al_roethlisberger

The Iridium plugs, well at least the Denso's... are gapped at the factory, and it's not necessarily the same stock gap as the standard plugs. But the box does say all over it, DO NOT REGAP, so I'm guess they have it optimized for how the plug is designed. If you are interested in a CDI system, the Nology HotWires are essentially this..... sorta.... but I've been steered away from them. They are very pricey. And as far as the ignition amplifier goes, I dunno. I've asked about it here in the forum before, as well on other lists, and have received luke-warm thoughts. No one got too excited about it. I might consider it if I have spark issues with the dual-plug setup, but the folks at TLM seem to have had no issues with their implementations on the stock setup. So we'll see. al

...yep, it seems that "everyone's does" Mine did too. It's because of the black paint. One would hope that all dealer would have received some sort of service bulletin, or just noticed all the 2002 bikes coming back with blown timing covers, to check this area very carefully pre-sale al

...nice, but all I can say is "woof" those are expensive!! And as I look at these more, and the ones from GB that Arnold has on his LeMans(check out the V11 Friends section to see them on his black LeMans) ... I'm not certain that the angular design of these wheels goes well with the curvaceous V11 styling. A set of powder coated OEM Brembos might look better IMHO. Of course, that's a personal opinion. They are very nice wheels. ...and what was someone saying... I think it was Mike, about the lighter wheels on the V11 seeming to impact stability a bit?? I guess that's a good thing for me, as I don't need to find something else aftermarket that is very expensive I just "gotta have" for the bike al

Hrmm, well I put the Iridium NGKs in mine when I was having some of my "cough"/mifire issues just on a lark. I don't know if they improved the problem, as Mike and I adjusted the valves the same weekend.... and everything did get better. But you know where I'm putting my money on what actually had the most effect The reason I had put the Iridiums in in the first place was that the guys at Hare Racing, that did my dyno run and PCIII map, really recommended the Denso Iridium plugs... and if I couldn't find those, the NGKs are probably just as good. I had run across some NGKs, so just picked them up.... But then as I continue on my dual-plug setup, Mike Rich has me going to a two step cooler(8 in NGK-ese) plug, and since I had to buy some more, I ordered some of the Denso's from www.clubplug.net who seem to be really knowledgeable and helpful when trying to figure out cross-references, etc BTW. Anyway, bottom line, I have no idea if the NGK Iridiums or Denso equivalents make any real difference.... yet anyway. If you think they might, they aren't prohibitively expensive, about $7 each I think. So you can experiment cheaply. I suspect they are "better" but by how much, who knows... al

...go to bed Dave, it's 1am!

Another note on Buell parts interchangeability.... ...just took a close look at a Buell XB9R, the one with the fairing, and it uses the exact same mirrors as the LeMans. Just like the signals, I bet they are less expensive, and certainly more readily available from your local HD boutique in case anyone needs one after a mishap al

I want those wheels Are your headers ceramic coated? They look awfully "pristine" al

...no worries, the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask that ends up knackering something up BTW, given that they are a bit tough to get off, yes as pointed out above, they are also reluctant to get back on. However I found that getting them on also just takes a little determination, wiggling, and a smart whack with the heel of your hand.... and pop right on al

Try, MG Cycle: MG Cycle V11 Accessories - work stand is at the bottom I have no idea if the threaded inserts in the swingarm could support "spools" or "knobs" for use with universal rear pit stands. My observation is that they are quite loosely pressed into the arm, as after I removed my hugger and replaced the bolts into the inserts, two of the inserts spun in their holes. ...so dunno... In regards to the "universal" hydraulic motorcycle lift pictured above, they have them here in the States for about $150, but after talking to several Guzzi guys online, it was recommended that I not try this type of stand with the V11 as the oil-pan isn't strong enough... unless you made a special jig to distribute the weight differently. I haven't tested this theory, so YMMV... but just something to think about. al

