Watching some of the recent threads, I am reminded that long-time Guzzi owners (and I can only speak from Tontis) build up a list of: I’d better check this again, I suppose. I imagine other models surface similar common Doh! moments. Collectively, they might add up to a useful list for new owners (and reminders to old owners?)
I’m very much thinking of things that can be checked without necessarily dragging out the whole toolkit, but that’s just me!
I’ll start:
- You have actually checked the kill switch, right? Check it again!
- Fuses? They never blow, right? You have got spares, right?
- Old-style fuse boxes - have each one out, use a bit of emery, back in and pinch the holders tight
- Got one of those stands with kill-switches? Hmmm.
- Tonti’s - that fat connecter to the headlight. It’s always working loose.
- Connections to the starter motor. Grubby? Loose?
- Spade connectors to the coils?
- Spade connectors to ANYTHING!
- The key turns, the lights come on, but is that ignition barrel still connected to everything?
- I know you’re wondering and Yes, a cable tie from the side panel to the frame IS a good idea.
Carry on.
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I would add “Battery terminals? and that means both ends of the earth lead”
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A couple more..
Pull apart, inspect, clean, lube and refit all connections you can lay your hands on.
Hold the relay, can you feel/hear the movement/click when you turn it on and it goes through the start sequence.? Try swapping with one of the other identical ones if you have em.
Sidestand interlocks are a wonderful idea, until they’re not.. faulty/damaged/sticking ones are a pain. Give it a tap, spray, wiggle.
Ditto for the clutch switch if you have one.
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What Ive quickly learned is regularly check bolts and where possible, fit nylon nuts. Things vibrate loose regularly
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Having owned a Ural, I got into the habit of always checking all the lights before I ride off the driveway. So far the V7 850 has blown two Philips X-treme headlight bulbs (I only use the stock type now), and the AJS Cadwell 125 has blown it’s front ‘pilot’ bulb, to be replaced with an LED BA9S equiv., all else already being LED’s (except headlight bulb, which is a HS1).
Another thing is tyre pressures, if you have inner tubes they always lose a bit over several days, and one day you’re going to go out and it’s wobbling all over the place because the pressures are down to 10 psi (I know somebody who did this, scooter in storage for several months, went out on it without checking pressures. Quote: ‘After nearly putting it in a hedge I realised the tyres needed pumping up.’).
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Aye this. Check check on the drive and then the neighbours kitchen window is a good place to check (both) brake lights. Had to explain this to them!
Drifting wide on a roundabout? Next stop, garage forecourt. Spend the £1. Yes it’s wrong, but stay on the road.
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Appendix - checking tyre treads for ‘foreign objects’. One time there may be the head of a screw or somesuch staring back at you. But it’s OK because it hasn’t gone all the way through (yet).
Yes this happened to me once. Actually it wasn’t me who noticed, it was a friend while we were out somewhere and the bikes were parked. I decided to carefully ride it home and try removing the screw there, instead of miles away and needing some kind of breakdown assistance it if all went wrong. The screw came out OK, but had been in there so long that the screwdriver slots (it was a posidrive) had just about worn away. 