Baldini

Hi, & welcome. Depends what you want from the tyres - miles or grip? What sort of handling etc etc. How/where do you mostly use the bike? As Docc says first V11s had 4.5", 02 had 5.5" rear rim - check yours here http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5691 . KB

From Colin Chapman, of Lotus cars, "Simplify, then add lightness." Thank you for citing the reference for me! A great man, Mr. Chapman... The anecdote that Chapman would remove frame bracing until the frame collapsed, then add the last one back... Wonder what Jim Clark & Jochen Rindt's view might be on that?

I fitted a RAM cltutch to my Scura. Iput in a new clutch hub but don't recall sorce, or whether it was identical to original. I'd say they are same spec, almost certainly, but I'm afraid I can't say 100%, cos I can't remember. Sorry. Not sure if twin-plate clutch pushrod is same length as Scura one. I had a problem here with fitment. The centre button on RAM was different depth to original Scura one. When assembled, pushrod was too short to operate the RAM clutch centre & disengage clutch. I replaced RAM centre button with one from original centre. This wasn't a problem as they were same diameter, but could be an issue for you coming from twin-plate? Who are you getting the RAM from? Is it V11 specific - twin-plate replacement? Can suppliers confirm compatabilities? I have to say I was on my own when it came to sorting issues. Telling suppliers parts aren't compatable is pi**in in the wind. They just assume you fitted it wrong. KB

Until John Bloor all my adult life the British motorcycle "industry" was a series of threatened & aborted "revivals". What is happening now at Norton (what is happening now at Norton?) seems par for the course. Given our predeliction for shooting ourselves in the foot at any opportunity, what Bloor has achieved seems astonishing. I remember the Norton Challenge's brief appearance in early seventies.The Quantel Cosworth was based on that motor & Roger Marshall won BOT on it in eighties at Daytona. There's a fair bit of stuff on the Cosworth online. Meanwhile...

Don't recall details but think the Quantel Cosworth was a derivation of this: http://www.theworldofmotorcycles.com/_norton_cosworth_challenge_750_racer.html aint seen that before, awesome a parale twin I asume? at 800cc thats a good effort

Most likely. He used to do some stunts & stuff on a Harley when he finished racing - think he ran a Harley shop? He was a fair chap on a bike - probably still is, wonder where he is now? KB Edit: Googled him - latest I saw was 2010 he was working for TeamMoto Triumph dealer in Queensland. Along with clips of him wheelying HD's, came across this clip of him riding Quantel Cosworth at Daytona:

The link Guzzirider posted aove shows Brembo branded kit from a reputable dealer. Dunno about "not supposed to be rebuilt" ? Kits didn't used to be available but apparently they are now. KB

all the best to you...& Happy Christmas!

Would gunmetal work - colour matching s/a plates (porkchops) - it would pick up on those plates & tie them in to the whole? I love the paint, esp the way you cropped the eagle to let it run into the tank. KB

I'm interested.

Hi Jaap, In photo above, I just coloured lower front fairing edge, & panel at tank lower rear, black (or maybe gunmetal like s/a plates)on PC. To me, it brings out a simpler line in the bike. K PS: There is a Guzzi precedent! LM1 & 11 tank had black painted lower part, with a straight edge that emphasises the line of the Tonti frame top rail, & enhances the lines of the whole bike. I've seen bikes without the black, just a solid colour tank, & it breaks up the lines, doesn't look so good IMV. Just my .

Beautiful bike Excuse the presumption...added a bit of black or gunmetal...what u think?

How does that work then? KB

yeh, sounds like pawl spring but check external linkage first.

If you're talking about the stock item fitted to 02 bikes not sure "work perfectly" is entirely accurate, Guy. Always feels a little soft & fragile to me. First time I removed tank, thought I'd turned it right off, but thread had snagged part-way (maybe a bit off grit) & when pulled pipe it flooded the shed w fuel, couldn't get the b****** pipe back on, petrol pouring everywhere. I've never been able to get mine to shut off completely & it'll always dribble a little fuel when I take tank off. Maybe I just got a bad one ? KB

Thanks for that, Pete. Do you know range of frame or engine numbers for cam issue? Not looking at buying, I'd have one I think - maybe look at that one - but I'm skint right now anyhow so it's academic. Griso & Bellagio are the only CARC bikes I can stand the looks of. I just thought clamp damage looked disproportionate to that on rest of bike & wondered if it is weaker than it looks (built for style not purpose?). If they crash well, seems more odd, unless I'm not seeing something on it. To break clamp like that, I'd figure front wheel impact & I'd pos bent forks & frame even. Griso frame does look strong tho. Would like one, but I'd probably be happy (happier?) with the 2v - they're a lot cheaper to buy. KB

As you say you can't know extent of damage until you strip it. Could be a good buy at £3k. It'd be a gamble if you expected to put it on road without much work, but with such low miles the bike's going to be worth a lot as parts - I mean what does a 2k miles 8v motor go for, let alone trans, CARC etc? Really nice, straight examples seem to be available at around £6-7k. What puzzles me is the damage to the clamp relative to the overall condition of the bike. Obviously headlight's smashed, & it's clearly been down on it's r side. Could have clouted something hard. Could be tyre hit something straight on, but way the clamp is snapped I'd still have thougt to see more collateral damage. Leads me to ask how strong is that piece, cos it looks massively strong at first glance, but is it just styling? Which 8v production had cam problems? Was it only Grisos? Which year(s)? KB

There's a Griso on ebay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-MOTO-GUZZI-GRISO-8V-BLACK-DAMAGED-EASY-REPAIR-LOW-MILES-FULL-HISTORY-/261119498516?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3ccbef5914 Looks very light damage until you check the pic of the lower triple clamp. I don't know circumstances of impact but pic surprised me. I never looked close at one but I always thought they appeared a really strong piece. KB

Thanks Craig. As Docc says I think it's important to keep oil level at or slightly above max on the stick: That's what I do & I never seen oil light come on during acceleration. Now have Roper plate fitted also. KB

There's more things in this world than I really want to know about. I think you may have the wrong forum? KB

As a matter of interest, do you know what amount of oil you had in there when you did that? Was it up at max on the stick? KB

Hey BFG, interesting bike - as always - thanks. Reminds me of the old tin-plate friction toys.... Check lines on this one below - do you think it inspired the new Cali? ...wait on - it IS the new Cali! KB

Welcome, Peter. Lots of V11 owners here also run older & newer Guzzis. I have Tontis & V11 & if I had the money would probably have a CARC bike too. There's sections for old ( http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showforum=37 ) & new ( http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showforum=36 ). I like this forum, loads of different attitudes & interests, members all over the world, & mostly get on. Jaap does a great job with it. I often wish it was a bit less model-specific in name, cos it's very quiet, but then that's what it is! But great to see non-V11 Guzzi enthusiasts here. KB