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I've long struggled with the "heavy tails" of the V11 and the Centauro. It helped me appreciate them to learn that Luciano Marabese "drew them after" the Gambalunghino and Dondolino rear race fenders. That Dynotec Centauro looks great!

That would make a nice stablemate for a custom V11 Scura . . . . jus' sayin' . . .

Cool. Pretty sure we're saying the same thing. while I have seen no evidence of licensing (as if the Italians ever make these agreements public), I share your observation about the similarity (" . . damn near identical.") To take the observation a bit further, the very first PC545 I sourced to replace my original Spark 500 was absolutely identical in every way (2006). The PC545 changed a little by the next one I bought (2010): [Note: these batteries have all lasted about twice as long as those date intervals, but the older battery has swapped into service in my Odyssey-test-bed and faithful 750cc Kohler-twin garden tractor, swampee.]

Right? Pretty sure you can't go wrong with tires from modern manufacturers. Distributors or shops? Well, I have mistakenly bought rather old (like three year old) tires "off the shelf." I've no experience with the Michelin Road 5, but agree that tire threads need to keep pace with newly offered tires. Recently, I switched to Bridgesone Battlax T31, at the advice of a trusted friend, after Pirelli took manufacturing to China while their prices went up. As for tire size, my 'feel' from members posting over this considerable time is that the 60 aspect ratio is kept, along with the 120 front, while the rear is often (not always!) taken down a width (early ShortFrame 4.5" rim: 170 -> 160, and later LongFrame 5.5" rim: 180 -> 170. IMO, the 170 (slightly pinched onto the 4.5" rim) of the early RedFrame contributed to complaints about the high speed squirm (along with a handful of other factors that all conspired to make for some skeery pucker-time coming by the bow wave of a semi-truck passing at 80-90 mph/ 130-150 kph ). "YMMV" surely can't apply to anything more than tires!! I eat mine up so fast, if I don't like one - no worries, it'll be gone soon.

Ah, okay. That makes sense now. You were referring back to the original post on page one, not the opening statement in your post. @swooshdave, I was also thrown by what you are saying about the relationship between the Odyssey and the original Spark. The way I read this, "I went with the Odyssey, I'm still not convinced it's not the exact same battery as the Spark." You are saying they are the same battery?

The unique Gambalunga badge is so right for our V11, from Marabese's inspiration - I hope your procedure came out well @Tomchri!

My understanding has been that the original Spark 500 is the Hawker Odyssey PC545 (OEM).

Okay, here it is: it drops 9mm/ ~3/8". Plenty to clear the battery from the seat and not interfere with the shock travel:

Here ya go: @Randy posted this just three weeks ago:

A member very recently posted a direct replacement made by Grimeca. Let me see if I can find it.....

I measured this not long ago and was surprised how much it drops. No spacers required! (In fact, the welded-on nuts under the subframe rather serve as spacers.)

A semantic question of language differences arises. In places where distance is measured in miles, we speak of "mileage" as the cumulative distance covered by a machine, or in travel. I places where distance is measured in kilometers, how is that referred to? "kilometerage?"

@pete roper, is this fuse-out reset done ignition on? Off? Engine running? What?

@p6x encouraged me to get a copy of the publication produced by MotoItaliane: "Moto Guzzi 1921-2021". It is worth it for the Ettore Gambioli illustrations alone! I tried to find a way to buy prints of this one from him, but to no avail. How about it, @p6x, can you get me in touch with the artist?

On top of that, Legnano Green is very hard to get an accurate image of. An elusive presence.

I tried to hotlink the image of your Sport. Alas, that method of displaying images has become more and more constrained through the web. Good on you guys!

Truly! Actually, Marabese was quoted by Anima Guzzista saying, "I started to draw . . . the V11 from Gambalunghino . . ." Knowing this makes the entire V11 design come together as cohesive and magnificently well executed:

I've had at least a couple break. Perfect application to repurpose the safety retention washer that failed on my gearbox input hub . . .

This early RedFrame/black will bring six grand, or no? https://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Moto-Guzzi-V11-Sport-/194131949688?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286

That's an important post. Pretty sure it belongs in the pinned Best Relay thread, not this random thread . . .

Right? Don't be sniffin' the rocket fuel without a pass . . . there is some matter of etiquette and understandings. As far as twenty-year-old motorcycles having sat up all this time, and commanding a premium, I suppose they are best bought at high prices and rolled into a museum space to be looked upon. Putting them into actual road-going service would be quite an event . . .

Hey, now! We gots-us lotsa rocket-like science in these-here parts!

This lady is The Real Deal . . .

@hammershaug, is this the only time you have ridden your Queenie Greeeeenie? As much as I enjoyed following her down . . . . . . and back up . . . . . . and all the attention in between . . . . . . we are all looking forward to ride pictures from some exotic coastal location!

"Best Relay" thread is pinned in "How to . . ." and has been the ongoing attempt to stay up to date with v11 relay application and availability: