dhansen

Another vote for dropping the pan and adding the hose clamp just in case. There have been more than a few unexplained filter self removals that ended in ruined engines. I always keep an extra pan gasket hanging on the wall if needed. I do not use any gasket seal other than a good coating of oil. Works for me.

I'd go for a long sleeve in 2xl assuming it is an american 2xl. I'd need about a 4xl in eurosize! Did I read something about red for color? That would work for me.

I was thinking along the lines of higher ambient temperatures myself. Here in Maine my V11 seldom sees temperatures over the mid 70's F. No signs of trouble here yet despite the 10% ethanol.

Yes............ummmmmmmmm, yes and ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, yes! What I really want to do is install a voltmeter to catch the moments when I see the lights get bright and the engine starts missing. As I said, very intermittent and fleeting. I've checked and cleaned most all ground connections (might be something I've missed) and added a ground from the regulator case to the engine. No change. So far, I have not been able to observe voltage readings when the lights are brighter than normal. It only seems to happen when out riding. Every time I've checked voltages with the VOM (in the driveway or garage with the seat off) all has been normal. The bike has been doing this since I got it and given that the original Spark 500 lasted almost 7 years, I doubt that this issue is related to the fluids I found under the battery. Who knows though? Someone from Germany posted here saying they were seeing the same intermittent brightness in their lights but did not mention the missing problem that I get at the same time. I tried PM'ing him but have not received a reply. I'd be interested to know if he ever discovered the cause. I first posted the symtoms I am having about 2 years ago and no one else (except the guy in Germany) has ever mentioned the same problem. I have none of the problems others have had with failed voltage regulators or the wiring associated with them. Blah-ba-blah-ba-blah.

Nope, no sign of any leak. Haven't even checked the voltage on it yet though, hope to mess with it this weekend. Last ride of 2009 was something like December 14th, so it sat in the bike for about a month before I pulled it out. IIRC the coldest night it would have seen was about 15 deg f. We didn't see the 50 below temp here on the coast. That big pond out there moderates the temperature. Did see it 25 below once but that was 26 years ago. Zero is the coldest so far this year. The old Spark 500 battery went through 4 winters here in the bike in an unheated garage (first three years were in San Fransisco) and seemed no worse for it. Always started the bike in the spring without recharging, even in the 7th year when it later died. I am having what could be an issue with the voltage regulator. I've posted about it here before. It is very much intermittent and I doubt serious enough to cause an over charge condition. Could be wrong though!

Anyone have a stock starter cover they want to part with? SIlver would be good.....................

So, I peeled back the label on my battery to see what I could feel under it. This port appears to be completely sealed but I wonder if this is supposed to be some sort of vent? Absolutely no sign of moisture here. It is interesting that there appears to be a shallow channel in the plastic that would allow gasses to escape from under the label. (There is adhesive on the label around the port. It decided to stick to the battery in the corners rather than pull away with the label).

Good, I'm not alone then Baldini. Ratch, I'm thinking along your line too. I have added an additional inner shield to cut down on the amount of water and road grit that is spit onto the shock and battery but, despite the new shield, there were a few bits of grit under the battery and I assume some water got up there too. It isn't a big stretch to think that water could have picked up some acid from the battery.

The seat pan is not rubbing on the case, I did a little clearance work when I got this new battery. There is no visible damage, no apparent leak that I have found, yet there is moisture under the battery.

For many reasons I had not taken the battery out of the V11 Sport yet for this winter. I did this afternoon and was surprised to find a bit of liquid in the tray under the battery. I sprinkled a small amount of baking soda in the liquid and confirmed it was acidic from the resulting foam. Obviously, I'm now wondering if the darn thing is leaking a little. The battery is 1-1/2 years old with two riding seasons on it and has always functioned as it should. I can't see an obvious leak point but there was what looked like condensation on the bottom of the battery case. I left a message with the Customer Service folks at Odyssey so we'll see what they say. Anyone else ever find moisture under their battery? TIA, Dennis in Maine.

Anyone know what has become of Gary?

Molly One of the hardest things about interacting amongst ourselves via computer forum is judging the character or intent of someone by a random posting. There isn't a more finer kind of fucktard out there than Pete. I hope you'll cut him some slack (not that he needs it though) this time and not be predjudiced by his reaction. Sometimes life gets in the way and it tends to cloud our civil nature. The V11s have been around long enough now that just about anything and everything that can go wrong with them has and I'd venture to guess just about every issue with them has been fully covered here if not beaten to death. The search function is your friend and will usually turn up more info than you could ever hope for in trying to answer your questions. Once you've exhausted that route, feel free to ask away. There is always someone willing to jump in and set you straight. Dennis. Still waiting for life to get out of my way.

Looks great John, but what are those horns??????? My best to your "D" too. Dennis

its just a hard way to go. dh

Gosh Dave, that just about covers every possible variation we might see in our weather. No way the AGW believers can ever be wrong. Be sure you send Uncle AL a big check to feed his ministry and ease your concience. Dennis

Getting back to the original subject of what to do about the vehicle manufacturing industry, I heard what I think is a brilliant idea. Have the Big Oil companies bail them out. Who has benefitted more than Big Oil from the gas hogs that came out of Detroit? Only seems fair to lend a helping hand! Dennis

How about a photo rb1?

Strange, yes. A small fairing like that on a frame mount just doesn't look right.

Good for you Jap! Great looking bike in any color but the Black is beautiful. Hope you get some riding weather before spring. Pics please! Dennis

Yeah, I can see Super Efficient and Super Weird but not Super Cheap. There are certain basic economy of scale rules that will keep us from ever seeing the days of 1000 different car manufacturers in the USA or anywhere else. Dennis

Get lost or something ferg? Awful long drive to do a little surfing. Broken nose is painful but not as bad as what the sharks that smelled the blood could do! Dennis

Hey ben, don't worry about it. You are not alone. I'd bet 90% of us haven't a clue either and could care less. The world revolves around the USA, right? All americans should be required to stand back and see how we look to the rest of the world. With yesterdays election, the scene has improved slightly. Dennis

* Sigh * Its been 30 years now since I've been down that road. Sitting here in Maine on the cusp of winter the thought of spending time down in the desert seems very inviting. The highlight of that ride was stopping at Manzanita Ranch and having an ice cold cup of fresh cider. Wonder if they are still in business. Dennis.

Hey Jolly. A couple people here have spoken up about a place just south of Harrisburg, PA. Linky Next time I'm headed to MD I plan on checking them out. Dennis.