Dr Gil

Rachet...No, I don't believe it's brake fluid. All is dry around the brake lines and fittings...but your thought did send me scurrying out to the gargage to "de-grease" everything Andy...I will pull the tank tomorrow. It's just too tight a space to really see what's happening and fluids will "creep around." But since this mess seems to have developed overnight (I'll know better when I check it tomorrow) and there were no other forces involved like wind or the motion of the bike then gravity had to have been the only force determining where the fluid ran...if that's the case then wouldn't the fluid have had to climb uphill on the frame to run to where I found it? Or am I picturing the height of things wrong in my head? Believe me...I will most certainly keep everyone posted! Once again I feel I'm over my head. It's as if the Guzzi-gods want me to get intimately familiar with every aspect of the bike. Now I'm up in the front end, a place I swore I'd never go. If my theory is right then I'll probably be disassemblying my clutch and tranny next (knock wood) I think they are the only things I haven't taken apart yet...sigh.

I went out to get on the '02 Le Mans this morning and found fluid all over underfairing splash plate. I had taken the bike out yesterday and ridden it for 150 miles or so and noticed nothing then. I think this fluid appeared overnight. I have replaced the steering damper recently so that's probably not where it's coming from. Excuse the blurry photo but my camera won't handle this close of work...it's taken from inside the fairing and of the lower triple tree. That's the steering damper on the lower right. So what's happening here? I think I know that we have oil in our frames coming from the bottom pan but then where it goes I've no idea. Is this engine oil that has found its way up through frame and then is running through my steering head and down onto my forkbase? My oil level is fine but it kinda looks like oil and I know a little bit of leaked oil can look worse than it is. Has anyone got any ideas?

Wow, some really good tips there, mike...I didn't know about any of those things. I really hate looking all touristy and not fitting in so I'm going to try to do all that stuff it suggests! I'm especially looking forward to those afternoon "wanks" and if we make it to Oxford maybe evening even trying a ride in a "yerinal."

Hmm, this together with my experience today makes me wonder if it's worth taking the risk on the clutch speed bleeder. I may simply forego installing the SB and stick with the stock valve. After all it's just once a year that I must go through this nightmare.

I must confess I didn't go with Martin's "remove the calipers" method. I didn't understand the need for it. Perhaps I should have paid more attention...it ended up taking me TWO days to do my simple fluid exchange. Granted much of it was done slowly trying to familiarize myself with the process but all in all I've spent WAY too much time kneeling on the garage floor, dealing with incredibly tight spaces with fluids dripping all over me, the bike and the concrete. First off let me say that I hate that clutch bleeder. What was Luigi thinking when he designed that bad boy? If you make the assumption that the bleeder must be located in an almost inaccessible space but couldn't they have at least put a shoulder on it and cocked it off to the left so that a person could reach it in a straight shot? I tried to get the Speed Bleeder to seat but after a full hour of messing about (hands cramping and having to “walk away” several times) trying to get the SB to thread correctly I finally gave it up. I could never be sure about the threading. Bottom line, I really, really didn't want to cross threat the bleeder and deal with the ramifications of cross threads in the clutch cover. So I quit it and put the stock bleeder back in. Of course by this time the fluid had all leaked out onto the garage floor...but my intent was to exchange my fluids anyway so I guess this was kind of a good thing. Eventually I’m going to have to just commit to installing that Speed Bleeder and just install it (or maybe have my dealership deal with it). I ended up bleeding the clutch with a combination of using my " Mity-Vac" and the old fashioned, two person, "pump-hold-crack the bleeder-wait for it-close the bleeder-pump-etc." method. After finally realizing that the rear brake reservoir was under the seat (thank you again V11 board and SFGUZZI) I managed to get the rear brake fluids exchanged (but forgot to bleed them until after taking a test drive and realizing my error)…and bled. The front brake fluids were exchanged without a hitch...all is at it should be with them (except I neglected to purchase enough SB’s to replace both…another is on order as we speak). So there you have it...typically an overly long, simple maintenance thingie…the story of my life. But I have learned and next time it will be easier and I've improved my Le Mans. Not a bad ending, eh? Oh and stormsedge, the Speed Bleeders one needs to fit out our V11’s are: 2 of the SB8125L for the front disks and 2 of the SB1010S for the rear brake and clutch.

