Mike Stewart

Al, To me the bike looked as good up close as it does in the pictures. The seat and tail section is wider than the picture shows. The model at the show also had the evaporative canister removed to make the bike look clean as well as an aftermarket exhaust system. The bike comes with wire wheels which are not sealed. Ducati had Pirelli make tube type tires which are radial just for this model and they look like the stock tires of that era. So, I really like the bike, I was not able to swing a leg over it and sit to see how the low bar position felt (the bike was on a show table). The next day after seeing the bike, I called Modesto Ducati and put my name in on one (a yellow one with no down payment ) and today I just received an email stating the bike was shipped and will be here about January 3rd. Modesto Ducati just received their first one and said I could come out and sit on it Don't worry guys, I am still a Guzzi lover. Mike

Yeah, I went on Friday evening to the International Bike show and was somewhat disappointed. With my credit card at hand, I wanted to purchase a bike lift. The Handi company were listed on being there but they were a no show. , I then went to look at the Kendon lift and their lift and literature were there but no one to ask any questions about it . Ok no problem, I also need a helmet and a new set of leathers. No deals on either one, everything at list prices with tax. Might as well forget about getting any discounts at the bike shows anymore. Best to save you money and go to the Moto GP next year where there are many more venders wanting to sell there product. The best part of the show was looking at the Guzzi's and Ducati Sport 1000, the Ural's pretty were cool too. Mike

Carl, Is the Ural Patrol the two wheel rear drive model? Went to the International Motorcycle show and Ural had a good showing. Hum, mechanical rear brakes, carburated but they do have alternaters Oh, they did have a Rich Maund seat on them , the rep I was talking to was his neighbor. What a small world. Mike

I think with the cost of the molds and the shipping cost, it would be way cheaper for someone (other than me ) to make a mold of their ST body work. Or how much is the unpainted body work to start with from GB? I had the idea so someone else please do the easier half Mike

Robbiekb, 1st problem, AAA in California will not register an out of state vehicle, been there. 2nd problem, if I remember correctly, the speedo cable turns counter clockwise, so you will need a reversable drill. 2nd problem to problem number 2 is the speedo cable turns very fast, it will take a week to get that kind of mileage to show with a normal drill. 3rd problem, Palo Alto speedo service is expensive. It will cost you at least $100. for them to open up the speedo. And they may not have the correct bezel to reassemble the speedo with. Best solution is to borrow someones higher mileage speedo, have it registered and then return the speedo with a case of beer. You could borrow mine, but it only has 4033 miles on it. Mike

What it could be is the clutch plate stuck to the flywheel , with the different clutch materials and if the bike is in damp weather (rust or a process of oxidation as JRT would prefer ) , this could happen. I remember when the brake shoes used to stick on my old VW, you had to put the trans into 1st and then reverse while dumping the clutch till she broke loose . Now how do you check to see if this is the case? Good luck, Mike

Carl, I have the wire harness from my 2000 V11 Sport, $50.00 and it's yours. At least this would eliminate about 75% of the electrics that could be causing the problems. And it will give you something to do on those cold Oklahoma days Mike

I also posted this in the 24/7 Numb feet on the V11, Sorry Jaap! OK, after reading all about pegs and knowing the footpegs look really close between the V11 and the Ducati Monster, I went out to the garage and installed one foot peg from a Ducati Monster onto the Rosso. Fits perfect, no fuss, no mess! The spring is a little harder to put in but not bad. So if you need a slightly cheaper alternative, find a set of footpegs from a 1994 to 2006 Ducati Monster with the standard swingarm setup, not the newer Monsters with the one sided swingarm. Also, the Monster's came with either all aluminum footpegs or the rubber topped ones. The front and rear footpegs are the same part number on the Monster's and not on the Guzzi. I purchased 4 rubber coated Monster pegs for $42.00 on ebay last week (needed them for my wifes old Monster), so the price is right. I went one step farther and took a picture of the Ducati Monster options, they are from left to right, 1. Aftermarket foot peg for the Ducati Monster from Spareshack.com, 2. Stock aluminum footpeg from the Ducati Monster, 3. Rubber topped Ducati Monster foot peg, 4. Stock Guzzi V11 footpeg. Mike

