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Still amazed by this bike, after 20 + years. Here picking it up in New Orleans in 2004 on my 50th birthday, an incredible gift from my wonderful wife. The next year Hurricane Katrina would wash this shop away! The Rosso still runs strong....I compare it to my other Guzzi, a 2022 V85 Guardia d Onore, and it has about 100% more Guzzi soul. Yes, both the bike and the wife are keepers for life. Andy

This took some doing, but I found this pic of @guzzler's GreenQueen . . .

I, too, have a wonderful wife who indulges my Mandello Syndrome. Don't want to mess that up by using the word "lust" here, but that sure fits my (continuing) yearning for a Rosso Corsa. I happened to be in an Atlanta dealer c. 2004 looking at one in their showroom window. As I drooled, a truck pulled up. loaded it, and took it to https://www.barbermuseum.org where, at least, I and others can look longingly at it. About the only "cheesecake" in my Moto Grappa is this ... I do, however, disagree, Andy, with your assessment about Moto Guzzi "soul" vis a' vis the V85. Aside from having, as do you, a saintly wife, I, too, own an "Oreo Guard." My V11, a Ballabio ... ... left my Moto Grappa, actually, even earlier, the Moto Grappa's beloved Atlanta predecessor, the GarageMahalo ... It makes me smile to think of it. With those Mistral cans, it made riding along water courses on backroads, inside tight, palisaded valley walls an absolute aural, and near-spiritual delight. It's why we ride motorcycles and Moto Guzzis, in particular. But, ah, the Guardia. When I first saw a V85, I found its "beak" and other Jurassic Park looks off-putting. I still am not at complete peace with that. Yet, overall -- after owning seven new Guzzis and ridden at least a dozen more from several Loops, two Nuovo Falcones, lots of Tontis, a Centauro, my own and others' Spines, and (ditto) Carcs, including several Spine LeMans variants, I think the V85 has 100% Mandello DNA, and ever bit as much of that elusive "soul" -- but, as did the SCOTUS justice, Potter Stewart, with pornography, we know when we see it. It is -- again, IMO, i.e., YMMV -- quirky beyond its gawky looks. Power? No, not the raw grunt of my Griso, or visceral joy of my Ballabio. Still, way enough for me; youngsters in years and personality may disagree. Comfort for long multi-day rides? Best of any motorcycle I've ever ridden. Better than my Norge -- minus weather protection. OK, wait; I did ride a 2003 Goldwing for some miles once. It wins. Go anywhere, even off-pavement? Except with my spunky little "Let's go!" Stornello, I am rarely on gravel, and never (Intentionally) with my EV or V85, on dirt, dual-track, or worse, but I get there more often than I want by following my GPS instead of tempering that with common sense. Handling? I find the V85 composed, willing, and certainly more capable than I am to take on the tight stuff at speed. I rode two V85's -- a '22 & a '25 -- in Corsica and Sardinia last fall. The pace was way faster than I like to ride on technical and unforgiving roads, but the V85's just said "Hang on!" and I did. Overall, it's Best in (My) Show ... [For C&W connoisseurs, in the second pic, that's Patsy Cline's first home on Back Creek Road near Gore, Virginia. ] Enough, with apologies for droning on, but I needed to help Andy understand that he was wrong. Seriously, how blessed we all are to ride this remarkable marque. Whichever Guzzi I am riding at the moment is my favorite. That is a great reminder that I need to get the V85 off of the lift ... ...and road ready for a jaunt to see the grands and then house- (and dog, cat, & gerbil!) sit in N.C. next month, followed by the Mutton Run to Kentucky and Catfish Crawl in the Ozarks. Retirement: best job I've ever had. Ciao! Bill

It was a good day for it.

The snow has cleared and a recent rain has removed the tons of salt left on the road. The V11 was rolled out of its warm bed to make this video commemorating the start of a new season. Remember to like and subscribe. Bwahaa! 2004 V11S

Finally off the stand! Yep, this project certainly dragged. It's easy to neglect the project bike when other bikes are ready and waiting. I got my ass in gear this last month and got it done.

