Steve G.

My humble appologies to those of Wales, and Scotland, nations in their own right. I have been lucky to have travelled extensively in both Wales and Scotland, by car, and most specially by motorcycle. I have many relatives in the Cardiff area, have enjoyed rabbett, and though I don't understand Welsh, I find it as beautifull to listen to as fine music. One of my most magical overnights ever in the UK was in the sea side town of Fishguard. And my Grandmother was Scottish [Russell]. I am a lover of single malt scotch, preferring Speyside origin, and belong to the Scotch Conneseures assoc. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Chris, You mention your dealer is a bit worried about doing the gearbox fix in 12 hrs. I think it would be possible once the guy has done a couple first. I'd like mine to be done after he'd done practice on some others first. I have to laugh at your little comment by your name, I think it goes " England, near Europe". Well said. England, lovely England, may she always be an island! Ciao, Steve G.

In general, you have to say that synthetic is the best thing you can do for your engine to increase it's service life. You do have to justify in your mind the extra cost of the stuff. In particular to the Moto Guzzi V11 based machines, it's quite simple really. Follow the manufacturers recommendation. Synthetic. I am starting to hear these stories about some additive in synthetic causing phenolic bearings [plastic race cages instead of brass] to break down. Unfortunately phenolic bearings are the norm these days instead of the rare occurance. The big rumour is synthetic gearbox oil damaging the races in the gearbox bearings. Surely a company would not call for synthetic knowing it would damage the bearings. Ciao, Steve G.

I'm really serious about this kit. I would probably be less a problem to run afoul to the factory warranty. One thing I really want to know is whether it will omit the possibility of using the factory available Techno bags which I have? I know that part of the kit includes bracketry to move the passenger footpegs/muffler mounts. I am assuming that the exhaust is moved around, and probably up. Ciao, Steve G.

I think the new engine cases look much better. The new substance appears to be some kind of properly baked on matte enamel. The old stuff look as if it was some kind of body shop rock guard out of a spray can. One thing I would be very concerned about regarding resale value, is the serial number. It should be stamped to the original numbers. And the type os stamping should be of the same size/font as original. Or alot of very important documentation from Moto Guzzi [including you being allowed to keep the old cases for proof] stating why the numbers are now different. This can make a huge difference price wise if you were to sell it privatly later on. Ciao, Steve G.

Still waiting for parts. Ciao, Steve G.

For the filter I got a 7 flute filter wrench from the local bike shop. You really should use 7 flute, just like the UFI filter. Most automotive filters are 9 flute, and if not carefull, will damage the very fine threads for the filter access port. Mine is made in the U.S. by Vector, part # 17030. For the filter access plate/port to the filter itself, I bought a 27mm or 1 1/16" bolt from the hardware store, and 2 nuts, which are then tightened together very tight on the end of the bolt opposite the bolts head , using the end of the bolt head to insert into the access port.[in bigger sizes metric and imperial sizes cross use, unlike in smaller sizes where, for example, 10mm and 3/8" are not exactly the same.] I think it cost me $3 cdn. Ciao, Steve G.

The easiest and cheapest fix for vibs on the early V11 is to replace the stock spin in bar end weights for the big ones available from Moto International.Without these bigger weights the vibration is actually quite bad. I have a high resistance to vibration, owning a Laverda 180 and Norton for years, but the stock setup on the V11 was real tough to take for long rides. Now it is much better, still enough to know the bike is running. The buckshot idea I have used before on other bikes and works well, but on the V11 the bar is not hollow as far as I can tell. I'd love to replace the stock ones with the Verlicchi ones, but can't get my mind around the price. Wow! Ciao, Steve G.

Funny, I've got an '01 V11, and my battery is already showing signs of going 'south'. It needs to be put on the battery tender to confirm starting.Seeing as I have owned the bike [from new] for 12 months now, I find this unacceptable. Not sure if this is covered under warranty. One thing I believe, is that the battery in these bikes are not strong enough, not enough rated cold cranking amps, much like Hinckley Triumphs, strictly mimimalist.The V11/Lemans has alot of electrical dependent systems which need a strong backup on startup. Fuel injection, starter, ignition, fuel valve opening. If and when this battery in my machine is done, I shall be looking at installing an Odyssey dry cell battery. High performance specs, impervious to vibration [and these bikes to shake enough to wreck a battery] Ciao, Steve G.

