My Le Mans is dead

[Greg Field]

Prob'ly so. I was thinking that maybe the nut did some grinding on its way off. It'll be interesting to see what it is.

[Guest frankdugo]

Actually, I was hit by a car, so it may well have been the force of the impact against the engine that did the damage. I don't recall the extent of damage to the valve cover. Nothing was apparently wrong beforehand, but I had not been inside the motor. Actually, the cyclinder sleeve was cracked, and the valve was indeed slightly bent. The bike would not have run well at all with a bent valve. It doesn't take much of a bend to make the stem out of true. Amazingly, I only suffered scrapes, minor road rash! I rolled on the ground for 15-20 feet...Some oil consumption, but no smoking beforehand.

 

Loose, broken rings and wrist pin clips can jingle around inside the cyclinder while the engine is running (and cause all kinds of gouging type damage), then one day, after thousands of seemingly trouble free miles, go down the side of the cylinder in a violent, sudden action, and end up in the sump. This is when you suspect something's wrong. This happened to me once. I was blowing oil out the breather (miles and miles from nowhere...), and noticed that after the oil light came on. I added oil and fortunately made it home before a wrist pin clip went down the side...I must have knocked it loose while tapping in the wrist pin from the opposite side after heating the piston...Sux, but that's how you learn the hard way...

[Guest frankdugo]

my two cents .delve into that moto as a last resort.electrical first.

[guzzi jon]

Kev H.

I dont know you, but I've met you and likely, you were as underwhelmed by me as I was by you. I dont normally give a rats ass about when anyone says anything about anyone else on the net. But over the past few months, I've seem you trash Todd E, Ed Milich, and now Peter Roper. I dont know if you were pulled from your momma't tit too early, suffer from penis envy or are just a plain asshole. I have known Ed, Todd and Pete for a number of years, and their combined contribution to the Guzzi world speaks for itself.... how much did your organization donate to support guzzi racing last year? How many times did you fly overseas to fix another guzzi riders bike for the cost of airfare, where is your website that provided valuable information to guzzisti around the world gratis? When did you invent a device that helped numerous spine frame owners avoid bearing failures. Your rhetoric has finally driven me to call you what you are, a petty, arrogant, self centered asshole. My friends that you have disparaged are a bit too kind to crawl into the gutter to participate in your insulting banter, but I like the gutter. You must not know Ed, Pete or Todd, as your disrespect is unwarranted and demeaning. You fancy yourself an expert, and you may be fairly clever, but for your own good, I suggest you spend more of your time focusing on becoming a decent human being with respect for others. The internet is a poor mechanism to judge character, and you may be a decent person, but your written words are often rude, insulting and belittling.

 

Jon

[pasotibbs]

Well the good news is I'm back to two functioning bikes, having just about finished a rebuild this evening. Bit of head scratching to be done with getting the timing spot on and then start on the running in. Just got to service my BMW and then, finally, I'll be able to start on the Le Mans. I'm keeping an open mind on what I'll find, but think that any problems should be apparent on removing the head, barrels and inner sump. My only concern is over parts. I've got enough contacts to sort out specialist engineering help, but the saga over something as simple as a replacement speedo makes me wary of how easy it will be to deal with any official outlets. Are there any dealers or other specialists anyone can recommend for parts? Obviously I would prefer UK, but given the strength of the pound I wouldn't have too many qualms about mail order from state side.

 

I'm sure you'd think of this anyway (but as nobody else has mentioned it) remember to flush out the oil cooler !

It sounds like you've had more than your fair share of bad luck ,so you just know a stray bit of swarf will be waiting to wreck your rebuilt motor.

 

hope it all goes ok

 

Dave

[pete roper]

my two cents .delve into that moto as a last resort.electrical first.

 

I'd love it to be so simple. But look at the earlier posts before the silliness kicked off. Foxy started it after it had stopped and it made a noise like cats screwing! Then he took the sump off and it was full of bits of metalic shit, some of which was ferrous. Electrical gremlins usually mean that the thing just won't go, they don't usually fill up the sump with munt and make it sound like a championship boxing bout between two jack-hammers!

 

Potty mouth.

[VA Sean]

Kev H.

I dont know you, but I've met you and likely, you were as underwhelmed by me as I was by you. I dont normally give a rats ass about when anyone says anything about anyone else on the net. But over the past few months, I've seem you trash Todd E, Ed Milich, and now Peter Roper. I dont know if you were pulled from your momma't tit too early, suffer from penis envy or are just a plain asshole. I have known Ed, Todd and Pete for a number of years, and their combined contribution to the Guzzi world speaks for itself.... how much did your organization donate to support guzzi racing last year? How many times did you fly overseas to fix another guzzi riders bike for the cost of airfare, where is your website that provided valuable information to guzzisti around the world gratis? When did you invent a device that helped numerous spine frame owners avoid bearing failures. Your rhetoric has finally driven me to call you what you are, a petty, arrogant, self centered asshole. My friends that you have disparaged are a bit too kind to crawl into the gutter to participate in your insulting banter, but I like the gutter. You must not know Ed, Pete or Todd, as your disrespect is unwarranted and demeaning. You fancy yourself an expert, and you may be fairly clever, but for your own good, I suggest you spend more of your time focusing on becoming a decent human being with respect for others. The internet is a poor mechanism to judge character, and you may be a decent person, but your written words are often rude, insulting and belittling.