I'll never forget the day I went to look at the Green one... As I've said before I actually called them ( the shop ) to enquire about it and remember asking about the colour.....It' not that lurid green one is it? My heart sank when they said yes as I really wanted a silver one! Anyway during the next week, the boys at work convinced me I could always paint it, and I should go and take a look at it...and so I did. You know even in a sea of exotica...MV Agusta's, Ducati's (modern and even a green frame replica! ) the odd Aprillia and the owners Vincent collection, you get the picture....The V11 STOOD OUT from the crowd! I was smitten completely the moment she fired up and bought her on the spot. The shop told me afterwards that the colour would grow on me and even though it was some time before I actually got my hands on her they were right and I can't imagine now how I didn't like the green at first! I love the bloody thing even more now! Cheers Ps I think the V11 LeMans looks much better in reality than some photos too. Pps Sorry but ole greenie is just a supermodel.....

Do NOT mess with what the Norwegians might think what tires could look like on a V11 . . .

OK, so here are pics of my vast tool! Well, actually three tools. I’ll endeavour to get the pics up and then if anyone needs further explanation I can add some. The largest one is for the clutch boss nut, the intermediate one is I think the driven shaft nut and the two smaller, three gear shafts use the smallest one. The dimensions are nut OD and tooth size for the peg slots. Many thanks to Rolf for making them for me and sending me a set. They’ve served me very well over the last probably quarter of a century!

Dunlop TT's on, just steering bearings left to check. She will be a sweatheart. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

Guzzisti provided the tees. Beth made the quilt. Eric delivered it. Chet loved it. blob:https://www.v11lemans.com/463c4903-6991-4a2d-91e2-c832cbb677be Bill

My Quota 1100 ES is also a 2000, which I bought new in 2001. Was my exclusive ride until I bought my V11S this year! No vintage/antique MC tags available here in Colorado.

Exactly. The Tenni was the first V11 I'd ever seen. I didn't even have to ride it. That said, any temptation regarding a motorcycle should be acted on.

Silly question here. We're all "converted". The V11 Models have various issues, mostly minor. You can find very extensive information on all of them here. It is possible to iron them all out. Go for a ride on it. You'll either love it immediately, or not. If you don't love it, don't buy it. If you do, buy it. It is really as simple as that. My V11 Le Mans has a number of problems, all solvable. My problem is finding the time to get onto them. Even so, every time I ride it, I come home with a smile on my face.

South'n SpineRaid Special!

Ahm, no.

I love the sentiment, but have to say for my part that despite now being solidly in the “smitten for life” category, the V11 was an acquired taste for me. I’m that way with a lot of things…. a character flaw. I’ve related here elsewhere on the forum that I literally scoffed at my riding buddy who originally bought one of the LeMans I now own, telling him who would buy such a ridiculous machine, as I compared it to my ST4, in a friendly competition type way, but in my mind the ST4 beat it in every category. I do still have a soft spot for the ST4, but it’s long gone, while it’s unthinkable to imagine selling the LeMans. And not that such detail is important, but since we’re musing, i’ll add that the first V11 for me, the one I had scoffed at earlier, was the one that I became smitten with, but it wasn’t true love till I got Red. Not really for the difference in paint, but I got Red completely sorted and purring like a kitten, in a way I could never quite do on Goldie. Same process, mods, etc., and Goldie now runs excellent, but there’s some kind of buzz/vibration and different “power band” that just isn’t quite right… or i’ll at least say its just different in a way i don’t prefer, while Red is "perfect" in my estimation (and Reds suspension is better dialed-in, which of course makes an important difference…i gave up on Goldies suspension when Red came along). Personality! part of what is endearing about these bikes.

9

Hello everyone! I'm Jaide, I've just turned 24 and with that I'm finally rid of the A2 license, and with that I've just upgraded from my restricted XSR 700 to a low mileage V11 Lemans. I'm probably the youngest member here, but I figured I'd join in case I need some advice with this bike. I came close to buying a V7 for my first bike, and after getting a Yamaha instead I just couldn't get those Guzzi's out of my head. And after a test ride I was immediately convinced I needed to get one!

I haven't checked it for any brand names but just looking at the design compared to a ledperf, it looks identical. And it seems to fit very nicely in there.

