chamberlin

Hello Tommy, thanks for the good words! Keep the questions coming too, I should be able to help you out with your Cafe Sport. I will PM you the details for the gas tank; I think my buddy in Italy has another Cafe Sport tank available. The Aprillia mirrors are really Piaggio mirrors, and are common on TONS of Italian bikes. I even saw them on motorcycles used in the movie "The November Man" last night! Here is the guy I get my mirrors from: http://www.ebay.com/usr/moto-science Henri can get you ANY Italian mirror, no Chinese junk either....he is the man when it comes to mirrors. Just shoot him a message and tell him what mirrors you want with a picture. He even has versions with integrated turn signal lights. I've put these mirrors on my two Aprilia bikes, as well as both my Guzzis...they look good for most modern bikes, and don't shake too bad on the Guzzi! Henri will call you up too, and talk bikes - he is a great guy. He works out of California. Part#: Aprilia 858539 and AP8104921 (left and right) I did get the rear carbon fender from Teo Lamers in Netherlands, but it was just a random thing they had left over....I don't believe it is in production anymore. All I know is that when I saw it, I had to have it...I hate the black plastic OEM fender (once it gets scratched up that is). I'll keep an eye out for another carbon fender for you.

Great! Sounds like my tach doesn't need any fiddling with!

I am curious also, what you guys are getting for speed versus RPM. I have the SpeedHut gauges so my MPH is dead accurate. But I want to make sure I have my pulses per rev setting correct on the tachometer. I think I was getting about 4K @ 50mph in 4th gear. I also tried to get a reading at 60 in sixth, but the motor didn't like that combo, and was lugging a bit...my best guess was that it was turning just over 3K. The SpeedHut tach has an in-between setting of 2.5, whereas I'm at 2 pulses per rev now. Your confirming data will be appreciated! Cabernet, sounds like your translogic dash does the RPM figuring for you, that's cool!

How's the mating surface? I'm not exactly sure where this vent is located, although I did view the Harper's diagram.....does it mate against true block itself?

Yea, I agree with Gstallons on this one. My bike only had 6750 miles on it and I changed everything! (OK, I admit I'm nutz) but it's not really the mileage in this case that we're worried about... it's a 12 year old bike, and who knows what's been brewing in that tank! Especially with today's ethanol blends. Time is the real enemy here, not mileage. On top of that, it just takes one nasty fill-up to clog a filter, so at least start fresh and record the date and mileage like Gstallons said...and sleep well!

Fuel filter is easy...tank must come off the bike though. The filter I got was an exact replacement from UFI. Make sure you install it in the correct flow direction. I also purchased the proper crimp clamps too, which install very easily with a pair of front-end nippers. You most likely do not need a new pump gasket, but since your pulling the tank and pump, just pony up for the $40 gasket and have the piece of mind that your not going to leak fuel over a hot motor. I also recommend a carefully placed worm clamp on the fuel pump to prevent it from popping out of the aging plastic holder. After all that, I ended up getting a whole new pump assembly with gasket and filter included for about $270. See my 2003 V11serial number 1 thread for photos and more info.

Don't even bother... sounds like marbles in a large paint can. As far as the looks of the QuatD: the classical bike design of the V11 needs some proper mufflers that stick out Yea, I think you're right Jaap - maybe for the total custom V11 cafe racer or something the QuatD works visually... but for an otherwise stock V11, I think there are better choices. P.s. did you watch my final wrap-up videos on my restoration thread? I think the bike sounds pretty damn good with stock LaFranconi carbon fiber pipes. I'm definitely happy with the sound, and I still have the OEM look too.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/4634207453.html http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/mcy/4626491603.html http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/4630794560.html

Wow, I thought for sure LaFranconi would be able to supply the screws! Well, I am glad that you found the 6x10 screws you needed regardless!

I'm sure these guys can get you the correct fasteners: http://www.lafranconisilenziatori.com/eng/index.htm

One "last" piece to the puzzle! Thank you Matt for this '02 Scura damper!

