Ballacraine

Yes, indeedy! Nige.

No problem specifically at the moment, other than the single plate clutch controversy. It is not the fact that they fail that concerns me so much....It is the manner of failure, and the potential consequences. That is what prompted my earlier comment about the possibility of litigation. That said it took 6 months to get a resevoir cap under warranty. Mind you some of that was probably the dealer..... Not too impressed with them either. To be honest, I think warranty is a double edged sword anyway. Whilst it should give re-assurance, it also inhibits you from getting creative with your own motorcycle. ( I thought that post would stir up a few responses! ) Nige.

V7 Sport? '70 Bonneville? Pre-unit Bonnie? Triton of some sort? Trident? The world was your lobster! Nige.

If Moto Guzzi want customer loyalty, they have to reciprocate. For example, their non-commital attitude to the single-plate clutch issue does them no favours at all. An American company in this situation would be falling over themselves to put it right, for fear of litigation. On the present performance, I would not buy a new / nearly new Moto Guzzi again, because I have no faith left in their support. I would buy another older bike of their's though Nige.

Personally, I would have more time for the factory, if they had time for us. Since my recent purchase, admittedly secondhand, but still in warranty period, I have had very poor support from the factory. Laid back to the point of comatose. As back in the eighties though, I have found passionate believers in the aftermarket area who have given good support and service. These people I value highly and support in whatever way I can. I bought the V11 for the same reasons I bought my 750-S3 in 1980. I liked the look and feel. I also liked the fact that it was a breeze to work on. The V11 is slightly more complex, but still comparatively a piece of cake. Nige.

Now that is more like it. With attitude....Like it was intended to be. I'm pleased they did something with that blunderbuss....silencer.....muffler.....whatever I wouldn't say it was a pretty exhaust system, but it is a 1000% improvement on the original. Nige.

Yes, it is unique and very spectacular. The first time I saw it was in 1980. I fell in love with the Island and managed to move over in 1988. I have been marshaling for the TT & Manx Grand Prix ever since. If you ever get the chance, come over and take a look! Nige.

He won't like me saying this, as it might ruin his 'on-line' image........ but........ In actual fact, he is a very nice guy! When you coming over again, Bill? Nige.

Actually, I quite like the Breva styling too....but for me it is a 'nice' bike. The Griso did have, & IMO should have, a very agressive stance. More of a menacing presence, 'nasty' bike, if you like? Nige.

Well, for me, the prototype was a knockout! (bar the Flash Gordon can ) It had an aggressive stance similar to the original V Max & the original Speed Triple. If it was a dog it would have been a Rottweiler! The next attempt was god awful!...Barely recognizable as the same bike! This version is a little better, but doesn't have the presence of the original or even as much as a Scura. More of a Labrador. Beige???? ....Give me a break! Still too much 'nice' Breva not enough snarling 'Griso' of the original. Nige.

Hello! Yes, I am still around. Pleased to hear you will return, Bill. Hopefully you will have more time next visit. Interesting about Paul Dedman having an MGS01......I'll have to go up & take a skeet at it. That reminds me, he STILL hasn't sent out that resevoir cap.......Good excuse to go up & see him. I'm around and about, Cliffy,....but I don't think we have met yet. Family commitments mean that I don't get to ride out anywhere near as often as I used to. Nige.

I don't wish to alarm you, but I take it you are aware of this thread? http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3520 Nige.

I am not concerned that items wear & fail. That is the way of all things mechanical. It is the manner of the failure & the consequences that are my prime concern. Does some poor bugger have to die before they do something about it? Nige

This is a safety critical issue & should not be allowed to drop. The nature of the design is such that it is far more likely to be a 'when' rather than 'if'. That said there should be ample warning of an impending supernova! It appears that RAM have identified the problem & quietly modified their design. Still needs a recall though. Nige.

Wouldn't Trading Standards be a better place to start? If it came to it, maybe they would sue on our behalf? Nige.

Still waiting on a reply to my email to Guzzi... I'm still not holding my breath! Nige.

Thanks for taking the trouble to do that, Jason. Much appreciated. Regards Nige.

Join the club, matey! Nige.

I agree J... I am holding out for it to be a warranty issue though. Your RAM clutch may well have been dynamically balanced by the manufacturer. To be done properly though it would have to be installed on the crank assembly you are using in your engine. It would be interesting to see the instructions. TIA Nige.

Basically the dealer is supporting me. However..... The silence from Moto Guzzi is deafening! Nige.

Yes, but a dynamic balance really has to be done after installation on your crank. Not really something for the home mechanic that! Nige.

Does anyone have a photo of the recent RAM flywheel, please, for comparison purposes? Nige.

Hi Andy, This is exactly what we have been rattling on about since the start of this thread. I think it likely that all the single plate clutches will be RAM units anyway. Having argued it through with colleagues & friends, there seems to be a concensus that it is likely to be a 'when' rather than 'if'. According to those in the know here, there is plenty of warning that things are about to go supernova. It is encouraging to hear that the more recent RAM flywheels are more substantial. It sounds as if they have got onto the problem & taken remedial action. Ideally these assemblies should be dynamically balanced, as this is probably not practical for most, I think it is worth bearing in mind that the loads on the flywheel will be more out of balance when the clutch is disengaged. When it is engaged effectively it is spinning within a pair of centres and is better supported. There will be less moments acting on the beleagured flywheel. Hope most of that made sense? BTW I have emailed Guzzi about this & think that others have too. I received an acknowledgement of the email & that was it! Another person hassling them may help to add weight. Nige.

Suspiciously cheap I'd say. Very pleased with mine. A fine motorcycle with top class components (Clutch excepted! Just got back from the first run with the new alloy Mistrals. Wonderful. You can play a symphony on it. Wonderfully mellow & not offensively loud IMO. It is a crime to have a Guzzi & NOT have 'silencers' like this on it. Nige.

I have been looking at the photos posted. Is it possible that the radius on the edge of the boss may be too sharp, causing a stress point as the flywheel accelerates & decelerates. A change of design incorporating a larger cross section around the boss would be stronger? Nige.