I have a very different view on this. I used to be an S100 believer [i used to get it free all the time winning show&shines], but realised that it is very caustic, and very strong. How strong? Well it took the cadmium plating off every bolt, nut and screw on my Norton. I used it as per instructions, but it made a mess. I use simple green now, but very carefully spray the soft paint brush with the stuff, and use it on the bottom area of an engine only. No paint, no rubber. The most important thing is removiong all of this residual cleaner, spraying it off good, drying it off with a towl, so you can detail the machine at the same time you dry it, and water helps.

I've riden all the Buells that have come out, including a weekend loan from the local dealer of a new "factory kitted" XB9 , headers, cams, chip, heads, the works really. Being that it is a much smaller bike, this appeared to be the main advantage of this bike over a V11. We can get into another thread over the reasons to take an engine known for it's bottom end torque, and make it rev to get it's power. In the old musclecar era, a big block was always slower out of the hole in the q-mile, but really stretched it's legs as it got going. I think this kitted XB9 suffered by making it rev, rather than getting more torque as these long stroke engines are known for.None of us were very impressed. We can get into another thread about Buell fit and finish, giving the casual observer the idea that these things are just home made kit bikes. But that conversation would also bring up the documented problems that Moto Guzzi sometimes has. More than once I have come back from an escorted demo ride with oil all over my left leg from a new Buell. Really! Ain't bikes great? Ciao, Steve G.

Hi John, I can tell you that my V11 has not been babied in the last 10 months since I got it new. No wheelies, or power shifts but lots of long high speed running at over 100mph in Montana and other states in the area for somtimes an hr at a time. The engine seems to like it, I guess. The gearbox has been mostly Japanese in nature, which is a complement. However, since new it has infrequently decided not to change up from second to third, as the shifter pedel has remained down for some internal reason. The only way it would return to "shift" position was to decelerate with some "firmness", whereby the reverse torque of the engine would flip the shifter back to static position. Not sure what the heck was going on with it, but it never got worse or better since new, with now 22,000kms. My buddies '02 Lemans has the same problem, only it won't go into 3rd ever. And he bought his bike new this fall from the M.G. dealer in Chilliwack B.C., and road it all the way to his home in Pentictin B.C., in second gear! Clearly this new gearbox has some issues! Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Mike, I'm wondering if your fork is slightly different on your '03 Lemans. My '01 V11 does not have a "hex" head on top as such [excepting the brass 19mm bolt I mentioned before] on the top of the fork, but just a flat diameter plate capping the top of the fork. It appears as though the tool of choice [yikes] would be a vise grip spread real wide. I apologise if I'm missing something here. Ciao, Steve

A major pet peeve for me, that plastic dipstick. The problem is you have to spin it in and then all the way out to read it. And the dipstick has ridges [because it is so bloody cheap] which let the oil work it's way up when you are spinning it thereby causing an incorrect reading. The Moto Guzzi aluminum d-stick seems to me to be what they should have used in the first place. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Mike, By top caps, do you mean the 19mm bolts which house [in a manner of speaking] the preload and damping screws? Steve G.

Thanks for the thought on that. I have been happy with Progressive on my other 3 bikes that I've changed over, and I am somewhat bigger than the average Italian Ciao, Steve G.

I talked to my dealer today, and he has ordered all parts needed. It was his second call today for the same problem, on a Rosso. He was a bit surprised that there were any. He got a message 2 weeks ago saying that no recall was going to happen in Canada, which we both found silly as the bikes in Canada go through MGNA and not directly from Italia. He relayed what was said to him, that no parts are left in stock at MGNA and that a big parts shipment will be coming from Mandello in 3 weeks. Well at least the weather here is kind of crappy, I could ride but not much fun. Ciao, Steve G.

I was beginning to think I would slide through without a problem but no. I got my letter today from MGNA. No sure if it affects all the bikes, but the VIN range is from ZGUKRAKR8YM111929 -- ZGUKRAKR11M114435, mfg dates Oct 99 to April 01. It is to install new improved shift rings and a redisigned Cush-drive assembly. Something about the sleeves for engagement of third and sixth gears breaking up and locking the gearbox. I've done alot of high speed running last year with the bike. Glad I was wearing leathers in case I found myself out on my ass if it were to have spit me off. I'm going to take this opportunity to have many things checked. Clutch rivets for looseness, gearbox case for cracks at frame bolt up join. Hopefully they have given the shops the go ahead to renew any seals that may be fiddled with. Steve G.