Yes indeed Docc! Wish I could have it shipped out there for the Spine Raid! No chance of me driving it to Tennessee though; we'd have other spine related issues to deal with then! The bike only has about 6500-7000 miles on the motor and drive-line. The ITI speedo crapped out a few months before I bought it from the 2nd owner (who knew the first owner), and I think that's one of the reasons the PO was fed up with the bike...but bottom line, there is relatively low miles on all the spinning parts. So it looks like I will have to pop the rocker covers again and play with valves, then TPS and then throttle bodies. Sounds like 50% fun 50% PITA to me right now, after this long restoration journey...I guess it's the graduation final exam for a bachelor's in V11 mechanicals . I wish I had a local to help, who has done it before, but I suppose everything I need is right here on the forum! I work for an laboratory instrumentation company, and I happen to have a very nice digital differential pressure gauge I can use to balance the TB's once I get to that point. To me, it looks like nobody has messed with any of the original adjustments... which as we all know, can be a bad thing! I'd really like to get this bike tuned right. It's got plenty of power for me, so I'm not looking for a performance boost...I just want it to last a LONG time, and make sure the factory valve lash isn't set too tight, and verify that nothing's getting harmed in its current state (i.e. to lean, too rich, pinging, etc.).

Looks like they changed the light cluster alright! All this time looking at V11 photos, and I never noticed!

Thanks Docc, I got to hear almost 7grand today, when I went for a short 20 mile ride. It does sound really nice! It's too bad the helmet blocks most of the bike's song! Battery light? Am I missing something on my gauge cluster? Or are there no battery lights on the newer +'03 bikes? I've got L turn, R turn, Hi-beam, oil, neutral and low gas lights, but no battery/charging light that I can see... Some other things I noted on my ride... 1) It has an occasional mild back fire on what seems to be the right side...It seems to be, that whenever I do a high RPM run through the gears, then I slow down or stop, and then begin to accelerate slowly again (i.e. normal pace) I get the backfire and power loss (for 1 stroke). I don't know if it's happening as a backfire (intake side) or after-fire (exhaust side). I'm going to assume for now, that it's not a fuel pressure issue, since that stuff is all brand new. The bike's probably never been tuned with regard to the valve lash, TPS, and TB syncing. Plus, it now has a new crossover pipe and giant K&N air filters...lots of variables. 2) This motor's got quite a good shake around 3K...I had to install some padding on the new front turn signals, which are just barely touching the front carbon fiber bikini...they were making a hell of a racket when at just the right RPMs! 3) It was really hot and humid out today, and the bike really seemed to be running hot too.. I felt bad for it! I think I'm going to get one of those dipstick thermometers...any luck with those? 4) Looks like all the fluids are staying where they're supposed to! Only areas of note were a very minor weeping of oil around the front timing chest seam, and some that appears to be weeping out of the crank position sensor seam. 5) As I stated in the videos, the tranny shifts quite nicely and positively...I did notice however, there was an occasional 'kickback' on the shift lever when going into third gear if I rushed it. Hopefully that's just a matter of me re-programming my brain to delay shifting by a few ticks, and not an indication of a problem. 6) The riding position is pretty good for clip-ons (since I have the Jean Marc raised bars), but it's still gonna take some getting used to for my back and wrists, as compared to my other bikes. But I'll just drown out the pains with the sounds of Guzzi! 7) The SpeedHuts speedos are cool!!! I didn't realize they had so many options on the LCD...mileage plus time, mileage plus trip, digital speed, 1/4 mile times, 0-60 MPH times, compass direction, and even altitude! 8) The low gas warning light is intermittent...I only have about 2.5 gallons in the tank right now, but the light is on most of the time. Maybe it needs to be filled up to the top at least once when new? All in all, I am really pleased with the bike, and I think it's just the right balance of power and handling that I've been looking for. The crazy 140 HP Aprilia Tuono I had was just to hi-strung and twitchy, the Aprilia Mana was just too easy, and the Norge is just too big and heavy! The V11 has it all. Comments welcomed!

Thanks Docc for keeping them all organized over at the fileshare link! I was hoping you'd move Omobono over there for us!

Not sure they have Ace Hardware in France...

I could not find a separate Moto Guzzi part number for them in the diagram/breakdown documents. These must be LaFranconi assemblies. You will definitely be able to find inox hex button head replacements, but T30 TORX might be a little harder to find.