...still waiting on those pictures before I vote.

*rapidly scribbling notes* Ok then, I'm in the U.K. at the beginning of April...I'll try to fit it into a conversation. Promise it won't get me beat up and thanks for the input.

The really, really stupid part of this is that I actually "thought" I'd tracked the lines AND checked the parts list schematics to make sure there wasn't a second reservoir. I just checked it and sure enough, it's dry. Now to try to get it "primed" again. And Martin, yes you are correct. Speed Bleeders HERE are one way valves. I think they are going to make changing that clutch fluid a MUCH easier job.

Someday I hope to progress beyond lame, newbie questions but it seems I’m doomed, at least for the time being. I'm attempting to change my brake and clutch fluids for the first time (mine not the bikes...I hope). At the same time I'm changing the stock bleeders over to Speed Bleeders. I replaced my 11 mm ear brake bleeder and one of the front 8mm bleeders. Then things get a bit confusing.; The Speed Bleeder package is labeled as having 2 10mm bleeders. They both seem to be 11mm. Now I find the clutch bleeder seems to actually be 10mm and of course, the apparently mislabeled SB's won't fit. My thinking now is that I need to order another 8mm for the other side of the front wheel and a real 10mm for the clutch. Am I right on these sizes? Is there something I'm missing about the bleeder sizes? Are they some kind of a crazy Italian thing? So at any rate I decided to go ahead with what I've got and change my brake fluid first. It made sense to me to start at the real wheel, exchange all the fluid in the system and then bleed the front brakes. I opened the reservoir, cracked open the SB and pumped the rear brake pedal. I managed to get a bit of fluid out of the line but then there was nothing but air and no resistance on the pedal...it quit pumping. The reservoir on the bars is no longer going down. What am I doing wrong here? This seems elementary but I'm stumped. Anyone have any suggestions?

You are indeed lucky to have a "Tony" near by. I slid my Le Mans down the tarmac last year and have just recently got it back on the road. I worried about having had tweaked the frame or front end in the crash but I looked it over carefully and could see no damage or misalignments...but I still have doubt. I'm riding the bike now and there is still no evidence that anything's bent but then I'm not the most sophisticated rider out there and the Guzzi was still pretty new to me when I had the accident. Some things like getting used to the shaft drive/torque are different than the chain drive bikes I'm more used to. So the handling on the Guzzi has always a bit odd and I'm still aware of it at times. I know these frames are fragile. Are there additional checks I should be making? Specific things I can look at here in my garage? I'm a long way from my "local" dealership (250 miles) and these is no one like "Tony" around here.

I hesitate to contribute to this thread because I fear that indeed, I am "the biggest dumb ass." I had taken my just recently rebuilt Le Mans down the DMV to have the VIN #'s verified and to get the salvage title on it. During the search for the VIN numbers the DMV guy poked, prodded and tugged at the wiring harness along the steering column trying to get a good peek and the numbers there. My mission finally accomplished I headed back out into the parking lot with my new license plates in hand...I was happy. The Guzzi was offically back on the road...no, wait a minute no it's not. I turned on the key, got dashboard lights, had the sidestand up and hit the start button. Nothing. Nada. Zip. I went through the procedure MANY times with the same result. So I know that the DMV guy loosened some sort of fundamental connection somewhere in the bowels of my bike. I have no fear anymore about taking the bike apart but in the DMV parking lot with only the MG tool kit I'm a little hesitant to do so...but I give it a good go checking every connection I can reach without taking off plastic. Still nothing. So I belong to the AMA's Motow program so I call them and jump through the hoops to get a tow truck to haul it to my tumble down garage where hopefully (and with you guys help) sort it out properly. I waited 1/2 hour for the tow. I continued to fiddle with the bike...suddenly I notice that my "kill switch" on the handlebars has been tripped. I never use the kill switch, I've trained myself to simply use the key. Of course, I toggled the kill switch and the mighty Guzzi sprang to life. I quickly called up Motow and canceled the tow. See what I mean...embarrassingly the "biggest dumb ass."

