Mr. Bean

I had this question a while back but got sidetracked by other stuff on the bike. Does anyone here have any experience with an open top airbox, either the FBF one or homebuilt on a V11 Sport? I'm really interested specifically in the Sport, Cafe Sport, Ballabio etc rther than the LeMans. I have a feeling looking at the LeMans fairing that it provides significantly more protection from rain than the Ballabio's flyscreen. I am interested in getting this mod but am concerned about rain water soaking the filter or worse. Randy

dlaing, Not sure if you were wanting 02's response or mine... On my bike the 350mv engine off TPS setting results in a warm idle of between 1050 and 1150 rpm. I get the idle speeds from the PowerCommander software but my tachometer shows 1100 ish as well. My 04 has the ITI ? tach though, not the Veglia. My valves are set to the "world" settings and my bleed screws are out approx 1 1/2 turns +/- about 1/8 turn for idle balance on the TwinMax set to maximum sensitivity. I know it's an 04 not a 2000 model, but for what it's worth... Randy

No problemo, although I certainly can't take the credit. I fiddled around alot with mine unnecessarily. If I had just done what Todd told me the first time it would have been a lot easier. But I wouldn't have had all the fun though... I have to say that the change in driveability is nothing short of amazing with these things. Every now and again I will load up a zero map just to remember what the original setup was like. (I know, I'm weird ) Lately I've been playing around with making my own maps such as a "mileage" map and other stuff just for a bit of fun. I guess it's a way of mixing two hobbies together! Randy

Yeah, Burrito Loco looks like a pretty common restaurant name, at least according to Google But the two (I think) Burrito Loco's here are a family run outfit. I've been going there for years, usually a couple times a week at work, and have watched their kids and cousins grow up working there. Gotta love those places that the owner sees you arrive outside and tells the cook to start your meal before you even get in the door. Or that's just a sign that I'm too predictable... R

Well Cafe Veloce is the same as it has always been...still has the bike decor and 10% off for riding in. This was as of a couple weeks ago anyway. As far as mexican food...the best in the area is actually down in Tacoma. A place called Moctezuma's http://www.moctezumas.com/ I am a bit of a mexican food snob...comes from growing up in New Mexico and Texas...and they are the best I've found around. Love the chile colorado But since you specifically said Seattle north...then I would say the second best place is a hole in the wall just north of Ballard on Holman Rd (across from the Dicksdrivein) It's called Burrito Loco. I think they used to have one in Kirkland and may still have one in U-Village, but the original has always been the best. Lemme know what you think... Randy

Thank everyone, that's what I was hoping to hear. It's gonna be sunny and warm today and I have all the stuff around the house done....! Randy

Hi all, Looking for some feedback here. Attached is what my spark plug looks like after a few hundred miles. Both plugs have the same appearance. They have had this appearance since new everytime I check or replace them. My question is about the uneven blackening of the ceramic nose on the plug. I have never seen a plug with this type of one sided coloration before and am just wondering if this is typical of these engines or do I need to rethink my tuning. The engine seems to run very well right now. Thanks, Randy

Thanks for the feedback guys. So sounds like the Neptunes, the Mistrals, M4's and Guzzi Ti's can all use the stock hangers. That gives me a starting point... Randy

As I can tell, they simply haven't updated their website. I bought my PCIII from Todd at Guzzitech (RacerX)..and it appears to be the same one as the one on the PowerCommander website. Todd does load his with a tweaked map though. Oh, my bike is an 04 Ballabio Randy

Not to hijack this thread but maybe just nudge it off on a tangent... Can anyone advise which of the plethora of slip-ons available for the V11 will work with the stock brackets. I have the HB bags and don't really want to get rid of them in order to put new mufflers on. So far the only ones I'm sure use the stock brackets are the Neptunes. Does anyone know about: Mistrals FBF's M4's Staintunes or even Guzzi's own TI's? Thanks, Randy

Todd (RacerX) very patiently walked me through this when I bought a PCIII from him. The TPS for a STOCK V11 map uses a TPS of 350mv engine off. To get mine set right I had to undo what the dealer had done. Most dealers will reset the TPS to 525mv or so to get the bike to run right without a PCIII. First step is to make sure that the TPS is set to 150mv with the linkage disconnected and the cold start cog removed from the TB. When that is set rehook everything up and using the LEFT throttle set screw (opposit the TPS) set the idle to 350 with the engine off. Mine will run about 370mv with the engine actually idling. I have played around with various settings and it is quite noticeable that this is the proper setting for the "stock" map. You'll probably find the bike idles too low with this 350mv setting...just use the idle bleed screws and a TwinMAX to set the idle and idle balance where you want. Hope this helps. Randy

