Messages

1

Engine / Re: Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: June 25, 2026, 06:32:11 AM »

So - a final note on the spit and pop stuff from my Guzzi.

I went through my list of possible issues when I came to the very last one (Before I loaded it up and took it to a bike smasher) I found an article on the internet by a fellow that managed to write in a style that even I could understand. Step by step moves to correctly set the throttle position sensor (TPS) and after about 30 minutes of set and test then reset and test I buttoned it back up and turned the key - Voila! it purrs like a kitten now and all the popping has gone.
I suppose when you dig through the symptoms it seems to be clear but when you're thinking old school carbs and ignition it isn't as easy to understand. What really amazed me was the number of so-called Moto Guzzi mechanics that I spoke to that had all the relevant information still couldn't/didn't think of the TPS.
The bike is now off my shit list and has been pressed into regular service for the summer.

2

General Discussion / Peachland Vintage and Collectable Show

« on: June 22, 2026, 06:50:57 AM »

This year it looks like the Annual Peachland Vintage and Collectable Motorcycle Show is on August 31 in Peachland.

If anyone is interested in attending this you're welcome to come to my place in Summerland (about 20 min from Peachland) and pitch a tent in my back yard.

I heard that Boris might entertain campers in his back yard but that isn't confirmed. Boris' number is 236-338-4354 in case you want to try him first.

3

Engine / Re: Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: April 08, 2026, 05:46:21 AM »

Yes , the term 'intelligence' for me is a bit of a joke as I watch the adverts for the new smart products and an attractive 25 year old speaking into it saying "Siri - what's the weather today?" Getting the response "Cool and wet" she says "Siri - Do you think I should wear a sweater?"   So here I see the person passing on the responsibility to think for themselves to a software program. Just being lazy with a bit of stupid in the mix.

For me, ChatGPT is a decent research tool when given the right parameters to work in. I could do all the work that I give it but the time factor goes up by multiples of 20 or 30. 

More time to ride........

4

Engine / Re: Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: April 04, 2026, 06:13:13 AM »

More on the continuing saga of pop and spit.

It occurred to me if the issue was too little valve clearance then it should be reflected in a loss of compression - right?  So I did the test and found 165 lbs in the left and 162 lbs in the right. WTF! Maybe there is still some hydraulic action taking up the clearance? I don't know what was done during the famous recall but I wonder if the original lifters were left in and the tappet adjusters were modified. That would account for the oil pressure taking up clearance.

The guy running one of the more popular Guzzi blogs in the USA won't let me post a question unless I make a 'serious' donation to his account so I think what I'm going to do is quit trying to find answers and get it ready to drive as soon as my rear fender is ready to re-install after being replaced due to a driver running into it while trying to merge on the highway and doing a shoulder check while moving forward.

Got to say, there is a lot of plastic and shitty connecting of bits to the fender on this bike. Plastic trim and push-on connectors that need to be carefully cut off in order to paint the metal. The ABS plastic tail-light assembly shattered when the fender was hit and the fender was creased so eBay came to the rescue.
If I don't get the valve stuff figured out I might have to revert to my old pals in the BMW corral this year if I want to do any serious riding.

 

5

Engine / Re: Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: March 19, 2026, 06:32:55 AM »

SO - as an addendum - I managed to get the throttle bodies back together (with the help of a bunch of photos I took while taking them apart). I'm finding this sort of work on the bikes demands either lots of photos or same day repairs as I tend to forget too easily where things go and in what order.

The bodies are back on and I fire up the bike - still doing some of the same popping and spitting but not as much.  I decided to have a look at the valve clearances as this would be the next item on the long list of things that make the Guzzi go gulp.

Valve covers off and I see there is less than no clearance for every valve. About negative .05 - .08 mm. What the heck!

I know this one had a hydraulic conversion back to solids at some point so I started looking to see if they retained the hydraulic lifters and just changed the adjusters. They also snap off the adjusting slots at the top of the screws so us amateurs can't get in and mess up their classy work. Crap!

