How to Remove the Rear Wheel on a Moto Guzzi V7

The first time I had to do this, I found it very daunting. It really isn't hard to do, but if you are used to chain driven bikes, it is a little more involved.
Removing the wheel from my Moto Guzzi V7 Stone took me around 30 minutes all in this time around, obviously the video is edited to a more reasonable watch time but does show all the steps except for removing the left hand exhaust silencer (which I had to remove for reassembly).
My bike is slightly easier than a standard V7 as I have chopped off my rear end, but the first time I did this, the bike was standard and providing you remove the silencer, you wont have any issues.
My speedo sensor is different from standard as I have the Moto-Gadget Micro Dash, and obviously, my wheels are different too as I have the Kineo tubeless spoked wheels fitted.
Although the Pirelli Sport Demon tyres are not the greatest, I get on with them quite well and managed to get one cheap off ebay so have stuck with them for now. I have heard good things about the Bridgestone Battlaxe BT45 tires.
Thanks to Billy Big Bones's recommendation after watching this video, I have just ordered this stand:
amzn.to/2xPRWJW (affiliate link)
Thanks mate! :-)
#motoguzzi #motoguzziv7
My bikes:
2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, aka "Lord Vader" which has been very customised
2017 KTM 390 Duke with LeoVince LV Pro Carbon + decat
2018 Triumph Street Triple R (low ride height) with Yoshimura Alpha T exhaust
My kit:
Rain/Winter:
Rukka textiles, Held Warm n' Dry gloves
Scratching/Trackdays:
Dainese 2-piece leathers, Forcefield back protector, RST supermoto gloves
Boots: Daytona Road Star GTX gortex (all year round awesome)
Chilled rides:
Weise retro jacket, Levis, work boots.
My helmets:
Motovlogging: Nishua Enduro Carbon with paek removed
Trackdays: Arai Chaser V
Commuting with no camera: Schuberth S2
Chilled rides with no camera: Davida Jet "8 Ball"
Cameras:
GoPro Hero Six 6 Black
GoPro Hero Five 5 Black
GoPro Hero Five 5 Session
My editing software:
filmora.wonder...

[@mikefule330]

Thank you. This video gave me enough information and confidence to remove and refit the rear wheel on my Guzzi V7 ii Stone. It was a bigger job as I had to remove the tail rack and pannier racks in order to move the LH shock out of the way, and refitting them was entertaining as the holes were a struggle to line up. **Hot tip #1** I did the job with a paddock stand and removing the wheel was very tricky. I'm pretty sure that if I had been able to raise the wheel a lot higher, the wheel would simply have dropped out. The higher you can get the bike off the ground the easier it will be. **Hot tip #2** As you thread the axle back through from the left, it goes through the brake calliper assembly, then through a flanged (hat-shaped) spacer. The **narrow end** of that spacer is the one that goes against the wheel, although at first glance it looks like it goes the other way. Don't ask me how I know: I just do, OK.

[@HippoDrones]

That is awesome Mike, thanks for the feedback, and even more thanks for the extra tips. My V7 doesn't have a tail so is a lot simpler as you found out. Hahaha, getting it all together and finding the spacer the wrong way around must have been frustrating! :D

[@Yoda8945]

This is an excellent video and saved me a lot of trouble with a 2014 V7 Racer. Some additions for those who may have to do this work occasionally: Get rid of the L Bar Allen wrenches and get Hex Bit Sockets in 3/8 drive. Faster and easier. The axle nut had never been touched since new on the bike and it took two breaker bars to get it off. An impact wrench would have worked, but I don't have one. A bit of Never Seize would solve that in the future. Petroleum Jelly is not my first choice for holding bits for reassembly. I prefer waterproof grease, but use what you have. A really nice addition for this work on bikes without centerstands or spools for pit lifts is the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Steel ATV/Motorcycle lift, $140.00. It is stable, has points for straps and gets both wheels off the ground The V7 had stock mufflers and it was easy to remove the left side Pillion foot rest assembly for access-Two bolts and an exhaust clamp. The exhaust clamp required some help with penetrating oil and it will also get the Never Seize treatment. It is beyond me that they build a bike with an interference fit with a stock size tire. Deflating the tire helps on both assembly and reassembly. I have the same problem with my BMW R90S.

