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Had to stick the prop on it just for grins..

A group of pilots were at the Alcarrás track, minding their own business; that was the same day Marc Marquez picked to check his physical condition on a Honda 600 RR 105 hp. One of the pilots, Johann Flammann is a pro racer and instructor, using his Kawasaki Ninja ZX10RR 204 hp. As you can see in the video Marc Marquez has no problem making up for his power deficiency with his ability to pilot. This must have been a dream come true, to be able to measure yourself against one of the best of the bests....

Takes more than a BudLite to see kangaroos in Texas. That's mescaline territory.

A week ago I posted concerns about replacing my original fuel pump at 125,000 miles/ 201.000 km. Turned out that restart stumbling was a fluke, perhaps a bit of "vapor lock." Has not recurred, so I moved on the my 5,000 mile/8.000 km oil change/ tune-up interval. Some observations: > I use the filter access cover to change the filter. Last change was the only time I found the filter stuck. This time I LIBERALLY oiled the gasket, both the surface and the sides. I remembered to inspect the old filter to be sure it brought its gasket out with it and also shone a light up into the sump with a mirror to be doubly certain no old gasket remained in the engine. I did not remember to peel the WIX sticker off the filter, but have run the label before with no issues. I prefer to remove them. "One less thing," you know. > The Sport ran so great yesterday, I was mildly surprised the spark plugs looked so awful. The gap had opened from 0.0275" to ~0.033. One side of the plugs showed a nice coloration and the other side (especially the right) was all crusted with carbon deposits. I'm thinking signs of needy valve seals/ guides. > I've been concerned my valves are sinking into the heads, especially the left exhaust. Pleasantly surprised that I relaxed the right side I/E maybe 0.0005"/0.0127mm just to get a nice, loose slide on the feeler gauge blade. I found the left side both at 0.007"/ 0.018mm, so slacked the exhaust a thousandth and snugged the intake a thousandth of an inch. Very pleased. > My TPS had drifted from 157mV to ~134mV. For the first time, I purposefully held the throttle firmly closed to set the TPS. This looked to make about a 10mV difference. I feel like I should be indexed to the map better. Thanks to all of those who have patiently helped me understand this importance. > I have been skipping the Decent Tune-up step of removing and cleaning the air bypass screws/circuit. Not sure the last time I did that, but the tips of the air screws weren't just sooty, but crusty and a lot of black gook and particle washed back out of the passageways with throttle body cleaner spray applied repeatedly until the wash-back looked clean. Again, pretty sure my old Sport is burning its share of oil via the valve seals, but I won't skip that step again. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Out for a warm-up ride to balance the throttle bodies and, five miles from home, she coughs hard - sputters- picks up again- coughs - sputters- barely runs or idles as I nurse her in to a safe spot. She dies, making me think about that fuel pump again. Off the bike, I retrace everything I just had my hands on. There it is: I had left the TPS break-out harness connected and the bare leads had wandered their way to ground. Detached it, plugged the TPS in directly and motored happily away. Note to self: > After setting the TPS and removing the voltmeter, see that the break-out harness is removed and TPS is plugged back in directly. ~ ~ ~ " I won't skip that step again. " ~ ~ ~

Easter Sunday ride around Derbyshire. Meeting at the Matlock Bath Pavilion

Lots of local wildflowers now blooming here in Texas. Location on FM362 between FM1488 and 105… Today’s run was a 160 mile loop with a friend on a Stelvio and his family in the Boxster with a stop at the local tavern…and something I have never seen…a 4 month old Joey (kangaroo) hopping around near the bikes. No V11 content due to awaiting a few parts to be installed tonight in my complete tank off maintenance process. Tomorrow off to collect a few stops on the Grand Tour of Texas…

Here's the back when I was making the engine mount..

