Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, Eldorado, 850 California
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Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, Eldorado, 850 California - Wheels
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Table of contents
Borrani wheels
Updated: Prior to 2007 Dec 11
Thanks to Tommy Basile from Italy for providing me with this information.
Magnetto wheels actually owns the Borrani mark and they are producing again our wheels!
PDF catalog: http://www.mmagnetto.com/pdf/catalogo_moto.pdf
Cush drive upgrade, 850T rear wheel upgrade
Updated: 2008 Jun 04
A popular upgrade to V7 / V700, Ambassador, and Eldorado models is to replace the rear wheel and drum brake with one from an 850T. There are several benefits to doing so:
- The primary benefit is to gain the rubber "cush" drive that is integrated into the 850T rear wheel. The purpose of the cush drive is to cushion, or soften, the forces on the drive line. The net benefit is greatly reduced spline wear…especially on the crown wheel carrier and the rear wheel splines.
- A secondary benefit is increased braking power. Although the overall braking surface area is reduced, the 850T employs a two leading shoe rear brake whereas the stock rear brake has one leading shoe and one trailing shoe. Additionally, there is a leverage advantage due to the longer actuation arm on the 850T brake plate. Note: the absence of a trailing shoe brake can be problematic when trying to prevent the motorcycle from rolling backward on steeper hills. Although this is not a concern for disc brake models, drum brake owners should weigh the pros and cons.
- A tertiary benefit - if you have a four leading shoe front brake - is that the overall design of the rear brake plate will match the front brake plates. Note: The 850T rear brake plate will not sit parallel to the swing arm and will appear cockeyed.
Basic installation
Installation is straight forward. Just replace the stock rear wheel, brake plate, and axle with the rear wheel, brake plate, and axle from an 850T. I'm not even sure you need to swap axles, but I did and forgot to visually compare the axles. I do recommend the following activities prior to install:
- Inspect the bearings, pack with grease if they are acceptable. If not, replace with sealed bearings.
- Replace the seals unless you have switched to sealed bearings.
- Clean and lubricate the brake plate pivot points.
- Inspect and replace the brake shoes as necessary. Unless the shoes show a lot of wear, I'd hold off with replacing them until after you try them out.
- You may want to replace the cush drive rubbers…but I'm doubtful that you'll see much benefit by doing so. I'd leave them alone unless they were obviously deteriorating.
- It is a good idea to replace the two springs that pull the shoes together. However, these springs are not easy to find. So certainly do not throw away your originals - ever. Thanks to Ron Komoroski for sharing his own solution for helping out his aged springs (see photo below).
- Clean and polish the rim and brake plate as desired.
- Swap tires.
Photo from Ron Komoroski showing how he added a spring to help return the rear brake to the non-applied position after braking. I did not find this necessary on my 850T rear brake.
Replacing the brake stay arm
I've never liked that the cush drive does not sit parallel with the the rear swing arm. It always looks a bit off to me. So, I decided to fabricate my own brake stay rod to correct this annoyance.
- I chose 3/16" thick, 1" wide 304 stainless steel bar. This is plenty stout for the task at hand and the stainless requires no additional finish.
- The overall length of the bar is 380 mm.
- The center-to-center distance between the holes is 357 mm.
- The holes are drilled to fit 10 mm fasteners.
- I rounded off the corners with my bench grinder/hand file/sand paper.
- I cleaned/polished the surface with the wire wheel on my bench grinder.
- The original fasteners may be reused.
- The original brake actuation rod may be reused.
Cush drive position with the stock brake stay rod.
Cush drive position with the longer brake stay rod.
Longer brake stay rod mounted to rear brake plate.
Just enough clearance for the front pivot arm.
Wheel bearing adjustment/shimming/set up
Updated: 2010 Mar 29
Replacement wheel bearings are very rare and exceedingly expensive (How does USD $140.00 each sound?). Fortunately, the tapered roller bearings last forever if properly shimmed and greased. I pack mine with fresh grease every time I change a tire. If you've never repacked your bearings with grease, I highly recommend that you do so. Now. Likewise, the bearing free play should be checked and adjusted as well.
To set the bearing free play, the wheel must be off the bike and the seals must be removed so that you can feel resistance. I prefer to do this with cleaned and oiled bearings (rather than when packed with grease) because it is much easier to feel when things get too tight. A light coating of grease is okay. But if your bearings have age old hardened grease in them, forget about setting them until you thoroughly soak them in degreaser and clean them properly. I start by sliding the axle through, and then place a tube around the axle to take up the extra space between the bearing and the axle nut. I do this so I can tighten the axle nut down properly (factory spec is 101 to 107 pound feet of torque). Basically, you are securing the axle in place (as it would normally be in operation) and then feeling how the bearing is rotating. Then, you add and remove wafer-thin shimming washers between the bearings as needed. Generally I like to start with too many shimming washers. I'll remove them slowly until I feel the bearing get tight. Then I add a shimming washer back in and all is good. Hint, those shims really like to stick to the bearing's inner race when you pull out the bearing, so watch for that when you are removing the bearings and can't find any shims.
