often.

After purchasing my Griso from Todd I've done almost all the work on it for the last 20,000 miles as well as my V11 Lemans (currently the gearbox is open waiting for shifter springs), my son's V50-III cafe project bike (waiting for bevel box rebuild) and his Scarabeo 150n (which now he does most of the work on and I "consult").

Normal Motorcycle Maintenance really helps with my Zen. it's the Abbie stuff that tests my Zen.

Mark
 
Thanks for the advice Mark. One question, what is it I'm looking for in the clutch when riding up a steep hill? Slipping?

In general, I find it often hard to find N, and sometimes I'm in Second, and have a stomp to get first. But, really, I don't mind yet. Not in a hurry to fix that.
 
I find it often hard to find N, and sometimes I'm in Second, and have a stomp to get first. But, really, I don't mind yet. Not in a hurry to fix that.
Be in a big hurry to fix it. A mis-adjusted clutch will cost you about $300-500 in repairs, and it won't be warranty. Most dealers don't even know how to properly set them sorry to say. Stomping will just bend things and cause internal damage to bearings and seals or worse.
 
I contacted the first owner of the bike (one owner between us.) He had done all the maintenance on the bike when he had it. Looking forward to working together to learn all about it. Perhaps we'll tackle that. I did call Clay at Pasta before buying the bike to estimate maintenance. He said he can do it all, but he's not a Guzzi certified tech. Though neither am I, and I have very little experience on any bike. So, looks like I have options.
 
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