rocker59

Aprilia? Aprilia is not even on my radar. I don't give a shite about them. I don't give them a second look. If I wasn't on Guzzi, Piaggio would lose my business to Ducati.

I use an AirHawk for longer trips where I'll be doing more than 300-400 miles in a day. I've had it since 2005 and it's served me well.

He said "independent". There's a good dealer in Fort Worth, Eurosport. For some reason he's looking for something else...

Yes. The Sport 1100 1994-1996, used an 18-inch rear. The factory equipment was the Michelin TX15/25 combo. 120/70-17 front and a 160/60-18 shoe-horned onto the narrow rim. At the time, the 150 and 160 width 18-inch rears were pretty standard on sporty bikes. In the mid-'90s, though, the 17x5 rear became pretty standard with 170/60 and 180/55 sizes being fitted. The '99-'01 V11 Sports have a 4.5 inch rim and came with a 170, but as we all know, the 160 usually works better on that rim. In '02, the LeMans came with a 5-inch rim and a 180/55-17 rear tire. Again, per usual Guzzi practice, they shoe-horned a one-size-too-big tire on the 5-inch rim. The 170/60-17 rear usually works better on these bikes. Anyway, the Sport 1100s need the 160/60-18. Contrary to popular belief, there are plenty of choices for that size out there. Eight or ten sport-touring tires and a couple of sport tires. It's really not that big a deal to keep rubber on bikes with the 18-inch rear wheel, and I'm constantly amazed at the threads on different forums complaining about the the tire size. If you want sporty, the Bridgestone BT-016 is more tire than most street riders will use. For sport-touring, every big player has a couple choices in the size. I've never had a problem finding an appropriate 160/60-18 for my 1996 Sport 1100. Right now it's got a set of the (now discontinued) Pirelli Diablo Strada. They've been great.

Orange, Pretty much all the sport-touring tires are available in the 160/60-18 rear size that the Carb Sports require. Pirelli Angel Metzeller ME880 Metzeller Z 6/8 Michelin Pilot Road/II/III Bridgeston BT-021/23 I would think the ME880 would be the mileage champ here, but the PR2 and PR3 get great reviews. I'm running the out of production Pirelli Diablo Strada on my Sport 1100. It's been a good tire.

I'd still like to get my hands on a nice V11 Ballabio/Cafe Sport/Coppa Italia top triple clamp. I'd like to try a handlebar conversion on my Nero Corsa. No, I'm not interested in drilling my stock clamp. Please let me know if you have a clamp you'd like to get rid of.

I like 'em! The slip-fit and the springs are cool. Old-School racy.

This ^

Orange, At what RPM would you like your rev limiter to cut in? I don't recall ever bumping mine, and I ride it pretty hard.

You will not find spine frames of any kind in the USA in model year 2005. The only 2005 available was the Scura R, and in very limited numbers in Europe. As for the Cafe Sport, you will find that they were imported in very few numbers. Probably 50, or less, just like the other Ohlins-equipped spine-frame bikes. "Collectors Value" is subjective. It won't be the next Vincent Black Shadow, but it will always be a rare and special Guzzi, for those who care about that sort of thing.

Since Ohlins shocks were standard fare on the Scura, Rosso Corsa, Nero Corsa, Cafe Sport, and Coppa Italia, I'd imagine that fitment shouldn't be an issue. However, I really like the WP shock on the back of my Sport 1100 and can't see ever replacing it unless I just wanted the bling factor of an Ohlins.

It's got the 18" front. I use ProGrip 699 gel grips on my Sport 1100, so I'll give them a try on the LM-V.

I have hose clamps and Roper Sloppage Sheets on all my bikes...

My two spine-frame bikes reward a smooth hand and the proper tire for the job. The comment about cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer seems about right to me.

A few of observations from over the years: Dr. John ran a 2:1 on his Guzzi race bikes. The Sport 1100 I saw running in the AHRMA races at Park City years ago was running a 2:1. Most of the 883 cup Sportsters in the 1990s ran 2:1 systems. Supertrapp, in particular. My 1994 model XLH883 ran great with the SuperTrapp 2:1. I'd put a Dr. John 2:1 on one of my Guzzis, if I could get ahold of one. Saw a vendor in Japan a few years ago with them, but no habla Englais and no ship to USA.

Everest-like challenge? Other than needing a nose-mounted alternator, what challenges do you foresee? The Nuovo 8V should mount right up to the V11's transmission, so there shouldn't be any driveline issues. This biggest issue I see is money. I just don't see the average frugal Guzzisti being willing/able to drop the coin to make it happen. Actually, I'd like to see someone do this with an MGS-01 chassis... But I'm crazy like that...

