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I have one long and one short frame. They are unique enough to own them both, especially with the long frame being LeMans bodied. I'm not competitive and don't pay much attention regarding negative or positive handling details that change lap times by seconds. I do know what I like however and I like them both, for the same reasons but on varying roads. Whats clear to me is that when the road gets tight and twisty the red frame is more in it's natural setting. Sweepers are my favorite roads because I can go faster safer and enjoy the view somewhat as well. The LeMans is at home here and honestly the rewards are greater. I suppose it comes down to a rider's style. You can't rate a bike without the human.

Never tried a 1200 Daytona, I did own a few Hinckley Triumphs a few years ago before getting submerged in the world of Guzzi’s. The polar opposite of the V11 was a Speed Triple 1050S with a full Arrow system. It was a fantastic hooligan bike, felt like a genuine street fighter, but it encouraged very fast riding, I felt like I had to be pushing the envelope all the time, and eventually I sold it around 3 years ago before I lost my license Where the Speed Triple was short & flickable, the V11 feels long and stable. The weight bias is towards the rear being a shaftie. The brakes are excellent and even the non ohlins machines handle well. However if you are used to a multi cylinder bike the V twin could feel raw & unrefined. Close the throttle and the engine braking is immense. I find that part of the attraction of the Guzzi. Whilst it’s been said a thousand times before, the V11 is a motorcycle of character and rider involvement. They have been hand made in Mandello del Lario in relatively small nos. Where I ride Truimph Speed Triples, Beemer GS’s, Gixers, R1’s etc etc are everywhere. A V11 is a rarity. Heck every Guzzi with the exception maybe of V7’s are a rarity around here It’s a motorcycle with soul, the sensation of the transverse vibration. It’s unique, but not for everyone 1429

Damn these essay questions.....

I thought I'd bring everyone up to date on my latest acquisition and modest project. I bought the Interceptor for one purpose really, a hassle free pillion bike. Cheap and cheerful modest power, just something for the wife and I to do cafe jaunts on and ride to our favourite restaurants for lunch or dinner in the summer. I took one for a test ride and was underwhelmed by the power but quite happy with everything else esp the value. Here they are just under $10,000 ( I think in the states they are around $5500 or so) on the road and comprehensive insurance is cheap as well. The things that have been compromised to keep the costs down are things that are easily and cheaply replaceable, so plastic indicators and tail light assy, mirrors, levers etc. I replaced those with aluminium LED units and also did a few zero/low cost workshop stuff to enhance the looks and mitigate the cost cutting. Remember the frame was designed by Harris Performance in England where RE's brand new R&D facility is and their chief tester and developer is Paul Young a very handy ex British Superbike racer so it's got quite good bones. So I removed the std foot lever toe pieces and replaced them with Woodcraft folding units and added lightening slots to the levers. The rear tail light housing and front fork brace was finished in a utilitarian grey paint which was removed back to the alloy and given a satin finish and a coat of clear. The handlebar cross brace which serves zero purpose was ditched and the mufflers replaced which saved around 20lbs and made the 270 deg engine sound like a Ducati. The rear plastic guard extension was shortened as well and a 16 tooth countershaft sprocket to gear it up a bit. It's a nice thing to ride and re acquaints you with how much power you really need or in fact don't need in the real world. The engine is silky smooth with it's 270 deg crank and balance shaft. Valve adjustment is screw and locknut. The efi system is faultless in operation and it even uses the exact same mini relays a V11 does. The brakes are surprisingly adequate and ABS assisted and replacement parts are laughably cheap. I replaced the std seat with a RE accessory unit which is a little taller to give my wife less knee bend. Total cost shipped to my door, around $150usd and 7 days from India! It's quite amusing though in that I'm used to riding bikes that require concentration on the speedo on the road and you often find yourself thinking "That's a bit over where I want to be". Not the RE, it's the opposite. A glance at the speedo is mostly rewarded with a "Oh I can open the taps a little here, lol" It's relaxing and just what I need for a pillion bike. I dont want to be reining in a bike with the wife on the pillion seat. It will perform ok and give adequate overtaking performance but it needs to be ridden harder than you're used to after riding much more powerful machines. Reminds you a lot about how much power you actually use 98% of the time. If you want more, S&S make a drop in 850 kit for them. The forks could use some enhancement but the rear shocks are adequate. The only future mods may be a set of Stainless Steel brushed finish big bore header pipes and forks internals. So with parts for the V11 getting harder to source and for those wanting to keep the Guzzi mileage down and ride an economical to own, cheap to buy twin that's relaxing to ride , I rate the Interceptor. Stock Now Details. Aftermarket mirrors, levers, Yamaha R1 quick action throttle and grips, reworked brake and shift levers, SS reverse cone mufflers, seat, new aluminium indicators and tail light and housing re work. Ciao

What really makes the video, is the Champs Elysées, Madeleine, Place de la Concorde filming with a Z1. I don't think I have seen many movies of that era 1975, with a specific motorbike having such an important role. Even if it somewhat reinforced the "bad boy" idea, since it is used by a serial killer. Funnily, Kawasaki will release an upgraded version of the 900 RS, the 900 RS SE in that color. Not sure if it will make it to the USA. Main differences are the Ohlïns suspension and the Brembo brakes.

