Velf 2003

No, not the bearings are the problem. The (lack of) greasing is!! Everyone should inspect their steering head bearing and grease them ass much as possible. The full volume of the steeringhead assembly should be full of grease. I know I did, and no water, rain or high pressure washing, did any harm to mine ( for the last 06.000 kms, taht is...) Winter is comming, a nice one to do if you bored... Good luck Velf2003

!6-18 (37.6-42.3 US mpg) looks pretty good to me. I think those getting more are very easy on the throttle transitions and minimal shifting. "Temp sensor mod?" How so? http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14832&st=15 This is the thread that discusses sense AND nonsense about the temp sensor. I have made a contribution to the thread aswell. Maybey it`s interesting to read it?If so, please feel free to read it and if you have any questions about my mod, feel free to PM me. Guzzigreetings, Velf2003

16,5/l at an indicated speed of 170 to 180 km/h, obviously on the German highway, on the way back from the GMG last september.... And normally my fuel mileage varies between 16/18 km/l. Moslty trips longer then 30 km, mostly (not allways..) temperatures above 10 C, a full standard V11 naked 2002, except for the temp sensor mod..., and well setup... How you guys manage a high fuel mileage like that makes me wonder; Is it me... or is it you that makes the difference... Velf2003

Both Kiwi Roy and you are right AND wrong. It is true that the spelling of the givven name can be misinterpretated for a piercing shop (didn`t see that one comming, hahaha) and yes, is it based on the Sioux name Wakan Tanka: Wakan Tanka is the Sioux name for the Great Spirit or Great Mystery. Wakan Tanka is thought of the creator of the world or universe; believed to be the All-Providing One. This Spirit is paid reverence as providing for the needs of everyone. This reverence is displayed when the people honor the four directions, the Sun, Mother Earth, and their fellow man because these are Wakan Tanka's creation; when honoring them, people honor the spirit of Wakan Tanka which resides within each of them. The American Native does not attempt to describe this Great Power that Created All because "it is a Mystery," they advise, "leave it alone; no one describe such a vast mystery." Since it is traditional for the American Indian people not to argue over religious concepts, considering such arguments foolish, they invite everyone, especially the rainbow people, to join them, each in their own way and expression, in the reverence of Wakan Tanka. BUT: Since I have my own unique way of doing things (most people do...) I named it nothing more, nothing less than Wakatanka. Greetings, Velf2003 keeper of Wakatanka. p.s. Does anyone ever seen the Wakan motorcycle? (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/07/18/wakan-1640-new-french-v-twin-motorcycle/) Its name is also based on the same Sioux word I`ve used.

What t.. F...!! I did an inspection today, as a part of the anual winter check and maintenance round. Removed the oil sump, suspecting to find a hint or solution as to why my oil light came on under 2500 revs, when warm. No clues to find there.... Ah well, just spanner-along. And then when (trying) to remove the old oil filter...... Something odd took place. Normally the old oil filter, once a bit loosened, can be further unscrewed by hand. Not this time though. So unscrewing it further with the apropriate tool, the filter came off and reveilled a somewhat desintegreted rubber ring on the mating surface of the filter. Could this be the cause of the funny light saying oil in the dash? Ok, change filter with a new one. Carefully tighten it to the specified torque. Put back on the oil sump, fill with oil. Start. Rev some more... No funny light saying oil anymore in the dash!! Now, I realise that this half an hour (on the standard in the garage...) dry driving isn`t representative for normal use. But the oil was surely hot, and the oil cooler was more than handwarm too. And since the outcome of Vuzzi`s quest is more or less the same I`m pretty sure that I had a somewhat same problem: a faulty rubber o-ring on the oil filter. To be continues when wheather conditions give a good reason to take Wakatanka out for a ride. Yes, I beginning to grasp a hold of what my V11 is to me. And is has gotten a name: Wakatanka. Google will be more than happy to inform you as to where my thoughts whent when givvin the bike its name. When in doubt why the bike is called this: don`t ask. Its the old adagium: when you have to ask, you havent understood it. Greeting from the old 2011, already peering at the new 2012: Velf2003, keeper of Wakatanka.

