Scud

I believe the new RAM flywheel is the same design as the original. However, from what I can gather, RAM didn't manufacture the OEMs that Guzzi used in 2002 - or there was a bad batch - or they were improperly torqued - or there was a Scura black-voodoo curse... MG Cycle says the RAM flywheel has proven reliable in many other applications. In fact, I was just comparing the two set-ups. The RAM flywheel is not subject to any friction (it has no teeth) but the standard, twin-plate flywheel has teeth for the outer diameters of the pressure plate and the intermediate plate. Theoretically, the RAM flywheel should last forever because there is nothing to wear... Here are a couple other points of comparison: Weight:Used dual-plate flywheel and clutch: 12 lbs, 1 oz. That does not include weight of springs (I threw them out). These parts from a 2002 LeMans. New RAM flywheel and clutch: 10 lbs, 10 oz. Not really a lot of difference there, maybe 2 pounds difference if I had the springs - but I think the RAM's weight is more centralized, which could make a difference in performance - like the way an ice skater goes faster in a spin when they tuck their arms in, and slower when they extend their arms. Clutch lever effort:The Single plate in my Scura requires much less effort than my LeMans. I recall writing in earlier discussions that the clutch effort was the same between my two bikes. However, since I just put new springs in with the LeMans clutch, there has been a big increase in resistance. It seems that previously, I was comparing the LeMans' worn clutch with weak springs to the low-miles, near new, clutch in the Scura. Time will tell if the RAM replacement feels the same on the Scura - maybe its 14 year old springs are weak too.

Correction: I can't find any specific restrictions about discussion topics on this site. This forum seems self-regulating for the most part (though older posts do suggest that there were some more tumultuous times in past). I must have been thinking of the rule #2 from WildGuzzi: 1. No un-justified personal or dealer attacks. 2. Keep the content Guzzi related. No room for Politics or Religion debates here. 3. There is no room for "raunchy" posts with adult or mature content. This includes strategically covered nudity, sheer or see-through clothing, lewd or provocative poses, close-ups of breasts, buttocks, or crotches. 4. Posting of for sale items allowed only in the classified section. Failure to adhere to these simple, common courtesy, common sense rules will result in your being banned to ever post on the Moto Guzzi Discussion site again. That being said, Enjoy the Guzzi talk. #3 is well-written. For examples of all offenses, see: Gratuitous pics of girls + Guzzis Agreed. And now some who called for the exit don't want to be responsible for leading the country after the vote.

I really think you can buy a 5-speed RAM clutch and use it with your current Scura clutch hub (trans input). Check out Lucky Phil's post - he seems quite certain that they are compatible. MG Cycle said the limiting factor was the quantity of clutch hubs available from Moto Guzzi.

That length is the only lingering concern I have at the moment. (no... THAT'S what she said).

Scura 375, USA, 12,000 trouble-free miles - but noticed a small noise on engagement recently and will replace soon. FWIW - I tried this over on Wild Guzzi when I first got my Scura: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=73131.0

We need to print some "clutch-change survivor" T-shirts. So many threads with anxious people like us who manage to make it through - then say "Well, that wasn't as hard as I feared." Rod can be pulled out - but doesn't need to be. I didn't remove it when changing my LeMans clutch. It stays with the transmission when you remove the engine. The twin-plate replacement in my LeMans was surprisingly easy... once I got into it. And putting a RAM single-plate in place of an OEM single plate looks easier still.

Illustrations of the special tools are in the shop manual. Section B, page 15. I've saved a bunch of clutch-replacement threads. This one has a lot of useful pictures and detailed discussion. It's about a single to dual conversion. http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7181 Check out post 49 in that thread - compare the image of the clutch hub removed from the Scura with the clutch hub that came with the RAM kit. I think they are the same - and if so, no need to remove it. Won't start at least for a few weeks. LeMans is not back together yet. It's "illegal" to take both V11s out of service at the same time.

Craig - I was hoping it was you. I recall you said you wanted to get one some time ago and got on the MG Cycle wait list. Looking into it a bit more, I don't think I will attempt the test-fit on the spare engine/trans. That would mean removing the clutch hub (transmission input gear) from the transmission - and that requires a special tool (which Craig will need to do). I'm assuming the Scura/Tenni clutch hub is the same as the one supplied with the RAM kit, so I think I'll wait to find out. If so, then replacing the original flywheel clutch with RAM low inertia is a 6-bolt affair (after getting the engine out, of course).

There are seven women in my house... The Bachelorette is on... it's LOUD... and it's TIME to go for a night-ride.

