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As suspected pilot error on the oil pressure. After dropping the pan and whole oil gallery/filter housing and spacer to get the bloody filter out, found old oil filter gasket still stuck in the oil filter housing. No proper seal no oil pressure. Will be more careful next time. Thx everyone for pointing me in right direction. Cheers

Hello everybody I'd just like to say a big THANK YOU to all of the respondents to this. Even if it was just to make me laugh, which it did. I will get on to the main ground immediately, if not sooner. docc, I hope that you didn't take your bike apart just for little old me! But, thank you, as always, for the detailed response. I reckon I could rebuild the thing, if ever I needed to, from your information alone! Cheers everybody.

Personally, I find this reassuring. I would be most disappointed if Moto Guzzi were assigned to "Life Style."

Right. This is me all gooey over the old LoopFrames. I recall @pete roper saying, (and I paraphrase heavily), "What's all the bloody arse-up with Americans looving the Loopers? They are bloody awful bikes with brakes like wet roller skates and heavy as a lard sandwich with greasy chips." (That's not at all exactly what Pete said, but he left me with this, er, >impression< ) The answer, of course, is: "Nostalgia."

Neutral light switch.

First, regarding the bar-mounted switchgear: very easy to access, clean with contact cleaner (I use CRC Electronics Cleaner) then Caig DeOxit. The Caig product actually has a cleaner in it , so the CRC is really not necessary. Very simple, yet oft neglected maintenance item. Sheesh . . . I wonder when I did mine last . . . The clutch lock-out is not relay based. There is a microswitch at the lever that connects through two "bullet" connectors on the forward left side of the frame under the tank. Another V11 No-Start Drill: Pull in the clutch lever, hold down the starter button and rotate the bars side to to side, fully. If the starter activates, the fault is with the nefarious bullet connectors. Sometimes, you may be able to access them, clean/crimp/Caig DeOxit and heat shrink them with out removing the tank (but it's tight, especially with the LeMans fairing). Groomed and sealed clutch switch bullet connectors, center of view between the two large connectors: @Gmc28, A V11 that starts without pulling in the clutch may have one or more causes: 1) A previous owner has defeated the "safety" feature. Perhaps by unplugging said bullet connectors and installing a jump wire, or even cutting the wires and twisting them together, or connecting the two wires with a crimp-on "ScotchLock." 2) The microswitch has gone faulty and stuck closed. 3) The actuator in the channel at the lever that should allow that pressure on the switch to release (and close the switch) has gone missing leaving the switch unpressed as if the lever is always pulled away from the switch. If you put your ear close to the switch, you should be able to just detect a tiny *click*-*click* as the lever is barely pulled and released . . . .

Docc (and all)- Rode red to work this week, as the sun has been showing itself a bit, after keeping red caged most of the winter.... she ran sweet. But seeing this thread it caught my attention about the neutral light relay (?) you refer to. I had ignored the fact that I have to pull the clutch to start red, but occurred to me that I don’t on Goldie. Sounds like I have a relay issue, but that’s not one I’ve paid attention to. Neutral light works fine, all the other suspect connectors and grounds (that I know of) are clean and well cared for, but this relay for the neutral (or is it sidestand?) I hadn’t thought of. Where is that one hiding? I assume it’s not hard to find, but looking for the proverbial easy/quick answer if anyone is willing to chime in. Also need to pull a couple of those starter switches apart to clean them up. The old Ducati’s and the guzzis all have that same switch, and I cleaned up one on my Gran canyon years ago, but it’s been a long time. Any surprises or reminders on pulling that apart? Goldie and my sons gran canyon both need the switch cleaned up soon....

Docc I had chased the whole electrical system on my V11 Lemans, or so I thought; and went through the Deoxit/vaseline at every connection, clutch switch, relays etc, except for this main ground. I know my way around the old Tontis pretty good, but I'm still learning the ins and outs of these Spine frame V11s; grateful that you're spoon feeding me what I need to know to keep this bike running reliably, lol. Thank you so much for such a detailed and timely post, my main ground will be done shortly.

I think this bike was Guzzi's poke into seeing how both the hipsters and the old farts of the Guzzi world were going to take to an idea of a new Lemans. The styling was quite obvious a poke and prod for a reaction. It worked. I know it got my attention.