I wonder at when I will go for the gears. Maybe pull the sump spacer at the same time and also install my genuine MotoModa® P'Roper sump plate . . . (See also: the Rusty Star Picket Project ) (Probably no timing gears before this year's South'n SpineRaid. Yet, looking at a "Tank-off" before then for fuel/air filters, so likely install the new pump, Scud-made Shielded Fuel Line, and perhaps the LuckyPhil EZY-Glide fuel tap . . .) Just trying to make room for The Waddington Effect . . .

Spring has finally arrived

Well, Waddington was a Proper Englishman and he says 'fix it if it's a demonstrable improvement' so get to work.

Updated with a photo of the stand not deployed. For some reason, I managed to mess up my thread, no matter what, it only displays the one photo. I am not sure where the problem comes from.

This makes mySport seem positively sane . . .

One more...What an elegant, handsome machine Guzzi have built!

Sorry for the delay, Docc. I've been working my butt off and planning my first trip to the EU this Sept. So excited! The rain has finally started to let up. I got the V11 out of storage last week. I must say, I was surprised and impressed to open my storage unit and see...not one drop of oil under my Guzzi. The bottom, also...dry. The battery brackets were a lifesaver, thank you all for telling me to get them! They help so much with all the cables...crazy wiring harness design. The vibration in the grips is much reduced after the tune-up. It doesn't numb my hands after 20 mins now. Little vibes, quite manageable now. She runs so very beautifully, and turn-in is excellent, as are the brakes now that they were flushed. The Mistral pipes offer a nice, low thrumming note while underway. Triple digit speeds (according to old road tests on a closed circuit road course) is very stable and quiet...6th gear is tall. For a pushrod twin, she really likes to pull hard! With the Roper Plate installed, I kept a close eye for any oil lights on hills or hard acceleration...not a flicker. Perhaps the #1 mod that must be done to a V11. The gearbox is still smooth and easy. The dry clutch a real crowd-pleaser. I've only gotten two rides in this week, but next week, it's all dry and sunny, and I'm on vacation! All that is left after I installed a seat cowl with blue permatex, is to install the 4 new aluminum eagles on the pork chops, triple tree, and alternator cover. I also have two new shift lever and rear brake rubbers to install, but the ones on there look hardly worn, so they way stay until they start cracking. I've really fallen in love with the V11 Sport. She's a real gem of a motorcycle, and I couldn't be happier.

Hello Van, After 10 years, I just re-purchased my old V11 Tenni number #167. it’s back with me in Guildford Surrey, United Kingdom, after a lucky email to its previous owner. could you please add me to the . thank you Neil

A kangaroo in Texas? Was this before or after the tavern stop?

Some months ago, I searched for a solution to do basic maintenance on my V11; the forum provided help, and I also did some research. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to find the thread. Nevertheless, I opted for the "Central Lifter" manufactured by "Becker-Technik in Germany. If you live in the USA, you cannot purchase the stand directly from them; but you can from MG Cycle, here! Suggested by @Speedfrog you can also purchase from Stein Dinse here! the price shown (at time of writing 105.33 EUR includes 19% VAT. If selling outside of Europe, it should be tax free + shipping. If you live anywhere else in the world, you can purchase directly from the Becker-Technik website. Safety: wear thick sole shoes to be able to use your full weight on the lever; use a front brake lock; not compulsory, just a safe guard but better safe than sorry; make sure you have space on both side of the bike should something happens. Leave yourself an out; Leave the side stand out while deploying; If possible have someone assist you on the other side of the bike. At least until you got the procedure mastered Have a watchman during deployment if possible. Just in case something bad happens. You should only deploy the stand on a hard and smooth surface. I need to make a video to show how it deploys. Unlike central stand equipped motorbikes, you "wedge" the stand underneath the bike, which requires less efforts, as long as the surface where the wheels have to roll is smooth. The pictures below show my garage floor, which is adequate. I have tried to deploy it on a rougher surface, and I could not get it underneath, because the wheels caught on asperities. Becker says you can use a lever to ease up the operation. To release the stand, you stop the wheels from turning and you push the bike forward. This part is very easy. I used my foot to do it. As specified on the website, you need two 18mm by 1/2" drive sockets which are not supplied with the stand.

