Lucky Phil

Yes the Guareschi brothers kit. It's very nice but have a think. You are taking an engine, transmission and final drive that is totally unsuited to a cutting edge pointy ended sports motorcycle and creating something thats trying to be just that. It's wheelbase is too long by a mile, its way to heavy, its an across the frame V twin, its not water cooled. I like the engine and drive system just fine but you're wasting your time using it in this context. Its natural element is in a GT style road bike. A Griso is about as close to a "sports bike" as this engine , gearbox and drive line should be to a cutting edge sports bike/track orientated tool. Ciao

Yes docc good images there and the price is as you can see more reasonable although by the time you add in the cost of a repaint to make it perfect again its going to be about 1/6 of the price of a good second hand bike. Ciao

The later units use a simple support bar that straddles the two rear mounts to give some mechanical integrity for the seat lock as the later cowl is pretty flimsy and wont take the strain of the seat lock assy mounted to it directly. Ciao

Changed for the 02 year model. Don't know what that means for the US as you guys confuse me with that year model stuff. BTW I have one of those later units here and they are about a million lbs lighter than the earlier units. And yes they are asking way to much for that. Ciao

I wouldn't because I'd already know I'd be wasting time talking to a tool. Ciao

Came across this thing advertised. You all know my views on this type of bike so I wont bore you with my views again. What if find hilarious is the studio shots in the DARK. Exactly what you need when considering a $45,000 purchase, lol. It gives the impression that there's not much to see and what there is we better try and hide. https://gtmotocycles.com/collections/builds Ciao

If you run those pegs you'll probably also need to modify your std brake and shifter to take these. Note they come with a plate that allows you to adjust the top peg height. Ciao

Well define massive amount of water. What makes you believe the suspended water enters your fuel after it's in your tank? I dont recall the fuel I buy being delivered to the gas station in hermetically sealed trucks and stored in air tight storage tanks. The anecdotal evidence also suggests owners living in more humid environments also suffer the problem to a greater extent. Ciao

Its been well recognised for years that the issue with the tanks swelling isn't the Ethanol but the additional water content held in suspension it attracts. This isn't a mystery that needs to be raked over again. If you run non Ethanol fuel you never have an issue. No ethanol, no significant water content in the fuel and no swelling problems. Ciao

I've also found out with the addition of a V block its good for locating the centre of any round object. Also for getting a piece set up close in a 4 jaw chuck. Ciao

It's the fuel. Non of my bikes are run on Ethanol fuel and non have tank swelling issues. Ciao

When this lockdown thing ends and life gets back to normal I'm going to see the guy around the corner thats a retired sheet metal craftsman that used to specialise in remaking and repairing bodywork for exotic cars and classic restorations. I'm going to ask him to teach me this art form if he will. I thought a good thing to learn on would be a V11 sport alloy tank. I'd like to actually make all the formers and bucks so I could make quite a few.....dreams,dreams. Ciao

Here's the solution Ciao

Another of my Grandfathers old tools. I've had it for years all covered in surface rust awaiting a refurb which I got around to last week. The bluing didnt turn out perfectly but thats ok as it adds to the patina a little. I believe its for use as a marking out tool on a surface plate? Chuck might be able to fill in the details? Starrett made in England and I'd guess somewhere around 75 years old, maybe more. Ciao

As part of my general clean up and rationalisation I have this Ventura rack system for the V11 along with 2 bags in decent condition. They came with my bike 10 years ago and I've never used them. One bag has some fading but the other looks very good. Not even sure both bags came with the rack but they both fit. Will fit any V11 with the old style seat fairing assembly, so definitely 99-01 models with the Red subframe and MAYBE the later black Subframe bikes with modification. Ventura list a different p/n for the "L" bracket whatever that is for the later bikes. $50US for anyone interested. I'm guessing the shipping to be around $75US to the states Ciao

Winner,winner chicken dinner to me. Ciao

It looks like a capacitor. Ciao

Even more "this is Italian". My 851 Ducati from 1987 arrived in the country during the change over to the international 17 digit VIN system. It had an engraved steel plate with the VIN on it stick welded over the original frame number stamped on the head stock by the Australian distributor. I can just imagine dealing with this piece of work authorities wise for the owner if it was ever necessary 30 or 40 years later. Ciao

You haven't mentioned fresh fuel? If its had old fuel sitting in there for 5 years then the injectors will probably need to come out and be professionally cleaned and the fuel filter replaced at a minimum. Ciao

Don't know but sounds like a waste of time to me. Firstly your downgrading the brakes and I'm sure a pair of 2015 USD forks would work better than the 20 year old Ohlins OEM grade forks anyway. Just get the std Griso forks upgraded with aftermarket internals. The rear shock wont transfer and there are better alternatives around now. There has been suspension progress in the last 20 years. Ciao

Well the suspension seemed fine to me but I'm a bit of a ride what you got guy to some extent. Some of my bikes have got some pretty exotic suspension on them like full race Ohlins (not the OEM Ohlins) and my track Gsxr1000 has a Wilbers rear shock as does my V11 and the 1000SS has an Ohlins. I dont remember the 900 Sport suspension being bad that's for sure. It's a funny thing as a good mate of mine has a Ducati 750 Sport which would be close to 20 years old I guess, it was bargain basement Ducati of it's day, steel swing arm and single front disk and plain Jane suspension. It's the same style as my bike. He's always laughing at the bike mag tests of his bike back when it was new about how bad the brakes and suspension were. Believe me when we ride together I'm working to keep up with him. He was an A grade road racer here in Australia back in the 70's and he's still pretty quick even on the road on a Bargain Basement 750 Ducati with "crap" suspension, at 72 years old! LOL. Yes the 1000SS came with full fairings and I bought some 3/4 fairings as I like the look. I also fitted Magnesium engine covers and valve covers and different disks and Titanium fasteners etc. It came std with the alloy arm, Its nice. The old 900 Sport had the steel arm painted silver. Ciao

Here's some images of my 900 Sport. I bought this bike as a cosmetic write off. They came originally with satin black paint and lower spec suspension and steel instead of alloy swing arm.The SS had the higher spec suspension and red paint.I repaired the cosmetics and painted it red. Sold it to a guy at work eventually. Personally I think they are MUCH easier to maintain than a V11. Remove the seat and unclip a rubber strap and the tank hinges up at the front and stays there with a built in prop and you can access the battery and throttle bodies etc, brilliant. External oil filter, chain final drive which can be totally replaced in 30 min,complete clutch replacement 45 min including the basket, reliable electrics,light weight, Desmo valves every 15,000 klm, easy peasy. Compare 1000 SS DS Ciao