Leaderboard

Bought this motorcycle in 1979 from a guy in Marion VA. I was 22 years young. Rode the heck out of it until winter of 1982. That was shortly after my oldest son was born. The bike took a back seat to other life priorities (and my wife's insistence that I give up road bikes until both of our sons were grown). She was okay, however, with riding the dirt instead. So the Eldo got shuffled around, into sheds, onto and off front porches, finally into a garage I built. At one point I tried to give it away. Gratefully I never carried out with that plan. Once I retired I still didn't have time to restore so I ended up hiring a guy to handle the task. Here's a pic I took couple of weeks ago on Fort Monroe, Hampton VA of her in fully restored condition. She rides like an old bike, brakes and all. But I love her. Told the wife I'm gonna make a room in the house so she can stay warm and dry each winter. Ha!, she said "no".

118208708_3167792959941768_6839143783665973872_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr 118191090_3167793186608412_5258434246063902414_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr 118248262_3167793219941742_2554938741030981586_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr 118168019_3167793106608420_3838692331055736594_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr 118209602_3167793046608426_4586231201704335463_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr 118204010_3167792949941769_829049669166855045_n by Neil Morgan, on Flickr

Somone was thinking right! Cannot understand why Guzzi did not use a single throttle body with port injectors? - What synchronization? What idle balance? TPS and done. And, since we're reinventing the wheel, why not a 4V pushrod head? Although it would sacrifice some, the original port openings could be used. Just different (lighter) pistons to match the pent roof heads. Oh, daydreaming can end so abruptly and unsatisfyingly.

Okay... before I go further - on my bike the O2 sensor site was relocated on the left header just in front of the oil dipstick when a MassMoto X-over was installed. The existing O2 sensor was just rerouted to that location. Whilst my bike was noticeably freer-breathing from mid revs all the way to redline and my riding habits had shifted up the range by some 500-1000rpms - what should be noted was that there was no real actual change to my bikes modus operandi style in the low range. There was that occasional fart, sometimes a stumble, a miss... all the usual things that’s inherent in our V11’s character. However, after translating Ube’s 2006 posting recommendation I set to sourcing & pricing up the genuine Bosch LSH24 sensor identified as the LS3805 aka 0258003805. Removing the existing sensor it was a surprise to find it was an NTK OZA341-BB1 sensor. More research subsequently revealed this was the NTK manufactured equivalent to Bosch‘s LSH15 calibration curve. After install for the first two rides on seperate days an adaptation procedure was followed: 1. Start engine & allow to idle for 5 minutes. 2. Drive vehicle for 5 minutes between 20 & 30 MPH. Do not allow RPM’s to exceed 3000 RPM’s. 3. Drive vehicle for 15 minutes between 40 & 60 MPH. Do not allow RPM’s to exceed 3000 RPM’s. 4. Stop vehicle & allow to idle for 5 minutes. (It’s late - be back tomorrow... 💤)

Hey Tom. Congrats.....you should not ride that one at all and Ill approach you when this covid thing is over and make you a fair offer. Also I have a fellow enthusiast that has that same machine he bought new and presently has about 80,000 KLMs on it with virtually no paint separations on engine cases or other....... Just to let you know there are good ones out there but its rare. Ciao

I got yer big jugs right here, pal..

Had a good run on 2 wheels (30 years) - bought a killer convertible and I'm done for a while. People just can't be bothered to pay attention any more. VT4L

Both of my V11's are up for sale - pics and words here. Contact me for more details and photos. https://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/d/shrewsbury-2000-moto-guzzi-v11-sport/7179794273.html https://worcester.craigslist.org/mcy/d/shrewsbury-1998-moto-guzzi-v11-ev/7179792706.html VT4L

I love it when people keep a bike or car for a significant percentage of their life. A tangible, physical connection to their life journey and history. I've sold so many things over time and all I have to show for it at the end of the day is some soulless cash in the bank. Very nice. Phil

2016 Norge, love it!

The house would profane that beauty. You need a shrine! Covered, insulated, heated and A/C...

What a beautiful bike and story! I agree, you need a heated ground level space for a special bike like that.

Beautiful! I have wanted one for a long time.

How many people are ahead of me on the "If you ever decide to sell it . . ." list?