I'm thinking of installing one of these on the V11. I see that Ferracci as well as Evoluzione sell their own kits, slightly different look, and one is double the price of the other. The pictures that Ferracci show on his site are not that clear so it is tough to see what you get for your money. Any body out there have a kit on their Lemans/V11 bike? Any problems with it? Ciao, Steve

I've been detailing the bike during this rare snowfall we've been having. I'm noticing oil misting around the oil lines which connect to the frame. In my experience in owning old relics of the 2 wheeled variety, any time you plumb oil through a line from one place to another, "messy" happens. Is the oil capacity really not enough in the engine oil pan that they have to keep some up in the frame? Any ideas on stopping the misting at the mating of frame and oil lines? I've checked and they are tight. Steve

Always one to do as much of my own maintenance as possible, I am a bit puzzled as to the easy way to change fork oil in an upside down fork, with no drain holes in the bottom. Please tell me it's easier than taking each fork off and tipping it upside down, or taking it to the dealer. I've got a late 2001 V11 with the 40mm Marzocchi upside down units. Steve G.

It seems to me that where the snorkels are facing on this air box, the air is not clean, meaning it is not air that is smooth and uninterupted. It has the front forks, the oil filter, frame cross brace. So, to take advantage of the air to force feed it into the main box, to increase the air box pressure, you would have to put extentions to the current snorkels which reach out to the furthest point of the bike. Then you would have to be doing at least 100 mph for all this "ugly" ducting to make an effect. Think about it, look at a Hyabusa, zx12, zx10, and of thos things. Where is the air intake? At the very front of a highly wind tunnel designed fairing, sometimes actually using the frame of the bike as a conduite for the high pressure air. What I and [i think] most other V11 Lemans/Sport owners are looking for is midrange, which is what these engines are all about. So forget the snorkel mods. It has to be about the amount of air the filter/airbox can move, and the K&N filter in the factory air box, or the one by Fer racci. I do seem to remember that the Ferracci air box has eliminated the snorkel thing altogether, which can tell you that the snorkels are more for EPA intake noise reduction, and nothing else. So, I think one should go down to the auto parts place and get a K&N filter, and modify the top of the box. Or if you don't want to do that, do what I'm thinking of doing. Get another air box top, and modify it, cut the snorkels off, drill it with holes, in other words just use it as a means to hold the filter in place. Ciao, Steve G.

I know this has been covered quite a bit, as I've noticed on the FAQ segment, previous to me joining this site. There were some of you who modified/drilled the factory Lafranconi mufflers with holes drilled in the end of the can under the end of the cosmetic cap. I'm quite curious to hear feedback from those who modified the stock cans like this after living with the modifications for a while now. Have any of you done anything to 'clean out' the exhaust collector to give it a freer flowing status? Ciao, Steve

I have to agree with John. If people are looking for an all out hot rod superbike, it won't be a Moto Guzzi. Moto Guzzi is always going to attract a puchaser that is looking for an old fashioned simple engine design, easy maintanence, bomb proof mechanicals, and that thing "character". I've been very lucky to ride most every hot rod out there commonly found. GSXR 1000, Zx12, Hyabusa, FJR13, Duc 916. Most of these have truly nuclear power available at any revs or speeds. Very rarely do I wish I had one of these things in the garage. The speed is too easy. They also make half-ass riders look good because while they can't make it go into corners, they have the power to shoot up with the rest of the group. I call them point and shoot riders. I know I'm having more fun on the Guzzi because you are working harder, you are more involved, more into the feel of the bike. You can keep the 4 valve head and the hydraulic valves. I'll just uncork the exhaust, k& n filter, and, I know you guys will think I'm nuts, put on a slightly heavier flywheel. Ciao, Steve G Surrey, B.C.

At least you have a greasable u-joint. The front u-joint on my 01 V11 has one of those 'sealed for life' joints. The rear one has a grease nipple. Ciao, Steve G.