Here I’ve selected recent pertinent quotes from translated links indicating current thinking/plans: The birthday present? "It is a very secret model, it will have a new engine and many other innovations that Guzzisti expect". “Yes, we are studying whether to go to lower displacements but not soon, also to meet young people. An entry level is not planned for the V85 TT enduro, rather we could think of variants of motorcycles with smaller displacements on crossovers. We work to create engine and chassis platforms on which to adapt different models. This next bike will be the basis for others. The new course of the second centenary will be seen in Mandello and Eicma " "But no, California does not die, sooner or later it will come back", Zanolini reassures us “An electric Guzzi? Nobody will escape from this - Zanolini tells us again - even if today we are still far away as a concept for the brand. We are certainly working on it with a dedicated division of the group and, when we consider it a mature technology, we will do it seriously ". https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.repubblica.it/motori/sezioni/moto/2021/03/12/news/cent_anni_da_guzzi_storia_e_futuro_di_un_fenomeno_tutto_italiano_diventato_globale-291908675/amp/ Communications Director of the Piaggio Group. “The Guzzi World Days will conclude a long series of events celebrating our centenary. On that occasion we will kick off two very important projects. The first is that which concerns the refurbishment of the Mandello production site. There is no other factory in the world in such an iconic location and so tied to the territory. We will present the project for the new plant and a very important experiential area within it, which means that the Piaggio Group believes in the production of Moto Guzzi in Mandello and has no intention of taking it to India, China or Thailand as many do. our competitors. “, reveals Zanolini with legitimate satisfaction also for this last not just underlining. What about the vehicle fleet? “We are working on the Moto Guzzi of the new centenary, the first of the second century of life. We will unveil it in Mandello, it will be a new bike, with a new concept, a new engine. Something that has never been seen in Guzzi until today. We want to start our second hundred years with product innovation, always remaining faithful to the heritage and values that have always inspired Moto Guzzi. " Mandello is confirmed as the true and irreplaceable heart, industrially but also from a philosophical point of view. .... Let's go beyond Guzzi and talk about what the bike represents today. Perhaps the strongest symbol of a desire for freedom that we have never felt so strong as today. “People no longer take public transport as before, those who have to come to work in big cities want to move with greater autonomy. After the first lockdown where many people have returned to the bike or have arrived at the first bike to enjoy the holidays in a slightly different way. It was difficult to use trains and planes. What is the best way to travel? The motorbike. Over time, this desire to use the bike for the pleasure of having fun, for the pleasure of riding it, is reconsolidating. It was a feeling that was getting old. The average age of the motorcyclist was rising alarmingly in the Western world. This wind is bringing fresh air that we love so much. Guzzi has always been synonymous with the journey in the mind of the momcyclist. The Guzzista has always been considered a great traveler. This moment shows us a positive light for motorcycles in general. " Do you expect the numbers to grow too, which translate into more sales? “We expect positive numbers Although we do not have a huge range, perhaps we are in the best condition compared to the period. With the V7 we have an excellent entry level, an easy and non-demanding bike in terms of costs and performance and can also be ridden by a motorcycle novice. Or it can be an excellent return bike for those who have temporarily abandoned them. With V85 we go into the world of more structured travel. This compactness of the range, which for us is a starting point for rebuilding the range of the future. " .... Is it still possible to attract millennials? "The authentic old-fashioned Guzzi driver is there and will always be there. In recent years Moto Guzzi has done a lot to rejuvenate its target. When I arrived at Piaggio in 2013, I told my 19-year-old nephew that I was starting this new experience and told him about the brands that were part of the galaxy. And when I named him Moto Guzzi he said to me: does it still exist? Then I started thinking, namely that if a 19-year-old knows what Moto Guzzi is but he doesn't know it still exists, then we have a problem, not even a particularly small one. The work that has been done in recent years, focusing heavily on the V7, which was perhaps the least Moto Guzzi, given that the classic Guzzi drivers were thinking of California, paid off. Many new drivers and many girls were very attracted to the V7. It represents a different language. We found ourselves speaking a language much closer to young people. Not having made radical innovations but having ridden the true Guzzi nature, that is of a simple, beautiful, not too expensive bike, with a style of his own for many years has been a winner. On top of that, the ease of customizing it, things that were only the preserve of Harleys, helped. We have created an official accessories catalog, something that previously only existed for American or British motorcycles. We have created quality merchandising. We invented the Moto Guzzi trophy, we brought the bike back to the track. Ten years ago the average Guzzista was over 50, now we can say that we have lowered this average by 10/12 years. " How important is it to be part of such a diverse galaxy as the Piaggio Group? “The technical engineering advantages are evident. We can afford to invest on a large scale in technologies that are used by all. Cultural contamination is fundamental. We remove ourselves from the risk of being too self-referential, from the tendency to feed only on that world. We are very multifaceted, we go from the 14-year-old scooter to all the higher targets. We have assigned a function to all brands. Vespa is life-style, Aprilia is the adrenaline of racing, Moto Guzzi is travel, Piaggio is commuting, or mobility, above all metropolitan. Everyone draws from other worlds what it takes to complete their own. If Guzzi had not been part of such a group, guaranteeing its survival would not have been possible. Everything contributed to making Guzzi grow. Six years ago we invented the "motoplex", we already have 800 in the world. They are stores that bring all four of our brands together. We have given many points of sale the chance to survive that perhaps with the Guzzi brand alone they would not have had. " Happy birthday, dear Moto Guzzi centenarian. https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/mobilita.ilfoglio.it/mobilita-in-arrivo/moto/moto-guzzi-compie-100-anni-ma-si-sente-giovanissima/amp/

drift

Home sweet home!

