Moto Guzzi V85 Valve Adjusting (DIY)

An overview on how to adjust your valves on the V85

[@AF-O6]

Thanks for posting! I followed along in the V85 Service Manual...which does leave a lot out, as the valve covers in the book just magically drop off. After your video, I think when I adjust mine I'll unbolt and support the tank to give a little more room.

[@stevegsus]

Good idea. As others have mentioned, unbolting the tank only takes a few extra minutes.

[@ThierryVoltaire]

Happy for you to be the first i hope you a long life with this bike I am waiting my v85 travel in fews weeks may be beginning june I am 68 years old , french , and my first bike was BSA B 33

[@stevegsus]

Congrats on the V85 purchase. Thanks for watching and wish you many more years of riding

[@michaeldiederich9434]

i am 70 and got mine 4 week ago. tomorrow i do my 1500 inspection.it is worth it

[@michaeldiederich9434]

@@stevegsus ther is a special Tool for the adjustment www.sip-scootershop.com/de/product/werkzeug-buzzetti-einstellung-ventilspiel_BU5121?cr=de4b2f82-d7af-4afd-bde2-c726ef770aef&gpc_origin=shopping&gpc_feed_alias=de&gpc_pid=BU5121&dfw_tracker=40504-BU5121&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRjZR3v8oszbmok5l0Ocx-Tuhuekh3pRJURztcv0TgM0iEEGqSEVxGoaApPMEALw_wcB

[@ralfhansch9952]

@@michaeldiederich9434 Check this :-) www.monkeypower.de/Ventil-Einstellwerkzeug-Set

[@jeanmichelfils9032]

Salut Thierry ! On a des points communs : j'ai 60ans, ma première bécane fut une Norton Commando 850 et j'ai la Travel depuis 3 semaines ! Je dirais que c'est une chance de pouvoir toujours acheter en 2021 une moto pareille ! Bonne route à toi 😉👍

[@jamesfairmind2247]

@jamesfairmind2247 1 day ago (edited) I would very strongly advise anyone attempting this to use a Plastic Drinking Straw instead of a allen key, screwdriver or any metal or solid object when establishing TDC. If you hold the drinking straw against the plug thread closest to you, once you have established TDC without any danger of damaging the piston, head or valves (a very real danger using a metal object particularly on this Guzzi due to head angle) then you can mark the straw with a Sharpie which saves time on the other side and in future. TDC indicators which screw into the plug hole is the professional alternative. Do not turn a simple service job into an extremely expensive repair job.

[@davidklementis5913]

Good video. I especially like the good luck at the end, lol. Considering a Moto Guzzi for my next bike for many reasons and a big part is the ease of maintenance for a do it yourself person. Love my FZ6, but certain things I just don't feel comfortable doing, like the valve adjustment on a dual overhead cam shim under bucket system. My bike is my primary transportation and the hassle of taking it in for service is challenging. I'm getting older and really don't need a performance bike to have fun or get around on and also enjoy doing as much maintenance as I can myself. I also prefer the old standard style and riding position, so that cuts a lot of brands out.

[@stevegsus]

I really like the V85. It’s not the fastest in its class but more than enough power for me (or need). Easy enough to work on and not having to lube a chain every 600 miles is amazing.

[@clay2pot]

Raising the tank takes just a few minutes.

[@jacklanier41]

I would look into getting 2 feeler gauges of the appropriate thickness for the intake and exhaust. You can probably find them on MG suppliers. Attach a string or wire with an alligator clip so you can attach them somewhere near the head so they don't fall off while locking the locknut on the valve train. You will get better and faster with time. A loose valve is a happy valve.

[@brian_the_wrench]

When I do my valve adjustment, I raise the tank and put a small (2x4) block of wood under the rear of the tank. It still doesn't give a perfect access to the ignition cable retainer screw, but it does open it up enough, for that I use a ball-end T20 bit on my long ratcheting bit-driver and put a little but of sealing putty (dum-dum) on the bit so I don't lose the screw.

[@luismoreno6659]

Beautiful Motorcycle, congratulations !!!