OK, after reading all about pegs and knowing the footpegs look really close between the V11 and the Ducati Monster, I went out to the garage and installed one foot peg from a Ducati Monster onto the Rosso. Fits perfect, no fuss, no mess! The spring is a little harder to put in but not bad. So if you need a slightly cheaper alternative, find a set of footpegs from a 1994 to 2006 Ducati Monster with the standard swingarm setup, not the newer Monsters with the one sided swingarm. Also, the Monster's came with either all aluminum footpegs or the rubber topped ones. The front and rear footpegs are the same part number on the Monster's and not on the Guzzi. I purchased 4 rubber coated Monster pegs for $42.00 on ebay last week (needed them for my wifes old Monster), so the price is right. Mike

Another question , Is the rear wheel dropout a needed option? Seems like if you had to remove the rear wheel you could just use the paddock stand on the floor or am I missing something here . Also how do you support the bike on the lift if you have to remove both wheels for tire replacement or for suspension removal? I am just trying to figure out how much this is going to cost me What is nice about the Kendon is, it comes complete, no front wheel vise as an extra. It is also more narrow to get close to the bike. Still need to see one up close. Thanks, Mike

Bruce, In my youth, I used to always read Dirt Bike Magazine with my friends and when I was old enough and had a job, I finally bought one. I gave up dirt bikes when the pain was greater than the fun. Still miss it though. My first dirt bike was a Penton/KTM 175, I picked it up with a broken crank and repaired it. Lots of fun with the Bing carb and the Moto plat ignition. You just had to never lay it down or the Bing would flood the engine and don't even think about going through water. I am doing well in the recovery, I am walking pretty good and I will be going to physical theropy to work on the muscles that have become very weak. I thought this would be the fast part of recovery (after bone healing) but the muscle building part is going to take longer. Thanks, Mike

This is the reason I have not gone out and put a deposit down on one, I want to see one in person. I had a hunch the bike would not come with Ohlins, so no surprise there. The horns can be moved, the exhaust has to go but making the bike part of you is half the fun of having one. I will know where my heart is next weekend when I get to see one. Mike

Those were the days of Maico Brako and seize Z Yep, still luv them! Mike

If I made a clock out of every screw up I have done, there wouldn't be any wall space left in the house This is just one of those screw ups... I bought this cheap fairing for my 00 V11 Sport and tried to cut the windscreen down with a jig saw and it shattered Sooo, I took a sealed headlamp and cut the backing off ( a few hour job), drilled a hole through the glass and installed the fixings to make a clock. I still want to put a low voltage light in the back to make it light up. Someday Mike

Now we are talking But how long will it take Guzzi to come out with it. 3,4,5 years. They will miss the market once again . Mike

Very cool bike, I just have a fancy to the early race bikes I guess it is my age Mike

Yeah, I hear you on the exhaust, it would of looked much more pleasent if they did a two into one setup like the original. If I do get one this would be the first thing to change. Each dealer is only getting a limited amount of the Sport1000's and are taking deposits on them. They should be out in the next few weeks. Price is at $10900. USD. Mike

Nope, the earliest was the Scura in 2002 and many complained about the Ohlins rear shock being too stiff on that model. Should have the Sucks shock. Mike

There is no problem with JB weld but where the crack is not in a good location. If you use JB weld, when the bolts are torqued, the crack will open up and you will most likely have another leak. I would replace the cover also. Welding would work but you need to make sure the surface is flat and to do it correctly you should have it welded on both sides. You would then have to file or mill the cover edge flat. So, it really depends on how long it would take to get a cover, the cost and time of having it welded and then having the risk of another leak. How much is a cover anyway? Mike

Ok, sign me up, I'll take one of each!

A friend of mine takes pictures with a digital camera as he takes things apart. This is a "just in case of a humm....I forgot what I was going to say... Now where did I put those supplements for memory loss.... Mike

If I remember correctly, I don't think you have to remove the fuel cap. There are plastic tits on the pad that are held to the tank by rubber gromets. It will just pop off with a careful pry. Mike

Thanks guys I will be going to the International bike show in San Jose on the 16th of this month(now the San Francisco show) and I know the Handy products will be there. Time to check them out. Mike

Well, I think it is time for purchasing a motorcycle lift. Not one of the lifts that raise the bike just in the center, but a ramp style that can raise to 30 inches. Anyone know of a brand that works well and won't fall over when you turn your back on it? Thanks, Mike

Dr Gil, The front frame to the engine does unbolt from the spine frame. You may have to remove the fuel tank to get to the bolts. Or you might be able to loosen them (2 bolts) and swing the front of the frame down to gain enough clearence. If you don't want to tackle it, you can load the bike up and truck it down to me and I will fix it for you. Just might cost you another beer. I am in Oakland. Mike