JoeV11

I don't know if I'd say the pegs are crap, but that long curb feeler has to go! I think that is why the peg in the picture broke. I tried a set on my V11 and re-tapped the Buell pegs to use the Moto Guzzi button. I think then the pegs would be as durable as any other. Joe PS, I didn't like the Buell pegs, if anyone is interested in buying them, use the PM to contact me. They are already machined to fit and come with the hollow pins and correct springs.

I'm planning on it. Don't have anything definite yet. Joe

A 50-50 mix of denatured alcohol (from a hardware store, not rubbing alcohol) and water will clean up leather without ruining it. I had a lot of mildew on my old jacket from sitting in the basement for years. It came out like new! It will also clean up sweat stains in the liner. I dipped clean rags and wiped my jacket, but I don't know, you could mix enough to dunk a set of leathers. Joe

Hi there I was talking to a friend of mine who owns a company that makes carbon fiber masts for racing sailboats, and he said they have a way to stop the CF from fading in the sun. People who buy these $20-100,000 masts don't want them fading, and you can't just throw a cover over a 30' mast. He said he'd do his magic on a pair of mufflers when he finishes one of his jobs, they usually have extra material they just throw away. If it holds up to the heat, it could solve the one big problem many people have with carbon fiber mufflers on their bikes. But first I have to get some faded but undamaged mufflers, preferably FBF since I will use my bike for a test bed, and I like the looks of them. But beggars can't be choosers. Contact me through IM. Thanks Joe

Welcome! You have a fine looking bike - enjoy it as much as you can. Joe

I have to agree - when I first got my V11, it was a shock, and until I learned to support myself with my torso not my arms, it was very tiring. I even went so far as to order some Buell footpegs, and scope out bolt-on risers (Suzuki SV650). But after about 1000 miles on it, I found I could ride hundreds of miles, and without a windshield, the wind at 70-75 MPH a perfect balance to the riding position. After 3500 miles I wouldn't change a thing about the riding position. The Buell pegs actually made it worse, those Guzzi guys know what they are doing. (And I'm also 50 , 6' tall, but only about 160.) Joe

Four... install a Buell Blast flyscreen - it's adjustable and good looking too. It even is formed to follow the MG instruments! I don't have one but have seen them. I don't know if it offers much in the way of weather protection, but anything above the headlight does divert the air. Joe

Just to add my opinion to the many here, the suspension settings are key. Even a few clicks/turns makes a big difference. I had my V11 set up soft because the roads here in CT suck, and the bike would want to stand up in bumpy turns. When I went for a trip to upstate NY, I found the bike would wallow on long sweepers. I only added three clicks to the rear and half a turn to the front dampers and it made the bike real stable. Of course when I returned to CT it was back to soft. Joe

However, seeing him on HBO not too long ago, he has changed from a cynical young hippy to a whiney old bastard. Even a bit mean-spirited. Joe

This big Gortech tail bag got me through a long weekend with room to hold rain gear and a sweatshirt I bought there: I tend to pack light, two or three days in the same pair of jeans doesn't bother me (or my friends). Tee shirts are small, and plenty of dry socks, too. Ride on! Joe

welcome

I used the Buell pegs for one day. I'm 6-ft, 33" inseam, and they certainly relaxed the leg position, but I wound up really leaning on my wrists. Put the stock pegs back and could I support myself better. I have a Sport with clip-ons above the triple clamp. If the bars were higher and further back, like a touring bike, the Buell pegs would have been better. But then I'd be riding a Gold Wing, LOL. As far as the controls, mine were really low from the factory and lined up perfectly with the Buell pegs. I had to raise them considerably to go back to stock. But to each his own. Joe

Someone mentioned using a set of Buell mirrors in the Napoleon Mirror thread. Might be worth a look. Plus the Harley aftermarket catalogs are full of swoopy billet mirrors - Arlen Ness etc. Joe

Looks pretty cool! It makes the bike look lower. It wouldn't work on my bike, though; charcoal looks like black. LOL Joe

Since it's raining out, I could spend some quality time on this problem. At first I thought it was just the inner rod turning inside the rubber bushing, so I drilled through and added an 1/8" pin: That didn't do it - the whole rubber was turning. It needed more pull, and the end bolt is designed to bottom out, not draw the assembly tighter. So I added an .087" thick washer behind the cross pin, on top of the o-ring: That really did the trick. There was still some looseness, so I "glued" the whole thing into the bar by spraying acrylic clear paint on the rubber sleeve just before inserting into the bar. That will hold it in place but still allow future disassembly. Unfortunately it will be a few days until I can verify my solution works, the aforementioned rain is supposed to continue for a while Joe PS, here is what I did to the stock bar ends to accept the mirrors, there is no slippage there. The lathe chuck tore up the powder coat, so I stripped and painted them.

Isn't dielectric grease an insulator, and wouldn't that prevent proper voltage signal to ground? I would suggest antiseize. Joe PS just gave this some more thought, and if the part is mounted in plastic, it must ground a different way. DOH!

Happy Birthday! and thanks for running this zoo Joe

They're the stock Guzzi bar end weights with the long rubber part inside the handlebar. The mirrors are CRG knock-offs: http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&...item=MRX_MBM1_G Hopefully there's a way to keep the stock bar ends, and not have to re-do the lathe work on new weights. Thanks Joe

That's what I'd do... Joe

OK, I read that others machine their stock bar end weights to accept mirror mounts, and went and cut mine down. When I put them back on, I realized they always rotated with little resistance. I tightened the screw as much as I dare, and it isn't getting any better. What secret Moto Guzzi procedure am I missing? Thanks, Joe

The stucchi with standard cans isn't any louder than stock, just allows more of the low frequency to come through, especially when decellerating. It sounds sweet, and doesn't annoy the neighbors. It also does't require any computer changes. Joe

I got a set of $50/pr CRG knock-offs here: http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&...item=MRX_MBM1_G I had a friend of mine turn a 7/8" diam. groove in my stock bar end weights instead of using the expanding plug that comes with them. They have great field of vision, and are in a more natural position when in the riding crouch. The only thing is I can't figure out how to keep the weight from turning. Any suggestions? Thanks Joe

I used a Stucci crossover on my otherwise stock V11 sport - it now runs and sounds fantastic! Highly recommended first mod. Just need to make sure the computer is adjusted properly - mine was off even from new. Joe

I tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full. LOL I made a new template with a CAD program, and can send it to you with dimensions. I wonder if there is a market for these things? Joe

I thought gerrymandering of political districts was bad, this is ridiculous~ LOL Joe