Steve G.

Well, don't worry Ratchet, I'm not about to get into a conversation with you on this one. I've seen what can happen when a contrary view is offered, the insanity of the global warming thread comes to mind. Unlike yourself, I'm not a chemical engineer, so when you say my assumtions are incorrect in every aspect here, I'm just going to shrug my shoulders and move on, it's not worth the sore typing finger. Obviously your background in plastic technology surpasses mine as well, so I'll call you next time I need advice on that as well. Good luck with your swelling tank. Steve

Thanks for the chemical description of the different alcohols available Ratchet. But my point is, Moto Guzzi and every other vehicle maker out there has had to use mandated tested "materials" that meet certain requirements, one being the specific " material " [don't want to confuse anyone about plastic vs vinyl vs Methyl alcohol vs Ethyl alcohol] made to make "fuel" tanks. Alcohol blended fuels were certainly available in most areas way before the 1999 V11 Sport was made, even before it was designed, even before it was prototyped. Clearly they would not have been issued Euro safety clearance or US DOT status if not using specific "materials". You mention fractions of a percent expansion over 10 yrs. I put to you that simple heat expansion of said tank material causes more than fractions of a percent expansion, never mind what the tank is holding. And when I talk of paint coming off the outside of the tank, I'm not talking of the tank expanding enough to separate the paint bond from the surface, I'm saying that if, using your chain of thought, the volatile fuel in the tank has compromized the tank material to an extent that it's causing it to expand, clearly it will also leach through the tank material very quickly in it's life, compromising the paint bond 'chemically' rather than 'physically'. I've owned a GSPD beemer, with 9 gallon tank, they've used them since the late 1980's, no issues with paint, decals, etc, made by Acerbis just like the MG V11 tanks. Steve

I've got to question this swelling fuel tank thing. I experienced side cover/fuel tank contact almost from new, clearly Moto Guzzi had not shimmed the rear of the tank properly. Can anyone here confirm if alcohol in fact swells plastic designed to carry and hold volatile liquids for many years?? I've got a container that holds pure wood alcohol [Methal Hydrate], they sell it by vast quantity, only using plastic containers. And even if it did swell the tank, to the point that it bubbled out to touch the forks, then what's happening to the other sealing and resting areas? The thing would be hemoraging gas from every possibilty. As well, if the structure of the plastic tank is being compromised to such a degree, why isn't the the paint and decals coming off on your hands? The problem surely lies with proper tank placement or previous damage to the triple tree stops. Steve

Actually, this device was invented in Japan, used all around the country. Steve

Alcohol in fuel is lethal for fibreglass tanks, the plastic ones are no problem. Steve

That would be Gord in service. Great guy, the only guy I really trust to work on my bike.

Hi Ryan, I would recommend North east oregon for sheer riding please. Use Baker City, John Day, Enterprise or that area as home base, you will be amazed at such obscenely great roads for bikes that are so close to us. Really, it's worth it. Steve

You might want to try "burping" the fuel line from the petcock. I've found over 8 yrs of ownership with my '01, that this heat vapour lock issue seems to get worse and worse until I vent the atomized gas vapour out of the line, or at least as much as wants to get out of there, afterwhich it has been problem free during heat until several heat cycles of operation build up atomized gas vapour again. It hasn't got hot enough here in Vancouver yet to see if my 'final straw' is going to eliminate this issue, which involved replacing the electric petcock for the manual one, as well as installing 'firesleeve' on the big fuel lines. Steve

This joke may be best for Canadians, but can be applied anywhere. Know why there's no CSI's in Newfoundland??? Everybody has the same DNA. Steve

I think it's just a continuation of the Global Warming thread, but in 'code'! "Temp Sensor" is really "Al Gore", "Thermal Diffusivity" is really "Rising Oceans". Steve

