Spring and/or shock upgrade for '08 Norge

[Guzzirider]

The Norge drags the center stand if I try to ride aggressively two up.
Does anyone have experience correcting this problem.

[bubba zanetti]

Yep.  I am 225 lbs plus riding gear and with my camping gear and extra bits, I drag it routinely. Hit a Botts Dot last summer and it felt really bad, nearly unweighting the rear in would have been a bad spot. I ended up losing the center stand bolts.

The answer is to take the center stand off or buy a HyperPro pr Penske shock. You can respring the stock shock with a HyperPro spring, but it requires a special set of tools or a friendly shop.

[radlefty]

Yup, not unusual at all. I could drag the centerstand on my 07 Norge solo. Replaced rear shock with HyperPro and went to heavier fork oil completely changed the handling characteristics of the bike.

[kendenton]

IIRC wasn't an easy solution to trim the rubber stopper the centerstand rests on?  Cut in half, something like that?

[Hambonee]

IIRC wasn't an easy solution to trim the rubber stopper the centerstand rests on?  Cut in half, something like that?

Yeah, the Seattle dealership made(s) it common practice for their Norges and mine had it done..helps a bit.

[Pete Roper]

Heavier spring. Easy and cheap.

Pete

[bubba zanetti]

There is a decent price on a spring on ebay right now ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Norge-1200-07-REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-SPRING-HYPERPRO-/350643412462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a3f9ddee

I did the cut down of the stopper to no real effect. It is simply an under sprung bike for spirited riding. I plan on getting a shock but the cost of the spring is mighty appealing.

[Hambonee]

There is a decent price on a spring on ebay right now ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Norge-1200-07-REAR-SHOCK-ABSORBER-SPRING-HYPERPRO-/350643412462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a3f9ddee

I did the cut down of the stopper to no real effect. It is simply an under sprung bike for spirited riding. I plan on getting a shock but the cost of the spring is mighty appealing.

Damn...that is a hella affordable upgrade. At roughly 205 before gear that might be helpful without breaking the bank.

Also, I seem to remember that 07' Norges came with 2 different rear springs. Once was significantly less beefy that the one on mine. There was some wrench test to check if you had the really crappy one. Found it on a Guzzi board....

[bubba zanetti]

Damn...that is a hella affordable upgrade. At roughly 205 before gear that might be helpful without breaking the bank.

If you go for it, post your impressions here. It is a long way to Spring here so I will hold off. I would also have to find someone to swap the spring as that is well beyond my tools and ability. Least I think it is ?

[Hambonee]

Not gonna be anytime soon but it is an upgrade I would be willing to make when I take the bike in for a spring servie. Just not enough riding time in the great north wet to do it.

I have a great dealership in Seattle who I would have do it...As I would think you would need some beefy tool to compress that spring and not shoot it through your head or something such...

[bubba zanetti]

Not gonna be anytime soon but it is an upgrade I would be willing to make when I take the bike in for a spring servie. Just not enough riding time in the great north wet to do it.

I have a great dealership in Seattle who I would have do it...As I would think you would need some beefy tool to compress that spring and not shoot it through your head or something such...

Good thread here on shock removal.
http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/188/4062.html

Now just need to find some info on building said spring compressor. The job kind of intimidates me but willing to give it a go.

You tube ...

[Guzzirider]

All very good information, thanks everyone for the input. Good to know there is a solution.

[bisbonian]

I crafted my own spring compressor out of scrap lumber and a floor jack as shown here:

http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/196/8001.html

Some people are not comfortable with this method, I've used it on a few different bikes.

[blakebird]

IIRC wasn't an easy solution to trim the rubber stopper the centerstand rests on?  Cut in half, something like that?

I added a Norge centerstand to my 1200 Sport (same chassis), and with the exhaust lowered to mount the Norge bags....the centerstand dragged alarmlingly early.

The rubber bumper is way thicker than it needs to be. I cut a bit off and tried it....kept doing that until I got enough off to eliminate the problem  -  and never thought of it again.

[bubba zanetti]

Found a local shop to do the spring swap so will be ordering a HyperPro shortly. Will take some pics of the dismantle etc.

[Oxman]

Hey Bubba ...what spring do you have on there now and what are you upgrading too ?

[bubba zanetti]

Hey Bubba ...what spring do you have on there now and what are you upgrading too ?

Mine is the 08 with stock spring. It is maxed and with bags full, I scrape rather harshly when I push the bike on left handers. On right handers, I drag my lowered peg. So I am looking at the HyperPro Springs. I see two sources. One on Ebay and one in New York. I will update when I confirm details of the spring costs and shipping. I ship to Washington State btw.

[flip]

A while back, I ordered a replacement Moto Guzzi rear spring from here:
http://parts.ducatisanantonio.com/p/Moto-Guzzi__NORGE1200IE/MOLLA-AMMORTIZZATORE-Hard-spring/3576146/981051.html

Maybe one of these days I'll get around to installing it.  

I checked with what was my local  Guzzi dealer and they had no tool to compress the spring so they couldn't do it. So, I checked with my not quite as local Guzzi dealer and they couldn't do it either.

[Oxman]

Mine is the 08 with stock spring. It is maxed and with bags full, I scrape rather harshly when I push the bike on left handers. On right handers, I drag my lowered peg. So I am looking at the HyperPro Springs. I see two sources. One on Ebay and one in New York. I will update when I confirm details of the spring costs and shipping. I ship to Washington State btw.

