This week brought an unexpected hiccup during a Sunday ride on my Moto Guzzi V100. What started as an enjoyable outing quickly turned into a roadside stop when I noticed my left boot becoming unusually slippery. My initial fear was an oil leak, a common motorcycle worry, but that concern shifted as soon as the distinct sweet smell of coolant reached my nose.
The Water Coolant Leak was clearly emanating from the area between the cylinders. However, the extensive plastic fairings of the V100 made it impossible to pinpoint the exact source without further investigation. Adding to the concern, the coolant reservoir was already empty, indicating this was not a minor seepage but a significant coolant leak. Knowing I couldn’t ride further, I called my wife for a rescue mission with the van.
Sundays being Sundays, and my local dealer closed until Tuesday, I decided to take a DIY approach and remove some of the motorcycle’s plastic bodywork myself. Hoping for a simple fix like a loose hose clamp, I embarked on what felt like an epic journey of screw removal. After what seemed like unscrewing a thousand fasteners to detach the plastic panels, screen, fuel tank, and airbox (which, surprisingly, wasn’t as securely mounted as I expected), the source of the coolant leak remained elusive.
During this disassembly process, I did stumble upon a loose wire connector near the ignition key. It was disconnected, and in my focus on the coolant issue, I didn’t immediately reconnect it. (If anyone knows what this connector is for, I’d appreciate the insight – wiring diagrams aren’t my forte!).
Removing the throttle bodies seemed like a step too far for my roadside repair attempt. Admitting defeat for the day, I decided to reassemble everything as best I could and contact the dealer first thing Tuesday morning. They quickly diagnosed the problem: a poorly installed hose clamp had damaged a coolant hose, leading to the leak. Thankfully, it was a relatively straightforward fix. By Wednesday, I was back on the road, enjoying the V100 once again.
This experience, while initially frustrating, did provide some insights into the Moto Guzzi V100’s construction. It seems the bike might be assembled with a focus on speed over meticulous detail in certain areas. The sheer number of screws used in the bodywork is noteworthy, and the location of the thermostat, nestled between the cylinders, is an interesting design choice. Despite this minor setback with the water coolant leak, the V100 remains a stunning and enjoyable motorcycle.
