Refitting a Moto Guzzi Le Mans Cam Chain

[@bordebomb6631]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@Rick-uu5yo]

It's great fun to see how different manufacturers design common motor functions. I'm a Ducati guy!

[@bigred8438]

Much like a car.

[@scottfyfe1369]

Great video with good detail.

[@fabiopunk1661]

Excellent video. I am replacing the tensioner on an SP II

[@Rick-uu5yo]

One thing I do with paper gaskets is to apply the thinnest film of Blue Hylomar gasket/jointing compound on each side. It helps hold gaskets in place while fiddling with casings, it guarantees an oil seal and if you need to take things apart at a later date, the casings can be removed easily without damaging the gaskets as the Blue Hylomar is a non-setting compund. Rather than apply it to the gasket, I put it on the two, clean metal surfaces.

[@endurojimmy3109]

Throw away the chain and get straight cut timing gears. No backlash gives more accurate cam timing. All the PR le mans ran this.

[@mariobondanza5149]

Hi Mike, thanks for this new video. You work calm, neat and precisely. Would you be so kind and link some reference of the gasket stripper? Thank you

[@MikesMachines]

In Australia it's sold as "Gasket Stripper" but I think it's the same as the CRC "Gasket Remover". crcindustries.com.au/products/crc-gasket-stripper-300g-5021.html

[@ramondominguez9387]

Hi Mike. Excellent videos. I have bought a Guzzi Le Mans III and I want to leave it in original condition. I have a question about how the engine oil breathers are connected to the air filter box. Could you help me? Thanks and regards

[@MikesMachines]

Looking at the manual the breather system looks the same as the Le Mans 1000. First there's a rubber junction with two hoses that fits to the bottom of the air box. The short hose goes to the gearbox breather and the long hose goes to the frame just under the steering head (next to the big crank case breather pipe). Finally there are two hoses between the heads and the bottom of the centre frame tube. This centre frame tube is the breather box and needs to be flushed out every few years because it can become clogged with emulsified oil.

[@ramondominguez9387]

@@MikesMachines Thank you very much for your explanations, for your attention and your time. Do you know where I can find that breathing system manual to see everything more clearly?

[@MikesMachines]

The workshop manual doesn't cover this in any detail unfortunately. The Le Mans III manual is a supplement so you need to refer to two manuals for the whole picture. Here are links to the service and spare parts manuals: www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/workshop_manual_g5_sp.pdf www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/workshop_manual_850-le-mans-iii.pdf www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manuals/spare_parts_catalog_lemans_iii.pdf

[@bigred8438]

Ever thought to go gear replacement route for the timing chain and sprockets?

[@MikesMachines]

I converted a Moto Guzzi S3 to gears in the seventies. They certainly let you dial in the cam timing more accurately which you do notice but unless you are racing I doubt they are worth the expense. They were made by Agostini Mandello and rather expensive.

[@fabiopunk1661]

@@MikesMachines I was by Agostini in Mandello a few months ago. The upgrade to gears is useless. Besides, the chain has inherent compliance at absorbs irregularities of these big twins. Eventually the engine runs fine and smoothly with a chain so why complicate things?

[@Tequilasaur]

Is that nessesary to demount cylinders to replace the chain? There's no another way to fixate the crankshaft?

[@MikesMachines]

No, I had the cylinders off because I was replacing the cam followers. You can put the bike in top gear and use the rear brake as an alternative.

[@fabiopunk1661]

I had split the clutch from the engine so I put a metal wedge in between the flywheel teeth. If not, I would just lock the rear wheel somehow, better mechanically with a wooden beam.

[@lereare4654]

Hi Mike , may i would like your help ,now i have Moto Guzzi Le man 1000cc , it had an issue when ride for awhile and batter run out , what was happen with it? Or it that happen because of alternator not working ?

[@MikesMachines]

First recharge the battery. Then to check the charging circuit run the bike and see if the alternator light goes out when the engine is revved. If it does that's good. Now measure the voltage across the battery when you rev the engine. It should be over 13 volts. If you are seeing some rise in voltage but not much it's worth checking the connectors at the alternator, regulator and diode block and also the brushes for wear. If it's not something simple you should probably get an expert to look at it.