 

Jon

 

Well said, Jon.

I had not really been following this thread - haven't been to this forum in a while, actually.

I don't know Ed (but I am aware of his contributions to Guzzidom), but I have dealt with Pete and Todd and know both of them to be stand-up guys.

 

Regardless of the petty back-and-forths on this thread (yeah people have called the other some names - big deal), but I think Kev H has totally crossed the line.

Why?

This has got to be the first time I have ever seen anyone threaten to call the cops to report a drunk in public... at a MOTORCYCLE RALLY! let alone the Guzzi NATIONAL RALLY???!!!????

 

And yes, I'm aware of the laws governing personal conduct in my home country. I'll remind you that should you become intoxicated and obnoxious you'll find yourself with a public intoxication charge, or arrested and charged with driving under the influence, like one of your good SoCal pals, who I observed doing that, but won't bother to name.

 

 

If you don't drink - fine... but a lot of people do and do it well! And some might even tend to get rowdy after a few drinks... but it is a FRIGGIN MOTORCYCLE RALLY at a park for Heaven's sake! It isn't being conducted in your living room.

Good grief, man - get over it!

 

See y'all in June - ride safe to Malibu!

[VA Sean]

If you want to draw lines in the sand, jump on the bandwagon, take sides, that's your right, but all we seem to be accomplishing here is finding out who can be the biggest online jerk.

 

So, VA Sean, how many rallies have you attended? How long have you been riding? I'm just curious, since you've involved yourself here.

 

Geez- can this really be the same guy's philosophy? No way!

 

Kevin H

Hero Member

*****

Posts: 1094

 

Re: Lost in Action > RidingFree ??

« Reply #64 on: December 04, 2007, 06:39:51 PM »

 

Yes, I admit to pushing Kev M's as well as everybody else's buttons probably....I enjoy a good argument. I think the best in a rant, sometimes. I am a passionate individual. I like to joke around. MY LIFE IS THE BIGGEST JOKE OF ALL!!!!! Grin Grin Grin Live the life you love, use the God you trust, and DON'T TAKE IT ALL TOO SERIOUSLY....

 

How many rallies have I attended?

Just a few - I'm not nearly as seasoned as you are.

But we can talk all about that in June in Malibu, if you like.

I'm just a back-woods country bumpkin living out here in the Commonwealth.

This is my first week of riding - I think.

 

I don't pretend to know anything about the inner workings of motorcycles. Wish I did, but lucky for me I am humble enough to admit my shortcomings and ask for help... and I have damn sure received some fine help from the members of this and some other Guzzi forums we all seem to frequent - a lot of that coming from Pete, Todd E, Todd H, Greg and lots of members who don't wrench for a living. Not one of them ever asked for a DIME from me in return.

 

I'll tell you something though -- I am a pretty good judge of character, even when viewing those characters through the filter of the world wilbur web.

 

PS: Please tell me you were kidding about that threat to call in a DIP on Pete at the Guzzi National Rally... that is about the most absurd thing I've ever read!

[pete roper]

Being a valid contributor to the world of Moto Guzzi motorcycles and its owners does not allow or excuse poor personal behavior or disrespect for others. That is generally the heart of this matter.

 

Without an actual physical threat on my part, Pete threatened me with an assault charge. I have no history of assault, no criminal convictions, nor violent behavior, my only offenses have been misdemeanor traffic violations, and none for a decade. With that, I reminded him of the legal boundaries regarding alcohol consumption. Tit for tat.

 

 

So, VA Sean, how many rallies have you attended? How long have you been riding? I'm just curious, since you've involved yourself here.

 

I find it hard to believe that you can be so priggish in person.

 

When did I threaten you with anything? In a previous message you said that if I'd said something to you face to face, (Can't remember what it was, something completely innocuous probably.) I might get a slap. I simply pointed out that if you did hit me you'd probably end up on an assault charge??? Sorry? What???? As for your 'Little-Goody-Two-Shoes' holier than thou criminal record what makes you think anyone's interested? What's more what makes you think that anyone elses is any different?

 

And what has how many rallies a person has attended, how many motorbikes they've owned, how many miles they've travelled on them got to do with anything at all?

 

The only reason I have criticized anything you've said is because, I'm sorry, but in a lot of cases you are WRONG and the information you give out is inaccurate. Thing is you're unwilling to discuss the issues or give any kind of rational explanation to justify your position you simply start slinging the insults around and, oddly enough, that pisses some people off. You accuse me of rudeness? As I've TRIED to explain none of the things I've said would be considerd rude ina canverstion between equals where I come from. If I'm having a discussion with someone, in a pub, a cafe or my living room and I don't agree with what they're saying? "Don't be Daft" or "You're daft!" or 'Bollocks" are perfectly acceptable terms. Nobody would bat an eyelid! I'm sorry for you if the society you live in is so uptight that such terms are seen as upsetting. It must be very boring!

