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This V11 lives in the northern part of the Netherlands , there’s a lot of Dutch spinies on the forum 💪🏻

I've officially ridden my first 1000 kilometers on the Lemans now!

Still check in here frequently and if I can contribute I usually try. Had it out yesterday to get its annual roadworthy test and it still puts a smile on my ugly mug. A little worried that the MOT tester was calling me Mad Max though

Let me refresh this, now that warm weather is upon us.

In the interest of science, I recruited a friend to go on a short, but twisty, ride with me this afternoon for the purpose of conducting a rigorous scientific experiment. The null hypothesis was: "OP Griso owner should not buy a Moto Guzzi V11 Sport or LeMans." Methodology Our study included suburban traffic, stoplight filtering, 40mph lane splitting, extraordinarily tight and narrow roads cut into steep hillsides, high-speed sweepers with uninterrupted visibility, and steep ascents and descents. We did not test any freeway or long straight sections, because that would have been immoral and would have violated the personal integrity of the test riders. Test riders switched steeds partway through the circuit, but did not liberate any oranges from the orchard. Findings: We were unable to disprove the null hypothesis, and therefore recommend that the OP should buy a V11, preferably one outfitted with Ohlins (or other suitable upgrade) suspension and the factory Titanium Kit Racing exhaust. Statistical significance was determined via the application of Scud's constant: intuition squared = objective reality. V11 LeMans = Sport Bike Griso = Sporty Power Cruiser Additional Findings: Riding the V11 caused rapid growth of chest hair, while no measurable effect on chest hair was noted during Griso riding. However, some light tingling in the wrist was noted on the LeMans, which was remedied by switching to the more relaxed riding position on the Griso. The LeMans exhibited a flagrant disregard for speed warning signs at the entrance of curves, while the Griso was arrogantly dismissive in similar situations. Furthermore, the acquisition of a V11 is projected to improve, rather than risk, marital satisfaction due to a logical syllogism. If buy V11, then ride more by oneself. If absence, then heart grows stronger. Therefore, If buy V11, then heart grows stronger. It follows that investing in motorcycles is the same as investing in a primary relationship. Disclaimers: The Nero Corsa is mechanically stock except for the Kit Racing exhaust. She has not been given a "decent tune up", and therefore suffers markedly in comparison to her Scura stablemate. The Griso is significantly upgraded. She has Matris forks, Wilbers shock, titanium exhaust, Marchesini wheels, Beetle map, upgraded Brembo master and rotors, Corbin seat, and every other bit and bauble that caught the PO's (Kindoy2) discerning, yet wandering and somewhat impulsive, eye. Additional Findings: This research study finds that if @KINDOY2 offers a motorcycle for sale that he has personally modified, it should be purchased immediately for the asking price. Finally, OP does not equal PO. This demonstrates that the commutative property of mathematics is not applicable to initialisms. In fact, in this case, OP = FOV11. Original Poster is a Future Owner of a V11.

Lots of maintenance over the winter (wheels off list, tank off list, swingarm bearing re-grease, new breather hose, fork oil, brake fluid, electrics cleanup etc.) The only drama was losing the BB that actuates the front brake switch and both U-joints loose, all sorted and ready for test ride when the old Odyssey battery gave up the ghost. Fortunately the nearby NAPA had a new PC545 on the shelf for $147. Ready to ride just in time for the recent nice weather, 200 mi loop to the coast without a hicccup. Thanks to all the info from the fine folks on this forum!

Hopefully not duplicating another thread, just wondered if members wanted a central place to put videos of their bikes? I live in the Isle of Man so my rides are typically quite short. I've taken to keeping a GoPro on the bike but really need to invest in a better one and better audio gear (not to mention a better sounding exhaust). Anyway, Sunday morning I like to get out early and get a lap in before the Island wakes up. Bit late today but did a reverse lap starting and finishing near home in Kirk Michael. Audio is terrible. New Road 6 tyres are fantastic. Like getting a new bike. Picture is actually of my first V11 and was taken a good eighteen years or so ago. I wouldn't mind another wee fairing like this one had.

Maybe he’ll have two bikes instead of thirty and they’ll cost a few dollars more….

They are. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

I didn't notice anything behind the bike. Barely even noticed the bike, if it comes to that...

