Mike Stewart

Docc, The 00 came with either the WP or the Sucks unit, you are blessed with the better unit. The spring rates are most likely different between the two shocks. I know the spring lengths are different by looking at the owners manuel. The Sachs spring rate is way too soft, I needed to crank the preload way up inorder to get the correct sag (yes, I know it is due to my 200 lb. weight) Mike

I see that Ghezzi and Brian also makes head bearings that steepen the fork rake 1 degree. This will shorten the wheel base a hair and make the bike steer quicker at the same time. Who wants to try it out first? The V11 does need a longer swingarm, just a cm. will make a large difference. Take pictures along the way so we can see the progress. The rear shock might have to be revalved and resprong to work with the added leverage of the swingarm. Mike

I really like how clean the Scura looks without the mufflers and rear pegs! Has anyone heard the exhaust sound from a Ghezzi and Brian Furia? Would like to know how loud it will be before purchasing one. Agostini in Italy carries Ghezzi and Brian, I will email them. Mike

So did anyone go with the Ghezzi and Brian Muffler? I would like to know more about the unit. I think the Ghezzi Brian that was raced used this type muffler setup. I wonder how loud it is? I was thinking about buying a 02 Lemans for touring and thought this setup would be idea so I could easily lower the rear pegs for the wife and install luggage. Thanks, Mike

Hey Rex, I finally got my bike back from the dealer and was thinking of sending my forks and shock out for the LE treatment. How much did it cost for a revalve and respring for the front and rear? Need to let the wife know before and not after I get the bill! After riding my Falco for three months and then climbing back on the V11Sport, I really see an improvement is needed for the suspenders. Where is Central California are you located? I am in Oakland. Thanks, Mike

Hi Docc, I really have two leaks from the transmission. One is from behind the starter as you described, it appears to be coming from a pressed in shaft above the starter. RTV will fix it, but I would rather have the cover replaced. The other leak is from the rear of the transmission where the rear cover and plate bolt to the main trans case. This leak drips down on my Stuchi crossover and gives a pleasent 90 weight ordor that only the Harley guys could love. I don't blame the shop for the repair or even Guzzi and I am not really upset with anyone, I just want it fixed before the warrantee is up (though they need to get the parts issue straightened out), I am an Automotive tech. by trade and understand how hard it is to find leaks. It has to be a case problem since resealing it does not fix it. The bike was cleaned by the shop and road tested after the repair. I road it home and it was still dry and after my 120 mile ride today, I had a large amount of oil on the rear of the trans and crossover once again. I am not just talking about a little weep or seep (I'm not anal) , It is really a leak. Mike wanting to ride!

Docc, I put 120 miles on the bike today, it shifted flawless! On the downside, my trans still leaks oil . This is the second time in for the leak, is it possible that I have a crack in the upper web also? Here goes another 3 months in the shop. The wife reminded me that I had bought an extended warrantee, go thinking on my part! Mike with a 90 weight smell

Well the small rant must of helped. I got a call from the dealer at 3:00PM and picked up my bike at 4:30 PM. Shifts like a dream. I need to learn how to ride her all over again, its been a long three months! Sure is nice having a real V twin between my legs again. Mike

Docc, My 2000 V11S always had false neutrals, mainly going into 3rd and 4th gears. I missed shifts when shifting hard or easy so I know it is in the trans. Most riders have a problem going from 1st to 2nd on other bikes. Anyway after taking my bike to the dealer the 2nd time for the transmission oil leaks they put a dye into the trans oil so that they could find the leak. Upon road testing the bike, the trans got stuck in 3rd gear. It would not shift out of it. Then the bike came out of 3rd and would not go into any gear. The trans came out and apart, the findings were that 3rd gear came apart in three pieces and wiped out the rest of the trans. That was three months ago and I am still waiting for the parts for the trans, I would think that a new trans would correct all the problems Mike

Lex, I plan to ship my forks and shock to LE as soon as I get my V11S back from the shop. They claim that their revalve will be better or as good than the Ohlins. For the money, LE is the waaay to goooo at a fraction of the price! By the way, I sold my 94 BMW 1100 RSL cause I never rode it after I bought the Guzzi!

In my experience with front tires, I believe tire cupping is caused mainly by the tread design. I have noticed some tires are prone to cupping much sooner than others. The stock Bridgestone tires on my V11S did cup very early and it was more pronounced on the left side. I know that I favor the left hand turns than the right hand ones (in the US.) due to driving on the right side of the road. You can see much further around a left hand turn and one can throttle harder and sooner that any right hander! On my stock Bridgestones the cupping was more pronounced on the left side, but on the Metzeler and Bridgestone 010's the cupping is neutral. Maybe I am getting better at right hand turns in the US! When in doubt, keep the rubber side Down! Mike

I have talked to Ken at Evoluzione a few times and have purchased some items for my Aprilia Falco. I had talked to him a few weeks ago and he was putting a Lemans on the dyno that day. All I can say is the dyno shows good results with all their products. The ignition amp works very well on the Aprilia's due to their weak coils. I am a firm believer of a hot spark and have thought of putting on a CD unit on my V11S a long time ago. My thought is a CD unit, larger plug gap equals hotter spark and longer spark duration (your results may differ, batteries not included). The main reason for the adjustable fuel regulator is that every fuel system is a little different and by making a way to adjust it will put the system pressure where it is suppost to be. Aprilia's fuel pressure is all over the map and it was impossable to make a fuel map for it without getting the fuel pressure with in specs. first. Anyway, If I ever get my V11S back from the shop, I may be trying some new mods. Mike in Very Wet California

