Just a few notes to anyone planning to replace your timing chain on a big twin engine without removing the engine from the frame. I've just been through the process with my 1983 Cali II and I'm no engineer.
There are instructions aplenty at the sites and books listed below. I just wanted to add my findings.
The instructions everyone gives are excellent in that you remove the alternator cover and then the alternator. Some say the alternator will just slip off. I can only say without the special bolt tool from MGcycle for getting the Bosch alternator off it would still be on there. Best $11 I've spent in a long time.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/bosch.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/cover plate.JPG]
None of the other articles I read mention needing to remove the frame bolt that runs through the timing chain cover. OK I'm a bit slow so I wasn't sure if it could be left in place. It can't. You need to support the engine with something, take off the pipes and take the bolt out of the way in order to get the timing chain cover off.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/frame bolt.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/old chain.JPG]
The chain can be cut off quite easily with a Dremel like Carl Sederquist describes. Threading the new chain on is the time consuming part if you have big fat fingers like me. If I ever do this again I'll have a person with small fingers at hand to help with this bit. I suggest bribing a wife or kid at this point.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new chain1.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new chain 2.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new tensioner.JPG]
Everything else was just as everyone described. Original tensioner was crap (what were they thinking when they put that in?). New tensioner seems completely different and the chain seems.....tense.
Special thanks to Pete Roper and his photos in his engine strip series on http://www.wildguzzi.com, Carl Sederquist and his timing chain replacement advice on http://www.wildguzzi.com, Gregory Bender and his tensioner replacement advice at http://www.thisoldtractor.com, the good old Haynes manual and the Moto Guzzi training videos available again at www. thisoldtractor.com
Lastly thanks to Dave Richardson and his Guzziology book. You really shouldn't own a Guzzi without owning this book. Also to MGcycle for the special tools and Moto International for the parts. Thanks for still posting stuff to Canada.
There are instructions aplenty at the sites and books listed below. I just wanted to add my findings.
The instructions everyone gives are excellent in that you remove the alternator cover and then the alternator. Some say the alternator will just slip off. I can only say without the special bolt tool from MGcycle for getting the Bosch alternator off it would still be on there. Best $11 I've spent in a long time.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/bosch.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/cover plate.JPG]
None of the other articles I read mention needing to remove the frame bolt that runs through the timing chain cover. OK I'm a bit slow so I wasn't sure if it could be left in place. It can't. You need to support the engine with something, take off the pipes and take the bolt out of the way in order to get the timing chain cover off.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/frame bolt.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/old chain.JPG]
The chain can be cut off quite easily with a Dremel like Carl Sederquist describes. Threading the new chain on is the time consuming part if you have big fat fingers like me. If I ever do this again I'll have a person with small fingers at hand to help with this bit. I suggest bribing a wife or kid at this point.
[/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new chain1.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new chain 2.JPG][/Users/snow/Desktop/guzzi repair/new tensioner.JPG]
Everything else was just as everyone described. Original tensioner was crap (what were they thinking when they put that in?). New tensioner seems completely different and the chain seems.....tense.
Special thanks to Pete Roper and his photos in his engine strip series on http://www.wildguzzi.com, Carl Sederquist and his timing chain replacement advice on http://www.wildguzzi.com, Gregory Bender and his tensioner replacement advice at http://www.thisoldtractor.com, the good old Haynes manual and the Moto Guzzi training videos available again at www. thisoldtractor.com
Lastly thanks to Dave Richardson and his Guzziology book. You really shouldn't own a Guzzi without owning this book. Also to MGcycle for the special tools and Moto International for the parts. Thanks for still posting stuff to Canada.