Baldini

Dales, Midlands, S. Scotland/Borders, Lake or Peak District...any's OK. NW Scotland/Isles is great place but dunno if I could take the time with kids & work - it's a fair trek from here for a weekend, & further for others.... then again I haven't done a good long run for longtime. Wales is a fine place, easy for me. IOM? Or if we're going on a boat - Ireland? Chris - you found us a good place last time, so trust your judgement - wherever, good roads & a good pub in walking distance. A campfire? If anyone's coming over from mainland Europe (?) & Ireland....then distance from ferries is a consideration? Looking forward to it. Thanks. KB

As I remember there's a circular steel plate that all the flywheel bolts go thru to bolt up the flywheel to the crank? KB

Thanks, Paul. KB

Will front mudguard/fender off early Mille R fit straight on a Scura? Are Mille R Ohlins guard mount points same as Scura, which model year? 00?01?02? I'm looking for a guard to protect the fork stanchions better than std. Mille R c/f one looks like it would work. Thanks, KB

It's not a difficult job, but a bit fiddly. You need short allen key, circlip pliers, & a method of pulling the plate. It could be bodged roadside but unless I had to, I wouldn't. Failure usually leaves bike stuck in 2nd or third gear - driveable - depends how far home.... As it stands it is reasonable to believe the breakages are caused by oversize spring bosses fitted to some bikes stressing a poorly designed (& pos poorly made) spring. We heard of two bikes apparently had correct size boss yet still broke spring - the owners had info from dealer & had not measured parts themselves. Mechanic who first sussed the problem says he has seen no further breakages after fitting correct size spring boss. I'm hoping he's right. KB

Bruce, Thanks for posting on this. KB

Very Cheap or you ain't got the full story.

It's worth checking these bearings from new. Mine had no grease in it. KB

To avoid any misunderstanding ...I wouldn't say anything against the official Guzzi dealer who's handled warranty stuff & servicing for me (Corsa Italiana/Spares GB). The people there have been dealing with Guzzis, officially & unnoficially, for longer than the 20yrs I've had them. The problem is not with them - it is with Moto Guzzi/Aprilia. Guzzi don't give the dealers the support they should. Oversize bosses on pawl arms breaking springs were discovered in the workshop of an official UK dealer (Mark @ Twiggers) not told to him/us by MG/Aprilia. I have managed to run Guzzis all this time because there's a small network of dedicated, & mostly independent shops who source stuff straight from Italy. If you had to wait for parts thru the official Guzzi system, as is documented on this forum - forget it. I think it is pretty obvious there has been some bad quality control at the factory in recent years. & the bean counters Pete's always on about are probably responsible. Guzzi/Aprilia & the importers stick their heads in the sand & hope for better days with some tarted up new models. It seems they treat their official dealers with no less contempt than they do their punters. They shaft them by unloading bikes in volume at low prices to discount dealers with no interest in the marque so they can shift stock. I don't know where in the Guzzi/Aprilia/Piaggio mess the problem lies, but unless they sort themselves, they deserve to go belly-up. Guzzi have managed to struggle on partly cos of the huge amount of goodwill towards Guzzi held by anyone who's ridden them for any time. I wouldn't accept this sh*t off any other bike. The V11 Guzzi is fundamentally a good, honest motorcyle. The motor was designed over thirty years ago & the frame was given to it by an american dentist. So... thanks to all the good guys &....the rest? well sod em. KB

This is MG Customer Service reply to me 2nd email: "We confirm what we have earlier stated, as a customer service we do not provide any technical information, but the customers point of reference regarding technical queries is the official Moto Guzzi dealer network. Communication regarding technical issues is so ongoing from Moto Guzzi technical department to the dealer network. Therefore, we are not able to assist you any further with this matter." "P*ss off & stop bothering us" ? Surprised? They've told my dealer nothing about the Scura clutches. They told him nothing about the pawl spring either. Well I've written back anyhow, I'm sure they don't mean it. KB

Thanks Murray. Can't the timing cover be removed just by supporting motor & removing bolts?

I had a reply from Guzzi acknowledging my email & asking me to put any such questions thru my dealer. Std reply like you Nige I think. I have asked them again for their comments specific to this problem. KB

Is V11 camchain tensioner sprung? In drawings/photos looks like V11's still use fixed (unsprung) cam chain tensioner. But it appears to have fixed mounting holes so position would not be adjustable unlike the old ones used to slide across to tension the chain. The part that appears to bear on the chain looks an elaborate shape - Does it have some kind of internal spring? Thanks, KB

Doesn't show one in the parts book. At the lever end yes, at the trans end, no. Don't know why. I've not had it apart but I can't see why putting one in would cause a problem. KB

I miss getting the solvol out... best bit's the finning by the front mount bolt & them bits tucked up behind the top of the timing cover... KB

I've never understood why the cases are painted anyhow. If the paint on mine does go I'll take it back to metal. What happened with speed limits on the Island? I used to come over for the Manx - never forget those times - something very special, but I can see why things would change. KB

so why are some bikes OK while others bubble? Different @ manufacture or different lives? KB

C H R I S ....................... ! sorry mate - I thought Paul Smart when I read V11UK - but of course he's...PAUL SMART (no - not that one)...errr ...anyhow - how do you tweak an ECU? Thanks, KEITH

...eh???

Thanks Paul. Bike's got Guzzi Ti/ECU kit, am thinking of losing airbox, fitting pod filters & will then need PC111 - pretty much what you've got? Can Speedaway sort PC111/fueling map for me? KB

Anyone recommend a Dyno shop in UK that is good with V11's? Thanks, KB

I've heard two theories as to why black wrinkle finish bubbles. Both, to me, are plausible. During manufacture moisture is trapped between layers of paint which expands on heating causing outer layer to bubble. Bikes used esp in town/traffic & not benefiting from cooling airflow are getting hot, then being put straight into garages/sheds whilst still hot = baking paint. With regard to the second theory, it would suggest to me that time on a Dyno would kill the paint for sure if it's caused by overheating? Any comments/experience? I am lucky w/paint so far at 10Kmiles. I am thinking of doing some mods which will mean bike will need dyno time... KB

I gave the info to a dealer who copied it to Aprilia UK. The dealer told me their reaction was along the lines of "do I really want to know about this?"... I haven't spoke directly with Aprilia UK - although today I sent them an email thru www.motoguzzi.it noting my concern & asking for comment. So far we've heard here of 5 failures: Paul's - documented w/photos - Guzzi warranted German one - w/photos - Guzzi warranted (I think) Robertos (UK) - w/photos - Warranted? French one mentioned by Zebulon/Pual - no documentation - Guzzi warranted Australian one mentioned by Pete - no documentation KB

Pete, If the failures are being caused by loose bolts we should be seeing some broken bolts? Thanks,KB