A Day to Mark Time By

[Dr Gil]

Back in July of ’05 I crashed my ’02 Moto Guzzi Le Mans. I had only owned it for a little over a month and had put just 2,000 miles on it.

 

 

The bike and I slid about 200 feet down the tarmac, never rolling or hitting anything. I escaped with a cracked rib and a partially collapsed lung. The bike didn’t fair so well. The entire left side of the bike sustained damage from being ground down by the asphalt. Mirrors, valve cover, turn indicator, clip-on and all the plastic on that side was toast.

 

 

The bike was totaled and even though I only have very moderate wrenching skills, a tumbledown garage (with concrete floor) and some basic hand tools I still figured I could fix it. Looking back on it now I’m not sure that was a smart decision, but it was my decision.

 

 

It has taken me 6+ months of running down parts, fixing things, fixing them again, discovering new things to fix and then repairing them. I discovered more damage than I initially anticipated. The worse moment (if you don’t count the time the bike tipped off the jack and crashed on its good side) was probably finding that the timing chain cover was cracked and needed to be replaced. This was totally beyond my modest skills but with the help of the people of the V11 Le Mans forum I was able to locate the part (Germany) I needed, got the advice that was necessary and was walked through the complete process step by step.

 

 

The repair to the cover has seemed to have worked…in fact everything seems to have worked! Today, during a break in the rain I took the out for the first time. The subsequent, short (10 mile) ride has showed no obvious problems. The bike ran fine, shifts fine and seems to be handling perfectly. There are a few small “adjustments” I have yet to make (for instance the throttle too stiff which I suspect is because of the new grips) but in light of what we’ve been through they should prove to be no problem.

 

I would like to thank the members of the V11 Le Mans board, the members of the Sport-Touring.Net? (for their incredible caring and moral support), Todd from MPH Cycles, Teo Lamers (for those tough to find parts), HMB Guzzi and Reboot Guzzi Spares for all their help during this crisis. I would also like to thank all those wonderful individuals who sold me (or in some instances simply gave them to me) their extra parts and made this rebuild possible. Mostly I would like to thank this whole wonderful Moto Guzzi community. I’m still the new guy on the block but you’ve made me feel welcome and taken care of me as one of your own…I’ve now been totally converted to the Church of Guzzi and fully plan to be a lifelong convert!

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, without further ado, I give you my new, improved, Moto Guzzi Le Mans!

 

 

 

Thank you all so much!

 

This “thank you” announcement will be cross posted on the ST.N, Wildgooseand V11 Le Mans forums…please don’t think less of me for doing so or as being a lazy bugger (which I actually probably am) for not doing something original on each site.

[Guest ratchethack]

Gil, IMHO, you've done extremely well against many challenges - the largest of which are typically mostly of one's own making - yet nonetheless formidable. Guzzis are SO easy to work on, yet many who wouldn't have been able to overcome the well-justified doubt of the uninitiated may now follow your example with confidence.

 

Taking on new challenges the way you've approached this will without question be an inspiration. It takes guts and willingness to put yourself in many areas of discomfort at the same time and follow it through.

 

Your sense of accomplishment is shared by many, I'm sure (myself included)!

 

I expected no less, my friend!

 

BTW - I b'lieve some of the photo-documentation you've provided is modern-classic, "coffee-table" quality. O' course, spouses may take exeption, along with the concept of the old timing cover hors d'ouvres serving tray...

 

Hope to meet up with you on the road sometime to shake your hand.

[orangeokie]

Very cool Dr. Gil . . . I went through the same thing with my aprilia last year at this time, so I can relate to how you feel right now. It definately draws you closer to your machine, having explored her most intimate workings. Lot of pride goes into the job as well. I remember when you were first apprehensively considering trying to restore her yourself. You had alot of self doubt, but you trudged ahead. Congratulations!

[dlaing]

BTW - I b'lieve some of the photo-documentation you've provided is modern-classic, "coffee-table" quality.

