Scud

Navigation: See a bakery, pull over, drink coffee, eat pastry, study map. Seriously, that is literally what I did. As for the map... I had the Garmin Earthmate app on my phone and had downloaded the maps of Germany and France. Nice thing about that app... it does not require a data connection. It can even use the GPS receiver to lay down a track when the phone is in "airplane" mode. I had the fully charged GPS as backup, but was able to navigate each day just with the phone. I had stuck some pins by key destinations and junctions that appeared to have interesting (aka twisty) roads. I just kept the phone in my pocket and stopped whenever I wanted to check the map. Then there was a lot of luck... and navigating by the position of the sun... and just going down whatever road suited my fancy. I had only two "must-see destinations" The Fleckenstien Castle in France (Monday) and the German city of Heidelberg (Saturday). I went there and got the T-Shirt. University of Heidelberg, founded 1196... exactly 800 years before my first child.

Oh, now I recognize it. Mike takes good care of his machines. I have his ex Ducati ST3 now - and he has my ex Red LeMans. I would, without hesitation, buy a bike from Mike.

Here's a video of my adventure in Germany (with a jaunt over the French border) on the wee-GS. I found it a pleasant and reasonably competent machine. I did not expect it to perform like a bigger bike, so no need to compare. It also does not perform like a smaller dirt bike. It's got only one annoying feature: It only starts in neutral - there is no clutch switch. This was a problem for me on the first few days because I stalled it a few times (being used to bigger engines that don't need a lot of revs to get moving). It's no fun hunting for neutral when people are honking at you. But I got the feel of it after a few days and didn't stall it any more at the end of the trip. Overall, a fun bike, but not one I'd like to own. However, I'm glad to see sub 400cc dual sports in the market that actually work on both street and dirt. It does very well on poor asphalt.

It's a long damn way between fuel and water stops in Oz. But the world is your toilet... Very interested to hear how the big motor works in the Stelvio. That should give you torque and HP sort of like the elephantine KTM 1190s, right?

The 701 holds 13 Liters (3.4 Gallons). 50-70 MPG yields 150-210 range with 0.4 gallons left in the tank. I haven't pushed it that far yet, but 50+ MPG is realistic on the street. I think the range is about the same as my KTM950 Adventure (an actual 100HP dirt bike - with closer to 6 gallons, but low 30s MPG.)

100 hp dirt bikes are fun.

I ended up alternating the original and the new (stiffer) springs - 5 of each. I believe that the problem with mine might also have been a spring not seated correctly. If you do take the motor out again, try laying it flat so the springs stand upright. When you put the pressure plate on, reach in with your finger to ensure that every spring is fully seated. Another way to tell is that the pressure plate will sit exactly level with the flywheel if all springs are in correctly. If even one spring is not seated, the pressure plate will be a little bit tilted. The pushrod is the same for both clutch types.

I think I have one. Will be home tomorrow and can double-check. What do you mean by "the one with the bosses"?

I've got the new RAM clutch with steel flywheel in my Scura and I'm very happy with it. I don't think that Scura is at risk of selling quickly.

You have the final drive from Joe's bike too. And yes, the Ohlins ended up on the Greenie.

Hey Joe - Yeah, I've been stalled on it - and starting question the financial viability of finishing it and selling it vs. selling off the parts. Kind of sad, but I've robbed enough bits off that it will take some investment of time and money to get her going... and the prices for $50,000 mile 2002 LeMans are not encouraging. Anyways, it's pending a "final" decision.

I'll have it for a week while I'm working here in Weisbaden (today was a no-work day). My max speed on it was 145kph indicated (about 90mph). I ran it at a sustained 130kph (80mph), which is the slow lane on the Autobahn, for about 75 kilometers. I saw two Moto Guzzis today, both cruiser-style. Compared to my Husqvarna 701... the BMW has less than half the power with 50 additional pounds. I bottomed the suspension on a couple ruts on a dirt road that the Husky would barely have felt. But it's a fun bike to ride - comfortable, smooth, good handling, acceptable dirt road manners. The ABS is switchable on the bars. Other than that, it's a very simple bike and I hope they sell a shed-load of them. I get the sense that maybe some Germans feel about this "foreign made" BMW about how some Americans would feel if a Harley were manufactured in Mexico.

