chamberlin

Here is the other location that *may* be another production date code...on the bottom side of the lower triple clamp:

My dream sister bike has been re listed also: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Moto-Guzzi-v11-sport-/321386451384?&_trksid=p2056016.m2516.l5255

Hahaha so much for being current! That's great news, it looks like a very nice stock bike, but more importantly, it's going to a good new home and we also have a new member here!

Sorry if some of these are repeats or duplicates, it's getting too hard to keep track now! But all of these should be current: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Moto-Guzzi-V1100-Sport-/131172047473?_trksid=p2054897.l4275 http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/4412224084.html http://bellingham.craigslist.org/mcy/4406262219.html http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/4420603425.html http://lakeland.craigslist.org/mcy/4381426995.html http://york.craigslist.org/mcy/4421607271.html http://denver.craigslist.org/mcd/4434331931.html http://stockton.craigslist.org/mcy/4431313394.html http://bellingham.craigslist.org/mcy/4429062822.html http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/mcd/4397049779.html

http://phoenix.en.craigslist.org/evl/mcy/4431731355.html Posted previously, but new photos of this greenie! P.s. the $3600 greenie in Phoenix from a few months ago came back on the market last week but was snatched up immediately this time...same price

Yuppers, February of 2003

My tank's been off since day 1! Here is a quick shot (photobucket mobile doesn't let you resize however- arrrghh).

Yes! Perfect! I'm done for tonight, but I'll pm you as soon as I get a second wind later this week!

Yes indeed, that should be step numero uno! Let's discuss that further on a fresh thread?

Yes, they would definitely keep their identity - we can't loose all of those posts and photos! Really, just the naming and organization of those threads would change. With regard to the registry however, it would not be a constantly updated forum post, nor be like the 'poll' function. It would be a separate database 'spreadsheet' type of thing that would be accessible to all V11lemans.com members. I've been looking at some other registry databases used for cars and such (I've been a part of a few myself with my former BMW 8 series and M coupe models). Some are very elaborate and require formal letters and approvals with photos! But others are by honor system that just let you type in your data with minimal credentials. I think we should have some drop down menu items for some items, and some fill-able boxes for VIN codes etc. More research needs to be done on my part, but I do have some MySQL gurus that work in my IT dept. Right now, I am a total newbie. Bottom line, the registry would certainly be linked someplace in the forums, but a new webpage would spawn when you actually go to enter or research the data.

Yes! Exactly Docc, a single sub forum that is pinned, but has the sub categories of each bike type underneath. The key thing is too, that they aren't labeled as "registries" but more like "here's me and my Tenni #142 checking in" kind of threads. The main forum might be called something like "All V11 Owners Check-in here!" The sub threads would be simply the model types broken out by model year (with distinctions made between what we agree upon is most logical model type break down...or if you and I can ever get around to re-doing the FAQ on the model types, we can use that!!!) My thoughts that are if we are to do a registry that has *any* sort of meaning and usefulness whatsoever, it cannot be based around an open ended chain of posts in a forum setting. Registries are limited in their usefulness to begin with, and in the forum posting layout, they aren't really even registries any more. Whaddya think?

Hahahaha! good one Docc I've been talking with Jaap about possibly setting up a MySQL database on the server, and coming up with a true user registry, as opposed to the forum picture thread registries. Maybe we can figure out some more production tidbits if we gather up enough build data. I know most guys here are actually out on their bikes with burnt knees, bugs in their nose, and are having the most fun you can have with your suspenders on.... but part of the fun (passion!) for me is researching and archiving the minutia, and catalogging the whole model line. If any of you are interested in helping create the database, I would really appreciate it. Jaap has alread approved the database and server hosting. I will start a new thread soon, but I am thinking at a minimum: Username Bike Model (drop down list) Bike Color (drop down list) Last 8 digits of VIN (i.e. 3M111111) Production Month Production Year additional items could be: certain features 'sold as' a model year XXXX modifications destroyed Y/N special edition serial number and BTW, I wasn't suggesting we eliminate the existing bike by bike registry threads, but just rename them to Owner/Picture threads by model type...maybe even group them into one forum header... Joe

And BTW, the higher the wine to pizza ratio, the better the build. Nobody wants a monday morning 'sober' built bike.