[@HippoDrones]

Awesome extra tips there mate, thank you for adding them! 🙂👍

[@PeterCaudwell]

Brave man. I had a screw in my tyre and took my V7 to the nearest place that normally services Kawasaki and Triumph. It took them three times the normal time to get the rear wheel off and they charged me accordingly. I now have a tyre repair kit that I carry in my luggage that will get me to the nearest Motor Guzzi service. Having this information is very valuable. Thanks for sharing it, it's now under my favourites for emergencies.

[@HippoDrones]

Hi Peter, fortunately with my rear subframe being customised, mine is a little easier than the standard rear on a V7 as I have nothing behind the cut down seat, but the only real difference is you may need to raise the rear of the bike up a little higher than I did here to get it out! :-)

[@daveco1270]

Being somewhat new to motorcycles I always get really nervous the first time I do something like this. It helps a lot to be able to watch a video of someone else doing it first, so thanks for posting. I remember the first time I took the carbs off my Honda CB750, I thought for sure I was ruining the bike and it would never run again.

[@HippoDrones]

I agree, so much easier having a video to follow. Even if they make mistakes, as you can learn from those too. How did putting the cards back on go?

[@alfabartek]

I want to say thank You. I have fixed my rear wheel watching this video.

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh, that is awesome to hear, thank you Bartek! :-)

[@guzz1jon]

A good instructional video: Not too long, and minimal waffle. I like it.

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh thank you. I have since got a better way to support the bike which is a little less pricarious than the axle stands :D

[@mynamedoesntmatter9013]

Whenever stuff like rubber or washers are loose items, I always use a dab of petroleum jelly to keep them tacky and stick to where they should be on reassembly. Specifically, for rubber items, unless they say to use a specific lubricant, I use PJ because it will keep the rubber elastic much longer as well.

[@HippoDrones]

Awesome top tip :-)

[@alexdire2405]

How very reassuring to hear about the leaky seals, i noticed the same thing this summer! thanks!

[@HippoDrones]

it only dribbles out a bit, I will get round to changing them at some point! :-)

[@AaaaandAction]

Thanks for the video, I have a rear tyre change coming up and now I know how to approach it. I winced when you put the axle stands under the pegs but you got away with it this time. 😮😮😮 I have scissor jack that I use for the Harley and will use that. Took the rear wheel out of the HD last year …….. now that is one heavy sucker!!!!

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh brill, glad it was helpful... even if a lot was showing how not to do it! 🤣 I've got a new stand for it now which makes it a bit less precarious 😁

[@mayakovski]

Love those Kineo wheels. They are on my list. Great video, thank you.

[@HippoDrones]

They are lovely aren't they. Kineo now do these with a 17" rim for the front too... If you go for them, it may be worth getting the 17" as you'll have better tyre options! :-)

[@markl5893]

Thanks for the video mate, wish me luck I am about to go into the garage. Is there a reason you can't apply double sided adhesive pads to the rubbers to hold them in place

[@HippoDrones]

No probs and good luck 👍 I'd probably not use sticky pads, but maybe you could use a sticky grease suitable for rubber to hold them in place.

[@unblessedcoffee1457]

Glad you took those silly silencers off. I got a V7 and it came with such an exhaust, I got some of those Mistrals you rec in another video, they're much better.

[@HippoDrones]

Hahaha... I liked them silly "silencers" I'll have you know! :-D hahaha But yeah... they were a bit obnoxious on longer runs, and it fuels so much better with the Mistrals fitted.

[@robertbrandywine]

That wasn't bad except for the way you lifted the bike. It looked like at one point the right side peg almost slipped off the stand. If that had happened the bike would have fallen over on its right side wouldn't it? Have you looked at the lift Twowheelobsession made from pipe? I wonder if it would work on the Guzzi.

[@HippoDrones]

It looked worse than it was, but yes, I now have a jack to use. Thanks for the advice :-)

[@viennapalace]

Very helpful video but oh how I wish you'd shown how those cush drive rubbers went back in...

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks 🙂 Haha, it can be a balancing act 🤣

[@donhody1127]

Thank you. A very useful and informative video. I had no idea where to go. Great mate.

