Guzzi V7

[Barry]

For  number of years I've admired the new V7's and recently got as far as reading up on some of the service info.

As we are conditioned to think that modern engines run thin oil I was very surprised to find it requires 10W60 synthetic oil. Ignoring the 10W bit and thinking about the 60 that's some thick oil and can only mean it either runs old fashioned big bearing clearances which seems unlikely or it runs very hot - like racing temperatures hot. I did notice a full oil change including filter is only 1.8 litres which is not much for a 750cc engine so if it has modern close running clearances my money is on it running much hotter than an airhead.

Anyone here running a V7 can confirm that ?  

[Bob_Roller]

It seems that Agip 10w60, is the oil of choice for Guzzi's, according to the Guzzi members on the Guzzi forum that I joined about two months ago .

[Barry]

Seriously expensive stuff that Bob. Costs in excess of £50 for 5 Litres around these parts and that's if you can find it.

Does that mean your V65 which is an early version of the V7 engine needs 10W60 ?  

And we thought we had problems with flat tappets.

[Bob_Roller]

I contacted a well known Guzzi dealer here in the US, Harper Moto Guuzi, a few months ago, got a couple of oil filters and moly additive for the final drive .

I asked about oil, told him I use a BMW branded 20w50 oil by Spectro Oils in my airhead and oilhead bikes, it's a semi synthetic blend and the comment I got, was that would be more than sufficient, just don't use auto oil .

[steve hawkins]

What you have to remember about the V7 engine, is that its routes go back the Moto Guzzi V50 of late 1970's vintage.  Its an old design, as old as the R65.  But it does not seem to be very much oil in there - I would want to be changing that pretty regular!

Rev. Light

[nhmaf]

Even the new V7/Breva bikes sound quite nice with a set of Lafranconi exhaust systems - I once rode with a fellow with these on an old V7 and also an ambassador with them, and it was like following behind a couple small block V-8 engines from the sound.   Sweet.

[DeeG]

We have 4 small block Guzzis in the stable (Breva, 2 Nevadas and a V7 Classic).  All run the Motorex 10W60.  All the small block manuals show engine oil and filter changes at 7500 kms.  I usually do about every 3500-4000 miles.

When you think about it, $45 for an oil/filter change every 4000 miles really isn't that much.  That's about a penny a mile.

There is a sump extender than you can get for them, they add about 1 - 1 1/4 qts to the system.  Although I've never had a problem with running out of oil. Its part of the pre-flight checklist.

According to Dave Richardson (owns Moto International and wrote the Guzzi bible Guzziology), the varying specs for oil came about because of changes to engines and to make sure the bikes performed within  emission specs.  Guzzi also specs 15W-50 as an alternative for the small blocks.  

Its kind of a chore come oil change time here at the ranch.  Small blocks get the 10W-60, the two pre-hydro big blocks (Scura and V11 EV) use 20W-50 and the hydro valve Cali EV uses 5W-40.  

[Bob_Roller]

My Lario, a 650, has the same amount of oil as an R65 .

One difference in cylinders over the R65, is the Guzzi has about twice the cylinder fin cooling area as the R65, more on the lines of a recip aircraft engine .

[URon]

Don't let that high (seemingly) high viscosity rating throw you. Oil vis-
cosity is rated differently by different manufacturers and different type oils and at different test temperatures. It's all very confusing.
Go to Robert Fliescher's website bmwmotorcycletech.info
I don't think MG has changed their metallurgy much lately so Rob's
info should apply.  
URon