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I'm waiting for one still in the crate...

My fondest memories of @belfastguzzi: Oh, yer shift spring breaks on the way out for a pint? Pitch her against the Armco and see to it, lad !

Because it's more.

A p.s. to that: it might sound unwieldy, but that system is in fact eminently logical. It's not quite the same thing, but we have an example here in the forum in the form of the name of member @al_roethlisberger . The "oe" is most likely an anglicisation of the German ö . The two dots are called an Umlaut = sound changer, the ö does sound like oe, and adding an e after the vowel in question is the "official" workaround when writing words with the Umlaut letters ö, ä, and ü on machines (computers, typewriters...) that don't have the necessary key. So we have "Röthlisberger" as the name. That means "he who comes from Röthlisberg" or "one of the folk from Rhötlisbeg ". "Röthlisberg" means "Rhötlis mountain", and that is here in the German speaking part of Switzerland: https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/47.01303/7.77832 So it is fair to assume that one of Al's ancestors probably came from there.

Believe it or not, but this is how it looks now... Only the frame, gearbox and drive-shaft are still original

No I haven't posted here for years and years, but am looking at pics from 20 years ago (19 1/2yrs more accurate) of collecting Scura #497 in England. Now there are five Guzzis sitting about the place, collected up over the 20 yrs. You know how it is.

Just because I'm a terrible attention whore but it does look very nice, especially in the sun! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52767196911_28f284759f_b.jpg

I gotta Moto Guzzi Gree sew With diamond coated flatties Got a sump full of mystery And I ain’t got cams No, I ain’t got cams ~ Yardbikes with Epic Clappedout

@docc He hears no evil. (perhaps it's due to the artillery reports?)

If you had the funds to invest in a new old stock crate bike to get running, you would probably have a talented Moto Guzzi motorcycle mechanic to set it up correctly. My vote would be to get the bike running to tip top shape and ride it, sort of the same as Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum . Motorcycles are not built to be caged in boxes their whole life.

Very rare to see one that complete and original. Down to the original reflectors and goofy secondary air pump. Even the tail cowl looks intact. (These tend to crack at the mounting points.) As @gstallons said, these languished on showroom floors with asking prices upwards of $4,000US when the 4 cylinder CBR600 "Hurricane" sitting next to it was about the same money. I found mine at a dealer about an hour from me, sitting on his floor for nearly two years. Over 52,000 miles now and still a doll. Met some of my best buds and lifelong friends through the GB500 . . .

You don't know how this site works yet, Docc? Look left, that's <– that direction. Under belfastguzzi there's a little picture avatar thingy, under that there's a list of my bike(s) – and ! I specially updated it it when I called in yesterday ! Sadly only two of five are running on the road: LeMans Mklll - classic of course; wrist breaker V11 Scura - sort of parts-bin and sorta classy and in ways better than the Griso, which is next > Griso 8V (first of 8 valves - grrrr I hate Piaggio Guzzi) 1200 Sport - last of 2-valves, by no means perfect but one of the best modern (suppose I now need to add 'air-cooled') Guzzis? I wanted the last iteration of venerable (& trustworthy) 2V big block motor. I wish Guzzi had called it a GT rather than a Sport. V7lll 750 Rough - absolutely no comparison to Aprilia 750 but I do enjoy it and went for it 'cos Rough model has wire wheels and looks good (tho of course - punctures, the price to pay). It's good combo along with the 1200 Sport. I prob wouldn't have it if it was my only bike, though... the older I get....

"Startus Interuptus " afflicts V11 after the early (1999-2001) and involve the Ignition Switch over the relays. Like so many afflictions, these matters are often "multi-causal" . . . (requiring "some owner involvement" . . . )

As in, five more? Just what are these five Guzzi "sitting about the place", @belfastguzzi?

My understanding is that it could be registered in the US as long as it meets the CARB and DOT safety standards and EPA requirements that were in effect at time of manufacture...and there are no open recalls in the USA on this model. Piaggio can supply that notice with the appropriate VIN.

