6,000 mile service

I just returned from the local Moto Guzzi dealer in AZ. I was inquiring about the cost of the 6,000 mile service. I was quoted $520. Looks like 4 hours labor plus supplies. Before I left the shop I asked the service "advisor," 10w 60 right? He responded  with "no we use 10w 50." I said it's 10w 60 or forget it. He agreed but wanted to charge me for the upgrade. I said no, he acquiesced and I am on for next Friday. Such a pain in the ass.

I feel your pain Enzo. I'm close to 6k miles now and dreading it. We don't have a reputable dealer anywhere in the LA area, so I'll be taking a long ride to Escondido for the service. I hope Piaggio will focus on building a bigger and better dealer network. Pain in the ass indeed.

LBC I spoke with one of the guys at the dealership before leaving. He told me that the dealership is seriously considering dropping The Guzzi brand entirely. This particular dealership was owned for many years by a good friend of mine, he sold the shop about a year ago to a large group that owns multiple auto and Japanese motorcycle dealerships in Arizona. Apparently the leadership was not accustomed to European motorcycles and especially Guzzi. They don't just fly off of the floor like 600cc jap bikes. My only other option is to ride to Tucson and have the service performed there, it's a small three man operation, but well run. I actually bought my GRiSO there. Unfortunately it's 120 miles South of me.

Guys, learn how to do this stuff yourself - taint rocket science. There are enough experts on this forum alone to lead you in the right direction.

Enzo, if you don't want to do it yourself, maybe you are looking at things the wrongs way:
120 miles is what, a 2+ hour ride? Get up early, ride there, hand the bike over, book yourself into a hotel/motel/boarding house, go explore (maybe ask for a loaner while yours is being serviced), get yours back either the same day (but much later) or the next morning, go ride home but take the long way. Get some "personal" time and be at one with the universe.

Smiles for miles...

I agree with OZ...
After all that's what Guzzis are about, the ease of maintenance.

I'd do the simple maintenance myself, but I've got the flat tappets. Will Piaggio consider me an authorized service provider if they go tits up? If that day comes, I want to be good and sure they will be footing the bill for the roller kit.

120 mile rideout? Great excuse. Ride there, chill out, look around, ride back. No problem.

LBC Tenni wrote:

I'd do the simple maintenance myself, but I've got the flat tappets. Will Piaggio consider me an authorized service provider if they go tits up? If that day comes, I want to be good and sure they will be footing the bill for the roller kit.

OK, understood, and the fact that the support network is crap is, well, crap, but it's what you're stuck with.

The thing is that even if you pay for the work if you distrust the shop you should check it. Personally my experience in the US is that there are 'Good' shops and there are 'Box' shops. When in the US I deal with people I trust but I also know I can tackle 'Service' shit myself.

Look. If people would like me to do a quick run down on a basic 'Service/Tune' I can do it. The biggest issue is time as I find that sometimes when I post pics on this site my post will suddenly be deleted and I have to start all over again. That gets old fast. Also, even if that doesn't happen posting pics and editing links is time consuming and bothersome. Really, not wanting to be hubristic because that really shits me but I get on average between ten and twenty private messages each day about technical stuff. I really try to answer them all but sometimes I just get overwhelmed. No doubt here are a host of people out there who think I'm the biggest bastard yet un-hung but I really don't deliberatey ignorewople, I just run out of time, forget, or am dealing with something else. As I usually say in PM's be patient and nag. I will try. Just don't 'Demand'! Hat will get you a huge bowl of 'Fuck Off!'

Pete

To all that responded thank you for your input. I have decided to do the work myself, I agree it's not rocket science. I did the majority of work on my BMW K1200 GT and many others. Problem is that the arthritis in my hands got really bad this year and I am having trouble doing the simplest things, including riding the dam thing for more that 30 minutes. Enough whining about me.
The bigger issue is that the already thin network of Guzzi dealers in AZ is becoming thinner. In the past my friend ran a "Good" shop, in Pete's words, for Guzzi's and Ducati's. The tech's understood the brands and work was always top shelf. Now the shop's become a retail operation with little after the purchase support. Last night I decided it might be time to sell my GRiSO, get down to one bike, it's been a fun ride, don't know when I have ever enjoyed a bike more and I've had about 30 or so over my lifetime.

