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I’ve never really been excited by cruisers. I’ve got a Gen 1 & Gen 2 VMAX but they’re not real cruisers (standard bars & foot pegs) and in the case of the Gen 2 they handle well for heavy (310 kgs) bike. The feet forward & foot boards of the Cali 1400 don’t do it for me. Also doesn’t the 1400 motor have a single throttle body, and I recall reading some where that the 1400 head design is very restrictive ? Narrow ports / poor gas flow compared to the 1200 motor? Fully appreciate that the 1200 roller tappet motor in the Stelvio is the same as the Griso’s and if adventure bikes were my thing I’d probably rate them above the Griso, but IMHO aesthetically & dynamically the Griso 1200 is the ultimate big block development for me

I took the V10 for a ride the other day after all my riding lately being 2 up on the Royal Enfield 650 which has quite a nice easy shifting gearbox. The ride on the Guzzi reminded me how good the Guzzi 6 speeder was shifting. Feels nice and tight and precise as opposed to the RE which is direct and has a mechanical feel but looser. I still think the RAM lightweight clutch is a giant leap forward with regards to Guzzi 6 speed gearbox operation. Ciao

So, all V11 [edit: Spine Frame] models (1999-2005) have the 6speeder. Earlier "Spine Frame" Moto Guzzi (1992-1998), Daytona, Sport 1100, 1100 Sport-i, and Centauro all have the earlier 5 speed. Gotta love Lucky Phil's "simplest answer" . . .

Some new stuff :

All the smallblocks used very similar gearboxes right up until the advent of the V7-II in 2015/16, (From memory?). The Smallblock six speed was a huge improvement over the five speed which is unsurprising as it was a gearbox from a very different, and distant, time. The big block five speed, especially if used in conjunction with a heavy flywheel, does NOT liked to be hurried. Even if shifted with sympathy it still makes a nose like someone dropping a brick in a bucket. This can be improved by correctly shimming the shift drum but even then it will remain ponderous compared to any of the *Modern* six speed boxes. A well set up four shaft box from a V11 is a glorious thing, they can be almost Suzuki like, which is a compliment. The later CARC six speeds are still a good box and are seemingly unbreakable but still suffer the "Make a noise like wheelbarrows fornicating" noise when selecting first at a standstill.

The six speeds are pretty good. Occasionally a false neutral, but if one pays attention and even preloads his/her shifts a bit, it’s all good. I go up and down like a yo-yo with mine on the terrible L.A. freeways and she’s solid and true. The five speeds are geared nicely and feel natural and satisfying, but it’s a different timing and cadence. The six speed is like cueing up and striking the stick. The five speed is like waltzing, “one and two and three and…..”. There’s a beat between the gears.

Yea cruisers just aren't my thing. Nor are hyper sports bikes anymore. I mean I love them from a technical, looks and performance angle but they are totally pointless on the roads these day. Still glad they make them but for me pointless now. Getting older I guess. Ciao

Just a follow-on post for the OP @VtwinStorm to clarify the frame references. Your Ducati have "trellis" frames, if I have that right? Moto Guzzi V-twins before the "Spine Frame" had variations of tubular "cradle" frames referred to as "Loop Frames" and "Tonti Frames" until the very sporting Moto Guzzi Daytona was introduced in 1992. The "Tonti" cradle frame remained for the "V11 cruiser" models along with the 5 speed gearbox. From 1992 through 1998 sporting "SpineFrames" (Daytona, Sport 1100, 1100 Sport-i, and Centauro) used the 5 speed gearbox. As Lucky Phil stated, when the 1999 V11 Sport was introduced, the first Guzzi 6speeder was born and used throughout the range. Yes, they can be set up very sweetly and suit the aggressive gearing of the V11sport/LeMans models nicely. For reference, @VtwinStorm, here is the exposed frame of an early (1999-2001) "short"/RedFrame. V11 LeMans/Sport/etc spine frames from 2002-2005 are longer/differ slightly.