Ha ha true But you can't complain about the weather yesterday mate... An absolute beauty for this time of year, 28 degrees and sunny no wind...perfect So for only the second time all year dragged the cover off the ole girl and got out for a ride. Gassed up in Warragul and backroads through to Yarragon,Trafalgar up into the Strezlecki's ( Ranges ) a coffee in Mirboo North... Great riding through here and down to Meeniyan and on to Port Albert on the coast ( supposedly the best fish and chips in the state).Well being Easter long weekend and stunning weather it was packed! So we decided to head on into Yarram and lunch at one of the pubs. Headed for home back over the Strezlecki's via Gormandale and into Traralgon. Weather too good to drone down the highway so more backroads to Tyers /Yallourn Nth/ Willow Grove and home to Drouin. Left home 9.30am and got back at 4.30pm LOTS of great twisty roads, bike went well and the rider wasn't too rusty either! Cheers Guzzler Ps only downside is not having ridden much I really started feeling the bumps in the last hour.. Only cure for that is to get out more....ha ha

Aha, that's better. Sorry folk's been a while not only between rides but posting photos.... Cheers Guzzler

I am looking into getting one of these 1/2" drive breaker bars. Insofar, I have had no issue deploying inside my garage using minimal force, following the OEM instructions.

Not from where I'm sitting:( Ciao

That's easy. I will ping you when I have uploaded the pictures.

You were so close to it! it is on the 105 to Brenham from Navasota. Great ride! 250 miles... I have not done anything yet. I have something penciled for tomorrow, probably the Classic Rock Café too.

Thanks P6x…I’ll have to get down there shortly! Had a nice 250 Miler today getting two stops on the tour, Classic Rock Cafe and Camp Hearne plus a nice loop. Tomorrow I may do Port Bolivar and Galveston or Lufkin…haven’t decided yet. got lucky….no rain just a pleasant day out with some clouds and sunshine alternating…quite a few riders. Will load some pics later this evening…

I do not. the sockets mount on a round boss

Hello Paul, that is great. My postal code is V6K 1B2 Vancouver BC. Thanks a lot. Usually by post is the most reasonable to Canada for small items.

Hi Phillip, no worries, I still have the parts and you can have them for the price of shipping. I have no idea how much that could be , so send me your post code and I can get a rough price to Canada from here. No rush, when you figure out the plan, let me know. Paul B

? I didn't see you mention using one in your process or a photo. To use this stand I put the front wheel in a "condor" wheel chock, which stabilizes the bike, position the stand and lever it up with said breaker bar. Comes down easily too. I've done it without the chock but I like servicing it in the chock because a shop tipover is not an option. If I need to service the front end I use a floor jack under the motor, in conjunction with the rear stand and lift the wheel out of the chock, using ratchet straps to the rafters to stabilize. I'm used to doing without assistance and it's just the system I've come to use.

Sounds like a good plan! take your rain gear with you, just in case.... I found one stop the Grand Tour should absolutely put on its list, I bet there are so many; but this one is historical; I took several photos of the monument to make a panorama using my Tilt and Shift lens, but I managed to forget one set of flags, the most important ones! I need to go back.

How the Proper English would say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

We don't know ourselves well enough, do we?

"...The solution proposed by Waddington’s team...was to increase the time interval between scheduled maintenance cycles, and to eliminate all preventive maintenance tasks that couldn’t be demonstrably proven to be beneficial." Check

Hello @paulnaz, sorry I had missed your reply back in December. I am just getting back to trying to change the bars back to original on the 2004 Ballabio. Yes those look like the parts that I need if/when I find an original upper triple plate (GU01493180). I would like to buy them from you if you may be willing to sell them, just for the case that I find an original Ballabio triple plate. The Stein Dense upper triple plate is no longer available. There is a LSL Super bike V11 Lemans kit to convert to one piece handle bars that will work. It is a plate that mounts on top of the existing triple plate that has the handlebars mounts on it, and shown previously I think, but the link shows it in black and they may have changed it slightly from the previous one shown. If I cannot find an original Ballabio triple plate, I may end up going with the LSL plate adapter. Link Superbike-Kit MOTO GUZZI V11 Sport schwarz LSL black Moto Guzzi V11 Le Mans Le M | eBay Thanks Phillip

Went there today in "reconnaissance", did see some, but not what I was really looking for, which I found later between Belleville and Brenham. Unfortunately, the field is fenced. There are no posted sign "do not trespass", but I am hesitant to go over the wire. There are no animals.

