Steve G.

I like threads like this. Someone who is experiencing the 'unique' characteristics of the old school M.G. Garsdad, you mentioned your pinging is gone since you tuned up the Tenni. What can you attribute this to? Steve

Next time I'm at Chilliwack Moto Guzzi, I'll check with the guys. Steve

The headlight bucket and reflector is a part used since the late 70's on Laverdas. I recently purchased one for my Laverda Jota, so I can run my bike with or without my optional fairing. It is the exact unit used [bosch] on my '01 V11 Sport. I bought it from Laverda parts guru Wolfgang Haerter who runs Columbia Car and Cycle http://www.angelfire.com/biz/laverda/ . His prices are extremely competitive, [although less so right at the moment with USA/CDN exchange, but still unbeatable] and he will have it in stock. Plus he's a very cool guy, very knowledgeable with all things Italia. Plus, his main business is mail order around the world, so is very savvy on shipping internationally. Ciao, Steve

Sounds like a relay issue. Steve

Doesn't Moto Spezial www.moto-spezial.de have a selection of replacement tachometers? Steve

I remember Scott Russell got seriously injured in the same sort of thing @ Daytona. I seem to remember it was a stalled Ducati also. I've been to a few WSB races, they put the Ducati's idle at 3000 rpm so it won't stall. Steve

Dr. Gill, Your bike showed all the signs of the fuel system overheating, with heat induced fuel vapourisation, not the engine overheating. A seriously overheated engine would show signs of the pistons synching up in the cylinders, seizing, but would show serious oil smoke out of the exhaust, burning up. Steve

I think the most accurate statement to this subject would be "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I know that a motorcycle to an enthusiast is a personal thing, and to never put the machine down in ear/eye shot of that enthusiast. That said, an enthusiast should never automatically assume that what he/she thinks is great actually is, or to try and convince everyone that it really is good looking, Do you guys know how many passionite Yamaha Virago owners there are? Lots. Do you know that there are people who think that an MV Agusta 750 is ugly? Well, there are. General consensus of opinion always rings true, that's why a one bike commands more money than a similar bike of same vintage. It's usually because one is nice to look at and one is not. A Suzuki Madura of the early 80's, generally regarded as one of the ugliest bikes ever made, will never be worth as much as an early 80's Ducati F1 750, in general consensus one of the nicest of that vintage. Steve

In extreme overheated conditions, the oil actually burns within the engine. Of course, this will be an issue only if you use the regular "camel sweat" that certain known experts feel is adequete for these engines. This will NEVER be an issue if good quality full synthetic oil is used. In my experience running my early V11 in very hot [115deg F] conditions, vapour lock only happens when the bike is stopped for about the time it takes to gas up the tank and get a cold drink, about 5-10 minutes. Yes, it will take up to 3/4 hr before it cools off enough to start trouble free again. If only a cold garden hose didn't damage the engine, it would be an instant fix to this issue at a gas station. And yes, you may have prevented yours from doing it by moving the fuel line away from the rear of the left cylinder, the same issue mine had, which it no longer does since I moved the same line. Steve

Noteworthy?? Not really. I don't like V-Rods, so I'm not sticking up for it. But they were two up, which is a huge advantage for you. If he'd gone again with just him on board, he would have spanked you bad, those Porsche designed engines are strong!! Steve

There's only one Harley worth talking about, mentioning, uttering. The rest are just fluff. XR750. Jerry Branch cross flow heads. Twin Delortto pumper carbs, 110 hp. 380 ibs. Ciao, Steve

+1 !! Steve

I agree totally! Steve

A huge amount of accuracy in the above statement!! Ciao, Steve

I've had issues with my V11 since brand new. Mine is untouched except Staintunes and Ferracci airbox, there have been no changes at all in the pinging situation. And I use 94 ocatane Chevron only on this machine. It seems to do it when near a full throttle, and only in the 5000-6000rpm rev window, which is a shame as this is a particularly usefull rev range where torque and hp are in a good usefull area. If I travel in the USA, I find I'm short shifting the bike before 5000, where the best fuel you can find away from big hub cities is 92 octane. I'd like to find the issue, but am not willing to spend thousands in pistons and head work to fix it, I find this method a real head shaker [V11, no pun intended]. Ciao, Steve

So, anyways, how's your day doing??

I've always been curious on TOTAL production #'s. There have always been bragging rights of sorts with owners of Tenni's and Rosso's, but the regular green V11's production was not that much bigger from the info I've dug up, perhaps less than 550 units a yr. Steve

A V11 Sport on the Isle of Man! Gosh that must be pure heaven 4 months of the yr! I've been to the TT, so I know how lovely it is there in the spring/summer. Ciao, Steve

Well, I feel kind of left out here, as I never did receive a copy of what is being sent around. I count myself as someone who could be considered abrupt in a forum, to a point, mnuch they way I am in real life, not one of the worst or best, kind of in the middle of this fine group. So I guess I should kind of expect one?? I hope this is just a well timed wake up notice rather than a probation with a possible termination. I kind of miss those global warming threads, although I can only imagine how much time Ratchet spends on them, instead of riding. Must be a real typer, or a fast copy & paste guy. I'm off motorcycle riding in Mexico for 2 wks, so I hope all is well with the forum when I check in again, and see the same "lettered faces" digging up stuff to chat about. I hope I'm still on board myself. I've never been kicked off a forum before. Ciao, Steve

Geez Nogbad, I had it all wrong. I actually thought you were one of the moderators. Ciao, Steve

It's going to be tough brushing up on 3 new languages for this tour, and as you can see, my Italian is virtually non-existant. Steve

I Al, What took you to N.C. anyways? Just curious. There's nothing wrong with northern California in my books. Well, the bay area is a bit busy, but it's because it's so nice. Ciao, Steve

Good!! That day can't come soon enough!! I'm sick of wearing jackets to avoid death! Ciao, Steve

Full synthetic! Period. Don't @#!#$# around with thinner oil in the winter, and thicker oil in summer. Waste of your time. Just one type, 15w-50 full synthetic. Ciao, Steve