I think my 09 has a updated spring but not sure ...what color is yours ? and Sounds good ...keep me posted . at this point im more concerned with getting the front forks dealt with , more preload and perhaps thicker oil.  And for what its worth The one from ebay  ( motochepassionesrl )  i have dealt with them a couple of times and send them a note to see if they will ship for free... they did with me . I had my first product from them in three days ...from Italy !     fantastic.

[bubba zanetti]

I just got an email from Klaus at EPM Performance imports in NJ. He can ship me a HyperPro spring for $156 to 99114. Will be placing an order tomorrow by phone and see what custom spring they have for my weight and gear. Will post what I learn.

BTW the rear spring was improved on the 08 model year. But is still inadequate for my weight and gear.


Sent ... MePad.

[jdgretz]

I did the full upgrade on my '07 - shock and spring on the back matched to my normal riding profile and progressive springs and cartridge emulators in the front.  It makes a BIG difference.  The whole thing was right at $1K, but well worth it.  Also, if you still have the Metzler Z6s on the bike, get rid of them.  I am happy with the Dunlop Road Smarts.  A much better tire for the Norge.

The center stand bumper can be cut way down - cutting it in half is the starting point, and you can go a bit further if necessary.  I do a good portion of my riding, if not most of it, in the canyons.  I very seldom scrape hard parts any more.  I ride with my toes down as "curb feelers" to give me a bit of advanced warning so I'm not surprised when I do scrape pegs.

Good luck and I'll be curious as to how just the rear spring works out for you.

jdg

[mikebr]

Im replacing mine with a new Hyperpro shock and front springs, hopefully summer comes around quick.

[jdgretz]

Are you getting the HyperPro front springs or the new Matris spring kit from Todd at Guzzi Tech?  If you are getting the HyperPro springs, you'll probably want the cartridge emulators as well to complete the setup.

I suspect you'll be very happy with the results.

jdg

[mikebr]

Are you getting the HyperPro front springs or the new Matris spring kit from Todd at Guzzi Tech?  If you are getting the HyperPro springs, you'll probably want the cartridge emulators as well to complete the setup.

I suspect you'll be very happy with the results.

jdg

Klaus recomended just using the Hyperpro front springs as they have sold a few to Norge owners with no complaints. Cartridge emulators can be added afterward if needed.

Mike

[bubba zanetti]

Mike. How is your idle going on your bike ?  I have a fix in mind that keeps the stepper and limits the air flow via a petcock like device.

Mine starts great but upon warm up the the idle hunts at stops.  Yours ... ?

[mikebr]

Mike. How is your idle going on your bike ?  I have a fix in mind that keeps the stepper and limits the air flow via a petcock like device.

Mine starts great but upon warm up the the idle hunts at stops.  Yours ... ?

Jim, no issues with my idle plus removed  the charcoal canister as you did, solved the vapourlock in the tank.

My new shock and springs turned up today   just wish my garage was heated to install them.

[Pete Roper]

Mike. How is your idle going on your bike ?  I have a fix in mind that keeps the stepper and limits the air flow via a petcock like device.

Mine starts great but upon warm up the the idle hunts at stops.  Yours ... ?

Idle,hot or cold, shouldn't be an issue.

First thing to check is the air bleeds. If they are both open? There's yer problem. Get it tuned properly.

Pete

[Biking Sailor]

On my 1200 Sport, along with the rubber bumper cut, I needed to raise the muffler up slightly.  There is a spacer plate that drops the mounting down when the Norge Hardbags are installed.  Dave Richardson sent instructions that said to change the spacing from 30MM drop to a 20MM drop (if memory serves) by dilling a hole in between the existing ones.  That raised the "pedal arm" part of the centerstand a bit more and I can use tires to the edge with rarely ever scrapping.  Of course, I don't ride two up but carry quite a bit of stuff in the bags.

[alphabet man]

Klaus recomended just using the Hyperpro front springs as they have sold a few to Norge owners with no complaints. Cartridge emulators can be added afterward if needed.

Mike

 I picked up my Norge yesterday it came with a hyperpro rear shock which probably needs adjusting and a set of front springs not yet installed, did you have to remove the forks to install the front springs or just take the bar risers off the top and leave the forks in place

David

[bubba zanetti]

 

Very nice looking. Those springs are extremely hard to install on the silver Guzzi's. I am willing to install them on mine as a demonstration.  

[alphabet man]

 

Very nice looking. Those springs are extremely hard to install on the silver Guzzi's. I am willing to install them on mine as a demonstration.  

 You are a saint Jim, but I couldn't put you through that, forks look like they come off easy, and I guess I will change the oil, what weight are you using? 10 or 15?

[jdgretz]

 You are a saint Jim, but I couldn't put you through that, forks look like they come off easy, and I guess I will change the oil, what weight are you using? 10 or 15?

I'm running 20w in mine.

jdg

[Oxman]

im  upgrading to Hyperpro springs and going with 15 in mine

[bubba zanetti]

Running 15 in mine and it is ok. Needs the springs though. Likely do that later this summer.  

[alphabet man]

Running 15 in mine and it is ok. Needs the springs though. Likely do that later this summer.  

 Easy peezy job, easiest fork removable of any bike I have owned

[Oxman]

Hey Dave .... You  are running the Hyperpro springs in your forks correct ? So what oil level did you put in ...The tag I got with mine say for 90 mm from the top and the guzzi service manual say 120 mm .