Gear clanking and upgrading the headlight

[schaeffer]

Hi all,

New Guzzi owner here, picked up one of the last 2015 V7 Specials in May. Two items I am looking for input on.

First, when 600 miles rolled around after getting quoted $350 for the breakin service I did it all myself......since then for the past couple of weeks I get an intermittent loose sounding rattle low in what seems to be the transmission. Not only Can I hear it but I feel It as a slight clunking amidst the vibration of the engine. No performance issue with the bike in any way and this sound/rattle only happens at times (5% of drive time) usually at idle or low speeds. Any thoughts on what this might be or what I could check? I have 800 miles on the bike. Did the breakin service items at 600.

Second, other than the LED replacement kit on Todd's store any other full headlight/housing replacement kits for increased but legal lighting anyone can recommend.

Cheers

Schaeffer

 

[Trout]

A lot of Guzzis (most) have weird clutch noises.

Is this happening at idle?
Does it change when you pull in the clutch lever?

 

[canuck1969]

Sounds like the input shaft of the gear box rattling the gears. Normal if the rattling at idle in neutral goes away when you pull the clutch lever in (disengage the clutch). Will also go away if you rev the engine slightly in neutral as that smooths out the pulses of the engine. The rattle will get louder as the bike ages. Again, harmless.

If it still rattles when you pull the clutch lever is, then it could be of concern but I am betting on it being as above.

 

[schaeffer]

Canuck and Trout, alas disengaging the clutch has no impact on the sound. The sound and vibrations comes and goes irrespective of clutch status. Though I have only noticed this at idle or low RPMs.

 

[Vagrant]

have you re-torqued the exhaust pipe to cylinder head connections. must be done often. is the exhaust pipe hitting the frame?
every nut bolt and screw needs tightening. including the tail light lens's.

 

[Trout]

Dang! Sorry man I'm not sure at this point. Not the best advice in the world but I would tend to ride it and keep an ear open for any change to the worse side. Over the years I've gotten so i trust these Guzzi's more than any other bike to give plenty of warning before going bang.

 

[canuck1969]

So, the sound was not there before you did the service?

Are you sure it is from the gearbox and not from the valves. Is it possible that you adjusted a valve on the loose side and you are just hearing normal valve tappets.

You will get a sort of cyclical sound coming from the engines. I think the V7s still run with flat tappets (not up on my V7s). With te larger Carc bikes that run flat tappets, you will get a cyclical tap as the tappets spin on the cam.

See if you can isolate the sound. If you can post a video it will help to determine if it is something to be concerned with, or normal Guzzi sounds.

 

[schaeffer]

have you re-torqued the exhaust pipe to cylinder head connections. must be done often. is the exhaust pipe hitting the frame?
every nut bolt and screw needs tightening. including the tail light lens's.

Will review all bolt and screws this weekend. Thanks for the rec.

 

[schaeffer]

So, the sound was not there before you did the service?

Are you sure it is from the gearbox and not from the valves. Is it possible that you adjusted a valve on the loose side and you are just hearing normal valve tappets.

You will get a sort of cyclical sound coming from the engines. I think the V7s still run with flat tappets (not up on my V7s). With te larger Carc bikes that run flat tappets, you will get a cyclical tap as the tappets spin on the cam.

See if you can isolate the sound. If you can post a video it will help to determine if it is something to be concerned with, or normal Guzzi sounds.

I don't think it is the valves as I would recognize that sound. This issue did start after the break in service but not immediately. Will see if I can get a video of the issue recorded and posted. Really appreciate your time and input.

Schaeffer