GraeV11

Skip the bit about the alternator. It is late over here. Having bad thoughts about bearings now. Sleep will not come easy tonight.

Thanks. Will experiment tomorrow and report back.

OK, stupid question as there is no way you can properly answer without hearing it, but my v11 has a new noise; very high-pitched whine when in motion (which I can clearly hear above all the other lovely noises). It is not the engine (well at least not when the bike is standing still), the disks are not hot so fairly sure pads are not binding, all fluid levels are OK, I do not have a new crash helmet or anything that might change how the bike might sound to me and performance is as good as it has ever been. Should I just dust off the grease gun or go get my hearing checked ? The bike was laid up for a couple of months whilst I had some medical issues sorted and I had not heard it before then. Driving me nuts now. If anything it sounds electrical. Just might have to tackle those damn screws on the alternator cover and take a peek. Any suggestions ?

A Moto Guzzi ? I apologise. Friday and all that.

A Moto Guzzi ?

Not worth the risk. Ever had a tyre deflate in less than a second ? I have at just 40mph and it had me off. Bike was a write-off and so was my ankle. 5,000 miles ? structure of the tyre compromised ? bin it and be safe. I would only ever plug a car tyre.

British Superbikes is going to be hot this year, it is always superb close racing. 21 days to go before round one (not as if I am counting !). There is a round in Assen in Sept . . . great excuse for lads weekend away. http://britishsuperbike.com/

Very nice. Like the road signs in Oz giving suggested minimum( ) cornering speeds.

Wow, didnt you notice the handling was a little out ?? Care to give me some numbers for the lottery on Friday ? you are one lucky guy. Mind you, last time I came off I just jumped straight back on and tried to ride it away until I noticed the footpeg was pointing backwards and the gear lever was missing. Adrenalin and pride have a lot to answer for. Makes me laugh when guys who have a spill in moto GP try and get straight back in the saddle without a cursory check . . . I guess that a 150mph corner is as good a test as any to find out if the frame is bent.

A mere snip . . . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MV-Agusta-860-Magni-/140710109677?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20c2f9e1ed

Shame Guzzi do not have a bike with a 167bhp V4 (or anything close)to provide a more realistic comparison. Love my 'organic' V11 but can only admire the Aprilia (which would be a nice 'bit on the side' for the odd quick thrill if I could afford it). Pert tits can make a nice change from huge bangers on occasion.

I agree. Well, maybe not painted matte black... I love the paint it has now. But it definitely needs ridden as much as possible. I think we should club together and buy it as the forum mascot bike to be used in rotation by all contributors. Bagsy I get the first six months seeing as I had the bright idea. Next person might have to stump up for new tyres and pads once I have finished with it.

One day it will be mine. Oh yes.

It is already in place round here. The Police even provide a helicopter to floodlight the track. It is an olde tradition to set fire to the winning car in the local park.

Oh, well, I know that I invited comment etc, but I didn't expect, um, well, anyway try here > www.newmodels.com Are you looking for a keeper or something for a spring fling? Yep, she will do. Thinking Norge for some high mileage trips this year. V11 to be pulled apart and spruced up with new paint etc.

..................... A good few of the riders are maturing/rusting/past their sell-by date............... I really, really resemble that remark Yep, perhaps a new medical forum should be created to deal with ailments of ageing bikers. I look forward to discussions of developments in false hips, cures for piles, How to adapt controls for arthritis sufferers (done that one already), the best boots for gout, how to deal with beard lice etc. In all seriousness, this forum is IMHO the best around and provides a formidable body of work and expertise second to none. Jaap has done an amazing job keeping it in shape. Perhaps it is time to expand the 'newer models' section - most people on here seem to have a second machine in their stable. I am contemplating adding a newer model and can't find the same level of comment and help elsewhere.

latest update from the sub-tropical south. Nice sunny day (Sunday). Can't work out if this is the end of a riding season or the beginning of a new one. What happened to winter ? must be tough oop north. Is that photo from today? It's true that today should really be the start of a new riding year. This day last year I posted some photos of the first ride of the new year – but was soundly told off 'cos there were no Guzzi photos (I was on Aprilia Dorsoduro). For this weekend, I thought about it, but I'm much too old now. That year's difference has been quite significant. I fear that February may be the start of my year. Yes that was today - meet of the Essex branch of the MGOC. Must admit it was damn cold on the way back and I know I will pay for it in the joints tomorrow. I have started staring at the Norge in the local dealers thinking that three settings for heated grips and all that wind protection is where I need to be. Nice scenery BTW

So I believe – it just so happens that I caught some of the weather forecast, or... was it yesterday's or the day before or the day before that, or... no it was today right enough. More of the same tomorrow then? Even the mighty BBC were thwarted today. I noticed a few announcements on tv this morning saying that the expected Ceebebe's (I'm sure that's not how it's spelt, no idea) live broadcast to come from this part of Northern Ireland (as a special treat to this far-flung outpost of BBCLand) was cancelled, because of the wind. Ha ha ha ha ha. But then, the presenters were probably all softy southerners, shipped in from The City and possibly Kent. Ha ha ho ho I've got the iPod on shuffle, playing through the stereo. As I type this, what should come on but The Incredible String Band singing the Sweet Banks Of Italy. Grief, it's a conspiracy I tell you! The very words now are: The sun shines bright in France Yellow it shines on high Barbary O be my light of day Tarry not long on the banks of sweet Italy ..... Summer's gone with calm days Ungentle now is Biscay Bay... latest update from the sub-tropical south. Nice sunny day (Sunday). Can't work out if this is the end of a riding season or the beginning of a new one. What happened to winter ? must be tough oop north.

Mine is broken, but doesn't leak. What should I do? KB Check all fluid levels.

No T Shirt, I am out ! Tell you what. You get to Tellico Plains for the Raid, and I'll buy you and your SO your choice of tees from the Deals Gap Store . Like your tagline, btw. Bill Nothing I would like better ! Will let you know. Off to buy some lottery tickets.

Yeah, the Chinese models don't have a horn button. The battery couldn't cope. Do you have clips under the seat for a starting handle? (I know there's point in asking if the starting handle itself is actually present.) Nah. But I have a 'Wok Oil' sticker on the side panel.

No T Shirt, I am out !

:notworthy:I bow to ya, thanks for explaining! now I know what to call the engine dressing on my '02 Lemans lol I have a 2002 V11 Le Mans and my engine didn't get the POX so can someone explain a Y or a what for this so i can sleep at night without wondering if and when this might happen to mine,Tanks. It could be one of those Chinese copy V11s. They used particularly strong, but toxic, industrial waste gel to stick the black stuff on, whereas the Italians were as sparing with their engine glue as they were with the grease. Open your crankcase and see if 'Made In China' is stamped inside. If your tyre valves have turned to cheese and cracked, or the clutch is rattling, it's a fair indication that you've got one of the Chinese Guzzis. The thing probably smells bad too. The plus side is, the black stuff sticks well, though in your case it's faux alligator skin, not real stuff. My alligator finish seems to have stayed stuck on as well (late 2002 model, 2003 plate). Perhaps they never stirred the tin of paint and all the good stuff was at the bottom. Mind you the horns are rusty disks of shite. Perhaps further indication of chinese manufacture. Just as well I can never find the horn button when I am looking for it. I rely on hand gestures and revenge.

Hmmmm. 'lightly raced'. How do you do that then ?