In my Spine Frame thread on WG, I mentioned that the LM-III was my first Guzzi Revelation. I was a teenager in the '80s when that bike came out and always wanted a LeMans. Finally, my first intro into Guzzi ownership was a 1996 Sport 1100, which I still own. But, I have always wanted a Tonti LeMans. A couple years ago, I missed out on the special 1991 LeMans that Bill929 ended up with, and I've had one of these on my mind ever since. This year, another one came up but the timing was a bit off for me and Chuck in Indiana ended up with the bike, saving it from an uncertain future languishing in an Asian dealership in Chicago. Long story short, Chuck decided he'd rather have a Rosso Corsa than the '91 LeMans, so we made a deal and I was finally able to drag it home... So Saturday, Marcia and I headed east to Indiana to pick up the new bike, stopping along the way in St. Louis for a quick picnick on The Landing under The Eads Bridge. Finally, around 9pm EST, we arrived at Chuck's in Indiana. His gracious wife had some good chilli on the stove for us, and Mmmm, it was good! Sunday Morning, we awoke to another nice meal courtesy of our hosts, then Chuck and I headed out to the garage. The old LeMans fired right up, and I took it for a quick spin around the neighborhood. It checked out, and when I got back, Marcia hopped on and down the road we went. The bike feels real nice, personality very similar to my Sport 1100. The transmission seems to have close ratios, which made the bike very rideable. Nice torque, too. Soon enough, the bike was on the trailer and we were ready to head back West towards home. Kip, OffCamber1, had called and wanted to meet for lunch. He picked a great spot along the way at Casey Illinois, Richard's Farm. Worth the stop, if ever you're travelling on I-70 in Illinois! Lunch with Kip and his wife, Kris, was great! We finally arrived home around 930 CST last night. The LeMans is resting in the garage with the others. I can't wait to ride it this week. I hope the weather holds out! 1st "official ride" on the LM-V yesterday at noontime. A little 30-mile loop to get a feel for the new bike. I've always wondered what a Bassa/Special would feel like with a Sport 1100 engine installed. Yesterday's ride showed me! LOL! There's no mistaking the LM-V is a 1970s bike in 1980s clothing. Definite vintage Itallian sporty bike vibe! I remember now why I got rid of the foam rubber grips that came stock on the Sport 1100. A set of ProGrip gel grips is in order, and I just happen to have a spare set on the shelf in the garage. I'd also forgotten about the Dellorto's near 1/2-turn throttle and stiff springs since going to Keihins on the Sport 1100. I won't do that on this bike, so I'll live with it. I like narrow bikes. The one thing I really dislike about the V11 LeMans is the wide tank. The LM-V is like the Sport 1100 in that it feels narrow! I can tell you this, the fairing on the LM-V works! Smooth air and little noise, just like on the Sport 1100. Much quieter than the V11 LeMans. The suspension is plush. I've heard people say these things rode like log wagons, but they must've been lightweights. I actually like a softer suspension because of the roads I ride. If the rider is smooth, the softer (I know this is a relative term) suspension can be rewarding on the twisty roads. I will need to crank the Konis up to the highest notch, though, for my near 250-lbs. The bike pulls nicely, the tranny gears are nicely spaced, it idles smoothly at 1100rpm, and will accellerate quite briskly with a double-take on the long-pull throttle. Well that's it for first impressions. Stay tuned for more.

If they'd asked me.... I sure think I'd have developed upon the spine-frame. Maybe go alloy. Definitely go bigger. Put fuel in it. Use an improved/stronger version of the MGS-01 style rear swingarm/suspension. Leave the alternator on the crank nose of the 1200-8V. Offer the 8V engine in destroked 940cc guise. "950 LeMans"! That would be MGS-01 v2.0 But they didn't ask me...

Both in my garage, now. Thanks Chuck!

Centauro was Marabese's first Guzzi commission. He went on to pen the V11s, the Bassa redux of the EV, and everything since (save for the MGS-01)... I'm guessing that some version of the Terblanche designs will be the basis of the next "sporty Guzzi". They may not look a lot like his show bikes, but I'll bet that frame design will be the bassis of the new bikes.

Damn! Lots of wrong info about Carb Sports in this thread! I'm surprised, quite honestly! The Carb Sports came with two Yuasa batteries under the passenger pillion. The Carb Sports came with a conventional Marzocchi M1 front fork. WP rear monoshock with reservoir mounted on the left side of the seat subframe. The Carb Sports were originally equipped with Bitubo steering damper. The stock clipons were mounted below the triple tree. Those look like stockers, from what I can see, and simply need to be slid up to the bottom of the triple tree. I don't know what hotter cam there is than the Crane cam that cam originally in the Carb Sport. There may be one, but I haven't heard of it. The Carb Sports all had black frames, so this machine has been completely apart to get its red paint/powder. Pete is good to warn of the transmission. There is no cush drive in the driveline, so be gentle. Some bike's 5th gears shit the bed due to improper manufacturing. They are great, and elemental sporty motorcycles. I have owned my Sport 1100 since new. Fifteen years, now...

