al_roethlisberger

And of course, a refresher on the two color options for the first year 2002 V11 Lemans

I just ran across this site as well, but have no experience with them: Moto Guzzi Le Mans V 11 01-04 » Screens For Bikes [docc copied image link.]

It's probably unlikely to be easily available to us, but I wonder if someone somewhere has a production numbers breakdown for the V11 Lemans models and colors by year? That would be interesting to see which were the least and most produced. Even if that breakdown detail weren't available, it would be interesting to get a sense of how many of all V11 Sport/Lemans/etc models were produced per year.

Yeah, raised windscreens can be a mixed bag if not designed with some actual aerodynamic R&D, and I think a lot of them fall into that category. And of course then there is the aesthetic component that may matter to some owners. The raised windscreens like my MRA do make the lines of the bike a little weird to be honest. I've toyed with putting the original screen back on at some point and seeing if either is really that much better from an aerodynamic standpoint because the original does look better. But again, the "tall" MRA I have, which is now about 20 years old, is a great quality product.

The black oil cooler cover appears to have been stock on early V11 Sport models up through 2001ish, and based upon some quick Google-ing, the silver version appears to have been stock at least on the Rosso Mandello. See @docc 's post above with the part numbers for reference which confirms that observation on my part

I have an MRA that is the raised height version, and it is of very good quality. It can be seen in my gallery as well.

Another view of a Rosso Mandello with the oil cooler cover painted silver.

A reference photo from @Joe of the grille in silver, which along with a different aesthetic also being silver provides a better view of how the cover is mounted.

I wondered what the oil cooler grille would look like in silver versus black! I'm going to steal those photos and put them in the oil cooler cover thread for reference

PM sent

The oil cooler protector grille is the OEM Moto Guzzi part that was fitted to the early V11 Sport, up until 2001, then after that MG discontinued it. One has to keep an eye out for one used or occasionally NOS (new old stock) like this one I ran across earlier this week on eBay. They show up every once in a while.

Another good reference photo, from @Tomchri https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230224/9118f9f421ca55d15db3cefa802796b4.jpg

Here are some reference photos of the V11 Sport Oil Cooler Grille I received:

Ah, gotcha, I see where you are at now Wendell is just up the road from us. We just spent $1000 having the ignition fixed at the only real Saab shop left in the area in Wendell and my best friend from college days back in Louisiana lives in Wendell

Wow, you have an amazing place Bill, really beautiful. And I envy those multiple finished garages! Where in Virginia are you located BTW... curious how from from Sanford, NC you are in case I consider coming up for one of these one day. And as an aside, that motorcycle carrier on the rear of the truck is really a cool gadget!

I understand your point, and there is for sure the more official definition of "patina" perhaps as related to something like oxidation on metal, but I would also consider and have seen honest wear on even plastics referred as "patina" as a more subjective descriptor in the context of showing the age and life of a motorcycle, automobile, etc. One even often hears patina used to describe the wear, finish and wood oxidation for example on original antique furniture. And of course paint definitely can have a patina as it ages, wears, and oxidizes. And many consider that as a positive thing, preferring that patinaed paint to a new repaint, whether that paint is on metal or plastic. One sees this appreciation of "original patina and condition" on collectible automobiles, motorcycles, etc... more frequently discussed in recent years, especially those that are exceptionally rare or special such as original racing examples. Considering that perhaps more broad use of the term, I can definitely see the V11 Sport models acquiring patina over time, and that patina being considered valuable especially for all-original or age/time-appropriate modified examples.

Holy cow... the grill/guard is "Out for Delivery" today It was shipped from Italy on February 22nd. I did not pay for special fast shipping, just "FedEx International Economy" This is really surprising. The stars must have aligned, as I don't think I've ever received anything from Europe that quickly unless it was 2nd day or overnight shipping, and especially from Italy

I think all things that could be considered "classic" at some point go through this evolution. You can see it in fashion, cars, antique furniture, architecture, etc... where something is new and popular, eventually falls out of fashion and thus isn't well maintained, eventually to be rediscovered and often initially over-restored, to then reach an equilibrium of appreciation where the few(er) examples that are left in their honest original unrestored "patinaed" state are most appreciated.

I just inherited my late uncle's 1965 Fender Pro Reverb and Gibson Melody Maker. They are both 100% original and unmolested, he had both since he had been a teenager, and my father bought the amplifier (and other equipment) as the manager for the band. I really haven't gotten around to doing anything with them yet other than to purchase a nice cover for the amplifier to protect it from pets and kids. I still have a few Fisher and RCA tube amplifiers and console stereos around, and a really nice 1971 Fisher solid state console that I'm slowly renovating.

Oof .... tough crowd Well whatever he did, that last photo really makes the engine POP out at the viewer. I swear it looks 10% larger than normal

I think that is a sharp looking color combination

I already have my original rear hugger which I want to leave unmodified, but I'd like to experiment on another to create a lighter version as seen in the following posting: I see them every so often on eBay, but they're usually priced too high (in my opinion of course ) and thus too much once shipping is also involved. So if anyone has an OEM rear hugger that they really don't need and would be willing to part with it for say around $40 plus shipping (to/from within continental USA), I'd be happy to discuss taking it off your hands. Thanks!