Nihontochicken

No.

Reminds me of my GSXR750, last year edition of the old oil burners. Just after I picked it up new from the dealer, I took it on a freeway on ramp, turning about 4000 rpm from tootling the downtown streets. I whacked the throttle full open ... and damn near got my ass run over. The bike didn't cough, didn't stumble, just didn't make any appreciable horsepower. I survived that event and quickly learned to bang two down shifts and spin it to 10,000 rpm and beyond to make decent beans (it red lined at 13,500, reminded me of a Cox Thimbledrome model airplane engine). I traded that bike in

This is the Moto Guzzi V11 forum, right? That thing is about as far from a V11 as one can get, even outside what a transverse, air cooled, 90 degree twin should be subjected to, meaning Piaggio will likely sign up the creator for their MG design team. Then again, after their MGX-21 Flying Fartstress, there's no where to go but up.

Went to the advertised garage sale this morning. The above poster was huge and already sold. But the seller, a known motorcycle publications author by the name of Todd Rafferty, confirmed that the pictured scooter is indeed Italian, namely a '50s era Gilera. Goes to show that small motorcycles can be really exciting to ride (if you know how to handle them).

This framed work of art goes up for grabs in a garage sale two weekends from now. Not sure about the model of the scooter, but it's got to be Italian, and the pilot sure knows how to maximize his fun! Would anyone here like to cop out to a similar riding style? Inquiring minds!

Sorry, it showed when I first posted this, dunno what happened. Try again:

Self-explanatory: Hat tip Badzero on FAL Files.

Depending on the explanation ofor the new bodywork, it could be Ben Dover.

Hahahaha! Ain't that the truth! Of course, Guzzi has a grand tradition of tank fires. For the few here who might be unaware, the first MG LeMans editions had a metal tank with a spring loaded cap locked with a spring detente. They lacked the rocker cover add-on spark plug protectors that later models have. So when an unfortunate rider dropped his running LeMans, the impact would pop open the gas cap at the same time the asphalt broke free the spark plug wire. Fuel, check. Ignition source, check. Oxygen, check. Voila, the patented Moto Guzzi LeMans tank fire, grab the marshmallows! A

I've always been leery of electrics inside the gas tank. The "air" space above the liquid is generally near 100% gas fumes, but there is a chance that some real air (oxygen) can get in and make the mixture explosive, particularly in a nearly empty tank. The most infamous fuel tank explosion occurred in TWA Flight 800 over NY City in 1976. Note that jet fuel (kerosene) is not as inherently explosive as is gasoline. Here's a link to the Wiki coverage: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_800

And why can't current production MGs look this good???

Can't answer the question, but I have a similar concern. When I take my Suzuki DR650 around town (air cooled single, essentially one-half of a V11, Japanese style), on return checking the oil cooler shows that it's barely warm. The same trip on my V11 and the oil cooler is damned hot, maybe not to boiling water, but too hot to touch beyond a fraction of a second. A major diff between the two scooters. Is one too hot, or one too cold, or are they both just right for their particular engineering aims?

What these guys said. Pushrods are all that's needed for a 500cc+ piston that will never see five digit RPM. Then again, a bevel drive shaft overhead cam system like the '70s Ducatis would be super spiff, especially with a "gear gazer" window at the top bevel, not to mention the ability to adjust the valves on the bench. Big manufacturing bucks, though.

Does it leak oil and refuse to run at times?

Looks familiar! Here's the link to my leak thread. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?/topic/21629-my-first-oil-leak/ Snippet: "Also, I noticed all the hold down bolts were the same size except the top rear bolt, which is markedly shorter. Is this correct, or a Bubba mistake? Also one and only one steel washer dropped free from one of the bolt seats. Should all, some or none of these Allen head hold down bolts use washers?" Looks like Bubba really gets around!