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I used to work in automotive(4 wheels) aftermarket parts, even before I was riding a Guzzi. It struck me that all parts that we distributed for all brands of vehicles in Europe, were not very usable for the Honda and Suzuki motorcycles that I was riding. Later, when I started riding the LeMans 2 (in 1999, so it was already an "oldy"), I saw all kinds of parts that were considered universal in the stock of this aftermarket distributor on the LeMans. Sparkplugs, contact-breakers(standard for alfa, fiat, marelli), ignition coils, starter motor, revision parts for the generator, headlights. Wiring colors were the same as Fiat, connectors the same, battery was standard(good price)etc etc. The whole machine can be maintained in an agriculture workshop, tolerances are not very critical, tools are mainly standard or easy to make. This machine is a dream for everybody that has basic engineering interest. You get a lot of confirmation that you improve, because things are understandably explained in available manuals, parts are relatively in-expensive and available, and repairs turn out to be successful (or it is easy to do it again). On top of that, parts for newer models are often compatible with older models (and improved). I know it sounds ridiculous, but in the end you come to love each nut and bolt in the machine. Just look at this forum where people talk on the wire thickness of the retainer spring for the shift mechanism, and the little bolt on the jiffy, and the 20mm or 19mm red-frame/black frame discussions and many , many more. That is unique, I enjoy this very much and I am in constant adoration of those that have discovered again new perspectives on parts, types and even nuts and bolts. I love to be part of that.

The 'fits and niggles' of our era Guzzi are a result of an old world motor co being kept on life support by passionate Italian folk who simply refused to let it die. Guzzi was a normal competitive motorcycle co. and relative equal in the moto world till the CB750 emerged in '69. A day of reckoning for every other brand as well. It was up to the "driven" players and the bean counters to make necessary changes (if the money was there) or let your marque die. So think of it from the business decisions made at the time while many other brands went by the wayside, Guzzi moved ahead with what they had. An old motor they couldn't afford to replace, and the desire to build and sell bikes. They spent what they could on what they felt was a priority. Internationally, police motorcycles kept a cash flow. Dr John Wittner gave them the public performance injection needed at just the right time. Sure there were other models available but the spine frames were what kept the marque moving forward technically, at a pretty dark time. When I look at the stupid wiring or bicycle grade gauges, or sub standard castings, or obvious afterthought arrangements, I see acceptable loss when all that mattered was a price point that had to be reached. I see passion and patriotism, and love. I don't get the feeling they were cheating in any way to just make money. (C'mon, you know nylon is not what designers preferred for gas tanks) What we're left with is the answer to a math problem several decades old. The sooner you think of your bike as the Italians had to to just get her produced and to market, the sooner you can learn to have a glass of wine and just enjoy the relationship. Just change what they could not. To me 'strange and quirky'.. are, for my Guzzi, terms of endearment.... like... "my girlfriend is crazy" but you should meet her, and you'll see everything about her is not "standard."

What makes Moto Guzzi quirky? How about distinctive, unique, different, etc? I think it's because they generally do their own thing and are not trying to copy anybody. Historically, at least, they seem to be designed and built by real-world riders and enthusiasts. And I think location matters a bit too. With the factory nestled in the Italian Alps, they make bikes suited to endless twisty roads, and aren't overly concerned with peak horsepower or 0-60mph times. They build bikes for the real world.

To your point, "[What makes Guzzis quirky]?" It really is, JMO, that they require an immersed owner. No shop or tech can deliver it back to us fully capable. This would be like the veterinarian delivering our dog back to us spayed and dew claws removed. It remains to us to train and bond with this *animal* . . . What? The Guzzi is like a living, breathing, thinking animal? Compared to common machinery? Yes. We would not be the first to suppose such thinking . . . "A skittish motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocation, to excess conferred by its honeyed untiring smoothness. Because Boa loves me, he gives me five more miles of speed than a stranger would get from him." – T. E. Lawrence

Errrm, uhmmm, the community?