76404[/snapback]

I love how his photos have the low lit Halogen lighting, rather than the simple bulb flash/ flourescent combination.

And his web site is first class too!

Happy Trails!

[Ouiji Veck]

Way to go ...It's been a great ride.

No less enjoyable because we have identical bikes...right down to

our shop stands...I'll keep the grey valve covers though I do covet your red ones.

Well done....now if I could just get some winter week ends around here I can get

all my little maintainence projects done.

[todd haven]

Good work, Gil.

Have fun out there.

 

e-mail in a few weeks/months for an oil filter or some brake pads.

[Steve G.]

Well done Dr. Gil, your bike looks gorgeous!!

Funny thing about these ol' Gutzi's. If this had been a run-o-the-mill Honda, a write-off or TL [total loss] sticker on the tank would have most likely meant a death sentence confirmation. Because these things have such charisma and soul, it seems you have been affected by this to bring the Lemans back to the life it deserves. This makes me feel good!

Sorry to get off the subject, but I'd really appreciate an owners report on your Aerostitch suit. I'm not sure if you were wearing it during your unfortunate incident, but either way it would be great. Thanks.

Ciao, Steve G.

[Dr Gil]

Well done Dr. Gil, your bike looks gorgeous!!

Funny thing about these ol' Gutzi's. If this had been a run-o-the-mill Honda, a write-off or TL [total loss] sticker on the tank would have most likely meant a death sentence confirmation. Because these things have such charisma and soul, it seems you have been affected by this to bring the Lemans back to the life it deserves. This makes me feel good!

Sorry to get off the subject, but I'd really appreciate an owners report on your Aerostitch suit. I'm not sure if you were wearing it during your unfortunate incident, but either way it would be great. Thanks.

                                                                            Ciao, Steve G.

76422[/snapback]

 

Steve,

 

You're right. Part of my incintive here, and I know it sounds corny, is that the road (and the insurance industry) simply wasn't going to claim this "moderatly" damaged, gorgeorus bike from me/us. There are too few Guzzi's out there on the road as it is and to remove this one for such "cosmetic" damage seemed an insult. The work and acquiring the parts was a MUCH bigger job than I expected but in retrospect well worth the effort. The trick is to take it one step at a time and to ignore the "BIG" picture.

 

Yes, I was wearing Aerostich when I had the accident (two-piece, black on black...no bling). I had owned it for exactly one week. I got such a great deal on my Le Mans that I treated myself to the gear I've always lusted after. It served me well in the crash. All my gear did, with the exception of my gloves. I replaced (my insurance company paid for $1.5K US as part of my collision coverage...Foremost Insurance, highly recommended for their cost and coverage) ALL my gear today is the exact same stuff I was wearing (with the exception of the gloves which I replaced with Helimot's Buffalo 365's) during the crash.

[antonio carroccio]

Did you ride away without a plate?

[Dr Gil]

Did you ride away without a plate?

76432[/snapback]

 

I lost the plate in the accident antonio. In fact the CHP officer and I spent quite a bit of time looking for it. When I first reported the accident at DMV and explained the circumstances they issued me a temporary license for the bike good through October (figuring that would give me PLENTY of time to get it repaired and to get it back down to DMV for a VIN check). Well, Oct has come and is long gone so yesterday was a short "outlaw" run just to put some fuel in it and test the bike.

 

Today I'm off to DMV to get new temp plates and start the re-registration process...it's possibly the part of this rebuild that I'm looking forward to the least...wish me luck!

[tikkanen]

Ciao Dottore Gilberto,

 

Good to see you back on the road. We Guzzistis are the chosen few (??) and the least we could do is to extend a helping hand.

 

Enjoy your "new" bike - it looks fantastic!

 

Søren

[Martin Barrett]

I lost the plate in the accident

Today I'm off to DMV to get new temp plates and start the re-registration process...it's possibly the part of this rebuild that I'm looking forward to the least...wish me luck!

76454[/snapback]

 

Stupid question time.

