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There really isn't a compelling technical reason to install the gears with the exception that you do away with a cam chain tensioner and the inertia of a double row chain flailing about. If you need to renew the cam drive system and tensioner because of wear and add up the cost of the new Guzzi components then the upgrade to gears isn't to expensive at all. Docc did the numbers on it a little while ago. Ciao

The term you are looking for is "envy".

The governing factors are going to be issues such as valve float and rod integrity rather than timing when talking about the cam drive.

My "good" tools are Snap On and Matco. I've never used them, but think Mac is ok. The tools listed by "the least mechanical person on the board." are designed to pass warranty. That is all I'll say about that. If you can find some antique (say 50s) Craftsman.. they are fine. Strong and delicate.

I read in the book " Not much of an engineer" By Stanley Hooker a massive name in RR the classic line from Hives who ran RR during the war when he first had a meeting with Frank Whittle to discuss RR building Whittles jet engine. Whittle said to him that his jet engine was a "simple Engine" to which Hives replied, "Don't worry we'll engineer the simplicity out of it" lol. Classic and true to this day. I've worked on American, European/American and English RR turbo props and high bypass jets and RR always seem to do it the complex way. Ciao

Lets try this one more time : V11 Le Mans production numbers, i have been trying to get production numbers on a 2002 and 2004 Le Mans for insurance collectors status here in BC, for years, and so far i have not been successful, even after contacting Guzzi and Ian Fallon, it seems like some people have gotten this without providing any production numbers, but not me Is there anyone out there that has anything on paper regarding the production numbers,or anyone in BC that has gotten collectors status for their V11 Le Mans?????

I usually stay out of these discussions....oh well https://www.schaefferoil.com data sheets are on the web site

Lucas is an Indiana company, and as far as I'm concerned, a purveyor of snake oil.

Not necessarily in this order, some brands will have specialty tools others don't. Snap-on, Mac, Cornwell, Kobalt, Craftsman. All have good warranties, some avilable from "tool trucks" that travel to shops and most will sell online and at parts houses. Happy Hunting! Paul B

Craftsman, Harbor Fright, Walmart (Crescent)? Recommended by the least mechanical person on the board.

In the RR Heritage line there is a book by Phillip Ruffles on RR's ventures into producing their Turbofan engines and detailing the history. It's a dry read unless you're VERY geeky. My take was RR were overconfident to say the very least the early engines were a disaster. Shocking to read how bad the early engines were and how badly RR let down their clients. To RR's credit though they didn't leave their customers high and dry but continued doggedly to sort out the problems, however it was an unmitigated mess and took a very long time to produce a good working engine Hooker and many of the old hands were drafted back in to help sort it out, as mentioned in "Not Much of an Engineer" alongwith the Government intervention. I never worked on RR engines, but the GE LM engines, Land and Marine, an aero engine usually driving a generator (but not always) were bad enough. I never did get to grips with the variable bleed valves, IGVs and stator scheduling on the compressor. It might not be rocket science but it comes bloody close. John

Can you provide a comprehensive data sheet for Motul oil, any Motul full synthetic oil? I've never been able to locate one. Ciao

About as basic as it gets. Thicker (higher viscosity oil) absorbs more power than a lower viscosity oil. Too low a viscosity doesn't provide the mechanical protection and as oil gets hotter it gets thinner. Here's a tip, with a full group 4 synthetic oil you should aim to run the lowest W viscosity you can get while still observing the upper viscosity requirement. In the Guzzi BB engine ZDDP content is an important issue and you should aim for nothing less than 1000ppm preferable 1200ppm minimum. Ciao

Indeed, I was expecting a busy place, and it was almost deserted. Possibly because not in season? there were a few barflies, but those were locals, I could tell. The other cabins where I stayed for the night were occupied by people on trikes. When I ran the RR337, albeit sunset and sunrise when the light is the best for photography, I only saw two groups of HD riders. Nobody else. But I can imagine what it is like in summer. Besides, the Frio river offers a lot of aquatic activities. I am planning to go back there off season. I want to ride the twisted sisters fully, and multiple times, to further master the Le Mans. At the moment, I am trying to complete the Grand Tour of Texas. I am not making the best of the tour stops, because I am always on the clock. I am missing a lot as I ride most of the time.

