Is there an official recall or Service Bulletin re tappets

[ohiorider]

Specifically, Griso 8v tappet replacement and shimming the camshafts for end float? I'm selling off one or two non-Guzzis to build a small kitty to purchase a holdover Griso8v. There's still a few 09s on dealer floors. Only issue is that one of the dealers I'd prefer to buy from may not have a Griso 8v in their inventory.

So, if I have to purchase from a dealer of unknown service capability, (a) is there an official recall notice or Service Bulletin describing the work to be done, (b)should I be concerned about their ability to perform an upgrade. Obviously, if they haven't heard of any issues ........... well, then ..................

Is a tappet change-out on the 8v Griso a really techy job, or a matter of pulling the rocker arms and removing the 'bad' tappets and replacing them with 'good' ones? Same question applies to end float on the cams.

I'm asking these questions based on info I've gained from this site and from WildGuzzi.

Bob

[pete roper]

There was a 'Technical Update' which is the recall you have when you aren't having a recall!

I think I did a photo-essay on the replacement, its not 'Difficult' but its not as simple as just pulling thre rockers. You have to unhook the camchains and demount the cam boxes and disassemble them.

Pete

[ohiorider]

Thanks, Pete. I'm not familiar with the high cam layout used in the Griso, but it appears to me totally different than that used by the hi cam Oilhead Beemers. I've pulled up the Griso 8v service manual and reviewed some of the illustrations, and can see where the cam layout differs from the Beemers (although I must admit I never pulled the rockers on any of those engines, either.) Seemed to me their cam (one per head) was located slightly below the forked rocker arms, and the tappets were essentially very short pushrods that actuated the rocker arms.

So, if I didn't want to deal with that particular issue, is there a VIN number or model year (something?) one can use to determine whether the engine in the bike came with the new stuff already installed? Maybe I'm over thinking this, but I put a lot of confidence in your assessment of Guzzi engines, and if there is a problem waiting to happen with the early engines, I'd just as soon avoid it altogether.

Regards,

Bob

[pete roper]

The dealer should be able to pull up the information from the Servicemotoguzzi site as in the USA the warranty system is dealer accessible, (Here in Oz it is done differently.).

Once again as I always say to people far better to buy from one of the KNOWN good dealers even if it costs a few bucks more, (chances are it won't) than to buy from somewhere with no knowledge or experience of the brand and a cavlier attitude.

Pete

[draidt]

Bob
I whole hardily agree with Pete about purchasing from a KNOWN good dealer.
Have you got a particular bike and dealer in mind ?
If it were me I would not hesitate buying a brand new 09 8V that was subject to the recall with the caveat from a dealer with a good reputation. There are several that I would trust to do the recall correctly and indeed verify that a particular bike is subject to the recall at all.

RoseFarm, Moto Nexus, Rider's Hill, MPH, and of course MI there maybe more out there but that is my thought. I would think that the supply of leftovers would be getting a little thin about now.

[ohiorider]

Thanks, Pete and Dan, for your comments. I Googled it ..... it was a thread on either this or WG forum. Here's the cut and paste I saved for reference:

Service Communication: 2009-001 USA PRE-UPDATE CAMPAIGN NOTICE
Technical Update Campaign-Griso 8V and Stelvio 4V 1200 Engine- Camshaft
follower/bucket replacement
Models affected: 2009 Griso 8V and 2009 Stelvio 4V models within a specified VIN range
Griso 8V: ZGULSU0009M111892 to ZGULSU0009M112153
Production Date Range: 05/14/2008 – 09/11/2008
Stelvio 4V: ZGULZC0029M112385 to ZGULZC0009M112689
Production Date Range: 04/29/08 – 10/02/2008

Bob

[kmartin]

There was a 'Technical Update' which is the recall you have when you aren't having a recall!

I think I did a photo-essay on the replacement, its not 'Difficult' but its not as simple as just pulling thre rockers. You have to unhook the camchains and demount the cam boxes and disassemble them.

Pete

I've read this photo-essay, and while not terribly difficult, it is a little different than anything I've seen. I'm not a professional, however. The update can certialy be screwed up by a "professional Harley mechanic", as my Stelvio had one cam timing set off by 2 teeth on the cam spocket. I was embarrased that it took me so long to find. I'd have been horrified if I'd actually done it.