Ha - I've been through Cooperstown several times, but have never bothered to stop. Upstate NY is still a lovely, uncrowded area to ride if you are heading into the Appalachian Mountains. Every National Park I've been to has been worthwhile. You could buy a National Park Pass and get free admission all across the USA. There are many historical/cultural parks, and many that are essentially wilderness preserves with great roads. Watch out bison in Yellowstone, they are large and not to be trifled with. Find National Parks by State: https://www.nps.gov/hfc/cfm/carto.cfm

I rented a BMW 310 GS in Weisbaden, Germany this morning and had a 350km adventure to the 800 year old Fleckenstein Castle in France. Everything from autobahn to two-track dirt roads... and some fabulous, scenic backroads. Good fun, although a guy on a 1200GS (at a coffee stop) pointed out that the 310 is made in India and intended for female riders. I resisted the urge to point out that my 310GS had quite a bit of mud on it and his 1200GS was spotless.

Well, it looks like California roads are out of reach for this trip, but there is some stunning scenery and fabulous roads along your route. I'm a fan of big mountains, which, IMO don't start till you get into the Western States. If it were me, I'd hit Yellowstone Park, then meander North and cross the Canadian Rockies, making sure to stop in Banff. I haven't been there myself, but it's a "bucket list" place for me. As for the Eastern States, if you have any interest in American Baseball, you could stop at Cooperstown, NY (Site of invention of the game and the Hall of Fame). The roads in the area are good fun and it sure beats fighting the slab in the NorthEast. From there, if you are interested at in American History, you could find some little country roads through to Gettysburg, PA and tour the US Civil War battlefield.. on your way to West Virginia, which is not to be missed. (This West Virginia endorsement means a lot coming from West-Coast Mountain road snob). Then I would go to Chuck's house and try to sleep in his garage and score a ride in a hand-built airplane. The Triumph sounds like fun. You are obligated to post photos of your trip now.

I ended up shaving bits here and there. Also trimmed the rubber grommets on the front end of the seat cowl plastic. It's all sad but true. The tanks swell unless you have the foresight to coat them.

Perhaps something was dulling Crosby's senses 40 years ago? I've seen him twice. Truly a living legend.

I used VHT Nu-Cast Aluminum on the rear case of the transmission and the output shaft collar. The balance of transmission and engine are original color. It's quite close, but seems to be a bit brighter and have a little more sparkle.

Sometimes I think prices like that are only to inflate the estimated costs of repairs paid by insurance companies. Maybe in 20 years, when V11s are as collectible as early V7s and the 1000S, maybe (but still unlikely) a restorer would pay a price like that for a new-old-stock set. As for now, I also have an original pair that I removed from my Scura. I agree with Chuck on the approximate $100 value for a used pair, although the asking prices for silver ones are a bit higher than that on eBay right now. https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOTO-GUZZI-V11-SPORT-LAFRANCONI-EXHAUST-SILENCERS-SET-1999-2005-LATER-MODEL/173220445003?epid=16014955460&hash=item2854be3b4b:g:3bYAAOSwXOVahICz&vxp=mtr

Ok, so two different rear drives leaked in the same way? If that's true, then what parts were not changed? Does the axle have a scratch or worn spot on it from the 30 or so tire changes you've done?

I think there are four variations on the pre-selector: Earliest: cut-through gears with teeth on about 270 degrees Next: solid gears with teeth on 360 degrees (I think these, in 2002 are most likely to have the oversized boss on the actuating arm (where the "Merican" spring coil fits) Then: Adjustable pin added for actuating arm (in place of the roll-pin that Phil mentioned above) Final: "Banana" plate added to top of gears (as picture above). I think these are only on 2004 and some 2003 models. With all those changes, it's obvious that Moto Guzzi engineers were trying to fix something. Hopefully, we have found that "something" in the form of our new spring.

I was all eager to grab a nice Scura photo on today's ride... but no-start and the 30A fuse shows signs of overheating. So I took the Ducati. Away on work for next few weekends. No more joy-rides for little while.

The Greenie has sold. New owner is a serious rider and I think will be along to join the forum soon. His first Moto Guzzi... headed home to join a pair of Aprilias.

I ran a Garmin 60CX on my LeMans without hitting the fairing - used a long arm and aimed it inboard toward the steering stem.

Having stripped two of those blocks by hand, I'd say $100 is a well worth it. But is that with the engine in or out of the bike? I think it would be difficult to get it stripped and painted in the bike... and I'll say +1 to Dave and Marty's comments above.