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Did a valve adjustment. And thanks to KINDOY2, I have some spiffy head guards. While I was polishing them, I also brightened up the valve cover bolt heads, so I fully expect to dazzle a few motorists in today's sun. In search of "approved" muffler hangers.

Sometimes out riding I’ll be exploring new roads & it just ends up in a absolute confused mess - those occasions I just turn round & go back. Even if it feels like I wasted my time I suppose I found out something - not all progress ends up going in the right direction! Sure I’m not the only one

@KINDOY2 I don't know who is in the band now, saw them in '78 after the Columbus record came out. Saw them again in the '80's and '00's. They're on my radar for a fall show in Tulsa.

these bikes have sat for over a decade, they need cleaned thoroughly. I've already removed and flush the tanks, and have been slowly replacing fuel lines, filters, etc. Once I remove the injectors, I'll hook them up to my newly purchased injector pulse machine from Aliexpress and should be good to go. The CW600 is not stock, no airbox or original carb. It's running a complete White Bros/Sudco kit that includes a Mikuni Flatside.

My go to material for muffler hangers over the years is 4mm 6060 aluminium flat bar. Strong enough, will take anodising, formable and weldable. Has always worked for me. For a really long bracket I might use 6mm thick. Phil

Seems to me that "grooming" our exhaust hard points to spread the vibration is desirable. Worst place to focus the forces would be at the heads.

For 'in place' carb refreshing, get some Chevron 'techron' in a bottle from auto parts. Fill the bowl through the fuel line, let work for half an hour then drain. Add a half-pint of Marvel Mystery oil to the tank of fresh non-Corngas, run it through and you'll either be golden, or you'll be taking it apart the hard way. Seafoam works pretty good but I've had awesome results with MMO in both gas tank and crankcase for freshen-ups.

The ball end and rod muffler supports aren't a good idea. The mufflers require some amount of lateral and anti rotational support from the hanger bracket, these give zero. When you come up with an idea you never see anyone else do it's either brilliant OR the opposite. This is the opposite. I wish it was a good idea as it would have saved me quite a few hours over the years making and fitting hanger brackets. Phil

Nobody in their right mind hangs the hat of model identity of a 20 year old Italian motorcycle on the colour of the tank and bodywork and fitment of a Bikini fairing. They are all superficial and easily replaceable, re paintable items. It's the underlying mechanicals that determine the model. Add to that the uniquely American "carry over year" debacle and it's a "what the hell" year is this thing. I suppose as a counterpoint to that would be the crinkle finish engine and gearbox paint of 2002. Nobody would try and apply that to another model. That would be madness. Phil

Okay, here ya go, @LaGrasta! Courtesy of our esteemed member @chamberlin: Chamberlin also posted this 2002 German sales brochure that depicts the V11 Sport Naked. First time I've noticed the "maroon" color tank called "Rosso Vintage" . . .

Moved to 24/7 V11 since, yes, this is a legit V11 model . . . That "CycleChaos" link is a nice try, but they miss the mark on a lot of levels. Sure, the bikini fairing was added, but may have been a dealer option. Everything about it is 2002, except the VIN. We often refer to these 2003 as "carry-over" 2002s. I have a printed Moto Guzzi sales catalog with your very "Sport Naked" shown in that color. [Correction: My printed sales brochure from 2001 (showing 2002 models) calls this "V11 Sport Naked" and my printed 2003 catalog calls it simply "V11 Naked."] Take a look at this V11Lemans.com thread and you will see your V11 (with a reference to the 2003 "carry-over" models):

Whatever. Cheer up y'all. I'm sure these ladies ain't singin' our song . . .

oh... i hope the bmw didnt beat the guzzi in that race?

Great day for a ride on the Scura today, Fresh motor with FBF High compression pistons, Fresh Gearbox, RAM clutch assy, Lucky Phils shift improvement, and Chucks extended shift bracket, Freshly powder coated motor and gearbox...Ohlins front and rear reworked with Ducati 1098 valving and springs, and steering damper rebuild by a great guy ,Dan Kyle at Dan Kyle Racing, AND.. ...docc's Decent Tuneup was the cherry on top!!..She runs and rides beautifully. Thanks to forum friends especially docc, and also Scud, Footgoose, Lucky Phil, and a few others for all their behind the scenes help and advice in my learning curve while pulling this all together over the past year!!! All Great people!.

It's interesting to watch the pre-race pageantry as teams prepare their cars on the starting line The pit crews and press then vacate the starting line in preparation for the start. Mercedes takes up the front row with the two Ferraris right behind them. Hamilton blows the start allowing Rosberg to grab the lead which he would hold until the end of the race. After the racing stops, the Tifosi are allowed the time-honored tradition of invading the circuit, led by a crew carrying a giant Ferrari flag Pandemonium erupts! And this is with the Ferrari team finishing in third place. I can only imagine what it's like when Ferrari wins. Absolutely fantastic atmosphere with Tifosi, young and old in full Ferrari regalia. F1 is truly shooting themselves in the foot if they remove the Italian GP from the schedule. The weather so far has been spectacular and with more fine weather in the forecast, an executive decision is made to cross the Alps to pay a visit to a friend in Basel, Switzerland. I head north towards the Swiss border, taking the ferry across Lake Como. Bellagio is a popular destination for day trippers from Milan and you'll never know what you will run into at the ferry landing Stopping for a leisurely lunch at Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como It takes a cold heart to turn one's back to Lake Como's beauty

OK, so other than OEM, what have you done? What survives?