greg bender

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/gtbender

Quick maintenance data

Maintenance item V7 / V700 Ambassador / V7 Special Eldorado / 850 GT
Spark plug type & gap Moto Guzzi:
NGK BP6ES; .6 mm / .023 in

From NGK:
BP7ES; .028 in


Some also use Bosch Platinum WR7DP (4216 or 4016) 		Moto Guzzi:
NGK BP6ES; .6 mm / .023 in

From NGK:
B7HS; .028 in
B7ES; .028 in


Some also use Bosch Platinum WR7DP (4216 or 4016) 		Moto Guzzi:
NGK BP6ES; .6 mm / .023 in

From NGK:
BP6ES; .025 in


Some also use Bosch Platinum WR7DP (4216 or 4016)
Engine oil

3.25 quarts of 20W/50 motor oil

Note: Many people in countries that sell oil in quart containers simply use 3 quarts of oil. The lack of a quarter quart of oil makes no appreciable difference in performance or longevity.

I've never been one to concern myself with one particular brand vs. another. To the contrary, I've purchased and used Wal Mart's inexpensive Super-Tech brand oil for years. However, recent federal regulations have dramatically decreased the ZDDP content in most oil. ZDDP content of at least 1200 PPM is necessary for our flat tappets and camshafts to last. Therefore, I've now become quite picky as to which oil I purchase. Here are several that still have sufficient ZDDP levels (for now, anyway):

  • Mobil 1 15W50
  • Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W50
  • Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50
  • Shell Rotella T 15W40
  • Valvoline Racing VR-1 20W50

Due to cost and availability concerns, I am currently using Shell Rotella T 15W40.

Some of these oils are highly detergent. When switching oils, it is best to perform a couple of very quick oil changes to remove all of the deposits the detergents removed.

Here are some articles on the subject:
Transmission oil

1.75 pints of 80W/90 gear oil

GL-4 gear oil is preferred.

I extracted this information from Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle off of the Yahoo! Loopframe_Guzzi news group.

Like engine oil, I've never been one to concern myself with one particular brand vs. another. To the contrary, I've purchased and used Wal Mart's inexpensive Super-Tech brand gear oil for years. However, I've learned that the GL-5 rating for gears oils contains sulphur compounds that attack brass and bronze. Since the 4 speed transmission use bronze bushings, the GL-4 rated gear oils should be used. Here are a couple of brands that are still available in GL-4:

  • Pennzoil Gearplus 80w90 GL-4
  • Redline MT-90 75w90

Here is an article on the subject:

1.75 pints of 80W/90 gear oil

GL-5 gear oil is fine.
Rear drive box oil

6 ounces / 180 cc of 80W/90 gear oil

GL-5 gear oil is fine.

12 ounces / 360 cc of 80W/90 gear oil

GL-5 gear oil is fine.
Fork oil 5.4 ounces of 30W fork oil (per tube) 5.4 ounces of 30W fork oil (per tube) for drum forks

1.8 ounces / 50 cc of ATF (per tube) for disc forks
Intake valve clearance .1 mm / .00393 in .15 mm / .0059 in
Exhaust valve clearance .2 mm / .00787 in .25 mm / .0098 in
Contact breaker points gap .42 mm - .48 mm / .016 - .018 in
Number 1 cylinder location right side
Number 2 cylinder location left side
Maintenance intervals Everyone has their own opinion based on their personal experience and riding characteristics. I follow the Moto Guzzi guidelines and change the engine oil every 1,800 miles. I also change the transmission and drive box oil at the same time (although Moto Guzzi recommends changing the gear oils every 6,000 miles). I also check and set the valves every 1,800 miles. I change the fork oil yearly.