Yes, some dreams never die. So ... there is the Moto Grappa, home of my Guzzi moto-harem. Fewer now than in this pic four years ago, parading on the occasion of Moto Guzzi's 100th. I mentioned my (quite possibly loony) plan over on Griso Ghetto, and "Street" worked up this mockup. Yee ha! Looking into options to execute now, e.g., @p6x's mural approach. Obviously, if this happens, there will be a party. Last time I had such an event -- in Atlanta, for the christening of the GarageMahalo 20 years ago (gasp) -- the local Peroni distributor helped wet down the festivities. If the "Moto-Duomo Doors" happens, count on a similar event at the top of Virginia. This post constitutes your invitation. Bill

A little minor maintenance…decided to install new ignition coils…had them in the box for a year now…and since the tank was off…might as well. No difference vs the originals so that’s actually good! Ran a wire for my TomTom under the airbox to the battery since I had the tank off, I had an extra mount so now fully wired. Resealed the fuel sender unit at the tank with some Hylomar blue…no more leaks ( last leak was two years ago)…had some very minor drips over the last couple of weeks. Did a valve adjustment…a lot quieter…would like it quieter still but will run as is for now. Bike running beautifully…out for a ride with friend today…lent him my Griso.

Docs = The Silver Cyborg

I can be philosophical telling someone else to throw stuff away .

Leave it to Dr Peterson to so eloquently beard the lion. I've just moved to my new and presumably last home, after 26 years. No family so just a single guy's work and hobby junk. An amazing amount of crap. It forces one assign value to each item. I had to face the reality of the advice I had given a close friend not so long ago. He was bemoaning the amount of 'stuff' he had accumulated and didn't know where to begin. I told him that when he's gone, someone will walk through your things, look around, and throw most of it out. Little did I know at the time that he would pass within the year. Close family kept a small keepsake, auctioned or donated the rest. My girlfriend now gets to sort through her pile of belongings so her house can be sold. Country life awaits us. I have to buy a tractor. ... and a few other things

Yes, it is a Sport of course, but It will always be a Lemans to me. HA! It keeps my 77 (and my 73) company, and the Sport is the only bike that rivals the Lemans aurally

This belongs here today.

I am not going to participate in a thread about leather and pantyhose

Thanks for giving us the final answer to this quest. Always interesting. And also nice that you connect it to Occam’s razor[emoji3] Regards, David Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

That is a fine collection of "Rusty Star-Pickets " . . .

John Prine has a great writing style imo. A- not so snarky -protester. A similar, somewhat under the radar, lyricist is John Hartford Both artists have a boatload of tunes that are covered by others.

Now this is something I like to share with you. Some pages ago, I mentioned Iris Dement in a reaction and clearly did not know John Prine. Shame on me but even more a pity. When knowing the name, I all of a sudden saw it popping up everywhere. What a great guy he must have been, great texts, a true poet, mocking himself and enjoying every bit of it. And so much welcome by his fellow musicians. I really like to thank you guys on the forum to point my attention to John Prine.

The AMA has come through for me twice, and couldn't get to me a third time. The first overage was maybe $70. The second tow was 310 miles and the overage was $700. Yet, the advantage was: I called for assistance late on a Saturday evening in a relatively small town in North Carolina. The recovery operator had me loaded by sunset and was determined to get me home (at 3 am). I gave him a good tip. Ah, of course: the bass player. I can hear the keyboardist tell the lead guitar player, "If the bloke is never seen or heard from again, what bass I can't do with my left hand, you can do with your thumb." Cannon fodder!

That's a nice piece of jewelry! Only 105 Octane should pass thru that gate into the Greenie...anything less is not worthy!

Here's my latest tank cap. Titanium mount screws etc. I had the above Aprilia screw cap fitted for about 6 years or so before this one. Worked ok. Bit plain Jane but worked. Be aware that the flat body seal the Aprilia and all of these caps come with is Nitrile rubbish and will degrade and fall apart in a few years. I just bought some Viton/FKM sheet rubber of the correct thickness off fleabay and made my own. You can buy it in 100mm x 100mm squares of the desired thickness. Phil

Heh, well, we certainly get more of them per mile!

