beauchemin

I think you should consider fitting a hugger - it will keep your nice Ohlins shock in good condition and the rear of your engine/tranny clean. The stock hugger is a useless piece of junk (as you undoubtedly know since you have removed it). I was able to get a Pyramid Plastics CBR600 hugger that fits fairly well (with a foam block spacer to move it rearwards away from the swingarm pivot). You could do all of us a huge favour by going to Pyramid Plastics and getting your bike custom fitted with a proper hugger. I'm sure that a decent number of them could be sold via the forum. http://www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk

If you need a seat - that is a reasonable price to pay for a new one.

Reservoir or not, it's bound to be a 100% improvement over the OEM piece of junk. Either Sachs doesn't know how to build a shock, or the Guzzi beancounters got too aggressive with their beancounting in the suspension department (I'm guessing the latter.)

2003 V11 Sport, burgundy. Fully sorted, and better than new condition with @ 4,000 miles. Only one fanatical owner since bought new at Moto International. Factory warranty is still in effect until Oct.12/06. It comes with the factory Ballabio handlebar kit, Motobits foot controls, Pyramid Plastics front fender extender and rear hugger (the stock one is useless), and Traxxion forks springs. Shopstand, and service manual included. I'm asking $8900 Canadian dollars. Recent new tires - Bridgestone BT-014 front & back at 3,500 miles.

TX - you are scaring the hell out of me...

I almost bought a Tonti recently but the deal didn't happen. I've ridden a buddy's Tonti a couple of years ago, but did not push it very hard in the handling department. Anyway here's the question: Is the spine frame rear suspension any better than the Tonti rear end? For example, I would like to compare vs a MkI, II, or III LeMans, or similar.

That method works, but if you aren't very careful you can damage the slots or scratch the paint. I use an alternate method - it works like this: 1. unscrew a pinchbolt 2. screw in a set-screw (so that it goes completely past the slot) 3. slide in a waser (with ID slightly greater than the allen key used to screw in the set-screw) into the slot 4. while holding the washer lined up with the bolt hole, insert the allen key again and gently unscrew the set-screw so that it spreads the clamp! Hold the washer is a bit tricky - try attaching some tape to it, that will give you a handle to slide it in and out again with out losing it.

THE most classic hottie... Gina Lollobrigida. PS. Jaap - why don't you make this a "rolling" thread - i.e. drop some of the earliest posts once a week.

While I'm dreaming of wheels, does anyone make a longer swingarm?

Do the OZ wheels have a cush-drive? Antonio - where did you see the PVM offer?

Paul - I'm particularly interested in your experience with the lighter rear wheel - did it improve the suspension action and thus roadholding? What is the price for a set of PVM wheels?

Are you referring to the possibility that the distance between the forklegs might be different at the axle and at the lower triple clamp? Given that the right forkleg floats on the axle until the two pinchbolts are tightened leads me to believe that it is nearly impossible for this to occur. I loosened those 2 pinchbolts and pumped the forks with the wheel against a wall before re-tightening the pinchbolts. Am I missing something?

I'm taking an unladen measurement. I've checked this. I used a piece of glass to ensure that the legs are parallel.

I wish I knew!

Wow - that's really good. Are you sure? I would be happy with 4 or 5 mm. My fork tubes are straight and the triple clamps and axle are correctly aligned. What do I check next?

OK - all you fork tuners, what stiction measurements are you getting with your Marzocchi or Ohlins forks? I am getting 10mm with my Marzocchis.

oh man...

How hard can changing the oil be? Bad fuel economy??? Well, he hasn't ridden a V11 yet. Cost of parts? Well, at least he can get them... Sounds like V11s with their relays...

I had the Ventura rack and luggage on a VFR - I highly recommend their racks & luggage, very well designed and good quality. The racks aren't pretty, but they are solid and fit very well.

Sorry to hear about your incident. I'm glad you were wearing all your gear. Road rash is no fun. I was cut off about 18 months ago and ended up sliding down the road. I was foolishly not wearing my leather pants and ended up with a damaged knee and some road rash. I bought a 1-piece Aerostich suit soon afterwards so that I would no longer have an excuse to wear only a jacket. That accident cured me of riding without all my gear. My knee is still not 100%, but at least I'm running again. I know what you mean about having young kids and riding motorcycles. I feel guilty about it regularly. On the other hand, we can't wrap ourselves in cotton wool - all types of weird accidents or health emergencies can happen no matter how careful we are. Once motorcycling is in your blood, it is hard to get it out. Get well soon! Chris

If they stick out by more, it is not much. There doesn't appear to be a ground clearance problem, but I haven't put them through any really sharp curves yet. I installed them a few nights ago and went for a ride last night. The comfort and riding position is significantly improved (perfect match with my Ballabio handlebar). After suspension - this is the best money you can spend on this bike.

This squirmy handling must be a result of the "hinged-in-the-middle" frame feel. I get the same thing and it's driving me crazy. I recently switched from Bridgestone 020 to 014 (stickier) tires and the squirmy rear end is more noticeable particularly during more aggresive cornering.

When you start draining the old fluid, use some Methyl Hydrate to clean the system. Then start adding the new fluid. The Methyl Hydrate will make sure that all the gremlins are purged.

That's the other great attribute - this bike's seating position is so damn comfortable compared to the V11 (no folded legs) even with Ballabio bars. I think I'm going back for another test ride on Saturday.

Holy cow - what a machine! This thing has power, handling, and SUSPENSION to spare. It handles like nothing I've ever ridden, and the power is very linear. Who needs a tach, just wind it up and it doesn't complain. POWER everywhere. The perfect bike for twisty, bumpy, mountain roads - did I mention that the suspension is fantastic? Damn, now I have to figure out how to get this one past the minister of finance...