Since maintenance (replacing oil + filter) is due, I`ll check if perhaps this is the matter with my beloved V11 aswell. And taking off the ofp after some 55000 km`s isn`t an interval one should be concernd about, hihihi. To be continued... Velf2003

Hi Vuzzi, (and others), Is is any relief to you to know that my V11 has EXACTLY the same problem? It happened for the first time on the first day of my two days journey (2 to get there, and 2 to get home..) to Mandello last september. I stopped along the way, rested some two minutes and then... MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON!! Hell, I thougt, what`s happening to me Didn`t see that one coming! A quick check of my oil level reveiled that there was no problem there. A little releived (and not carying a spare pressuresensor or any oil at all with me) I decided to just drive and see what happened. Suprisingly when the revs went up (in my case 2200) the light shut up its nasty message. I even bougt a new sensor at Augustini`s in Mandello, but replaced it when I was home... A litte late perhaps, but I whas confidend nothing serious whas the case. During the rest of the trip I never handeld my machine any different than before the light went on, nor did I notice any diference in performing. Even better, I even felt it performing, better, stronger! And even a long 170 km/u haul for an hour din`t change that. And vuzzi likewise, the light only comes up when the engine has reached its normal operating temperature!! So changing the pressure at home sensor gave that: all was normal again. The light only was on when ignition was on, and directly after cranking is was off, and staid that way. But, to make this complex: Yesterday I took advantage of the (still!!) nice wheater and treated myself to an afternoon of driving in Muensterland, Germany. And you`ve probably guessed it: the ligt again came on during idlig, when hot. Personally I think nothing serious is the matter. Although I`ve dig deep in my thougts to find out what the cause can be. Didn`t quite made an aducated guess at the moment though. Since winter-recess is on its way, I`ll have to take a closer look at that moment. So in short: Vuzzi, whe have got the same issue (and not necceseraly a problem) with the oil-light, but I cannot help you with any information as to where to look to solve the mistery. And in my humble opinion, its just guzzi-caracter being overdisplayed in terms of an over-enthousiastic oil-light. Drive well. Velf2003

My sensor (the one on the left side of the engine, that is...) after some 50k, has gone dripping aswell. I fixed it with some new 'gasket-out-of-the-tube. Worked wonders for me. But then again, all Guzzi`s have different characters... Good luck. Velf2003

Hoi Jaap, My guess it that the tempsensor in the right cylinderhead needs the old if-guzzi-didnt-manufacture-it-right-i`ll-fix-it-myself fixing. I did wonders tot popping under light loads in hot whether-conditions for me! If you`re interested, please PM me. succes - good luck. Velf2003

In my case, changing the valve lash to greater values (I adopted the 20-25 option) centainly helped. But the greatest improvement came from adjusting the temp sensor in the right cylinderhead. That did cure the Italian sneeze, made great improvement in not-running-hot-in-hot-wheater en improved heating up (meaning reaching optimumum oil temp quicker). Maybey All (forummember) has already also adjusted his tempsensor in the way I`ve advised him, and he is willing to share the changes? (All Roethisberger is his name, hopefully well spelled) Good luck with all these advices!! Velf2003

velf shall we start our own registry Well Rossi, Damn good looking bikes we`ve got, he? Almost jealous of myself, haha. What about that registry, could you explain the benefits of such an registry? Guzzigreetings, Velf2003. And for Jaap, If I send you the most detailled photo, can you estimate the costs of producing the matching decall? (Maybey youre interested aswell rossi?)