Did some track racing last Friday. Even with our heavy bike it was really fun And also this Scura rides in The Netherlands. Track was in Venray. Also a Griso attended. Really cool. Would love to have a spine meeting here too! Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met Tapatalk

It's been up for 3 hours and no one has posted this yet? Slackers. Dave even gives a shout out to the forum! I'd love to find some of that Olins suspension and put it on the Greenie. In my spare time of course. I can't even find time to adjust the valves.

After installing MPH risers on my 01 Rosso Mandello, I was able to buy a hydraulic clutch line for a 1997 MG Centauro, which is longer than my original stock line, It works great.

Not to far from Rotterdam, on the bank of the river Lek (that reaches the Northsea in Rotterdam), in the little town of Tienhoven we have an International Guzzi Rally the 3rd weekend of June. I help organizing it and all of you are most welcome. Registration is not required, always enough space to pitch your tent. Relaxed atmosphere, Friday BBQ, live music on Friday and Saturday night. Small band to help us through the Saturday afternoon. Food en drinks availble. Small ride out on Saturday, booth sale/used parts an all. We always lack a good portion of spine frames.

WHAT caused you to do something as absurd as to create a forum for something as laden w/foibles as this ? I do know w/o this , I would not own my V11s and I certainly not appreciate them or have a relationship w/a task force of other addicts .

Compliments, @wavey_davey1, on the informative discourse in the video. Quite a relief to hear so much detail about the V11 (and other Guzzi models) well presented. I would like to thank both @Pressureangle and @p6x posting this video separately to be certain we did not miss it. Thanks, guys! That @swooshdave beat everyone to the punch should be no surprise. The operative term is "swoosh !"

So, on the way "home from work" today, I stopped off in Königsbronn and bought this.

My aim when modifying a motorcycle docc is to enhance the original concept with better components and create something that is unique but looks like it could have come out of the factory. So not trying to create a "racer" out of a tourer or GT bike and no just stripping it down and making it an uncomfortable, impractical and often illegal bike for the road. There needs to be balance, and an elegance about it and the retention of the original bikes DNA and character. This is why my V11 Sport for instance still retains the non radial callipers. Radial callipers would mean Aprilia RSV forks and a different front guard and that would have eliminated part of the V11 Sports recognisable aesthetic signature. Hanging gaudy aftermarket bit's off it is something i like to avoid as well. Phil

Since the new PM is visiting the White House today, maybe a deal will still go through? You'd think they would be looking for an off ramp for this disaster, otherwise lots of people are going to be hurt on both sides of the border.

I was wondering how the RedFrame Trash talk might settle out on a LeMans forum . . .

I don't know for sure that they are still available, but since they are still on the site, it is worth asking. I just looked on kleinanzeigen.de. Perhaps this is what @Tomchri meant. Is it any good to you? It's in Königsbronn in southern Germany. https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/moto-guzzi-v11-le-mans-baujahr-2001-verkleidung-rechts-/3013469775-306-9058 Königsbronn is here: https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/2792008#map=7/50.075/9.212 EDIT: I just looked at the advert on Kleinanzeigen again, and noticed that the part is "nur abholung", i.e. "pick-up only", so the seller probably wont send it to the Netherlands. BUT.... as it happens, I am expecting to be going from Leipzig to Altusried and back 3 or 4 times over the next 5 or 6 weeks. That means I will be going past there on the Autobahn A7, and picking it up for you would mean about a 10 km detour. So if you need help, let me know. Posting it on to you is not a problem, and if he wants cash in the hand on pick-up, that can also be done. EDIT again: thinking about it, it might confuse the seller, or make him supicious, if you contact him and tell a story about "someone will pick it up for me". If you want the part, get in touch with me and I will try and buy it. If I can get it, we can take it from there. If you change your mind, it is no big deal. That would mean I have a spare part that I don't really need right now, but one can never have too many spares, even if they are the wrong colour, so no problem.

They have a bit for compensating the distance for the brake line. https://voigt-mt.de/3-cm-Verlaengerung-fuer-Bremsleitung-oder-Kupplungsleitung-universal But for a little more you have a new brake line. Also nice after 20 years :-)

Geez @Tomchri, I think your place is listed as a place to see in the Norway travel brochure. There's the fjords, and then there's your shop.

OK, wow! Over a year and I’m just getting to update on my PC545 battery. So, it was 12 years old. Just about as much as you can expect. I replaced with a NOCO Lithium of approximately the same physical size. I’ve had no issues at all with the NOCO. Starts right now! Even after sitting all winter. I would recommend this battery as a good option, not inexpensive though.

