Martin Barrett

Got up early this am 1130 - on nights shift this week. Rode the 50 miles one hour (quickest but longer) to OYB to have the headers changed and service concluded. On getting there the chap pops out looks at my guzzi, " Sorry the headers we've got are the ones without the balance pipe" No progress on the blistered crankcase paint either - "waiting a call back from Guzzi UK - chasing same problem on another customers bike" So probably another six week wait for parts to arrive. It was a nice dry mild day for a ride , with the sun not too low. took the senic route back 40 miles hour quarter. Not to sure about the camera van. Was parked on my nearside facing me, rear doors open twin cameras facing out, towards the start of the limit on the exit/enterance of the village. I spotted it for what it was on the approach. paused (slow not stop) to allow oncoming traffic past and not squeezing past. Being responsible road user went past and like a complete idiot rather than being paranoid and making sure i didn't exceed 30, continued sedatly. By the time i reached the three small parrallel line on the road surface. Used to verify speed - distance traveled in set time between two exposures . was near 40 rather than 30 oops. Have to wait and see what the postman brings

No problem - If she doesn't stop - you just have to carry a mounting block, pick it up when she sets off and nip in front to place it as she arrives

Went to the UK motorcycle show yesterday. There was no Guzzi stand or any of the old Aprilla group Did find the UKMGOC and joined up . they had a cali on their pitch, there was also a T5 Spada near by and on a work bench company display an old single. Shame realy I was going to ask about warranty esp bubbly paint

Done it Leave and room booked for Friday and Saturday. When I rang up The lady initally quoted £45 a night untill made clear was part of "Buell" group. So they might still be taking normal bookings. I plan to break my journeys with overnight stays at my sisters at Penrith. so would arrive early Friday and stay late on the Sunday Have Jane leave the Nevada and ride the other, that way you can swap as the mood takes you. (Jane permitting)

Serviced on 22 september - warranty claim for header pipes and engine case blistering rang them this morning - "header pipes came in on Friday - nothing back on the engine cases - which doesn't suprise me " so booked in for fitting on 16 Nov I had only made one other chase up telephone call and that would have been four weeks ago. So friday could mean Friday or any time in the last 4 weeks and we haven't told you. They had previously forgoten to tell me when the replacement headlight arrived - a situation that worked to my financial favour.

Would be very tempted, but I would hate to push my luck. having got aproval to attend the GMC in september, a whole week away , I could get away with the UK V11 meet as well but not a third. especialy only a fortnight after the V11... but as i would be early shift on the friday and nights on the monday with weekend off. I feel a plan involving a single days of my leave entitlement. If I had to commit to one at this stage. it would be the V11 If I drop the GMC I could probably do a couple or three additional uk ones

I'm game echo most of the above, probably hit most of the UK within one day, but the far extremes of Scotland would probably make it a long days ride/slog having got permission to go to the GMC. It probably wouldn't go down to well for a Thursday - Monday weekend away. Just checked the calander - I'm due on nights fri-sun - so it makes no difference to how much leave I have to take. So anywhere is fine aside - I had taken an extra days leave on the monday after Jaaps international meeting to spend quality time with the family to make up for being away over the weekend , was due to be on a late shift so would be there in the evening for them. I spent the whole day at the hospital with my autistic 5 yearold waiting for an operation under sedation to remove playdoh from his ear, and recovery time. As the ENT Dr couldn't get it out on the sunday evening. Is it safe to leave the kids alone with SWMBO perhaps we ought hold it in my garden

directions to Jaap's incase you're passing and want to drop in for a chat and tea

The starter motor will not activate unless the clutch is pulled in I always pull the clutch in anyway on starting engine , it reduces the number of bits of engine/gearbox that you are turning over reducing drag. there is the theoretical disadvantage that with an engine that wont fire, and stuck in a position where you cant push, you won't be able to move it on the starter ie out of fuel and want to bump it up a kerb so the dregs drian to the petlock to get one more float bowl worth of distance

Mine started to crack at 3000 miles (6 months old) , about a month after I fitted the techno rack so had undone the muffler hanger bolt. The muffler moved during fitment but ended back in original position. I wouldn't have thought it to be a contributary factor, but who knows for sure.

mine went in to OYB last week for it's 1 year service and I raised warranty issues then - neutral light switch, cracks in header pipes (both) and the engine paint. Gave me the option keeping the loan Fazer, whilst waiting for parts. I opted to have the guzzi back. So service done, and neutral light switch. Photos sent off for crank cases to validate claim (pending) and waiting for headers to arrive before concluding service (setting up fueling). Last autum wanted a new headlight due to a stone smashing but not dislodging glass. Seemed to suffer the same fate as Al repacement fender. But when chased and found , was fitted under very favourable conditions. I think they were a bit embarrased. So at this point I won't condem OYB. Will have to see the out come on the paint and how long the headers take. Of course They were wanting paying for the service and replacement front tyre (5,600 miles). And I wanted the stamp in the book to validate my warranty for its second and final year. You do pay handsomely for it.