Made a loom to read my TPS. Plugs from kojaycat https://kojaycat.co.uk/epages/950000457.mobile/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950000457/Products/150-3W-BLK-MAL&ViewAction=ViewProduct Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I'll do a show & tell at the lodge, but mostly a one-off issue. I tend to have those, often -- tho not all -- self-inflicted. Cross Junction, Va. Check PM. Bill

Hi guys and thanks for all your input... That's put my mind at rest... On with the tune up! Sense of achievement getting the fairing decal on straight today. Tiny steps! [emoji2509][emoji106] Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

Speaking of car chases...one of the best in Paris was in Ronin with Robert DeNiro and Jean Reno (another great French actor).

She started riding through me. I was racing motorcycles when we met, but I actually did not ride on the street (too dangerous). I raced Ducati's, then a Yamaha TZ250. We did a couple two up rides on a bike we borrowed from a friend. Then Buell came out with the Blast, she read about it in RoadRacing World magazine. She decided she wanted one, no pressure at all from me on that, I still did not own a streetbike. So we bought her a Blast, and I ended up buying a Buell X1. She rode the Blast for around a year, then decided she wanted a second bike that was faster. A friend owned a Guzzi Daytona, so she knew about Guzzi's. And the V11 Sport at the time came in the awesome green with the red frame, she really liked that. She was also interested in Triumph, the Speed Triple. So we did a test ride of those two, there was a dealer not too far away that sold both Guzzi and Triumph. In back to back riding, she liked the Guzzi better. So we bought her a V11 Sport, sadly we couldn't get the greenie, by that time there weren't any still available. But we found her a nice silver red frame V11 at a dealership a few hundred miles away. We rode down there two up and rode both bikes back. We took the scenic route back, up skyline drive. In the years since then, I bought the Daytona from my friend, as well as the first Griso sold in Maryland. We also picked up a V65 Lario, and sold the two Buells. I do wish I still had the X1, that was a great motorcycle when it ran.

Nah, you should just feel nostalgic. Wait 'til HRC_V4 shows up with his gorgeous LoopFrame . . . There will, yet, be a nice selection of SpineFrames to admire. And some impromptu TechSession to put our tool rolls (and ingenuity) to the test.

Hi all. Needing to raise some funds so my cafe sport is up for sale. Original condition not messed with has 5.6k miles and needs nothing. New brakes battery and conti road attacks. Lovely bike in every way. Original handbooks and history etc. Runs and rides without fault j bike is in Northumberland England and is ready for anything

Had both and agree, If Im headed into a fast sweeper at 85-90 mph ..my Scura feels planted and predictable in my riding style. As did my Rosso Corsa.

At a point when I had three V11s, a friend asked me. "How do you decide which one to ride?" "Easy," I said. "Whichever one is giving me the least shit."

So, repair and maintenance done, I am packing and loading today. Not the Norge, but the chase vehicle, our 2009 Honda Fit, with 258K miles. It's a C-130 of a car, and today I am the loadmaster and crew chief. I am ensuring that the critical supplies make the trip: Bourbon. Check. Grappa. Check. Espresso machine. Check. Tools and fluids for depot-level maintenance. Check. That pretty much does it, and there's still lots of room for Kathi's six weeks of essentials for a 5-day (for her) trip.

Just noticed another Weegie Hello @Jimmyegypt I don't have a V11 but got 3 other Guzzi engined bikes The Sport had one of these brackets too, it wasn't used in Magni's version, sort of wondered what it was for John

So many movies with chases through Paris

Here I thought this was only found on the US V11 . . . That bracket holds the ends of the two 1/2 lines from the fuel tank vapor recovery/ charcoal canister system. On the early RedFrame Sport (like your silver V11, pictured), there were two charcoal canisters in the tool tray under the seat with twenty feet (yes, 20!) of various hoses in duplicate, most of it 1/2" double-walled fuel line, that terminated at the bracket shown. The entire mess weighs five pounds. Upon removing the fastener holding that bracket, I recall an exuberant stream of motor oil streaking out . . .

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sigh. You are making "some of us" feel unloved. Bill

Good eye Brother..........

And I just have to say it... the VW van looks a perfect color match for the rocker covers and porkchops.

