I've had many bikes over the years but had never owned a Moto Guzzi . I did test ride a V85 in 2022 and I absolutely hated it
The observant on here might recognise this one as it sold on here a while back and then I did a deal with the new owner on it for my Kawasaki Versys
I collected it from Totnes in Devon and rode the 400 mile trip back to County Durham on a very cold March Sunday
The bike got me home but ran mediocre at best . The fuel gauge didn't work , the brakes were poor and the engine very lumpy and noisy
Biggest issue was it wouldn't change gear once hot when stationary
On getting it home I started the investigation into it's problems
On taking the cover off the clutch master cylinder the fluid was black so immediately pointed to a failed slave cylinder
Off came the rear wheel , final drive , swinging arm , bottom linkage and rear shock to get access
One removed it was evident that the slave cylinder was the cause and a new on was ordered
I removed the exhaust system to clean it and also replace the aftermarket GPR end can with the OEM can
The collector box/cat was completely split and although I successfully welded the joint the split had went right down the side of the box and the metal was too thin to weld successfully
A new old stock cat was ordered
A number of the bottom linkage bearings were seized so this had to be fully refurbished
The fork stanchions were badly corroded so were bead blasted , powder coated and rebuilt with new seals and oil
All of the brake calipers and lines were removed , pistons out of the calipers and rebuilt with new seals
New front brake discs fitted as the originals were like pringles and well below their service limit
Bike then had a full service : oil , oil filter , air filter , plugs , gearbox oil , final drive oil
Splines were lubed with Staburegs and valve clearances adjusted (valves were way out)
Throttle bodies balanced (they were way out of balance)
Wiring was a bit of a mess under the seat and it had the wrong battery fitted so wiring tidied up and a new battery fitted
I drained the petrol tank , fitted a new fuel filter and a new old stock sender unit so it now has a fully working fuel gauge
Got the bike all put back together with everything cleaned and polished
Just had it out today and did 220 miles touring round the Lake District and it was like riding a different bike
Really impressed with it , engine is awesome , it handles great and brakes really well
The observant on here might recognise this one as it sold on here a while back and then I did a deal with the new owner on it for my Kawasaki Versys
I collected it from Totnes in Devon and rode the 400 mile trip back to County Durham on a very cold March Sunday
The bike got me home but ran mediocre at best . The fuel gauge didn't work , the brakes were poor and the engine very lumpy and noisy
Biggest issue was it wouldn't change gear once hot when stationary
On getting it home I started the investigation into it's problems
On taking the cover off the clutch master cylinder the fluid was black so immediately pointed to a failed slave cylinder
Off came the rear wheel , final drive , swinging arm , bottom linkage and rear shock to get access
One removed it was evident that the slave cylinder was the cause and a new on was ordered
I removed the exhaust system to clean it and also replace the aftermarket GPR end can with the OEM can
The collector box/cat was completely split and although I successfully welded the joint the split had went right down the side of the box and the metal was too thin to weld successfully
A new old stock cat was ordered
A number of the bottom linkage bearings were seized so this had to be fully refurbished
The fork stanchions were badly corroded so were bead blasted , powder coated and rebuilt with new seals and oil
All of the brake calipers and lines were removed , pistons out of the calipers and rebuilt with new seals
New front brake discs fitted as the originals were like pringles and well below their service limit
Bike then had a full service : oil , oil filter , air filter , plugs , gearbox oil , final drive oil
Splines were lubed with Staburegs and valve clearances adjusted (valves were way out)
Throttle bodies balanced (they were way out of balance)
Wiring was a bit of a mess under the seat and it had the wrong battery fitted so wiring tidied up and a new battery fitted
I drained the petrol tank , fitted a new fuel filter and a new old stock sender unit so it now has a fully working fuel gauge
Got the bike all put back together with everything cleaned and polished
Just had it out today and did 220 miles touring round the Lake District and it was like riding a different bike
Really impressed with it , engine is awesome , it handles great and brakes really well
