Exposed rockers

[RICHARD YAMANE]

What are guys doing about lubing the exposed rockers?

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

[Dave Knaack]

I’ve always used a drop of 2 stroke oil before I ride. Drop it on the keepers and it’ll find its way down to the guide 

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On Oct 22, 2025, at 1:38 PM, 'RICHARD YAMANE' via Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



What are guys doing about lubing the exposed rockers?

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

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[Rick Yamane]

Nothing on the pivots or pushrod end?

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[Rick Yamane]

Teach me to ask a question  when the bike isn’t sitting in front of me. Lol!

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From: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Rick Yamane <ri...@motionpro.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2025 1:29:55 PM
To: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: [guzzi-singles] Exposed rockers

 

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[jerry atric]

Mine usually have enough oil mist flying around to lubricate everything, due to the less than perfect, seals. 😂

[Rick Yamane]

I have oil mist everywhere but there! 

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From: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of jerry atric <baconsl...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2025 12:21:55 PM
To: Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>

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[jerry atric]

Perhaps you need to ride it harder!!!!😂😂😂

[RICHARD YAMANE]

That should happen. It’s still very much on break-in. Maybe 50 miles worth of run time on it?

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

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[jerry atric]

In my experience, the biggest lubrication problem is the exhaust valve guide. My local vintage engineering specialist took a lot of convincing before they believed the huge clearance specified by Guzzi. I've had a few cases of valve seizing in the guide. The key is to use iron guides and non-stainless valves. In Europe/UK, all new valves are stainless which picks up on iron. I wouldn't worry about the rest of it.

[RICHARD YAMANE]

That sounds like a good reason to run a good lead substitute on a fresh engine. I had that problem on a Rotax 605 engine in the mid-nineties. My ATK dealer mentioned it was a common problem due to some tight manufacturing clearances and the loss of lead fuels.

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

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[jerry atric]

I'd never thought about lead substitute, good point.

[hicter...@scarlet.be]

The lead substitute is only used to lubricate the valve seat, not the guide.

Claude. 

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[John O Regan]

HI All,

I have used graphite chain spray on the exposed valves / valve gear on several of my bikes  for a lot of years

It seems to stay in place on hot running vintage engines. 

I use high temp grease in the rocker pivots

John

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[pouma1954]

When using stainless valves, the engine builder needs to take that into account when honing the guides. Nothing to do with lead substitute which is totally useless on a Guzzi single.

Paul

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-------- Message d'origine --------

De : jerry atric <baconsl...@gmail.com>

Date : 29/10/2025 19:48 (GMT+01:00)

À : Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com>

Objet : Re: [guzzi-singles] Exposed rockers

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[pouma1954]

Yes, and only if necessary. 

Paul

Envoyé depuis mon appareil Galaxy

-------- Message d'origine --------

De : hicter...@scarlet.be

Date : 29/10/2025 20:37 (GMT+01:00)

À : guzzi-...@googlegroups.com

Objet : Re: [guzzi-singles] Exposed rockers

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[jerry atric]

Of course, yes, the comments on lead are correct. The received wisdom for stainless valves is to use phosphor bronze guides ( I can't remember the actual name of the modern equivalent).

[Paul Compton]

Phosphor Bronze is just about the worst guide material, for any type
of valve material. A Silicon or Aluminium Bronze, like Colsibro or
Trojan are good choices. Beryllium Copper would be very good, but
there are serious health risks when machining it, so its use is now
very limited.

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Paul Compton
www.paulcompton.co.uk (YouTube channel)

[MIKE CURTIS]

The level of expertise in this group never ceases to impress me! Thanks; nice knowing you.
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> On Oct 30, 2025, at 5:26 PM, Paul Compton <paul.c...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Phosphor Bronze is just about the worst guide material, for any type

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/guzzi-singles/CAGKfbecwDJEL3FMW0o4GWpdnymoNkfuF%2B%3DjDgL6dZcdWkO-ZYw%40mail.gmail.com.

[jerry atric]

Thanks Paul; Colsibro is what I was trying to think of. I'm no way, an expert in the field but am just repeating what I learned from the specialist engineers over a nightmare year of problems with a GTV.