Tuning/servicing V7

[kevV7R]

Hi all! I am new to both Guzzi tech and forums in general. Also new to Guzzi ownership so all round, be gentle!

I live in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and bought my V7 Racer second hand from a Triumph dealership down here. The bike had 1600 k's on it and I was told the first service had just been completed by the dealership.
The bike is running rough to the point of stalling when cold (should mention it has the Arrow pipes) and popping and farting when throttling off at any temp. Dont mind the popping and farting as long as it is doing the bike no harm.
I have been told by a registered Guzzi dealer that it is a sensor in the injection system and that it wont be right until the bike is hooked up to a Guzzi diagnostic computer.

The shop I bought the bike from told me they could service the bike and that if I want the problem fixed I will have to pay for them to tweak the sensors without hooking it up to a computer (as they have none!). My option is to do a 6 hour round trip to Devonport in Tas and take it to the dealership that has the computer. A little grumpy at the shop and will take the issue up with them but want an opinion on whether I am ever going to get the bike right without the correct diagnostic computer hooked up.

Anyone???

 

[Perazzimx14]

To answer your last question, No!

 

[john zibell]

Unless the shop is trained on Marelli FI, don't let them touch it. See this https://www.guzzitech.com/forum/160/1676.html to learn what it takes. Under no circumstances touch the idle stop screw on the left throttle body. For the cost of a dealership call, you could probably purchase a balancing tool (manometer, carbtune, or twinmax) and VDSTS to do the job yourself.

 

[kevV7R]

Many thanks for the replies. The shop has assured me they have both the equipment and the expertise to do the job. It is booked in for Monday and they have stated "no fix no pay". I don't think I can do better than that from them and have also been assured it is a 1 to 1.5hr job as far as paying for labour goes.

Fingers crossed it will behave better on the cold Tassie mornings from Monday onwards. Looking forward to many years of riding and chatting with you all from here on in.

Kev

 

[Perazzimx14]

How are they hoping to be able to fix/adjust it without hooking it up to a computer that talks Guzzi? No fix no pay may seem great but what happens if it a no fix and now bike now doesn't run? Are they then going to pay to have it shipped and repaired at a Guzzi dealer.

Would you take your Ford to a Toyota dealer for repairs??

 

[sign216]

A shop with no computer skills will give you only 1/2 the answer. It might be enough,...or not.

You can make a manometer yourself to balance the throttlebodies. Setting the valves isn't too hard either.

I've got a Vehicle Diagnostic Scan Tool (VDST). It checks/sets many of the sensors that input to the ECU (electronic control unit, i.e. computer). A great tool. It was $220 a few years ago from Technoresearch in the USA. However, I believe it's been replaced by a newer model. Free software like Ducatidiag can do many of those functions, but I've never played with it, so I can't speak to it.

Consider doing the work yourself.

Joe

 

[pokeyjoe]

I've got a Vehicle Diagnostic Scan Tool (VDST). It checks/sets many of the sensors that input to the ECU (electronic control unit, i.e. computer). A great tool.

Todd sells them. Click on the Store tab above.

 

[kevV7R]

Again Thanks to all, your replies have made me a lot more comfortable about my first injected bike!

I went to the workshop at the dealer and spoke to the head mechanic. He showed me the diagnostic tools they use and both were Guzzi badged. He is not sure whether the software is current enough for the bike but assured me if it isn't they wont play with the bike, just call me and then I will go for the 3 hour ride to Devonport to the Guzzi dealer up there!

I just hope if the Devonport trip is a requirement, then it is not too regular. The bike is still under its new vehicle warranty so until that expires in Jul13 I wont touch it myself. Have a qualified bike mechanic where I work who is guiding me with this issue but his knowledge is not very contemporary as he now works on the outboard motors for the work boats. He will help me once the warranty is out and I will definitely be looking up Todd for the VDST tool then.

Keep smiling and riding all!

Kev

 

[kevV7R]

Final update (hopefully)! Bike went to the shop today. Their software is updated to the V7 Classic but apparently not capable of doing the job on my injectors.... So off to Devonport as soon as I have a few days off that match with a window at the dealership up there.

True to their word, no bill for the time they spent on the bike and it still runs well warm!

Thanks again all!

 

[john zibell]

What needs to be done to the injectors? They either work fine, or need cleaning. There are no software tweaks for them. Their open duration is controlled completely by the ECU.