If you don't have a screwdriver to hand. Push the top of the head light back. Takes the presure of the spring and reach in past the fork tubes and tighten the adjuster by hand. Ideal if you've found its vibrated down on your first night time ride for a while. Having said that I've only had to do it the once. But my nightime riding is mainly lit or on motorway so lights in general a bit redundant.

Jaap, Thanks for hosting the meet My pictures

With out searching the threads - I think the concensus was to fit narrower tyres. to get a rounder profile (no pinching) to improve turning in. Baldini was considering the change to a smaller rim. This would bring the front and rear profiles closer and give a smoother turn in. The larger tyres are needed for the horsepower monsters to get it down on the road. I don't think our V11 match that discription, so is its down to asthetics. I like the look and lack the skill to have issues with the handling, not even adjusted the suspension, just ride.

Sorry wanted to but couldn't get time off work. Some of the chaps at Dodford said it's a good one reminds me must join uk mgoc and try and get to some of their other ones next year ( wife,kids,shift pattern,leave permitting) I enjoyed going to Dodford meeting new people, great to have something in common, even better to find a diverse group of friendly people. See how I get on at Varsseveld. Have a great time, hope the weather and not the rain we've had all week but easing off today (went back to work today - explains why) quick check of beeb has it rainy today - becoming cloudy over weekend - should be ok

The bit left over looks like an anti roll bar or rather 1/2 an anti roll bar - obviously for a single track vehicle

well since posting above , it now works, each and every time but as I've posted this it will probably stop again

Mine does the same, its currently more absent than present. As the side stand cut out still works, I would think its a problem with the switch/sender thingy. I did read in an old thread as a beside that the poster had removed a washer from behind the switch, Which allowed it to seat deeper and therefore the actuator to be acted on more positively. Seems to make some sort of sense. Now I've not done any of this so it's all hearsay.

I have previously posted that I thought I had a "left hand drive" replacement headlight fitted following a lens smashed by a stone. so on my UK bike with a headlight of uncertain origin I get condensation within the unit I have an orange coloured mark at the bottom of the reflector bowl - assumed to be rust It get used all weathers , even spent easter and the following month living outside

Mark, thanks for the link to your pics. I enjoy seeing eyeryones travels, be they local or intercontinental jaunts. I mainly get to use mine for the ride to work. If I use it she can't complain that it's just an expensive toy. Also gives me a sense of justification. Obviously my ride is a bit dull, 3 miles through town on urban dual carriage ways 40mph limit for most of it. Then 10 miles on motorway, though 1/2 of it is dual carriageway, and work is within a mile of the off ramp. Spliting the traffic on earlies again is a justification, but if the truth be known it probably takes longer to kit up than the time saved. But its much more fun. reading this forum makes me appriciate the vast differance in enviroments we get to ride our guzzis in. and the way we get to use them. So I'm looking for ward to my first intercontentl jaunt. It might only be just over 100miles each side of the ferry but it will be a whole new experiance. roll on the International V11 meeting SO keep on posting your ride pics. even if we don't post on them I'm sure there are others who enjoy them as much as I. Martin " the vicarious touer" Barrett

Max You just missed the UK V11 riders meet 2004 a dozen turned up over the weekend. It was held just outside of Bromsgrove so you couldn't have been too far away. Never mind there's allways next year. I for one am up for it. Can't get the hyper link to work - its in the meetings and clubs section

Yes sorry they did have signs of cracking but didn't seem to be cracked all the way through

I have a 03 Lemans, with 3,800 miles on it just under a year old. Over the last couple of weeks has developed a backfire on a shut throttle. Started as a little puff and now is a good'n. All the exhaust joints have the sooting deposits but appear to be tight. Even where it meets the cylinder head. I have sooty tail pipes and return 33-35 mpg. I haven't checked the valve clearances but sounds tappety so they might not of closed up. Searching the threads show a backfire attributed to lean fueling but I don't think its running lean, I haven't done a plug chop. Hasn't got as bad as my old FJ with its holed collector, which was great for clearing cars out the way on the motorway Which of the above or where else should I start looking in ernest. Is any damage likely to be caused in the mean time?

Annoying isn't it. Same on my 03 Lemans. It's worse when trying to use the clutch at the same time. Can also catch it when going for the headlight dipper. But just a niggle

Another issue with pods dirrect on to the throttle bodies or on to the intake rubbers. Is the overall length and how that effects harmonics. I know they they used to tune the inlet trumpets for length in much the same way as exhaust length. Does it make any difference? Another project/study for AL?