Scud

Bummer. Good idea to yourself checked if you're hurting. That's a pisser that the scratch goes through the V11 decal on the tail. This could provide a good excuse to splurge on some aftermarket levers (I like the Pazzos) and bar-end mirrors (I like the Napoleons).

Sounds like a clue, Dr. Watson.. Thanks Sherlock. The fuel pump still leaked after I re-routed the hose to avoid the kink - but I have not removed it to see if there is fuel. I'm sure that a slow, methodical examination will reveal either my error or a faulty part.

Yeah, she's looking all streetfighter and ready to ride. I was just gonna pop the seat on and ride it around the block if it started. Too bad the champagne paint doesn't look that good up close - it shows 50,000 miles of "love." Here's a video I took yesterday while I was trying to figure it out the fuel leak. But it's hard to see what's going on under the tank. http://vid1128.photobucket.com/albums/m492/timscudder/Champagne%20LeMans/IMG_6107.mp4 As you can see, it's a gusher, not a little leak, so I don't think foot powder is going to help. The original pump did the same thing. It seems unlikely that both pumps would have the same failure - since they both worked a few years ago and have been just sitting idle. I suppose that I can start pulling things off to test for blockage. But having seen these leaks, I'm not feeling very confident about riding it. I replaced all hoses between the pump, filter, injectors and regulator with high-pressure fuel-injection hose. I used new clamps - the nice clamping type, not the worm-drive type. And as I mentioned on the last page, I used a Wix fuel filter and I verified that the arrow printed on the filter is in the direction of fuel flow. I did not do anything to the fuel tank - but obviously the petcock works - and I replaced the hose from petcock to pump with standard (not high pressure) fuel hose. I did find a kink in the hose before the pressure regulator. This was a surprise, because I used all the old hoses to mark the cuts for the new ones. I cut about 3 inches off this hose and it now connects without a kink. There was no fuel in this hose.

Well... tonight was supposed to be the "It runs" celebration. But It's got a fuel leak and I am puzzled. Glad I pushed it outside for this test - and had hose (and fire extinguishers) at the ready. As a reminder, I installed a new Wix fuel filter and all new fuel lines and clamps a few months back. Here's the sequence of events: Installed tank, turned on key, smelled gas. Inspection shows gas on top of engine. Turn on key again while watching - gas seems to be coming out of the top of the fuel pump. (rinse with water). Decide that old fuel pump may be bad - install fuel pump from parts bike. While I was there, I verified that the arrow on the fuel filter is pointing in the direction of fuel flow. Also tightened up all hose clamps (firm with nut-driver, but not using leverage of a small ratchet). Turn key on again - gas seems to again be coming from the top of the pump. (again rinse with water) Discovered kink in fuel line right before pressure regulator. Cut hose a little shorter to get better curve and reinstall. Turn on key - same leak from pump. So... I am confused. First I figured something went bad inside the original pump. But I am surprised to see the replacement pump leak at the same spot. So... It'll come apart again tomorrow. Any ideas what I should be looking for? Can I test the pump off the bike? Can a pump break an internal seal if a fuel line is kinked?

Doesn't the same key work on your Guzzi? Mine does. I wasn't clear, sorry. Yes the same key works everything on the Guzzi. But the Guzzi has two locks - one for seat and one for helmet. My BMW has a single lock that works the helmet lock and unlocks the seat - which is probably what nwrider was used to.

Yeah - some people use helmet locks. I always take my helmet with me. And the seat lock tab makes a good mounting point for a remote shock preload adjuster. My K75s helmet lock and seat lock are both operated by the same key - so it gets to stay on the bike.

What's wrong with the helmet lock? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Too shiny.