It does exist. https://www.jaycar.com.au/circuit-board-lacquer-spray-can/p/NA1002?srsltid=AfmBOooIOiwJEFgxR9MDQ2QNG0Xwu-E2653MgXqqdXuZnRR0qhZzoHYk Personally I'd be buying a spare ecu JIC. The other issue these 15M ECU's have is the Baro pressure sensor failing. Not a big deal if you live at seal level and don't ride into the mountains. You'll know it's failed via Guzzidiag if it shows dashes in the baro readout screen or if the bike starts acting a bit flaky with significant altitude changes . Phil

When I bought it 8 years ago, the bike looked like it had been under water. So I'm not surprised to say the least. What is surprising, is that the corrosion forms an edge exactly on a quarter if the print. As if it was physically dipped in water. I started her up yesterday evening and she runs like a sewing machine again. Very happy!

To clean the PCB I used Isopropyl alcohol, a very soft toothbrush and before everything dries a modest rinse with demineralized water (to move all that oxidation residue off). Then make sure the board is completely dry before testing.

But after turning it over, I noticed a bunch of oxidation connecting the traces on the board. The components close to the corner have been visibly hot because of this.

And kilometres are much more fun than miles.

SFS has a "city tax" and maybe from memory a separate tax on "environmental" as well. Even Americans when you speak to them about all this rubbish just put their heads down and start mumbling incoherently into their laps when you ask about it all. Looking around restaurant you see people with calculators working out the bill. While you are in DC visit the Smithsonian air and space museum, It's FREE and very very very good. I've also been to the Dulles museum as well and it's well worth the visit. Washington DC and Alexandria and Arlington are all must see places when in the USA. Richmond VA is also worth seeing if you're into Civil War history which I am. Phil

I'm sure you kept this opinion to yourself ! Calculate the most you think it's gonna cost and double it .

Don't overdo it. It's a tractor motor, and it has to rattle a bit.

Many thanks, of course we have a minimum wage, about £11 an hour going up to £12 in April. So of course as it is illegal to pay less the tipping thing is less important here. As an engineer I have never been tipped the same for my son who works for Hollywood Bowl. I assume our travel agent has paid all taxes on the flight and hotel, must check this. Life was so much easier when I was alive.

The only thing I can add is if I were going to use a Daytona seat assy I wouldn't be using this god awful bread box version but the Daytona RS version. Gundagai where this one is made isn't a million miles away from Pete Ropers place and about a 5 hour drive from mine. This one has been on the HMB site as a special for years. Take off 19% and add shipping. Michael may cut you a deal who knows. https://hmb-moto.de/Rear-Cover-Sport-Corsa-yellow-black

On the valve clearance,: Yes, it is a little thing to do in the morning with the cold engine and I only do this after I get annoyed by irregular ticking of the pushrods, it is definitely not a daily routine. And the other part: I used to organize trips for the Guzzi Club overhere and it is not that I had all of this in my bags, but we usually had this as a group. The ignition coil helped people back on the road again, just like a spare fuel pump that some one saved from an old Subaru (it worked fine on a EV or Cali 1100ie) and inner tubes and tyre spoons. . It is actually a kind of anekdote. One of us started to run on one cylinder. We removed the side panel of this Tonti Guzzi and one ignition coil was much warmer than the other. Well, you can imagine the guy thought this would be the end of the trip for him, but down in my bag I had this spare ignition coil. Ten minutes later we were going again.

Vinyl records and pick-up players. I offered a Thorens player (including an extra diamant needle) on a local e-bay site for 50 Euro (how stupid can you be?) some 20 years ago in an attempt to clear all the old audio stuff. Towers we called them, on top the pick-up, then an amplifier, the radio and below the double deck cassette player. All seperate units in a 19" rack. We had 3 of them, but this with the Thorens was the best. It was sold in 15 minutes, the guy arrived 1,5 hours later, had driven 200km (and 100km/h really is the max speed overhere. I knew by then that it could have gone for 10 times the price :-). Anyway, In all those 20 years after, I never played the records. So, I think, I should make somebody else happy with them. After all, they are getting popular again and before you know it they end up in a box behind all the windsurfing stuff. Anybody interested in a couple of boards and sails?