docc

With just a short 35 mile jaunt in ambient 90F, no drip anywhere. Better already! The acid test: next weekend's South'n Spine Raid. Two years ago, that's when this ugly bugger raised its head for the first time. I said there would be a tech session at the Spine Raid. I just don't want it to be what kind of rag works best for gear oil . . . Short ride tomorrow and then maybe 100 miles plus on Saturday over to Sloan's Vintage Show in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (our nearest Moto Guzzi dealer). Wish me the best. And keep that rag in your pocket . . .

Many thanks to Todd at MPH for getting the seals to me and especially the The Perfesser Hisself, Andy, for talking such care in getting the drive resealed. And taking me to school, as always: The large outer seal started leaking again because the mating surface was gouged in several places by the 'last installer' (me ). Apparently, it is not a good idea to simply pry the old seal out with a flat blade screwdriver. He cleaned the surface up nicely and reseated the seal just a few thousandths "proud" to introduce it to a fresh surface. The smaller inner seal looked to be in good condition, but there was a substantial amount of swarf from where the last seal had been beat or pressed into the case by the 'last installer' (NOT me). Can't be sure that was why it leaked, but it was a notable mess. Andy really impressed me with how he cleaned everything, felt of everything, and caressed everything both apart and back together. Like riding the mountain roads, here's a guy that makes these things look easy. Thanks, Perfesser!

All of the things you are doing are good things, and much good advice here. I especially found my main fuse contacts simply too small to handle the 30 amp load and soldered in a MAXI fuse- no more melting/ burning. Yet, a couple posters had mentioned this already (and I recall your tach is not functional), but could this simply be low idle speed? Even with the tach, Veglia are often 300-500 "optimistic" leaving the lump to idle at 600-700 rpm. Better to err on the high side and idle her a bit high, I'd say. At this point, there would be little wrong with bringing the idle speed up and rechecking voltages.

Those are just stellar pieces! As well as the polished intake tracts! What a really neat V11. I had taken a dimensioned drawing to my local machine shop to turn down the bar ends for fitting the CRGs. Nice work and all, but $85 US!

AYE... you saying a diesel oil is alright in a v11? gezzz man dont be telling any doubting Moto Guzzi Thomas that, they'd have a field day loughing it up (no pun intended) HA, yeh - too many of us keep our oil doctrine in a leather bound handbook on an altar. I got the opinion on the equivalent diesel ratings from a well written piece re: oils for the air cooled Corvair flat tappet engine: Richard Widman's Corvair. Mighty similar engine technology.

Make no mistake, we Yanks have farking down to a science. And here on V11LeMans.com we can quickly spin an oil thread into something unrecognizable. *No matter the brand, synthetic or not, look for SG rating or for the diesel rating CJ-4 or CI-4 plus. This will provide the zinc and phosphorus for the tappets. *Avoid friction modifiers shown as "ENERGY CONSERVING." Your cylinder bores will thank you.

farking Kiwis... what?

Alas, your presence in whatever physical form (texting doesn't count) will mean that you have never missed a Spine Raid. You ought to have a prize. Oh . . . wait - you do have a prize:

Here in the States, the excess speed is relative to the posted limit. As in 75 kmh in a 20 zone could be interpreted differently than 165 in a 110 (100 mph in a 70 mph zone ala "interstate highway"). Either would get you a mighty ticket here and every thing over 90mph (145 kmh) could be "reckless driving" - perhaps bike impound and off to jail. I suppose the authorities were using radar and didn't just pull up alongside in their 5 Series Bimmer as if to pass?

I've just heard news that one of the deluxe rooms (king bed/hot tub) has opened up. email or give Walt a call if you're interested.

Finally, a proper reply!

Just spoke with Walt at the lodge. Looks like one last room available and I think it likely motowfo will scoop it. If you have a room with an extra space, post here to see if someone might want to share costs

No proper South'n Guzzi tune-up is complete without the proper application of Tuning Fluid! And, hey, Motowarren - we always leave plenty of time at days end to adjust Rosso Mandellos! Well, and apply Tuning Fluid . . .

The guys with the Greenies may know better, but I am told you can mix ground-up Kermit-the-Frog action figures with grappa with a little anisette. DO NOT apply this to the bike's body panels, but quaff liberally seated in a secure location with the bike in sight. After proper application, the scratch will seem to fade to imperception. Share with a friend and reapply as needed.

Haven't scrubbed the stand since setting up my preloads and beefing up the springs. I'd like to say I dropped a few pounds of my own, but I know the truth would find me out.

Uh-oh: Craigslist posting "flagged for removal." Otherwise, it's mainly the black crinkle paint on the driveline becoming too crinkley on the '02 (and likely some early '03).

What SH will not tell you is that, on a hot summer night, after a grappa (or two) the Nero Corsa looks like this:

On the fourth brand of oil now. Seemed to help at first, but then everything does. At first. Had high hopes for the Lucas Hub Oil designed to address these pesky leaks in heavy equipment hubs. Seemed to help. At first. When I changed the large seal in 2010, it stopped maybe 80% of the leaking. Maybe more. But the splatter persisted and I embarked on the odyssey above with the fractured case and all. Even then the "inner" seal (the small one deep inside the case), leaked out through the left side and dripped down onto the wheel. It was only 3,000 miles after the "repair" that the right side drip appeared. Looking at the diagrams, I can see no other seals except the forward (pinion) seal which has shown no interest in the fray. If it starts now, I know who to call for bringing it up . . .

Definitely have cleared the vent. Just cleaned her up with the wheel off and rode about 50 miles. One big drip hanging from the large seal and the run coming from the right side. The large left seal is easy to do, but where is the other drip coming from?

I just did a google search to find out what to do about my leaky rear drive . . . and found my own thread! Perhaps flattering , but otherwise not good. Two weeks out from the Spine Raid and the blasted thing still drips. Tried Lucas "Hub Oil" made for just this thing, and which seemed to help, but still drippy. I suppose I'll try to fit a new big seal and hope for the best.

Ah-ha! So it is true: 4 of 5 Gentleman ride Moto Guzzi!

Four weeks out - I guess I better get the grass mowed and the oil changed. And re-roof the house. Put in a new septic system. All "that stuff." OK, then maybe adjust the valves , , ,

I prescribe a weekend in the mountains with motorcycles . . . Good for what ails ya!

Pretty neat, Chuck. I've never heard that explanation. Makes sense.

100,000 kM, yes?