Hey Buck, Does your wife let you buy a new bike every year? I thought I was bad How much do you ride the Beemers since you bought the Lemans? I sold my 97 F650 because I wasn't riding much and the next week the 2000 Green V11Sport was in my garage. I rode the V11S for a year and then came to the conclusion that I didn't need the R1100RSL anymore and sold that too. Mike

Hi, My seat on my 2000 V11S seems like it is supported by the battery, at least by the witness marks left ontop the battery I guess it could be my weight Mike

The finish that comes on the Stucchi is a bead blasted finish. It is not brushed or polished. The difference is much more noticeable when new. After a few miles the color will change and match the header pipes. Mike

I think that dual plugging will really benifit the Guzzi. I had thought of putting in an ignition amp. or a CD unit to lengthen the duration and voltage of the spark. I am toying with the idea of going through the motor and having the flywheel lighted, crank knife edged, carrello rods, balance, high compression pistons, and having the heads ported. Or I could just buy and 2003 Lemans? I wish I had an unlimited bank account Mike Stewart

I don't buy that overfilling the trans has caused everyones leaks. I know in my case the leak is from between the mating surface of the covers towards the rear of the transmission. I also have a transmission leak coming from above the starter (and it is not the switch). My bike is at the shop getting the leaks resolved. I talked to the shop today and they put dye in the trans to see where the leaks were coming from. While on a road test the trans decided to lock up in 3rd gear. I am glad it happened at the dealer . They also said that they encountered a false neutral trying to get it out of 3rd. Funny thing is, last time I questioned the Guzzi false neutral problem, they said it was normal. Bad news is that it will be in the shop for some time. Oh well as long as they fix it! Mike Stewart

Hello all, This is from Raceco's web page: Tappet clearances for two and four valve engines: Two valve engines Tappet clearances for the Guzzi big twins should be set to 0.20mm for the inlet and 0.25mm for the exhaust. This also applies to the "modern" Guzzis such as the Sport 1100, Cali 1100i and V11. The factory settings for these bikes are 0.10mm and 0.15mm respectively, but this is to try and reduce engine noise to meet US emissions regulations. With tappets set this tight, the engines have trouble ticking over and running cleanly at low revs. Give it a try, it does not cost anything and it may solve your problems, Mike Stewart

Hi John, Welcome to the V11S addiction page I have been fighting the dying issue since I have owned the bike. It seems to do it only when the days are hot and only when doing a full throttle blast and coming to a stop. The most important thing to adjust is your idle speed. It is very critical that it is set on the high side (1200 rpm). It is best not to use the Guzzi tach. Mine reads 300 rpm high, so 1200 rpm will come out to be about 900 rpm. and it most certainly will stall. I have checked everything from TPS voltages to CO. mixture reading and I have had no cure. The PCIII was no help for this condition either. I have also played with valve lash specs. and using Raceco's larger valve clearance specs. does seem to take away the hot blast stall syndrome. So I suggest opening up your valve lash and adjusting your idle speed (hot) and go for a ride. (By opening up the valve lash a few things change. The valve overlap is reduced and the valve opening is also slightly reduced. This will give your bike a very smooth idle and improved low end with just a little loss of top end).

I just finished putting my wheels back on my 2000 V11Sport (fitted new Bridgestone 010s), when I noticed the rear brake pads are almost to metal. This is the first bike I have ever worn out a set of pads. I am off to the Guzzi's by the sea rally this weekend and need to find a set by Friday. I did some research and to my luck Ducati uses the same pad. Well, I have learned to check the rear brakes more often. I guess 13,000 miles for a set of pads isn't that bad. Mike Stewart

My 2000 V11 Sport started leaking bad at the same spot. At every stoplight, my bike smelled like a Harley (90 wt.). I took it into the shop after the Arizona Rally (saw two other V11S with the same leak) to have the problem repaired. (I had two leaks, one in the rear of the transmission like everyone else and I also had one above the starter on the sidecover leaking out of a shaft/pin. Well after it was in the shop for a week, I rode it home (70 miles) and guess what, it still leaks. I must admit, it leaks at a slower rate, but it still leaks. Time to make another apointment. 90 Wt. Mike

Agostini said that the difference between the oval and round mufflers is just that, oval and round. There is no difference in performance or sound. The internal parts are the same. It is just cosmetics. I still bought the ovals. Mike Stewart

I am running the Sport tec M1 tires and they stick like glue. On the downside is you will not see very high milage out of these tires. I have heard that someguys go through them in 3000 miles. I have about 3000 on them now and they are about 50% worn. Keep the rubber side down, Mike Stewart

Hey Al, I have been thinking of a ram air setup for my V11Sport for sometime now. I have installed the Moto Especial oil sump and removed the oil cooler to make room for the air intake. I have seen reports of the ram air setups on rice rockets and the horsepower starts at a lower speed due to increased intake air resenence. I would be happy with 2 to 3 H.P. at 120 mph! Mike Stewart