v50man

Yup. Rizoma "Reverse" mirors. They sent me a pair of the bare aluminum for free until they can get the black ones in from Italy (been waiting 4 months!). I'm trying to completely "black out" the bike (will ceramic coat flat black the Quat-D when headers arrive).

In this photo, the rubber bumbers are sitting on the frame. WAAAAY off in the fitment dept.

Gents -- Ordered a Corbin seat for the V11 (03 Naked) about a month ago. It came in and doesn't even come close to fitting. So, AFTER I receive the seat I delve into the FAQ section and there's Al's posting on the Corbin. Anyway, I don't want my money back -- I want a Corbin that will fit a late model V11. If anyone's near Hollister with a late model bike, they'll probably build you a free one just to get the basepan mold right and get me off their ass! The shape and feel of the Corbin is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Somebody go to Hollister -- PLEASE! v50

Who paints the local pizza boxes?

On the top of the muffler section, there's a plate riveted to the muffler. Drill out the rivets and pop out the catalyser. The new ones came with a plain plate to go into its place. The result -- massive airflow increase and (I'm told) a new sound rating that caps around 105db!

The catalytic converter (removed from system)...

from an email prior to my buying the system: I can send you the system without the catalyzer including the catalyst kit in the package. It is very easy to fit it again if you want. thanks Manuel

al -- positive. it's a catalyser.

Everything you just said!!!!

Al -- Thionk of the design of this exhaust as a "U." Both headers feed into an expansion chamber (essentially the FRONT inside of the muffler) and then go through a catalyser on the left side of this chamber -- move through the back half of the muffler (left to right) and exit through a SINGLE outlet on the right side of the muffler. The catalyser is removable (with provisions to do so included from the factory), in which case you simply have a lightly grated "baffle" in an otherwise free-flow exhaust. Very little restriction of any kind. As such, the design of the system -- as it now stands -- is not easily changed. I have removed the catalyser from my system and will post sound files and performance results as quickly as I can. I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with the results.

The system is second generation and the factory says the weld crack issue has been addressed. A full report is on the way...

Direct from the factory. Obviously, better that way -- cheaper & better service after the sale. v50

http://www.quat-d.com/

Gents -- I had to write this because Manuel De Liso @ Quat-D has SAVED MY ASS. I will detail EXACTLY what I did in a future post, but leave it to say that I DESTROYED both of the headers that came with the Ex-box system -- emailed Manuel with details as to how I did what I did -- and he offered to send me two new headers fo 70 Euros plus freight! Amazing, when you consider that the headers represent half of a system I paid 740 Euro plus shipping for. A manufacturer with a heart. The headers don't show up on time, so I email Manuel -- who in turn emails me a tracking number. Make a long story short -- DHL lost the headers. They made it as far as their Cincinnati clearance center and then -- poof -- disappeared. Emailed Manuel and this is what I got back: That's really bad luck! Don't worry, I will ship you new headers for free, I'm sure this will be our best advertising in the USA. I hope DHL will not loose again everithing. I will start legal action against DHL to recover the value of all goods. I will write you the tracking number. ...hope in DHL! Bye Manuel Amazing customer service!!!!!!!! And no, I will not detail one of the most stupid moto mistakes I've ever made -- not yet. All will be confessed when I get the headers -- ceramic coat the system -- install the system -- and post some sound files. When you finally read what I did, you'll probably ban me from the forum!!!!!!!! v50

I actually DID test ride a Buell XB12R and found it to be as much fun as I've ever had on two wheels. Anguished for months before deciding on the V11. The Guzzi won out because of styling, reliability and familiarity (V11 makes three), but if I were a richer man the stable would definitely include a Firebolt XB12R. Weird that while the bike has had little impact here in the States, it is quite popular in Europe. BTW, that fron brake system FLAT WORKS!!!!! Nice bike, Chris.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...sspagename=WDVW

Too many low-mileage Harleys abandoned by posers and selling cheap. Also, like the 90's economy, it has to end -- level off. Harley won't descend to the AMF-owned company of old, but they are in a pickle: change too much and alienate "the base" -- don't change and be relegated to the dustbin of irrelevance. The V-Rod was a noble but overpriced and kinda ugly effort. The smartest guy in their employ is treated like a redheaded stepchild -- one Erik Buell. Don't know what'll happen to Harley. I love seeing an American motorcycle company kick ass, but I'm embarassed that their success comes from (mostly) wealthy posers who know very little of motorcycling -- but all about unsafe, cheesy, ultimately conformist clothing. On an emotional level, I have grown to hate Harley-Davidson because I so dislike their customer base. Damn shame.

Amazing. The best yet. As the (apparently) last remaining Biaggi fan, I feel the need to find a new team -- soon!

Point taken. But, local dealers must survive if the brand is to survive. I've been trading with my dealer for over ten years. Parts prices are right -- advice is free -- and it's a great place to simply "hang out" now and again. For me -- priceless.

David -- There really is no "black" 03 or 04 V11. It's charcoal and black -- Guzzi calls it "black." Per peeling engine paint, etc., the LATE 03s and 04s seem to have all the bugs worked out of them -- I own a "black" late 03 and am in love with it. $10,000 isn't bad at all for that bike. Yeah, you could probably save some by purchasing from Moto International, but you certainly wouldn't be at the top of the que when it came to dealer service. Get the bike from your NY dealer -- make him throw in a free first service -- and ride away on what I (multiple-Guzzi owner) consider to be the most well-rounded Guzzi ever built. Best of luck.

In my experience, White Power = Weeping Pneumatics. Best of luck.

Take the mirrors off for that picture?

Music to my ears. Makes you realize just how constricting thr stock cans are. Quat-D sound files in a week or 2...

Headers -- everything -- the whole kit. Beautifully crafted and VERY well packed. Ordered it directly from the factory where a man named Manuel De Liso speaks more-than-competent English and is very good with follow-up.