Hi rossi, It goes for you aswell: thanks for the effort. But again it`s not the decall I`m looking for (though your site has an hilarious t-shirt witch made me smile!!) Looking at your avatar, we have the same V11 naked, being silver gastank, and mattgrey and brownisch other plastic bits. So I`m curious. Does your V11 also have the v11sport written on the side panels written in black, with only the ``11`` bit in red? Guzzigreetings, Velf2003

Is this what you're looking for?: http://www.v11lemans...showtopic=15544 You can take the attached file to a sign maker and have the logos made. Probably cheaper than ordering them from MG Hi Jaap, Thanks for taking the effort. Unfortunately the decalls on my bike are different. Different in the way that only the ``11`bit is in red, and the ``V`` and ``sport`` bits are in black. Plus that the ``sport`` bit is in an not written forward bent but just in a straight way. Is is not time to post a picture, just to convince everyone that Luigi had an spakling day and put, just for the fun of it, a different type of decall on my bike? (P.S. Jaap, since you come up with the decalls as such, can you make a copy of my desired decall if presented an example?) Enfin, winter hasn`t left the building, so time is on my side. Guzzi greetings, Velf2003

Wintertime, stylingtime, Since use has had its effect on the painted items on the bike I`m plannig an repaint job. I know that colourcodes aren`t around, so the paintshop has tot do its best in reproducing the original colour. But I have come to the conclusion that original transfers for my 2003 (non-cat, grey-black plastic,crincle paint engine) originals transfers are not available. Even not at tlm, here in Holland. Does anyone know where they are available? Tanks in advance, Velf2003

There are times when you have to make a turnover in life. This time its time to enter the era of my third V11!! I started on the original grey and red V11, then followed my V11 sport naked (First onwer, both) . A true improvemend in terms of handling and build quality. Now its time to make the final step to the V11 Cafe Sport. That is why I am selling my V11. Its bin on the road since 2005, now has done some 44.000 kms. And has visited the factory in Mandello in 2006 at the 85th anniversary!!!!!!!! Some specs: Gianelli carbon silencers, iridium plugs, original carbon mini fairing (of the Scura) and new tyres. The bike only had bin ridden on long distance and has all regular maintenance. If someone is interested, please pm me for further info and pictures.

Any chance you could post any photo's of your modifications of the OE sensor? Please be patient with me. Since party-season has arrived and work takes up most of the rest of my (spare? hahahaha) time it`s not bound to happen anywhere between now and let`s say two weeks. But I`m more than happy to share my attempt to make the original fluid sensor into an air sensor. I did the adjustment with the use of a Dremel-tool, gently taken a layer off, agan and again. Pictures will be taken when I dismantle the cylindertempassembly obviously. Guzzigreetz, Velf2003 I can resist anything, but temptation (Oscar Wilde)

[The Guzzi oil and air sensors match not just closely, but identically. Why not use it instead? Well, that`s what I`ve done. Since the GM sensor isn`t easely commercialy available here in the Netherlands I really had no other choice. I had a close look at the Guzzi sensor and decided that cutting away the brass end would be a good start. Ending up cutting so much of the brass end (some 15 mm length of it) that the tip of the sensor showed, covered in some sort of thermal paste. I have remounted the altered sensor and was suprised that my fuel consumption went down by some 10 % (measured over my last trip, 6 days, 3500 km), the engine heated up quicker, didn`t backfire under low throthle and idled perfectly, even hot. So in my humble opinion an easy enty into temp. sensor trials. I entered this forum to share my expirience with you all and with no intention to trigger anyone into trying this. Please decide for yourself it this is what you want. Thanks to Ratchethack, who trigged ne to try altering my temp. sensor into the GM variant, as said above, ending up altering the original sensor. Velf2003 I can resist anything, but temptation (Oscar Wilde)

The set of a new front and rear Z6 tyre are allready in the garage. After my holliday next month my tyres (Brigdestone BT020) will definitly be worn so replacement is in order. Next month will be a six day, 3.100 km trip trough Belgium, France, Austria, Italy, Austria and Germany with many passes (Grossklokner, Gaja, Falzarego and many more). When the new tyres are fitted and the test drive is completed i`ll make an update. Velf2003

