Scud

Yup - just around the corner from me. OK, maybe 100 corners, because I know some very twisty roads between my house and Wildomar. I didn't notice that it was an automatic. You never read about anyone having any trouble at all with the automatic trannies on the V11. They must be very reliable.

This should clean up nicely with just a bit of polish: http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/5237309993.html Just kidding... A bit overpriced I think too - but could be worth a lower price for some parts.

I'm having a similar experience. After commuting about 2 weeks straight on the LeMans, I got on the Scura and proceeded to stall it, because the clutch engaged differently (more quickly). I got used to it again in a hurry, but I am developing a real preference for the single-plate feel. My RAM replacement is still on back order.

Thanks for posting the pics. Fun day - foggy start in San Diego this AM. The queue at the start was eye-candy. 400+ bikes and almost all of them specialty, vintage, or customized. Maybe 6 Guzzis - not sure I caught them all. All the bikes starting at the same time... thunderous. The ride through LA was well coordinated by police escort. It looked like a river of bikes - no stopping. In crowded places, such as Hollywood Boulevard, people were cheering and a lot of them had their phones out to take pictures. I felt kind of outlaw running so many red lights. Then I imagined being a car driver, stuck at a green light while waiting for 400 bikers to roll through the reds. The red-light traffic cameras were flashing pictures as we waved (in a gentlemanly way) for our citation photos, which I imagine will not be sent to us. Grabbed a 1/2 beer at the finish - then my saddle bags (which I dropped this AM at the finish point) and zipped over to LAX, where I had a proper pint. Wore the bow tie on the plane to Chicago (where I am now). Hope to be able to participate again next year.

Welcome 3 new members in a row. I like the theme in these three most recent posts: Dark bikes with gold forks, and red bikes with fairings.

I believe this photo shows the battery in the stock orientation. However, some other stuff is not stock - like the shock reservoir stuffed in the side of the tail piece. It's kind of a pain to get at the terminals in that position. I think these batteries can work in any orientation. BTW - see those 5 stock relays in the lower left? They've all been replaced with 5-pin OMRON relays for peace of mind. You might consider doing that too.

Sounds like fun - and the exact opposite of the highly-structured Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. I'm not used to a late start with a big group and a whole bunch of straight lines. However... it will be cool to roll through parts of LA with 400+ other specialty bikes. Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard (Walk of Stars), LaBrea Tar Pits (a nod to my '02 engine paint), etc. "Show up and plan your own route" sounds like my kind of mayhem. Enjoy it.

I just checked the DGR site. 34,162 riders registered around the world. They are currently only a few thousand dollars away from raising $2,000,000. Donate now or we will lift our kilts in your general direction. https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/blueboarhound https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/kiwiroy https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/lowryter https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/scud

Just washed mine today (distinguished gentlemen simply should not be seen on dirty bikes) and thought of your relatively new CF belly pan. I put a strip of clear tape on the leading edge of the chin spoiler. I noticed that the CF didn't like rocks very much... the clear tape (like a scuff plate where a car door opens) has prevented further damage. I never notice it except when I'm washing the bike.

mmmm very distracting... and somewhat surprising... and encouraging... and tempting.... I only heard the good parts.

I'm partial to Scura with Carbon Fiber belly pans. Possibly the easiest, coolest looking, and least useful thing you can do to your bike. +1 on a pleasant experience with Bruno. I also got a fiberglass belly pan for my LeMans - haven't got around to painting it red yet.

For the record, I spotted a red V11 LeMans on the DGR site: http://fortheride.com/goings-on/hello-chaps/

Nice looking setup. I just use a backpack for my short commute. But I have a Giant Loop saddlebag for when I want to carry more stuff. I left all my gear (except helmet) in the bag at the airport earlier this week. The bag doesn't win me any style points, but it goes on and off easily, it's sturdy and waterproof - and it will work on almost any bike.

Congratulations. Can we expect to see a new topic soon with a ride report and some pictures of a dirty Stelvio that has been ridden in anger?

Here's a link to my page: https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/scud ...just in case anyone feels like sponsoring. @JB - I created a team on the DGR site, called V11LeMans.com. So far it has one member, me. Looking forward to meeting you there.

Yup, it works.

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time. For that's the stuff life is made of." Sent from Benjamin Franklin's shoe phone!

Maybe he could try this: "Dad, I think most of the sports car guys are p-whipped, and their wives won't let them get motorcycles. If you're a real man, you'll get us a V11 LeMans - the last of the hairy-chested Moto Guzzis." BTW - I confess to hitting the throttle a little harder than usual on the way out; I thought the boy (guessing age about 12) needed to hear the "Guzzi under load" (per JB).

Shit. +1 to above comments prioritizing the people. Hopefully we will be able to celebrate new one with you soon. You probably need to replace the Toyotas first, though. Daily transportation, winter coming, etc......

No coffee in the house this morning... so jumped on the LeMans. As I pulled into the local Starbucks, I noticed a car show getting started. Bunch of 60s iron, some modern sports cars (American and European), a few lead-sleds, some other oldies. Lots of dads with young boys. As I pulled in, one of the boys visually locked onto the Guzzi - hot Italian racing red and rumbly with my sawed-off Ti pipes. He tractor-beam focused till I parked. While I was inside getting a pound of Komodo Dragon ground for the French press, I glanced out several times to see him still transfixed - no care whatsoever for the Ferrari, the Cobra, none of the cars... just gaping at the Guzzi and apparently lost in dream-land. Reminded me of my boyhood fascination with motorcycles. I hope he's appropriately "scarred for life" and will be a Guzzisti in future.

Al - nice write-up at that link. I have seen that website (but not page before) - so that's your site? Cool. I had a Yamaha FJ1100 - but I needed to slow down, and I moved to BMWs about the same time as you got your V11. I finally got a brand-new V11 last year. It felt very much like the way you wrote about your experience.

That's a sweet Jackal/850/Sport hybrid project. Thanks for pointing it out. As for buying a cruisy-ish bike (or any bike for that matter). You probably come out paying less by paying a small premium for a well-sorted and well-equipped bike - as compared to getting a deal on one and doing all the sorting and equipping yourself. But... if you enjoy the wrenching and want to personalize it, then it's a whole different story.

Roy - I got your e-mail. Tried to give you $20US, but it turned into $20CAN ($15US). I suppose that's because healthcare in Canada is less expensive and more efficient than in the US. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with monetary exchange rates.

Here's one similar to Fotoguzzi's on Cycle Trader. http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2000-Moto-Guzzi-Bassa-V11-115671242