Disagree, my V11 Bassa was a real nice bike for a cruiser, true not a sport bike but beautiful in its own way. I had two in white as well..

Thanks, my aim was to produce something that looked "factory" Ciao

OK, cheers, thanks Tom. I have been lucky so far with no electrical troubles. I've had the bike since new for 98,000km (61,000miles), so can't complain! It lives in a dry garage, and I haven't ridden it in the rain very much, so I'm sure that has helped its reliability. I still love the bike (and this forum).

Hi David @docc is great & very helpful, as you can see from my bikes on the signature I don't own a V11 but have a Sporti (its older brother in some respects) Anyway, set your multimeter to 20V DC (as you've said) and put the negative lead onto the engine casings or the battery negative and leave it there (a crocodile clip is handy to do this). Place the positive lead onto the point where you want to measure voltage. Check for volts at either side of the fuses. If you place the positive and negative at either side of the fuse you will always measure 0 Volts regardless of the voltage at the fuse. A meter measures voltage difference, not absolute values. There will be almost no voltage difference across the fuse, so the meter will read 0 Volts (or very close), no matter the actual voltage at the fuse, 12V-12V=0V & 0V-0V=0V. I'm not trying to be facetious, just trying to make it clear why, I've been caught out that way too, it's easy to get confused. I'm placing my bet on the ignition switch being faulty, so the first thing to do is to find out if you have voltage on the red wire going into the switch. Same procedure as for the fuses, negative lead on the casings positive lead onto the connector/wire. If you don't have voltage there then check the fuses. If you do have voltage on the red wire at the ignition then check the wires coming out of the switch. With the ignition switch ON, from the diagram I'm using there are 2 wires to check a pink/blue and a grey/red. If volts on red but none on the other 2 you need to get the switch out and from other threads on here it can be taken apart, cleaned and regreased. As no V11, for me (for now) I don't how easy or hard that is to do Be interested to see what you get and looking forward to the pics John

Can we get this quote on a V11 LeMans.com shirt? 😆 I'd buy one, and I know I'm not alone.

All of the Cali 1100's wear the famous 'Flaccid Whale Penis' petrol tank which, in my view, detracts from their appearance.

The 1100 “V11” engine got Guzzi a lot of mileage. It served on the Tonti, spine, and the Griso style frames. What a great, robust motor! Was this not the zenith of the big block mills before they went to the four valve head? Those Tonti frame V11 cruisers are great for a sport bike conversion. I can see a carbed California in my future. The look of the Tonti cruisers has grown on me, just like the look of the Griso did. Unlike the sport bikes, T bikes, and loop frames, I did not care for those at first glance.

Hopefully, the "California" - "cruiser" - "EV" exposé has been helpful to the OP to sort through the myriad web 5sp vs 6sp vagueries and focus on what @VtwinStorm is hoping to find in a V11 LeMans. Pretty sure them Cali's ain't the droids he's looking for.

nothing to see here, move along..............

Like my Ducati 900SSes, she looks great unclothed.

Sorry Phil..I really enjoy riding mine...They actually are a lot of fun and handle much better than you would expect!

OK, thanks for that, docc. I will have to go and digest this whole thread for a while. Looks like I might have a couple of options to choose from. Both involve access to the wire I cut from the ignition switch, which I cut off very short in order to leave a "tail" on the spade connector to the relay to extend it. I think I will be able to figure it out now. Many thanks docc and Tomchri, I appreciate your help. I know this is a well-worn subject on this forum, but most of the posts assume more knowledge/experience than what I have! Cheers, Jim.