A cool 45 this morning…blue skies…after a nice breakfast with the family, had to get the Scura out of the barn to run a bit. Stopped at one of my usual places for a piece of genuine Texas Pecan pie and felt that my Scura has shrunk in size compared to these modern day behemoths! Super nice ride, lots of motos on the road today, twisties galore thru the forest roads. Have to say thanks to Kindoy for the wonderful Alcantara seat he sent me…super nice on these cool days and very comfortable!

I don't know if quirky is appropriate, I would reserve that to describe the traits on some of the UJM's I've had, my Suzuki DL1000 VStrom had hours worth of tupperware to remove just to see what had to be removed to do a valve adjustment; all held together with magical rubiks cube plastic fasteners that only divulged the magic password after you broke a few. The top notch engineers at Suzuki after much design work and testing, determined that Oxygen was the best material for the seat for the hydraulic clutch seal, now that's Quirky, but I digress Guzzis at the core, are pretty straight forward, simple engineering, that reward hands on involved ownership. If every time a valve cover leaks, the sump drips a bit of oil, the side stand bolt loosens, the grounds get corroded, you want to make a run ro a dealer to fix the peripheral nigglies, I think you're setting yourself up for a world of heartache. For that matter, just trying to find a dealer can be an exercise in frustration , let alone find one that can do quality work. Guzzis reward what you put into them imo, I've never felt that planted on pavement on any other brand, the engine powerband has a character that works well in the real world. I will admit to having more of a fondness for the flowing gracefulness of the Tonti framed bikes, you can tell when you work on a Spine frame that they evolved on a race track, added brace, changed this or that, bolted together here there and everywhere, it's quite the collection of fastenings, brackets and bits. fwiw ymmv

In spite of themselves, they are a quite reliable machine. My favorite reads were of those by the guy from Seattle that used to make the "Alaska" run and he'd post about all the parts he came back with in his saddlebags... that just kinda fell off, but weren't really needed. I guess it's a matter of with a little love, they will get you home. My story is a Convert I purchased, rode home from PA to MD, then to VA to have it looked at because it wasn't running right. Imagine my surprise when they showed me I was only on one cylinder !!!!!! I mean the bike was sluggish, and barely made it up to highway speeds... but it got me home and out to a mechanic.. That was when I really started taking a serious look at Moto Guzzi and I finally "got it."

Well, I think, the Guzzi's are in general over-dimensioned (if that is the correct English word). And the use of proven automotive parts, like a a 2kW startermotor (on the old Tonti's) replace durability tests. The large crankshaft bearings and not extreme torque, over-dimensioned parts in the gearbox, make the lower part of the engine block very durable by design. And the top engine part is all very easy to maintain. But the comparison with family affaire is not so bad :-)

Ah, all good then. Those can be reconstituted with a little vino, olive oil, heat and parmigiana. Like good food, the V11 responds to involvement. But does not suffer neglect.

You're not trying to say that the V11 electrical system is like a wearing a G-string in a Calgary crosswind?

What makes you think they are "so quirky?" (I mean, besides the community. ---> ) You know, besides the Rube Goldberg sidestand . . . And, of course, the gauges might need some creative embellishments . . .

The Japanese will change specifications mid-year. They are very traditional, but have few mechanical traditions. Thus, if a better part is proposed, it goes in mid-year. In Mandello del Lario, I think that parts are more like a family affair, so the bits and pieces do not change all that much. Except...

What competition?

I totally get it about Guzzis now that I have one. I really "get" it.

I'm not the only one who, after a time apart thinks... ''not as big as I remembered"

Early reports of grip vibration (along with reports of "twitchy" handling) on the RedFrame Sports likely led rather quickly to the V11 Longframe and wider rear wheel/tire with longer forks to attach the clip-ons above the top triple clamp. Then: ~ handlebars ~ . . . Seriously, for a RedFrame Sport: beyond performing, repeatedly, a meticulous Decent Tune-up, setting up the suspension with springs correct for your weight and settling on reliable tires/tire pressures will work wonders for your Sport's "feel." Otherwise, I would say the early Sport naturally feels more like a Fender P-bass through a Marshall amp in a concrete corner than a cello in the forest . . .