It's there that the information trail gets real sketchy. Some sites say all mechanical now and some say the lifters remain hydraulics. So I did what any good monkey wrench would do and said "Screw It" and walked away for a few days.

I have an idea since the bike is fairly high mileage that I might be looking at a case of valves receding into the seats and taking up all the available clearance. But since all 4 of them were the same it seems more like a planned event than a coincidence so I'll keep asking around to see what gives.

21 degrees here yesterday so the urgency to get it done is increasing

6

Engine / Re: Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: March 04, 2026, 06:16:52 AM »

I'd offer the same advice here as I would for raising my kids - don't trust anybody.
I've found over the last year that the quality of information received through the AI process is directly linked to the quality and clarity of input. In some cases I also ask the query to provide at least 2 sources for information given and more than one contact method if I want to ask more of the company.
Beware of the results that offer your parts at an unreal price. The thieves are lining up already to steal our cash and they are getting to be very proficient. I made a query to what I thought was a used parts place in Missouri and my first flag went up when 'he' responded with "Yes I have them, $100 including shipping" "Send me copy of your credit card, front and back and I will process" Hmmm.   red flags going up.  I wrote back and said "send me photo of you holding the parts and we'll talk" Then he says "Don't be stupid, I'm not going to do that for a $100 part".  Click!

7

Engine / Throttle Body Rebuilds

« on: March 01, 2026, 04:30:50 PM »

I bought a 2003 Moto Guzzi California last year and had all kinds of issues going from idle to 'on throttle'. The engine would spit and jump and when I was just teasing the throttle on the highway it would lurch back and forth.
A little bit of research told me this was due to the bushings and seals on the throttle bodies wearing out and allowing air to suck past the housing, messing with the throttle position action and sending the vacuum units all over the map.

The parts required to put everything back in order could fit in a tablespoon, 4 bushings and 4 seals. I found a fellow that had completed the task on a similar bike and followed most of his advice. I'll attach the .Pdf file for anyone wishing to have a better look.
The Coles Notes of this whole process go like this:
- Didn't require any heat to remove the fixing screws top and bottom.
- Take off the intake manifold and the rubber housing at one time - much easier to manage.
- Mark the throttle position sensor position on the body for easy refit.
- Do grind off the ends of the 2 screws fixing the butterfly to the shaft. I used my drill press (for stability) and a small Dremel  grinding wheel and took off only the first few thou.
- Note the way the seals should go back on. Chevrons to the outside. Not chevrons in like the last guy did to mine. Probably counted for part of the issues with sucking air.
- Bushings come out exactly as the other fellow suggests, being careful not to put too much pressure on the extraction process. They are split bushings so they will slide out nicely with a bit of pounding.(just kidding, go lightly here!)
- Re-assembly is straight forward if a)you remember where everything goes and b)nothing has dropped onto the floor where it disappears into the abyss with all the other bits.

There are a couple of good sources for the parts and don't let eBay trick you into thinking you need to spend $15 each plus crazy shipping costs. MY ChatGPT research assistant found these contacts:

The classic Moto Guzzi OEM part for throttle body shaft seals on many models is part number 25614997 or similar throttle body seal SKU (commonly referred to online under that number). This is confirmed by parts listings ? e.g., a Throttle Body Shaft Seal 25614997 available from aftermarket Moto Guzzi parts sellers.
Specialist powersports parts sites list 2003 Moto Guzzi California EV gaskets & seals including throttle-related seals ? you can contact them to request the OEM part number specifics. https://www.wheelerpowersportsparts.com/oemcatalogs/c/moto_guzzi_motorcycle_street_2003_california_ev/aftermarket_street-engine-gaskets_seals?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Bushings were $4 each this time.