In addition to the full length video above, I also have a shorter video, that shows the bike's first start-up. You can also see how long it takes for the SpeedHut GPS signal to lock-on once the engine gets started. No music in this one, just Moto Goodness! Again, this is also unlisted, just for you guys. http://youtu.be/ssChZUKYc8I

Hello Stormtruck! Thanks for the good words! I know what you mean about the chrome inserts...but I had never planned on painting them. This was so I could try to somewhat keep an overall OEM look. Believe me, I HATE chrome...I just hate it...and that's why the first thing I did was to get rid of the factory Norge mirrors (plus they shake too much!). But I think I will keep these chrome inserts chrome for now. But I do have some special paint made for chrome...for simulated anodized look...I will have to consider it further and see what other colors are available. I hope you can find your blow-by leak, I can't imagine searching for any leak with all of the plastic body panels on! It's so nice to work on the Norge without the covers.

Thank you all very much guys for the good words and support!

Oh yea, thanks Docc! You got the AWB refrence! The second song also has a relative meaning, Tower of Power's "Back on the Streets Again"! Thanks for the good words, you had a lot to making this project move forward!

Well Docc, no ride report just yet, but here's a walk-around video that I made over the weekend. I forgot to include the first start-up clip ( ), so I will turn that into a separate video altogether. I really enjoyed overhauling this bike, and all the work, time, and money seems to be worth it so far! I love the sound of the bike, the torque, handling, and it's a totally unique experience, in the opposite direction from the big Norge 1200. Thank you Docc, and the rest of the guys who helped me out. I will continue to report on the bike's progress here, as well as making an official ride report at some point! This video is unlisted and is intended just for you folks- Enjoy! http://youtu.be/0Z0oQKs7TfA

Wow, that stuff looks like the ticket...I think I will get some K-100 after I finish up this 32 oz can of RaceGas additive. I admit, that my first 'Ethanol scrubbing' session was a bit intimidating, but went off without a hitch (or "spark" in this case!). The first gallon I washed took about 30 minutes, trying to figure out what funnels to use, how long to mix it up, pouring off the good stuff, discarding the bad stuff, and putting the left-over 85 Octane stuff in my Jeep (just a few ounces). Here's what the owner of RaceGas told me: "If you are trying to get your octane back to 91 (after removing the ethanol) you will need to add 3 ounces of our product to one gallon of gas. The rule of thumb is 1 ounce of RGC per gallon of pump fuel will raise the base fuel 2 full octane. Also, we don't have any chemical in the product that would damage your fuel system." So, for every 5 gallon batch of gas I make, I will need 15 ounces of RaceGas additive. That means I will only get two tank fulls with one 32 ounce can....at $41 a can...definitely not 'wallet friendly'. Fuel efficiency and saving money on gas is NOT my primary goal here, but there is a limit to my insanity. So I'm basically paying an additional $20 per tank of gas (not including the cost of the glass vessel, Mr. Funnel, distilled water, etc.). For reference, 5 gallons of premium costs about $18 bucks around here. So that's easily $40 per tank of pure gas for the V11... Yea, it feels good to buck the system and make simple chemistry work for me, but I think I will chalk this up to a fun experiment and call it quits once my supply of RaceGas additive runs out. The K-100 sounds like a much more viable and realistic solution to Ethanol induced tank expansion. I hope it works as advertised. At least I know for sure that my over-priced pure gas is safe in the tank! But hey, it was worth it for my now almost $10,000 restored V-11 LOL Here are some photos of the 1st gallon I made. I purposely over-saturated it with water, as the ambient temperatures were above 100 Def F. You need to add more water the warmer it is, but I went way past the minimum .45%. Out of all the components used here, water is obviously the one I can afford to waste a little bit of - it's OK to over-saturate. BTW, all the steps and mixing below were done outside, far away from the garage! The following photos are just to show the process.

Thanks a lot! Just for you, I took a hose to the bike this morning and made some more photos with the panniers installed. Also changed the motor oil, gearbox oil, bevel box oil, and flushed/bled all of the hydraulic systems. I feel sorry for the 'real' Norge owners when it comes for bike service. Every damn Norge oil change instructional I find on the internet is 95% on how to remove the plastic body panels, and only 5% actual oil change details. I know it's really not a Norge anymore with all the fancy tupperware, but it sure is easy to service the bike now. Plus I love the look of the Guzzi power plant!

Haha! I think I will try Denis' method shortly *after* I complete a successful batch and test ride of my own!