Scud

Docc - I'm looking forward to the ride report. That is a seriously cool bike. While you're at it, take a look at the Ducati Scrambler series, especially theDesert Sled.

LMaynes - I just noticed the Husqvarna 701 Enduro in your signature. Me too.

Purloined - your path on the street bikes is similar to mine. Started with a 1970s Honda, then some boxer BMWs, other stuff... then Moto Guzzi. My profile list is current - except that there is also a sweet little Husqvarna TE310R in the garage. But my neighbor might want it... so we'll see how that goes. Good luck with the insurance issue.

Andy is right, you must remove input hub (the gear that mates to the clutch) before you can remove the gear stack. This means you either have to remove the engine or the transmission. I think you will find it easier to remove the transmission, since you will want to work on it on your bench, rather than trying to leave the case attached to the frame. I can't imagine how you would reassemble the tranny with the case in the frame. It is imperative that you get a good seal on all the mating surfaces - or you will taking it out again. I have the clutch hub removal tools and would gladly loan it - your only cost would be shipping. But there's a chance I could send the tools with someone to Sacramento in a few days and you could swing by their house and pick them up.

I've bought and sold a few V11s and would gladly write up a statement for your insurance company if you'd like. I agree that their initial value is too low. And I assume you are dealing with the other party's insurance. Can you get your insurance agent to be an advocate for you?

If anybody wants to bring this bike into California, I have a swingarm with the correct emissions stickers that are needed to register an out-of-state bike in CA.

Not really. They will probably be fine. I liked the stiffer clutch with the alternating springs. It's just a thing to think about while you're there - not really a problem in any way. I did find that one clutch I replaced due to slipping had a lot of wear left on the plates - and stiffer springs would have made those plates last longer.

I would replace the flywheel bolts every time. You can get the engine out without removing the front wheel, but it's kind of a tight fit. I have had good luck with the engine on a platform jack that I can slide on the garage floor. You might use new springs for the clutch. Alternate the stock springs with some stiffer springs. The guys at MG Cycle can tell you all about the springs - and supply you with new hardware for the flywheel while you're at it.

All the V11s are pretty rare bikes, but even among them there are the rarer special edition bikes. I've seen a few Coppa Italias for sale and they always ask a premium - even above the Rosso and Nero Corsas. But overall, the prices are quite low - as they are are for most bikes of the same vintage. You'd think that at least the proper V11 LeMans versions would get a little collector interest. I think the 2003/2004 LeMans were among the best of the breed. But they are just used bikes at this point. It might take a few more years for them to be collectible. I've noticed that the Ducati Sport Classics (similar years/styling as V11s) are coming down in price a bit after their somewhat unrealistic (IMHO) price run-up. But the Paul Smart special edition is still rather spendy.

I've decided to part out this project. I've had it for two years now and made a run at restoration (damn near got there too.) But I stole stuff for my Scura and other stuff for a Greenie... then I just started taking a hard look at what it would take to finish it and decided I don't have the time right now. For example, it really needs new brake rotors and the forks rebuilt... along with whatever is wrong with the engine that causes that knocking. Here's a link to the project thread - you can scroll through the see the parts. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19680&hl=%2Bchampagne+%2Bwishes The rear wheel is already gone and a few small bits are already sold - minus all the stuff I raided for other projects - and a few wear items that I keep for future use. Lots of stuff is clearly used, but there's lots of new stuff and freshly powder-coated stuff. Send me a message with what you need, and we'll work out a deal.

Yeah, kickers are cool. The new Husqvarnas are fine looking too - the white/blue/yellow ones behind my red one are an FE350S and 701 Enduro. All street legal. I've never had a kicker on a fuel-injected motorcycle before. It fires like clockwork on the third time when cold. It seems like it needs two kicks to get the fuel pressurized.

$US10.00 each plus $5.00 shipping inside USA. Send me a message through the forum and I will give you the payment details.

A 2013 Husqvarna TE310R magically appeared in my garage. It's a red-headed, 240 pound, street legal, fuel-injected 4-stroke... and one of the last Italian-made Huskys. Nicely set up by previous owner and only 1,000 miles on it. And a kick-starter... I like kickers.

An update. I've sent a total of 53 boxes (22 of those outside the USA) - containing 133 springs. I have about 20 springs remaining.

Agreed. I put my wheels (without tires) on the balancer to find the heavy spot, which I mark with an H inside the rim. Then I line up the red dot on the tire with the H, so I usually do not have to add much weight to balance it.

I also have the HF changer, and I bought the Mojo Blocks and Mojo Lever. I bolted mine to a pallet that I can stand on when changing tires. It slides around easily and it doubles as a storage rack when not in use. Ru-Glyde tire mounting lubricant and a little paintbrush to apply help a lot. +1 on the learning curve... start with a front tire, they are easier. If I had to do it over, I might spend a little more and get the least expensive unit by No-Mar that comes with a trailer hitch adapter. It seems a higher quality product and the storage would be easier.

Good to know. On closer inspection, I think I recognize the bike - and that it was previously owned in Arizona by a member here.

This was posted on Craigslist 1/2 hour ago. A running Scura for $1,700 - with Titanium pipes. https://slo.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2002-moto-guzzi-v11-scura/6756201380.html If this is for real, somebody should go buy it immediately. If I was within a couple hours of it I would already be on the way. At that price, you can swap a clutch out easily.

Rain is usually welcome in California. I passed a sign that said "Impassable in Wet Weather" yesterday. And I managed some pretty steep and slippery sections - might have to try again tomorrow, but there is another road that runs along the creek. I haven't done a proper water crossing on the 701 yet. As for the new rear, it's a Heidenau K60 Scout - a bit more street-biased than the Continental TKC80, which I torched in 2,000 miles. The Heidenau supposedly lasts a lot longer. Yesterday was my first proper dual sport ride on that tire and I was impressed. Great traction on wet asphalt, rocks, mud, wet leaves, deep pine needles, etc. And I ran it at 30+psi the whole time. With the Tubliss system, I can drop it down to 5psi for uber-grip - but yesterday wasn't technical enough to bother dropping pressure.

Spent the morning of my Thanksgiving holiday exploring the Big Sur coastline (central CA Hwy 1). It had rained the night before, rained a bit during my ride, and is raining again today. Some "adventure" pics for you:

Are you in any of the Guzzi Facebook groups? No, I don't use Facebook for anything.

Still fine - but the bike's been sitting too much recently. The fender cannot hit the tire, because the bracket would contact the swingarm first.

I like beer. I just got back from almost a month in UK and Germany for work. I favored the cold, crisp Pilsners in Germany and the dark, hand-pull ales or bitters in the UK:

Yeah, we had a decent storm - and there is likely to be sand around blind corners. What fun. Santa Ana winds are starting now (increased fire risk). Hopefully all will be settled in time for those attending, but I will be away for work.

If you want to remove the logo, hit it with a heat gun from the back. It will come off easily. I had mine powder-coated and used 3M foam double-sided sticky tape to re-install; it has held up well.