Baldini

Just read Alan Cathcart's test of the 1100 Breva in MC Sport mag. Cathcart has been around a long time & knows his stuff. Couple of things: motor is apparently moved forward by 40mm to get more weight forward. I've always felt weight on V11 is way too much on the rear. And... the 6 speed box is all new. I don't know if this is cos the new s/a arrangement couldn't have been made to work with the old 6 speed or if they thought the old box wasn't up to it. I'd be interested to know if internals are shared or not. The cases are clearly different. The V11 6 speed is short and could have run a much longer s/a, as on the MGS01 (it's even more unlikely we'll see anymore on that now there's a new gearbox?). But I just wonder if Guzzi decided that the original 6 speed was not good enough. After all the old 5 speed is still in production after 35 years! Apparently the motor is revvy (lighter internals) & doesn't have the bottom end or mid range of the older bikes (sounds more like the mainstream which might be why the bike is getting good press reviews). Aside from that he is very complimentary about the bike, & reckons fit & finish is a huge improvement. KB

....another thought...If your sidestand still has standard bumpstop you might want to cut it down by about half to gain cornering clearance. Be aware of the cut out switch too ...I just removed the stand altogether - you can lean the bike on a wall. If you're attracted to the speedo it could save you some attention by taping over it, & lose mirrors too. KB

Me too. You'll be more familiar with the bike if it's the way you normally have it, & that'll help you relax & ride naturally. It'll be one less thing to distract you. But re the points you make: You will get more windblast with high bars if you remove fairing & that will distract/slow you on the straight. You know the high bars w/fairing so I'd keep it. I prefer the feel of clip ons, gets you over the front & means less involuntary input into the steering. With clip ons fairing is unnecessary unless it's a very fast track. Depends how much work it is to change (= how much stress) & how comfortable/relaxed you would feel on the bike in whatever guise. There'll be faster & slower than you but ride your own pace. Start steady & never ride faster than you feel comfortable whatever anyone else is doing. Drink plenty fluid & watch the last sessions as people get tired. Hope you have a great day. Let us know. Good luck KB:sun:

I don't get it.... Fast is what feels fast. 80mph can feel real fast. I mean 132 or 135....roads so boring you got nothing better to do than watch the speedo? KB

Like Jason says - run it for a few K miles then worry about more power. Personally, on any twisty road at reasonable speeds, V11 has adequate. Most times on the road it isn't more power that's needed it's more tyres, more brakes, more handling & more riding ability. Maximum performance is max $$$ & ultimately the four valve will give a bit more. You can get Daytonas & Centauros at reasonable money, & if you can find a good Daytona RS or something that's had money in the motor already - that's the best deal. KB

Goffredo, Like Al, my understanding is that the Cali clutches are altogether different to the ones fitted to the RM & Scura. Are these failures you have heard about thru the internet or do you know the riders/bikes personally? In what way did the clutches fail? What is a decent mileage? How many are you talking about? KB

Goffredo, Are you basing this on the 3 or 4 incidents with Scura single plates breaking, as related on this forum? Or do you know more about it & if so can you tell us! ie: How many broke? Why they break? Are the units in RM & Scura same? Thanks. KB

...and you'd let me ride the MGS01 on the track? KB

I'd like to do both... but like you I leave things usually to last minute to decide. I'm self employed & work is hard to predict. Mallory was a good day last year - really well organised as you'd expect from the BMW club I guess ...but a great mix of bikes & riders, some really interesting stuff. I saw about all them crashes in BSB but it wasn't clear why? I went to Cadwell about 12 years ago & only on the short circuit, but I loved it, the elevation & the bit into/thru The Gooseneck & down into Mansfield... So yeah I hope to do both. But then there's other things too & the family...I was thinking to be more decisive this year but I couldn't make up my mind... Mr Wishy Washy

Guzzirider - you there for both? Anyone else? Cadwell is a great circuit & Mallory has one great bend.... KB

Mallory - July 21st (BMW/Guzzi club)??? Cadwell - 9th June (M/c Folly/Guzzi)??? KB

Trackdays - You can go fast as u like. you get loads of tracktime, it doesn't have to be competetive & everyone should be going in the same direction so no oncoming. KB

My Ti cans fit loose same - no problems so far...but then I only go out when it's sunny too.... KB

Goffredo, thanks for posting this stuff. It's good to see a Guzzi on track & winning, whatever. Is that the same Guareschi as had a couple of races in WSB last year? Jim, you serious about going racing? good luck if you do. KB

belfastguzzi, well put ....I hope you're right. Sounds like you're well on the way towards a rebuild...just keep taking the bits off as you come to them... ...pretty soon you'll need to get another one, a cheaper, oldish one, just to ride while you put this one back together, it'll be useful for spares too...but then one day you'll think - !....& then you'll need another one...it'll be useful to have more parts.... Look, it's not too late for you...just put the spanners down... Cheers, KB