There is a tape strip designed to hold it in place while you screw 4 self-tapping screws (supplied) through the extension and into the inside of the fender. Because the extension isn't a perfect fit I couldn't get the tape to hold so I just used a small clamp to hold it in place while I screwed it down. The screws are of a correct length and don't penetrate to the outside of the fender. I'm not sure how stable the extension is and how much force it can handle. I figure if it's still on by winter's end and I still like it I may permanently secure it with some strong adhesive.

It looks like the "fenda extenda" I just put on my Le Mans. I read somewhere (here probably) that the extension for the SV650 was close and so it is. Not perfect, but close enough for me (please excuse the dripping mud in the photo...it's been raining here)

Thanks edge, this is more what I'm looking for... ...and Daniel, your "parafango anteriore" just ain't gonna cut it on my bello Le Mans. Sorry, I need something much more "de modo." (but thanks for coming to my rescue)

Sheesh, everyone's suddenly so sensitive. I was just joking about the "mocking" stuff. Actually I'm delighted that people take the time to reply to my requests and find I enjoy any attention I can get even if it is somewhat unprovoked and abusive. (please notice I included a "winkie" emoticon there to indicate further kidding) Actually I have been riding "the thing" and have put a "fenda extentda" on it...I went with the SV650 version. It's not perfect but close enough (hmmm, although I do see some "leakage" there).

Martin are you suggesting some sort of "bike swap?" If so I might consider it...I lust after your ride. Doh, I didn't even know such a thing existed...note to self, "spend more times haunting those online Guzzi parts sites." Thanks TX, this may very well be the way I'm heading. Thanks RH, also not a bad idea although I've no experience with local plating shops (or even knows if such things exist in my local, rural area). It also sounds like some "down time" would be involved while the shop deals with it, something I'm loathe to do given my recent forced sabbatical...I may just go with the MG cover and save my old one for a backup (or simply give it away to some deserving Guzzisti...it still has the eagle). to all who contributed in a positive fashion. to all who mocked me. Gil

Can anyone give me some tips on polishing my alternator cover. I'm sure the thing wasn't pretty when it was new (crinkle paint) but it's pretty horrible looking now what with all the ingrained dirt and chips. I read a couple of old threads and some of the solutions people used...I think I like the idea of just taking the paint off, buffing it up and maybe putting a clear coat on it. The trouble is I've never done anything like this before and haven't a real clue on how to go about taking off the old paint. I know this simple a question makes me look somewhat retarded buy you guys have been kind and patient with my ignorance in the past...

That was so cool and so unexpected! It totally made my day...thanks.

I'll play...here's three Guzzisti that we needed be embarrassed by:

I'm all about Sport-Touring and I've opted for the Cortech "Sport" saddle and tail bags (available HERE but you have to search the saddle bags and tail bag seperatly). One must pack conservatively but can stay on the road indefinitely with them and a 18 liter tank bag.

Doh! I got totally tricked by that one...again.

That's wonderful news! From recent personal experience I can tell you there is NO feeling like getting back on the Guzzi after a long layoff! I'm very happy for you.

Dropped you bike on you leg "again?" Damn, what's with that? That kind of behavior will eventually take its toll man...my advice it to stop doing it. Well, I've got no inside info on any of these pronounciations but favor the GOOT-zee (with the "t"), dee-uh-DOR-uh, die-uhn-ESE (another option?) and gar-NAY. But like I said, that's just me. And while we're on the topic...any thoughts about how to pronounce Givi?

Oh Happy Day! Me and my negative attitude I was fearing the worse and expected we'd never see your lovely bike again. ...I do love a happy ending!

That's such a beautiful bike! I live in extreme northern CA and will keep my eyes peeled for it. I'm not optimistic though. I too suspect the perp's will head south and probably carry it in an enclosed trailer or van. I think your best hope is that they are merely fools, not realize what they have and try to sell or ride it there locally. They are toast if they do.