Moto Guzzi Airone / Lodola / Stornello — Example photo: Lucarelli, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Moto Guzzi · Moto Guzzi horizontal single (Falcone, Airone 1934-1976)

Airone / Lodola / Stornello

Library entry covers 1939-1974

20 factory 56 guideline

Published source

Moto Guzzi Rider's Handbook, Stornello Sport (August 1963) [English] (Moto Guzzi), Table for Periodical Maintenance pp.21-22; scan hosted by Gregory Bender

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1963 Stornello Sport rider's handbook (English); the row's other horizontal-cylinder OHV singles follow the same pattern.

76 items for a 1941 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear: Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: DC generator with regulator
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1941 Moto Guzzi Airone / Lodola / Stornello

On the road: every 200 mi

2 items

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Check oil level in the crankcase. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 300 km (200 miles), with tire pressures
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Check tire pressure using a gauge. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 300 km (200 miles)

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 6,000 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Nuts and bolts: check tightness. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles); first after running in, especially cylinder head nuts (p.20)

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

7 items

Lubricate manual advance / retard control and cable

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 1,200 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Check level of electrolyte in the battery. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: monthly in summer, less often in winter; also every 2000 km (1200 miles)

Every 1,200 mi

5 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Renew engine oil and clean filter. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 2000 km (1200 miles); first at 500 km
Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor: clean filter in banjo union. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 2000 km (1200 miles)
11) Battery. Check level of electrolyte and top up, if necessary.

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: As printed: Every 2000 kms (1200 miles)
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Rear chain: wash with gas and smear lightly with grease. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 2000 km (1200 miles); grease whenever the chain looks dry (p.27)
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Speedo drive: inject grease through the nipple on the front brake block. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 2000 km (1200 miles)

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

2 items

Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

2 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Guideline
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 1,800 mi

1 item

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Sparking plug: clean and check points gap. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 3000 km (1800 miles); gap 0.6 mm

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

14 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check generator drive belt or chain

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi

1 item

Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Flywheel alternator: clean, lubricate and check contact points. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 5000 km (3000 miles); gap 0.40 mm

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

4 items

Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect generator brushes and commutator

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

4 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 6,000 mi

5 items

Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cylinder head: remove all carbon deposits. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles); grind in valves if necessary (p.40)
Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor: strip, check and clean. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles)
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Petrol pipes and tap: clean out thoroughly, especially the filters. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles)
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Telescopic fork: check fluid level. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles); 125 cc per leg (p.28)
Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head cups: pack with grease. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 10,000 km (6000 miles)

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi

1 item

Clean centrifugal oil filter (rotor / slinger)

Engine

Factory

Manual: Clean centrifugal oil filter. Factory: Table for periodical maintenance pp.21-22: every 20,000 km (12,000 miles) per the table; the text on p.26 calls cleaning it every 2000 km good practice

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 10 years

1 item

Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

No interval set

3 items

4) Check and adjust tappets (see «Tappet Adjustment»).

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: After 500 kms. (300 miles)
5) Ensure all nuts and screws are tight.

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: After 500 kms. (300 miles)
6) Renew engine oil and clean filter (See «Lubrication of engine-gear box unit»).

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: After 500 kms. (300 miles)

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

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Other 1941 Moto Guzzi models

All 1941 Moto Guzzi

1934-1967

GTV / GTW / Condor / Astore / Falcone