Steve G.

I'm not 100% sure, but doesn't the 1100 Sport series have a square headlight? Ciao, Steve g.

Hi Jim, You must be wetting your pants with the latest rumour about one, like [1], MSG/01 going to Canada? Ready for a bidding war? Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Brian, Sorry ,I'm not sure how to use the personal message thing. I'm trying to remember the price of it, something about $1000us, which I believe is about half. I know what you're saying about cabin fever. I need to have a bike ready during those days when it is not raining to keep the bike urge down to a dull roar. I went riding today, but it was cool, no more than 40 deg f, my hand were useless after an hour. But it was great to get the thing out. It is amazing how an air cooled engine responds to cold dense air. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Brian, I noticed your message to me this morning regarding the avilability of Guzzi parts in Canada. It has to be said that for over 20 yrs, and up until late 2000, Canada was a not on the map importation wise with Guzzi. To answer your question on parts availability on new or old Guzzi parts accessories, other than your nearest dealer, there is nothing worth mentioning, aspecially for older stuff. Preceding the dramatic devaluation of the U.S. dollar against everything else, it made most sense to get parts for most everthing Guzzi from Agostini in Mandello. Here in the NorthWest coast, Moto International is the place, but my friends and myself have had a series of bungled orders from their parts and accessory guys, which frankly scared alot of business to Agostini, and MPH Harpers, and other guys in the U.S. Now that the Canadian dollar is in a much more positive exchange situation, and with the strong Euro against the Can. dollar, finding parts in current U.S. inventory will be the best way. Stuff that needs to be brought in from Europe will be of no savings, just stuff that was inventoried before the U.S. dollar crash. A Magni fairing in a shop inventory might be a long shot because of the cost, but you will have to get it from a shop, as the importer will only sell it to shops. I think it was a year ago that Moto International had a color keyed black Magni fairing kit in stock, and offered it to me at a very reasonable price, but as I would have had to paint it to match my green bike, it made no sense. That said, with regard to color matching, it does seem as though there is either two different shades of green for the early bikes, or inconsistant colors coming out of either Guzzi or Magni. Two V11s I've seen locally had very noticably bad color matching on the fairing, with the green anyways. It's pretty hard to screw up black, and well, I guess silver is straightforward to match as well. Ciao, Steve G.

Geez Lex, that magnificent polished stainless is what sets Staintune apart from everyone else. You bought these and you don't like gloss polish stainless? I think it is a cop out to use brushed, or satin finish on stainless. I agree that Neptune is nice stuff, and frankly don't much care if it is made in New Zealand or Australia. Both rate high. As for price, if you've ever tried to hand or buff machine polish that much stainless, you can understand the cost of a polished system. Ciao, Steve G.

Well, as those more knowledgable on this forum/site have taught me, something as simple as a valve tappet clearance being too tight can be the main problem with the stalling problem. My bike stalled, so I loosened up the clearances to "euro spec" and now it doesn't. The drivetrain lash I am assuming was/is an issue. It never was for my '01 V11, but when I took the bike in for the infamous world recall on the gearbox, not only was the gearbox nicer shifting, but it had no lash present. Whether or not this machine you are looking at is an early one which would fall under this call, I would not know. I do believe the recall still stands even on second hand bikes out of warranty, as it is something of a safety issue should the rare occurance happen and the offending gear sleeve crack, locking the rear wheel. Ciao, Steve G.

Here in Canada the Hinckley Triumphs resale value can be described one way; crash and burn! While the Guzzis, because of their rarity by comparison, seem to be retaining their value quite well thankyou. Sounds like you've has some bad luck with it. What happened with it since you bought it? Ciao, Steve G.

Great reading here lads. A well lubed up engine. The plate makes her outrun a jap superbike to 100mph. MMMMmmm! Well Enzo, I wish I had half your energy to the holy grail of extracting usable long term extra horsepower out of these lovely little v-twins. As you have displayed, you have been kind enough to use your V11 as a working test bed to these one off components. I wish you luck. Ciao, Steve G.

You guys living in Greater Vancouver might want to check around the local shops for tickets to the Seattle show. I just got 2 from Pacific Yamaha/BMW. Better than lining up in the rain for 1 1/2 hrs to get'em. Ciao, Steve G.

After close to 2 yrs of ownership, and cursing the stupid thing, I finally took that spring last week, cut it 25% shorter, and stretched it a bit. Now it fast idles on it's own. Ciao, Steve G.

Actually John, an excellent idea. I have Napolean Beren chrome mirrors on my Laverda, and have an extra one in new condition. You have just saved me money, and I must agree, that for the money the Beren is the best bar end out there. Ciao, Steve G.

I just recieved in the mail my invitation with a free gift ticket for the Cycle World show in Seattle. I see no mention of Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, or Paggio, but see that KTM is back in the show after an observed absence. I remember previous to last year that Moto Guzzi has a very small presence, basically Moto International flew the flag. It's still a neat show, worth the 110 mile drive south, and gives us a chance to sup an IPA at Pyramid across the street. Ciao, Steve G.

