Project motorcycles Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700
I met Robert Scharf when I lived in Florida. He is a great guy who happens to own a pretty neat Moto Guzzi V700. While his V700 has experienced more than it's share of “I've never heard of that before” problems, it is now running great. I've enjoyed the privilege of performing some work on it. Here are some annotated photos of the engine rebuild and final assembly.
Table of contents
Engine assembly
Updated: 2011 Mar 18
Cleaned parts ready for assembly (pistons will be further cleaned).
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
In place with new fasteners. I like to use the Schnorr washers on top of flat washers so that the Schnorr washers do not embed themselves into the soft aluminum.
Note: I no longer use Schnorr washers in this situation. I've learned that they are not the best solution for this application. Instead, I use Moto Guzzi's thick wave washer that they specify for use on the newest models.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Lightly held in place for now.
Note: I no longer use Schnorr washers in this situation. I've learned that they are not the best solution for this application. Instead, I use Moto Guzzi's thick wave washer that they specify for use on the newest models.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Crankshaft in place, installing rear main bearing.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Bottom two bolts get sealant to prevent leaks.
Note: I no longer use Schnorr washers in this situation. I've learned that they are not the best solution for this application. Instead, I use Moto Guzzi's thick wave washer that they specify for use on the newest models.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Connecting rods and plastic bags containing the new shells.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Connecting rods in place...checking clearances with plastigauge.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Right connecting rod measures out at .0015 in. Nice.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Left connecting rod measures out at .0015 in, too. Good.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Platigauge cleaned off, shells relubed torqued in place.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Tested and ground the oil pressure relief valve. It now holds pressure up to 54 PSI without bleed off. Amazing. I've never gotten another one to be so good. Blows off at 60 PSI or just a pound or two over). Exactly where we want it to be.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Engine case tipped up to aid installation of oil pan.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Base gasket in place with cylinder stud O-rings.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Base gasket in place with cylinder stud O-rings.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Pistons in place, ready to put on the connecting rods.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Top end components installed, oil line installed, generator bracket installed, distributor installed, breather box installed.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Top end components installed, oil line installed, generator bracket installed, distributor installed, breather box installed.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Top end components installed, oil line installed, generator bracket installed, distributor installed, breather box installed.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Top end components installed, oil line installed, generator bracket installed, distributor installed, breather box installed.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Flywheel with new springs. Red color is from layout dye that was used when diagnosing engine/transmission misalignment.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Flywheel torqued in place, hardened bolts with blue loctite.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Pressure plate installed and compressed with special tool.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Pressure plate installed and compressed with special tool.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Final assembly of complete motorcycle
Updated: 2011 Mar 18
Front engine mounting bolt in place. Center stand prevented from retracting by a length of rope tied around the front wheel.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Rear of engine jacked up, ready to receive transmission.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Push rod cup in place, has a nice coating of no-fling grease on there.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Rear view of transmission, shift linkage and levers in place.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Rear brake mechanism in place. Ooops…I had to take this back out in order to fit the swing arm first.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Rear brake stay in place. Ooops…I had to move the arm to the other side of the mount in order to clear the rear tire.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Rear crash bar, passenger peg mounts, and pannier mounts positioned in place.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Muffler in place, clamps tightened, exhaust secured.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Reflections in the pool of freshly drained oil…note the “trails” left by the assembly lube that has washed out. Gregory concentrates to make sure the camera angle is okay.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Ready to ride
Updated: 2011 Mar 21
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Abraham Zane Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
Robert Scharf's Moto Guzzi V700 with Darby Anne Bender.
Photo courtesy of Angela Bender.