 

[Perazzimx14]

What needs to be done to the injectors? They either work fine, or need cleaning. There are no software tweaks for them. Their open duration is controlled completely by the ECU.

I am sure nothing needs to be done to the injectors it need to be remapped.

 

[john zibell]

I am sure nothing needs to be done to the injectors it need to be remapped.

Changing the map is a whole other task. As far as I know, there are no updated maps for the V7R from the factory. That means Todd doing a reflash of the ECU and possible addition of a power commander for the 15RC.

 

[Tazturtle]

Hey,

I live in Ulverstone and own a V7R - The guys at Shearwater will see you right. Shop mechanic Brendan also owns a V7R. With the Arrow mufflers fitted he uses the software to advance the TPS by 6.5 degrees to effectively richen the mixture and solve the cold running issues. Worked a treat on mine.

See you on the road!

Cheers

Kurt

 

[kevV7R]

John, I am told it is the TPS (throttle position sensors??) that need adjusting and can only be done using the correct diagnostic tool. I imagine it is a software adjustment rather than a mechanical one.
Will do the ride up there soon and no doubt enjoy the trip!

Kev

 

[kevV7R]

Kurt,

Nice to hear from you! I tried to email you via the IMC site but didn't get through.

I have heard good things about Shearwater and will admit to being a little disappointed in the shop I bought the bike from.

I had heard there were only two V7R's in the state but have since heard stories of another floating around the Hobart area. I would love to catch up sometime and am tossing up whether to join either Ulysses or the IMC. I am very much a sedate rider and re-entering the world of larger bikes after a fairly lengthy break.

Would love to catch up sometime.


Kev

 

[kevV7R]

Kurt,

Further question for you mate, mine is backfiring on the negative throttle both warm and cold, does yours do this? I have been told it is hard to get a perfect seal where the Arrow's slip on and also the lack of back pressure on the system makes it difficult to stop this happening. If I keep the throttle closer to neutral it solves the problem so an amateurish guess would say enriching the mixture might reduce the problem. Your thoughts and experience with yours would be appreciated.

I don't mind the backfiring but work shiftwork and use the bike as a daily ride, worried the neighbours might not appreciate the tunes I play as much as I do!

Kev

 

[Tazturtle]

Hey Kev,

Yeah I think there are a couple in Hobart and two up this way (Brendan and I).

Shearwater have two V7Rs on the showroom floor too.

I have the Stucchi Luigi fairing on mine. Shearwater are good to deal with. Mine has over 7000 km on her now and is just great. Has an electrical glitch at the moment that Shearwater are taking care of under warranty.

With how lean these bikes are nowadays esp with a free flowing exhaust, you can reduce popping but you'll never eliminate it altogether.

I have found the IMC a great bunch. Hope to get to their southern AGM on the night of the toyrun (1/12).

Cheers Kurt

 

[kevV7R]

Kurt,

Very nice! Is it the 2011 model?

As I said would love to catch up at some point. Do you ever come down for the sunday rides from Salamanca?

I will book the bike in with Shearwater and ride up there (hope for a nice day).

I am not too concerned about the popping. I will try and seal up the joint at the slip on point a little better and leave it at that.

What are you using on the tank? I have some stuff called Fireglaze which seems to do a great job. Unfortunately the tank had a small scratch on it when I bought it and of course my eyes are drawn to it every time I go near the bike.

Anyhow, if you got the emails through the IMC site I have posted my mobile number. Feel free to give me a yell. Am interested to know what the electronics issue is. I thought the italians had all that sorted out!

Kev

 

[Tazturtle]

Haven't seen any e:mails from IMC - they have been doing a lot of work on the site though.

Mine is a 2011, no. 749. I bought her new last September.

Haven't been to a southern ride yet, but definitely on the cards. Yep would love to catch up. I do get to Hobart reasonably regularly with work meetings etc, just not usually on the Racer.

My direct email is tazturtle@gmail.com

Electronics issue is with the main fuse blowing - she is in the shop at the moment so I'll let you know what they find. I suspect a dodgy regulator (they ARE a Ducati part after all lol) but it conceivably may just be a wire that has shorted. No power and the speedo/tacho were frozen in flight!

Cheers

Kurt

 

[Guz5]

Kev. In in Hobart. Ring 0407835929. email motoguzzim :at: hotmail.com
Im happy to do any work required or discuss your tuning.
Milton