How 'bout dem geers, doe?

Like to see how that turns out when done at powdercoater’s…

nice rickshaw Chuck

Uhh.. Docc's kid runs Imgzeit.. it's 11 bucks per year, unlimited uploads. Load it there, select "direct" and there ya go. No fooling around with "free" sites, losing your pictures, etc. Photoblockit can KMA. Right down the middle. Project progress..

What a difference a little piece of plastic makes: The aluminium one is going to the powdercoaters to get the candy apple red treatment with the pork chops for the Tenni.

That's a sharp shot, @LowRyter!

The options being made available to us on this piece are pleasantly surprising. Looks like I am "firm" on satin 2x2 for the booty lid. As for those fitted oval canister badges, they have a story rooted similarly to this effort. In the early days ( ), we had a member that was a seat builder, one Rich Maund. My Moto Guzzi round cf canisters (likely built by Mistral) were delivered (after some typical delay of months) with a special plaque riveted to their sides that was not pictured in the (photocopied pages) "catalog" of accessories when my Sport was new. I was determined to buy everything available from the beginning, both to support my dealer and accept that these pieces would be in limited supply. I must say, I was rather crestfallen to discover these badges riveted to my lovely, new (and expensive) cf canisters . . . So I drilled out the rivets, popped new ones into the holes, and blackened them. And tried not to see them. Sometime later, I saw Rich had these etched, shaped medallions fitted to his Sport. He had an extra set and I ponied up for them. I had to move them to replacement cans (thank you @joe camarda!) after my 2003 crash. They are typically hidden under my ugly (but useful) Tekno panniers. But, ain't they sweet?

Here's a link: https://www.vividracing.com/blog/1x1-vs-2x2-everything-you-need-to-know-about-carbon-fiber-weaves/ 1x1 looks like a checkerboard, 2x2 looks like diagonal stripes.

@PJPR01 Marc Marquez will be at COTA this week-end. If he is your favorite "horse", then you will have the opportunity to see him race! Personally, I think it makes sense for him to return here. This is clearly the best place for him to come back. Now the question that everyone has: can he dominate the way he has on this track? we will need to verify that.

I got to thinking that once the prototype comes out of the mold, there will be room for others to sign up for the production run. I had also lost track of the current pledges. A scroll back through the thread shows: @FreyZI, @docc, @Lucky Phil, @Joe, @GuzziMoto, @deadpen69, @Tom in Virginia, @Scud = 8 black, and @p6x and @leroysch for 2 in red = 10 in all. (I'm not sure the shipping to the UK for @stewgnu, but my Joe Caruso timing gears are arriving in the US from the heart of England tomorrow and the shipping was painless, taking only a week.)

@VtwinStorm must be getting close to bringing us a long awaited update on his black RedFrame Sport . . .

I can assure you they are still in business, I got a mail from Magni just the other day giving some info on the forks in my Sfida Communication can be very hit and miss and frustrating. Italy isn't like the US/Canada where level of service is everything. Magni probably has way more work than he can handle so he/they are less bothered if a few enquiries get skipped. I've been communicating with him on and off for quite a few years now, sometimes I get a response right away, other times I need to send out multiple mails before I hear back If you really want the Magni fairing, then I'd just try again. Once he hooks up with you and answers the enquiry and if you decide to go ahead it should be plain sailing, at least that's been my experience, it's getting that first contact that's tricky Giovanni has good english too. magni@magni.it is the address I use.