docc

Wow, good to hear of decent folks in the world who care. If it makes you feel any better I've been running over 100,000 miles with no plate. I have long kept my oil level topped up, and that "may have" pushed some of my oil leak history . . . Lots of folks swear by the plates. Pete swears routinely and eloquently like no other . . . He could have a retirement career training sailors in the craft . . . The plate makes sense. Pete does a run of them from time to time. If your going to fit one, get the genuine article.

Centauro have the earlier (pre-V11) spine frame of the 1100Sport? That's a little longer and lazier along with how the 5speeder positions the engine. That "polar moment of inertia" thing and all . . .

+1 on neutral at stops and keep the idle on the high side. Something my hard head had to learn the head-headed way. The practice of holding the clutch while stopped in gear "might" have contributed to my Sport walking its input gear off . 76,000 miles of wear here: I've used a bunch of different oils in the Sport over 106,000 miles while trying to read and study and understand the issues. What a moving target that has been! I'm really happy with the RedLine 20W-50. But, it's still a "loosely based", amateur opinion. Albeit, perhaps, an informed one. Glad you and the pooch are gonna be okay after beating up that Miata!

The Big Brass Lady spanks Grisos every bit as well as bacon-slicers!

I suspect the Centauro is more of an acquired taste that the V11 Sport. That's another Marabese design that made no sense to me until the designer was quoted saying the Centauro was informed by the Dondolino . . .

Ew. Origins of the Marabese designed V11 tail section (and tank): Gambalunghino racer c. 1949-1952:

Yeah, man! It's a 6 amp. I got it on ebay. I don't think they make this one any more. Seems this battery spent the winter on a BatteryTender. We can be certain that is not good for these AGM.

Overnight, it dropped only to 12.70. Discharged it a few minutes and the Optimizer took it to 14.7v and dropped to the float charge (13.54v) within ten minutes. I think I can save this one . . . [edit: NOT!]

Good on ya, Jeff! Probably some simple and easy fettling. Great to see you back around "these parts!"

Has the gearbox oil ever been changed? Or the foot shift lever been seen to? Super-simple/ easy stuff.

Not high mileage. In fact, she will likely respond to some some simple care and maintenance.

Sounds like changing the gearbox oil and fettling the foot shifter is in order (easy). At most, performing LuckyPhil's Shift Improvement and installing the Chuck-made super spring from Scud (not hard, really). If necessary, add a LuckyPhil/Chuck-made shift extender: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19580 Just kicking the shifter harder? Dear, me . . . Red Suspender territory . . .

New test bed! A buddy with a V11 said he "needs a new battery." I sez: -> bring it! It's an Odyssey PC545 built the 165th day of 2011 (11165 after the first letters in the serial number.) So, it's seven years old. I'm still getting the history on it, but it showed 12.75v (good), then the EnerSys Optimizer could not get it past 14.62v between one and 3 1/2 hours. (Not good. It should have made 14.7v and dropped to the "float charge" at 13.5-13.6.) Terminated the charge and will monitor how long it takes to drop to 12.65, then discharge and apply the Optimizer . . .

Oh, yeah, be aware there are two styles of "flyscreen Sport," one with the screen and gauges fork mounted ( "Naked" like the early RedFrames) and the other with the screen and gauges mounted on a frame extension (Ballabio, Coppa Italia, Café Sport).

Welcome, -doc ! You didn't mention your love of voltmeters, polished wrenches, and (dare I say it?) . . . hammers . . . I suppose a V11 Moto Guzzi might like more of your attention than the Beemers and Aprilias. Maybe some of us just like to fuss with things. While spring failures *might* be more common with the 2002, it has been reported with later models (some 2003 are simply "holdover" '02s). It seems the early (1999-2001) RedFrame Sports and Rosso Mandello don't eat their shift springs, but "may" be more prone to the case crack. Broken cases have been really rare. If those issues concern you, look for an early RedFrame Sport and install a mid-frame support plate from the 1100 Sport. (The plate won't fit the later frames). Installing a Chuck-Made Super-Spring will likely solve the shift spring worries forever. Best of luck and good hunting! (Hey, watch this thread for V11 that get spotted for sale: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18375&p=232915)

nope do a decent tune-up. repeat on time. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19610

Scud wrote one of the best synopses of the "clutch" noises in this (interesting) thread about V11/ Guzzi dry clutch noise: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20041&p=223096 And another considered opinion from Mr. P.Roper exposing "input shaft" noise reposted by Camn: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20041&p=223230 I love this experienced perspective from Mr. Roper: "This can also be exacerbated if the throttle body balance is out or the idle speed is too low. There is a reason why the target idle, (Several actually!) is 1250 +/-50 RPM!"

Yeah, buddy! Sounds good! I mean, it is kinda hard to tell on a video, but seems all good to me. The noises might change after you adjust the valves and balance the throttle bodies per the "Decent Tune-up." I always record how much I have to change a particular valve lash. It's never more than a thousandth, typically. So, if you find one several thousandths out (especially loose), that would make some noise.

All of the parameters of the basic state of tune must be correct regardless of whether you use a PC or not. Here is a good starting point, without the PC, that requires a quality voltmeter, an intake balancing tool, guzzidiag software, and two or three cables (but no dyno sessions); Decent Tune-up: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19610 You can then add the PC if that's what trips your trigger.

An external (in line ) regulator could be used to broaden fitment choices . . .

"I'm shakin' it, Boss!"

Pretty cool, I get to be the first to buy v7cafe a beer! Thanks for tightening us up, buddy! Welldone!

Agreed. Redline is a true syn. Yeah, Agip, in particular, settles for whatever reason. So . . . I don't need to shake my RedLine?

RedLine 20w-50 true synthetic checks out as one of the best oils for V11, widely available (online), and as little as $10US/qt. Wow, it never occurred to me to shake the oil bottle before pouring!

I like my "bronze" headers!