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Being somewhat of a bush mechanic, I've had to improvise many of my tools. Upon awakening Big Red from slumber with a new battery, I know that I had to set the TPS, bleed the clutch and other small (i.e. BIG) tasks. So, I bought a bleeder banjo bolt a few years ago for my Kaw. But they sent the M10X1.0 for Euro bikes. They replaced it with the M10X1.25 for the 500, but let me keep the other (which fit a Guzzi that I did not yet have, wink wink). So, time to break that out and place it at the high point in the clutch hydraulic system. Topped with a vinyl cap and we're (almost) ready to roll. I had already posted the TPS breakout harness/VOM adapter. But I had a Motion Pro mercury carb balancer that was still in the box. They are nice tools, but rather fragile things - I broke one of the glass tubes years ago on another unit. What to do? I glancing around, I spied the package that a 20" wiper blade had arrived in. Hmmm...clear plastic, and seems to be the right size and shape. Well, whattaya know? Perfect fit and the hangtag on top of the package is ready-made to hang overhead or drape off the side of the bike. The cushioning aspect works, as fumblefingers me already dropped it. So, after pulling the mufflers and rear wheel so that I could hope to access the clutch slave bleeder nipple, That bit is now officially done. TPS set, a throttle body balance is next up. Oh, as it turns out, a lot of dry or even rusty bits associated with the rear axle, spacers and caliper mount are now well greased with high-temp synthetic grease. Since all of that did not kill me, I am apparently now stronger(?) and potentially ready for some so-far unannounced warm weather sojourn.

Funny, isn't it, that methylene chloride is used to decaffeinate coffee beans and tea leaves? I have a quart can, but no idea if I will be able to replace it. I do use a respirator and nitrile gloves with it nowadays. Usually, that is. The new paint strippers? I use the orange oil based stuff, as it has that lovely citrus scent as it does nothing to the paint.

Well, we'll find out! It looks like the Michelins currently on it were a 'wheels off-wheels on' event, with nary a look at the fasteners, axle, etc. Well, the next bloke who turns the bolts and pulls the axle will not need leverage or a dead blow hammer. Who knows, I might even have done myself a favor. Interesting that the bearings in the rear axle are Polish. The Italian bearing makers must have been on strike that week. As to the mercury manometer (what a name!) I see that Motion Pro has done pretty much the same thing with their current unit, albeit at a substantial price premium.

Hi from Cork! The old Nitromors active ingredient was Methylene Chloride and would dissolve any paint. It is now banned and the new stuff is as efficient as spring water. Hers in Ireland you can still get methylene chloride based stripper but only by 5 liters for 'professional use only', about e40 a can. If you check with suppliers of parts for the restoration of vintage tractors they should know how to get it. I will have to do mine next winter and i wil attempt it with the engine i situ, small section by small section. Its only silver paint that the previous owner did with a brush. I will leave it in bare aly with ACF50 surface treatment,like my T5

https://shop.revivalcycles.com/revival-secret-led-headlight-7-inch-retro-vintage-headlight/ Ciao

Where does it say ITI on your gauge? on my hUR/ITI, the "ITI made in Italy" was embossed on the back of the (cheap) plastic container. Before finding Joel Levine, I was in contact with an Italian shop that does the same thing as Joel, and they told me "ITI" was only manufacturing the container, the actual mechanism was from either Korea or Japan. I combed the Italian Moto-Guzzi forums, and tried to find an Italian company with an ITI brand name, did not. hUR and CEV in your case, may have been only doing the face plate's serigraph printing.

Nicely done, Sir! Taking time to address the rear axle is good method. Be especially mindful of the right, outboard needle cage, sleeve, and washer between the reardrive and swingarm. These should be liberally greased with a waterproof grease regularly lest the sealing surface of the crown wheel be destroyed. Isn’t it a great feeling to make your V11 better?

Just an interesting point, the Ducati monster/750ss/900ss CEV / ITI gauges have a metal gear, where the Guzzi one is plastic . I replaced the gears myself in my ITI speedo and it's holding up well, unfortunately the speedo body is 2mm wider otherwise I would have just fit the whole thing! Here is my ITI speedo in pieces with the new parts fitted. So that silver worm gear on my (lovely) workbench is actually sliver plastic, whereas the one I fitted from the Ducati speedo is metal. Likewise for the long gear on the left, the old one is all chewed up as you can see, It is a weird design as it is tapers towards the bottom end and sits over another worm gear that, without enough grease, just rubs a notch in it over time. I also scavenged all the parts for the trip reset knob, which works fine now!

Another bloody Celt, this time from Scotland I can't help with stripping but just wanted to add my tuppence worth to support @Emeraldv11 suggestion to leave the cases bare alloy. I've did this with 2 rebuilds where I got the casings out and sent to a professional casing restoration shop, so your case is a but different. He used some form of ball bearings in a vibrating tank to peen the surface of the alloy, its been really good great finish and no problems with furring or the like. If you didn't/couldn't do that ACF50 sounds like a good substitute treatment. I don't like engine paint at all, at some point it's just going to lift again and look awful.

Yup..............

+1 for the work that Joel does. Great communication and turnaround on my ITI speedometer, which has always been wonky since about 2005. I had an issue with my odometer reset knob being stripped and he patiently explained that I could fix it to fit...and he was right after I made a flat spot to engage the flat spot on the output shaft. Also.....I can't believe that I was able to reinstall the knob without loosing that tiny little set screw that holds it on to the shaft! Winning!!! Andy

Oh, boy! We get hear some JoeGears!

My Griso 8v and V11 LeMans. Both are amongst the best sporting Guzzi’s of recent years. The demise of the big block Guzzi’s is why I cannot get excited about anything in their current line up. Bobbers and small block Adventure bikes just don’t do it for me I’m afraid .....

We are ALL VALVE BABY!

Becuase Guzzis are made with red wine and Harleys are made with beer. Wine has a higher alcohol content, so it burns more efficiently. The tannins in the red wine also account for Guzzis having more character. My Scura, for example, has hints of blackberry and chocolate.