...and on down Old Santa Fe Trail towards The Plaza. The Inn at Loretto. I just love the geometry of this view of the building: Loretto Chapel is next. Beautiful building housing a miracle inside... The church is known for its staircase. The story: "When the Loretto Chapel was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Carpenters were called in to address the problem, but they all concluded access to the loft would have to be via ladder as a staircase would interfere with the interior space of the small Chapel. Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers. The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today. The staircase has two 360 degree turns and no visible means of support. Also, it is said that the staircase was built without nails—only wooden pegs. Questions also surround the number of stair risers relative to the height of the choir loft and about the types of wood and other materials used in the stairway's construction. Over the years many have flocked to the Loretto Chapel to see the Miraculous Staircase. The staircase has been the subject of many articles, TV specials, and movies including "Unsolved Mysteries" and the television movie titled "The Staircase."" Impressive! On down the street we wandered, until we wandered into The La Fonda Hotel and up to thier Bell Tower Bar. It was happy hour, afterall... Great view from atop the hotel! After a couple of Heradura Silver margaritas, we strolled across the Plaza and back up Griffith Street to our hotel... We rested and regrouped, then ventured back down to the plaza area for a late dinner. It was pretty slow on a Monday Night in this town, but we did find one restaurant open at 930pm. I was about to give up when we found The Sleeping Dog... No pics, but man it was good. Somplace to put on your list when visiting Santa Fe. After a nice dinner, we walked it off on the way back up to the hotel... Wow! Well, I haven't done that much walking in one day in quite awhile! Here's the map of our walk: Map Link. Add in the walk back down to the plaza for dinner and we walked about four miles during the day... Not that far in walking shoes, I suppose, but I had on jeans and a pair of Luchesse Boots... Great day! We really felt like we got to see Santa Fe today... Tomorrow, we ride!

One of our missions was to see the studio of a particular artist/jeweler that Marcia and I had seen featured in Cowboys & Indians Magazine in the issue about Santa Fe's 400th Anniversary. We continued our walk a bit further South until we found his place on Early Street. At first we didn't know if we had the right place, so out came Gordon's and Peg's smart phones for a little internet search. Yep. This was the place... I sent Marcia up to the locked door and she rang the doorbell... Much to our surprise, Douglas Magnus himself answered the door, and after a moment's hesitation, invited us in... We had expected a sales clerk in a retail showroom, but were treated to his private workspace where he showed us some of his art and lots of cool jewelry. Some of which no one else had seen, yet. As I mentioned, stopping here was one of our primary goals. Marcia and I wanted a nice memento from Santa Fe that noted the 400th. Douglas' SF400 line was perfect and we picked up a few pieces... Very cool! Marcia and I were taken aback by how accomodating he and his staff were. It was a great experience, and one we will remember each time we see the pieces we brought home with us... From Doulas Magnus' studio, we headed East. I wanted to show the crew the New Mexico State Capital on our way over to Old Santa Fe Trail, where we'd eat lunch... We walked through the rotunda where there is always art on display... Cool building... A quick walk-through, and we were in search of food! It wasn't much of a walk down Old Santa Fe Trail to The Pink Adobe, which looked very inviting. The Pink Adobe, it would be. And it did not disappoint... The alley between the restaurant and the bar. It just looked cool, so I snapped a pic... The Chapel of San Miguel, on Old Santa Fe Trail, is said to be the oldest church in the USA, parts of which date to 1610... We ventured down the narrow street next to the church to seek out "the oldest house in the US" and got a unique glimpse into the structure of San Miguel. Very interesting stuff for this architecture buff: Across the narrow street from San Miguel, we found The Oldest House in the US. The De Vargas House... Marcia had to touch it... This is how the house appeared in 1885: A filled-in window...

Before starting the next episode, I'd like to note that the photos seen here are a cooperative effort. Many of the riding photos were taken by Marcia. Many other photos were taken by Gordon, who graciously allowed me to use them here. Others were taken by yours truly, both digital and film... Thanks go out to my friends for thier part in making this report possible! Day Four - Monday, 27 September: Santa Fe is a very walkable city. Well, at least the "old town" area that surrounds the plaza... Today would be dedicated to walking and exploring, shopping and eating! At 0830 or 0900, we all met down in the very nice lobby of the hotel, drank coffee and tossed around ideas on what we'd like to do. Peg needed to pick up a charger for her camera, so she and Gordon took off on that mission while Marcia and I meandered towards "The Railyard District", where we'd meet back up with our friends... Here are a couple of houses that caught my eye along the way: The Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: A mural along Guadalupe Street: A bit further along and we arive in The Rail Yard District: ...where we caught a glimpse of the commuter train waiting to depart for Albuquerque. New Mexico Rail Runner Express: Marcia and I drop into the coffee shop in what looks like the old freight house next to the depot and wait for Peg and Gordon to catch up... They soon arrived and we enjoyed (more) coffee and some pastry while enjoying the beautiful morning... Marcia is a cowgirl at heart and we soon lost her to Kowboyz, a vintage western store across the street... I went to track here down after awhile and got bogged down in all the cool old stuff, too! Peg and Gordon came and saved us (and our wallets), and we strolled South through the old rail yard. Interesting concept. They've arranged the beds in line like the old rails were laid out... Beautiful! ...even if it is just "Capitalist Propaganda":