Tom M

I know this isn't a V11 but maybe someone here would like to give this a shot? "The UNS Engine Project is being compiled to produce a book of 50 engine images. I need folks who know about vintage engines to write essays about them for the upcoming book. I’m just a photographer; there is no way I could write with authority about 50 different vintage engines. You have until December 1, 2007 to contribute. More engine images will be added to the collection until November 1, 2007. If you’re interested, or know someone who would be, then read on: " http://www.trickphotog.com/Essay_Contribution.htm

1) Yes 2) Some cracked crossovers have been reported here. Others like Ben are fine. I think most folks here recommend the Stucchi over the Ferracci because of the possibility of cracking, possibly due to no hanger. The Ferracci x pipe has never had a hanger bracket. Here's their website info, no hanger or bracket: http://www.ferracci.com/store/cart.php?m=p...detail&p=22 Here's the Stucchi with hanger and bracket: FWIW I added a hanger to my Ferracci and made up a bracket to attach it to the frame. I'm hoping this will prevent any cracking. These pics are after ceramic coating was done:

I think you need to ride both versions and decide if you like the quicker steering '01 red frame better than the longer '03 black frame. I wouldn't be too worried that the '01 will be less reliable than the newer bike. Either one could give you problems or both could be trouble free. Another consideration is comfort. I believe the '01 has lower clipons than the 03. There was a gearbox recall on the early sports too. I don't know if it effected the '01s but I'm sure you can find the info here. Good luck!

I may be way off base here but have you tried opening the gas cap after the bike stalled? I'm thinking you may have the easily cured tank suck problem.

I had my bike tip off the MG stand a while back but luckily I caught it before it hit the ground. My stand seemed very unstable so I decided to take it apart to see what the problem was. What I found was that there's a sleeve inside the handle joint and mine had slipped or come loose so it was only extending about 1" into the removeable side of handle but about 7" into the fixed side. This caused the handle to bend quite a bit at the joint. I removed the sleeve from the fixed side and drove it into the removable side with a hammer so it was even on both sides which also straightened the bend. Now the stand is plenty stable

I'm 6'1" with the same arm and leg lengths as you. The peg location isn't a problem for me but the reach to the bars bothers an old shoulder injury of mine after a couple of hours. There are a number of lower footpeg and higher/closer handlebar solutions out there if needed. Personally I'd like to have the bars about an inch higher and an inch closer but again I have a gimpy shoulder.

Just send the whole mess to me and I'll install it, take pistures, and break it in for you!

I'm sure that you mean shift lever, not clutch lever. I have never seen that kit installed but looking at the picture I'd guess that the piece that is farthest to the right should be attached to the shift shaft on the transmission so that the boss will extend out past the porkchop. I can't tell if the new shift lever will attach directly to that boss or if you need to re-use the stock shift link. Good luck and please post pics when you're done.

Crouch right down there and shift it up & down by hand while watching to see if anything is binding or interfering. You probably just need to lube the shift linkage.

"If it was you, would you insure or not?" Guzzi: yes Funny looking Harley: no

Hayden and Rossi could be screwed if Bridgestone has in fact developed a far superior tire to Michelin. http://www.motorcycledaily.com/23april07_bridgestone.htm

What do you charge for the bars and risers?

I had my first idiot moment with my LM last night. I pulled into the driveway in the dark, pushed out the kickstand, leaned left and oh shit the kickstand retracted . The bike was so far over when I realized what happened that I couldn't pick it back up straight so I ever so gently laid it down on it's side, stepped over to the left side, and hoisted it back upright. (I think I could have saved it if I had higher and wider bars instead of clipons.) Anyway, I looked down and there laying on my driveway was half of my shift lever and the front turn signal lense. Bummer! The signal lense was an easy fix. I did a temporary fix on the shifter with 2 pieces of sheet metal, 6 pop rivets and some JB weld. It'll have to do until I can find a new one. Anybody out there have a V11 shifter for sale?

Hi Doug, The USA V11's don't have a lambda sensor so no worries there. If you just do the stucchi crossover you probably won't need to change your fuel map, but if you add freer flowing exhaust cans later you will probably need to address it with a PC3 or something similar.

Congrat's on the new bike Jack! Seems like there's gonna be a few nice used LeMans available in socal soon with you & Guzzijon getting those new "fashion cruisers"...er...ummm...Grisos . Or will the LM become your track bike? Seriously though, the Griso is a really nice bike that I'm sure is better than the LM in the ergonomic and suspension departments. Have fun with it and please don't give up onthe V11 forum.

The LM fairing doesn't touch the gas tank so there won't be rub marks. Tubular bars with the right bend should work since all of the various riser kits out there seem to clear the fairing.

Greg Field's instructions and pictures of the slop sheet install are here if anyone wants to see what the holes are for: http://www.guzzitech.dk/05/05-06/05-06_e.htm

Another way to test them is to point an unlit propane torch at the boots when the bike is idling. If the idle climbs you have a leak. Most of the time you were quoted for the riser kit install is probably for swapping out and bleeding the brake and clutch lines. If you have the time, tools, and a decent work space it's something that you could do yourself if you're a cheap b*stard like me

Very nice! I LOVE the spoked wheels on the V11! I think that bike needs different exhaust though. A pair of these would look great on that bike: from http://www.guzzitalia.com/index.php?option...0&Itemid=35

Replace all of your relays with these for about $15 total and you'll never have to wonder if you're having relay problems again. http://www.dpguzzi.com/relay.htm The stumble at idle could be due to the throttle bodies being out of sync. How long since they were last balanced?

Newly painted plastic too? We're going to need some pictures along with your piston review! Sounds like you'll have a very nice bike when you're done...unless you're never done because you just can't leave well enough alone like me

If I ran my compression adjuster all the way in I doubt that my forks would move at all! I think there's something wrong in there Steve. That said, if you ride the bike and it feels good I'd probably wait until a seal goes or it's time for a fork oil change before going back in there again. FWIW I found something interesting when I was changing preload spacers the other day; uneven fork oil height. I was very careful in setting the height a few weeks ago when I installed new springs. I had the forks vertical in a vise and used vernier calipers to set it at 100mm after pumping all of the air out of both cartridges (so I thought). The rebound side was down about 7mm. Off topic: Hey Dan, have you run your bike with the new MR pistons yet? If so please let us know how they're working out, maybe in another thread so we don't muck up this fork thread.

Be sure to let us know how you like it. I'm very happy with mine but I never had the stock MC so I don't know how much of an improvement the radial MC is. I will say that I do 95% of my braking with one finger, don't know if that's possible with the stock MC.

Hi Rob, Here's another thread on this subject with a few pictures: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...ic=9756&hl= FWIW I did mine with the engine in the frame and it looks pretty good.

I like it too, as a show bike. It has a nice modern cafe' bike style. Lose the red hubs and tuck that exhaust pipe tighter to the frame (looks like the rear wheel might hit it where it is) and I'd like it better. I'd guess that the bike hasn't been run much since those pipes appear to be polished stainless steel. If so I think they would have discolored from heat if it was. It certainly beats the crap out of the hard tail stretched out pieces of sh*t that are considered custom bikes here in the US. Lots of choppers are turning up on craigslist around here lately. Maybe that fad is finally running out of steam