2012 GRiSO Engine Noise - Anyone know what this is?

Hi all,

I just got the GRiSO shipped to me from a dealer in WI and it has this chirpie, screachie engine noise coming from the clutch area. I intend to get this to a shop ASAP (La Moto Washington in Alexandria, VA) but in the meantime, I'm not sure I should ride this to much, if at all. I would love to get your opinion on this, does it need a new clutch or is this a normal sound for a dry clutch this size? I had a 2016 V7 and it was noisy, but not like this. The following video is a walk around but I start the engine at 1:20 if you'd like to skip ahead:



Thanks in advance,
Tony

Doesn't sound like clutch to me, or thrust bearing. Apart from thrust bearing failures being very rate they are usually silent on Guzzis as the bearing itself is in the gearbox and lubricated by gear oil.

Obviously it's very difficult to identify from a vid but it does sound to me more like the sort of high pitched squeak you might get from a couple of metal bits rubbing together or vibrating.

It does sound quite tappety. What year is it and is it rollerised, (If you've told us this before I apologise but I can't remember everyone's bikes.). The machine will run much better with a dB killer in and I'd check to make sure it hasn't got any 'Tuning' widgets like sensor foolers or a Power Commander fitted to screw things up. Check as well that it has a paper air filter, not some piece of K&N junk or the equivalent. Good news is it doesn't look like the throttlebodies have been monstered by a shaved ape so you're ahead there.

Get some gloves on and try poking at things like the hugger mounts, the cover on the exhaust pretzel to see if they're loose. The alternator belt squealing might also be a possibility if it's loose.

Pretty GRiSO. Don't forget to do the swingarm bearings and shock linkages.

Unfortunately it didn't come with the db killer, I'll have to find one somewhere. I'm not sure about the valves either, I was waiting to find out from the shop if it needed a kit or not once the checked the valves for me. The serial number is
ZGULSU024CM111497 which I believe needed the kit, so we'll see. I'll check around for anything but I think the engine is stock except for the header.

sounded quite like a squealing belt through my speakers...

seems to happen on decel only...?

hope you figure it out

TonyL2027 wrote:

Unfortunately it didn't come with the db killer, I'll have to find one somewhere. I'm not sure about the valves either, I was waiting to find out from the shop if it needed a kit or not once the checked the valves for me. The serial number is
ZGULSU024CM111497 which I believe needed the kit, so we'll see. I'll check around for anything but I think the engine is stock except for the header.

As per other thread we need engine number which is just above the oil filler/dipstick to check rather than VIN.

I think this is it... Right?

Yup, that's the one and it indicates that it left the factory as a flat tappet motor so unless it has been done already it will need an 'A' kit to fix it.

Are those kits easy to come by? La Moto Washington should be able to get them I would imagine...

Now here's the thing. Right at the moment there seems to be a huge supply issue with any of the kits. I've been waiting for 'B' kits, (The ones we use most of as most of the flat tappet engines require a 'B' or 'C' kit.) for six months.

Now Piaggio USA May have stock, I have no idea. Although AF1 suggest availability within a week or so.

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My current advice to anyone looking for a kit is to grab one from wherever you can and hang the cost! For years I've been assembling 'C' and 'D' kits by using 'A' and 'B' kits and adding the other parts needed to convert them as it can lead to substantial savings. Right now though? If you can get a kit? Mortgage that testicle and buy it!

Hmmm.. I'd hate to commit to one of these only to find out the previous owner already took care of it... Which wouldn't surprise me.

Well whip the rocker cover off and look. It's a ten minute task.

Welcome
you have a very pretty Tenni - looks like the previous owner may have uprated the starter wiring as well.

That noise may be a bit reminiscent of the clutch rattle the old air cooled Ducati 900s made -BUT that clutch is entirely different construction.  What you are hearing there is no Moto-Guzzi clutch sound.

I agree with previous posters that it sounds like vibration noise from metal components not tightly secured, or exhaust port gas leak or maybe early alternator belt slip?  Maybe try listening around the exhaust ports or use a screwdriver as a stethoscope against the timing cover?

Very important to check if has been rollerised (has roller cam followers fitted)
As Pete says

Pete Roper wrote:

.....It's a ten minute task.

To help you tell the difference there are comparative pictures here [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Good luck

Jon

I fired it up this morning and put pressure on the exhaust and it subsided. Also, the sound diminishes after warning up, so it looks like the exhaust components. I'll see if I can tighten it up a bit tonight.

TonyL2027 wrote:

I fired it up this morning and put pressure on the exhaust and it subsided. Also, the sound diminishes after warning up, so it looks like the exhaust components. I'll see if I can tighten it up a bit tonight.

first thing solved then

Good morning from Frederick County, the Real NOVA.  

That the noise you worried about went away is good, I suppose, but you need to remove a valve cover and check to see if PO did the honorable thing and R&R'd stock flatties with rollers.

Easy to see.

Lots of info -- with pix -- here if unsure of what and how to do that; see lcjohnny's post, above, for link.

Best from the Moto Grappa in Cross Junction,

Bill

I'll work on it... I'll be honest, I'm not a very good wrench, so I'm a bit intimidated by it.

TonyL2027 wrote:

I'll work on it... I'll be honest, I'm not a very good wrench, so I'm a bit intimidated by it.

I assure you that if an untalented wrench such as I am -- and as all who know me here would attest -- can do it, you can.

Takes some very basic tools and some care, but, on the beer-per-job standard, it's about half a can.  

There are locals near you who would probably be happy to come by and talk you through it.  As an accomplished Tom Sawyer, I often get such helpful folks to do it for me.  

Seriously, I am a bachelor for the next few days.  So, weather and the honey-do list Kathi left for me permitting, I might even ride that way on mine or another to help ... or let you be Tom Sawyer.  

Bill

[Edited to add] Just saw your intro post and Pete's mention of your riding out to the Moto Grappa in Cross Junction (NW of Winchester on U.S. 522).  That would be great on my end -- think Her List -- and also let you stretch that beast's legs on the grand roads out this way.  If doable, PM me for details.  B

Hey Man! I appreciate the offer and would love to do that sometime, but I'm planning to take it to the Guzzi dealer to get a good baseline... After that, I'll be happy to learn how to use some of the many tools that I own and have never touched! Lol

Found it![You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's a not uncommon break. The 'Pretzel' in the middle of the exhaust system is an important part and is no longer available from the factory but don't despair as the bracket can be welded and reinforced easily enough. Any decent pipe shop should be able to do it.

Don't be tempted to replace it with a 'Straight' mid pipe as sold by various aftermarket places. Without the length of the pretzel you will lose bottom end and midrange grunt. Your bike with the Mistral Hi-Pipe has probably the best set-up available, (It will be even better and annoy the neighbours less with a dB killer installed.) that is readily available for the 8V GRiSO. The fact that both Beetle and I run it on our Grisos, along with a fairly high proportion of othe forum members here, speaks volumes as to how effective it is. A properly mapped 1200 with the original pretzel and Mistral Hi-Pipe is an absolute joy.

Good to know! I looked for the Mistral dB killer and found one in Germany. Do you know of any us sources?

Thanks for the reply BTW.

Tony

Try MG Cycles in Wisconsin. They used to import Mistral.

Will do!

You might well find you can get a generic one off Fleabay measure the ID of the exhaust. Just ran a caliper over one of mine and it seems the ID of the pipe outlet is 48mm and the aperture of the dB killer is 30mm. The internal part of the killer needs to be on a 30 degree angle or thereabouts.

The actual holes in the killer tube can be modified as required.