Stop #8 to #14 of 50: The Frio Canyon run; étapes 10, 13, 14, 21, 23, 40, 50. Summary: 717 miles (1154 km) run. Starting on Friday 15th, 7:30, back on Saturday 16th, 16:00. Highlights: Getting acquainted with what the Moto Guzzi can do Understanding the limits (mainly mine) Riding in different weather conditions The pro's and con's of minimalism packing Meeting people Lowlights: Not enough time to really enjoy the tour stops The Frio Canyon better known as the "Three Twisted Sisters": These so-called sisters are Ranch Road 335, 336, 337. While my objective was to add some stops to the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas, checking the sisters was also on my list. I only got to ride on one, 337. But the experience was incredible. More on that later. I set out early on Friday. I had planned that trip to begin on Thursday, but we had a full day of storm in H'town, and I did not want to ride under adverse conditions. I made my first stop at Gonzales Texas; Tour Stop #50 I then proceeded to my second stop, Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop at Leakey, Tx. Approaching Concan Tx, I got surprised by an unexpected torrential rains thunderstorm. I was on 83, in the open, and I could do nothing but keep riding. Fortunately, I was behind a truck, and I only had to follow its lights from a safe distance. The rain was so strong that I had zero visibility, and I got soaked wet in no time. In Concan, I stopped at a gas station to let the rain pass. I was literally dripping water. All my clothing was water logged. The Guzzi did not mind at all the ride in the storm. I finally made it to my destination, the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop on Ranch Road 337. Tour Stop #23 During summer days, this spot is extremely popular. However, I found the place completely deserted, if excepted for some locals. The Bent Rim Grill has tables outside and a very peaceful view. The River Hills cabin where just right above the Motorcycle stop. As you saw on the time lapse, there was a lot of wind that Saturday morning, and the temperature had dropped from close to 80F (27+) to 50F (10+). The cold air was unpleasant filtering through the forearm aeration of my Marsee jacket. But riding at sunrise was so beautiful that it did not matter long. The 337 was very narrow, and there aren't any way to stop to take pictures. There were also plenty of bicycle riders, and you need to factor that in. Then I went on to make the required stops on my way back home: Tour Stop #10 YO Ranch Hotel Kerrville Tour Stop #40 Kerrville National Cemetery Tour Stop #13 Javelina Harley Davidson Boerne; Tour Stop #14 Alamo BMW Boerne Tour Stop #21 Gruene Harley Davidson Gruene Conclusion and lesson learned: There was a lot of wind for the ride back home. It became very painful for the neck. Possibly because I lack the muscle mass. I could alleviate the problem by riding leaning on the tank, with the helmet right behind the fairing. My rear end was sore, but the worse problem I had was the thighs for some strange reason. I do not know why. Harley Davidson Javelina and Gruene were full of people gathering for a Saturday. This was quite incredible!!! Food truck, Music... In comparison, the BMW dealer was completely deserted. I am going back to Leakey, this is certain. And this time, I will stay long enough to ride the three twisted sisters multiple times, each direction.

Wow that brings back memories. Lived just across north side of San Jacinto river from the monument first 22 years of my life and now have same Lemans as yours but not near as primo condition. As kids we had a mix of scooters and bikes from cushmans to cushman 3 wheel trucksters to hondas, bridgestones, suzukis and so on. We all rode together many times on the Lynchburg ferry from Highlands, TX across the river and to the monument and museum. If the parents knew we would all have been in big trouble.

Fourth stop, Stop #46: world largest Dime in a box, Dime Box, Texas. In the suffocating heat, a quick back and forth to a little village named Dime Box, where you can find the world's largest Dime... or so it says. The town feels really lonely... thank god, they had Moto Guzzi feed! It was 1:12 when I reached it. The last part of the road from Burton was a lot of fun.

The later 4 valve engines that have cooling passages around the exhaust ports in the heads require a full group 4 synthetic to deal with the heat although 60 weight is a total overkill in my opinion. A 40 weight will have better flow through those cooling passages and the big ends and mains certainly dont require a 60 weight with regards to load carrying ability. Seriously, anyone not using a full synthetic oil these days has their head in the sand. Will the engine survive without it?... sure, but it so outperforms mineral/fortified oils its rediculious. Its a bit like arguing crossply tires a better than radials. Ciao