 

Foxy has, in my book, two choices. He can either sell the bike as is and take a beating price wise. Or he can strip and inspect it and them make a decision as to whether to repair it. If he decides on the latter course it will be much better and easier for him to remove the motor from the bike and work on it in comfort and leisure on a bench or table than to leave the crankcase in the bike with the crank in and do a lot of concrete-grovelling and still risk leaving foreign bodies inside it. Nobody, not one of us on this board, has been able to come up with a definitive explanation of what may of happened in this case. I still think that big end failure, probably due to oil startvation, is the most likely cause. This doesn't though explain the bits of ferrous shit in the sump. That being the case there is still a huge question mark hanging over the whole enterprise and as such it would be foolish and counter productive to simply go for the cheapest option of just flinging in a new set of big end shells and hoping. Most people don't have the cash hanging around to diagnose by destruction testing, or the time, or the inclination. Many, many people though are willing to 'Give it a go' dive in and get their hands dirty and LEARN at the same time. While everybody wants to do things as cheap as possible most people will realize that by cutting corners you usually just end up throwing good money after bad. Do the job ONCE and do it RIGHT and here is a far lesser likelyhood of it coming back and biting you on the bum and it'll be cheaper in the long run.

 

Pete

 

PS. Perhaps they're more primitive in Az than elsewhere but I've attended motorbike events all over the world and I can't say they've ever been cop-magnets? Perhaps back about the time you were born there may of been an issue but certainly in Oz nobody has singled out assemblages of motorbikes and their riders, (Rather than be-patched thugs who cover their criminal operations by masquerading as a motorbike club.) certainly not the cops. Sure we get harrassed for speeding and on the weekends of the GP and the Supers you'll tend to get some revenue raising going on but that is fiscal opportunism pure and simple. So what's the point? Why do you think motorbikes attract cops?

[jenslh]

Kevin - get lost !

 

The international Guzzi community is generally a fantastic bunch of people - you have a lot of higly qualified knovledge available on a small brand - all there to help you.

 

There's a few way to gain international credit - and Roper's chosing the hard way by helping every one on the forums. I know that as a fact as I'm hosting his articles on my website. All credits to Pete for this.

 

Besides Pete, you managed to insult Sean, Jon, and several others on this forum - you're in the dump beyound your imagination - please get a grip.

 

Meet me at any international Guzzi meeting, and I'll happily punch you on the nose - sorry, I'm not the forgiving kind of person. I'll be in Mandello in September 2008 for the GMG rally again. Saturday night at 8 o'clock in front of the factory gate could be apropriate for a "Conversation"

 

Sorry - I've never been taught good maners - and I'd never met anybody in the Guzzi community that have pissed me off this way.

 

You may start insulting me now for my poor English - I'm not a native, and 'm a slow writer, but my point stands.

 

A little respect to all those who have spend so much time helping others would be apropriate here, but that is obviously beyound your capability.

 

Once again - get lost !

 

Jens Lyck

www.guzzitech.dl/english

Sport 1100i 1997

Moto Guzzi Wrisw Watch #001

[frogonwheels]

Hi guys,

 

I've been away for a while. Just got back and found this topic.

 

I'll say 2 things :

 

1/ These kind of exchanges are no pleasant. Regardless of who's involved. I will never see the point and I honestly wish one of this forum administrator would step forward and put an end to it ( lock the thread, warn people, delete posts, kick members out etc...).

 

2/ Can we refocus on the fellow with the mechanical problem who started this thread ?

 

You guys would make a funny movie : a fellow rider has bike problems and pulls over. Before you know it, two fellow bikers stop to help out. Before you know it, these two guys go after each other and get into a brawl, right there on the side of the road while the broken down fellow watch in total dismay. Before you know it, the local cop shows up and takes them all to jail. Before you know it, right there in the cell, the broken down fellow sits on a bench asking himself how he got there, all the while the two " helpful souls " pound on each other in a corner...

 

THAT"S ENOUGH !

 

PS: I am a cheap guy. The way I learn stuff is by reading these free forums ( ps: contribution coming ) and finding out what happened and how it got fixed.

 

PS: Jens, nice to hear from you. My Guzzi watch is still a true jewel. Did you ever sell them all ?

[Duecavalli]

Frogon, I've just secured the rights to your screenplay. I've pitched it to MGM and they have decided to make a film based upon OUR outline.

 

Let me know where I should send the check.

[frogonwheels]

Frogon, I've just secured the rights to your screenplay. I've pitched it to MGM and they have decided to make a film based upon OUR outline.

 

Let me know where I should send the check.

 

If it is for less than $100, buy a round for all our members.

 

If it is for more, please PM me ASAP !

[grossohc]

I didnt think a knackered V11 could cause a international incident , lovin it <_>

[macguzzi]

I didnt think a knackered V11 could cause a international incident , lovin it <_>

Could do on this site!