And they still offer the replacement clutch plate. The description and the illustration at MG Cycle's site talk about the longer pushrod issue. It seems to apply only when installing a new clutch plate in an older flywheel/spring-plate. I ass-u-me that we are going to be OK. I thought symbolic logic was fun.

Well, I think this wraps up the group buy: The last of the pre-ordered plates are packaged up and ready for drop-off tomorrow. The USPS paid me the insurance on Kosta's plate - and I sent the proceeds to Pete. The final gaskets arrived with a RAM Single Plate clutch and flywheel for my Scura. We did it! Now get busy... ...or go put on some miles so you can install it with your next oil change.

Today, I received a RAM single-plate clutch from MG Cycle. Which contains the following: Fully assembled, ready to install, clutch and flywheel Transmission input spline 6 pieces of unicorn poop, which double as flywheel mounting bolts MG got three units. Footgoose got one too - and as we understand it, this is the end of production for these rare and controversial units for the 6-speed transmissions. Apparently, the limiting factor is the transmission input hub, which was made by Moto Guzzi - and they are not making any more of them. Furthermore, we understand that the RAM 5 speed clutch and the RAM 6 speed clutch are otherwise identical. If (and this is a fairly critical "if") that's true... and if it's true that RAM made the original single-plate clutches for Moto Guzzi... then (attempting an assumptive syllogism with a double back-if here) owners of Tennis, Rosso Mandellos, and the best motorcycles of all time (Scuras) who still have the problematic flywheel that goes with the OEM single-plate clutch can simply order a RAM 5 speed clutch assembly and use their existing transmission input hub. Further investigation awaits... I'll do a test fit on my spare engine and transmission before I break my Scura in half.

I was thinking this too. Easy way to test this is to wrap some electrical tape around them (between the clamps). My Scura started acting up as you described - I noticed some small cracks in the boots. I wrapped then with electrical tape - it cured it and the tape is still on there after many miles. Will replace the boots at next service (already have them). Of all people, Roy, I'm certain that you have some electrical tape.

Now, there's a fact-based debate I'd be interested to read - between two knowledgable and experienced guys who work in the industry, both of whom I respect. My only experience is: Scura - 100% stock mechanically. Has run perfectly for close to 12,000 miles. LeMans - unknown history, but had the Ti ECU and cans when I got it. It took me a while, but I got it running quite well without ever touching the map - but weirdly, that's with the temperature sensor disconnected (which is also how it was when I got it). No Lambda sensor on either bike. I haven't felt the need for the bikes to run differently. Maybe I'm lucky - or maybe I'm not too demanding.

I'm gonna have to make it to one of these someday. I enjoyed the "Not-a-Rally" I attended recently.

Stew - Conventional wisdom, and this forum's guidelines, are "Don't discuss religion and politics." But that sure is a historic event, it affects members, and it has the potential to harm more people and do more economic damage than any wildfire (2 of which burned in my area last week). I'm sorry about the effects of this on you, and I do think the country and the EU will figure out how to adjust in due time. Perhaps this action will spur some needed, although uncomfortable, changes in the UK and in the EU. Like we've learned about wildfires: that's actually the way many of our forests rejuvenate themselves. I think that when people feel frightened or threatened that they seek protection by banding together with others who are similar. This tribalistic trait has served the species well to get us this far, but we've created a complex, interdependent, global society that requires us to think on a much broader scale and far further into the future about the implications of our actions. Anyway - I feel a bit like I am "skirting the rules" of the forum by engaging in this conversation, and I'd be happy to continue via PM or e-mail. I see topics like this over on WildGuzzi sometimes. Some of them lend credence to the "Wild" part of the forum name. Then members get mad at each other and somebody leaves or gets kicked out of the forum - and then we all lose that person's passion and experience with motorcycles (which is the basis of our little "tribe"). Go for a ride.

Okay, I'm convinced....where's a good place to get 'em? FWIW - I've seen a few threads with electrical problems that were cured by installing new Omron relays. Very affordable from DigiKey and it's just nice to know that you're starting with all fresh relays.

