Kevin_T

I for one would like a center stand. The best use I can think for the lemans is a four-day weekend doing about 1300-1600 miles through the mountains. They don't have many mountains in Michigan, so I need to travel. I don't see the Guzzi as a true sport bike but a sport tourer, and it's a pleasure to ride in that manner. That is probably why we might disagree on this point. A rounded seat like you're suggesting might allow you to shift your weight better but, I don't need to knee drag. Moving my butt foreword an inch or so allows me to shift my body into a corner getting all the lean angle I'm ever going to need on a public road. If you have a crown on your seat you're going to have a pressure point running down the center of your buttock after 3 days of that the pain is going to be inescapable. No number of shorts is going to overcome it (you could also use wooden beads to get air underneath you) two different problems. A leather seat requires maintenance a vinyl seat it's optional. There are options beside leather like Kontour Seats they have a polar-mesh fabric but, it's hard for me to get my head around the look of the fabric. On a blistering hot day leather is more comfortable than vinyl and it doesn't cost massive amounts of money or additional weight. Not trying to sell anyone anything just trying to tell things I've learned the hard way.

If you want a comfy seat the larger the contact area the better. I mean you have to consider what's appealing to the eye. If you look at Chris's seat it has a nice pocket that extends out to the very edge of the seat. His seat looks like it would cradle him well. That's one reason I like bikes with a mild tuck position the back of the thighs bears some of the load as well. My Russell seat is full leather I don't really baby it. Twice a year I use mink oil on it and looks brand new. I do cover it when traveling and I'm done for the night. Cover is about size of the OEM tool roll. I've left it uncovered a few times in the rain. If it's conditioned well the seat is pretty water repellent.

Having a custom seat isn't for everyone. If never ride more than 2 1/2 hours at a time the stock seat should serve your needs just fine before you start squirming. Also the stock seat looks pretty good. If you are occasionally in the saddle more than 5 hours in a day you might want to look into a custom seat. Of all the mods I've done to my motorcycles a custom seat has been the best money ever spent. I've had a couple Corbins, one Rich Mound, and a Russell day long. 700 dollars who hasn't more than that on a exhaust system, and Chris got a leather seat which added another 100 dollars to the cost. Living in Portland I'm not so sure about leather. Leather really comes into its own when temperatures are like 90 degrees F and above. That's the time when vinyl just feels nasty.

I haven't heard any wind instruments in quite a while here.

Did a little research on Boz Scaggs and he was talking about Steve Miller being an influence for (hmm.. Steve Miller that's someone I haven't thought about in awhile).

In the diagram part #2 the spring stool has a pin mark that lines up with the left hand cylinder you want to take a paint stick and mark it better visibility.

You need a bolt 12 mm x 1.5 about 110 mm fully threaded to compress the clutch. If you can't find that get some threaded rod. Don't go around the perimeter of the ring gear loosening the bolts you can damage the plates low probability but why take the chance you will need it when reassembly everything. I bought a bike off a member for a few dollars because a dealer trashed his clutch only went 12,000 miles(sad) Euro cycle out of business.

That's it! I even seen a video with Dave Moss using it. It's not a guarantee that it will work but certainly worth a shot.

Before rebuilding the fork leg on the V-11 people said they had success with that plastic sheet to remove debris from the seal. I can't think of the name of it to save my life.

I always liked Jewel eyed Judy from the same album. Saying Fleetwood Mac was better with Peter Green it's just times Big Love with Lindsey Buckingham is just another phase.

It's been more then a few posts since you started your hunt for the problem you have so this might have been dealt with. Have you removed the stator and looked at it. I just purchased Andy's(a.k.a. oldbutnotdead) and it was a rusted mess. Water seeps in from the top wiring port and the iron core on the bottom was pretty nasty.

Just want to say thank you Andy this bike and the price was nothing short of generous.

Sent you a message

Awesome work Phil! I can't tell from the pictures did you hollow out the bolts or is that just spot facing for live dead center? Anyhow you're not going to pick up one of those puppies at fastnal. Looking at the picture of the bikes rear end what gauge wire did you use for safety wire? Also the breather do have a post for what you did for the breather is there a reason as to why you made a stack with a nut in between the breather and the drive?

Phil you answered one question for me. I always wondered how the MGS-01 lubed the jackshaft with ball bearings. I heard if used more than 13 psi oil pressure you could cause the ball bearings to skid. Guzzi took it right out of the circuit, problem move to oil cooler with no thermostat. Going through your photo album, oh my but you covered a lot of ground over the years. Phil you certainly persevered to the benefit of us all.