Cold Weather Start

[Mitch Clyman]

Hey Guys,
This ain’t my first bike but never had a Guzzi. After I let my bike warm up I go through the gears to get them lubed up(No comment...) Even after this when I take it on the road it’s next to impossible to shift from 1st to 2nd. It takes about 10 minutes of riding until I can shift normally. I know it has to do with the viscosity of the lubricant but this is nuts...any tips?

 

[TimmyTheHog]

Unfortunate these Guzzi are cold hearted bike...they do take a bit of warming up before it gets happy.

Check if your clutch free-play is set up properly (~2mm gap). Some bikes have them set too large and the clutch won't disengage but of course, make sure your clutch is fully engaged when the lever is fully released.

Also Remapping helps some (checkout Todd's Sale section for his remap tools).

For me, I start the bike first then I put on my jacket, gloves, helmet and glasses.

It takes about 2 mins for me to do all that, and then I ride off to the sunset.

First few KM it is harder to shift for sure no doubt, but once you get going, it will be happy.

Curious which version of V7 you have? Earlier V7 (before '15) gear has a bit more agriculture feel...later models feel more refined.

 

[john zibell]

Hey Guys,
This ain’t my first bike but never had a Guzzi. After I let my bike warm up I go through the gears to get them lubed up(No comment...) Even after this when I take it on the road it’s next to impossible to shift from 1st to 2nd. It takes about 10 minutes of riding until I can shift normally. I know it has to do with the viscosity of the lubricant but this is nuts...any tips?

I don't think it gets too cold where you are. Are you running a fully synthetic 75W90 in the gearbox? If not, give it a try.

 

[Mitch Clyman]

I don't think it gets too cold where you are. Are you running a fully synthetic 75W90 in the gearbox? If not, give it a try.

Actually where I live in the morning it’s in the low 40’s it can go down to the 30’s and even snows...

 

[Mitch Clyman]

Unfortunate these Guzzi are cold hearted bike...they do take a bit of warming up before it gets happy.

Check if your clutch free-play is set up properly (~2mm gap). Some bikes have them set too large and the clutch won't disengage but of course, make sure your clutch is fully engaged when the lever is fully released.

Also Remapping helps some (checkout Todd's Sale section for his remap tools).

For me, I start the bike first then I put on my jacket, gloves, helmet and glasses.

It takes about 2 mins for me to do all that, and then I ride off to the sunset.

First few KM it is harder to shift for sure no doubt, but once you get going, it will be happy.

Curious which version of V7 you have? Earlier V7 (before '15) gear has a bit more agriculture feel...later models feel more refined.

I’ve got a V9 and do the same ritual the clutch is fine it’s the gear box when shifting ...

 

[Mitch Clyman]

I don't think it gets too cold where you are. Are you running a fully synthetic 75W90 in the gearbox? If not, give it a try.

Just spoke to my mechanic... for the last tune up he did not use 100 % synthetic..and in the manual I think it actually says to use 100 % Synth

 

[john zibell]

Just spoke to my mechanic... for the last tune up he did not use 100 % synthetic..and in the manual I think it actually says to use 100 % Synth

Give fully synthetic a try. If Mobil1 75W90 is available try it. It pours like a light weigh oil but has the lubrication qualities of 75W90.

 

[Mitch Clyman]

Give fully synthetic a try. If Mobil1 75W90 is available try it. It pours like a light weigh oil but has the lubrication qualities of 75W90.

They use Motul over here.

 

[Raven]

I used Motul for a year and it was excellent even just above freezing.

 

[V700Steve]

Maybe squirt some synthetic spray on the shifter shaft that goes through the frame rail, it's only a bush in there.