I happened to be at another local shop and asked on what they had in bar-ends. The guy showed me their one CRG bar end unit. It seems like a nice unit, small, but that's why they put the convex mirror in. Talked to one of the guys who has one on his R1, and said you really need one on both sides, as there were was a fairly large blind stop with just one. I was close to getting it, but the crazy price [$149cdn each] made me at first laugh, then slid it it back to him. I went to 3 bicycle places, looked at their bar ends, and the price was certainly very reasonable, but they mostly are attached by going into the end of the bar, where my bar end weight is. And I want to retain that. Soooo, it looks at this point as though the CRG unit is the one, but will have to be purchased outside of the country I reside to avoid the duel duty/taxes hit, and have the bar end weights machined to allow the CRG bracket to clamp down onto the weight. The ownership of this machine continues to be an enjoyable one. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Jim, I don't know who compared the Ducati ST3 to an FJR. One thing I can tell you, an ST3 Duck can't paint a black line out of virtually any corner. Believe me, the torque of that 1300 is just huge. No wonder it only has a 5 speed gearbox. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Chris, Are you looking to extend the front of the front fender or the rear of it? Ciao, Steve G.

Lighter wheels will mean less unsprung weight, so I would assume a more controlled suspension, and perhaps quicker steering. Ciao, Steve G.

Bare in mind that a squeeling brake pad is a hard brake pad. Ones that are prone to not squeeling are soft ones. At 30,000kms, I must say I have no complaints with the factory brake pads, in fact as a rider who mostly ignores the rear brake, I can say that the factory front pads have had a hard tour of duty, my riding style is one of braking hard and late. That said, I will be replacing the worn out ones with EBC pads, mainly because the EBC replacement for the factory rear pads has transformed the rear brake from a total piece of shit to a nicely moderating and strong [and long lasting] brake. I guess it's just like oil, or tires, or helmets. Once you've had good luck/service with a make, you stick with it until it buggers up. Ciao, Steve G.

The headlight unit, the Bosch one on the V11 Sport/Naked, is the exact unit used on 74-82 Laverda big triples, and later twins. Mallossi, or John Tickel headlight brackets will adjust to just about any size forks. Ciao, Steve G.

Do yourself a favour and check ALL of the plugins around your bike, introducing some delectric grease on each of them. I'm thinking it is probably the clutch bypass switch on the left handlbar. Ciao, Steve G.

Not sure why you would at first pay a premium to get a V11 with a fairing [Lemans] , but I know that the standard and reduly available Bosch headlight bucket and bracketry is available from,,,,, Moto Guzzi. Ciao, Steve G.

And these gel cell or dry cell batteries should be charged and maintained as per the manufacturerers spec. For example, my new Oddysey battery specifically mentions NOT to put it on a trickle charger, especially during the winter. It will last at least 8 months before needing a charge. Ciao, Steve G.

I can confirm with my Garmin that with the Veglias anyways, the speed and odometer reading are both 5-7% optimistic. With that in mind, it would seem Kiwi Dave is getting a very good 55miles to the Imperial gallon. Not unheard of, my Norton get's close to 60, my Laverda about 45, the V11 about 45, and my CBX about 30-35. Remember that the Imperial gallon is about 15% bigger than the US gallon. Something about fuel injection should be realized, that while very good fuel economy can be had with carefull and conservative throttle, aggressive throttle openings will blow the mileage all to hell, much more than carbureted machines. And injector nossle does not care but to spray the fuel you ask for, where a carburetor offers it with some dependancy on engine vaccum, cam profile, many different variables. IMHO, expected range with the slightly smaller early tanked V11's [rubber pad on top] at around 220-300 kms [150-188 miles]. Any more or less, and I feel there may be either a fuel cylinder wash happening, or are so lean you may be flirting with piston or exhaust valve over heating. Ciao, Steve G.

Jim, Even if they do produce this bike and make it actually available for sale to common folk, what chance do you think Moto Guzzi would spend the silly amount of money it would take to DOT the thing for Transport Canada? Realistically, they would expect to sell maybe, 20-30 of these in Canada, max! I think you should start preparing yourself for the procedure of bringing a new one of these from the states, partially disassembled, where after reassembly and motor vehicle inspection, you will have to register it as a "2005 U-Build". Ciao, Steve G.

When you think about it, a free flow air box and exhaust should improve the mileage. Bloody P Commander! Ciao, Steve G.

Gthyni, I don't recall infering that I was a faster rider than Mr. Xaus. In fact I would bet the farm that Mr. Xaus would be offering the rear view of his bike to 99.9% of the motorcycle riders on this world, in spite of my or anyone elses best efforts. The problem he has, is that he is riding with the best 1%. It's just a shame this pretender of greatness has marred such a lovely picture of the umbrella girl. Don't get me wrong, I really like the guy, love his "balls out"style, his big knees hanging out all over the place. There is a place for him on the grid of Moto GP, for the entertainment value alone. Oh, and I spelled his name wrong on purpose. Helicopter Jim is not the only guy who likes to wake up the forum the odd time! Ciao, Steve G.