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers Don, glad you found it helpful. Bare in mind, my V7 has had it's backside completely removed so is a little easier on my bike. If you can jack it up at the rear or drop the front a bit through the forks it might help with clearance from the rear mudguard if yours is standard! :-)

[@davidgebo3250]

Was researching the Moto Guzzi V7 or Triumph Bonneville. This totally convinced me to go with Triumph chain drive, especially for DYI's and road side repairs. Thanks

[@HippoDrones]

TBH the wheel only comes off for tyre changes and no need to lube or adjust a chain. I think it is 6 of one and half dozen of the other, but if you end up with a bike you love then that is a win! 🙂

[@TK-cl1jm]

Ugh, I hope you reconsidered. Tell me you went with the authentic classic V7! 😜

[@HippoDrones]

@@TK-cl1jm :D haha.... V7 FTW! :D

[@alanlake5220]

I was in the same position , bought the Triumph Bonneville, go bored with it after 6 years and got a V7 special, and have nor missed the Triumph .

[@AdamMartin-Jones-ly1un]

Hello, great videos! I notice in one of your videos you fitted a 150 width rear tyre - did this wider tyre foul the drive shaft at all? Many thanks

[@HippoDrones]

Hi and thanks 🙂👍 It doesn't rub on anything once fitted, but is very tight to get the wheel on the bike unless you remove the bevel as well.

[@AdamMartin-Jones-ly1un]

Ah okay - is the bevel the rear of the drive shaft?

[@HippoDrones]

@@AdamMartin-Jones-ly1un yup, just 4 bolts hold it on, easy to remove! 🙂

[@OldManTony]

It could have been worse, but you made it look easy. I am now imagining you swearing as you wrestle with it getting it back in with spacers and rubbers dropping out everywhere hahahahahah!

[@HippoDrones]

hahaha, the first time I changed the wheel last year was very much in that theme :D Replacing it this time actually went really smoothly, I only lost a pint of blood and half the cush-drive rubbers! :D

[@alfabartek]

@@HippoDrones hey. Iam changing my wheel too after i have watched your video. Im wonder how have You lost half of cush-drive rubbers. Is there some solution how or which side should I mount this cush-drive rubbers? Should I put it inside the wheel during mounting and which side is in and out. Thanks for video. Iam waiting for reply here. Cheerz

[@HippoDrones]

@@alfabartek Hi Bartek, the rubbers do tend to fall out, but just put them back in place on the wheel and then try not to let any drop out again, it is a bit of a fiddle

[@HippoDrones]

@@alfabartek if you drop me a message on one of my social media pages I'll send you a photo of the cush rubbers in the wheel

[@timchen1982]

Good stuff mate! I cheated and just rode to the shop and changed there lol... Next time I will try myself lol...

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers Tim. I got hold of a cheap replacement Sport Demon and have a shop local that fits tyres to loose wheels at a reasonable price so for me it makes sense to remove the wheel myself :-)

[@SuperSneakySteve]

Great video. It convinced me to stick with my chain drive Honda.

[@HippoDrones]

@@SuperSneakySteve hahaha... enjoy that chain maintenance 🤣👍

[@claudehizon4006]

Hey man thanks for the video, is this the same process for a v7 special?

[@HippoDrones]

Hi Claude, yes this is the same for all the V7 range. Mine is easier though as my bike has a custom rear subframe so has easier access

[@motoventure_6938]

Interesting video mate. Could imagine that being a bit of a daunting task the first time you tackle it.

[@HippoDrones]

I really struggled as I can't fit a paddock stand and the bike has no centre stand, it was only from the various Facebook groups where it was suggested to use axle stands under the footpegs! :-)

[@PeterCaudwell]

@@HippoDrones Would it be possible to just lay the bike on its side? I'm thinking of an extreme situation by the way.

[@HippoDrones]

Sure you could, but you may bend/snap the exhaust and damage the paint work and possibly bend or snap the brake or gear lever. I'd not recommend it.

[@HippoDrones]

I have since got a jack I can use to raise the bike up a little more safely, if interested there is a link to it in the description I believe! :-)

[@robiszabo903]

Have you serviced that rear differential leak? I have this leak on my v7 special at the moment.

[@HippoDrones]

Hi Robi, it doesn't do it very much, occasionally when hot it seeps, but generally it sits happy.

[@adriantompson]

will be use full if i ever bought a v7 have to put hard tyres on that to much hassle changing tyres.

