Gio

To conclude - I found a (160/60) Z6 for the rear on-line for less than $150 (incl shipping) so will become matched ... and plan to try a set of the new Angel-GT's next. Thanks for all input. Gio

It is indeed strange. Apparently the Pirelli GT's are not yet available (at least from my local dealer) so I'm wondering if I should just go for a Z6 rear if I can get one (to match the front) and then make my switch back to Pirelli as a pair. I couldn't agree more with regard to the noise - but I'm stuck with that front for now, and yes, it also seems to work well ... and at the end of the day, that's the main thing.

Aprreciate the feedback - but would really like to get back to Pirelli as always had good experience with them. Anyone out there got to try the new Pirelli Angel-GT as yet? Gio

My apologies ... Angel ST has apparently evolved into the new Angel GT (Gran Tourismo) which promises good grip but better mileage ... http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/angel_gt.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Droad Gio

Further update - weather was good enough to take a first ride of the year today (+4c and dry roads) but after checking the bike over - rear Z8 is toast ... badly squared off / worn in the centre after ~7,000 km so will need to replace with something to work with the howling Z6 out front ... no more Metzeler for me! I'm going back to Pirelli for sure - and since they no longer make Diablo Strada (loved those tires) decision seems to be Angel or Angel ST ... any advice? Gio

No idea Roy - but Shockproof heavy seems to make a difference in the way our boxes work. I'm a believer ... in fact I'm trying to source some here on the east coast (to no avail) in preparation for some winter service work ( I change it every 20k even though I'm told it should not be necessary to) ..? Gio The Red line oils are used a lot in road racing of cars. You can try sources such as Pegasus racing and others for it. Thanks Dave - but I'm on the east coast of Canada and can not find ANY dealers ..? Might have to ask Kiwi Roy to post me a bottle from the west coast (available from Mopac ... what do you say Roy?) or just order on-line. Gio

No idea Roy - but Shockproof heavy seems to make a difference in the way our boxes work. I'm a believer ... in fact I'm trying to source some here on the east coast (to no avail) in preparation for some winter service work ( I change it every 20k even though I'm told it should not be necessary to) ..? Gio

I re-located the fuel pump on my 2000 V11 from between the cylinders to the stock location of the fuel filter (ie on top of the spine / under the tank) as part of the solution to frequent vapour lock. Fuel flter now resides behind the Magni fairing (posted some research on this, quite a while back). Never had a problem since. I would think re-location to your proposed location above the oil-cooler would also be of similar benefit. Having said that, I'm not sure that having the fuel pump under the tank as in your case, would be as much of a problem as having it located between the cylinders as I believe it was in mine...? Where is the fuel filter located? The other consideration is proximity of fuel lines to the cylinders - heat shield may be of benefit there. Gio

Correct. As I remember it they were OK when new but started howling after I had some miles on them. Just by way of an update, I have put a few km on the front Z6 now and whilst it still howls (maybe less than when new - not sure?) the handling and grip seems to be ok for my riding habits - certainly not compromised vs the Pirelli which was my initial concern ... but perhaps I'm not pushing it enough to tell.

Why that? You couldn't remove the tank without it for instance. Hubert I guess I should have more accurately said the fact that it is electrically operated (vs manual) seems to have no additional benefit (unless perhaps a fuel leak developed and prevented the tank from dripping empty?), and will likely eventually fail as many have experienced, but you are of course correct in that a petcock of one kind or the other is required. The manual ones seem to be very reliable and are easy to install.

This petcock is just a small spring balanced plunger. The spring is weak enough to get sucked down as soon as the pump starts working. Unplug the cable and try it. After having sheared off the cables of mine I rode the bike daily for over two weeks before I found time to look after it. No problems at all. Hubert Interesting observation Hubert. So the electric petcock serves no usefull function, and doesn't even work as a petcock ... I am unable to try (but have no doubt about what you say) as mine has long since been replaced with a (fully functional) manual alternative. Turned off when removing tank, otherwise left on all the time. Thanks for the feedback. Gio

You should switch to a mechanical petcock. I agree. The wires on mine gave out a few years ago so I switched out the electric for a manual (sourced from Moto International I think) ... never could understand the need for an electric petcock anyway. Also - With the manual it's one less potential electrical gremlin ... Gio PS - Lubho ... why would you expect the bike to start with petcock un-powered? I thought it needed power to allow fuel to flow ??