[@KcYukon]

Haha awesome I like the end that's all I got Good Luck!!! Cheers bud hope I see ya out there some day!

[@vaskito73]

Si aflojas el depósito gasolina de atrás y lo levantas un poco,las tapas se desmontan mejor

[@SteveJohnson-sn9gq]

Thanks, you helped me. 2020 V85TT Travel

[@estaban3248]

Saw another vid covering the same subject, re the HT lead and it's fixing they removed the bolt at the back of the fuel tank and chocked it up with a small mallet this created enough space to remove the lead and valve cover avoiding any contact with the paintwork on the tank. To make life a little easier give it a go next time you do the tappits 👍. Must say, loving the colour scheme of your bike not seen that here in the UK, are engine protection bars an OEM option?. Thanks for the vid 👍

[@stevegsus]

I definitely lift the back of tank now, a lot easier. The crash bars are a factory option that I installed myself. Have a video on that too. Thanks for watching

[@themarvelousvintage76]

So if I recall correctly maybe set up little bit loose with the riding gonna tight so in this way you can increase interval every 15000km instead than 10.000km.....

[@gavinhassett479]

My engine must be alot tighter, had to use both hands to move the wheel to get TDC. A chop stick works well for TDC. Compression stroke blew it right out both times.

[@joaodomingues362]

You have to release the fuel tank and rise it a bit.

[@jennamoonchild]

Thank you very much!

[@pmurphy3526]

No center stand ? You can just push the bike on the floor to TDC. Works for me.

[@stevegsus]

Great point!

[@mart7404]

Thanks Steve I appreciate the info. I just picked up a V85TT and am starting to set her up. What tires are you using and were you happy with their performance on your Baja trip? My 21 is the base model which came with street tires. Baja is high on my list. I’ve been down and back on three trips via 4WD but now it’s time for Lucy Guzzi to do the same.

[@stevegsus]

I swapped them out with Shinko 804s. They were great on dirt and sand (relative for a big bike) yet still grip the road well. You will notice slightly more road noise with them but a must have over the street tires if you’re going in the dirt/gravel. The one achilles heal off road was the traction control. Getting started in deep sand was difficult because the TC (even in off-road mode) would kill the engine if the rear wheel was spinning considerably faster than the front wheel. I couldn’t find a way to fully disable it and would sometimes need buddies to help push me to get the bike moving on the beach in deep sand.

[@KcYukon]

@@stevegsus I have noticed this on my 2021 and wondering how to disable that crap. Could I use the custom mode to disable TC because that is annoying....

[@jennamoonchild]

@@stevegsus bike stand still (idling or not), push MODE till the screen shows MENU. Push once and the menu opens. Choose up/down and go to vehicle settings. There you see MGTC (or something), it is moto Guzzi traction control. Push that and choose "OFF". There is also ABS setting you can disable even front ABS, but it only disables it in off road mode.

[@strandvaskeren]

Just curious, why not remove the tank first for better access? It's always been quick and easy on the bikes I've had.

[@stevegsus]

The service manual didn’t say to but may give it a try next service.

[@bkr71]

Thanks for posting this, very useful as I'm seriously evaluating the purchase of a V85. May I ask you, are those the OEM Guzzi crash bars or some other brand (which one)? I'm asking, because depending on how bars are shaped some allow enough clearance to remove the head covers leaving the bars on, some others not, forcing to some extra job to remove the bars prior to starting the valve service. Thanks again and cheers from Italy!

[@stevegsus]

Those are the OEM crash bars. Very good quality and easy to install (also have a video on that).

[@estaban3248]

Re crash bars I asked the same question, thanks for your reply. It's good to know they're an OEM part.

[@woodly1069]

Use a drink straw on the piston to find TDC, nice and soft

[@kathypaone4000]

Try lifting the tank up, remove seat and tank bolt...now lift the tank?

[@sergebalmer]

Cubbysue do it much better, lift the saddle about 4 cm and you easy can take the covers away.

[@michelangelobuccola4598]

le euro 5 hanno problremi alle valvole .

[@Jungleland33]

I was screaming at you in my head to pop the tank off. Sorry.