To LBC in Long Beach:
Pro Italia in Glendale did a good first service on my GRiSO. They are mostly a Ducati dealer but they appear to care about the MG's, they also use the correct oil, Redline 10-60.
I probably will change the fluids and filter myself and have them do the valve adjust just so I can say the dealer did it for the warrenty. Kind of a long ride from Long Beach but if you phone them they might arrange something.

I am lucky..re service ...I do my own oil/filter/fluid  changes and valve settings , but time for me is dear and riding time is limited all because of work and family ties...so for more major stuff I ride her off to a shop that has great mechanics and service , they work on all bikes and its a 1 hour ride to them on great roads.
I book it in they do it same day if possible and if not, I throw it in the back of my truck and pick it up later..
Motorrade in" Black Diamond " Alberta Canada..

I have always looked for the independent.. Mechanics /shop ..usually you can dig these guys out via references or reputations , they are out there....you may have to ride to them or truck your bike there but its worth it in the long run.
Oh it helps to have a truck/van as well ..buy one.. even an old git will come in pretty handy not just for yer bikes but almost everything else.just saying ...best vehicles to have if you are into bikes IMO .

I thought that in the USA there was something called the Magnusson Moss act or some such thing that meant that as long as you bought the correct parts warranty couldn't be voided if you did your own work?

Pete

Today I contacted an old friend Dave Hull, who owned the local Triumph, Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealership for many years. His son Tom Hull was a factory rider for Ducati and is also a Ducati and Moto Guzzi certified mechanic. I don't know why I did not think about him before. He has a small shop in Mesa AZ about 20 miles from my home. I will be taking the GRiSO there soon for the 6k service.

Good plan.

You are lucky to have that kind of neighbor!

Bill

Yep they are out there and when you find them and they are good every one wins

Pete Roper wrote:

LBC Tenni wrote:

I'd do the simple maintenance myself, but I've got the flat tappets. Will Piaggio consider me an authorized service provider if they go tits up? If that day comes, I want to be good and sure they will be footing the bill for the roller kit.

OK, understood, and the fact that the support network is crap is, well, crap, but it's what you're stuck with.

The thing is that even if you pay for the work if you distrust the shop you should check it. Personally my experience in the US is that there are 'Good' shops and there are 'Box' shops. When in the US I deal with people I trust but I also know I can tackle 'Service' shit myself.

Look. If people would like me to do a quick run down on a basic 'Service/Tune' I can do it. The biggest issue is time as I find that sometimes when I post pics on this site my post will suddenly be deleted and I have to start all over again. That gets old fast. Also, even if that doesn't happen posting pics and editing links is time consuming and bothersome. Really, not wanting to be hubristic because that really shits me but I get on average between ten and twenty private messages each day about technical stuff. I really try to answer them all but sometimes I just get overwhelmed. No doubt here are a host of people out there who think I'm the biggest bastard yet un-hung but I really don't deliberatey ignorewople, I just run out of time, forget, or am dealing with something else. As I usually say in PM's be patient and nag. I will try. Just don't 'Demand'! Hat will get you a huge bowl of 'Fuck Off!'

Pete

Pete an overview of the basics would be helpful if you feel so inclined. Thanks BK

Enzo
And anyone in SoCal.
I got my GRiSO with 5770 miles so the first thing I did was 6000 mile service. AND the spline lube. From my friend and one time co-worker Sean Fader at RTL Moto in Santa Ana.
$320
All Sean has ever done his whole adult life is work on Guzzi's.
And he was also Aprilia certified.
If he is close enough to you go to Sean.

DM

DM, appreciate the heads up but I found a guy here in AZ. I wouldn't mind a ride to San Diego though.....