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at this point in "LeMans" evolution I'd say it's just a fairing and a sticker. I see why a Sport is a Sport but I don't understand why the earlier spines, the faired 1100 SportI, Spot, etc were not called LeMans. What were they waiting for, the '02 version? My BMV has no LeMans designation so my LM is titled "Sport" ....and the very early LM's had a quarter fairing.

This guy, @chamberlin, said it first, " . . . I think it is an important data point for us. I believe it would make the most sense to classify these bikes primarily by major feature set, and secondarily by model year. "

For comparison, @Kostarika's fine 2004 Sport. This is the configuration of a "late model" Sport (not a "carry over") . . . LongFrame; long tank/no chin pad/ internal pump & filter; satin black engine paint/ black face ITI/hUR gauges; 43mm forks; front exhaust crossover pipe: The question arises, are there 2003 Sport in this, later, configuration? Or are all 2003 Sport in the 2002 "carry over" configuration?

@stewgnu shared this stunning image of his nicely modded Carryover Sport . . . @Guzzimax's Carryover Sport nicely compared to his beautiful silver RedFrame clearly showing the longer frame in front of the short tank: @motortouring's 2002 ("Pre-Carryover?) Sport: @LaGrasta's 2003 Carryover Sport . . .

2003 Carryover Sport configuration: 2002 "Long Frame" with early "Short Tank" (chin pad/external fuel pump/filter) and white-face Veglia gauges driven by the "angle drives." Wrinkly, crinkly, fragile black engine/driveline paint. 40mm forks. No front exhaust crossover pipe or "Long Tank" (internal pump/filter), no "tube driven" black-face ITI/hUR instruments, no 43m forks, no left/right turn indicators without a "battery" light. No tight "satin" black driveline paint. (all common to true&actual 2003 and later V11). These are purely 2002 specification V11 that were sold as 2003 "transition" models . . .

So, the short arm on the gearbox can be rotated to another groove to set the shift lever angle (I like mine as low to the Frame Side Plate as possible, the the connector rod length is used to get the "right angles" (or close them), before setting the pivot tension/play. Make sure all the fasteners/ pinch bolt/ lock nuts are tight and the pivot bolt is cleaned/polished/greased (I use BelRay Waterproof Grease there since it is down in the road spray).

A review of official sales literature reveals the "2001" brochure that introduced the 2002 Le Mans, referenced above, showing the three Sport (short tank) colors over the braced, black LongFrame referred to as "Sport Naked ." The 2003 Sales Brochure shows the "Carryover Sport ", and a bright red monochromatic later configuration, called "Naked Sport." My 2004 Sales Brochure shows the later LongFrame/LongTank configuration with "Naked Sport " badging on the tail fairing (like @Kostarika's 2004 Sport, pictured above). From the 2003 Sales Brochure: The standing question remains: Were all 2003 V11 Sport in the 2002 LongFrame/ShortTank "Carryover"configuration or are there actual 2003 LongFrame/Long Tank Sports?

Due to popular demand we have decided to add an extra weekend for all the South'n (US) Spine Raider's for 2023, so how about a spring Kentucky Spine Raid a little farther north around Dale Hollow Lake area? As for a date, seems we were thinking the weekend between Mothers' Day and Memorial day . . . (Seven months out, at this point). May 19-21, 2023 Consider the discussion started, thoughts?

And a gobsmacking and entertaining virtual tour of the Elk Grove showroom on their website. Chockablock full. A testimonial to the low bar my entertainment expectations reside in. We ain't got places like that here in Connecticut. A vicarious joy.

I set it into the top hole. I can't really tell if it shifts better/different than before without taking it on the road.

You're trying to source a carbon fiber starter cover? If you're in need of a plain-Jane OEM plastic cover, I took mine off my 2000 V11. The previous owner painted it dark grey. You're welcome to it if it is something you can use.

Well, we are THE V11 LeMans forum. RedFrameTrash , like me, are just lucky to have a place to park back in the corner . . .

I'll inquire. Has not visited since 2014 . . . [edit: nope, contact attempt failed.]

Some days, well, test your patience. Just putting the bike back together after the 'incident'. Fairing bracket straightened, mirrors in house, paint finished. Thanks to Curtis Harper for digging out an old 'Sport oil cooler someone deleted...(?) Started the bike- it started hard and ran like crap. Funny, it was fine when I took it off the trailer and put it in the garage. I had noticed that the 'feel' had fallen off a bit during the SSR, but so minor I thought I was just being paranoid. So I took the tank off and dug into the electrics as a matter of course. The left plug cap had been broken- a Parts Unlimited spare, non-resistor. I replaced it with a new NGK 5k ohm unit. I saw the plug wire was solid core copper, so I tested everything to discover that the NGK plug cap on the right side was completely open-circuit, the resistor blown completely out. So it got replaced too. That evened things up, the bike ran equally poorly on both cylinders. Starting not easily, idle smooth but doesn't take throttle well and backfires/misfires. New plugs no help. Voltage at all points good... then there's that darn cam speed sensor. The one in the bike when I bought it was dead, and this one has something just short of 20k on it. But it runs, right? So I test, and find it's not open circuit; test more, and find inconsistent switching. Dangit. Who has the sensor shims? I'm zero clearance which may have contributed to an early death, though the witness marks are very light. For your entertainment, testing a hall effect 3-wire sensor.