EBC has their Kevlar ones available. I believe it's the FA244 that fit the front on the V11. About $26.00 per pair at Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse if I remember correctly. Can't remember off-hand what the rear ones are. Randy

I have not used the 40 liter bags on the Guzzi but used to have them on my MZ Traveller. The Traveller weighed about 100 lbs less and had full side fairings so I did feel cross-winds much more on that bike with the bags on it. On the Guzzi, I must say I don't even know they are there when riding it. No turbulence that I can feel. The mounting rack is VERY strong and rigid. It feels like you could lift the entire bike with just the rack. As you can see, I did install the top part of the rack where a top-case would go. I assume this ads to the overall strength. The bags themselves are very good. Strong and simple. They are completely waterproof both in heavy rain or when washing the bike. The only downside is they are expensive. For me they were a no-brainer. In fact when I first decided I liked the Ballabio I was going to walk away and buy a BMW because I was told there were no hardbags available for the V11. After living with them on the MZ there was no way I was going without! Hope this helps, Randy

Here's a picture of my bike with the H&B 30 liter bags. Still not a perfect angle but I do think it shows the spacing of the brackets from the rear panels fairly well. Randy

Hmm...That is odd . Works perfectly using Firefox but produces error on IE. Anyway, if you are using IE go to http://www.servicemotoguzzi.com/IndexGuzzi.asp Then hover on the Download Area in the white box and pick your language. That worked for me on IE. Randy

Hi all, I may be the only one interested but just in case...I found the 2004 Owners Manual online at http://www.servicemotoguzzi.com/public/lum/index.asp?l=V11 My Ballabio shipped with a 2002 manual and I have been trying to get Ballabio specific info since I bought the bike. This is the regular V11 manual and covers the full V11 line. Randy

I have the Tourmaster textile pants and love them for their comfort, waterproofness, and armour. My only complaint is that they are like sandpaper to the tank. I messed up the tank on my MZ before I did something about it. When I picked up the Ballabio I immediately ordered some clear plastic protective sheets for the knee cut-out areas of the tank. These have done their job well...I can see where the scratches are on the plastic but the paint underneath is still perfect. Randy

Thanks! They aren't even listed as a TL center on the PowerCommander website. Once it warms up a little I think I will give them a call. Randy

Motomonster, Where did you get your map done? I have been calling around the Seattle area but none of the TL centers seem interested in doing a Guzzi. Two of them have said that they would have to buy an adapter for the exhaust sniffer and don't want to since it would not get much use after my bike. I can only wonder how much a simple exhaust adapter could cost??? Randy

I think this is what you need. http://www.ferracci.com/2002ferracci/tools/MDST-palm2.html This is the PDA version. There is also a PC version. Has anyone used either of these? Randy

I have been using some similar clear plastic to protect the paint on the tank in knee cutout areas. My cordura riding pants will do a number on the paint over time. It was from a company called Tank Slapper http://www.thetankslapper.com/ Stuff works great and molds very well to even compund curves on the tank it is practically invisible when on especially if you cut it to fit close to edges of the tank where the plastic bends or curves. I imagine it will work very well under the tank bag straps. Randy

Thats good to know about the EBC's...I haven't ridden in the rain with them yet. Been carrying too much stuff into work each day lately to take the bike. I'll use extra caution until I get used to them the next time I'm in the rain. I decided to use a different brand than the Brembos because of the quality of the ones that were in the bike to begin with. When two out of the four pads had 1/4 inch chunks of material broken off of the pads I had to wonder. And then there was my ongoing issue with the pads squealing...maybe related but not sure. Maybe Brembo sells their seconds to Guzzi! R

I just replaced mine with EBC FA244HH ones. These are the "double sintered" whatever that really means All I know is they seem to work well and I have finally rid myself of the awful squeal under normal braking! I got mine from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse at $26.00 per pair. http://www.mawonline.com/ebc.htm R

I would probably be in for that. Too early to tell for sure but when closer to we can try to set it up. Randy

As I understand it, Aprillia and Moto Guzzi aren't even going to show up for the Seattle Motorcycle show. It's pretty pathetic when you think about it from a marketing point of view. This is their one real chance to get folks to actually look at the bikes who would otherwise just dismiss magazine articles or ads based on preconcieved ideas. Sometimes I think MGNA must really be annoyed by those of us that actually buy a Moto Guzzi after all the obvious effort they go through to keep it from happening! Randy