So, all things considered, a fairly easy fix for a real frustrating issue. The most frustrating of all though was trying to wade through all the crap being offered by eBay and other sellers. "Probably Will Fit" as a response really doesn't do it for me.

The takeaway from all this is to give your favourite AI program a try when looking for this kind of stuff. Model numbers, part numbers and other relevant details can narrow your search and produce some amazing results.

8

Engine / Re: The Red Menace Chronicles

« on: March 07, 2025, 07:45:32 PM »

Despite the amount of grief and anger they generate its hard to toss them to the curb isn't it?  A little like a relationship (I've only heard about).

I wonder if there is a compounding of issues here that is causing said mechanic to pull out precious hair?  Is it possible there is a warping in the head or the mating to the cylinder that would cause the valve clearances to go so far out? This, coupled with an iffy spark might be enough to cause the running issues?  Once everything is nailed down is it possible to do a compression test cold then hot?

Just my 2 cents.

9

General Discussion / Re: Gettin' er done.

« on: January 26, 2025, 02:33:13 PM »

I've been tempted to use the dishwasher a few times but fear brought me back from the edge.

10

General Discussion / Gettin' er done.

« on: January 26, 2025, 04:57:02 AM »

We've all thought about it........

https://youtu.be/rFH_hvjUGEc

11

General Discussion / Re: New (home made) bike lift

« on: January 11, 2025, 06:59:28 AM »

looks great!  My only regret with the PA lifts is the amount of space required to work with it. This one looks compact and light.

Who do I write to for an order for 2 of them?

12

General Discussion / Collection o bikes for sale

« on: January 06, 2025, 05:43:41 AM »

A friend of mine here in Summerland is wanting to reduce his collection of Nortons and Infield's. All except one are in very good condition. He has a number of Commandos and an Enfield twin.
He has indicated a wish to sell at a reduced price but you're best to discuss this with him. He recognizes the market for these bikes has taken a kicking lately.

If I could fit anything else in my place I would jump on them but even my Harley has to sit out in the cold with a tarp over it and a trickle charger keeping it alive.

I've seen these bikes and they are in very good shape.

Call Jim at 250 462 2445.

13

General Discussion / Re: Motorcycle hoard for sale, Chief Lk Rd

« on: August 25, 2024, 04:53:44 AM »

Hello Guy - if anyone is going out there and can send a quick report on the Harley I'd be happy!

14

General Discussion / Re: Peachland Vintage & Collectible Motorcycle Show-Sunday Sept 1, 2024

« on: August 18, 2024, 10:04:56 AM »

I plan to attend the day's events as well. Our place is a few Kms down the road and anyone from the club is welcome to use our back yard to pitch their tents and have a safe place to sleep for the night(s). I have a bathroom in the shop and the tools are there if you need them too.

Let me know who is coming and I'll make sure I turn off the irrigation for the night(s)!

Steve at 9521 Alder Street, Summerland BC V0H 1Z2.  778 890 2055

15

General Discussion / Re: Christmas comes early!!!

« on: December 03, 2023, 02:32:55 PM »

Tested the unit today using ZEP Industrial vinegar as the cleaning agent and it did OK I think.  I could have used a bit more of a detergent action on the heavy grease on one piece but all in all it worked ok. 

Some before and after photos:


Gas cap from my 69 BSA tank - the best outcome of all the stuff I put in.

an old coffee filter that was kind of grunged and stained

a can opener that had been in the drawer for a while, a little hard to see the difference but it actually is better

The unit flushes using gravity, through one of many extra oil filters I have hanging around and cleans up nicely.

Heat provides a lot of assistance when degreasing but you can also see the bubble patterns form on the bits and the amount of silt left behind is a good indication it works well. 

Remember our old pal Archimedes when you're filling and placing stuff in the tank.  Probably best to put the parts in first then fill with the cleaner so you don't go over the top. Finally, next time I'll add the parts, fill the tank and then turn on the heat for 15 minutes to allow the solution to heat up then turn on the transducers.