vtwins4life

From reading your post, you pretty much described my old 1992 Yamaha FJ1200. You want a bike to do 120 all day long, revel in the sweepers and basically not worry much about maintenance or surprise issues ? That's the one. But, you want a V11. Hey I get it. I don't ride an FJ any more and the siren song of that Guzzi big twin is really hard to shake once it gets into your soul. You seem to know your bikes and aren't afraid to get dirty - you'll do fine on a V11. Yeah it'll be flogged if that's what you ask of it and it'll certainly do "the ton" with little effort. It may have a few more issues that you might like, but you'll overlook those every time you swing a leg over it and hear it roar. I have the wonky shift spring, a likely cracked case (leaks some fluid on the exhaust) and a slipping clutch. And I still cant wait to ride it as much as I possibly can. The EV is just sitting idle now...sad but true. As others have said and you've noted - all of the bike's flaws have been painstakingly laid bare on the interwebs. Go in with your eyes open. And come out of the corners with your mouth open too..in a huge smile. VT4L

Nice bike! Welcome to the clan...some amount of "character" is to be expected from any sexy Italian so ignore the shifter nonsense for now, get some wind in the chest motoring done and listen to the irresistible sound of the Guzzi big twin as it revs :-). We're all here for a short time. I hope I'm trailering home another Guzzi at 70 ! Hats off to you sir... Vt4L

Thanks very much everyone - lots of good ideas here ! VT4L

So..what are you guys using for a rear stand ? Since the V11 Sport has no centerstand I'd like to get something I can use for maintenance. What's good, what's not...etc - any info is appreciated. VT4L

Tell me, gururs of Guzzidom, does the bike at least have a rev limiter ? Seeing as how I may be without a working tach for some time, it would be good know there's something preventing me from grenading the motor. VT4L

It would be nice if anyone hoarding more than one would consider selling it to me :-). I am fairly new to Guzzi ownership and don't have a war chest amassed in the garage like it seems many of you do. I'll pay fair market value of course! Vt4L

Tried to find a replacement Veglia tech lately ? Just sayin... :-) Vt4L

I believe it might have rattled before I put it back on the bike, but since there is no clear way to open the case I'm not sure how that knowledge helps me. How do I open this thing without totally destroying it ? Vt4L

Quick update here - Joel Levine says "mechanical tachs only - nothing electronic" so my search continues... VT4L

While we're on this topic, I'd like to ask if anyone can point me to a thread on how to address the "knee issue". My V11 Sport already has better/higher bars courtesy of the previous owner. But my hip joint and knees aren't very fond of the high pegs. Is there a definitive list of parts available that can move the pegs down (assuming both shifter and rear brake lever need new components here as well)? VT4L

Thanks - I checked the ebay store and neither the tach nor those nice red valve covers seem to be for sale. VT4L

I did some investigation on the non-working tach on my greenie this weekend and it looks like I need a new one (or a pointer to someone who rebuilds them). All of the connections were solid on the back, or at least they were until I tried to remove the posts (thinking they were threaded in). Now they just spin loosely...and it's anyone's guess how you remove them and get the back cover of the damn thing off. I'm tossing in the towel on this one and seeking a replacement or rebuild. I did get the hokey DIY tail lamp remounted and it looks a lot better. Plus the bike shrugged off the winter nap and was eager to make things happen on the back roads yesterday. Spring is here...at last! VT4L

I'll need a solid clutch before any more power can be delivered, but good tip ! VT4L

Scare me off...LOL...not likely. Thanks again very much for all the expert advice (and for not starting a pro/con K&N torches and pitchforks debate...been there...). The season is about over here so the cover goes on soon and this all goes to bed until mid March. At that time it'll get a new clutch and maybe (if funds allow) some better time spent tuning the PC. Maybe even some new mufflers but we'll see how it goes. VT4L

Having just bought a somewhat modded V11 with no records I'd say walk away and find a clean one. What looks like a $3.5k bike could quickly become a $5k one, or more. VT4L

Thanks - remember I didn't remove the 'box...it came that way. I may try to track one down and put it back to stock at some point, but for now the K&Ns are way better at filtering than some crumbly foam. Will yank the PC and see how she responds.... VT4L

Thanks for the warm welcome guys ! Some more info and feedback on your comments: 1) the intake boots were replaced during the service (forgot to list that). 2) The bike has an old looking K&N branded Power Commander hooked up - no idea how it's tuned or if it's adding value or not. The bike's only perf mod that I can tell was the removal of the stock airbox and the fitment of open element foam filters (which I replaced with K&N cones). 3) The bike certainly runs rich and only gets 35mpg. My EV gets 45-48 4) Valves were set to Intake - .004 exhaust .006 - is that the stock setting and are those a typo (should be .04/.06) ? 5) My tach is bouncing around 1k rpm and not adding much value. I need to try running a new ground to see if that addresses it 6) The bike is a funky mix of burning smells - need to see if some gearbox oil is leaking down to the xover and burning as some of you have noted 7) The bike is not really what I'd call "nimble" (I had an Aprilia Shiver a few years ago that was like a scalpel in the twisties) and over the next year I want to look at the suspension and ride heights front/rear to see what can be done there. It does however know what straight ahead is and it does that superbly. Thanks again for all the help and ideas. Please keep them coming! VT4L

I blame Barry :-) Those of you in the long time Guzzi world may know him. I worked for him for years in the Marlboro and Maynard area at a large computer maker. He now has 5 Guzzis and is responsible for getting me on this path. He's relocated to the Left Coast now, but still rides every day he's able. VT4L

Hi All, I am new to V11 Sport ownership, but not to Guzzis (also have a 1998 EV) or riding in general (been on 2 wheels for >30 years and 100k miles). After perhaps more than an appropriate amount of alcohol one night (for ebay shopping anyway), I pulled the trigger on a 2000 V11 Sport. The price was better than most I'd seen ($3500) and I figured "it's a Guzzi...shouldn't need much". I should have run away when the seller didn't have a scrap of paper showing maintenance. Well it got here a few days later thanks to the miracles of the modern economy (uship). And immediately off to the shop.... I don't do a ton of wrenching any more so I left the fixing to Seacoast Sport Cycle in Derry NH as they have been good to me over the years. They did the following: new tires (Dunlop) Tune and valve adjustment voltage regulator (kept blowing headlight fuse) brake pads K&N's to replace the old foam filters It's now rideable and damn...what a fun ride it is. I LOVE the sound and it's an absolute freight train at speed in a straight line. It rivals my old FJ1200 actually which surprised me. It has Rizoma bars and hydraulics which give it a little more upright seating position. It also has the red frame and red powder coated wheels which really work for the look imho. What it still needs: clutch - slips under heavy load when passing groups of Harleys :-) idle work - still stalls here and there tail lights - hate the cheap units the previous owner installed cans - the mufflers sound great but are a little tattered looking and I am looking for a deeper tone that's a little more subtle I'll have questions I'm sure - been reading a lot here to get myself up to speed. If any of your are in New England please drop me a line or meet me some Sunday AM at the VB in Pomfret CT for a ride. I am happy to upload more and better pics if someone can point me to a way to upload larger images to this site. VT4L