Ah, yeah, using the upper hole is the idea. Might require a slight change to the connector rod length. I also "tune the shifter" to bring it within a couple millimeters of the Frame Side Plate on the downstroke in every gear. Also, the tension on the pivot can be adjusted by turning the pivot bolt to the desired tension and locking it in place with the inboard lock nut. My shifter still had too much wiggle/ play for my tastes, so I shimmed the lever in the pivot space.

I would own every version....

Docc, Currently we have Bill Hagan, Kale, John (my dad n V7 850 Special), and myself in the 3 bedroom Cottage. I think there is a fire ring for night time bourbon tastings and "tech sessions".

My thigh feels better, already . . .

Okay, yes: #16 = 04211201001 "Flexible coupling hose kit " (2 parts, not the washer stack/#18) And two "Sliding Sleeves" (#2 in this diagram):

"Manicotto Scorrevole" . . . "sliding sleeves" (makes sense for what we were calling "sliding dogs." Instead, "flexible hose coupling " refers to the other part of the recall, the gearbox "cushdrive" :

Cause for celebration! I was gonna post Spanish Moon , but then "the nerve in my thigh just quivered and fizzled " . . . [Moto Guzzis], they was locked Arm in Arm . . .

Marzocchi, yes. @bbolesaz I did not. I had to use that technique on a recent fork rebuild on my 1982 GL500. For the V11, I merely laid the fork on the bench, and it easily came out using an allen-wrench and an extension for leverage.

I found the introduction of this "Sport Naked " in the 2001 sales brochure that also introduced the 2002 LeMans (LongFrame/ShortTank):

Thank you, @chamberlin , for posting this original sales brochure! "Schnörkellos in der Linienführung" >no frills in the lines<

Exactly. I can only think of a couple people who could say how it is possible to visually verify the status of this recall work. Guys that actually performed these recalls back in 2004-2005 . . . @LeMaynes has shown us what we do not want . . . And the "hose couplings":

You don't make this one then we're having a SpineRaid between the lifts in your shop!

YES! The ""flexible coupling hose" - that is the gearbox repair!

Called NHTSA...no info on work performed. Called Aprilia...they have minimal info but guy is digging further. He said he will call Italy to possibly find more. The only campaign info he could find so far is something performed in 2004 and the term "flexible coupling hose" was used. He said he should report back tomorrow. I think that part is in the tranny, so we'll see.

I am very much interested in making May Kentucky Month -- tho the thought of any centerfolds from this bunch skeers me. Anyway, as those who care know -- an exceedingly small group -- I have ridden for many years twice to Kentucky annually: in late May (Memorial Day weekend) and late September for "Mutton Runs." As I ride exclusively on entertaining backroads vice the slab, the most practical way to make both of these events is to do the sKSR first, then head up to Daviess County. That mean$ lodging co$t$ ju$t as $everal of our 13 (ga$p) grandkid$ have birthday$. The days of those little shixes being happy with empty boxes are long gone. Moto Guzzis are my hobby; buying things for grandkids is Kathi's. As my newest Guzzi is a 2017 model, guess who spends more. 😳 The biggest impediment to being gone that long at that time of year as it's prime weed-growing season! That sounds like a joke, but I'll need to hire a bush hog instead of my zero-turn if I don't get lucky. I only wish that dandelions and the like were cash crops. I can mooch for a few days in Eddyville with an old friend, and possibly with some other unsuspecting high-school or college friends -- tho Kathi has a no-fly list that includes a Greensburg redhead from days of yore -- that I might lean on for free lodging between the events. Still, a 1500-mile roundtrip -- something like the map here -- is otherwise enticing. I sent a PM to Joe about that cabin's room, but if that is taken or all of this is in my too-hard-do box, I'll reserve a room now at the lodge and cancel if I must later. Bill P.S. I am still licensed to practice law in Kentucky, but as an officially retired Old Flatulent and "Senior Counselor," I'm exempt from paying bar dues. If any of you end up wearing an orange suit, I can return to "active duty" for your court appearance and would only charge you those bar dues.

I built a 116 mile loop crossing the Cumberland on the nearby ferry and back across the Wolf Creek Dam. Not exactly cow paths, but very limited highway. You know the drill. Check your pm......

Probably lodging discounts for Kentucky residents . . . @gstallons . . . Yo! Talkin' to you, bud. Both of your chiropractors have already written you Doctor's Notes. Could come down to a Southern-SpineRaid/West-Between-the-Lifts-at-gstallons-Shop-After-Hours (I tried to make an acronym out of that and choked like a cat on a hairball )