malik

Just a note to others - Ventura should still be making up their racks for the V11 - check with the distributor in your area.

CEV made the trapezoidal headlights for the 1100 Sport. Let's know how it goes with the keyless fuel cap. Love those. Mal

Don't forget to spread your net a little wider - there's the odd guzzi being raced in Australia and NZ, occasionally with success. They are always the best sounding bike on the track. You should be able to get leads on them through wildguzzi. I'll mention your quest to the guzzisti racing at the Burt Munro in November and others in Australia as I come across them. Mal

I came across a late Le Mans in Reading (UK) with all the cosmetic mods (one very smart looking V11), including all the foot pegs in a rose tint. I know where the owner has the bike serviced, so could I could chase that up should you still be interested. Let me know. Mal

The V11 Le Mans I just bought in the UK was first registered in '05, but the VIN has it as an '04. Collected it on 15th, just a bit of riding around, exploring, shopping, Italian day at Sammy Miller's Museum, only have 900 miles on it, Still setting it up & servicing. Traffic here in the south of England is a bit too much - going to be heading for the far north. I hear they don't have a lot of traffic up there. Still have to organise & streamline the photo process between phone, camera & tablet. It's possible, just convoluted. Mal

Let us know how your test ride goes. With the low bars & rearsets, to me it feels like it's a lighter bike, more control into the corners. Mal

Welcome. Take one for a ride. Sometimes only half way around the block is enough to tell that it's for you or not. Having just bought one, there seems to be a few around at present (there was last week) and they are good value. Be prepared though, you are likely to get infected with the Guzzi virus. Mal

Did he find the rearsets yet? It's been a month, so more than likely. I recommend the Guzzi ones - fit perfectly & attachment is straightforward & the supplied directions effective. Moto International was selling them recently at a price far less than I paid for mine here in Oz. The best thing you can do for a V7 is a set of Staintunes. I was told that early in the day, but balked at the cost, so delayed. But it was true. A big difference. Now, of course, Agostini supplies mufflers - they are a little cheaper, people are happy with them & they even sound better than the Staintunes. BTW, with the Staintunes at least, there's no requirement to adjust the ECU. He's got loads of fun there. Mal

Thanks for the advice. Running out of time, fast.

Thanks docc. Typical Italians - most of my other bikes (the V7C, 1100 Sport (?) & the Enfields) use a 24mm axle nut. I did expect to be putting together another set of tools for this bike anyway. I was also anticipating removing the sump at least every second oil change to clean that wire gauze.

Wtll, this is a Guzzi-centric forum; one should be a little discreet. I am expected to park it sideways when out with the guzzis.

Hi, (To plagarise Denis ..........) Another new V11 member here - from sunny NEW South Wales. I'm heading for the UK and Europe for a few months, and managed to get hold of a V11 Le Mans to ride around on while I'm over there. Fly out next Monday, pick the bike up next Tuesday. It's not another 1100 Sport which I was looking for, but I think it should do quite nicely, don't you? I may have to experiment some with the riding position (the 1100 Sport is comfortable for me) but I should be able to adjust. One question I have - this bike has an external oil filter; the parts manual implies a special tool for it, will I need to get hold of one of those? My plans are pretty loose - explore the island, look up some old friends and family, meet up with a couple of mates in Vienna mid September to ride the Dolomites. I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers, Mal

Just did it to my V7C (107,000k) - I also had trouble, as well as fear & trepidation, but Luke at Motociclo had no problems. He'd done it before. Probably many times. The cap at the bottom DOES come off. Luke gently levered it up with a screwdriver blade, the screwdriver was then more robustly employed, from both the inside & outside, against those 3 larger white (in my case) lugs, taking care not to completely ruin the thing. Once you have one free, the others follow pretty easily. My ignition lost & gained its connection when the handlebars were moved. There was evidence of mild burning on one of the contacts, and the plastic holding one of the sprung plates was mildly heat distorted, enough to impede the smooth return of the spring. I opted for a new ignition, but Luke seemed to think that the plastic blocks themselves were a standard trade piece & replaceable. Good luck, Mal