Well non of those mentioned have harmonic dampers and seem to work just fine. Probably because they don't have a massive long train of gears from the crank to the cams, not sure. Ciao

Corsicana….I know it well!!! What a coincidence!!

Was just missing my Pecan Pie from Collin street Bakery over in Corsicana this year..usually an annual tradition for us to have one shipped to us. Great area to ride over your way too!

I ordered a Ford Bronco over a year ago, threw down my $100 deposit when they started taking reservations. Still don't have it due to various shortages. I assume it will be my last new ICE 4-wheeler. At this point, the only likely candidate for a new ICE motorcycle is a Husqvarna FE350S. But I kind of like the new Honda Trail 125. But gosh - that's pretty close to the price of an electric bicycle. And I assume large countries, like the US, Canada, and Australia will be slower to ban ICE vehicles, just due to the distances people want to drive. It's gonna take a lot of infrastructure to support long drives. All that said, I am toying with the idea of a plug-in hybrid vehicle for all the boring driving. But so far, that seems about as exciting as buying a refrigerator.

Good to see the Lawrence quote. +1 on the "quirkiness" being a desirable trait. I relived the Brough vs. Brisfit moment about a decade ago rolling towards Mid-Ohio. An ultralight was buzzing beside me and waved before peeling off. I like to think that it was Neil Armstrong, since it was near Wapokoneta. (Sp?)

No. I'm saying that the V11 wiring harness is like boiled spaghetti noodles left out to dry in the Summer sun. 😂

Well, coming from more "homogeneously-engineered" Japan Inc. motorcycles, years ago...Guzzis are just totally different. Longitudinal drivetrain, shaft drive, weird wiring, kickstand, separate transmission, bevel box, dry clutch, linked braking system, I am sure there are other things that I haven't heard about yet...Guzzis are just a different kind of animal. The only machine stranger would be an air cooled BMW boxer, or or Munch Mammut.

An excellent description, as always, Docc! 😆 I'll learn to deal with it, one way or the other. Love my Guzzi.

I had my (hefty) factory bar-end weight inserts machined to accept CRG bar-end mirrors and ditched the "stalk mirrors." Not to everyone's liking, but improved the felt vibration. Italian made ProGrip "Superbike" grips made it even better. Nothing really made the major difference until the effects of the Decent Tune-up took hold . . .

Great video. My LeMans V has Caruso's gears (installed by previous owner). I noticed an improvement on my Scura when I went to the valtek chain tensioner from the stock bit. I put my name on the list a while back for a set of Gears for the Scura.

My meagre attempt at stopping my side stand from being buried in soft soil or melted bitumen. Chris.

Probably due to the lower frame rails being deleted and using an old engine mount point for system location. Having a length of rail gives choice, having a point does not. Chris.

That’s some surprisingly illustrious company there that Guzzi isn’t usually compared with tech wise... “Whatcha talkin’ bout Willis?” 🧐 Can you expand on that a bit more please LP?

Monoposto...just a gorgeous bike.

The combination of Scud's ChuckSuperSpring and LuckyPhil's Shift Improvement is stellar, as well as an extended shift arm. Grooming, adjusting, and greasing the foot pedal pivot bolt and the entire rear-set shift mechanism is definitely the place to start. The pivot bolt has a lock nut that allows it to be set for a bit of freeplay for the shifter , but not too loose. Make certain the pinch bolt on the gearbox arm is tight as are the lock nuts to the Heim/Rose joints. Adjust the connecting rod length so the pedal does not strike the frame side plate on the downstroke and the arms are parallel: If you take the side plate off for the spring and shift improvement, change the detent follower on the index wheel. Mine was notchy enough to cause stuck lever repeatedly, just like your symptoms. +1 with Steve S that a broken spring doesn't let the lever just pop back up and resume play.

