belfastguzzi

There are plenty of comments about why it is not easily possible. I can't recall anyone embarking on the engineering that would be required to do it. Apart from wanting to tackle an Everest-like challenge for the sake of it, I don't see that it is really worth doing. The v11 engine has its own charm and is, in a way, better matched to the level of technology of the rest of the V11. In real life, the V11 goes well enough too, compared with the new Guzzis. (For example, you are still stuck with the V11 rear end, which, also, you would have to find a way to match up to. Or would you try to install the whole carc assembly?). Wait until there is a truly new MG engine with water cooling, to provide an interesting challenge.

Just a pic I came across, not custom made, I'm afraid. You should be at home with this one

No, my post was saying the opposite. I bought it because it looks good (mostly good but not completely great from all viewpoints). I understand the UK performance was 357 units sold when the target was 650.

That's a rubbish idea.

I sure I'll find out when I get my glasses but is that poor girl really called 'Roger'? It's a girl? I need to put my glasses on.

I too quite like the Griso frame and am not distressed by the high arc of the design. For me it's the big oil cooler box that does the visual damage. Just as a comment on the room between the frames though: I think that you will have more room in there with your motor, than there is with the 8V 1200. Yes, the space between the wide, high tubes is needed for the tank and the high alternator, but it is all very tight in the 8V, which of course is the current version. I have not seen under the tank of the previous models, but I think that the 8V sits higher. I have previously posted photos of the problems that I found because the tank sits right against the 8V motor. There is rubbing in various places, I found an alternator wire rubbed through to the live cable, I found rubber hoses crushed; and there is no room for manoeuvre with the tight fuel lines and the very tight tank drain lines. The drains exit from the rear of the 8V tank, different to the earlier model and I surmise that is because the 8V motor is too high to have the drain outlets where they were originally designed, so they had to be moved back to the rear end of the tank, where there still isn't room for them. The whole thing is very long of course and my biggest complaint about the design would be its immense weight. From some angles it's beautiful in the way that a bike should be. From other angles it's odd and awkward. Overall, it is the best looking modern Guzzi and the one I chose to buy. It was bought on looks, as no test ride was possible.

Dealers closing: here, there and everywhere. Now one of the big high-profile stack 'em high & sell 'em cheap stores has gone down. From The Sun BRITAIN'S biggest motorbike dealer is crashing into administration — as the latest victim of the slowdown tearing through the high street. GEORGE WHITE ceased trading after running out of cash. And sources claim staff at dealerships in Swindon, Plymouth and Torbay were being made redundant. The company sells everything from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Piaggio bikes from five dealerships. The company plunged £663,784 into the red in 2010 on sales of £26million and warned it was having to cut jobs. Swindon-based George White was set up in 1961 former Swindon speedway rider George White. Restructuring experts DELOITTE were appointed to the business and confirmed 61 of 70 jobs had gone. ...consultants BEGBIES TRAYNOR said there was a 24 per cent rise in companies on the "critical list" in the final three months of last year. Story is also on MCN website and one of the comments seems a fair summary: in a way not surprised, the xj6s i have at the moment cost me £4k from there, less than most used ones were selling for - the zx6r i bought there in 09 was so cheap, when i got knocked off and it was wrote-off i made a £400 profit! (and kept the 2 paddock stands and other freebies they chucked in). Their business model was stack 'em high sell 'em cheap - i reckon they did a bit too much stackin', not enough selling. They were also clearly concerned about this business model and the high price of jap bikes that the floor was not that full when we last went (xmas week), and much of the stock was the italian stuff they had diversified into. They moved to their new showrooms in Swindon (from manchester road) not long before the credit-crisis, and although the 0% deals helped, we often wondered how they stayed solvent. Shame for some of the folk who worked there - some were unhelpful and probably were part of the demise. I have to say the after-sales was rubbish, they didn't register my xj6s with yam uk for 2 months until i threatened to kick up a stink (meaning my warranty was not ready to go and the free RAC cover wasn't on the system). The shop and the 'auto-jumble' were quite good for kit, but i bet many of their smaller rivals in abingdon, gloucester, cheltenham, cirensester, trowbridge etc are breathing a collective sigh of relief as they must have been taking a lot of business away (ruthless, tight toe-rags like me!).

I'd like to try something with a fairing just to see what difference some level of comfort, ease through the air and protection from weather makes. I've never tried anything with a fairing before at all, apart from the pressed-frame Yamaha 80 that was my first bike and had leg shields! Oh and the Scura's little bikini fairing. I'd also like to pull my V11 apart. No, seriously.

It's probably a man with long hair. Remember?