Honestly docc I wouldn't know one cruiser model from the next as I've never taken an interest. When I read Dave Richardsons book I had to keep looking on the internet to get an image of all the various V11 cruiser things he kept referring to. Older stuff up to our bikes I can visualise and know something of but the V11 non sports series are just a black hole to me. Same as small blocks, all horrible it's just a matter of which is more horrible than the other. Ciao

I honestly cannot figure out the Guzzi "cruiser-thing" nomenclature at all. But we won't sort that out here. Only a few years back, the V11 commonality came to our attention in that this subforum, Technical Topics, is subtitled " V11 only ", yet it really it is > SpineFrame V11 only < Apparently the cruiser bikes technically have a "V11" motor, albeit not in the same sporting tune of the SpineFrame models. Perhaps this is part of the source of confusion @VtwinStorm is finding. There is also the matter of other sites and posters not having the depth of knowledge, expertise, and experience regarding the V11 Le Mans/Sport embodied here. I've [paraphrased] this before, "The world's foremost expert on the Spine Frame V11 Moto Guzzi are us."

It has to be simple docc cause I don't do complicated anymore:) Ciao

The simplest answer to this question is the 6 speed didn't exist until the 1999 V11 Sport. Everything before that was either a 4 or 5 speed for a Guzzi twin. All the V11 Sport/Lemans series had a 6 speed Ciao

Swapping shocks today, which gives an opportunity to answer Docc's frequently asked questions regarding differences in the frames. Here are two exposed frames. I just picked up a tape measure. What will it reveal?

I've been on several sites and I'm getting conflicting info. Some claim a 5 speed, others a 6 speed. Was there a transition year/model? I also understand that the 6 speed is the one to have: smoother shifts, more robust, just a better experience overall? Forgive any errors or assumptions on my part please. My area of expertise is Desmodue Ducatis. I'm learning about Guzzi v twins, and the more I read, hear (YouTube videos with exhaust notes), the more I'm falling in love. I'm so seduced by the V11 Sport and LeMans. I have to get one! I just want to avoid the most problems that I can (speedo/do/tach cables failing, black engine paint flaking, other things). Thank you all. I'm really learning to understand why Guzzis are so special.

I set up a lawn chair on the grass on Turn 18 (under the tower). I can see T1-T7 and T17-T19 from there.

Thanks my fellow Rush nerd ;-)

This notification feature is pretty new to this forum, so this is just a general message for all of us. When you type the “@“ symbol and begin typing a username, a drop down menu appears and you can select the username desired. Notice how the forum then highlights the entry. If you type in the entire username, without clicking on the selection, there is no highlight and, therefore, no notification. In order to receive notifications through this system, go to your profile and select your notification preferences. Again, just a general FYI post. Otherwise, @VtwinStorm, you can hover over a username, or open their profile, and send a “PM” (Personal Message). Some members will see these long before they may check on, and reply to, an old post.

Oh - just to say the bike is a 2001 model

I see @df1 last visited June 12, but perhaps tying his username to the "@" will send him a notification. Interesting, Tony, @df1's location is "NH" which may very well be close to you! Good luck!

There is no drum to be shimmed on the four shafter as the selector forks are moved by geared cam plates. If you have the cover off, for spring replacement for example, it's worth de-burring the grooves the forks run in. That tends to help quicken up and smooth the selection.

Wow. Well, that’s a new one. I better sneak out and look around the yard some night and see what them ‘barrrows are up to!

Is the V7 you are referring to an earlier 1970’s 5 speed bikes or one of the later 6 speed small block bikes?

Hmmm. Nice imagery, Pete. Will “MOBYDICK” fit on a vanity plate? Would do well for one of those big white Norges.

Another fine example of a "V11 5 speed". Again, probably the source of the OP's opening statement: "I've been on several sites and I'm getting conflicting info. Some claim a 5 speed, others a 6 speed." As nice as these Tonti V11 California 5-speeds are, @VtwinStorm, "These aren't the [V11] you're looking for. Move along. Move along."

OK, the Californias have Tonti frames, just like the pre-spine LeMans. It looks like a cruiser but it's still a Tonti. cya in the twisties.

