FreyZI

What is this thing on the spine? The Tenni doesn't have it. I imagine it has something to do with the boobytrap (a la Mad Max in Bartertown). And here are the boot fryers: Anybody used them?

So, one of the things I must consider is what to do with this bike: 1) make sure mechanicals are good and store it for when/if something goes wrong with the Tenni. 2) rehabilitate it mechanically, but leave it alone cosmetically and have that rat bike I've always wanted. 3) Spruce her up considerably and really appreciate (per Docc) the monochromatic fireball. Additional pics:

Yesterday I brough home the champagne '02 Lemans of former forum member twhitaker (RIP). This was a bit of a Covid Times purchase, I think: something to do, not particularly well thought out or investigated, just scratching a wild hair. Well, at least I didn't resign my job. Pros: I do actually like the color. I was afraid it was going to be too close to simlar vintage Toyota Camry old-lady beige. It isn't. Maybe more Iron Man gold. It's tasteful, yet not absolutely boring. When the snow clears, I'll get a sid-by-side photo of the Tenni and the champagne (I laid a couple stone of salt to clear a narrow path from garage - it's not great motorcycling weather in this neck of the woods). It's a Motto Guzzi V11! Started up in single digit temperature; sounded okay PO has ridden -- fast! (how fast will remain undisclosed) Cons: Cosmetic damage (mostly what I know at present -- this bike has 44K miles on the clock and it looks like it did every bit of it). This bike went down on its right side at some point. It buggered up the cylinder head guard -- which did its job rather well Damaged right fairing Bar end was replaced with something dramatically different in size (and presumably mass) Hard cases dented, abraided, and small tears Mufflers mismatched (one painted to be less obviously mismatched) Front wheel rim gouged Front fender abraided Right mirror cup abraided Rear hugger abraided Seat okay but not great Seat cowl scratched Some fuel tank anomoly and also rubbing from throttle friction device when bars at full right lock Some corrosion on fins, master cylinder cover, elsewhere Pork chops' anodized finish peeling badly and otherwise beat up Cylinder head finish bubling Engine case paint isn't perfect, but doesn't seem too bad (I'd welcome a pic of what bad looks like) Basically, bike is pretty filthy Mechanical problems Neutral light intermittent failure with concomitant sidestand-triggered engine cut-off, even in neutral judging from presence of oil on final drive outer case, possibly a bad seal Feels like steering lock doesn't engage quite soon enough Oily grime about intake at R cylinder (maybe L, too -- haven't looked that closely) Odometer 60 degree bit held together with a grocery twist tie Notable features Highway pegs (Looking forward to trying these, but worried these are actally designed to melt boots) More to come. Thanks in advance for helping with the trouble shooting! Cheers, Frey

Hello, all. twhitaker's old champagne V11 lemans has arrived at its new home in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania; stable mates with Tenni #112, a G5, and a couple Beemers (the F800GS being the odd duck of the bunch). Many thanks to Tom Witt who went above and beyond in: 1) Letting this process drag out over a month while we navigated the holiday season and other priorities 2) Traveling a couple hours east to deliver the bike to my waiting trailer 3) Providing extra bits, a brand new, still wrapped front tire and even retrieving a nice set of prok chops he'd already parted with (to a local friend who was apparently willing to part with them himself) to sweeten the deal a bit It will take me some time figure out what I purchased, and I will start a new thread where I can take advantage of all the knowledge -- and good humor (I'm going to need it -- this bike is pretty rough) -- of the community. Cheers, Frey

Chuck, did you pose for the P-O? Story there?

I'm holding out hope for a riding day here and there for the next couple months here in the warmer clime of central PA. Jealous, though, Vtwin, of riding in NH. Rode the NEBDR last summer and NH had to be the highlight (scenery-wise). We raced the leading edge of a storm for a few hours and then the skies cleared as we reached Franconia Notch. Amazing views, and a super stretch of road.

Handlebar accoutrements seem like the obvious easy and inexpensive (hopeful) solution. Does anyone have experience with tire selection and vibration? Different kettle of fish altogether, I know, but when I recently swapped out the old Shinko 805s for Bridgestone Battleaxes on the dual sport, I got a whole new appreciation for vibes at the handlebars. Maybe one of you engineer-types could speak to rubber and resonant frequencies? Has she been re-shod already? Cheers, Frey

Interesting garage-fellows, a SMART and a V11....

Thanks for addressing these questions, all. See what you're saying, Docc, about the monochromatic fireball; though the V11 colorway I've always admired is the 2002 Sport Naked with the pale greenish-gold tank. I've not seen one of those for sale in a long, long time.

Thanks, Docc. I think those colors look pretty close in the photos. I always thought my Tenni's tank was a tad toward gold rather than straight silver. Could it be the same color as champagne, but satin on the Tenni and gloss on the standard Lemans?