Consensus, I doubt it. Variety of opinions, certainly. Here's mine: For a while I had one of each variation as you described above. A Greenie, a Scura and a Red LeMans. I had a very strong and clear preference for whichever one I happened to be riding at the moment, and never once did I think, "I wish had taken a different one out today." But only the Scura remains. Unfair advantage due partly to the Ohlins and the single-plate clutch. The greenie and the LeMans both had the stock shock, and I rode them both with an Ohlins shock for a while - which improved them immensely. I preferred the LeMans for long distances, because the fairing is better. Ultimately, the reason I kept the Scura and not the others was that I am second owner of the Scura, but the original owner didn't even put 200 miles on it. So I've basically had it since new. The other bikes were rescues. The internal fuel pump seems smarter, but the plastic fuel line fittings are not great. If I get another one, I'd look to upgrade those. I think the smooth tank (no chinpad) looks better.

Outside diameter of the RedFrame clip-on measures 0.950" , that makes an inch for the outside diameter (not inside, where the wedge-mount fits). This is assuming you are looking to mount "bar-end" mirrors. Rizoma makes some very fine mirrors that screw into the existing stalk mounts.

Love that clip. thanks. Not sure what made me buy a new one in 76 but likely because it would smoke the 750 Honda my buddy had

"Some fine fellow" with five V11 (!) would be imminently qualified to answer this question of compromises. There is also the matter of differing clip-ons and handlebars along with various flyscreen and fairing configurations. As far as "preference", it is compelling to prefer that which I am bonded to. The early RedFrames are likely more demanding in getting the suspension/tires set up optimally. Very earliest RedFrames are reported to have had 1/2º (0.5º) steeper triple trees. "There is no greater satisfaction than to desire that which you already possess."

So is there a consensus amongst the Guzzi community about their preferences? Short red frame & short tank (chinpad) long black frame & short tank (chinpad) long black frame & long tank (internal fuel pump) On balance I find black frames feel a little more planted in corners. Must be the 20 mm longer wheelbase plus all the extra bracing around the swing arm / subframes. I don’t feel the fatter 180 rear tyre has much of an effect in slowing the black frames turn in. I have a 2002 transition model (registered in 03),and the extra 20 mm of frame visible behind the steering head doesn’t bother me. I don’t find it aesthetically less pleasing than a long tank

Just a reminder, the front zerk fitting on the drive shaft is tricky to get at. But don't ignore it. get a Roper plate right away if it doesn't have one yet. im 5'10" had 2" bar risers and it fit me perfect. Sadly I traded it for a Miata in a weak moment. But I got the better deal, later sold the Miata for a bigger profit that should have been illegal. then got a Buell, torq monster and it had a similar character to the Guzzi. I'm waiting for the perfect V11 at the perfect price to get back on someday. notice the chrome, None! Oh wait the rim around the tack and speedo was chrome I think. Oh, I added those beautiful chrome mufflers to shine it up just right.

All of the above is true, as it comes from rider/owners. Guzzis are an acquired taste. Growing up around radial aircraft engines, certain parallels may be seen. They are, by definition, the road less traveled - and for many of us that is precisely what we seek. Being shafties, they prefer to corner on the gas, or at least neutral throttle. The shaft itself is very well controlled and your rear wheel will be dusty rather than greasy - a more than fair exchange. The suspension runs from very good to excellent. Cruising at 4K or just above, the engine is notably smooth and you make excellent time, provided that where you are going allows (or overlooks) such velocity. You don't always want penne arrabbiata - but when you do , nothing else will satisfy.

The lady has style and is lovely, then and now. I wish I knew some people like her. Sometimes I feel that I am trapped in a small petty society of wage slaves who worry too much about themselves and others, and their friggin’ relationships with others, known and unknown! She’s the type of heroic human with the spirit that I look up to. So grand! Man, I need to get the you-know-what out of here and hit the road!

While I won't be buying one there is a lot to like about the new RE range. I'm a big fan of SOHC motors, especially for road bikes, and I keep hearing good things about the twins although I haven't ridden one. If they put that delightfully simple engine in a more modern chassis I'd really be sitting up and taking notice. As it is, despite my lack of desire to purchase another motorbike I'm severely tempted to purchase a Himalayan to do a lap of Australia on. I'm hearing nothing but good about them from people who don't want to go fast and if I'm doing a lap or figure of 8 around Oz it won't be fast. The price is very hard to go past, they appear reliable, parts are cheap. What's not to like. Like Phil I have much faster and more capable bikes for eating miles or acting the goat on. Something that will plod along at the legal limit and won't have a cow if pointed at some dirt highway while being able to carry one fat bloke and the stuff he needs sounds just about ideal.

Not to change the subject, just looking at weather forecast , it's looking great: Sunny, with a high near 82. Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 59. Friday Sunny, with a high near 84. Friday Night Clear, with a low around 59. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 86. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 88.

Quick update ... life is a circle ... the PJPR01 gentleman is a very good friend and former co-worker, Guzzi lover and motorsports fanatic ... we just reconnected yesterday because of this forum ... so I'm feeling thankful and confident I meant to own a Guzzi Centauro

Okay, so there could be some loose cannons and unknown quantities . . .