docc

I was viewing some posts that started with voigtstr that went cold last month. I thought it was worth reposting to keep awareness up. If your Guzzis running hot its not happy . Read," it could eat itself up!" Of course these bikes are set up lean to get through Ellis Island. Pinging is dangrous detonation that erodes the piston tops . New , my sport pinged on some fuels, some conditions. I synched the throttle bodies, removed the carbon cans ( off road use only) , and 'tweaked ' the throttle position sensor. Voila! No lean behavior at all! My dealer copped some set up from some 'tuner.' It was so rich my plugs sooted. I think he was trying to fuel cool my mtor to prevent an engine claim. It would routinely 'pop' upon hot restart (like ata gas stop) and blow the right throttle body off! Very embarassing and annoying. Finally, I reset the TPS at a more conservative setting. No pops, no hot or lean condition signs (no piston erosion ?) . The procedure requires a digital volt meter, "back probing" the computer ( putting a couple straight pins in right connectors ) and setting the TPS. The ECU basically sets the curve a little richer as if the motor was at alittle higher rpm. Very easy very cheap , very effective, Why don't 'dealers' (I want to call them pushers- same thing-right?) do this? My dealers' set-up philosophy ( Mixture, sychronization) seemed to be , "hey, it starts ,it runs-don't mess with it!" We can do better than that guys! These bikes run GREAT when they're set up right. Don't let a lean condition eat your motor! Let the big dog eat! docc

Mike, Unfortunately a new case won't fix the shaft leak. My (former ) dealer told me there is no seal there. He epoxied my first case to seal it saying that would fix it forever . Then the case was renewed and, voila, the drips. I actually fashioned a plug for the lower shaft from a Honda access plug and RTV'd it in. The upper shaft has a cutaway in the case and won't hold a plug. Just liberal RTV there. My (new) dealer suggested the shafts can be RTV'd from the inside to good effect. But,again, apparently no actual seal and I guess the shafts are not press fit. What wre they thinking? Or were they? The leak from the back sounds more serious. My last reassembly was with 'Yamabond' (blue , I believe). Evidentally a vast improvement over the original olive oil and pesto based stuff. What did your dealer use? Don't get caught bent over smelling like 90wt around the Harley guys. docc

Mike, Where's the drip showing up? Even after my dealer buttoned up my new cases mine still dripped at the side case on the left. Make sure the two crush washers are good on the shift throw adjuster just in front of the input shaft for the shifter . Also there are the two notoriuos shafts that pentrate the case. one is visible below the starter. The upper one requires moving the starter out of the way. I've sealed mine with some good high temp RTV after cleaning them thoroughly with q-tips and solvent. Runs dry now ( like, first time ever). Don't know how long it will last but I'll keep you posted. Look well ahead, docc

What , is there no Burgerking in Mandello? So the people we'd have working the drive thru here assembled my sport over there ? Painful! I agree with this approach to sorting these bikes. Remove, clean, lube, replace.(Zen and the Art....) The bikes keep getting better and better (well, usually!) Well fettled, as they say. Imeasured the shift trhrow with the bolt in different positions . The result surprised me a little. The closer hole is the longer throw. But not by much. Th throw in the upper hole is 4 cm. At the lower(closer ) is 4.5 cm . Not much , but, hey, I switched mine to the closer (more leverage ) and will hope for the best. Now if the rain would just quit we could ride!(fettle-fettle-fettle, doesn't anybody ride anymore?) Look well ahead, docc

Mike, Here's wishing the perfect weather , perfect roads to indulge in your reunion. Looks kike 3 mo is a standard service period for the 6-speed. These bike's are a sweet, sweet ride, yes? BELISSIMO!! docc

I guess we should not be too amazed (annoyed but not amazed): Guzzi builds its first new gearbox in three decades and we have to help sort it out. I'll sure try the grease, continuing to adjust all the adjustments and hope for the best. There's 19500 on the bike now with warranty until August. I worry that replacing the box will just give me the same problems two years later out of warranty. Catch 22. Cycle World said their " shift quality degraded' leading to changing their gear sets. Does anyone know - is this the problem they were having? They said something about improper heat treatment on the gears. Hey, but when this bike's on..... she's like that fussy girl that once you get her on the dance floor - it's magic!!

Rich, When you shorten the throw- you do this by moving the linkage to the top position on the shift lever? Or is it the hole closer in to the shift lever? I'm riding in Alpinstar Strada boots. I had some Diadora which very cool ( as in stylish) but shifting was really vague so I know what your saying is true. Believe me , I keep hammering my shift technique thinking that must be it. This all started at 16500 (always the sweetest, most perfect shifts before) after getting the v11 back from 7 weeks at the dealer which entailed changing the trans cases for a leak . Appararently a crack at the top mounting web. Both the dealer and MGNA suggested I had fallen out of familiarity with the bike . But now after 3000 more miles and concentrating on the event it still crops up constantly. Maybe changing that link position will be 'it.' I've had it in the top pos'n thiking that would give me more leverage. Thanks for your help! Look well ahead, docc

I am due for fork oil change and had heard ( Guzziology- Dave) thicker oil and stiffer springs are a plus. At 160 pounds riding v11 s aren't the stock springs about right? Your setting your sag at 1"? You mentioned Ohlins. That's stock on the Scura but the Lemans and Sport are WP, yes? I'm assuming you changed over to the Ohlins. Is this big bucks?

My 2000 v11 s has developed an annoying habit of offering me thin air in place of the next gear. Of course , at first I thought it was just me. Then MGNA directed me to the adjuster for the shift lever throw. You know how it is. You adjust something and think. "there, isn't that better!" then a few miles down the road it does it again! The archives show alot of discussion of return springs. Mine's never stuck ( I hope it didn't hear me say that!), but I/m finding it'll miss a gear if I shift in rapid succession. Makes me think "retrn spring." Has there been a new and improved return spring fitted to the later models? Can the shift throw be adjusted to finally cure this ill? Stay tuned sport fans!

None of my beer sits around long enough to sour. At any temperature, Fahrenheit or Celsius. Maybe if I'd set that '75 Cafe Gold Wing up with straights instead of progressives, I'd still have the thing . . . . . . nah.