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  1. I'm eager to welcome this impeccable Griso into the stable. She'll be elbowing-out my Nero Corsa, which will be for sale momentarily. Update: The Nero Corsa is likely sold. I'll post an ad if that changes.
    14 points
  2. Good evening from the Moto Grappa at the top of Virginia! Here is the slideshow I made of last weekend’s Moto Grappa Tech Days 2024 [MGTD ’24], the seventh in the MGTD series. I took 800+ pix; yes, really. On the merciful side, while, of course, there are still too many, there are fewer than 1/4 of that original number of this weekend of aging Moto Guzzi enthusiasts (sans spousal units) reliving frat house days of debauchery under the guise of working on their Italian mounts. No dummy and experienced in the squalor that follows in a MGTD’s wake, Kathi, my Perfect Pillion & Polish Princess, flew to Seattle just before the event, and — aside from a cameo to swap the “airport car" for a better one — returned after the follow-on HAZMAT team left. 😄 ========= For those still reading, the link opens in landscape collage, thus allowing you to look at all at once rather than slogging through those individually. Hover your cursor over each pic to see captions. The system truncates some of those in the collage format. The best practice is to run the pix in slideshow form so the pix are larger, tho that can cause captions to disappear unless you keep the cursor in the lower left of each photo. Yes, I know a PITA. Speaking of PITA, the “buy photo” option is nuts. If, for some inexplicable reason, you want any pic, simply download it. If want higher-res, let me know. OK … at last, the link: https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/MGTD-2024/n-cRqfHF Bill P.S. I did not include the following “bonus pic" in the slideshow proper. One of the MGTD attendees left early to rent and ride a motorcycle in Nevada.. He took several pix of his MGTD souvenir cap —à la "Where’s Waldo?” — Here’s one; read the sign!
    13 points
  3. This is the second time I ran into @activpop at the Portland Cars and Coffee. Last time he was on I believe his Stelvio? Anyways this time he brought a proper Guzzi. I had the kiddo with me so no riding. We had one of those sneaky warm days (high was about 75F later in the day) in the early Spring. They are always welcome. The bike looks and sounds fantastic. The Titaniums are definitely not as loud as Mistrals but not everyone has to be a hooligan. One of these days I'll unbury the V11 and bring it out too.
    12 points
  4. Still some snow on the lawn and in the woods, but the sun was out and temp was 53, and wife said do it. What else does a moto guy need to know, I did it. Road for about 2.5 hours being cautious in the curves cus the roads were still heavily dusted from winter sanding. Ahhhhh it felt good to get the first ride in.
    11 points
  5. Tony Foale raced Aermacchi-HD singles; they already had a spine frame that worked famously well, which he improved and adapted to other units, most notably MG. The Aermacchi spine dates back to at least 1961.
    9 points
  6. Bit chilly, but the sun was shining, so took her out for a test drive. New lambda and Agostini mid pipes.
    8 points
  7. The problem with the direct battery solution is there is a parasitic drain now on the battery when the bike is parked which along with the parasitic drain from the ECU causes the battery to lose charge fairly rapidly. The OEM design eliminates this because when the ignition key is turned off the reg is isolated due to it voltage sensing being from the light wiring circuit. The problem with the OEM arrangement is that the light circuit wiring is marginal in it's ability to carry the current without the voltage sagging when the lights are on and because the reg senses essentially battery voltage from the lighting circuit it reads the "sagged" voltage when you have the lights on. This then overcharges the battery. Instead of the reg reading actual battery voltage it reads battery voltage minus 1 volt usually. The solution is what I did years ago and is to run a separate supply for the headlights and fit mini relays in the headlight shell. This cures the voltage sag with the headlights on, eliminates the high current that the headlight switch normally has to carry and keeps the reg wired as per OEM which isolates it with the ignition switch off and avoids the parasitic drain when parked. Phil
    7 points
  8. I am sad to hear of Dr Johns passing. Life is often too short. Death does not wait for you to be ready. That Dr John did not invent the spine frame doesn't mean what Dr John did was any less impressive. He also did not invent the internal combustion engine. Everything people are doing nowadays is on the backs of those who came before. Arguably Tony Foale didn't "invent" the spine frame either, as bikes have used spine frames before he "invented" it. A better way of phrasing it might be that Tony Foale helped develop the spine frame that we know. The Guzzi sideways V twin is a natural fit for a spine frame.
