Gregory Bender

Wheel bearing shims

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Created:

Updated:

// //

The distance between the tapered wheel bearings is determined by the combination of a long spacer tube along with very thin shims and/or thicker shims. Thanks to Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for verifying some of this information.

Very thin shims

The spare parts catalogs provide two different part numbers for this shim. I do not know the differences between the two part numbers. I supsect they may be identical, but I do not know.

Thicker shims

The spare parts catalogs provide a series of sizing for these shims:

Replacement shims

Generic replacements are readily available through McMaster-Carr in a variety of thicknesses and materials. Search for the following part numbers:

Axial play specification

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 (0.0019 inch). Unfortunately, the shims provided by Moto Guzzi are 0.1 mm or (0.0039 inch) 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.