Beautiful!

Here's the same tank ring set KINDAOY2 recommends with the kit diagram/parts list/pics attached. This is installed on my '03 LM with a bigger, farther setback tank bag (15-21 Liter). If you can purchase the kit, then purchase multiple mounting rings (Pc. 2) you can stack 2 or 3 and just adapt longer bolts for it to work out and still clear the chin pad. See pics. https://i.ibb.co/DfFdrvj/0820200948.jpg https://i.ibb.co/fCM1CR0/0820200949-HDR.jpg https://i.ibb.co/5TmVtLr/0820200949a-HDR.jpg https://i.ibb.co/CMf7670/0820200950c-HDR.jpg https://i.ibb.co/drfWN4d/0820200955.jpg https://i.ibb.co/Rvcb9gK/0820200955a.jpg https://i.ibb.co/vXBThPR/0820200955b.jpg

Bimota tried solving the brake and fork flex back in the 80’s with the Tesi Even raced it a few times. It did work to eliminate the changing geometry. Unfortunately the rods and such when starting to wear out would completely screw it up. It was a design best used for racing where the suspension would be rebuilt after each race. A few hundred were built for road use and are highly sought after. If you can find one for sale, expensive as well.

yeah the tranny looks good, but the engine case finish would def start to flake if washed with a hose blast. I'm gonna go real easy on it.

Found these Mistrals made from pure unobtanium on German Ebay, also c/f side panels, GB bellypan and front mudguard

Well that's using the CO trim like an axe when with Guzzidiag combined with Tunerpro you can apply a scalpel. The ability to manipulate the bin file is the key to great running and it's not hard. I'm no IT guy and even I think it's a doddle. Ciao

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread, but... in case anyone else has this question, I recently had a chance to try the Griso bags on the OEM V11 Sport/Le Mans brackets. SPOILER ALERT... they don't work. The mounts are the same, no issue there. The problem is that the Griso bags are taller, and simply don't clear the V11 exhaust. Not even close. __Jason

Yes reading Dave Richardsons latest book not all the wrinkle finish engines were affected only the earlier ones. Seems it was a batch issue.Interestingly no gearboxes with the finish were an issue. Ciao

I would like to know more about the front brake set up and what was trying to be achieved. Andy

Correct. Classic signs of Relay #2 (and Relay#1 on early V11). Even “good” relays can be under rated. If the battery is a PC545, check the voltage sequence and perform conditioning as indicated. Maybe she’s just “gettin’ to know ya!”

I came across these old personal images I had posted on the internet years ago. I had forgotten all about them but when I went looking for images of brake reaction rods etc there they were. This was my Bimota DB1 with its custom alloy fuel tank (hidden) its Racing Campag wheels ( hand cut slick on the back) Staintune mufflers made for me by Sandy that owns Staintune, four piston Brembo calipers and other mods I cant remember. In the background is my lovely modified Hailwood Mille that I smashed to bits,sigh and the fairing for my TT2 Ducati race bike just peaking out there. Here is our race bike after finishing the the 86 F1 TT. back to camera brown jacket Axle the owner of the bike, facing in the leather is Pete Muir our rider in the blue jumper is an English race whose name I have forgotten but we got friendly with and he assisted us in our pit stops when he wasn't racing. Next to our bike is the winning factory Honda of Roger Burnett, or Roger Hairnet as we called him. Here's Aussie superbike Champ and also successful WSB rider Mal Campbell at Sydneys Oran park for the 87 swan series on the Factory NR 750 oval pistoned race bike Honda sent over for him to ride that year. Mal was a factory Honda rider at the time and Aussie Champ as well if memory serves. ten years later I was mechanicing for him at the Aussie WSB round on a Privateer Ducati 996. Still racing now Mal and still way faster than most at Phillip Island on Post Classic bikes like Suzuki RG500's. 86 TT and David Tardozzi's Works Bimota that he later destroyed at the Glen Helen section. We went and helped pick it up and it was a molten pool of wreckage in the middle of the road as it had caught fire. Totally destroyed. Bathurst 85 and the late great Roger Freeths Macintosh Suzuki, note the Monocoque Suzuki Superbike in the background.( https://amcn.com.au/editorial/monocoque-master-steve-roberts/) Also note the unpainted bronze welded frame on the Mcintosh so he could keep and eye out for any developing crack in this prototype frame.Macintosh built beautiful bespoke frames for all sorts of stuff back then and we could buy road kits of this exact bike. Roger was actually and Astrophysicist and part time racer who was very very good and used to win this yearly race regularly and was also Mulitple NZ champion. He also was a keen rally car navigator at national level in NZ for Possum Bourne and was tragically killed in a rally car accident way too young. Totally fast and safe bike racer though. Swan international series 87 Oran Park and factory Yamaha GP racer Rob Mcelnea. Our working arrangements at the 86 TT sharing a house with Steve Wynn's crew. Our bike in the background, with back to camera is rider Pete Muir, partially hidden in red overalls is the bikes owner Axel and in the foreground is Wynn's bikes. None of the Steves bikes finished a lap in anger that year, we finished every race and practice session. They weren't amused at the time. The others are visiting German spectators that dropped by apart from the two Pete is talking to who were Aussies visiting. My TT2 race bike. I built this from factory parts and a second hand engine brought up to factory specs. I had a perfect example to follow as Axles bike was a genuine factory bike.My first attempt at 2K painting as I recall. My old 888 race bike with sump extension and home made rear brake disk and carrier. I didn't like the Brembo rear caliper at the time and decided to use the Nissan. factory frame, Ohlins GP forks, no brake torque arm, Marchesini wheels carbon tank and fairings, Corse radiator. And for you guys, Jay Springsteen and his mechanic, Daytona 87 Ciao

