docc

Truth be known, I really like that baby-blue "Sport" in rather the same way I would like some dancing girl in a blue dress. It ain't gonna happen and if the wife finds out, my body will never be found . . . So, yes, Moto Guzzi must appeal to the fine (young) folks coming around to the wonder that is riding and MotoGuzzi. "We" are no longer their audience. I am glad they know this.

I bet this bike is a great rider. I am drawn to the lovely blue that has no pretensions toward the original, and iconic, V7 Sport of the 70s . . .

Bottom line, just don't be a @#$$#!. If you're gonna be a pecker, I'll have stay up late and moderate your pecker-ism. Gladly, we just don't have that here with this community of gentlemen. A decorum I am ever thankful for.

Really? The "V85" motor is the same architecture as the V7/850/V9 "smallblock?" I thought not, but what do I know . . .

I have no control over the forum software, but it's fine if you want to be a pussy here, just don't be a @#$$#!. (dee-ick)

I hate to admit anything about my coffee habit and production methods. Let's say I (machine) grind "good" beans, with a selected roast level, using a derived grind coarseness, and brew with proper extraction time/temperature. Of course, this is just "coffee" and not espresso.

Let's talk oil and tyres. Phoof on that, ya wanker. We do valve clearances like nobody's business.

I was led to believe the V85 motor was very different from the the latest V7 "small block" derivatives (V7->V9->850). Yet, there it is: "led to believe." Is the V85 motor that different, after all, from the latest small blocks? Along with the V100, are there three Moto Guzzi engine architectures, or only two?

Here's what I found when checking my cold set 0.006 Intake/0.008 Exhaust warmed to 90ºC engine temperature: Intake had loosened 0.002" (to 0.008") and the exhaust had loosened just less than 0.001" (to 0.009ish").

I reckon the Guzzi V7 will be under $10000US while that Norton will be triple that?

Agreed on the dual instrumentation being more desirable for a proper "Sport." I also find the off-center mounting distracting for riding. I regard that as some sort of flash done for onlookers when parked-up. A proper "Sport" is not about being looked at while parked like a dancing girl sitting on a couch. Improving the forks and adding a brake disc is a nice touch, but again, does not make it a "Sport", but a Sport badged V7. Applying the clip-ons and rear-sets of the V7 Racer would move it further to desirable, rather than handlebars and rubber footpegs. Rather like putting mag wheels with big tires on your mother's beige sedan and calling it a hotrod. A true Sport offering would come with the stronger V85TT 850 rather than the cooking 850 built up from the V7. Getting the proper elements together could qualify the outcome for a Red Frame . . . (At least they didn't pull that out of the bag for this model.)

Yet, you have an Aermacchi (and an 1100 Sport-i), already? A.L.F.A. syndrome . . . "Always Looking For Another" . . .

"It Takes a Lot of Medicine to Go This Fast " . . . . So, @MacMcMacmac, can you get the Sport out for a ride? That Tango might just seal the deal . . . [edit: oh, yes, yes, we are a "technical" forum. Once we get past the passion and unbridled enthusiasm. "Let's ask the other inmates on the ward if I should bring this orphan V11 Sport home " . . . ]

Y'all know "It Takes a Lot of Medicine to Go This Fast " . . . (skip to 2:14 for the horn solo)

Yeah, don't try calling me a @#$$#! We gots software for that kind of thing!

Love this expression!

The idea was to investigate the common lore (I would say "myth") that the valves have to be "stone cold" to adjust, hence the infrared temperature reader and the stone. More on that here:

Leave the tire and oil threads to the amateurs. Here at V11LM.com, we take The Valve Adjustment from a maintenance task to the level of Philosophical Ritual.

I blame all-y'all for this special variety of sleeplessness . . . Talking about you, @v11_meticcio!

I'll dive in! First, welcome to this V11 SpineFrame community! Yes, indeed, you are in the right place! All our V11 have the "Nylon" tank. Best not store ethanol fuel in it for long periods. Use non-ethanol for storage. If you are running the fuel through it regularly, a high octane premium with ethanol is probably fine, while not "ideal"." All of the oily haze looks like she could use a good cleaning. Yes, there could be a weep here or there (especially at the timing chest at the front of the engine). The "crinkle black paint" is a known issue with 2002 V11 and 2003 "Carryover" Sport that featured that beautiful burgundy tank and grey accents. There is a passenger seat cover missing, BTW. What year is this Sport being sold as? The rear fender has been removed in favor of a "tail tidy" mount for the license plate and closer signal brackets. Lots of folks like the cleaner look, but expect more road spray from wet roads. The white face Veglia speedometer/odometer are rather notorious for failure, usually because of the angle drive at the right side of the gearbox driving (or not driving) the cable. Numerous approaches to remedy are known, yet the mileage could be suspiciously low and hard to know if the speedometer has been changed. Or replaced more than once. (I'm on speedo #4 ). Honestly, looking closely at the typical road-wear places, she looks really clean, more like she's been sitting up quite a lot. Did you ride it to see how the speedometer needle (and odometer drum) act? I get $4000CAN as ~$2870US. Pretty easy money for an awesome bike if you can accept the foibles and "a certain amount of some owner involvement" . . . Best to you on this journey, @MacMcMacmac !

The Guzzi vs the Ducati, yah?

+1 on battery first . . . Then cleaning and treating (Caig DeOxit) the important connections: battery terminals, grounds, starter connections, ignition switch . . .