[@HippoDrones]

To be honest, I recently had to remove the rear on my KTM 390 Duke too, and that was almost as fiddly! :-)

[@bilguunboldbaatar2368]

hello mate. so, how did you fix the oil leakage from you final drive? i would be so grateful, if you provide complete description. i am experiencing same problem just now. thanks.

[@HippoDrones]

Hi, I haven't yet as it only leaks a little bit. There is 2 seals though which are often the cause.

[@melsparks3477]

Great video ! Very helpful in my endeavour to save a few bucks. On an aside note tires are pretty thin on the ground here in Ontario,Canada. Would a 110/90 front tire fit my 2013 Stone? Afraid it would not clear the the fender. Comments/suggestions.... Thanks much !

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks Mel, I'd not be happy to recommend out of spec tires even though I have a 150 rear tire on my V7. Best thing to do would be ask the manufacturer. I have lowered my front fender by 10mm too, so even if it fitted yours, it may not fit mine. Soz to not be much help Mel.

[@wilmersegarra2472]

Hello, did you ever got to replace the oil seal of the rear differential? If so, how was it done? Any special tools?

[@HippoDrones]

Hi Wilmer, I've not had to do so yet, although I did remove the bevel box in one of my more recent videos earlier this year.

[@wilmersegarra2472]

@@HippoDrones I have the oil leak, very minimum though, and I look unto the repair manual and it looks like stupid crazy work, for just a seal, plus their's a special tool need it for the job and in USD $ is over $200 just for a one time use tool. Witch honestly, I think it will be cheaper to just keep an eye on the fluid level once in awhile and top it off if need it.

[@HippoDrones]

@@wilmersegarra2472 ahh that sucks. Mine seaps a little occasionally, $200 is a lot of money indeed, I wonder if there is a way to avoid needing it?

[@wilmersegarra2472]

@@HippoDrones I did some search and went to several autoparts store around my city and none of the pullers they have for sale or rent, are suitable for such job. So, it comes down to do, what I previously said or spend the $200+ And the downside is that where I live, there's no Guzzi dealer or anything of sort.

[@HippoDrones]

@@wilmersegarra2472 that does suck. Could you maybe grease it in the hope it seals it?

[@oluffriesthomsen7680]

If you waited with the loosening the allen screw, you would not need to hold axle,

[@HippoDrones]

@@oluffriesthomsen7680 #TopTip ta 🙂👍

[@YouMotorcycle]

Thanks man!

[@HippoDrones]

Hey up 🙂👍

[@MRTPR]

I would love a shaft drive. No chain maintenance would be very nice !

[@HippoDrones]

It is so much easier day to day than a chain driven bike! :-)

[@UndeadMotovlogs]

Awesome, i wondered how the cardan look like, it would be great to have part 2 after changing the tire and puting all together

[@HippoDrones]

am not sure what you mean mate?

[@UndeadMotovlogs]

@@HippoDrones sorry for my bad english, cardan=shaft, and i'd like to see the reassembly process

[@HippoDrones]

ahh cool, soz. It actually went together pretty easily, all the cush drive rubbers fell out the first time I did this on the last tyre, but this time it all stayed in place properly. It would have been good to have filmed the reassembly, but I didn't think to record it :-(

[@barriedawes2515]

Do Guzzi owners never fit centre stands these days - must be easier surely. Looking at a new bike as we speak but as all Special tyres are tubed I don't fancy a puncture in the dark....lol

[@HippoDrones]

My bike is used on track and is very customised, other folk who want a more practical bike can spec in a centre stand I think. My wheels are aftermarket Kineo wheels, which although are spoked, they are also tubeless. The new V85 has tubeless spoked wheels, I wonder if the V7 will follow suit in the future too.

[@Spreadingdword]

Well done mate good video ;)

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers buddy. It can be quite the faff to get the rear off.

