Tom in Virginia

Ahh, southern Hemisphere summer at its finest. (Or is it fall there?) Very nice! Calling for chance of snow flurries tomorrow morning here in SE Virginia.

Thanks docc! Somehow I have managed to forget my skills in posting photos. I had been successful before, but apparently not any longer. Ahh, old age just keeps getting better!

https://ibb.co/Qc1Z13k https://ibb.co/X7QnMQK Got out on the 02 LeMans for a short meetup with a few friends. Turned over the odo to 3300 miles. Such a sweet stock ride!

I have tried to place 3 separate orders with Harpers for items related to the Lemans and 73 Eldo. All orders were ignored. I even called him twice for the seat pan which he said he had to go get from his seat builder. Never followed thru on that commitment either. I simply don't give them business anymore.

Here's a source for magnetic mounting of a tank bag. I have not contacted Moto Machines to see if they have installed on any V11 LeMans models since I used the SW Motec ring. This company also carried racks for Hepco/Becker side and top bags as well. https://www.motomachines.com/hepco-becker-lock-it-tank-ring-6-bolt-pattern-select-aprilia-moto-guzzi-triumph-cagiva-benelli-kawasaki-mz-bmw

Now that is simply art there Lucky Phil!

https://www.stein-dinse.biz/ I've had good luck with these guys on many different MG models.

I'd be interested in the Norge bag liners if not already sold. What's your price?

Not much better here mate, with exception of yesterday. Rain and temps broke for a nice ride, but the outlook here is rain, wind and cold, just like the UK. (I like that saying ... "Just pants!")

Dorset, UK Ten day outlook: Mon53°46° thru Friday 54°48° Sat51°44° Sun49°44° Mon

You know docc, based on frequent usage of the high/low beam "flicker switch" to warn cage drivers of travel path (and preclude left hand turns in front of me) it's very possible that the headlight bulb connector could be suspect. A burned fuse has occurred several times during underway travels where loss of tach, lights, etc. have occurred. My only reluctance is in breaking into a virgin motorcycle (fairing, etc., etc., etc. to get to the bulb) but since it's a V11 the time is coming (i.e., this winter) and cannot be put off any longer. Thanks for the tip.

Will do this over winter. Fairly easy to check. Thanks docc! Kiwi-Roy: "I have helped dozens of owners with Startus Interuptus, some other models suffer worse e.g. the CARC models that the wire from the relay to the solenoid is really tiny, it would be ok if the current was only ~10 Amps but its a real choke point for 40 Amps, my 07 Griso operated 3 x as fast just by increasing the wire to a No 18. Of course on the later 8 Valve bikes the wiring is even worse, they choked the current through the switch again." Thanks Roy, I will have to look at this condition on my 2016 Norge. It "cranks" with a good battery no problem but just doesn't seem to have much "umphh". Ahh, the life of owning Moto Guzzi's ... the work list is rapidly outnumbering the Honey-Do list!

Have same starting issue on 2002 LM, like new condition with 3000 miles now. This bike consistently blows fuse #5, thereby loosing lights, tach, etc. Surely a factory "installed" problem. lol. However, on the 2003 LM never have had any problems in 25K miles. Starts every time and never has burned any fuses.

LeMans has been delisted on MGNOC. Not sure if sold.

For those that might be interested in an older model LeMans: 1978 850 Le Mans Description *: Black and red. Garage kept . Stock. 8900 miles. one owner. new battery, plugs, fuel filter. Photo:: Asking Price: $9500.00 Name*: jennifer johnson City / State*: vienna (VA) Phone Number*: 17039382112

Good point PJPRO. For both of my MG LeMans, it was apparent on purchase that the previous owners ran too low tire pressures. On the front tire it led to (severe) cupping of the tread outside the center running bead of the tire. On test rides, this condition in turn aggravated handlebar/mirror vibration so much you would see double vision in the mirrors, making them almost useless. The 02 only had 2450 miles upon purchase but the front tire was noticeably cupped considering the mileage.

I have had the '02 only about a month now, have ridden it twice. It has very little miles on it and in new condition, but that doesn't help 18 years worth of new oxidation/corrosion on electrical connections for sure. First timeI rode it I think the battery was a bit low and had couple of issues. Changed out all the relays to OMRONs, no issues after that. 2nd time I rode it about 100 miles, no issues at all. Went to move it the back garage to the driveway a few days ago and when I pressed the starter button, started fine. About an hour later I am ready to go for a ride and go to start it .... "crickets". NOTHING. When I'd cycle the ignition switch and kill switch I could hear the fuel pump prime (?), but when pressing the starter button total silence. Cycled misc. handlebar switches, also to include kickstand and manual cycling of that switch. Cycled transmission into out of Neutral couple of times. Rolled bike back in forth in gear, then into Neutral. Investigated fuse box and found F4 (15 amp in the '02 and '03) fuse burned. Replaced. Still crickets. Carried on a few more times with switches/ignition/neutral/kill and then all of a sudden "viola!" it started without hesitation. So as usual, I turned to the V11 forum and your writeup to try and determine some reasoning/pathway for my problem. Thanks so much, wish I was more of an "sparky", apparently my brother and father got all those brains. But being an old "paper pusher" from engineering years back, I'm gonna print your (excellent) response/suggestions to go with the electrical schematic you drew and file it in my MG binder. Maybe this winter I can look at improving the starter wiring/circuitry.

Kiwi Roy, from your V11 Sport schematic ... "Refer to Test Point Layout drawing for additional troubleshooting info" Is there another drawing you refer to here, or would it be the schematic presented here? Having intermittent starting issue with an almost "new" 2600 miles 2002 LeMans and would like to troubleshoot using this schematic. Assume it is also applicable to 2002 LM? Thanks much for the easily readable/understandable drawing! Tom in VA

Photographers posted along the "Dragon's Tail" route did a great job of catching all the bikes as they went by. This is the first picture in over 50 years of riding of me actually underway on one of my beloved Moto Guzzi's. Can't wait until next years Spine Raid.

Got out for an extended ride on the "new" to me "new" '02 LM. Beautiful weather finally has arrived. Tipped the ODO over to 2650 miles. She's tight and runs like a good sewing machine.

That was halfway (300 of 600 miles ) to Spine Raid. Have a camper in the mountains on a creek that I use as my getaway pad to sleep and ride from since my "home" is in the flat lands of Eastern VA. I was just burning up some tree limbs after riding dirt bike THEN drinking a few cold ones. One thing led to another and the few cold ones lit the idea of "why not a fire?"

Here's a link to the photos I took during the weekend. Didn't pull out the camera, just the phone, but had a good time with docc and the guys. https://ibb.co/album/NtZSgC

Will it be engraved with "Last Edition Lucky Phil ... and Chuck"?

I messaged Chuck just now with my email and address for shipment upon fab.

Been out of loop for awhile on this topic, Any update on another batch being fab'd? I have an "02 anxiously awaiting for upgrade and want another to set on shelf in case i change the 03 current setup.