Brian, Pleased to hear you got thru that unscathed. It is unclear what caused your problem but, given the use you put it to, I can see how you would lose confidence in the bike & cut your losses. My first thought when something fails is; what has been done recently connected with that part? If I understand correctly, bearing (large ball bearing in bevel box pt no 92 20 80 14 ?) & inner race (only) of the needle bearing were recently replaced, the latter being machined by shop. Were parts correct, good quality & correctly fitted? Was axle nut torqued up? (I got interupted during an oil change once & didn't tighten sump bolt... I was lucky the road was straight)...etc. When something like this happens we're all wondering if we're next & it knocks an already shakey confidence in the model. Hope you don't take this wrong but it'd be good to know - was the problem generic or perculiar to your bike cos of previous work done? If it ever becomes clear what exactly happened, please let us know. Thanks. Meanwhile, take it easy Mr Angry, & keep in touch.... KB

It's listed Light damage? Hah! That's heavy impact. Forks, yokes, frame must be bent & possibly wheel, cases etc broken ......like you said already, not a cheap fix. There'll still be a lot useable, esp if the cases are intact, but you never know for sure til you pull it all apart & put it back together & things don't line up like they should..... KB

Have you tried poking it with a stick, that should shift it.... KB

FIRST LIGHT by Geoffrey Wellum. - think I've said it before ...but I'll keep on til someone else reads it....Best book I've read for years - his experience joining RAF out of school & going thru first couple years of WW11 as Spitfire pilot. There's feelings, so it may not be for big bad manly men who don't like that sort of thing - but if you think you have to put up with some shit - read what it was like in the Battle of Britain, out of ammunition, flying fogblind, chased by someone wanting to kill you. Somehow makes me realise how lucky I am. I agree with Guzzirider: ZEN & THE...etc - Managed about quarter way before I realised I had things I'd rather be doing. Don't disagree with what he was getting at but he just rambled on & on...If you want to read about zen try THE WAY OF ZEN by Alan Watts. He was a clever man. Richard Feinmann was also a clever man. I enjoyed JUPITERS TRAVELS - good man. Or...GREAT EXPECTATIONS, JUDE THE OBSCURE, MARTIN EDIN, ANNA KARENIN or WAR & PEACE if you want the full 9 yards...or...any RAYMOND CHANDLER or ALL THE PRETTY HORSES... Personally I don't see anything wrong with talking about feelings - mostly it's all we've got. I ride my bike ...I ride my bike...I don't talk about it. I talk about my feelings...Try THE MINT by TE Lawrence, there's never a better written description (The Road) of how it is to ride a bike at the limit than that... KB

Antonio, I don't think you know much about cars do you! Do you drive yourself? What sort of car do you have? I have a Nissan Primera GT which I am very fond of. It is silver also, but I am afraid it is not a diesel. It has alloy wheels. Would you like to see a picture? KB

I think he did...And I think he wasn't. kfz, welcome to the 1990's! KB

Markbar, Me too, but I reckon that the limiting factor is the tank which is too long & doesn't let you get over front end. Nobody else seems bothered by it so it maybe just personal preference....but the V11 tank pushes you way further back than the old Tontis did, & doesn't let you get over the front wheel. You already let forks down thru the yokes it looks like in photo? If you weigh 200lb, then the stock springs are probably too soft for you. I'm about 190 & went to 100Kg rear & may go more. Stock is 85Kg. Is bike second hand to you? Spring may already be changed. Rate is marked at top. On stock fork springs I couldn't get sag correct until just half turn off max preload. 10Kg springs brought all preload adj back (std I think are 8.5 Kg). I found Scura on stock settings a real liability when pushed. Front would run wide in corners & if you hit a bump while leant over it'd straighten up & head for the scenery ... frightened me a couple of times. Changing the springs helped a lot but I think the rear shock needs revalving & am getting the job done next month. That's a nice collection of bicycles you have there... KB

Belfast, Haven't looked at the job but would some gentle heat have helped? Was bearing outer loctited/fitted using bearing fit perhaps? If so, maybe some are some aren't... KB

Not unless your a very, very wee man. As Paul says depends on your weight but chances are the rear spring is too soft & suspension is harsh cos of excessive damping. I'd be surprised if the answer isn't more spring & less damping on the rear. What do you weigh? Have you set sag? What are your preload/damping settings F & R? KB

Can't help with any - just saying thanks for your time & effort Al - it's a good idea . Cheers, KB