Is Castrol transmax LL75w 140 OK for the final drive of my 2022 V7 stone. Or would a moly hypoid oil of the same spec be more suitable to cover an annoying whine that I can hear when the wind etc drops. It’s only done 4k miles. Is this whine usual or am I being overly sensitive 
My 2024 V7 Stone has an annoying whine but it’s my first Guzzi so not sure if it’s normal or not - presumably it is as it came like it and the garage didn’t mention it when doing the first service. It’s since been to another dealer for something else and they didn’t seem bothered either.
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I’ve only noticed it lately. I did undo the fill up bung and noticed that the oil trickle was a blackish colour so in need of draining/refilling. Easy enough even for my ham fisted self to do.
I’ve had the bike from new in 2022 and the FD oil was not changed on the 1st service. Dealer told me wasn’t necessary. Same on the 2nd service. Maybe I worry too much. However I will do the 3rd service myself so at least I know what’s been done.
I am really enjoying the bike though and would like to treat my V7 with tlc. Only the best oils are on the menu 
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If oil is looking black I would definitely replace it, don’t care what handbook or dealer says! 
I did my first service (dealer wouldn’t unless I took sidecar off, and that wasn’t happening), I did replace the gearbox oil altho not required in service schedule, but definitely needed doing as silvery sheen on the surface of the drained oil and little glittery bits in the filter. (Filter was blasted through with Wurths chain and brake cleaner.) I didn’t replace the FD oil, but I did look at it, I think. Clear yellow colour so left it. The FD is supposed to be ‘pre-run in’ hence not recommended to change.
On subsequent services both oils were changed (along with engine oil and filter) and the gearbox oil has been clean with no more sparkles in the filter, ditto the FD oil was clean. Last time would have been about 4,800 miles.
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Tip - for refilling the FD I use a 100cc syringe as a funnel, with a bit of clear plastic pipe attached. 
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Thanks for the info. Very informative. I will definitely change the FD oil with the correct w75 140 and see how that goes. It can only be for the good. I may also change the gear oil…same specs I believe for my model. I’ve heard mixed tales about adding moly . Any thoughts would be appreciated. Cheers 
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The modern gearboxes are so good now I don’t think there’s any advantage adding moly. It did help for the gearboxes of the 1970’s .. 
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Thanks for that. I will crack on and get it done as soon as. Advice always appreciated 
Just an update. Cracked open the FD drain/filler plugs having been on a short 50 mile ride so the drive was hot. To my astonishment rather than a gush of oil a mere drizzle came out. Blackish and thick with a paste like small residue on the drain plug. No sign of any metal bits though. It’s as if it has been running on the initial assembly build and Mr Guzzi forgot to put the oil in it…It should have 180cc of oil according to the manual.
On the plus side how resilient is this bike…but glad it was spotted in time
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That’s not good!
Nothing is “normal” about Guzzi’s- including the riders
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I’m only speaking from my experience of V85’s, but it was recommended by the factory to refill with 160cc rather than the 180cc stated in the manual. This may be the same for V7’s.
Might be worth checking the gearbox oil as well
Yes as you say, after checking the manual it states 180cc. However I am aware that normally a bit of oil always remains inside so a trick would always be to collect it in a clear plastic beaker and using a 2nd beaker fill up to the same level and pop that in. In any case you only fill until it starts to come out of level plug. But cheers and thank you for your interest.
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Yes I am thinking the same thing as well. As it should be changed at 18,000 miles I will whip off the filler plug, shine a light inside so hopefully judge the level and take it from there. The joys of a Moto Guzzi . By the way the engine oil is okay and due replacing come the Autumn.
i think dealers were initially putting in 180 and it caused problems with gear oil seeping out when hot and guzzi revised this to 160. i know my v85 always had 160 put in at services.
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The manual specifies 180cc at initial assembly but as it also advised that due to the difficulty in ensuring ALL the oil is drained subsequently, they recommend 160cc (though I think it was something like 163cc or something odd from memory?) for refilling. Be VERY careful not to overfill as you may blow the seals due to increased pressure.
Once filled to that level a trickle through the filler plug is all you’ll get in my experience. I too changed the final drive and gearbox oil myself once out of warranty and there was a shiny silver sheen to the gearbox oil, so I’m glad I didn’t wait till the 18k interval or whatever it is.
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i get mine changed every service now because it only adds 2 or 3 quid to the total cost so why not
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Just inspected the gearbox oil … can’t really see inside to judge levels but using a syringe/tube attachment there is oil in there and it is thankfully clear. So on balance I tell myself to leave it as it is…but you know what it’s like, once you get a niggle in your head you know that won’t happen . Thanks for your advice. Appreciated.
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If t’s like mine (2021 V7 850 Special) the FD filler is also the level plug so it’s impossible to overfill it. If you haven’t quite drained out the last 10 - 20cc, so what. Refill will be to the bottom of the filler hole (then it trickles out) so it can’t be wrong.
Gearbox oil drain is a bit of a pain, but can be done without removing exhaust system, if you have a 24mm open-ended spanner. Insert spanner between lower frame crail and exhaust pipe heat shield, to undo the gearbox drain plug. I use a rubber mallet to tap it round initially while making sure the spanner doesn’t slip off the hex corners. After oil is drained, the white plastic mesh filter can be pulled out and cleaned. All this without removing the exhausts. Reassembly is the reverse of removal.
I couldn’t get a good idea of gearbox oil level, all I could do was shove a long cable tie down the filler hole, a quite convoluted path it felt like, past what I could only assume was gears and stuff, which only told me there is some oil, but not how much. So I drained and refilled (measured 500cc) to be sure.
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