About to buy 2013 "Black Devil" GRiSO. ADVICE NEEDED

Hey Guys-

Been lingering on this forum for 2 years now and I finally have my eyes set on my first GRiSO. Found an unbelievable deal on 2013 black/silver GRiSO with Zard Exhaust and tail tidy already installed. The bike has just under 4K miles so the "deal" I'm hoping to get also has me thinking if its just too good to be true.
I did my homework and the engine # is A8 13912- well above the 13524 which has been rumored to be the first A8 engine to have the factory rollers but my question to everyone is if there are any true documented cases of flat tappet grisos out there with an engine number listed higher than 13524. I'm thinking I'm probably in the clear but its just one of those nagging issues in the back of my head. Hoping some you old time Guzzi Gurus can throw some cold water on my face and set the story straight.
-Eric

I have a 13 Black Devil with engine number A8014064 it has roller tappets. It burned out a speed sensor on the back wheel in the first week. At 12,000 miles it blew out part of the sump spacer gasket. The symptom is loss of oil pressure at idle with a hot engine. The damaged gasket causes an internal hemmorage. New gasket is $6, sump removal is messy but only takes a few hours to do. Other than that it been solid.

Somewhere in this forum is a case of a Black Devil with an engine number post roller that actually had flats. I'm sure of it.

I have a 2013, number A8 - 013777.

It has rollers

The guy also has a new 2016 Red/black for sale for $9165...also a good deal. Im torn!

Two Grisos from same guy?

Odd, no, unless this is a dealer?

Best wishes on deciding.

Bill

Yes, should have clarified it’s a dealer. Apparently another dealer in the area went out of business and this one bought up a bunch of the inventory at a massive discount. There really are no major differences between 13s and current 16s that i’m Aware of

The only way to be certain is to take a look under the tappet covers, its a 5 minute job and being at a dealers i am sure they would be happy to show you, if not, then perhaps something to hide?

It has a full service history?

Different sump and filter/OPRV mounting is the only real difference.

so it's easy right .....tell them about the sorry tale & ask them to take cam cover off and 'look-see':

1. if it's rollered BUY
2. if it's flat tappets then ask for another $1000 off (at least - depends how you want to fix it or pay to get done) OR ask them to roller it on MG dime....
3. If they say no then discount the 2013 one by $1000 and haggle

......and all through make the shout between 2015 no worries price versus 2013 cheap and risk

Or just buy them both

paulbrice wrote:

Or just buy them both  

That is the obvious solution!

Thanks Pete. I’v seen your posts throughout the interweb while doing this research and you definitely seem to be one of the most knowledgeable guzzi guys out there. if you had the choice between a 13 black/silver with Zard can with 4K miles for $7500 or a brand new 2016 red/black for $9100, which would you buy? I like idea of starting new on the 16, but at the same time the 13 is 98% the same as the 16 and it’s got the pipe thrown in as well. I’m not usually this neurotic about these things but I seem to have a bad case of paralysis by analysis. And THANK YOU everyone. I️m very happy i joined this forum so far

I've never seen a '13 plated bike with flat tappets, I think you'd be fairly safe there. Risks are more that if it's done any mileage it may of been 'Serviced' by a shaved ape who has screwed about with stuff he shouldn't screw about with, like the throttle bodies. Only way to find out is to ride it.

Both bikes will need their swingarm and shock linkage bearings greasing and it's worth running a spanner over most of the major fasteners. Make sure the shop knows how to service and tune it correctly or learn to do it yourself. If they are clueless you could easily end up in a world of pain with either machine.

If it was me I'd go with the thirteen but I'm an incorrigible tightwad who is so mean he can peel and eat an orange without taking his hands out of his pockets!

Pete

@sidrat negative on the service history. Just would be buying as is. Leaning towards the 16 at this point. Thinking of the extra $1600 as peace of mind insurance

Guess is comes down to history and if you like the pipe. If it runs well, ie good fueling, could indicate previous owner did right by it.

Guzz’s computer said my 2012 was flat but inside it’s a roller. Food for thought

So if the two bikes are from the same place, what is the deal for the 16 and swap the pipes :-)

I think I should end your suffering and decide for you.  

On those facts -- especially the no service history, "as is" sale, and (under the circumstances ) price difference -- buy the new one.

No need to thank me; it's what I do.  

Bill