Flirting with maximum usable range reminds me to point out the "tip-slosh" method of splashing a bit of the fuel trapped on the right side of the tank over into the left with the fuel tap. This is a strenuous, roadside maneuver having sputtered out of fuel. Standing beside the left side of the bike, it is leaned as far left as strength will allow and then "dipped" abruptly to slosh fuel over to the left. Because the closed loop returns unused fuel to the right side fuel trap, I typically then ride like my hair is on fire toward the nearest fuel station

Hey, A friend dropped his 2002 V11 LeMans off here asking if I would track down the reason for the intermittent starting, actually, not starting. I had seen posts about the subject on other forums some time ago regarding the Norge and possibly others. A search has a myriad of different threads but some of that is hard to follow and use for diagnosis of this Guzzi. The symptoms are an on and off starting situation. It will start, shut it down and it will not start immediately afterward. Just odd. Battery is good, holds charge and shows 12.65 at rest, load test indicates good. I will check the grounds, starter positive cable connections, what else...? Are starter switches notorious for failure...? Ignition switches...? Appreciate any assistance here. Thanks, rad__

Thanks Doc. This topic prodded me to go searching for this video that I found a long time ago and posted into MySpace, yes, MySpace. I can't get into MS anymore so couldn't access the vid, but here we go, eventually found it on YouTube. Maybe I posted it here years ago too. Let's see if this works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW_JjCSZAxQ Hmm, well it doesn't work, video not showing. Over to you Docc...

Dang, I better use my glasses. I know he is a big collector, but wondered why he wouldn't go more incognito. 🤔 One letter off wouldnt be the way to do it. Seems like the price is climbing a bit...lets see how crazy this gets.

Problem solved. Adjustor on clutch lever had backed itself in blocking holes in base of clutch fluid reservoir

Yep, I reckon these are great bikes! Honda did this really really well and so much better than the standard XBR 500! As a fan of big singles I'd love one as the backroads round here do resemble English lanes in parts. Then again an Enfield bullet might be better to potter about on them and a damn site cheaper too? Cheers Guzzler

Thanks Doc I hope to NEVER have to resort to this....! Cheers

Yeah, that is QUITE an evolution from where it began!

Mark Knopfler is one of the bidders. He is a big collector of bikes and cars.

For now , you start at the end . The starter solenoid wire , or the beginning. The ign. switch. If you want to call it the beginning .

Whew , there would have to be a flowchart built to be able to diagnose this "no-start" condition. There are so many problems [when it is a no-start] w/this bike it would take some time to do. For now you just have to be on top of things when experiencing a no-start . A test light , a wiring diagram and deduction .

Shit. I always forget normal links don't work on this board. Thanks Docc.

I'll take a look at that topic and go pay close attention to what all goes on when the key is turned. I do always hear the fuel pump, when the starter does not engage I do hear the clicking of a relay, I will check on whether the lights dim or not. Thanks, back soon, rad

Geez, if "less is more", why is the German phrase so insanely long?!?

As the Germans say: "In der Beschränkung zeigt sich der Meister". For our english readers: "Less is more"

Trip to Sconnie Botland

That can't be in Holland. There's a hill...

Time to show a picture of what my V11LM looked like

That was 250 Kays, which I take as 250 Kilometers. Or in American, 156 miles.

Obviously taking the shortest, most direct way home... For those not in the know, on the map the street is called "Yarra Boulevard". https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=15/-37.7969/145.0180 I used to like going home that way too. Out of the city area on Johnston street onto the Boulevard, back off onto the Chandler Hiighway and out along Hiedelberg Road to Macleod. Shortest, most direct route and all that... Bugger of a place to run out of fuel...

I've had good service from Docc's kid.. imgzeit.com/

It's a thermistor, so the less it is covered (and cooled) by fuel the brighter the lamp glows. There *is* a delay built in somehow so it doesn't flash off and on like the early float switches.

This one easy to look at too. It’s all about the 10 finger base

@Guzzi-in-Vancouver posted this delightful track in another thread, but I thought it deserved a place here. As pretty and talented as the vocalist is, I can't take my eyes off the funky, animated clarinetist!

I always did prefer a slightly more stretched riding position. UJM (universal japanes motorcyle) position was never my favourite. And then there is the expression that one hears here and there in Germany: "Wer schön sein will, muss leiden" Translation: "If you want to look good, you have to suffer".