Wheel bearing cross-references
Updated: Prior to 2007 Dec 11
Two leading shoe bearing cross references (and all rear wheels)
- Moto Guzzi MG# 92246922 [22 mm ID x 48 mm OD x 15.5 mm thick]
- RIV 01-02-4210
Four leading shoe front wheel bearing cross references
Chester Clifford Schrieb provided key starting information for these cross-references.
- Moto Guzzi MG# 92201420 [20 mm ID x 52 mm OD x 15 mm thick]
- FAF 304K
- FAG 6304
- FED 1304
- MRC 304-S
- ND 3304
- New Departure 3304
- NH 304
- RIV 5B
- SKF 6304
- STEYR 6304
Since this bearing is of the simple, ball-bearing variety, a sealed version could easily be fitted (thereby circumventing the need to pack the bearings or fit seals). Here are the cross-references for double-sided sealed bearings.
- FAF 304PP
- FAG 6304.2RSR
- FED 1304RR
- MRC 304-SZZ
- ND Z99604
- New Departure Z99604
- RIV BLN 20
- SKF 6304.2RS
- STEYR 6304.2RS
Disc brake front wheel bearing cross-references
Bob Greene provided key starting information for these cross-references.
- Moto Guzzi MG# 92204220 [20 mm ID x 47 mm OD x 14 mm thick]
- FAF 204PP
- FAG 6204.2RS
- FED 1204RR
- MRC 204-SZZ
- ND Z99504
- New Departure Z99504
- NH 204NN
- RIV ALN 20
- SKF 6204-2RS
- STEYR 6204.2RS
Wheel bearing seal cross-references
Updated: Prior to 2007 Dec 11
Two leading shoe bearing cross references (and all rear wheels)
- Moto Guzzi MG# 90403249 [32 mm ID x 48 mm OD x 7 mm thick]
- Corteco 32.48.7.BA
- Grimeca 2754
Four leading shoe front wheel bearing seal cross references
Chester Clifford Schrieb provided key starting information for these cross-references.
- Moto Guzzi MG# 90403252 [32 mm ID x 52 mm OD x 7 mm thick]
- Note: If a sealed bearing is used, a separate seal is not needed.
Disc brake front wheel bearing seal cross-references
- None needed since a sealed bearing is used.
Wheel bearing shims
Updated: 2010 Mar 29
The distance between the tapered wheel bearings is determined by the combination of a long spacer and very thin shims. The original size of the shims is 20 mm ID x 28 mm OD x 0.1 mm Thick (Thanks to Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for verifying this information).
Here is some additional information from Charley Cole of Zydeco Racing:
The spec for the axial play of Moto Guzzis with tapered wheel bearings is 0.05 mm (.0019"). Unfortunately, the shims provided by Moto Guzzi are 0.1 mm or (.0039") or thicker, which is just plain dopey. I set up a couple wheels for one of our Loop Frame List members and had to buy finer shims to do the job properly. Don't bother trying to measure. Start with too few shims and add until you stop feeling the drag of binding bearings. Use shims that are within the tolerance.
Generic replacements are readily available through McMaster-Carr in a variety of thicknesses and materials. Search for the following part numbers:
- Steel 0.1 mm Thick - not available
- Steel 0.2 mm Thick - part number 98055A234
- Steel 0.3 mm Thick - part number 98055A235
- Steel 0.5 mm Thick - part number 98055A236
- Steel 1.0 mm Thick - part number 98055A237
- Stainless steel 0.1 mm Thick - part number 98089A232
- Stainless steel 0.2 mm Thick - part number 98089A272
- Stainless steel 0.3 mm Thick - part number 98089A313
- Stainless steel 0.5 mm Thick - part number 98089A356
- Stainless steel 1.0 mm Thick - part number 98089A400
Wheel hub replacement
Updated: 2009 Oct 08
Thanks to Scott Carlsen for sending me this information in a private email.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Photo courtesy of Scott Carlsen.
Wheel lacing and truing
Updated: 2008 Oct 23
Buchanan's Spoke & Rim
Buchanan's Spoke & Rim
805 West Eighth Street
Azusa, CA. 91702
Phone: (626) 969-4655
Fax: (626) 812-0243
David Moore Wheel Service
Thanks to Charles Hamer for sending me this information in a private email.
He charges USD $50.00/wheel for top notch relacing + truing, and is a specialist for Guzzi Loop wheels, he knows all the Guzzi specs, clearances, torques, the side the rim markings go, he even straightens flat spots on the rim and can mount tires. He's a very nice guy, simply call him up and tell him you're sending your wheels.
David Moore Wheel Service
9383 Buena Vista Street
Apple Valley, CA. 92308
Phone: 760-240-3543
Fast Track Motorcycle Frame Straightening
Fast Track Motorcycle Frame Straightening
1734 East Main Street #9
Mesa, AZ. 85203
(480) 649-1093
Frame Straight
Frame Straight
551 Enigma Code Way
Friendsville, TN. 37737
Toll Free: 800-846-1306
Phone: 586-246-4500
Woody's Wheel Works
Woody's Wheel Works
2226 South Jason Street
Denver, CO. 80223
Toll Free: 866-936-0232
Phone: 303-936-0232
Fax: 303-936-1992