docc

Here it is, from respected member @O2 V11:

Your spring supplier should be able to spec the rate and the preload spacers for you. Traxxion Dynamics spec'd mine and nailed it perfectly. I have the earlier Sport without the LeMans faring and different (smaller) forks than yours, so my numbers probably don't contribute much. As for fork oil, these forks do not damp spectacularly and many have found lighter oil flows better through the valving. There was a very well crafted, recent post that spoke of selecting fork oil in centiStokes, rather than SAE "weight" which has tremendous variation and overlap between manufacturers.

There it is! I can't recall who made them and I seem to remember only one V11 even having one mounted. (Thanks for the kind comments on my>old<Sport. In fairness, that image was from before the 100,000/161k kays mark as I see the speedo angle drive from before the Speedhut clocks. Looking to add over 1,000 kays in the next few days. SpineRaid! )

That is an insightful consideration, J! The parts catalog only lists the "Injector Kit Complete" GU01530504, and the entire throttle body (x2) assembly complete with injectors (x2), mounting rail, with TPS: GU01112500

Moto Guzzi "Central Stand" (paddock stand): GU00979717

This is where the thread transitions into a period of "radio silence" as SpineRaiders transit, revel, and return home. I absolutely love where these threads go after that when all the enthusiasm, excitement , and experiences get shared. Vivi il centesimo!

Good things to know about your Sport! The foil tag on the left side will give you the actual build date so you know if it is early vs late. Perhaps of no consequence unless it is very early. There were some unique features on the earliest Sports. Sometime when you have your tank off, you can see if the white paper tag specifies UK as the export market. Notice my Sport specifies "USA / N. Zelanda". Again, I had thought that Rube Goldberg vapor recovery system was a US thing. All the 1/2" fuel line used in mine is stamped "Made in USA" . . .

Some things are worth repeating. Nice, Dave!

My teasing quip aside, other than the "CAT"/ RC version, I believe the Rosso Corsa (NOT Rosso Mandello) motor, mapping, sensors and tuning parameters are identical to your Le Mans. Actually, this is also so for the Ballabio and Café that are listed if I am not mistaken. Same driveline/engine management, different "trim levels."

There was a "paddock stand" offered. It is pictured in the Workshop Manual (another V11 necessity along with everything you need to perform a "Decent Tune-up"). There was an after market centerstand, IIRC, but it wasn't very popular.

AFAIK, you could use any of those, but the "CAT." Certainly, you could select "Rosso Corsa" and be successful. guzzidiag cannot detect that the graphics are missing from your tank . . .

@p6x, I believe you can select any year Le Mans or any 2004 V11 available (Ballabio, Café Sport, Coppa Italia. etc.).

I noticed my dipstick O-ring is compressed into the angular shape and no longer resembles an “O” at all. It would require a pick to lift and and know it is actually there.

In some places the model year might be declared by the titling authority based upon the year of the initial sale or importation. Otherwise, the manufacturer declares the model year on the certificate of origin. Of course, it goes even further awry as manufacturers start building a model tear in August or September of the previous year. I'm not sure when the last of the RedFrames were built. Sometime in 2001, probably. Maybe none after that nebulous August/September changeover date?

I also remember entertaining a BMW R1100S while mySport was down for a warranty issue. Yeah, I "stepped out" on her. The various V11 variants are really just incrementally different. The BMW "Sport" was like driving a van. I kept taking my eyes off the road to look down under the tank thinking, "I thought this has a big twin ? " It was like I had to radio the "Engineering Section" to change lanes. And the exhaust note? whwhwhwhwhwhwh I've never heard a V11 Guzzi that didn't sound . . . just: bellissimo!

Several things to address, John! Probably can make the pull better . . . First, bleed the fluid. Also, clean and lubricate the lever pivots. Watch out for the tiny activator ball for the micro-switch when you dis-assemble that mechanism. I have also found the lever adjustment can be adapted to our finger reach. The "friction zone" is actually pretty narrow and the "pull" might be improved bringing the lever closer in.

Geez-zoy. I think I'll have to get a couple greasy biscuits at Hardee's to maintain my manhood. No mint-and-citrus-infused water to accompany a lightly fluffed frittata cum spinach and feta. No latté with extra froth? Might as well choke down a sausage-n-biscuit at the EXXON. Tarmac diet. Scratch-burp-fart-RIDE!

Yeah, chicks dig those places. You'll be a hero. And really hungry for a big lunch at The Tapoco Lodge. Yet, there is also a Hardee's in Tellico for The Biscuiteers among us . . .

As much time as I have spent on, and with, my RedFrame Sport, I only recall riding two other SpineFrames. Interestingly, a previous generation 1100 Sport-i and a next-gen LongFrame Café Sport (with handlebars and forward set instruments/headlamp). I immediately found both of them less 'responsive' to cornering input, more "stable", if you will. And discovered my RedFrame Sport offered the perfect (for me) riding posture compromise between the rather "committed" 1100 Sport-i and the more upright, handle-barred, LongFrame Café Sport. My first riding buddy, RIP, always told me the perfect number of bikes is five. I paraphrase, "Sometimes you want a glass of milk, another time: Bacardi. Another day, a comfortable reclining chair, then to be shot out of a cannon." I reckon mySport has done all of these things for me. Otherwise, how could she still be soldiering on, so admired and trusted? JMHO, YMMV

Good question! And topic close to my heart (and gullet) . . . "Downtown" TellicoPlains is the very popular bakery (Tellico Grains), and my favorite breakfast place, "The Trout Mountain Coffeehouse and Inn." For the evening meal, the long-running Tellicafe continues to carry on with good food and great service. I hope to also try the newly reopend (in the last couple years) "Iron Works Grill and Pub" out on the river just to the east. Papa's Pizza carries on as does the Bear's Den. Of the two Mex places, Senôr Lopez, by the Exxon fuel station, is getting good reviews.

@Jimmyegypt, I am curious what makes your very original-looking "early" (1999-2001) RedFrame a "2002." That is the territory of the first "LongFrames" (LeMans, Tenni, Scura). Along with the curious fuel vapor recovery artifact (common to US bikes). To learn a little more about your V11, look at the build date (Month/Year) on the ally tag on the left of the headstock and the paper tag on the forward right side of the spine frame:

Now, I've been feeling apologetic about my nostalgic post. It occurred to me that the The Inaugural South'n SpineRaid, 2004, was the only year with 100% (four in all) SpineFrames, all V11. They were new bikes then, but the process of discovery had already begun. Since then, a broad variety of machines have attended: all types of V-twin Guzzi (everything from Ambassador to V85TT), Ducati (again this year! ), KTM, BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Triumph, Aprilia . . . a Porsche and a T-bird, even. IIRC, there are only two criteria to be warmly welcomed at a South'n Spine Raid : Get There. Bring Tools.

Here I thought this was only found on the US V11 . . . That bracket holds the ends of the two 1/2 lines from the fuel tank vapor recovery/ charcoal canister system. On the early RedFrame Sport (like your silver V11, pictured), there were two charcoal canisters in the tool tray under the seat with twenty feet (yes, 20!) of various hoses in duplicate, most of it 1/2" double-walled fuel line, that terminated at the bracket shown. The entire mess weighs five pounds. Upon removing the fastener holding that bracket, I recall an exuberant stream of motor oil streaking out . . .

Nah, you should just feel nostalgic. Wait 'til HRC_V4 shows up with his gorgeous LoopFrame . . . There will, yet, be a nice selection of SpineFrames to admire. And some impromptu TechSession to put our tool rolls (and ingenuity) to the test.