    7 points
  9. Late 2012 Diablo Nero . Black/Silver 20k , No scratches no marks no peeling graphics or bubbles..perfect paint, 2 original keys ..ignition never coded 20k miles Rollerized from the Factory Updated sump gaskets installed Intake throttle bodies removed and cleaned last year, new OEM air cleaner installed ( they looked good and airbox was clean with all drain and breather hoses intact when removed) Swing arm removed and all bearings and shaft and drive shaft greased with marine grease last summer ..they all looked good and not dry when removed Beetle fueling Map installed made to match this exhaust system.. Valves , TPS and Throttle balance all checked and set with Guzzi Diag a few moths ago All rubber hoses replaced last summer, Metal Quick release fitting installed on new fuel lines New Wilbers competition "42 rear shock with remote preload New Matris front fork cartridges installed and set up with with rear shock New Brembo T-Drive front brake rotors And new front and rear Galfer pads installed last summer New Speigler front brake lines last summer New Brembo Corsa Corta Brake and Clutch masters with Billet integrated fluid tanks Arrow titanium headers and mid pipe with Mistral High mount Titanium oval can with removable baffle New Lithium battery Corbin seat and good OEM seat Freshly powder coated Marchesini Forged wheels with good Michelin "Road 6” tires Moto Demic”Adaptive” LED headlight Rizoma fully adjustable rear sets Rizoma quick fill fuel cap Moto Gadget Bar end mirrors Bar risers ( not installed) MotoGadget rear turn signals to clear exhaust. RossoPuro oil cooler cover Rosspuro. Heel guards SW Motech tank bag and mount ..Like new… Hepko Becker C- Bow mounts and Hepko Becker Hard Bags not currently mounted..excellent condition 2 sets front fairings ..Both are Moto Guzzi....one medium height clear adjustable and one tinted black Bikini Oxford Heaterz premium grips not currently mounted ( the wires are all run to the steering stem, ready for plug in.) Many, many Spare service parts… I have ALL stock parts in good condition that go with the bike except the. Original heavy Wire wheels which I sold last year. This bike is spotless and beautiful and needs nothing as far as I know..and it has never caused me ANY problems at all. Fresh oil and filter with zero miles on it. Currently Registered in my name in California..Buy and ride anywhere……. $8000 Back at home in its usual naked trim after the Southen Spine Raid..2003 On Road..Breakfast with docc and the boys
    6 points
  10. To take that a step further, the box section spine frame serves as a separator with the liquid fraction draining through the spine into the braided line that rejoins the oil sump at the back while the vapor fraction enters the airbox to be combusted. Or just gunk up the airbox . . .
    6 points
  11. So, this months prize for remote problem diagnosis goes to @Lucky Phil New plugs arrived and tank charged with fresh fuel, prodded the start buttons and BINGO! She lives and breathes. Obviously I'm a very happy bunny and now looking forward to some dry weather so I can check that the gearbox rebuild has been successful. Thanks Lucky Phil.
    6 points
  12. I replaced my breather hose over the weekend. Getting the old one out was pretty easy with the tank off. Getting the new one in was a struggle. There is just not much room to get your hands in there and get the right leverage to force the hose onto the openings. But after a few choice words and a little determination I got it on securely. One thing I learned is that the MG Cycle breather hose clamp is too small for the upper attachment to the frame. It worked for the lower side to the engine but I had to use the original clamp for the upper end. https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=1186 https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=2785 Old vs. New
    6 points
  13. Agree I tried to measure crankcase pressure on the Sporti when I was having blow-by problems (which were due to the bores being outwith spec from when they left the factory, but that's another story). It fluctuates, obviously with piston movement so cycles every revolution, but I wouldn't think it was any greater than a couple of inches of water gauge overall. Might see more if you placed a high speed transducer to read the pressure peaks. That said rubber hose will (at least partially) absorb these peaks and as @audiomick pointed out the system is open to atmosphere on the frame Here's some idea of the amount of air that's being moved
    6 points
  14. Seems I never updated anyone yet, sorry about that. I installed the circuit breaker, went it easy and works perfect, bike starts and runs as intended. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QTSZ32B/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
    6 points
  15. I did mine a couple of months ago. Actually changing the hose is in fact not that hard. A bit of a fiddle due to the bends near the ends, but not hard. You just can't see what you're doing all that well. The tedious part is dismantling the bike far enough to get to the hose. @cowtownchemist you have your tank off already, so the worst of it is done. Getting to that stage on a Le Mans also means having the fairing off. If I remember rightly, it is also a help to take the airbox out. So, as mentioned, actually changing the hose isn't really the problem, but rather the buggerising around to get to the point where you can access the hose.