Harmonic vibrations... Had no visual comprehension on how an engine created these - I guess I just kinda assumed it was produced by the combustion bangs💥 ...turns out it’s more related to the stroke travel speed differentials! Amazing F1 in-depth explanation in 1st half of this vid (the 2nd half is pure tech-sex!) just learned me! But... it’s in the noggin’ now!

On the Bellagio, pic provided, a smaller diameter and longer length coil sits inside of the shorter larger diameter one so interference between the two is guaranteed. The rubber tube is only in contact with the larger diameter outside coil and only effects that spring. On my old K75 the rear drum brake used to snap return springs due to harmonic vibration between shoes ( official BMW statement) resulting in rear wheel lock ups from stray spring pieces wedging the brakes. A BMW recall addressed this problem by providing an orange block of rubber channelled out to provide contact with one side of the spring. 10 years later no more broken springs so I guess it worked. Chris.

I've never had any issues with side stand components loosening myself. Most side stand issues I've seen have just been a lack of maintenance and foolish owners that think sitting on the bike while it's on the side stand is a "think to do" or pull the bike over on the side stand and use it to pivot the bike around to point the other way or to rotate the back wheel to lube the chain. A lot of side stands aren't engineered for those sort of actions and stresses. Guzzi did upgrade the V11 Sport side stand support bracket secondary bolt from 6mm to 8mm. Yes they way the Italians design a side stand you'd think they consider it a bonus item. The self retracing unit on my 851 looked like an afterthought and some I've had were almost impossible to extend without being an expert in Yoga, on or off the bike. Only Vehicles category LC (motorcycles) manufactured after 1 July 1988 require a stand in any form per the Australian Vehicle standards. Prior to that you can register them leant against a wall or propped up with a stick you carry in your jacket. Ciao

Hi Phil, the number of side stand feet and the mount bolts coming loose is then due to something g else besides harmonics? And the side stand is a bonus on a bike with no centre stand? I doubt that a road worthy certificate would be issued unless its standard issue. Chris.

Or so the coils don't interfere with each other on extension/retraction so the stand operates smoothly. At the end of the day it's a spring loaded metal stick with foot on the end of it so it doesn't pierce soft ground. I doubt harmonics is a factor really. Especially an Italian side stand. The fact you get one in the first place from the Italians is a bonus. Ciao

Between the wiring and the kick stand, guess we all have a stake in these ground beef's.

I actually reckon that adding mass to the end of a cantilevered beam, such as here with a stand, acts as a harmonic dampener. Witness handle bar end weights. Perhaps this limits the mounting bolts coming loose when the length of the beam acts like a tuning fork due to engine pulses. I note that my double retract springs are sleeved with rubber that stops vibration induced fatigue much like drum brake return springs are so there must significant twanging goin on here! Chris.

If my side stand foot ever grounded in a corner it would be a sure sign that I have fallen off! It's tucked away on the rear of the sump near the base of the foot peg. But that is a serious design concern with these things. Chris.

Yep, last service said my side stand was about to fall off due to vibration unscrewing the bolts. Luckily the mechanic knew this was a known issue . Chris.

Hi Art, I agree with a change in ride hieght needing a change in stand hieght. On my Lux model Bellagio there is only about 50 mm rear suspension travel and I have upgraded the shock to include 120mm travel and lower the front end by 15mm so the stance the bike had is now very different. Coupled with the fact that the side stand on a Bellagio is a biatch to kick down as using the tang that's meant for the job as it burns your boot sole against the headers since it's so close. So adding real estate to the foot allows easier deployment since it sticks out a bit further as well as giving insurance on soft surfaces. Chris.

Art.. if it is leaning that much, just to be safe, check the bolt that attaches to the engine.