[@Spreadingdword]

@@HippoDrones yes indeed very tricky

[@HippoDrones]

@@Spreadingdword Am quite lucky not having a rear end on my V7.... possibly the only time my bike is practical! :D Hahaahahah :D

[@dougofhgate]

Ta - a great help

[@HippoDrones]

Glad it was useful Doug, as has been suggested by others in the comments, it is def wise to get a more secure way of lifting the bike than I used, although at the time, the need outweighed the odds so I made do with the axle stands! :-)

[@Banditmanuk]

Wow, that looks a bit of a faf. To be honest I cheat when I need new tyres and just ride into my local tyre dealer and let them fit it. Guess they would charge more for that mind. Big recomendation for Wheel House Tyres Birmingham, huge stock, fit while you wait. Interesting vid cheers

[@HippoDrones]

Always good to hear a recommendation for a business, obvs a few miles away but still, great to hear of good customer service. I've found it to cost upwards of £30 to have a ride in, ride out service over bringing loose wheels, so for me the effort is worth the saving! :-)

[@martbful]

Hi, have just seen this comment, does this place offer ride in / ride out service on guzzis, I’ve got a nail in my rear tyre, think it will need changing

[@Banditmanuk]

@@martbful I've seen plenty of shaft drive BMWs in there. Give them a call but I usually just turn up reasonably early and go for a walk around Bikers World or CMC next door. Best check they have the tyre in stock you want.

[@banditnev]

Well what a hassle I'm glad my bandit is easier! I'm puffing just watching! Pirelli's are crap on my bandit.

[@HippoDrones]

hahaha, it is a pain, but it only needs to come off for a new tyre and no chain maintenance is a godsend! :-) Do you have Sport Demons fitted on your Bandit?

[@banditnev]

Sport Demons no I use Michelin PR4's and next time Michelin R5's 😊

[@HippoDrones]

@@banditnev ahh, soz I thought you meant you had Pirelli tyres on your Bandit. TBH I tend not to have a favourite or least favourite brand as there are so many different tyre compounds foe wet, dry, track, touring, etc I think all manufacturers are blue to make good tyres, they just don't necessarily make them in the compound an individual requires for the type of riding they do.

[@banditnev]

No I did have a Pirelli on the rear once but it just didn't suit the bandit.

[@bikerbeliever8169]

Reinstalling it is even tougher

[@HippoDrones]

It can be, an extra hand can help

[@easternmenace]

Damn that's fiddly, but then again when you take the wheel off a chain driven bike you also have spacers, cush drive rubbers, chain adjustment bits and so on

[@HippoDrones]

absolutely, it is a pain to have to undo the rear shock and lefthand silencer, but this really didn't take much longer to do than it took to remove my KTM 390 wheel, which had a chain guard in the way! :-)

[@easternmenace]

Yeah on my 125 you had to hold the axle nut and undo the axle which was fiddly especially with dual shocks in the way and don't forget the drum brake. With my current bike the shock is behind the wheel and you only need to undo the nut which makes it easier then it's just all the other bits I mentioned. I can use a proper stand though

[@HippoDrones]

proper stands make this stuff so much easier! :-)

[@TK-cl1jm]

Great video! I won't say you made it look easy, haha, but certainly doable. I just bought one of those cheap 1100 lb scissor lifts with the flat platform. Hopefully I can fashion something for lifting from the sump for front end work, too.

[@HippoDrones]

I am so jealous of your scissor lift! 🙂

[@georgetrakadas8595]

nice rims

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers George :-)

[@georgetrakadas8595]

I have one white classic V7 and I like this rims .....it΄s guzzi?

[@HippoDrones]

The wheels are Kineo tubless spoked wheels

[@HippoDrones]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3iYkJxufLqniqM

[@georgetrakadas8595]

thank you nice job......

[@BigPezza]

NUTS TO THAT i will stick with chain and sprocket and CLEAN your garage up !

[@HippoDrones]

Haha, it really is not that much more hassle than a chain driven bike, and no grubby chain to have to adjust or oil! :D Yes mum! :P

[@Anog_kc]

Ots a pain in the ass specaly with original pfenders

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, it makes it so much easier having no rear mudguard! :-)

[@mexrod]

seen this .. I'll never buy a guzzi

[@HippoDrones]

Haha, it isn't that hard, and how often do you actually take a wheel off? + no chain adjustments! :D

[@Spreadingdword]

Guzzi's are not for just everyone ;)

[@Deetroiter]

And no rear wheel alignments!

[@HippoDrones]

@@Spreadingdword :D

[@HippoDrones]

@@Deetroiter Absolutely!

[@djordjemilutinovich3113]

Bout.

[@HippoDrones]

:-)