docc

moved here for more good dancing and louder music.

Now, that's funny! Now I know what to say to those guys: "Yeah, I used to own that bike, too!" Otherwise, it would be unfortunate for much of the general discussion to fragment off into subforums since just about all the experience applies across the range of models. Plus, you just can't have a subforum for the early bikes. Those RedFrame guys are like herding cats.

The very best common sense advice right there!

I've always been grateful to my older brother for many things, but definitely for interesting me in motorcycles. His SR500 single set the hook and twenty years on, the crisp ring of air cooled cylinders is music to my whole soul. Recently, he asked me how others feel about the song they might hear on the road. Here's what he told me: Does your motorcycle sing? I swear mine do. I've got an '81 Yamaha SR500 that belts out Springsteen's "Born to Run" at the top of its lone lung at anything over 4000 rpm. Below that, it thinks its Barry White, and who am I to argue? But get it out on the open road, run it up through the gears and before you know it, the fool thing thinks it's The Boss. I don't mind. It's kind of cool. Keeps me looking for fast roads. Now, the funny thing is, I have two bikes, and they are very different beasts. The second machine in the garage is a '79 Vespa P200E. Now, before you give up and whine that it's just a scooter, let me remind you that it is a 200cc single cylinder machine with Ducati solid-state ignition, a four-speed manual transmission and the ability to pull some very serious wheelstands, even with the sidecar. Even with someone in the sidecar. Got yer attention now? This one, at 40 mph and above, will offer up a fair rendition of Shiller's "Ode to Joy", and I have no idea why. I was expecting Italian opera- something by Verde- but no. At speed it gives you the last movement of Beethoven's Dreaded Ninth Symphony with full chorus. Go figure. I like it when bikes sing, and I like to keep my bikes happy. Get 'em out on the open road and let them put those vocal chords to the test. What would you like to hear?

Hard to imagine the PC545 weighs 5 Kg or 11 pounds. But, so they say. Swapping my stock LaFranconi cans to the Mistral cf rounds did cast off ten pounds.

Certainly one of you computer types could give us that image with a proper V11? One with a RedFrame and a little smoldering from under the seat perhaps?

Found this thread a great prompt to put the battery charger on. Now planning next year's travels. A shameless plug for the South'n Spine Raid Seven in 2011 for those of you in the easternish US. Or others of you jetting in from exotic world wide destinations to squander the staggering win falls of internet forums. I still owe three or four of you a beer. Oh, yeah, you know who you are . . .

I've been waiting all month for my Sport to bend over to get the soap so I can jump on. No luck. She just sits on the battery charger and looks at me smuggly.

Couldn't help. Reset the linkage as Hubert describes and adjust it so there is no contact with the frame's side plates. My lever had some considerable side to side play that I shimmed with a thin copper washer between the lever's base and the inside of the frame support on the inboard mount.

I think we should have a theme song: Don't Worry, Be Happy , by Bobby McFerrin.

In the interest of good and proper Guzzi maintenance, I'm a bit confused as to just what I should stick into me pipes.

Not to speak for Tom, but I don't recall any spring trouble but with #25. And that primarily with the 2002 variety.

So many V11s have changed hands that it's been fun watching the "New Guard" taking on the beast. Last year's South'n Spine Raid was the best yet (Number Six!) with quite a few surprise attendants. Next year: SSR Seven in Twenty-Eleven! The Sport needs a major tear down to get to that broken rear sub-frame, but I delay while I sniff out someone that can reliably weld the chrome moly. I keep looking at the new bikes, but nothing has got the brio of the V11 for me so far!

You are certain the lever does not touch the frame side plate on its down stroke?

Once the top "acorn" nut is removed, the 19mm lock nut is released. Note the postition of the screw slot as that is the actual adjustment. I used a 3/8" drive "crow's foot" for the lock nut. This is an open end 19mm wrench head that can be turned by a ratchet extension.

As Hubert says, the whine may simply be something to just enjoy! Still, fresh gear oils in the gearbox and bevel drive along with careful greasing of the u-joints, shaft splines and drive splines (on the rear wheel hub) may change its tune.

Jacob, That circuit comes through fuse 6 and the ignition switch (no relay). It also powers the 4 watt "city light" inside the headlamp shell. Looking through the lens askance, you should be able to see its dim glow below the headlamp bulb. Turning the key to "park" lights this circuit without the headlamp. Instrument bulbs are accessible under the front cover held by the four 8mm acorn nuts. Yet, with the tail light out, I would suspect the circuit through fuse 6. Check it out in the "park" mode . . .

You've got two Land Rovers and a Triumph and you're wondering why your Guzzi is glitchy? No, seriously, there are a whole series of little things that will get it running better and better. It's likely not one major thing. She's just askin' for more love . . .

AArgh! More "eye" jokes? It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Then it's a game: find the eye!

KiwiRoy has posted some of the most helpful contributions to our V11's electrical, um, "challenges." His professional approach to problem solving the electrics are second to none. I really mean it when I say:

Hi, Dan-O! Welcome! Hope you find your V11. Not long ago another "Dan" had a green Sport listed from up in Crossville. Worth a look. The spine frame 6-speeder has no shift drum, but a shift "plate" more similar to some BMW transmissions. This thread walks through about all the variables for getting one moving smoothly. I'm starting to think MZNYC's trouble is in the "dogs." Not an owner optional correction as special tools are required. Look for my pm. I'm like 45 minutes from you.

Looks like good news! With the boot bumped off like that, it's time to check a full tune - up (valve adjustment/ plugs/ Throttle Body Balance, and idle setting), once you get the boots cinched back up.

also much easier to smoke a cigarette while riding without that pesky full face helmet :-) HA! Makes me think of a buddy in high school who drilled a hole through the chin bar on his BELL for to insert the KOOL-Lung-F**ker-Long so he could dig the menthol while wheelying his Kawi triple. I mentioned the ingenuity of it to him a few years later when he'd become a flight instructor: "Oh yeah, that was just stupid."

Hi, Charley! Fuzz on the drain plug is pretty typical. Not likely that it is the remnants of your spring. Where did your spring break (post a picture)? Others have tried the aftermarket springs, but they don't seem to be the final solution. I have heard that talismans and incantations can be relied upon . . .

I guess I don't weigh enough... You skinny Westphalians! Come to America - we will fatten you up and your stand will work better (while your suspension may not)!