Steve G.

The lovely on the left seems so "right" and true. I can't put a word on it. Steve

Yeah, you're probably right Bill. I always make the mistake in my mind of Lynnwood being part of Seattle, as that's where the sprawl really starts, actually it starts in Everett. Steve

So we can like, swear, and call each other nasties?? Steve

Part of their annual open house, their permanent dyno system is having a power shoot out, run what yu brung. If the weather holds, I might put my bone stock V11 on there. Hope the thing doesn't blow up, it's a long ride home on the thumb. Interstate 5 in north Burlington, 30 miles north of Seattle. Steve

Perhaps Pete can comment. I've always noticed that the California based bikes, [stone, etc] are much quieter. Now, I'm trying to separate the sound of the clutch chatter when you pull the clutch lever in, and, the V11's characteristic gearbox "chingle"at idle, which the Californias do not seem to have. I can only surmise that this is a result of the heavier flywheel on the 'Cali' , which reduses/stops the "speeding up and slowing down" of the engine, reducing the clattering noise on the gears of the gearbox main shaft. Am I correct in this Pete? Steve

Moto Guzzi, like other 'shafties', has the advantage over chain drive bikes, alignment wise, as the rear wheel is fixed. I've had a bent bike before, and the tire wear is not so much on the left or right of the tire, but generally a very quick wear out, right across the pattern. But, it's possible. Steve

If you spend some time on a highway/freeway, and you ride in the slow lane, the tire wear will be dictated where you are riding in the lane, near the crown, on the left side of center, right side of center, and how much 'crown' your roads have in your area. Steve

Tire threads are just like oil threads, which are just like apparel threads. Very personal. I can only tell you that the current Bridgstone BT021's are working very well on my early V11. I've gone to a 160/70/17 rear. Yes, there will be others that scorn Bridgestone, or sport touring tires, that theirs will be better, stickier, longer lasting, whatever. Get the tire for the type of riding you will be doing. Steve

With jump starting, your Dad's kind of correct. The battery/car doing the jumping must not be running, engine off. The two alternating currents of the two running engines can kill the ECU. If your battery has been put on a trickle charger rather than a battery tender, you could have cooked it. Sounds to me like your fuel injectors are dirty, causing a lean burn, back firing means lean mixture. Get rid of the gas, put fresh 92 octane with fuel injector cleaner in it. Take it for a ride to get it hot and see what it's like. The relays are a no brainer, get new ones. They can be had cheap from a forum member here. Steve

I've never heard of this company. Checking their site, looking at the prices/product, I can see that one could find much less expensive stuff of the same quality in the USA. If you live in England, I can see the advantages, but otherwise not. Steve

Here's a bit of useless trivia on your bike. The name, SF. This stands for the Anglo/Italian term super brake, SF is for "Super Freni". The first SF 750's, Laverda made their own brakes, a massive TLS vented beast, very good drum. Later they went to Brembo cast iron rotors like yours. Actually, I'm surprised yours doesn't have SF2 on the side covers, with those Brembos. Check the belt running the alternator. Really it's an industrial belt drive alternator, driven by a fan belt. Get an extra one, they on rare occasion fly off when really old. Keep the extra one under the seat. Steve

Your parts and accessory worries for this machine are gone, as the biggest supplier in the world is but 2 days mail away. http://www.angelfire.com/biz/laverda/ One of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet as well. Total bike nutter. Cheapest prices by far. Steve

Scura's, Rosso Mandello's, and Tenni's all have the dreaded aluminum flywheel associated with the single plate clutch. When I first heard a V11 clutch, I thought the thing was about to blow apart. I know now it's normal. Great idea Pete on raising idle. I've been thinking of raising it a bit more, to reduce engine braking in twisty roads. Steve

??? New fork springs when adjusting the clip ons?? Steve

I constantly keep telling myself not to place myself in 'the danger zone' of a 4 wheeled vehicle. But occasions still sneek up. Not 2 wks ago I was in the curb lane @ 35mph when a guy with full family load in an Explorer slowly crept up my left in the fast lane. As his front bumper and my front wheel were equal, he decided to lane change into my left shoulder. All I could do was take my left 'popeye' sized arm and cave in his hood with my fist. He quickly corrected himself back into his lane, fear of god on his face, and wife giving him shite, kids with eyes saucer shaped and mouth agape. They all scooted away ASAP, because I was a scarey motorcyclist. I hope it sunk in as he paid $1000 for a new hood! Steve As for road rage, I try to be more carefull, and tend to just take it now. There's people around here 'packin' heat' these days. They are also have in their pocession a 3500 ib battering ram, and simply put, you WILL lose. Stepping back taking a deep breath, and thanking whoever is responsible for all of us on this earth, that you are not the single celled creature that just fingered you is gratification enough.

A triple will be either a 1000 or 1200. If mechanical work, be carefull, in alot of cases, it's as expensive as Guzzi. If cosmetic, you would be surprised how reasonable it is. Steve

It's good to see Rossi now has one less competitor spoiling his chances [his Yamaha and his tires]. He's still the best rider in the world IMHO. Brilliant rider. Steve

Acuse me of being bias. But I find this new mount of yours extremely acceptable. This 750 twin SF is probably the only motorcycle engine ever made that can match the the robustness of the v-twin Moto Guzzi big block. This bike will easily last well into the next ice age. You should go to the annual Laverda Rally. 50% Moto Guzzis, and 50% Laverdas, mainly because Laverdas are so damn rare. Steve

Right on!! Steve

I've been to the Isle of Man, ridden Mad Sunday, ridden the track a dozen times, seen what the road is like. The North West 200 seems altogether way more dangerous! The riders have bollocks the size of watermelons!!! Frickin' amazing!! Steve

I was there too, very early. I stared at it like everyone else. Last year at the Vancouver Show, Helicopter Jim had his at the Guzzi display. Again, people stared in amazement that M.G. could make something like that. Squids, greasers, mods, everybody. Too bad they couldn't start it inside, it sounds over the top frickin' unreal. They could use that same body style and fit it to the new format of bike frames they have. Realistically, they will have to use an engine that currently meets noise and emission requirements, so the MGS-01 engine's state of tune will never be seen again. Just won't happen. In fact, I don't know why one of us hasn't tried to find this bodywork and adapt it to a standard V11. It would be much easier than adapting it to the new format. Hey Greg, is there a price listing for the bodywork for the MGS-01? I think I have a plan!! Steve

+1

I can hear and understand your frustration regarding the current import situation. For any non-Canadians, I'll just say we are presently getting royally screwed my Moto Guzzi. Totally #@$&@#@! Perhaps you should seek the advice of forum member Greg Field, current team member at Moto International. I seem to remember MI owner Dave Richardson used to be able to get Moto Guzzis in to Canada pre yr 2000, when the products from Mandello del Lario were outright banned!! Steve

Battery life will be reduced significantly, heat is the enemy of all batteries, wet cell, dry cell. But if you are going to go to all this trouble to get 6"x4"x8" of storage, you may have a bit too much time on your hands. Steve

The shop in Vancouver sounds unresponsive. Take it to the Guzzi shop in Chilliwack,they may have a different attitude. Oh, and when the cam gets changed again, make sure they put new tappets. I've heard of alot of cams being replaced using the old lifters!! And don't break the cam in using synthetic oil. They won't mate, it's too slippery. Steve