Hi all, I too suffered from this problem. It is true that the pump will suck open the fuel petcock even is it isn`t powered by a broken wire on a electric petcock. The sound the pump will give then isn`t the normal sound but higher, asmatic. The hotter the temperature of the air, and therefore the engine, the worse the engine will run and finally it will stall. Took some 45 minutes to let it cool down and start all over again to warm up when it would restart. I solved the problem by resoldering the broken wire back on. It now survived 30.000 km.... Good luck!! Velf2003

Pro: something to look forward to (Why did I not get the the extra power I hoped for, can I tweak it to do so) Contra: if you don`t do it, you never know what you`ve missed out on. Summary: Just decide if you want the extra cc`s, don`t expect more.

Marty, I`ve just put in an entry in the `come to a grinding halt` discussion. Maybe it`s whorth while looking at it. Best of luck!! Velf2003

Hello all, Let me introduce myself. I`m riding my second V11 at the time being, though for wintery conditions I ride an Aprilia Pegaso 650. Still riding Italian style, is that okay with everyone? My former V11 was an beloved an evenso hated motorcycle. The times I was proudly riding where sometimes changed to severe hatred to anything Italian. Here`s why. On a 7.000 km summer holliday trip I had to calculate with extra traveling time due to the fact that everytime I stopped or had to travel trough heavy traffic the bike ran crappy, stalled and wouldn`t start. Had to wait 20 to 60, minutes (depending if there was water to cool available) and could start easily and ride again. Can anyone imagine what it`s like to have to travel with a minimum of 40 kilometers an hour to cool the engine enough through the stillstanding trafic of the long an winding up-hill road from France to Andorra? This had me thinking it was a heat related problem. Eventually I found out that the leads connected to the electrical fuel petcock where almost broken whithin the protective hose. Every time the bike heated up the air filter housing grew in size and put strain on the leads thus disconnecting the electrical fuel pump. Letting the bike cool off releaved the strain from the leads and made it possible to start the bike normally and ride on. It`s not a vage story, believe me. The only fague thing about the story is that while being in the neihgbourhood of Lourdes, France I collected myself some Holy Water to cool the engine and...... It didn`t do nothing!!! But to put this to an happy end: I resolderd the leads back to the electrical fuel petcock and never suffered from it again. My guess is that during maintenance, when the fuel tank is off, the fuel tank is put on the (work bench/floor) surface it rests on two points, one of them being the leads of the electrical fuel petcock. When the tank is full, this could easily do dammage to the connection of the leads to the fuel petcock. To check if this could be the solution to your problem: when the engine stalls, relieve the fuel return line from the right side of the fuel tank. Put the ignition on. The fuel pumped out must be a firm jet. If its weak: try to mess with the leads of the electrical fuel petcock and see what happens. Don`t forget that fuel is flammable and be carefull:> aim the fuel to a container wich can resist fuel. (old oilcontainer eg.) I sincerely hope that I`ve made a positive contribution to your problem. Good luck!! Velf 2003

Hi all, Since I`m changing from clipons to a set of bars I`m looking for a faring like used in the Cafe Sport, Scura etc. My model is a 2003 (a this day still naked model but who knows...)

PC111 or MY15M, I still haven`t found if the MY15M is just plug and play for a V11. Do know that for a PC111 tuning at a tuning centre is neccesary. Probably the MY 15M will do good fuel economy but can any v11 user state their fuel economy? Or a before and after dynochart. Every piece of information about the use or builiding or anything else: I`m interested. Hope to read about is soon.

Hello all, I have been reading about the MY15M for some time now. Almost everyone who has put it on a V11 seems satisfied. The running seems much smoother. What I am curious about is: are there more advanteges? Does it do anything for the powerdip at 4K. perhaps better fuel constumption etc. etc. And last but not least: If put on a standard V11, is there any tuning neccesary or is it just plug-and-play. Ofcourse the answer of Lubho is most appreciated, since he is most likely the farmost experienced V11 MY15M user. Erik