In the UK vehicles are registered by a government agency(DVLA) and receive a number plate to identify the vehicle. The format &&**%%%. && will be two letters indicating the region where vehicle first registered. ** being two numerals indicating the six month period. Currently the first is either a 0 or a 5 indicating which half of the year and in ten years time will be a 1 or a 6 ....The second indicates the year still 5 till march when it becomes 6. There is a slight stagger to even out the demand for vehicles the old system used to change in September and created a demand then for the new plate. The %%% are random letters.

Tell will sell number plates at a premium I think Petes got first dibs on TO55ERS for if he comes back to the UK given his views on personal plates. You can transfer a plate to a vehicle provided it doesn't make the vehicle look newer than it is. previous formats were &***%%% and before that %%%***& and before that %%%***.

There is no insurance disc to display.

There is no roadworthiness (MOT) disc to display

But there is a road tax for which you have to have insurance and MOT if over 3 years old to obtain and that has to be displayed.

The insurance and Mot are now on data base which is accessed via the Police National Computer link to the DVLA record.

 

If you lost your number plate you just need to have a new one made. It now has to be done by an approved manufacturer and you have to produce the vehicles registration certificate. Though you can still get "show plates" Pointless legislation that isn't really enforced. always can put original plate back on for test if the tester is a bit keen.

 

So whats the score with Californian plates?

[Dr Gil]

Stupid question time.

In the UK vehicles are registered by a government agency(DVLA) and receive a number plate to identify the vehicle. The format &&**%%%. && will be two letters indicating the region where vehicle first registered. ** being two numerals indicating the six month period. Currently the first is either a 0 or a 5 indicating which half of the year and in ten years time will be a 1 or a 6 ....The second indicates the year still 5 till march when it becomes 6. There is a slight stagger  to even out the demand for vehicles the old system used to change in September and created a demand then for the new plate.  The %%% are random letters.

Tell will sell number plates at a premium I think Petes got first dibs on TO55ERS for if he comes back to the UK given his views on personal plates. You can transfer a plate to a vehicle provided it doesn't make the vehicle look newer than it is. previous formats  were &***%%% and before that %%%***& and before that %%%***.

There is no insurance  disc to display.

There is no roadworthiness (MOT) disc to display

But there is a road tax for which you have to have insurance and  MOT if over 3 years old to obtain and that has to be displayed.

The insurance and Mot are now on data base which is accessed via the Police National Computer link to the DVLA record.

 

If you lost your number plate you just need to have a new one made. It now has to be done by an approved manufacturer and you have to produce the vehicles registration certificate. Though you can still get "show plates" Pointless legislation that isn't really enforced. always can put original plate back on for test if the tester is a bit keen.

 

So whats the score with Californian plates?

76468[/snapback]

 

Proof of insurance is only needed when dealing with law enforcement. If you cannot produce proof (generally a card issued by the insurance company) then there is a fine.

 

"Roadworthiness" is not required in California. In order to register a bike (and this is the process I'm going to be starting today because I'm getting a salvage title on the "totaled" bike) you must have a form filled out by either the California Highway Patrol or by a qualified motorcycle shop stating that the brakes and all the lights are in working order. Then the bike has to be taken to the Department of Motor Vehicles office and have an agent verify the VIN numbers on the bike and that they match the paperwork.

 

Once this is completed and all the fees (fines? Oh I hope not!) are paid they simply issue you a new plate and number from a pile of motorcycle plates they have on hand. No one can make vehicle license plates in California other than the state (historically done by the prison system although I don't know if that's still the case).

[Alex-Corsa]

 

Up and riding , that's the way it has to be.! Rescently I also had a little fall as I went through ice and had a slide with few km/h though enought to brake the clutch lever and crack from the inside the left side cover (fixed today with some liquid metal will ride after and see if it worked) New cover and lever has been ordered as well as these rossopuro cylinder protectors.

All th best and ride safe.!

[Frenchbob]

Dr Gil, It truly is better when you do it yourself, and we Guzzisti just love doing it ourselves! Spectacularly good result: lovely bike. Well done, chum.

 

Bob