Guzzimax

Less than 2 years since I installed an Odessey PC545 in my Greenie, i found it has been leaking Checking the bike over today, whilst getting it ready for the road after winter revealed liquid in the rubber battery tray. I can’t tell if the leak originated from a seam in the plastic casing, or the relief valve. Luckily the battery tray did its job and prevented acid dropping onto the frame, hugger etc etc Checked my other bikes over only to find the same issue with the Rosso Corsa - a leaking Odessey battery - less than 3 years old I’ve never in 40 years of riding / driving experienced a leak from a sealed battery. This has really shaken my confidence in the Odessey product. I’ve read various posts stating that the V11 charging system is tough on the battery, but also others claiming that the Odessey battery is durable & very long lived Yet I’ve another V11 still equipped with a very old Spark 500 battery still performing OK and not leaking Any thoughts before I reach out to Enersys expressing my disappointment with what has been very short lives for these 2 PC545 batteries Other suggestions of alternative brands that could be more durable? Yuasa?

There were some enterprising photographers taking photos of passing bikes on the highly entertaining roads around Rutland on last Sunday’s ride out. They post & sell the pics on their website

Fantastic ride out of around 150 miles today to a Buell & Guzzi meet at Sywell Aerodrome. I rode down with a group of 4 bikes; my V11, 1100 Sport Corsa, Cali 950 & a Triumph Tiger 800. My V11 and the 1100 Sport were the only spine frames there amongst the masses of V85’s & V7’s, even 2 new V100’s. The ride pace was “brisk” with many miles of winding B roads covered with surprisingly high velocities for old school air cooled Guzzi’s

Annual roadworthyness MOT test for the Rosso Corsa on Saturday

After spending all of March away overseas on a combination of business travel & vacation, I managed to ride a V11 for the first time this year today, and a cold but sunny early Spring day. Alas, having parked to get a coffee & some bacon sandwiches 🥪 , we were ambushed by this bunch of scurvy desperados

I hate bleeding brakes and clutch. Even with an Ezibleeder kit I can’t seem to get all the air out. Usually end up with the brake lever spongier than the wife’s home made cakes

That’s one monster rack mounted luggage system. Ventura ?

I’m always envious of those living in warmer climates who can ride all year

Love your 02 burgundy Sport Can’t wait to get mine out in a few weeks time when spring is here. Mines been hibernating in the garage since November

Nothing doing with the V11’s today, I did treat the Griso to a carbon fibre hugger, which I was quite impressed with. Easy to fit, lightweight, looks good. Which reminded me to ask if anything was developing / progressing about the V11 carbon fibre pillion seat humps

That’s what I’ve got. Indoor Bikebubble from carcoon. Bought a new one a couple of years ago, and managed to find another unused one on the bay of fleas last year. Got a VMax 1700 squeezed into another one, they come in various sizes

I couldn’t say if it diffuses Shell Rotella, but I’ve often thought about climbing inside with a V11 to see if it’ll help arrest my own aging, and help with my preservation

What’s with the seat off, croc clips on the battery terminals, and charger connected. Attach an Optimate connector to your battery & plug in. Saves faffing around removing the seat. It’s been -4 deg C for the past 10 days, roads are awash with salt and grunge, I haven’t rolled any bikes out of the garage since mid November. Spring can’t come soon enough Even have the silver Sport tucked away in a Bike bubble

That’s a low bid for the silver V11 and the girl thrown in as well Joking aside I wouldn’t buy a bike advertised with a girl sprawled over it. To me it strongly suggests lack of care & respect. But I’m old school In the depths of mid winter here, prices are all over the place. This Scura with 14k miles is up for a stonking GBP£7995 at a dealer. Crazy price. A late red framed Sport failed to make GBP£3700 on the bay of fleas yesterday. Worst time to sell, it’s minus 4 deg C, mid-winter. No one’s out motorcycling, everyone is broke following Christmas and natural gas prices up by 300% compared to last winter. All mine have been tucked away in the garage connected to Optimates since mid Nov Best time to buy though…