This goose is a prime example of why I’m so very glad I’m not in the trade any more. Yes, the tune and the change in exhaust didn’t cause a casting to fail. How could they? But, at the same time he proves himself to know absolutely nothing about engines, tuning, or modern engine management systems and then is upset when the manufacturer of the machine denies warranty! Did he not consider such a possibility before embarking on any changes? Does he believe that he should be able to do anything, unsuitable or otherwise, to his machine and if it all falls in a screaming heap somebody else should pick up the pieces? What a bloody Galah! And the pouty, spoilt little boy reaction after it’s fixed! “I don’t like it any more. I’m going to get another toy, I don’t even want to ride it again! Wah! Wah!” F*ck these people! They are one of the main reasons we can’t have nice things! Look, if I’d sold it and it snapped a casting like that it would obviously be a casting fault. I can’t see how it could be anything else. I would have explained it was just bad luck, (It’s not like they can x-ray every casting for faults!) and slapped a warranty claim in for the rocker carrier, gaskets and anything else needed, perhaps a pushrod? There would have been no need for Piaggio to know about any changes because they would be irrelevant to a failure like this. If I was a dealer and had another model on the floor I probably would have cannibalised the entire rocker assembly off it and got old mate back on the road in an afternoon. Swapping the rocker gear off a smallblock is scarcely brain surgery, you could do it in 3/4’s of an hour max. You don’t even have to take the bloody petrol tank off FFS! Perhaps the reason it all became such a drama was because he’s a pathetic, snivelling, self important ignoramus and cut up rough at the shop? I dunno? It all seemed like a full-on whine-a-thon to me….. But what would I know……..

My V11 was my first ever owned bike. I looked at 3, rode on one. After 5 min of test driving, the shop owner looked confused and a bit disappointed. Don't you need more time? I said: no, what I need is a cup of coffee to discuss your asking price over. 10 years ago, still my best bike (own 3 and have owned 2 more, rode 10+).

500km on a V11 feels like 200km right? @Admin Jaap this year may be too soon, but I would happily help you organize something for next year? Would be great to get some faces to the names of the forum I roam around on for 10 years next year!

Gene I agree 100%

500m . . . 500km . . . It's just the difference of one silly letter!

Had my v11 about 5 years, never missed a beat, now I want another one 12 X bigger. Also have a disreputable 850T3. Full size. Live Sydney Australia. Active in the NSW Guzzi owners club.

Interesting topic and love the idea. About twenty years ago, I organised two V11 meetings: 2004 in Varsseveld (hometown) and 2007 in Sibbe (South Limburg NL). Great fun! And lots of international guests from allover Europe. I've kept in touch with a few of the attendees; beginning of June I'm meeting some Brits that attended in 2007. I've been playing with the idea of a 25year Anniversary rally in 2027. But, at the moment I'm still way to busy with my small business, being a city councillor and my lovely girlfriend (randomly ordered), so this year is not going to happen. BTW, that hotel is about 500 meters from my home! Docc, sorry to correct you but Leipzig > Varsseveld is about 550 kms.

With the challenges of bringing our Chief Whip to a South'n SpineRaid in Tennessee, USA (we've tried! ), I shamelessly propose we take the party to him. Varsseveld is "relatively" centrally located in The Netherlands and yet striking distance for much of our European brothers, and those in the UK. (Listen to me, talking a big game from across the pond . . . ). Quoting MojoFuzzi in the Post a Picture thread, "there’s a lot of Dutch spinies on the forum 💪🏻. " (To name just a few) . . . @Tinus89 . . . @MojoFuzzi . . . @Jaide . . . @motortouring . . . @Admin Jaap . . . @Paul Minnaert . . . @sport1100 . . . David Konings . . . @Dadparent . . . @Walterg . . . Best wishes, gentlemen! I noticed this cozy place that looks just right for a SpineRaid . . . https://www.hoteldeploeg.nl/

I've been known to dabble...

Because it's modern engineering. Very few engines these days use gaskets because sealants do a better job. Metal to metal with sealants means no gasket compression over time, no gasket failures and less parts to assemble and manufacturers save money. The Guzzi engine is a transition engine between gasket and no gasket engines. Ducati twins haven't used crankcase half gaskets for over 30 years. Removing the gearbox cover is no problem as there is a built in leverage point to pry it off. It's an engineering evolution. BTW the original Guzzi BB rocker cover gasket is a PITA and fails regularly. Use a later metal core gasket. Same for the front cover gasket.

