Scud

Two whole weeks with no wrenching... what's a guy to do? Update on the fuel pump. I got a new one, the same aftermarket unit that MG Cycle sells. But nothing happened... took it off and connected it directly to a battery... and just a click, no pumping. So after seeing two pumps leak, I had a faulty new one. Remembering what Marty said about seals being restored after soaking, I tried the old pumps on the battery. viola... they work and they don't leak anymore. So... I put the less-used of the two pumps in. But that makes me a little nervous. I don't like the idea of something that previously leaked gas. No disrespect to Marty... but I'd feel better with a second opinion, and I don't mind getting another pump if that's the right thing to do. So, after all that fuel-pump fussing she fired right up and the oil light went out almost immediately. First breath she's taken in several years. But... she's a bit noisy. Here's a video. Does anybody recognize this sound? http://vid1128.photobucket.com/albums/m492/timscudder/Champagne%20LeMans/IMG_6149.mp4

I had the crumpled frame from my parts bike in my hands, but didn't weigh it (and it's too late, because it's already gone to the recycle yard). I estimate about 30 pounds of steel. Then there are three (front, lower, and tail) steel sub-frame assemblies, which are quite heavy. And is the custom swingarm titanium too? The steel swingarms are heavy. How else to lighten it? no headlight, no turn signals, no mirrors, no tools, no airbox or filter, minimal wiring (carbs, not fuel injected), probably a lithium battery, no padding on the seat, no pillion seat or pegs... the weight of the missing stuff adds up pretty fast.

+1 more... and I see the side stand is down. Hopefully this means it was hit while parked and you were not on it at the time. Let us know when you can.

Wow - thanks for posting the link to the article too. The biggest weight savings are probably due to the titanium spine frame, the exhaust, and the wheels. Can you imaging making a chain drive Ducati 1098 rear wheel fit the stock Guzzi final drive?

I bought the one from GuzziTech a while back and installed it in the LeMans, which has a smaller, plastic bucket. It was easy to plug in, but difficult fit inside that small bucket. It would fit easily in the larger, metal bucket. The light is still doing great and shows no signs of overheating so far.

Finally snuck in a couple short rides this weekend (been away a lot recently). Yesterday while riding the Scura, I spotted a black Moto Guzzi California. And today, while on the red LeMans, I spotted a red Griso. Two color-coordinated Guzzi crossings in two consecutive days. What are the odds?

Are you going to connect the speedo to an always-on power supply? I didn't do that that and my GPS Speedo has to acquire the signal every time the bike turns on. With the constant power, it remembers the last location. It won't read the speed, or allow the trip meter to be reset until it locks a signal. So I if I ever get in there again I will want to connect to constant power.

Oops... so I see from re-reading the last page. So now I am wondering if the pistons are working evenly. If one piston comes out faster than the other then one pad will push the rotor into the other pad - which will bend the disc over time. Maybe a deep clean, rebuild, or replacement of the caliper is in order. Single piston calipers are laterally self-adjusting (they ride on greased pins), but two (and four) piston calipers are fixed in place - they rely on equal operation of the pistons.

Stew - if the rear rotor is warped, I think the best solution is a new rotor. But if a new rotor is not in this month's budget, and you can see that a couple washers will bring things into closer alignment, I can't see the harm in that - especially if you don't use the rear brake much.

Clutch rattles like a Scura... crinkle paint bubbles and peels like a Scura... has an engraved *SXXX* production number (S375 in my case) on the top triple clamp like a Scura... I'm not sure that we can rely on Moto Guzzi to keep impeccable records... and then for those records to be accurately assimilated into Piaggio. But my greenie and LeMans both showed up correctly.

I just went to the Piaggio "recall" page and entered the VIN of my Greenie. The description indicates that it is green. http://static.piaggio.com/recall/form-piaggio_en.html

HA - my Scura also starts with ZGUKR. I got the same "error" message.

I saw it. It happened. So did this: SP - it would be cool if you could write up the master cylinder replacement for our burgeoning encyclopedia. I bet people (self included) would be interested in your gas cap too.

Well said. Sounds like you found yourself a keeper. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

THE blues. Chicago style. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'll keep a lookout for strangeness and try to grab a photo. I sometimes enjoy how a sign in one place can be misinterpreted by a visitor. My first time in Singapore I was entertained by the signs that promised a "SLOW HUMP AHEAD" They were warning about "speed-bumps" but I had other ideas.

So much for the hidden color code theory. And my 2000 greenie's 9th digit is 6.

Gotta get some other stuff at the same time then. I recently bought a copy of Guzziology from Moto International - and Dave Richardson signed it for me. It wouldn't cost any extra to toss a couple bolts in with the book. How are your throttle body boots? Any cracks? How about a spare set of rocker cover gaskets? See.. now we're saving by consolidating our needs into one package.

$2.00 at Harpers. Parts 34 and 35 in this diagram. http://www.harpermoto.com/parts-by-motorcycle/1990-2000-moto-guzzi-motorcycles/v-11-sport-mandello-1100-1999-2001/foot-rests-lateral-stand-en-v11-sport-mandello.html

Only 1,700 miles for me. For comparison... Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Vancouver Canada are both hundreds of miles closer to San Diego. So thats another "maybe." I guess I should start thinking about some sort of San Diego county beach/mountain/desert spine raid.

I wish I could un-see that. Now Docc's new Greenie on the other hand... that's kind of fun. Out of curiosity, can the original paint color be determined from the VIN or anything else? Or, would it possible to simply re-paint a black or silver sport as a Greenie and no-one would know what color it was originally.

Do that. Someone else with more electrickle knowledge can probably explain it better, but as I understand it, that long thin wire can overheat anytime another ground gets loose or corroded. Then it torches the loom. The supplemental ground keeps the bike running when it would otherwise possibly break down.

I'll bet Chuck's one-dollar bill that's the stock ground wire. If you add a supplemental ground, you can attach it there and then to timing chest or other grounding point. The stock wire is in the loom - and if it overheats, it can do bad things. The supplemental ground gives you cheap "fire insurance."

Looks like a great time. I enjoyed that event last year on my Scura - though I could only make the Friday evening. Had hoped to go this year but that didn't work out. Maybe we can get two Scuras there next year.

Sprue.