Never ask a question if you don't want to hear the answer

I'm a big believer in Oil Analysis (at least once a baseline and trend for that unit is established), dating back to my marine diesel experience.

However, once in a while it throws-up stuff that makes you want to.. erm.. throw-up.

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It looks like the Copper content is extremely high: it was outside of limits when I first had the oil checked, about 380 miles ago. I did not change the oil after that,
so both these analysusis reports are on the same oil. I have changed it (and the filter) now.... I'm using Motul 10W/60 Synthetic (the red stuff).

A bit of background: I'm the 3rd owner of this 1100 2V. Its had a pretty easy life I think: the first owner took care of it pretty well,
the second was a Harley Dude who recognised his mistake after 3 months and moved it on to me 2 years ago, at 5054 mls.

No engine problems at all, except: I overheated the bike a year ago, stuck in Daytona Bike Week traffic. Pegged the dipstick gauge. A Red Oil light came on (pressure, temp ?) and I shut it down immediately. After I spent an hour ogling the other bikes, and the coleslaw-wrestling girls, everything was fine. And no issues since. I thought I might have fried the oil, so I had the first analysis done.

Blackstone are a well-respected oil testing labs, but probably don't see many Guzzis (hence the comment about engine/transmission shared oil).

My best guess at this time is either a bronze thrust washer (or similar) in the valve train, or the Oil Cooler might be leaching copper after the overheat.

Either way, I'm not planning a teardown just yet, but I could use some help - especially from Roper-san, who has stared into more Guzzi innards than I've had hot dinners...

Jeremy

The engine uses trimetal rod bearings. The only other cupric substance that springs immediately to mind is the cam thrust face or the valve guides.

If it isn't making a noise like a skip full of runaway jackhammers I'd change the oil and filter and just ride.

If the oil pressure issue raises it's head ther may be a pump issue but that would only affect fairly late model 1100's with the trochoidal pump. What year/Vin is your bike?

Pete

Hi Pete - I was hoping you'd respond.
VIN: ZGULSC0038M114939 Engineno:014971  Manufacture date: 07/2007  US 2008 Model year.
I think that makes it late in the 1100 production ?  No warning lights, since I got stuck in the sea of identically-dressed-in-black 'Individualists'.

Yup, yours should be a late model trochoidal pump engine. If you start getting an 'Oil Can' warning on start up for any reason I'd get it checked immediately but AFAIK the duff pumps all seem to have gone on not Norges.

Ask Bill about what to look out for. If he doesn't have an embolism while typing he will list the warning signs........

Pete