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Posts posted by Guzzimax
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RIP Dr John
Those of us who love riding the spine framed V twins have certainly benefited from his enthusiasm & inventiveness for the Guzzi marque. Just imagine how different things would be now if Dr John had concentrated on filling molars & doing root canal’s instead of turning his mind to improving the products of Mandello.
Frankly I don’t consider 77 to be “old” these days, not when I’ve already passed the 60 milestone some time ago… we pass this way but once, however for us Guzzistas Dr John will be remembered with the respect he deserves- 3
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I’ll recheck tomorrow, I’ve run it up to 2000 rpm and the voltage doesn’t exceed 13.9
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I checked the charging voltage by putting a meter on the battery terminals whilst running the engine at a very fast idle
13.83 volts doesn’t seem excessive as a charge voltage
I’ll go around the various grounds and connections to make sure the contacts are clean
I suppose there could be spikes when the engine is running at typical road speed of 3000 - 5000 rpm
what do you think?
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I haven’t used the silver V11 much this summer, but yesterday it went back on the road and I’ve put around 200 miles on it over this weekend
Noticed the telltale drips of battery acid from the rubber tray when I got home this evening, so I removed the battery, no battery case cracks / leaks, so I guess it’s been overcharging and venting
I guess It’s time to replace the regulator; I understand this is a reasonably common problem with the V11 charging system
Should I check anything else before I replace the reg / rectifier unit ?
The photos below were taken yesterday at the National Memorial Arboretum Ride to the Wall, where around 5000 riders paid their respects to armed forces personnel, past & present
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The liquid is definitely battery acid, and they haven’t been connected to a battery tender over winter. I did some previous on line research and found this wasn’t recommended with Odyssey batteries unless it was a specific type of AGM compatible tender. They have been recharged once during winter using an Optimate 4 (which is AGM compatible) this was then disconnected when the battery was recharged (after around 1 hr) and not left on permanent standby
It’s a big concern that this has occurred to 2 relatively new Odesseys whereas another bike fitted with a >12 year old Spark 500 is fine.
I won’t be getting another Odessey after this experience, as my trust in the product has gone, so I guess the default choice will have to be Yuasa- 1
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Less than 2 years since I installed an Odessey PC545 in my Greenie, i found it has been leaking
Checking the bike over today, whilst getting it ready for the road after winter revealed liquid in the rubber battery tray. I can’t tell if the leak originated from a seam in the plastic casing, or the relief valve. Luckily the battery tray did its job and prevented acid dropping onto the frame, hugger etc etc
Checked my other bikes over only to find the same issue with the Rosso Corsa - a leaking Odessey battery - less than 3 years old
I’ve never in 40 years of riding / driving experienced a leak from a sealed battery. This has really shaken my confidence in the Odessey product.
I’ve read various posts stating that the V11 charging system is tough on the battery, but also others claiming that the Odessey battery is durable & very long livedYet I’ve another V11 still equipped with a very old Spark 500 battery still performing OK and not leaking
Any thoughts before I reach out to Enersys expressing my disappointment with what has been very short lives for these 2 PC545 batteries
Other suggestions of alternative brands that could be more durable? Yuasa? -
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Fantastic ride out of around 150 miles today to a Buell & Guzzi meet at Sywell Aerodrome. I rode down with a group of 4 bikes; my V11, 1100 Sport Corsa, Cali 950 & a Triumph Tiger 800. My V11 and the 1100 Sport were the only spine frames there amongst the masses of V85’s & V7’s, even 2 new V100’s. The ride pace was “brisk” with many miles of winding B roads covered with surprisingly high velocities for old school air cooled Guzzi’s
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After spending all of March away overseas on a combination of business travel & vacation, I managed to ride a V11 for the first time this year today, and a cold but sunny early Spring day. Alas, having parked to get a coffee & some bacon sandwiches 🥪 , we were ambushed by this bunch of scurvy desperados
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On 2/25/2023 at 10:01 PM, Joe said:
That’s one monster rack mounted luggage system. Ventura ?
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15 minutes ago, audiomick said:
This seems to be the manufacturer:
https://www.carcoon.com/product-range/vehicle/indoor/indoor-bikebubble/
That’s what I’ve got. Indoor Bikebubble from carcoon. Bought a new one a couple of years ago, and managed to find another unused one on the bay of fleas last year. Got a VMax 1700 squeezed into another one, they come in various sizes
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15 minutes ago, Joe said:
Guzzimax-
Hyperbaric oxygen system for V11 Sports
Where do you buy such a device? Does it diffuse Shell Rotella?
Last question, where can I buy one?
I couldn’t say if it diffuses Shell Rotella, but I’ve often thought about climbing inside with a V11 to see if it’ll help arrest my own aging, and help with my preservation
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18 hours ago, docc said:
What’s with the seat off, croc clips on the battery terminals, and charger connected. Attach an Optimate connector to your battery & plug in. Saves faffing around removing the seat.
It’s been -4 deg C for the past 10 days, roads are awash with salt and grunge, I haven’t rolled any bikes out of the garage since mid November. Spring can’t come soon enoughEven have the silver Sport tucked away in a Bike bubble
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2 hours ago, docc said:
That very nice silver Sport did not meet reserve at $3,050US.
That’s a low bid for the silver V11 and the girl thrown in as well
Joking aside I wouldn’t buy a bike advertised with a girl sprawled over it. To me it strongly suggests lack of care & respect. But I’m old school
In the depths of mid winter here, prices are all over the place.
This Scura with 14k miles is up for a stonking GBP£7995 at a dealer. Crazy price.
A late red framed Sport failed to make GBP£3700 on the bay of fleas yesterday.
Worst time to sell, it’s minus 4 deg C, mid-winter. No one’s out motorcycling, everyone is broke following Christmas and natural gas prices up by 300% compared to last winter. All mine have been tucked away in the garage connected to Optimates since mid NovBest time to buy though…
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22 hours ago, docc said:
She looks expensive to maintain. More expensive than the nice V11 she is sprawling over. I’d still employ her as a tool holder and general garage hand, but I’d think she could quickly empty your sack
Strangely I’ve never found Guzzi’s to be a babe magnet 🧲
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R.I.P. Dr John
in 24/7 V11
Posted
Pete
I assume you’re referring to Tony Foale. I must admit that I don’t have any knowledge of whether or not Dr John did ever acknowledge Tony Foales chassis development regarding the spine frame concept
I can’t recall Tony Foale applying his spine frame concept to a Guzzi, but I stand to be corrected if he did