Moto Guzzi 1400 Valve Adjustment

This is just a quick video I made while servicing my 1400 Eldorado. I couldn't find much information online so thought this might be beneficial to some.

[@danielhucklebridge5006]

If you took all 4 plugs out, turning the crank is much easier, easier to put it exactly where you want it.

[@ethelred2648]

Yes. Just watched this and I was thinking exactly the same. Why struggle against compression?

[@henryhawk7038]

That nut isn't the alternator it's the crank. There is a mark on the flywheel for the left and rt side to designate tdc. There's a plastic plug in the rt side of the bell housing D for rt cyl and S for left cyl. These marks are stamped on the flywheel. If it is on the mark at the top of exhaust stroke, turn it 360 degrees and that will put you at TDC of compression stroke.

[@jamespeters5913]

All my older Guzzi's had that peep hole with markings...easy way is rotate crank, watch your straw in plug hole and if it is all the way up AND both valves are somewhat loose...you are in compression stroke!!

[@jcookmrblack]

My god I hate wind chimes.

[@markzegarek693]

Good and useful video, just wish I could see the heads as you do it , not the gas tank and you - with all the respect

[@VernonKlein]

Your video is commendable, I'll give you that - but with a little wisdom learned, I would consider redoing this video to clarify those areas that you remarked on a specific step, but did not clarify the WHY you were doing it. Things I noticed, and I say this respectfully: * State that your motorcycle engine is COLD if you adjusting valves. * Explain why you chose to drain the fluids from a (presumed) COLD engine; to properly drain fluids the engine needs to be HOT. * When turning the crankshaft bolt to determine Top Dead Center of the piston, did you turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise (as viewed either from the seat or looking at it as in the video). * When checking the clearance of the valve, identify which one you are checking: intake or exhaust. * Also, when you check the clearance, the feeler gauge you are checking with should have a slight "drag" indicating that the gap (top of the rocker arm and the adjustment bolt) is just touching both sides of the feeler gauge. * When performing the actual adjustment, LEAVE the 8mm wrench in place and adjust with the hex, then while holding the hex in place, gently tighten the 8mm nut, else you run the risk of shifting your adjustment out of spec. * The feeler gauge you use to check the initial clearance clearly says 0.08 (8-hundredths of a millimeter) and it was "tightly rubbing" - indicating the valves are too "closed"; the manual as you stated, says a clearance of 0.15 (15 hundredths) of a millimeter, indicating the valve needs to adjusted more toward the "open" or "looser" clearance. Valves that are too "closed" do not allow enough exhaust time to expel gases after the power stroke. This leads to bad/inert gases present during the intake that cause poor combustion. Further, your intake valve being too closed will also inhibit the full needed volume of air/fuel mixture so you may end up with a "lean" burn which will tell you when you do harder acceleration with engine knock. The bike's CPU will do its best to compensate for the poor intake/exhaust clearances, but only to a certain extent, and that is a fairly tight allowance before inhibiting optimal performance.

[@jamespeters5913]

Good Lord, Dr. GUZZI has spoken here!!! Lol!! Well said...and true...I think the maker of the video did well and got the basics right!! Bellissimo!!

[@mathieujeanson1000]

Hi please can you tell me the real clearance mesure for valve adjustment, thanks

[@butteredbiskit3497]

I was waiting for that skewer to poke his eye out...lol.😁

[@GavinMeldrum]

Had to resort to the back wheel rotation for tdc on my Audace as there is too much stuff in the way to get onto the alternator nut. When I have some time I'll look to see if there is any other method. 0.15mm inlet, and 0.2mm exhaust. Good to see this vid tho'.

[@jimdekorne3724]

Thanks for the video, didn't have 14 mm deep wall so I picked one up before starting my valve lash adjustment on my 2016 Eldorado went just fine. I would like to know what saddle/seat you have on your Eldorado thanks again.

[@bradb8622]

I liked your video thx , taught me things about my bike I did not know . I have heard other ppl describe the same sounds almost to the T . Must just be like you said the bikes character . Hope you do more vids .

[@tizianopramparo1340]

Great video, thanks. I was wondering about your upgraded seats. Are those from Guzzi , aftermarket or else? I am looking for something a little more comfy, and those look really nice.

[@customhr]

do you have an instruction how to adjust timing sprocket?

[@jamespeters5913]

Good info and good video !! How did you get the spark plugs out...special tool, diy solution or ready to buy socket???! Tnx for your effort!

[@nadirkaranjia3407]

Super video.

[@Kemrer]

Thank you

[@aashishseta5816]

Did you ever get a pillion passenger backrest

[@bogdanvelica]

The valve adjustment you do with the engine cold... and the oil change you do that with the engine warm (after 10-15 min of riding) ... so not sure but one of the operations is done wrong. Just my 2 cents. ..

[@360rider7]

Bogdan Velica the oil was changed after a few miles of riding and allowed to drain over night. The valves were adjusted after the bike sat for several days. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression in the video. The is took place over a week it just looks condensed.

[@baricho4771]

thanks.. informative video..

[@michaeltruscott9443]

It’s called a vaulve cover

[@bradb8622]

Just curious , how many miles / kilometers were on the bike when you did the adjustment , and did it make a difference ? My Eldo has 6500 Kilometers on it and sometimes the valves are so loud i am afraid the motor is going to fly apart ! It does this intermitedly . And when it makes that horrible sound the way the engine runs is not efected at all ?

[@360rider7]

This was the first service so it would be 1000km or 950miles. The next service is not until 10,000km. Guzzi are known to make all kinds of racket and chatter. The fact that it is intermittent and does not affect the running characteristics I would not worry about it. Keep and eye on the exhaust pipes if you are getting heavy coloring the valves may need adjusted.

[@jimdekorne3724]

If the rocker clatter is intermittent might be oil level is just low enough to cause split second of oil starvation to the heads. Mine sometimes clatters for split second on start up when the oil is at the add line on the dip stick, only happened twice I think. I've got a 2016 eldorado with 26000 miles on it , one of the best bikes I've owned

[@jamespeters5913]

Every 6000 miles you SHOULD check/ adjust your valves for good reason...high heat developement, mechanical failure, valve chattering and fuel consumption to name a few...its done easy...make sure engine is cold!!

[@Sestorema]

0.08 mm. intake, and exaust?

[@360rider7]

No manual says .15mm intake and .2mm exhaust.

[@kevinmoorhead3323]

Walk away from this video. So many things he has wrong.

[@matthewjohnson775]

Like what?

[@jamespeters5913]

Help us out here...what you think is wrong???:

[@homeontherange733]

Thanks for this tip. It was very useful and easy to do. Question? According to this diagram kzbin.info/www/bejne/gn_KfpKrr9-dbZY it appears to rotate the engine in it's running direction, it shows looking from the front of the bike is counter clockwise. Is this correct?