chamberlin

Valves have been adjusted! It really wasn't that bad, just had to try to predict how much change would occur during tightening of the locknut. Once that was figured out, it was easy to get the lash to acceptable numbers. Got my TPS set to 150mV full closed, and 521mV at idle. I have the air bleeds at about 1.75 turns out at the moment. For now, I adjusted the balancer knob by guessing and feeling the motor smooth out a little. I am getting a new exhaust soon, so I didn't want to do a full vacuum balance check until the new exhaust is installed. When the time comes, I will close both air bleeds and use this electronic differential pressure gauge (which my company makes). I am not sure if it will be able to buffer out the pulses like a nice column of Mercury would, but I will give it a go since I have access to this $800 gauge.

Docc, what do I need to get to see the ECU parameters? Is it GuzziDiag or something like that? How can you monitor Carbon Monoxide levels? I know you can trim the CO with the air bleed screws. It's idling nice, right at about 1000 rpm now...but a little sputtering/backfire at cracking of the throttle. I am sure those giant K&N pods aren't helping the situation.

BTW, checked the valve lash today, and they were both set pretty much at .006 and .008 (intake and exhaust). Definitely not out of spec. I tightened them all up just a smidgeon though. Bike still has some minor fueling issues which I can tackle now that I know the valves are set. Plugs were gapped correctly, and were mostly tan with some black soot (probably from me idling the bike or from short runs that didn't reach full operating temp). I am nearly 100% positive though, that the throttle bodies have never been adjusted or balanced since the factory set them. I've got my trusty test harness now, so I will proceed with TPS and TB balance once the weather cools off a little bit (almost 100 deg F today). Gotta borrow a floor fan too.

I don't think that they have made these exhausts for quite a few years now. I got lucky and found this one on fleaBay by accident. The seller had it ceramic coated, but never installed it - I think it has to be one of the last new V11 Quat-D Ex Box exhausts anywhere.

Thanks guys! Can't wait to get it installed. I will try to do a weight comparison too... No more worries of the cross-over pipe failing I guess! The package should be here by next weekend, and I am pulling off the "old" exhaust today. Anybody want two nice CF LaFranconi's and brand new FBF crossover? I guess I better wait to see how the QuatD fits and sounds before I ditch the stockers. I have to admit, I've heard it really doesn't sound that great, and even performance wise it isn't really an improvement. However, I really like the visuals of the cleaned up back end, and I am looking forward to getting rid of the exhaust hangers/rear foot pegs too. I'll be sure to make a video for you guys once it's installed. Thanks from the photo from Italy, I guess that's pretty much what my bike will look like! I like the slant cut on that pipe too. I do hope I like the grey ceramic coating, because I always had my heart set on that very Italian/racebike looking tarnished stainless metal like in the photo above. I suppose mine will never have any cosmetic issues though, as it has a full professional ceramic coating from Performance Coatings in Auburn, WA. http://www.performancecoatings.com/index2.html

OK so here's the *real* last piece! Brand new stainless steel Quat-D exhaust, ceramic coated. Had to have it.

Bonus! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Moto-Guzzi-TRUCK-TYPE-3-wheels-1951-moto-guzzi-ercole-/221563827655?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item33963bb5c7

Docc, maybe the recall notice is country specific? So there's another 450 bikes to this country another 300 to that country etc....and each group has its own recall notice?

I saw that too but I think its just leaves and mud...at least he should have washed the damn thing! Yea, little optimistic on price too....especially as compared to that nice cafe sport!

Nice Cafe! Nice price! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V11-Cafe-Sport-/191350366441 Ballabio http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V11-Sport-/351185846900

Yea, I think the "FF" in your bearing means double dust seal. But I think Roy is talking about an actual rubber 'boot' or flange that stops dirt from even getting near the bearing. Glad you got the $22 bearing!

