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Almost twenty years ago I saw a bike (V11 Lemans Tenni) on the cover of a popular motorcycle magazine and I thought, "that is the most beautiful motorcycle I've ever seen." I was riding a BMW R1100R at the time, quite a good bike, but something about the Guzzi caught and stayed with me. I found, and bought a red 2003 V11 Lemans in Kentucky, and rode it happily for years. I decided I need something for the mountain twisties where I'd later moved (not understanding the limitation was the rider and not the machine) and I bought a KTM 990 SMT. Now in my 60s and not well, I looked back and realized I'd never had as happy a relationship with a bike in my life as with my V11 Lemans. Last week I sold the KTM, an amazing bike on its own, and bought a 2003 Lemans from Arizona. It's being shipped in a week or so to me in New Hampshire. It feels like reuniting late in life with a first love -- I don't know why I ever left her. I'll have some questions for the forum I'm sure once the bike arrives, but for now I'm so happy just looking forward to it. Big thanks to Bruce, the seller, who has been great to deal with. Here's a picture --

That is my old greenie. I actually liked that paint a little better than the stock color. It has just a touch more sass. And greenies like a touch of sass.

You will do exactly like I did , live with it and don't dwell on it . I know SAE says you need the width of the nut on a fastener . This just doesn't look right and I don't think two threads on two nuts is going to destroy your bike .

sorry, Imgur was not playing ball. fixed

Installed my genuine err... Vespa.. shift lever pivot bolt and brass bushes today to take out the horrendous slop (the pivot was bent!), nice and tight now. Seems they don't even bother to mention Guzzi on the factory parts any more, too exclusive??😁 Getting those original bushes out was interesting... I see the new ones are slotted, to allow easy destruction later.

Hey Phil, Tks for posting the article and the photos The innards on some of those engines are like beautiful works of art. It's hard to believe that something that looks like the workings of a fine Swiss watch, can power a race bike , screaming around a track. Kelly

Just came across this article. Looks like Kevin and I are on the same page. https://www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/about-motorcycle-engine-cam-drive-systems/ Ciao

Or a "Gow-Job!" Just learned this from the Hagerty Drivers Club: 6 hot rod body styles you need to know

Well it can be. I submit as evidence wrapped header pipes on a V11. A hotrod item best left to the hot rod world. I'm taking a broad interpretation of hot rod. Ciao

Yes docc, I removed the studs on the Daytona engine when it was apart by the old method of a pair of nuts locked together and it was ok to do on the bench but you dont have enough stud length to do that with the gearbox mounted. With the plate fitted and the washers removed the threads end up just a little under flush which isnt aircraft standard and I'd rather it a thread and a half protruding but I know its not going to cause an issue as long as you keep an eye on them for loosening. When I refitted my original studs I used blue loctite and left them a couple of turns from fully bottomed as there's tons of thread engagement in the cases but when I fitted the nuts probably due to their locking feature it broke the loctite and just wound the studs back in to where they were before. In hind sight I should have machined up a little plug to fit down the stud hole so it bottomed on something. Ciao

Bad? No - just advisable if not necessary! Am guessing that better coils are available. Would do coil-on-plug, but then I would need "Overwidth Vehicle" flags and flashing yellow lights.

You are so right Docc,, was even inked in 78 with 426 Hemi. 9 years ago the misses, Rose, was 50,, so exspensive flowers with wheels,, well deserved , hanging in since early seventy's Side comment,,, every time I'm entering the garage, I never stir my eyes towards the sort of new 1250 HP GS,,, just towards V 11 and tonti's... at least a good illness. Wishing enjoyable riding for everybody. Cheers tom