N/A in Canada. Will have to wait until 3:00am GMT Monday on Speedvision. Steve

Hi Andrew, Read your excellent PM on bikes. Yes, I'm pushing 6'4", and yes, the original footrest fitment was too much for my hockey weary knees. Quickly installed the now unavailable Moto Evolusione 'relocation kit' [20$, heck I gave it a try] and was instantly relieved. The fuel tank cutouts are very acomodating for we "flamingo legs" ! Just recently installed MPH's bar riser kit, way better comfort with questionable looks, but that's ok. My V11 has a much more agressive handlebar location than the Lemans you are looking for, it should be ok for you. As for the fairing of the Lemans. I've ridden both a Lemans, older R100RS, and newer R1150RS. It's pretty tough to inprove on near perfection with the German fairing design with true weather protection. But the V11 based Lemans fairing is pretty darn good I must say. I've had much better fairings in front of me than an older or newer RS or Lemans fairing, that looked better, but hey, this is a Guzzi forum after all. No sense rustling the bees nest!! Steve

Gosh, I hope he's able to get a handle on things. I can't imagine a situation where I'd 'want' to check out early before it's time. Steve

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http://www.guzzitalia.com/Annunci/Notizie-...ion-Vacant.html

I'll try to explain Metro Vancouver's 2 dealers while straddling the centre of the fence, as I see it. First off, both dealers, Valley MG/Yamaha in Chilliwack, and British Italian in downtown Vancouver, definitely have little time of each other. When you are both battling over a decidedly little piece of pie, it's understandable. Add to that the fact there's a landmark dealer just 100 miles down the road in Seattle, offering way better parts and accessory availability and prices, better knowledge, and except for the mechanical experience of the mechanic @ Valley, a way better service and parts situation. Gordie at Valley is definitely monotone by character, which could arguably be considered as snotty. Those who know him realize he's actually a quiet humble guy, what you see is what you get. The staff @ BI are a different bunch of guys. Salesman Mike has his own style, like it or hate it, but hey, he continually sells more MG than anyone else in Canada. Charlie is, well, Charlie, gruff, full of sharpe edged comment on just about anything, but again underneath all that a decent guy. The mechanics out back are a good bunch of guys, but perhaps because they have to deal with a multiple range of machine makes, their skills may be slightly diluted across their range. If I was going to ever get servicing done by someone other than me, I'd go to Valley. Wanting to get a deal on stuff, I'd talk to Greg @ MI in Seattle. Scooter Canada, the rep for MG in Canada, are frickin' idiots, and hamper the Canadian MG dealers by offering sorry assed parts back up, warranty backup, parts prices that are unbelievably too high, and show that they have no idea how the bike industry works. A few years ago, I was at one of the shops, and was offered a bike crate, which I loaded into my truck. It was a month later I was checking it out when I noticed the delivery sheet, and there on the paper was the dealer cost of the machine, which was a Griso. This price was essentially 50% more than MI's full retail price. Now instead of adjusting the price to something considered by normal people as close to reality, they instead go about the task of manipulating the powers of Transport Canada to essentially forbid Canadian purchasers of MG's to buy any bikes out of the USA. For this, I say F### you Scooter Canada. I shall never buy a new MG in Canada as long as Scooter Canada is the importer. Steve

Painted with a very big brush of course, but the last 8 yrs have been nothing but a government backed pyramid. It was bound to crumble. Steve

Actually, I kind of like that jacket. I'd want to see the retail on that thing, considering we regularly see 50-60$ t-shirts at local Guzzi shops. What's this sensor problem on your V11? Anything other owners should be looking at? Steve

This is good news. I like Gordie. Steve

Dare I say the good one??? Steve

Wellll ! Steve

Hey Pete, how did you get into Auz to live? I tried a few years ago, wouldn't let me, and I don't fiddle with koala bears or other inflatables. Steve

I'm sorry Todd. Well, if you are half as nice as Mike, you are nicer than 99% of the people I've met. I remember him showing up at the main hotel in La Joia on that V11 powered Quota, beer in hand, big smile and happy to be there. He was probably too drunk to remember me, but the words he expressed hung large with most of us. Steve

I too consider myself lucky I'm just 2 hrs drive from MI. The Canadian M.G. dealers have to deal with their own version of Piaggio USA, called Scooter Canada, bunch of clueless salesmen. Dealers here are spending alot of time shaking their heads. Steve