BTW I may have found another build date location today. While re-installing the horns after cleaning, I noticed a white ink stamp of "02 03" located on the underside of the lower triple clamp. Is this just a random number that happens to coincide with my bike's February '03 MFG plaque? Can anyone else confirm?

Thanks very much! I should have another little update this weekend with some luck! I couldn't even begin to take on this project without the help from guys on this forum! Viva La V11! Cheers to you as well-

Sent a PM Jaap-

Hahaha! thanks for posting docc- so if we ASSume the 2000 MY started in August of 1999, that means 1530 frames (at least) were serialized by March 2000. That's about 191 bikes a month...seems legitimate no?

Learn something here every day! You gotta state your build date now Docc!

LOL Vauge-Liar that's a good one. Those seem to work better though, than the ITI gauges! (ITI = Incredibly Tawdry Indicators)

Wow. 7/2002....that just blows my mind. That's a full 7 months before my bike was built, to which I *thought* was the first bike made with those features. Docc, the build date is located on the mfg plaque on the left side of the head tube.

A couple more big blows like this and I will turn back and forget all about the topic! But I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel just yet! Hmmm I thought the Aprilia thing happened well into the V11's life cycle, not so early on. I'll have to go read my Guzzi books instead of just admiring them on the coffee table!

Thanks for posting the pic PDoz! Another question: what was the production date on the plaque? Docc, don't think it can have the internal fuel pump and the chin pad together? They are completely different tanks...but maybe? Never heard of anyone converting their old style tank to internal fuel pump (to mitigate the vapor lock issue...). But I am curious about the Veglias and the wheelbase/tire width too! Flaky matte engine paint I suspect? Although your bike looks perfect, and my paint has become dull too.

Yes thanks- Originally, I was using the eBay app, and it doesn't show VINs...but I did find it later online. I now have a new thread started regarding production time frames.

Well that sure puts a spin on things! a 2M bike, but with all the next generation modifications? Well sh^$*%t! I guess my bike isn't the true first '03+ featured bike! Do you mind posting some photos? Yea, I guess I am trying to pin down both things...I assumed the '03 spec started with my frame, that would be February of 2003. I also would like to know if there is a fixed time period for the MY switch over, regardless of feature set. This is getting more complicated the further I get down the Italian rabbit hole! That does make a lot of sense, and does jive with the production of the 4M111155 bike I mentioned above (September '03 build month). But I don't know if I can continue down this path, knowing that serial production at Mandello Lario isn't true serial production! Italians are so passionate about things, why not solid record keeping!!!! I am sure the Aprilia (then Piaggio) ownership changes around this time didn't help the matter....

In talking with the seller of the very nice 2004 sport naked on eBay that is the twin brother to my bike, I have arrived at a very simple question, which may be common knowledge... My bike was the first V11 built in the model year 2003. Serial number 3M111111. Manufacture date is February 2003. The eBay bike is the 55th bike built for model year 2004. Serial number 4M111155. Manufacture date is September 2003. Does anyone know what month Moto Guzzi considers the first month of the new model year? Does this month change from year to year? We can't really determine anything from my bike's production date, since they could start building the new bikes at any date. However, knowing that both of these bikes were built in 2003, but cover two official model years as described by the VIN numbers, we now know that the model year transition is sometime between February and September! LOL! Unfortunately, because the V11 is such a low volume product, and the M.G. VIN number serialization is haphazard at best, it is very difficult to say that this 55th bike of M.Y. 2004 is near the beginning date of the production run or not. Some companies probably build 55+ bikes in a single day! But in Moto Guzzi-land, I am sure 55 V11 bikes could represent a month or more of production time. Any insight or conjecture is welcomed!