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Greetings. As there have been a few rather hot days this summer, it has occurred to me that getting onto a seat that's been baking in the sun can be unpleasant. Meanwhile, my daughter finally did a big clean in her room, dumping things she didn't want in her room into the hall. Among the unwanted items was a sheepskin. So, I found a couple helpful websites and a sewing kit and started into project seat cover. From a plethora of cam straps I grabbed two. Advice said use floss, so I found some Listerine mint floss and eventually got it through the eye of the needle. Though I used a needle with the smallest eye I could, it was a bit of a bear to pull the needle through the leather, especially in warm and humid conditions, as my fingers had trouble getting purchase on the shaft of the needle. I was a bit lazy and thinking I should go raid the son's climbing gear for some chalk, but fortunately that was unnecessary as I found that drying blood actually gives some good grip. After several hours and several times that number of non-life-threatening injuries (the stick under the index finger nail still smarts), I had completed this masterpiece: Very happy with the aesthetic; it matches Bubbles' personality quite nicely. I was very excited to try out new seat cover today; even treated Bubbles to a little cleaning. While she was outside awaiting this cleaning, it started to drizzle, so I threw some plastic over top of her to keep the new seat cover dry. However, just a few drops and this thing smells like a wet dog. Definitely don't let this thing get wet. Figured I'd let things dry up for a bit before my inaugural ride, so I came in here to post on my excellent work. Started reading @Oxfo-Moto 'give me one reason' post, then start writing this post, then look outside. It looks awfully grey out there. Could it be raining heavily? Yep. Shite. Guess I'll be waiting for this thing to air dry before I report on how comfortable it is. Still, it looks great, IMHO!

I kid, but had similar experience. My wife bought an entire sheepskin at a garage sale and I promptly stole it for seat covers. Some not too stylish, but cool during hot weather and warm on those brisk mornings. Mine also soaked up water, had to strap a plastic bag on top for nights outside the garage.

That’s about 22cm taller than your average Italian…

I don't know anything about mounting sheep.

I've been doing it wrong all these years, mounting only the hide instead of the entire sheep!

2003 Rosso Corsa project bike: Replaced intermediate plate that had cracked side stand bolt hole, replaced side stand that had bent mounting bracket, changed oil and filter. First bike maintenance I've done since open heart surgery the end of February

I just discovered a custom seat builder right here in town- I'll be visiting very soon, as I have more than a couple seat projects on the shelves. The V11 seat is geriatric, I always wanted the 1100 Sport done in saddle leather, the Aermacchi cafe project only has a fiberglass base and the stocker is rotting off the stock base. The Norton Fastback seat is shot, and ridiculously expensive *if* you find one, even one that needs work. https://voodoosaddles.com/

I'm fairly relaxed about the insurance write off as long as the bike rides right and has no obvious crash damage. I'd be surprised if I do more than 2000 miles a year on this bike. But I'm sure I'll feel a $1 million for every one of those miles riding such a beautiful (and rare) machine. The only thing stopping me from buying it will be the ergonomics.

not the best 'racer' look but I've been using the very same, only black, for 25 years. Great in cold weather, great in hot weather, great in the rain. Water runs off the natural lanolin fur. Very comfy.

Aussie overstock!?

I have been riding my V11s (Tenni and Bubbles) for the better part of ten years now without complaint about the ergos. And I will not complain about them now, either. I will say, however, that my legs are a bit too long for the V11. In my youth, I was pushing 196cm. Still, hopefully, not too far from that mark, and well-proportioned . Here's a pic of where my knee is in a normal seated position on the V11. As you can see from the daylight between my thigh and the tank, the usual tank grips would be worthless. Any other tall V11 riders out there? Have you done anything? maybe a strip of grip rounding the "corner" of the tank? Maybe something more like a pad -- with some thickness -- just aft of the corner? Maybe just continue riding and loving the V11 experience and be grateful I can flat foot pretty much any bike?

Interestingly, my two minutes of research seems to point to VIN numbers and Tenni plaque numbers not correlating that well. My Tenni #112 is VIN ...114852. A website noting the auction of Tenni #108 associated it with VIN 114842. Perhaps the plaques were affixed to the Tenni(s) (what is the Italian plural of Tenni?) off the production line and so the loose correlation. Good luck. Please let us know what you discover. I wouldn't make up a number -- relish the mystery.

Years ago I bought an “Alaska sheepskin” pillion cover for my Cagiva, and have used now for almost 20yrs as a seat cover for longer rides. I got some nylon strapping and snap buckles from amazon, and each of my bikes has the under seat strap,mostly hidden out of sight, which i can just attach the seat cover to. pillion cover was how it was old, but its perfect for all my bikes on front/rider seat. gets wet and dries really quick. has a fairly tight texture, not so shaggy (not that the shaggy i’m seeing in these pics isn’t sexy!) i’m a big fan. will even roll it up and bring it on long fly-and-rides, if i plan to be in the saddle for 8hrs or more a day… a butt saver. that company that sells them is still there in Anchorage near Spenard. i think i still ads from them in the moto rags now and then.

I bought mine new, maybe that helped. The hide does get saturated. The fur gets wet as anything left in the rain, it just shakes out easily. Mine is not left on when not riding so every ride starts out dry. The fur provides air filtration and in my experience dries faster than a vinyl seat cover. I use a cam strap over the top of it. You might research waterproofing for wool.

Ha you caught that before I could change "mount" to "install"!

@docc, that's a sans sheepskin pic. Bum against the bumstop is about 2" back, but knees still aren't inside the scalloped facet of the tank.

Kentucky comes to mind. kin-took-hee from a plains Indian author I once read, meaning (loosely) 'place for food' Another one from an Iroquoian word Ken-tah-ten meaning land of tomorrow. Whatever. Spectacular riding and people. Songs. Riders can relate..

I did find one for about $30us. How little do you want to pay for a part that has a 25 year life? Phil

Same here, man. Cannot find it now.

...but you still have a spine to bring.

Sorry to say I won't be attending this year. Happy to add that I've moved my life, with my girl to a most glorious section of south central Indiana's Hoosier National Forrest. She hasn't left the city yet and I'm covered up with preparations and repairs. It's gonna take a year to settle in. The SSR is the best! I am missing you all.

Those number plates are stuck onto the top triple clamp, same as the eagle badges (which I think are still available to buy). I had not heard that some plates were missing, but that is entirely plausible. If the VIN shows that bike is an actual Tenni, that's what matters. I suppose if you really wanted a number plate, that you could have one made and laser-etched, but you'd need to either find out what number yours was supposed to be, or just make up a number. Personally, I would enjoy the bike and chalk it up to inconsistencies at the factory.

The Street Rod was my favorite version of the V Rods, I must say I really enjoyed it right up to the day it was totaled in a deer strike.