Here are the page numbers of all pages with English language text, photos, or illustrations. You can copy the strings of pages and paste them into your print-dialogue box and print one section at a time. However, some strings have more characters than my print dialogue box would accept so I had to break it into sub-sections. V11 Sport Workshop Manual, Sections A-P, 412 pages This appears to be written for the early, red-frame sports (1999-2001), and covers the Rosso Mandello (so there is a picture of a single-plate clutch for Scura and Tenni owners). Download from ThisOldTractor Index 2,3,5,6,8,10 A – General Information 13,14,16,18 B – Model Features 21,22,24,26,28,30,32,35,36,38,39,40 C – Control and Use of the Motorbike 41,42,44,46,48,50,52,54,56,58 D – Scheduled Maintenance 61,62,64,66,68,70,72,74,76,78,80,82,84,86,88,90,92,94,96,98,100,102,104,106 E – Trimmings 109,110,112,114,116,118 F – Wheel Parts 121,122,124,126,128,130,132,134,136,138,140,142,144,146,148,149,150,152,154,156, 158,160,162,164,166,168,170 G – Controls 171,172,174,176,178,180 H – Chassis 181,182,184,186,188,189,190,191 I – Fuel System 193,194,196,198,200,202,204,206,208,210,212,214,216,218,220,222,224,226,228,230,232,234,236,238,240,242,244,246,248,250 L – Exhaust System 251,252,254,256 M – Engine 259,260,262,264,266,268,270,272,274,276,278,279,280,282,284,286,288,290,292,294,296,298,300,302,304,306,308,309,310,312,314,316,318,320,322,324,325,326,328,330,332,334 N – Gearbox 335,336,338,339,340,341,342,344,346,348,350,352,354,356,357,358,360,362 O – Rear Transmission Housing and Shaft 365,366,367,368,370,372,373,374 P – Electrical System 375,376,379,382,384,386,388,390,392,394,396,398,400,402,404,406,408,410 (NOTE: page 378 is double-size wiring diagram) Supplemental Manual, Sections Q and R, 208 pages This appears to cover all changes for 2003 and 2004, including Ohlins-equipped models. It also shows external fuel pump (2002) and internal fuel pump (2003) configurations. Download from ThisOldTractor Index 2,3,4,5,6,8,10,12 Q – V11 Sport Naked and V11 LeMans Variants: 15,16,18,20,22,24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38,40,42,44,46,48,50,52,54,56,58,60,64,67 (NOTE: page 63 is double-size wiring diagram) R – Variants 68,69,71,73,75,77,79,80,81,83,85,87,89,91,93,95,97,99,101,103,105,107,108,109,111,113,115,117,119,121,123,125,127,129,131,133,135,137,139,141,143,145,147,149,151,153,155,157,159,161,163,165,167,169,171,173,175,177,179,181,183,185,187,189,191,193,195,196,199,200,203,205,207 I printed the manual, the supplement, and a parts diagram (also available on ThisOldTractor). Double-sided, it all fit in a 1-1/2 inch D-ring binder. The original manual is about 50% of the volume; the supplement and the parts diagram are about 25% each. You can print the wiring diagrams on Tabloid (11x17) paper. Binder $10, ream of paper $10, toner price unknown... having it all in one place and easy to read... priceless.

I have the same mirrors, but with bar-end mounts, on my Scura. They are slightly convex and provide good visibility - so "objects are closer than they appear." I'm happy with them and would buy them again.

I had some similar symptoms on an R1100RT - the problem turned out to be that a tiny spring went AWOL from the kill switch (probably broke and worked its way out). Having just replaced a stator, I noticed how exposed the two yellow wires are to potential abrasion where they are zip-tied to the frame. The oil cooler and stainless lines are particular risks. I wonder if a small hole in the insulation of those wires could cause intermittent shorting out to ground and result in the symptoms you describe? I bring this up because I think you had the stator out within the last year.

MG Cycle has shipped the gaskets (and other special things). I'm expecting delivery on Monday and should be able to ship the balance of plates Tuesday. I have a few more kits available, send me a PM if interested.

Yes, ordered direct. I'm not aware of any US-based importer. They offer a carbon fiber version as well as the paintable, fiberglass one in the picture above.

Where's the Italian flag?

Test-fit the Ghezzi-Brian belly pan, which has been sitting on the shelf for a long time. Looks kind of good in white, but I think it will probably turn red later. I confess to nudging the hammer into the picture... Recently received the Ghezzi-Brian rear fender - got that installed too. The kit is easier to install now, because the mounting holes are pre-drilled in the fender. It still has it's imperfections (see this thread for discussion) but since it arrived from Italy in a re-used wine box wrapped in Moto Guzzi branded packing tape, that makes everything OK.

I looked at some videos on YouTube. Zinc plating looks pretty straightforward and non-toxic - you just need to find a bar/block of Zinc for the source material. Nickel plating looks like a lot of work and nasty chemicals. I haven't tried any plate-at-home methods - but I learned electrolysis by watching YouTube videos and it worked for me.