Changed out the stock mufflers for these nice Mistrals. These have a bit more rumble and pop than the stock mufflers. I really like the sound of the stock pipes, a rich deep tenor and smoother than these. These are more open sounding, and they suit the V11’s rough and rowdy ways very well. The bike seems to like it, she’s running with a good spirit, like riding a Mustang horse if-ya-know-whadda-mean! Also: the stock mufflers weigh 9.89 lb each, total pair is 19.78 lb. These Mistral conical carbon fiber mufflers weigh 4.65 lb each, total pair is 9.3 lbs.

Yes docc, thats what the Magnesium pieces had in those days. Yes memories, cant believe it getting on for 35 years ago! I've got stacks more from Daytona,Suzuka, IOM etc but my scanner's broken and we're in a serious lockdown. $1600 fine if caught more than 5klm from home without a very good reason in one of 4 categories. I think on the edge of the Daytona image you can see the front wheel of the official Harley entry Lucifers Hammer Ciao

The rear caliper on the Daytona race bike pictured is free to rotate on bearings on the axle same as the bevel box. Its just an inverted version of the bevel box and the torque is provided by the brake not the engine driven shaft. This is a bike I built from the ground up in the early 1980's with my own designed and built anti dive which we thought was worth having at the time. I also built all the bodywork including the original plugs and moulds. The dive mechanism is a leveraged version of a brake torque arm. Chuck might like the red engine cases. I was very avant garde back then:) Ciao

Starting on page 53, bottom of the first column, they describe the Dr. John rear suspension...

Very interesting - thanks for sharing. I was all ready to purchase one for my recently acquired '03 LeMans, and went out to the garage to measure the wire length. Turns out mine doesn't have a lamda sensor. Very strange given that my '03 Le Mans dealer brochure proudly features it. Perhaps the early '03s didn't have them yet.

I have a 2015 Norge 8V. It is an excellent road burner. The 8 valve engine is a marvel. Mine is bone stock except for a Beetle map, which made a huge difference in engine smoothness and throttle response, Guzzi top case, and a Throttlemeister- throttle lock. Anyone with an 8V Norge should have Beetle's map!!! It is a comfortable bike and the weather protection is very good. The early 8 valves had flat tappets which self destruct. From mid 2012 on the 1200 8v has roller tappets which many call the "rollerized" engine. This is the one to get as the valve train has proven to be bullet proof. Stay with 2013 and above and all is good. Used Norge's are a real bargain. I am glad I like mine because it would make me cry to sell it for the little they go for nowadays. A flat tappet motor with super low miles could be an option if bought cheaply as roller conversion packages are still available. I am happy to answer any questions.