Hola, compadres and witttom (Tom, I emailed you from central PA a day or two ago). I am the owner of Tenni #112. I love #112. She's the one bike I own that I will never sell. Only problem is, in my view, she's priceless; so I'm reluctant to cane her too hard, or to turn her over too far in a turn, or to leave her in the parking lot at work. She's not perfect (not a low miles example and not devoid of imperfections, nor do I need her to be). But, I've always thought it would be nice to have a second Lemans; one that could do those things I won't do with #112. Also thought it would be nice to have a parts bike in reserve. As to the latter, a couple questions: 1) I believe the "champagne" Lemans shares the same tank color as the Tenni. Is this true? 2) I can't tell whether the "pork chops" on the '02 champagne Lemans are painted red or the anodized red like on the Tenni. Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge! Cheers, Frey

I'll bite. Shipping to 16801? Question: What did you use to dye them. I have the v11 tank bag which is the faded purple. Would try to match them. Whatever it is, it better not be the stuff Rudy uses!

Thanks for all the tips, folks. In my "spare time", I'll try to tackle a few of these issues. I bought the bike about two years ago from a member of this forum. It had received considerable attention (clutch, engine paint, etc.). When not in use, the Tenni sits proudly under the stairs to the basement, rather than in the adjacent garage with its older sibling and cousins. The basement has a dehumidifier and stays a fairly constant, comfortable temperature. It is a bit of a trick to store it there, as I have to use the man door. Fortunately, folding in the mirrors allows entry and egress. In the warmer months, I take it out about once a month (never in the wet. In the winter, it stays indoors on a battery tender. Battery is the same as when purchased. Incidentally, I recently switched my BMW R1200R and F800GS (my daily riders) to Antigravity lithium batteries and I've been happy with them. Anybody using a lithium battery in their v11? Given my intermittent use of the Tenni, maybe that's a good idea. On the other hand, I've heard some horror stories about LiFePo batteries.

Since I purchased my V11 Lemans, I've noticed that it likes to be fairly warm before riding off. It will occassionally cut out (not a stutter and die, just cut out), for example when I've gone a few blocks and pull clutch and brake at a stop sign. Once it's good and warm, no problems. However, I've had a couple gremlins recently. On a trip to a moto hangout about a half hour away, the starter refused to spin for the way home. Bump started it and got home fine. Several subsequent shorter rides started up fine, so I chocked it up to the bike being Italian and did no investigation. Several weeks ago, I took it on a several hours trip, with about 150 miles of spirited riding on I-80. Once I got off the interstate, it started to sputter a bit, and coming to a stop it cut out. It did start up and I made it the final mile to my destination. Following day, heading home, similar experience. After several hours in 6th gear, it didn't seem to like the B roads. Most recently, I stopped for gas about 20 minutes into a ride and experienced another no start (no spin). I pushed on the connector at the starter solenoid and it was clearly not tight. Afterward, it started right up; so I assume that was the issue with starting. I'm guessing that there may be some other poor connections that are causing the problem. Any ideas?

Hey, Scud. Still got the pork chops?

"First ride" on new-to-me Tenni #112. I acquired T112 in December(?) and -- living about 40 degrees north latitude -- put it in the stable (work had me down, too, so missed a few nice opportunities to take her out in the past couple months). Of course I had taken it for a quick test ride when I bought it, but I hadn't really ridden it, until today. Been sunny and in the 40s here the past few days, so I knocked the cobwebs off all the beemers, and then took out the Tenni for my first real ride on her. Ear-to-ear grin! Not a terribly long ride, but a few twisties, some empty country roads, and a few miles in town. Enjoyed assimilating to the feel of the new bike, which handles rather differently from my other bikes. Also rather enjoyed the racket the thing makes. I never understood the desire to have a loud bike, and have always appreciated the quiet purr of my R1200R and the quiet grumble of the F800GS. The hack (R1100R) annoyingly came with a Staintune that's considerably louder than it needs to be and burbles with engine braking. So, it was to my great surprise that the biggest sh!t-eating grin of the afternoon was delivered by the exhaust note when rolling on throttle at 60; changing from a present baritone to an impressive bass vibrato while the bike eagerly answered. Thoroughly enjoyed the Lemans today. Will she be the new daily rider? Hmm...

Well, she must have gotten into trouble for that, because she merely suggested that I get in touch with MG Cycle. Or maybe you just have better moves.

Had a rare 60F degree January day (after a miserable cold snap with highs in the single digits), and was really looking forward to taking out the Tenni, but it was spitting and I didn't want to take her out in the rain. Took out the R12 and the 800GS daily riders and left the Tenni in the garage. Within 12 hours it dropped 40 degrees. Snowing now, so a ride in the not too distant future is probably a pipe dream. Very sad. Time to add stabilizer and hope for an early spring.

Yes, to re-dye: first a spray on cleaner, then the dye. I'll update with my progress.

Couple dings in my Tenni's red anodized side plates/foot peg hangars/pork chops. Anybody touch these up before?

Sorry to revive a very old thread here, but was there ever an answer? My Tenni's cans are pretty faded and I'd be up for new replacement badges.

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread, but I have appeased my interest. Took the seat to the upholsterer today and he confirmed that it is indeed genuine leather. Unfortunately, despite my calling ahead and explaining my project to someone there, they've stopped working in leather because they had to buy whole hides. So, back to the drawing board. He did recommend some products, in the SEM Surecoat line. I'll probably give them a shot (and ruin my seat's nice patina).