Docc, you may be no Steve, or even a Kiwi Roy, but your inputs are non-the-less appreciated ... just sayin. Gio

Interesting feedback. To answer Trevini - the Z8 (rear) feels just like the Pirelli (Strada) that I liked -honestly can't feel any difference there but the Z8 is a tri-compound construction so am hoping this will help with centre wear. And your comment Tom implies that the Z6 didn't howl when new ??

A while back I wore out my rear Pirelli on a road trip and replaced with a Mezeler Z8 roadtec ... so far so good. But was unable to source a matching Z8 front (on long back-order) when the time came so went with a Z6 based on reviews I had read here and elsewhere - dealer assured me it should work well with the Z8 rear. Having put a few hundred km on the new front - the most noticeable thing is that it howls quite lodly when in a turn (both directions). No howl in a straight line or when braking. Pressure is the same as I usually ran with the Pirellis (ie 32/33 psi) and no other change to set-up. I'm also not sure that grip level is as good as the Pirelli but this could be that the tire is still quite new ..? Anyone else experience this? Gio

Don't recognise it - suggest you start bike, go for a ride (if bike starts) and then you will feel better about not knowing ... Gio

Roy, you have noted a phenomenon that many locals I know have discussed.... the British Italian Rip-off. Seems that the PO of my bike was paying $32 each for the OE UFI oil filters... the same ones that you can order from MG Cycle in a ten pack for about $80. That was after they gave him his 'discount' as a preferred customer. If there is something you need, and you have the time for a nice day ride, get in touch with Gord out at Valley Yamaha/Guzzi in Chilliwack. Couldn't be more different. Apparently news to British Italian, but Guzzi mechanics don't need to be rude and surly to be qualified to work on the bikes. +1 - I had nothing but first class service from the folks in Chilliwack when living on the other coast, much less the first/last time I went "down-town" to the alternative you mention rather than riding a little further. I also purchased my V11S from Valley in 2001. Gio

Noisy Fuel Pump? They can make a high pitched whine especially if the fuel filter needs changing. Darryl Ah, fuel filter, never touched that before. Guess I should have a peek. Thanks. Yep - as I have said before, it's amazing how much crap that fuel filter catches ... just try a quick back-flush and it will open your eyes ... best of luck with the quest for strange noises ... Gio

I use Red Line Shockproof heavy (synthetic) in the tranny (no moly) - many users have reported better performance with this stuff and 80/90 (conventional) in the final drive (MG brand which has moly already added) ... Gio

Looks good! Do you have a picture of it on your V11? Which size are you using , medium or large? I could have sworn I had more pics but this is the only one I could find. A dirty Scura loaded for action. I have a large bag and I love it. johnk What's the red thing just below your oil cooler ... upgraded horn, deer scarer ..?

I never had that problem with either 10/40 or 20/50 (spec) Castrol ... no need to shake the bottle. No emulsion or residues ... even after sitting on the shelf for a while. I bungee the bottle in a funnel when re-filling so get to see the very last drops ..? Prolonged periods of rain will do that to you Roy, time to get the sun lamp out.

+1 Roy ... white stuff is likely from moisture (I used to get more of a creamy film when living on the wet coast) but I would be concerned to find it in un-used oil ..? Maybe you need to change brands (hey we haven'nt had a good old oil thread for a while) ... or just drop a couple of diodes in there and ride longer ...

No worries. I have been very pleased with the cans btw. Running them with a de-snorkeled /drilled air-box, K&N filter and a M706.002 map (Mistral cans / stock air-box) in the Power Commander. Somewhat louder than stock ... all the better to hear and feel the music though. But now you have me thinking they may need to be polished ... Congrats on the new bike, welcome and enjoy. Gio

Gooze - those cans look almost exactly like the ones on my 2000. I purchased them from my original dealer in May 2002 and the part # on the invoice is 99999983 described as "V11 Performance muffler" - I understand they are made by Mistral, aluminium and came with a plate that said (per Guzzimoto) "for offroad use only" which I had removed and replaced with a custom plate. They slip onto stock crossover. The big difference is the shine so I am assuming yours have been polished.

Thanks for the kind offer jrt - but already went the JB weld route ... carefully cleaned up the remaining thread with a tap and some brake cleaner / cotton bud - then used just a small amount of JB on the threads and either side of the alu washer on the damaged (left) side, and regular loctite blue on the other. Gio (PS - thread is 6.0 x 1.00 with a 5mm hex on the original plug)