(Source: Rolling Stone's Alt-Rock-A-Rama) Ten Commandments of Guitar Playing – and perhaps bike fettling In 1976, Moris Tepper joined Captain Beefheart's Magic Band as guitarist; a position he held until Vliet's retirement in 1982. It was during this period that Tepper was handed the "Ten Commandments of Guitar Playing," as written by Beefheart himself. The list read as follows. 1. Listen to the birds. That's where all the music comes from. Birds know everything about how it should sound and where that sound should come from. And watch hummingbirds. They fly really fast, but a lot of times they aren't going anywhere. 2. Your guitar is not really a guitar. Your guitar is a divining rod. Use it to find spirits in the other world and bring them over. A guitar is also a fishing rod. If you're good, you'll land a big one. 3. Practice in front of a bush. Wait until the moon is out, then go outside, eat a multi-grained bread and play your guitar to a bush. If the bush doesn't shake, eat another piece of bread. 4. Walk with the devil. Old Delta blues players referred to guitar amplifiers as the "devil box." And they were right. You have to be an equal opportunity employer in terms of who you're brining over from the other side. Electricity attracts devils and demons. Other instruments attract other spirits. An acoustic guitar attracts Casper. A mandolin attracts Wendy. But an electric guitar attracts Beelzebub. 5. If you're guilty of thinking, you're out. If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something that is fur bearing. 6. Never point your guitar at anyone. Your instrument has more clout than lightning. Just hit a big chord then run outside to hear it. But make sure you are not standing in an open field. 7. Always carry a church key. That's your key-man clause. Like One String Sam. He's one. He was a Detroit street musician who played in the fifties on a homemade instrument. His song "I Need a Hundred Dollars" is warm pie. Another key to the church is Hubert Sumlin, Howlin' Wolf's guitar player. He just stands there like the Statue of Liberty — making you want to look up her dress the whole time to see how he's doing it. 8. Don't wipe the sweat off your instrument. You need that stink on there. Then you have to get that stink onto your music. 9. Keep your guitar in a dark place. When you're not playing your guitar, cover it and keep it in a dark place. If you don't play your guitar for more than a day, be sure you put a saucer of water in with it. 10. You gotta have a hood for your engine. Keep that hat on. A hat is a pressure cooker. If you have a roof on your house, the hot air can't escape. Even a lima bean has to have a piece of wet paper around it to make it grow.

Out of the Hut http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM0xXRSSumQ The Scura Gang decided to give one of those Moto Guzzi World Club outings a go. It was ok: as you can see, people were fine out on the ride, but to be honest, the World Club president and and his lady friend got up to some odd things in the hotel. Plus What Moto Guzzi never told you – the real origin of the Tenni (when R&D goes wrong)

Oh, well, I know that I invited comment etc, but I didn't expect, um, well, anyway try here > www.newmodels.com Are you looking for a keeper or something for a spring fling?

Which is just the way of it, as it's a one-model, small factory, V11 interest site. As we've reflected on a number of times before: the bike is not a current model and most of the technical issues have surfaced and been sorted (or been resigned to) long ago... The technical sub-forums will always be very important. They will always function as a manual and an archive – to consult – but as eureka moment discussion boards, they are never again going to be as lively as they used to be. There isn't the same need for ongoing technical exploration, so it's other aspects of V11 ownership that are more prominent: the social exchange of the forum; the sharing of travel, rides and other exploits; the general comments and banter that keep things ticking over. As we discussed before and as was implemented, I do think it's worth having the section here for current MG models. That helps maintain interest for many who have acquired a new model since the V11; it can bring new people; and it will continue some element of new technical and help discussions. *Warning* Self-referential Joke Coming Up > > > Of course it's not just the V11 that isn't a current model any more. A good few of the riders are maturing/rusting/past their sell-by date.

Had a quick look to find last 'year's topic. It didn't take long, as there were so few posts over the year. As the man said, "*&£$ It's quiet here!" This year might be even quieter, speaking personally. *Tries to bend knee* to shuffle to kitchen for mug of Horlicks. Nostalgia This day last year:

latest update from the sub-tropical south. Nice sunny day (Sunday). Can't work out if this is the end of a riding season or the beginning of a new one. What happened to winter ? must be tough oop north. Is that photo from today? It's true that today should really be the start of a new riding year. This day last year I posted some photos of the first ride of the new year – but was soundly told off 'cos there were no Guzzi photos (I was on Aprilia Dorsoduro). For this weekend, I thought about it, but I'm much too old now. That year's difference has been quite significant. I fear that February may be the start of my year.

That will be good. Please do put a pictorial record of the job on here. Good luck with it.

I don't think it needs amended. You noticed it on the forks, so fair comment. Good to have new info/discussion subject!

Mine is broken, but doesn't leak. What should I do? KB Go to Specsavers

Yeah, the Chinese models don't have a horn button. The battery couldn't cope. Do you have clips under the seat for a starting handle? (I know there's no point in asking if the starting handle itself is actually present.)

It's a Scura thing: the mattest blackest evilist leakiest brokenest bestest V11

Was that the team that also worked on the Barbera Cartland? Those were the days.

:notworthy:I bow to ya, thanks for explaining! now I know what to call the engine dressing on my '02 Lemans lol I have a 2002 V11 Le Mans and my engine didn't get the POX so can someone explain a Y or a what for this so i can sleep at night without wondering if and when this might happen to mine,Tanks. It could be one of those Chinese copy V11s. They used particularly strong, but toxic, industrial waste gel to stick the black stuff on, whereas the Italians were as sparing with their engine glue as they were with the grease. Open your crankcase and see if 'Made In China' is stamped inside. If your tyre valves have turned to cheese and cracked, or the clutch is rattling, it's a fair indication that you've got one of the Chinese Guzzis. The thing probably smells bad too. The plus side is, the black stuff sticks well, though in your case it's faux alligator skin, not real stuff.

For sure, but the interesting thing that the original post added was about the effect that carbon fibre itself can have. While we're very aware of the curse of metal to metal reactions, particularly in damp climates with added water and salts, I hadn't thought about cf in the same way. It's not dramatic, but it's interesting. Congrats on the V11 acquisition: enjoy! Which model? Oh, looking at your info, it's the LeMans, with fairing..?