    6 points
  16. I still have a lot of springs. @dowieze I'll send you a PM. You should ask your shop to stop their mods and wait for this spring. We have ZERO failures of this spring.
    6 points
  17. I mean, how many times can we kick something with so may connections up and down over time before the "kinetic chain" needs attention . . . I have seen V11 with this series of fasteners just rattled apart, simply needing a good fettling, tightening, and lubrication . . .
    6 points
  18. I took delivery of this exceptional motorcycle from an exceptional owner yesterday. Drove North with a friend, and had the Stelvio in the trailer. Then on the way South we rode a few choice roads together. For those of you who know the area: Hwy 25 out of Hollister, and the @Chuck 's favorite, the Santa Monica mountains. Thanks again @KINDOY2 - I am completely stoked about this bike.
    5 points
  19. its been warm enough to go for a few rides with my transformed guzzi... 50s during the day here ... salt is pretty much washed off the roads, though road crews havent fixed the pot holes yet ... stock airbox makes the v11 sounds better, even great, it sounds better ... i don't notice a power difference at all - seems like a totally appropriate and good refit .... rizoma mirrors are awesome (thanks again @Lucky Phil) no wobble, nice coatings, and as you said i have totally forgotten how much they cost and only notice the quality ... maybe my next initiative will be to remap to gain better MPG if possible. Oil change is complete (purchased the oil filter wrech suggested by @gstallons) Bike is running great. just need some better cold weather pants and a baklava for these early spring days.
    5 points
  20. Lovely (potential) ladies and gentlemen. White smoke. The issue has been found! Long story short, I have been changing components left/right so many times now, I lost the baseline. During this process, I had an intermittend spark, which in turn was intermittend again. I got frustrated, cursed, wanted to push the bike into a canal. Decided to start over. Begin at the base I was left off with (which was with the signal wires of the pickup crossed). Put some fuel in her, had a huge backfire (remember the crossed wires?) But hey, the size of the backfire was new. Switched the wires back and BOOM. Started up "like a dream" But why? And then there was it. I had already abused one lithium battery to failure. In the process of getting the fueling so that she would start quick, I jumpered the battery of my V11 onto her. I only used the engine ground (and not the central ground point cable I also engineered into it) and she ran fine (before the head gaskets). The only thing that changed between the last no-run-with-fuel and yesterday's baseline attempt, was I added a central ground wire. I never looked into that because she ran fine without it earlier. Started the bike, removed the ground cable and she died. Repeated 4 times without failure. So yeah, the luck of the bike running without that main ground, turned into a big search later. The real story? I sold my Caponord 1000 two months ago to a friend. Yesterday I received my Aprilia Tuareg 660 AND found out the above. Moral of the story? I just needed a new bike Thanks everyone for thinking along!
    5 points
  21. What docc said. The vent goes into the frame at the top. What is vented is a mixture of air pressure (from pistons moving up and down changing the volume of the area in the crankcases, plus some blow by past the piston rings) and oil that is carried in the moving air. That oil is something of a fine mist, typically. Once in the frame at the top the air slows down and the mist of oil collects and drains down to the bottom of that section of the spine frame. There you will find drain lines that route the collected oil back into the sump at the bottom. Some spine frames have 1 drain line, others have a pair. I have no idea why they would use two lines back to the sump, one should do. Meanwhile that air pressure that carried the oil into the spine frame is then vented into the airbox. Ideally it is just air at that point, no oil. But if you overfill your sump with oil you can end up with excess oil being blown into the airbox as it can overwhelm the system that is trying to remove the oil from the air that it vents.
    5 points
  22. Which is cheaper , an oil change or an engine rebuild ? We were w/o electricity for about 30 days one winter , I changed the oil daily on a 8500w generator. This was a small gas powered generator and I was taking NO chances . I have never seen an engine failure from frequent oil changes . On that bike , I would do oil changes every 2500 and oil/filter changes at 5k. You better get accustomed to how tight to get a filter. I have a great oil filter wrench from SnapOn and I will get the part # . OK ,it is a SnapOn OFCA 1 or OFCA 2. The only way to go !