I had that problem on my LeMans. I installed an oil pressure gauge and found that the pressure was on the low-end - but that there was always pressure, and therefore there was oil flow. It took me a while to find the problem, but it turned out to be a missing section of gasket around an internal oil journal - aka, an internal, pressure robbing leak. Replacing the gasket brought the pressure right back up to expected levels. I don't know the Stelvio's layout, but low pressure on the V11s occurs with UFI filters that have crappy O-rings - or filters that work their way loose. If you had the dealer do the oil change - and the problem started shortly thereafter, I would insist that they remove and inspect the filter before paying for an oil-pump inspection.

I've been enjoying your affliction: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=88189.0

Now you can remove the helmet lock - without messing up the seat lock.

I suppose you could define competition in terms of what was available at the time. But you could also look at it as what's available now for similar prices. When I bought my Ducati Sport Classic I also looked at the Triumph Thruxton. I damn near bought a new Paul Smart version, but decided I liked the red better (what was I thinking?) Sadly, at that time I was not thinking about Moto Guzzi. When I got my Scura it felt like what I wished the Ducati had been. Gave up a little handling for all-day comfort. As for other V11 competitors I think the 1000cc and bigger Ducati Monsters should be considered. I really like the simple Ducati 1000DS motor. For a more complex engine we could consider the Aprilia Tuono. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

More than once, I have stopped myself from going to look at a Benelli Tornado. This narrator gets it:

Like as a palate cleanser after those BMWs and Triumphs?

Fixed it for ya...

Ok, maybe one picture is a red LeMans. But if that's so, then another picture is a Scura. I think we should keep ShinyMike away from the Scuras for a while. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe I'm feeling grumpy and opinionated tonight, but that green speed triple looks like a salvage-title Kawasaki that was totaled by the insurance company because it was too expensive to replace the fairing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I read it a very long time ago. I think it's a great title with an acceptable book. Like Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, it could have been so much better if a good editor would have cut it by 30 percent. I might be open to a re-read. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BMW R1100s? Bite yer damn tongue. If there has to be a BMW in here at least have the courtesy to make it an airhead R90S or R100s. I had an R100CS that I was rather fond of... but I think I would be grossly disappointed to ride one now that I've gotten comfortable with the V11. I had a Ducati Sport Classic. Same raw appeal. Good manners. Noisy clutch on the monoposto. Fabulous in the mountains but a torture rack on the straights and around town. So... the V11 is more comfortable than the Ducati and less than the BMW. It's a better performer than the BMW but not quite as good as the sport classic in the tight stuff. In short, it's "just right." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Au contraire. You can clearly see the Greenie's starter cover reflected on the plate in the middle picture - and the silver engine in the background. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. I've been hoping to get it done in time to ride to the Not-A-Rally near Sedona, Arizona on May 5-7. But with my business travel lately it seems unlikely. Won't be home till Wednesday evening - not enough time to finish up and do some shake-down rides. And I still have to get it registered in CA. And did you see the Greenie reflected in the Roper Plate? Too subtle? I may have to set the Green tank on this bike and wheel(ie) it into the sun to see how it looks with candy-red rocker covers. Currently enjoying the Hudson River out the window of Amtrak on the way back to Penn Station in NYC.

I don't think that nut loads the bearing. But I do think it serves a locking function. Imagine if the pinch bolts on the lower triple are looser than the top clamp's pinch bolts. A slight movement of the forks would push the top triple up. Maybe it's a redundant "belt and braces" sort of thing. But it's a front end on a motorcycle so I tend toward extra safety being a good thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The green is really cool in person. But I think a red LeMans is even more iconic than a green sport. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just looked at the ad. Much better than the Ballabio for about the same cost. And in Pittsford... I went to Pittsford Sutherland High School for a couple years. I'm close to Utica, NY right now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What? Is crazy a bad thing all of a sudden? You know what would be really crazy and borderline insane? Buying three cheap V11s that need work. Mike - can't wait to see the new LeMans. Black or Red?

Getting a well sorted bike that you like better is a good decision - even if you pay a little more. You have to be crazy to buy a cheap one that needs work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk