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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 --

another "playing for change song" --- and one of the very best songs

Why does everyone else's bike look PERFECT ?

You might want to sit down for this. iPhone 11 Unretouched.

Congratulations! What a beauty! The same happened to me early 2003: I had been riding BMWs for ages and then.... Eureka (aka "Aha erlebniss"): I discovered the V11. I will never sell my red lady. Let the Eagle Fly!

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Hi Bridge Oh, what an introduction! I applaud your introspection - heartfelt, insightful and with a lovely hint of hard-earned wisdom and world weary resignation looking back on love once lost. That futile sweet and sour journey of having moved on, moving forward embracing the future - and yet the yearning to feel the embrace that first inflamed your senses lingered. I hear you man. It’s indeed a rare event that the planets align perfectly and paths intersect for a second chance... She’s a beauty. Don’t blow it this time! 🍻

Came across an interesting fact about seals today that might be worth remembering Some modern oil seals are made from PTFE and must be installed dry. They rely on transferring some of the seal material to the shaft in the initial running so its a PTFE against PTFE situation. If you install them with lubricant they will leak within a few hours running. Don't think its applicable to older Guzzi's but worth bearing in mind for modern applications. If the install procedures dont specify some grease on the seal then assemble dry. Ciao

It's a beauty!

Yes it's engineering art. I love engineering, it's science and engineering together that's propelled mankind to where we are now. I was watching a doco the other night on the building of the English canal system in the 18th and 19th century and the men that engineered it and any of those great engineers from back then would be brilliant engineers today as well if you could resurrect them. Ciao

Fone cameras are getting to be *very* good..

Well done and well spoken...…. Keep us informed. Ciao

Great looking Motorcycle!

That is so nice! Congratulations and looking forward to the post about the day it is delivered.

I love your bike, but admit to being biased, I recently purchased the exact same model and color, with bizarrely a similar back story of the one that almost got away. My low mileage 2003 V11 Lemans in black, had been for sale locally for a few years, but naturally I waited until it was bought and being resold 4 hrs away before I decided to buy it. Congrats on your new to you bike and welcome to the forum, you'll find the knowledge and community support here, second to none. Ride safe and often take care Kelly

Welcome! Also in my 60s and still have the original 1977 850 LeMans brochure and Cycle Magazine test that started the desire. Got married shortly thereafter and kids after that. Since 2008, after 11 years of accumulating a nightmare medical resumé, I decided it was time or I would never have the chance. Wasn't entirely sure which model I wanted, but found an '04 Ballabio that had been babied. I saw it. I caved. Up in NH, with those roads, you'll love it.

Thank you all, so dearly, for sharing the music! Gettin' me through . . . This last one had me pullin' on The Velveteen Rabbit . . .

I so seriously love that back LeMans/ Red frame sideplate ("Stilettos" ) with the red ignition wires! Nice find, bridge! Your excitement is palpable!

Got license plates yesterday, new Pirelly Angel GT and new front bearings on the Greenie. PO di'nt like corner's, plenty of meat left on the Dunlops, but flat like a , di'nt handle good, compared to my R Corsa with Øhlins and Pirelly GT's. Checked the frame, straitgh to my abillity, wondering about suspension , new GT's today = NICE. Will do a new sync after a trip in the mountains, first tuning Meinolf 's way, 2-3000rpm in town traffic speeds, not perfect, rest of the curve = YES. I know I mentioned it before, my Greenie felt like a bomb compared to my R Corsa , but felt more even today ??? More reports later. What a serious relationship. Still V early in the season up here, theyr'e , not going anywhere. Next week 6c and rain Yes I have another IPA. Cheers Tom Sent fra min SM-A505FN via Tapatalk