Docc, I am glad you found the problem to your brake issue, but sorely disappointed you bought a $7 bearing for your rear wheel! I ride about 1000 miles a year combined on all my bikes, so am I a sucker for buying $46 bearings? Maybe so! But you ride about 1000 miles a week on your V11.......a generic $7 alternator bearing?!?!?!?! The silver goose deserves golden bearings! The OEM SKF is only $25 per bearing... http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1428 I know the rear wheel isn't seeing the same crazy axial and radial loading as the front wheel, but you already have seen what can happen when the bearing lets loose. I'd sure feel better about having a set of OEM bearings in there. I suppose the new Chinese stuff is quite acceptable for most applications (i.e. alternators!)...but personally I would not want to guinea pig that test on my bike's wheels, as compared to respectable bearing mfgs from France, Germany, or Japan. Sorry for the rant Docc! Here are some fun links for bearing nomenclature: http://www.gizmology.net/bearings.htm http://www.microbluebearings.com/pages/BEARING-NUMBER-CODE-REFERENCE.html http://www.engineerstudent.co.uk/bearing_numbers_explained.html http://www.ahrinternational.com/NSK_nomenclature.shtml

Hey thanks for the vote of confidence! I've just got confirmation that my TPS breakout harness shipped, so valves are first on the list for this weekend! I don't think this bike has ever been tuned since new, other than new plugs and wires. Like you, I am always striving to get to the point where I can tackle any issue that comes up in my own garage. Being able to do valves will be a good step in that direction, and I'm guessing it's rite of passage for every Guzzi owner!

Well it's a safe bet then, that it has a nice seat at least! I contacted the LeMans owner about the Quat-D but he didn't want to sell it separately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V11-LeMans-/151415756106 http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/mcy/4682167912.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/4681022051.html http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/mcd/4670644546.html http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/mcy/4671209565.html http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/4673322232.html http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/mcy/4676184695.html

Excellent! Thank you Tom, I will start there and work my way through! Much appreciated.

Sounds good Docc, yup, invite expires only after you or I do! I will start a new thread this weekend that will take us through start to finish! I am looking forward to putting some more miles on this jewel, but #1, I want to make sure I am not hurting the motor by running it out of tune (or too tight valves etc.), and #2, I want to keep what's left of my teeth!

Yes. I'll split Airfare with you, shelter, food, spirits, and a bike to ride! I may even have 3 bikes to choose from soon!

Thanks man! Throttle bodies are already cleaned up good from when I first got the bike and ditched the airbox. Good tip on the cold start cable linkage removal. I'll check out that FAQ guide again too. I think my biggest worry at this point, is setting up the valve lash correctly....everything else is just airflow and electronics, both of which I deal with every single day on the job. Either way, it sounds like fun and I am pretty sure there is some serious room for improvement, as this motor has a hell ofa vibration around 3300 and some backfiring on launch after a steady run....although some of that could be fuel map issues since I added the big KN pods.

Thanks for this guys! I just brought home a digital differential pressure gauge from work (we make laboratory instruments) and I'm excited to give this a try. I'm fairly certain that my bike has never had its valves adjusted or been re-balanced from factory settings. Been reading a lot of the TPS/valve lash/balancing posts, but it seems there is no one single comprehensive guide that lays out all the needed steps (with pics!). If I knew what the hell I was doing I'd make a video instructional myself! Anybody want to come to the Sonoran Desert, drink a bunch of beer, tune up a virgin V11 and go for a mountain tour? (not necessarily in that order!)

Two Coppas? Man I wish I coulda been there's for that gathering and tour! Would have been worth it to have you guys help me tune my motor before the ride! More pics!

Denis, when I first got my bike, the previous owner had a shop work on (i.e. butcher) the broken ITI speedo. They ended up "attaching" the stem using what appears to be JB weld. I had to snap it off to get the unit disassembled (as you know). It sounds like you are all set for now, but if you need more info, I might be able to take a closer look at the broken parts I have left lying around.

Yea, I couldn't find doo doo either.....except lots of bike show girls!

Glad you are just unhappy man, but otherwise ok!

http://augusta.craigslist.org/mcy/4657222796.html http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4658668520.html