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Newly purchased 2012 Stelvio home with me now. Bought new by PO in 2014 from local Guzzi dealer in in Canada. His wife worked there as saleperson and it has been serviced there until they closed up shop. 7k miles, very nice shape and true to form it seems with every bike I buy, original rubber. Took almost 1 hour to get through customs since nobody there was familiar with bike imports so they had to read the regs and ask a lot of questions with others. First questions asked of me...Moto Guzzi? Is that Japanese? lol Much thanks to the forum members for answering my questions and giving me valuable info, especially Pete Roper. His information was precise and plentiful. After about 30 emails back and forth, I asked if could remove valve cover to confirm roller tappets. The manufacture date was not able to be verified on headstock because all of the stuff in the way but engine numbers were after cutoff. But Pete said only true confirmation was visual, so I asked and owner obliged. I got it for a great price. 600 miles round trip with two nights at my sister's in Seattle to break up the trip. Plus I took care of stuff at her place so she was happy to have me...especially since I fixed her bedroom pocket door that the roller came out of the plate on top of the door. One thing for sure...this bike is not going to see any dirt. I bought it for the highway and that is where it will stay. Tires and CARC bearing service, oil, filter, valve adjustment and fresh non-E gas is on the menu.

Yep, you need to get eyes on it. Better to find out whether it is a $2800 or a $4800 bike before the sale. Have you checked out shipping? Prices have went through the roof for that service. Might be the dealbreaker right there.

Only one owner and now the niece is selling it. Falls into recall range and has had the gearbox work completed. I'm a little blown away by the price. This is the second very low mileage greenie I have come across. First one I let pass because no record of recall satisfaction. This one is a double whammy...too much and too far. It sure is a beauty!

I feel like I'm falling into that historic category too.

We're looking at rollerized tappets here, right? 2012 8v Close to the cutoff date, engine numbers are right but the visual will be the true verdict.. Current owner pulled cover off for a look since I am far away. Don't really know what channel locks and vice grips were used for.

Took the words right out of my mouth...this place is golden. When you have a 20+ year old bike you need everything going in your favor. The combined knowledge and wisdom here goes a long way in helping to acheive that. Thank you all for taking the time to help.

Let's not jump to conclusions...lots of fiddle faddle needed here. Your original comment of "expect owner involvement" rings in my ears.😆

Low and behold...they see the light of day! The plug block was not mounted, just stuffed into the space.

I would be interested in your feedback docc,thanks. I'll release the quintet tomorrow.

Yep, I plan on getting rid of it. Tape is old so I think its lost its stick a bit.

I know this bike never got the love and care it needed, that's why I am going through the mechanical stuff right now. But I have no clue why these relays are taped up. Anybody have some thoughts?

Equipped very differently now and falls into recall range.

Even that beautiful red hot bike wont get warmed up much this week. That's 5w20 weather.

You picked a nice week to list it...cold and snowy, then colder. lol

https://austin.craigslist.org/mcd/d/austin-2004-moto-guzzi-v11-ballabio/7587670810.html Visiting my daughter in Austin, this was only ten minutes away. Took a look at it. I really wanted to see how I would like the bars...I like them. I put many miles on a Ducati 750 GT with a similar riding position. Its tough to judge a bike from pictures...creampuff it's not. Rear tire 5 years, front 9. Driveshaft factory marks not lined up. Two blisters on tank, one on emblem and one on black accent on top that was peeled and painted black about the size of a quarter. No starter cover or seat cowl. Scrapes on engine guards both sides and a little on valve cover, but none on pipes. Bike was down but not at speed? Good oil and dirt buildup at rear of trans and front swingarm. I was hoping for better condition. $3600 to $3800 could take it. Too much for me given the condition and I don't need another bike to work on, but still looking.

And to find one so close to home...how good is that?

It's not heart shaped, but it's red...good enough for me!

Finally got a sunny warm day to place old tire and wheel plus new tire in the sun to heat up for changing. I have to install front wheel in prep for supporting bike for swing arm removal to service front driveline and check universals. Pleasantly suprised to put it on the balancer and it is perfectly balanced the way it is. Wish I put the old wheel and tire on to check before removal, as that had 1 oz. of weight on it. Seems like a big change, from an ounce to nothing.

Oh boy, this is was an informative read...scary too. I'll be pulling my swing arm maybe next week and will be able to get eyes on this. I have a bracket coming to install, hope I have the frame tabs and no cracks in the tranny.

Clamping is pretty easy, one controlled squeeze of the tool and its done. You can't over or under tighten. It's the removal where there is a bit of risk. They don't come off so easy. Stainless steel is a metal that does not take to cutting easily. My method of removal has always been using a pair of diagonal cutters gripping the base of the crimp and twisting until it snaps...there is some force involved and backing up what it is attached to is important. I tried what I think Kindoy2 suggested, I couldn't get it to snap off. I must be missing something.

Good call. I put reference marks on the tube before removal, so I can check alignment upon installation of the way it was and how it looks with factory marks. Thanks!