OK, first... the fact that this thread had drifted to include prospective inheritances of TR7s and an album cover by Wishbone Ash... that is expert level thread drift. Next... I just got an email from GP Motorcycles (Guzzi Dealer in San Diego) promoting a new V7 Special with an 850 engine. I assume same engine at the V85. If Moto Guzzi doesn't make a LeMans, somebody surely will make a LeMans kit for that. https://gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=3654

You must. It's a Grasshopper thing.

I reckon it's worth knowing what has happened here. A fortunate find from the simple "Wiggle Test" . . . That gearbox Neutral Switch pulls in the middle relay to allow the V11 to start with the sidestand down. If the switch, the connection, or the middle relay fails, the bike thinks it is in gear (with the sidestand down) and won't start (to protect us from ourselves). V11 No-Start Drill: In any No-Start occurrence with the V11, it is worth sitting on the bike, clutch lever in, and toggle the starter with the sidestand >up<. If she fires, the trouble is in this Neutral Switch/connector/ middle relay circuit. Worth noting that when the switch or its connection fails, the Neutral Light won't come on, but if the relay fails the light will still come on. (Perform the Sidestand >up< No-Start Drill) That connector is particularly vulnerable to road skim. Always worth pulling back the boot, tighten the connector, clean the connection, CAIG DeOxit®, and maybe even fill the boot with Vaseline® to ward off the road skim. So: good find @innesa ! But, more important: if that connector failed on your V11, it is fair warning to take care of others. As @Chuck and @pete roper have said, break, clean, and CAIG DeOxit® all your connections. The most important that come to mind: Battery Terminals, Ignition Switch internal contacts, and especially the main ground to the back right of the gearbox under the seat latch. Just visible below the lower/rear seat latch fastener: Rear view with swingarm removed: Neglect this Main Ground connection at your V11's peril. It will find another path to earth the starter . . .

con·tra·dic·tion| ˌkäntrəˈdikSH(ə)n |PHRASES contradiction in terms a statement or group of words associating objects or ideas that are incompatible: “Italian electrical system" is a contradiction in terms.

(beating a dead horse) Remember how old these bikes are, and how antique the electrical systems are. Most electrical connections are unsealed, and the above corrosion on the neutral switch is the result. Getcha some Caig DeOxit and completely go through the electricals. All of them. You'll be good for a few years. After all, the most likely failure on any Guzzi is electrical.

While you are poking around, the ground to the trans is on the opposite side - just trace the fat black wire from battery to the transmission casing, pop it off for a bit of a clean, then (if you have some) CAIG DeoxIT will clear out the oxidation and ensure a better connection.

Some confusion - my bad. This is the fairing "design" I am commenting on. As to aerodynamics, the Subaru XT6 proved the slippery does not necessarily mean beautiful.

Yeah, well it was fun while it lasted (not). Twelve hours on, these spammers were blocked a few hours in. Not before they blew up a lot of Member's Personal Messaging. Thanks for this whimsical thread. It was a ray of comedic relief while fielding all this inquiry. I had to remind myself, "I volunteered for this duty."

Out for a ride after having the dual plate clutch installed.

Guzzibob Dickman’s 850 T3: I’m sure that many of you knew Bob and may be familiar with this bike. Bob must have really loved this bike as it’s seen a lot of road time. I know Bob was a meticulous steward of his steeds, and while she has been still for a few years I have faith that she will rise again. This should be a fun and very rewarding project! Cheers!

Today (and yesterday): Proper cleaning Installed a pair of Angel GTs (with my new hitch-mount NoMar tire changer) Flushed clutch fluid and both brakes (I thanked myself for installing speed bleeders a while ago) Cleaned the brake calipers and pistons Changed transmission oil and rear drive Dropped the pan during oil change since it had been sitting idle so long. For entertainment, here is an easy way to bleed the rear caliper (while you have the wheel off).

Yes. It is commonly accepted knowledge that the stock air box is preferred. Guzzi put a lot of work into making the flow optimal, a long time ago. It's not just a box, it's an integral piece of the intake system. It is surely the 'tuner friendly' way to go. That said, Dr. John Wittner, who was instrumental in development of the spine frame, succeeded in putting Guzzi back in the racing limelight for a short time in the 80's, certainly used V stacks on at least some of his bikes. It can be done right, I just don't care enough to do it. I'd be interested in reading anyone's outcomes using pods if they care to post them.

A couple guys have already made reservations. Coming on six months out, so I suppose I should get with it and make mine . . . https://www.lodgeattellico.com/ There are other places around that folks stay, or camp, but this is the locus. And where most of the tools get put to use. Definitely where the deals go down . . . . . . and photo ops of celebs . . .

@v11_meticcio asked me where to put the links to Mandello's preparations for the Moto Guzzi Centenary. Pretty sure it deserves its own topic! Happy One Hundredth, everyone!

V11 on ebay with one day left, $3,000 https://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Moto-Guzzi-NA/154415952343

Another V7 Sport question What is involved with putting a late model starter i.e...v11 valeo, cheap off brand etc.. the original bosch starter had 8 teeth on the pinion wheel....the new one has 10 teeth. it works but....sounds like a kangaroo with a grinder in there. like i say..bike fired right up but gawd amighty it sounds like chit. andy