Hi, time to introduce myself and say hi. I bought a 2015 V7ii a couple of weeks ago. I’m based in Devon.
I’ve have been getting used to it by taking a few rides and just got back from a few days in France. Been enjoying riding round on my yellow and back Guzzi.
Since I’ve got back, my bike now needs a 10km service - are there any recommendations of where to take it near me? I’m in Plymouth.
Many thanks.
Hello Eddie and welcome, there are a few active members in the west country and I am sure someone will be along soon with sound advice!
Hi Eddie, welcome to Guzzi ownership, and to the Club, and – most especially – to the Devon branch. We meet on the first Saturday of each month at midday in the Avon Inn, Avonwick, TQ10 9NB, which is but a short hop up the A38 from where you are. See you on 5 July, I hope – you’ll be most welcome!
I can’t personally recommend a mechanic in our neck of the woods, but no doubt some of the guys you’ll meet next month will have their favourites. One of the joys of owning the bike you’ve acquired is the relative simplicity with which it is put together, making the prospect of doing your own spannerwork not just feasible, but an actual pleasure. I forswore commercial motorcycle workshops over two decades ago after some very bad experiences with my Ducatis, and since then have had the immeasurable satisfaction of taking personal responsibility for the good running of my stable of elderly Italians. That’s not to say I avoid all bike workshops – there are times when I have been known to visit a main dealer for a diagnostic read-out, or to have a service light reset on a more modern bike. But the more you look into it, the more you realise that something like a 10k-mile service consists principally of an oil(s) and filter change, a brake pad check and a series of checks/adjustments on the major wearing items in the frame and drive train. Equipped with a decent workshop manual there’s almost nothing a conscientious owner-rider can’t do themselves, with a little study. In some case it’s almost child’s play: adjusting valve clearances, for example, – which on a Ducati twin takes up to two hours of dismantling just to get access to the rear cylinder – is an absolute doddle on a transverse twin with its ears in the breeze.
I can’t overstate just how satisfying it is knowing that you – and only you – have taken ownership of the bike’s mechanical health, and how much confidence is instilled by knowing that the job’s been done right. Give it a go – start with changing the engine oil and filter. Even if that’s all you achieve, you’ll have saved half the cost of the service when you take it to the dealer for the remainder of the work.
Not everyone will agree – that’s the joy of this place! – but I’ll be happy to discuss further in person when we meet at a club meet soon.
All best
Piers
Hi Eddie, Piet’s has summed up Moto Guzzi ownership perfectly. I bought my first one in 1978 not knowing anything about about them. During the last 47 years I’ve gleaned an immense amount of knowledge about the marque. The stable has grown to 23 and I’ve never sold one! As Piers says, they are a joy to own and work on. In most cases the design and execution of the engineering is sound and simple to understand. Enjoy many years of ownership. Cheers Phil
Thanks for all your responses. I’ve no problem with the work, I’ve repaired and restored numerous bikes and cars over the years.
Perhaps I should have explained it better - After a trip to France last week, my bike has finally reached 10,000km and it’s first service interval. In order to maintain the service record, I would like to have a reputable dealer do the work so the book can be stamped. (It took 4 years to get the first one done at 167 miles…!).
I changed the oil and the filter before I went to France last weekend.
Fair enough, Eddie: SP Motorcycles in Marsh Barton in Exeter will do your service and stamp your book. They have a decent reputation – I can’t vouch for them myself, but a few of our branch members entrust their bikes to them and that has to mean something.
My previous comments about our Devon branch meetings still stand – can we hope to see you there next month?
It’s close to my birthday, but I’ll try to make it.
SP are very busy and can’t fit me in until the middle of August!