Agreed! "Ain't she sweet? " For a little more "light reading"/orientation to the V11 sporting models @VtwinStorm, here is a thread that details the differences in the early (1999-2001) ShortFrames and the later LongFrames that started with the 2002 LeMans:

Yes docc, I thought of that angle and hence the " All the V11 Sport/Lemans series" in my first post. Why does it need to be so hard:) Why did they call all those cruiser things V11 as well, they already had a damn name. Ciao

Perhaps I'm overthinking the conflicting information, but not all "V11" are "SpineFrames" (what this site is dedicated to). There are the cruiser-style V11 EV/California/Jackal/Bassa/Stone/Titanium that all use the 5 speed. All of the SpineFrame models use the 6 speed (a gearbox that was used only in this series. 6 speed gearboxes after 2005 are not the same):

As I understand this, you can leave your existing change in place and use the wire you cut (from the ignition switch) to power 87A on Relay#2 and you're set.

After reading your OHC 4v 1000cc conversion, I can understand why! What a build! Looks factory, my man. Thank you all for your answers. Can't wait to get a V11! They are pure class.

Docc, yes, Tomchri has suggested an extra relay. This must work, as far as I can see. If I do that, my problem is restoring the original wiring. Access to relay wires is almost impossible, and having cut the wire to terminal 30 of the starter relay I can't get enough wire on the loom side of the cut to reverse what I have done and join it up again. I guess I am going to have to cut into the wiring loom without cutting any wires, and try to expose some more of the wire that I cut.

Docc, I rewired the front relay. The second relay has not stuck closed. If I make and break the connection to the battery negative terminal, I can hear and feel the relay flicking closed and open as the headlight goes on and off. How did you help the member with the 1200 Sport? Cheers, Jim.

@Voldav, here is a view of an early Sport (2000) with the voltage regulator visible between the (aftermarket) horns. It is the silver box with the cooling fins on top. The regulator, and charging system, can be checked with a voltmeter at the battery. Otherwise, this is more likely a relay, fuse, or switch(ing) issue. AFAIK, a bad regulator won't stop current to the Ignition Switch.

I have been looking for a good solution to wireless charging my phone whilst using it as a dash/satnav. After much research I found this unit from available on Amazon has plenty of good reviews, a few YouTube videos about it and was cheap but not cheap enough to be horrible. It uses the Ram ball mount, and comes with a variety of options, but I bought an M8 threaded version separately to go in the stem cap without having to drill anything out. I used an expanding anchor with this, which spreads as you tighten but drops back when undone, it doesn't permanently deform. Gif: https://i.imgur.com/QKhL9t3.gifv I soldered into the sidelight terminals inside the headlamp bucket and ran cables in a sleeves out to the headlamp multiplug. Then up to some waterproof female bullet connectors for when it's not in use. The Qi charging is not likely to blow the circuit, it runs off 5 watts minimum. This mount also has a waterproof USB out for secondary charging, like a GoPro or another phone if you get stuck. The metal parts of the mount are stainless steel, and there is a one touch clamp, and then an easy (in gloves too) squeeze top and bottom to release. It feels solid so far; I've used it over a few 100 miles with no issues, it comes with an extra rubber web to secure the phone if you need it. Also added my red led backlights (+3bhp), led sidelight and headlamp h4 bulb. Headlight has a front mounted fan and heatsink, so no extra bulk in the bucket.

The breather hoses are a PITA. Thing is they tend to decay quicker on bikes that spend a lot of time inactive than ones that get run frequently or on a daily basis. Also it's always wise if you do get one that's cracking to replace the lot as one letting go means the rest of them are only a breath away from falling to bits too.

Interesting. Go to 6:45 for stainless exhausts. Ciao

No and no. Mike

No apparent rake changes. All V11 are 25º . . . Scud's frames: 610mm - 590mm = 20mm. Published wheelbases: 1490 - 1471 = 19mm. Looks like the change is actually all in the frame length. Scud! Well done!