Baldini

Still not clear to me. Given same tyre type (Diablo) on a 5.5" rim, will I come to edge of tread at less lean on a 170 than a 180??? Can you lean over further without running off edge of tread on a 180 than on a 170 on 5.5" rim? Anyone know? Thanks, KB,Cymru

Dave, What have you got on intake side? std airbox or modified? Pods? Thanks, KB,Cymru

Errr... I've been thinking. Spoke to tyre supplier, tells me aspect ratio is measured width shoulder to shoulder/height bead to shoulder. Profile on optimum rim should be same...So...170 on 5.5 rim should have flatter profile than 180 on same, aspect ratio is not relevant...So why does 170 lean in quicker & feel more in tune with front (which is a much rounder profile)? My logic says the 180 should roll better cos it's profile should be rounder...is it simply width that holds it up? I've been thinking about John T's question about running off tread on a 170...? Both 180 & 170 seem to run to edge of tread very quickly...at much shallower lean angle than front. Can anyone explain what's going on here...? KB,Cymru

I've usually used silicone as well, if nothing else it holds the gasket in place while you fit the parts... Very thin coat tho... On sump, rocker covers I use on one side only & put thin film of oil on other so they come apart w/o sticking... Mind you don't think my bikes have ever been totally oil tight, so probably best not listen to me... KB, Cymru

LM11 & T3 both have plastic strainer, don't know about others...

Belfast Guzzi, My guess is you're probably going to have to change the timing cover gasket. I've not done a V11 but design is similar to old ones & although a PIA it should be fairly straightforward. Sounds like it would be worth checking mating surfaces too. I don't understand about the "internal gasket" story. Timing cover gasket should keep the oil in...unless it was crank seal gone & oil was coming out of alternator cover? This should be a waranty item but I guess you don't have a dealer? Did you ever get a waranty sticker from Guzzi in Italy? My Scura is from OYB & they'd not sent off registration. Corsa Italiana registered warranty w/Guzzi for me. All the best, KB, Cymru

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on it. The English was fine! Some dealers give more "luck" than others for sure! Cheers, KB,Cymru

Mine wept from just below r/h engine mount at c/case /timing case join. Tightening the bolts fixed it, but it was just a small weep. Sounds like you need to replace gasket if tightening all bolts doesn't help. Don't know about sealing from outside. I wonder if engine mount overstresses the joint. Engine is hung from timing cover. Sorry can't be more helpful. KB, Cymru

Paul, Any explanation for the break?

Docc, Ordinary Diablos, may try Corsas next... KB, Cymru

Unlike most I never liked the 020's - ridden fairly hard, never felt secure on them, slid too easy with little feel. As Mal says front cups really bad. Fitted Diablos, more feel, much better grip, no cupping. Wear a little quicker. Also I went down from 180/55 rear to 170/60 - much improved handling. KB, Cymru

Fact: These bikes do not make enough power to need the bigger tyres. IMO a larger tyre than necessary is more likely to cause handling problems & lack of grip than help. Is bike going hard enough to heat the tyre? Fat tyres find all the shit in the road & skate around on it while skinnies'll spit it out the side or just jump off it. Mismatched f/r tyres make leaning into a turn a haphazard business & use up concentration that could be better directed seeing a way forward rather than just maintaining balance. It seems to me that problems in turns are often down to rider making a mistake & then compounding that mistake with inaction, incorrect action or over-reaction. (I didn't see Docc's crash & am not refering here to that). An unecessarily fat rear tyre is IMO more likely to get you into that situation than help you out of it. I don't know the science of this - it's just what I see & feel. As has been mentioned here before, Keith Code's book "A Twist of The Wrist" is well worth reading & re-reading... KB, Cymru

Scura doesn't make much more power than my old Tonti & that's on 110 rear with no grip problems... Fat tyres are for looks, nothing else... And while I'm here...bring back 18" wheels KB,Cymru

John T, I ran the 180 on 5.5" rim, felt the back was always slow to turn in, bike didn't lean in a "linear" way. By the way you describe the symptons of an overwide tyre I am sure you would prefer the 170, if you got to try one. Profile on the 180/55 actually appeared flatter than the 170/60 when fitted & went to the edge v quickly with still a fair bit to go on front. The 170 certainly feels more curved when riding, leans much more at same rate as front. I don't know a lot about tyres, but is a 60 aspect ratio always going to be more curved than a 55 anyhow? (presuming correct rim size). 170/60 is narrower but taller than a 180/55 - suggesting it would be more curved but I don't know if that extra height is in the sidewall height or the tread profile...? Another thing ...I have Pirellis, does rec'd rim size differ with manufacturer? I ride to the edges of the tread f & r. I changed BT020s 180 to Diablo 170 so some of the feel may be down to tyre and although I don't think so, I can't be sure you wouldn't ride off the edge of the rear easier on 170, but before that point if it does come, the balance of the bike when leaning is much better. Anyone tried a 180 in a higher aspect ratio than 55? Anyone be definitive about this? KB, Cymru

IMO there is no question - the 170 turns better than the 180, matches front better, turns more smoothly. No downside I can see. John T - have you tried a 170? I'd be surprised if, having tried one you wouldn't agree cos you describe the "linear" feel that the 170 will give over the 180... Al, I'm using a 170/60. It's slightly larger diameter than 180/55, which, for me is a good thing, bit more wt to front, bit more ground clearance, tho only talking a few mm. KB,Cymru

BelfastGuzzi, You seem to have mastered the art of small photograph insertion. Impressive. KB,Cymru

Why would you wanna do that? V11 5.5" rim is overtyred with 180. Use a 170 improves handling no end. Doesn't look quite so butch mind... KB, Cymru

Ehh?? What do you use these for Al? KB, Cymru

That's the Guzzi one in Jaap's pic - works great. For UK:These do most Guzzi parts & are good people: Motomecca (01202 823 453) Spares GB (02085407155) KB, Cymru

Yes. There was a thread on centre stands, w/photos...did quick search couldn't find it just now. Try search forum. Moto Guzzi do a paddock stand that works really well. KB, Cymru

I have diagrams for T3,LM11,SP,G5 Europe models, also Convert US model. Not sure how close to yours but if you can't get CX one, better than nothing. Also have parts book for 1000G5 which I could photocopy & send you if you want. Most parts are same throughout range. Let me know. KB, Cymru

Where from? KB,Cymru

Thanks!

That chap sounds like a bit of a ruffian to me. Anyone know if you can get timing gears to fit the V11? Welcome to V11land, Mr Roper . KB, Cymru

You aren't gonna think much of me for this...but... ...a mini disc grinder to grind thru the bearing cage to split it. Sounds worse than it is - a bit at a time, don't have to cut clean thru it, just enough to get it to shift.VERY SLOW & CAREFUL. Done it a couple times - no problems ... KB, Cymru