2008 Moto Guzzi Norge

[captincvmn]

Might as well start a thread for my new ride.
I’ve been motor bike shopping. I came across several Ducati that I found intriguing, some Aprilia also. I found this Moto Guzzi for sale north of Filthadelphia. I had ridden a 2006 Silverwing recently and it was nicely kept but I just wasn’t feeling it. It didn’t click.
I lusted after a Multistrada for awhile but after seeing the valve adjustment procedure I got cold feet.
This Moto Guzzi is not light but not too bad either I guess. It’s not 125cc dirt bike light. 550lbs.
1150cc twin cylinder fuel injected with a power chip, six speed.
I already have an issue with it, the oil light comes at 2,000 rpm. Goes off again with revs but still, it’s there.
The sensor could be suspect, the early oil pumps had a case fracture issue, most likely though is the upper space gasket on the oil pan. MG uses a sumo spacer and the upper gasket is pressurized and is a known culprit. Gasket for pan and spacer gasket are $15 plus shipping. My labor is free (ish). This was a reconstructed title bike, it’s seen pavement where it shouldn’t. Tagged though in my name now.

[captincvmn]

[captincvmn]

[aeroxbud]

Are you going to give it a full service Rob? I always change all the fluids and filters if I'm not sure of a bikes history.
But then again I have brought a bike from a dealer before. Who promised to do a full service and stamp the service book before I picked it up.
Stamped the service book, but no way were the plugs and filter changed when I checked later on.

[captincvmn]

The oil was changed by PO, that I’m sure of, it looks like gold- no dirt at all. (Might be water though now that I’m thinking of it)
This ain’t no scooter so I do need to seriously think about major components. Brake fluid, lines, alternator belt (yea it has one) etc. My first major concern is the oil light issue. Then I’m doing the valve adjustment myself after going to YouTube University because it just sounds “sewing machine like.”

[190mech]

Can you tap an oil pressure gauge into it? If it is low I'd fix it before riding it!

[captincvmn]

The sending is buried somewhere. That’s where the T connection is made when guys do it.

[geoffh]

In jest,just put some tape over the oil light,simples.

Geoff

[captincvmn]

May 23, 2023 15:04:38 GMT -5 geoffh said:

In jest,just put some tape over the oil light,simples.

Geoff

I’m American, we heat an ice pick over a lighter and push it into the bulb through the front.

[aeroxbud]

That will work.

[captincvmn]

New gaskets arriving Saturday

[190mech]

Glad you can get parts for it!

[captincvmn]

May 25, 2023 18:58:51 GMT -5 190mech said:

Glad you can get parts for it!

MG Cycle has about everything and GuzziTech has an awesome message board but they require $25/year for access to certain sections.

[captincvmn]

So the oil pan is easy enough to get to. 5mm Allen bolts hold the entire thing together. 14 in rim and 4 in filter hole.
Oil sump spacer is the issue, it’s pressurized and leaks internally causing unintended oil bypass.
Removal was easy, dripped lots of oil on the floor even after draining everything. Gaskets came in the mail along with a filter.
Oops, either I ordered the wrong pan gasket or they sent the wrong one. Most likely me. Damn it. That’s ok, my scooter training taught me to keep a roll of gasket material on hand for these instances.








The green rectangle with two inner rectangles is the pressurized gasket and a correct gasket.
The grey gasket I made myself from tracing the oil pan and reusing the old gasket for holes and wall thickness.
Cutting board and Xacto knife for the win.

Rode it for half an hour of mixed travel and no more oil light or warning triangle on the dash.
Win.

PS- 10w60 oil is a bitch to find and $15/qt X 4 required.

[aeroxbud]

The oils have changed a lot over the last twenty years. You could probably use a more conventional motorcycle oil viscosity. Perhaps look on one of the Guzzi forums.
The grade for my wife's Aprilia isn't even made anymore.
Don't forget to change the shaft drive oil. It often gets overlooked.