VtwinStorm

? At what temperature should I start worrying?

So, I rode to work tonight, and it's going to dip into 36F. I charged the battery very quickly before I set off a couple of hours ago. At what temperature does this Odyssey battery make the V11 harder to start? I think the CCA is 170...sweating a little bit atm with such a big engine and such cold temperatures...I want to avoid a no start/tow in the morning when my shift ends, if possible... Any wisdom is appreciated.

Agreed. Any supplier with parts is a miracle at this point.

I will counter: During Winter, I ordered a V11 oil temp gauge/dipstick with a white face, to match the white gauges in my dash on my 2001 V11 Sport. They sent me a black faced oil temp gauge/dipstick instead. I contacted them, they apologized, and sent me the correct one, with a return label for the old one. This isn't a 750 Honda Nighthawk. I am deeply grateful I can get parts for my obscure Guzzi. I've spent probably $500+ with MGCycle for misc parts, and have always had great service, so YMMV. I'm just a guy who owns a V11 Sport, and don't work for MGCycle. I'm just gratful they and AF1 Racing exist.

Wheels roll very smoothly...will recheck tore pressures tomorrow on my Diabolo IIs.

One difference with my super cold-blooded carbed Ducatis, they need a few minutes to warm up. Will start and go with the Guzzi going forward...

I'm only running Shell premium 93, but after an indicated 45-55 miles on my ODO...the fuel light comes on. Also, only getting 23mpg (1st tank) and 21mpg (2nd tank)...around 2-2.2 gallons to the filler neck, so the ODO might be a little "fast" on distance? This is a 5.8 gallon tank, I think? A bit early for the fuel light, perhaps. Granted, I let her warm up for 5-10 mins before each ride when she is cold...granted, she sits around 80mph in 6th (4500RPM) on the highway, and cruises effortlessly. 55mph in 6th is lugging it, probably 2500RPM (?), and doesn't feel right, like abusing the bike. I don't expect 70mpg like my old 250cc Honda, but in the 20s? Almost as bad as my work truck's mpg! lol She runs and sounds great, though! Burn, baby burn!

I know. She's fuel injected. Just used the incorrect term.

Yes. It appears the left throttle cable caught it, and disconnected it. I have since reconnected, and used zip ties to raise both connectors well above the throttle linkage. Just got off another 40 min ride...she runs a treat. Now that I'm here, my butt dyno feels more than 80hp under me. My 900SSs are 85hp, and the V11 feels like she pulls so much harder at highway speeds. Perhaps it is the torque? No matter. She's such a unique pleasure to ride. Wish I got on a Guzzi years ago, but no way in hell I'd ever own a small block Guzzi. The Big block 1100 has spoiled the hell out of me!

If I already didn't have 5 bikes...I'd love a LeMans! Yum.

UPDATE: Took her for a run, a long run. She's running perfectly again. Slight hiccup, but what a machine. The V11 Sport is criminally undervalued. She's a bargain modern classic with such soul!

Just so I clear up any confusion: like any quality long-term relationship, I'm willing to put in the work for my baby. She idled like she had two cylinders after I reattached both conectors...sounds amazing. I enjoy the Mistrals in sound and appearance. They so compliment this machine. I'm still obsessed and in love with the V11 Sport. Can't wait to really scrub in my Diablo IIs tomorrow!

Thankfully....no. Connectors are both totally different, even my stupid self can't screw it up as they won't match. I fired her up in the garage just now...on high enrich/choke...seems fine. It is very wet outside, so my road test will have to wait until tomorrow. I love this machine, and enjoy riding it so much.

Think I found the offending parts responsible for my being left stranded. Appears the left throttle linkage caused two connectors, one for fuel (?), one for the left fuel pump (?) to BOTH come loose. After some fiddling (thankfully, didn't have to remove the tank), they are both connected again. I will use zip ties to add clearance from the linkage tomorrow and then, cautiously, ride her a few blocks several times. Glad it was obvious what it was, and why it was intermittent---because the connectors were both barely connected! Whew. My first Guzzi crisis cleared, if she runs well tomorrow...

When my V11 isn't misfiring, yes! lol

...when I'm pushing it up a hill w/a 7 degree grade, she fires up and now is idling happily in my open garage?! WTF?! After a raft of work totaling $2k on my invoice, this machine should at least not be misfiring, no?! Fresh fuel, tune up, valves, plugs, requested fuel filters...what gives? I'm afraid to ride her now, for fear of being stranded. Guess my celebrating was premature?

Why a Guzzi? Why a V11? Well, I have enjoyed Ducati v-twins for several years, and wanted something different, European, but air-cooled. I have always admired the style of the V11 Sport/LeMans, but they were even more rare than Ducatis. I began researching V11 Sports here, and after a couple months, I set aside a sum of money and started my search. I searched for a motorcycle I had never rode, sat on, even seen in person! I put a lot of faith in having a V11 and enjoying it. Well, I found one posted on eBay, and placed a bid, and lost. The seller reached out saying it would go for less if we skipped the eBay seller's fees. So, for $5500.00, plus $650.00 shipped to my Guzzi dealer, I had my bike after a month. $2k for seals, tires, tune-up, and other maint., and she was ready to ride...and for winter storage. Just last week, I finally got to fill her with 93 and take her out, and I wasn't let down. I'm in love. I love my Ducatis, but a big Guzzi really is something special. No regrets. Get one...as they will never be cheaper than they are now.

It is. I really love this machine, and my Ducatis are getting jealous.

The MAGNI fairing is pure sex. Totally worth the purchase price for the kit...if you can get one!

One more...What an elegant, handsome machine Guzzi have built!

Sorry for the delay, Docc. I've been working my butt off and planning my first trip to the EU this Sept. So excited! The rain has finally started to let up. I got the V11 out of storage last week. I must say, I was surprised and impressed to open my storage unit and see...not one drop of oil under my Guzzi. The bottom, also...dry. The battery brackets were a lifesaver, thank you all for telling me to get them! They help so much with all the cables...crazy wiring harness design. The vibration in the grips is much reduced after the tune-up. It doesn't numb my hands after 20 mins now. Little vibes, quite manageable now. She runs so very beautifully, and turn-in is excellent, as are the brakes now that they were flushed. The Mistral pipes offer a nice, low thrumming note while underway. Triple digit speeds (according to old road tests on a closed circuit road course) is very stable and quiet...6th gear is tall. For a pushrod twin, she really likes to pull hard! With the Roper Plate installed, I kept a close eye for any oil lights on hills or hard acceleration...not a flicker. Perhaps the #1 mod that must be done to a V11. The gearbox is still smooth and easy. The dry clutch a real crowd-pleaser. I've only gotten two rides in this week, but next week, it's all dry and sunny, and I'm on vacation! All that is left after I installed a seat cowl with blue permatex, is to install the 4 new aluminum eagles on the pork chops, triple tree, and alternator cover. I also have two new shift lever and rear brake rubbers to install, but the ones on there look hardly worn, so they way stay until they start cracking. I've really fallen in love with the V11 Sport. She's a real gem of a motorcycle, and I couldn't be happier.

Experts like this really make our forum amazing. You kick ass, Lucky Phil.

I just bought a nos Ducati headlamp assembly from him yesterday. 😂

Gotham Cycles has been great to me. Lots of obscure parts for Ducati and Guzzi!

Nice old airhead Bimmer, too!