...brute force. They'll come off. You pull up on the bottom of the cap a bit, getting it out a little... then just PULL, and it will pop off. al

...yeah, I rode home after a quick ride, and as I popped up my visor coasting/idling into the driveway, I could hear my back brake/rotor periodically squeaking/squealing... just barely. If I hit the brake lightly, it stopped, then release..... squeeeeeeek.....shhhh.... squeeeeeeeeeek..... shhhh So here's the question: Is this "bad" or no big deal... that's what I'm wondering. If it's just a quirk, I guess I can deal with it, but I just want to make sure it's not a major thing that is going to damage the brake. The rear wheel currently turns freely, and the disc is just barely warm to the touch after a ride, so it's not binding. Just squeaking sometimes while rolling forward at low speed, and groaning when rolling backwards... *grumble*

...if I ever get a V11 LeMans, I'm changing out the Marz to an Ohlins. Oh wait, I do have a V11 LeMans... that means awww yeah

...or maybe some made from water and several feet of clear tubing! (apologies to the water manometer fans, but I coudn't resist)

........... No kidding! al

True in the case he cites above, however I distinctly remember the MG site(at least USA) mentioning the same in the specs at one point.. no big deal though. al

Well, I guess I'll just "bundle" this up with a "rear end maintenance" day.... along with cleaning lubing the rear brake, and checking for bearing/spacer issues. If the spacer is off, I'll have a machinist make a new one... al

...as Dave mentions, all the press data, and even the website specs for the 2002 LeMans(I don't know about the other V11s, but I'm sure their spec sheets were the same) clearly said either/or Sachs/WP. I didn't know the difference at the time, although I had at least heard of WP before ...so when mine showed up with the Sachs, I just thought oh well, no big deal I guess. al

...maybe this is one of the many mysterious reasons why some V11s make more horsepower from the factory than others... some effectively have the "brake on" from the start Nuts... How short was it? al

The Sachs unit has a blue end-cap on the shock, with a white spring, and is clearly marked "Sachs" on the blue end-cap. This is visible from looking up under the rear fender of the bike, above the rear tire at the end of the shock. In the USA, I have not seen a single V11 Sport variety(including LeMans) that has had the WP unit installed in recent years, although I have heard that there have been a few. This kinda miffed me as well, but the specs did say either/or, not a guarantee of the WP. ...doesn't really matter to me anyway, as I planned to get an Ohlins or Penske one day anyhow al

...and as an aside, check out the rear-view of the '04, nice, very clean

Check out the new mirrors on the '04 Aprilia Mille I wonder if they would fit on a LeMans(bolt spacing, angle, etc), and if they angular styling would look good or not... hrmmm

*sigh* ...so much inconsistency from Guzzi Once again, "this seems like such a simple thing" ....

Sounds like we need a "Rear Brake Groan" FAQ ...any volunteers for writing one with the following info covered: 1) Adjusting the rear brake lever 2) Modifying/filing down the stops 3) Lubricating/cleaning the rear caliper 4) Proper torque for rear wheel ...etc?? ...maybe even a note on replacement rear bearings, size, etc... so that one doesn't have to spend high $$ on the OEM unit. I think I remember someone on the list getting a good set from a bearing dealer. If you write one up, I'll be happy to 'format' it and put it in the FAQ section al P.S. Mine has always groaned as well, and it warm(not hot) to the touch after any ride

Thanks, Here's the thread here in the forum with a bit more info: Bevel Box/Spline Grease Setup Issue ....I guess I'll add "checking the rear end" to my list of projects in the next month or so al

Yeah, mine were multi-piece... a long heavy rod, with a rubber coating that I guess "squished" when the bar ends were tightened?? Anyway, I put in the Throttlemeister "heavyweight" bar end in mine. They don't use threads, just a "universal" rubber plug, but once it's in.... it's in Although they may have a screw-in version by now. I had the first on our bikes from them from what I hear, and at the time the only one they could recommend was the universal fit one I've got. Very good quality, and very heavy al