I assumed there would be a post about it. Now I get to have @wavey_davey1 be mad at me for posting the LDG video before he did.

Got one! Ebay.

Both wheels off at the same time? Best practice is to tie it off ("chain fall ") from the joists, above, in addition to your jacking method. Belt AND suspenders? Definitely. It's worth for that ONE time that one fails without a backup. Don't ask me how I know . . .

I am always amazed at the wealth of info to be found here. The amount of detail that is written about some little part or connection on a Sport is impressive. I'm on it now, time to order parts. Thank you all!

@p6x I’m not going to say that you’re lucky but between the oil on the tire and 200 miles on a dry diff you are definitely shall we say fortunate

You can still get those Magni fairings? I do really like the look of those, better than the stock Lemans fairing even. I'll send them an email!

We had a Spine Raid Jail Break Saturday meeting at Linda’s 5th St Diner in Bowling Green KY. After a good brunch, we rode around Southern KY, totally 350+ miles. The weather couldn’t be better, the Mivv’s were pouring out a glorious soundtrack. Thank you all for attending and what a great “idea” to get together, break bread and ride! images here: https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/gallery/album/323-spine-raid-jail-break/

I know EVERYONE on this site tinkers with your bike and everything else in your shed. This year someone turned me on to how easy McMaster-Carr is to buy from. This place has just about everything you need for any project you have to work on. I order from them at least weekly. It doesn't matter how small or large your order is they fill it and they have it in stock. $12 and next day it is delivered. I needed a 12mm X 1.25 l.h. thread tap. They had (I call them) start , finishing and bottoming taps in stock and no one around could get them in less than a week. Next day and I could not drive to town for $12 . Check them out !

Can we just be done w/it and announce every member hits like on this post ?

This V11 Le Mans is a beautiful birthday present for your wife. It is a very matury ellegant ballerina with an astonishing first impression, it ages like a flower in her prime. All of it resembles your beautiful wife. How else could you honor her.

And that, sir, is the correct answer.

My comment about them not crashing well wasn’t so much a criticism as a simple statement of fact. They don’t! Thing is they aren’t designed to be crashed so in terms of their performance and ability as a motorbike it’s an irrelevance. If I was a few years younger I’d be seriously looking for a V11 now but I’m old and unhealthy and don’t have much money for fripperies and toys any more since I retired and with my current stable of bikes I certainly can’t justify another one! The biggest issue with the Spineframe series to me is that they were designed and built at a time when the factory was very cash strapped and therefore some of the design features, (The outrigger bearing in the bevelbox casing is a good example.) are a bit ‘Poverty Pack’ and poorly thought out. Other parts though like the four shaft gearbox are a delight! I wish that had been carried over into the CARC series as a good one is a real joy to use! Look, they are what they are. The only way to know if you want to buy one is to ride one. So what are you waiting for?

Chambers? Cycle World did a podcast a few months ago, picking the jam-packed brain of Kevin Cameron.

You can buy the exact same stand specifically for the V11. I have one myself. I also have a race stand for suspending from the front or rear of the frame. Phil

Man, I am too late to this party. But I have to throw in my two cents anyway. My preferred way of choice is to use a straw in the sparkplug hole to find TDC. A straw is rigid enough to feel for the piston but will not hurt anything. And I put the trans in gear and rotate the rear wheel to spin the motor over. That way I never have to worry about whether or not I am rotating the motor in the correct direction. With both plugs out and in a taller gear the motor spins over easy. But to each their own on that. Finally, as have been alluded to, whatever method you are using to find TDC there is always two different TDCs. One where the valves are at overlap and both valves are open and the other where both valves are fully closed. It doesn't matter if you are using the marks on the flywheel, a mark you made on the alternator, an object in the sparkplug hole to find when the piston is at the top of its stroke. There are two different times when the piston is at top dead center, and it will cycle back and forth between TDC with the valves at overlap, then TDC where both valves are closed, then again TDC where both valves are at overlap. If you put it at TDC and the valves do not have clearance, rotate the motor 360 degrees, watching the valves as you rotate. There, I feel better....

After chasing this issue for months, my wet sump return line was traced to spooge from the tank vent that was zip-tied to the return line . . .