    5 points
  23. Should have made reservation before now, just made the request...dangit hope there's still space
    5 points
  24. I hate to do it but it's time to move on from my Ballabio. I just can't comfortably ride 2 up on it. It's a sweetheart bike. The biggest issue has been shifting but that was solved with with greasing the shift shaft, adjusting the eccentrics and changing the trans oil. It has Alpina tubeless wheels which were on when I bought it. The speedo died around 10k miles and I replaced it with a GPS model which now shows 2800 miles. Runs beautifully, never had an issue in the 3 years that I have had it. I would like to see it go to a good home. $3500 or best offer.
    5 points
  25. I always have a sadness when a member here sells a V11. Yet, once-a member-always-a-member, so y'all sellers don't be strangers! And please inform your V11 buyer that the bike comes with a "free membership" to V11LeMans.com
    5 points
  26. And here is a photo of the issue with the tab being too long, and my dirt-biker-level of remedy. So much fun reviewing that thread. We did good work, gentlemen (especially @Chuck the engineer). And there were so many entertaining side-bars in that thread, like the whole metric/inch conversation. Seems the problem could be a inch-spec spring in a metric bike...
    5 points
  27. (Pathetic whimpering noise from Aussie who would crawl seven miles over broken glass to stick matches in your turds for such a bike but is too poor to do so now he's retired and couldn't bring it here anyways......) Bargain!
    5 points
  28. Agreed. The small amount of AL there is probably well within the tolerance from MG for the rotating assembly. But get a proper impact, air, electric, or battery, for next time and get the proper puller. Don't use a screwdriver to try and pry it away from the case.
    5 points
  29. Nah mate, I bought one for my bike based on your recommendation. I just didn't say thanks. So thanks.
    5 points
  30. 5 points
  31. The beast is alive. She starts and runs sweet now, and looks nice and tarty…. However, the new/replacement fuel pump works, but is buzzing loudly, so the good folks at MGcycle are sending along another one. Now can get that thing off my lift, after way too long, and make room for Red, who needs her annual shop-love. In other news, the beloved KTM 990 will go for sale very soon, as its time, and is the opportunity to remove the final Germanic influence from my garage.
    5 points
  32. Long after you've forgotten the cost the quality remains. Phil
    5 points
  33. The earlier pork chops are unfortunately pretty fragile. Any early spiney that has been up the road should really have them removed and crack tested as they do crack if crashed and although they will continue to work for awhile when they do finally let go it tends to be catastrophic as they are what supports the swingarm. Once the integrity of one fails things go to hell in a handbasket bloody quickly and due to the nature of the failure it tends to happen in high speed/high load situations.
    5 points
  34. 5 points
  35. Sunday Arvo ride. Hunter Valley NSW Australia
    5 points
  36. that Griso already knows the way to Tellico Plains
    4 points
  37. Ditto. Maybe we could put our spousal units up at Tapoco Lodge for the weekend? My Kathi always emotes about the river and view there, leaving us to consider the charms of the Cubanos. OTOH ... erm ... probably not. Bill
    4 points
  38. Ahem...do you always take the short route home on the motorbike or sometimes the leisurely, meandering longer route? Which one is more enjoyable?
    4 points
  39. Well done, @Cabernet! I am honoured at the "thank you." Pretty sure my thermistor's use-cycles and hours have made it less responsive. It has become less of a "low fuel warning" and more of a laughing crow cawing, "You've Run Out of Fuel, you dolt !"
    4 points
  40. 2003 Moto Guzzi V11 LeMans Rosso Corsa. Roughly, 20,500 miles – will go up slightly. Great condition overall. Just Serviced within the last 500 miles at The Spare Parts Company – Philadelphia. Original clip-ons replaced with High-end Woodcraft clip-ons and bar end weights. Minor scuff on seat cowl and small Chip in tank – about ¼ inch. Many accessories are available – individual cost to be determined. Guzzi Luggage Rac, Foot peg Lowering kit (3 in forward, 1 in down), Ghezzi-Brian carbon fiber hugger, Tommaselli adjustable clip-ons. Bike is located in West Orange, NJ. Thanks - Dave
    4 points
  41. Reserved a room at the Tellico Plains Lodge and TWO parking spots in the garage. Putting out positive vibes that it all comes together. XX Spine Raid, " YES " SKIP
    4 points
  42. Motoitaliane informed me they are sending me their new Dr. John book in March. I am even more looking forward to reading the interview with him from just a few months ago . . .
    4 points
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