hello from southwest Florida

Fissionmaker wrote:

Welcome to bikestardom! Be aware that it's likely you'll never meet another GRiSO on the road, so don't get lonely. Get the plug cap mod done at your first valve adjustment service (unless you want another reason to replace a stock silencer that's been annealed by an unburned fuel cat fire -- ask me how I know).
Peace, ride on safely.

The plug cap mod is only necessary if your mechanic is a ham-fisted ape. Treat your stock leads fairly and they will last and last. That being said, I have replacement caps at the ready should I ever mistreat my stockers. Besides, the lead channel covers fit better with the angled stockers than the straight caps.

I resent being called a ham-fisted ape, thank you. Even with the most careful removal, mine were arcing to the cover after the first valve service. Add rainwater to the mix and you're running rough quickly. Those stock caps are crap IMHO.

I've had my plugs in and out more times than a rabbit at an orgy and I've still got perfect stock leads. It's the technique.

beetle wrote:

I've still got perfect stock leads.

Should I buy-sell-hold Piaggio? Glad it is a non-issue for you. I'll be the first to say the NGK fix isn't perfect because it doesn't seal the port like OEM, but that's the only weakness. Unless you are aware of the OEM design/maintenance induced vulnerability, it's bound to cause problems and leave you stranded. It happened to me and it was a PITA. Wish I could remember why I never had this problem on my bike of yore -- an '82 Honda GL500. Now back to regularly scheduled programming.

beetle wrote:

...in and out more times than a rabbit at an orgy...

bwahahaha

hey, all thanks for the info. i have great news! local dealer called yesterday and after 9 days, i have my bike back! picked him up last night. happy to be be back in my garage! apparently retorquing the oil pan bolts was all it took. will keep a close eye on it.
i have been doing some reading on the spark plug issue. i still dont fully understand the scenario. does the spark plug boot fit poorly?
i am fairly meticulous when it comes to maintenance. i am a technician by trade, for the last 10 years, specializing in european vehicles. only had my hands on a few italians though.. they're finicky!
that being said, i still have a set of plug boots on order. should arrive tomorrow.
thanks all for the warm welcome!

The stock boots fit well, they're just a bit on the 'delicate' side. A gentle touch of a lovers hand is all they need.

The flexible insulation beneath the elbow on the cable to the plug cap easily develops cracks either through tugging to pull the cap off or just aging. The high voltage shorts to the valve cover and the cylinder doesn't fire. If you don't shutdown within a couple miles, the unburned fuel will burn in the catalytic converter section of the silencer. That can ruin the cat and disfigure the finish on the silencer. Also, riding in the rain will make the situation a lot worse due to the elbow being so close to a ground.

I went through two OEM plug leads and even wrapped electrical tape around the elbows before wising up and doing the NGK cap mod. No issues in the 30K+ miles since that mod. So if you ever experience misfiring, check your leads. And splice in the NGKs.

Fissionmaker wrote:

The flexible insulation beneath the elbow on the cable to the plug cap easily develops cracks either through tugging to pull the cap off or just aging. The high voltage shorts to the valve cover and the cylinder doesn't fire. If you don't shutdown within a couple miles, the unburned fuel will burn in the catalytic converter section of the silencer. That can ruin the cat and disfigure the finish on the silencer. Also, riding in the rain will make the situation a lot worse due to the elbow being so close to a ground.

I went through two OEM plug leads and even wrapped electrical tape around the elbows before wising up and doing the NGK cap mod. No issues in the 30K+ miles since that mod. So if you ever experience misfiring, check your leads. And splice in the NGKs.

A good summary of the potential problem.  It's a wise man who has a set ready to go, and it's a quick fix if you need it done.



Here are a couple of tricks to make plug boot removal a bit easier during the next service.

Zip-Tie "Rip Cords"
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Along with lubing the boot inside and outside on the sealing ribs for the easy slip.  I use dielectric grease.
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The vestigial tail...
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Very clever. Hey speaking of services, i will be approaching my first service very soon. How important is it to have the dealer do the first service? They told me something about preserving the warranty, and that piaggio wants to see the first service done at an authorized dealer. I am a professional wrench and more than competent enough to change a few fluids and adjust valves. Has anyone ever heard them refusing warranty claims due to not having the first service done at the dealer?
I am very wary of allowing others touch my vehicles, especially after i receive my bike back with a body panel bolt not installed properly and stripped out.

I've always (3 GRiSO times) had the first service done at the dealer for that very reason.  All subsequent services I have done, and documented, myself.

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Steak, I thought you ran NGK caps?

Grisonut wrote:

Steak, I thought you ran NGK caps?

Not yet. I have them on hand should I ever snap the insulators on the stockers. No need to swap them out yet.

Steak wrote:

Grisonut wrote:

Steak, I thought you ran NGK caps?

Not yet.  I have them on hand should I ever snap the insulators on the stockers.  No need to swap them out yet.

You will get pissed if you get caught in the rain with the stokers...

Grisonut wrote:

Steak wrote:

Grisonut wrote:

Steak, I thought you ran NGK caps?

Not yet.  I have them on hand should I ever snap the insulators on the stockers.  No need to swap them out yet.

You will get pissed if you get caught in the rain with the stokers...

I live in Seattle, when do I not ride in the rain???  

Not a hiccup yet since October 2012 - rain's got nothing on me...

You're lucky.
Mine won't idle when wet.