Leaderboard

I know turning 137,000 miles doesn't seem like much to celebrate. But I'm celebrating, anyway. ( I intended this to be my 20,000th post, but I used that to reference fixing a broken link that @mikev had pointed out. As it should be, I reckon! )

I haven't been on this forum for years, just thought i would drop by I have had many Guzzi's since the VII Sport California II, 98 EV, Lario, Griso, 72 Eldorado I'm currently down to just two a 2014 V7III Special and a 76 Convert Cheers Roy

296km today up in the mountains. IPA time for sure. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

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

I bought the bike that started this thread. It was REALLY heavy to move around when I got it but adding a little air to the 6 psi tires fixed that up. Oil change got done right away. A new battery was installed with purchase. There are oil drips (not up to leaks yet) from the bottom pan and the front pan (I'm not sure what's behind it yet) gaskets. I started with cleaning the old oil off just to see what was there. I added a Puig universal wind screen for good wind protection. I'm part way through painting covers red to match the tank. New paint is red with silver sparkle underneath. By the time it's done I expect it will look great (to me any ways). There is no stuttering or anything suggesting air getting into the fuel delivery system. Noises are typical for a tractor ;-). The speedo works well. I haven't owned a bike with a Veglia since the '71 Ducati Desmo 450 single I had. The glitter silver was tempting for the Guzzi paint. I thought glitter purple would be too much. In the end I stayed with the deep red. I rode a Yami 600 last year which redlines at 14k. It was always spinning at high revs. The Goose doesn't need to rev at all but likes 5 grand better than 4. 90 miles an hour isn't work for this bike. Suspension is stiff but the bike settles down right away after bumps and feels glued to the road. Tires are from '21 but only have a couple hundred miles on them. They aren't sliding at the speeds I ride at. Plans this year include finishing paint more, checking valves, and changing most oils. A gasket or 2 might get replaced as well. Within 10 minutes I get to some of the nicest riding roads in my area. There is a 60 mile loop that has almost no straight road in it. Bush all around. Gravel on the road at times because of people that go off the pavement so isn't for knee draggers but always entertaining. A ride earlier in the year had deer making me slow down in 2 places. Keep the rubber side down. Grant.

Still amazed by this bike, after 20 + years. Here picking it up in New Orleans in 2004 on my 50th birthday, an incredible gift from my wonderful wife. The next year Hurricane Katrina would wash this shop away! The Rosso still runs strong....I compare it to my other Guzzi, a 2022 V85 Guardia d Onore, and it has about 100% more Guzzi soul. Yes, both the bike and the wife are keepers for life. Andy

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

The bike that started my love for Moto Guzzi. On the bike show in Utrecht I spotted Sophia Loren amongst hundreds of occasions.

I have so enjoyed this fellow's writing in Cycle World ("Leanings") and Road&Track ("Side Glances") over his motojournalist career. I ran across this image I saved of his take on "Beatnik Bikes" . . . . . . and wondered what he is up to lately . . . Turns out: new book! And a nice article about the man and this book: https://thevintagent.com/2025/07/24/peter-egan-landings-in-america/

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.

Just think. If it not for this moment, and this fine fellow, we would not be here together. I am SO thankful!!

Today I received a big envelope with some really nice goodies and letters from the US. Thank you ‘spine raiders’ 🙏 And especially Docc! Hope you had a great weekend.

. A few pix from "the Front" at Tellico Plains. Bill

I'm reintroducing myself to this forum. I was on it around 2004 or so when I owned a V11 Ballabio. I sold that bike to help with the down payment on a house. Since then I've had several bikes mostly Ducatis including a black 2005 999S. At 69 y.o. that bike, although I loved it dearly, was just not working for me at this time of my life. I sold the 999S and had always wanted a V11 Le Mans. I searched around for a really nice example and located this stunning 14,000 mile 2002. Rode it home from Sonora via hwy 49, one of my favorites. Looking forward to re-joining the group.

I picked up my Stelvio Duecento Tributo on Wednesday. Traded my 2017 Stelvio NTX. It is shorter, lighter, faster, prettier, more refined, etc. This limited edition marking the 200th anniversary of the Stelvio Pass comes with most of the upgrade options such heated comfort seat, and electronic wizardry. I'm just waiting for the luggage to arrive (which was not included). This is the first motorcycle I've owned that has an app and ability to connect to my phone. I have yet to connect a headset, so have not tried all the voice-activated features. Also have not yet tried the adaptive cruise control. But I sure do like the blind-spot alerts that appear in mirrors and on dash when a car is in my blind spot. Only 250 miles in the saddle so far. Half of it was today, including a ride up Mount Palomar with a view to the ocean. The handling is excellent and confidence inspiring, the engine is smooth, but still with character, the transmission with quick shifter is a joy. Five ride modes to play with: Road, Touring, Sport, Rain, and Off-Road. Other than addiing bags, and possibly an extra lip on the windshield for long hauls, I'm not feeling a need to change anything. Moto Guzzi claims to be making only 2,758 of this special edition, which is the elevation of Stelvio Pass in meters. I thought that seemed like a lot compared to some of the volumes of our V11s (like 600-700 Scuras). But I guess Moto Guzzi is doing more volume with Piaggio now, which I am glad to see.

Best regards from the U.S.A. , my friends!

Non so se capita anche a voi, ma alle volte, pochi istanti prima di partire, la guardo e penso tra me e me, “oggi è più bella del solito”!!! 😍

I just did a nice 320km day trip in Friesland!

IMOC ride last Saturday. The best bike to stand behind was chosen!

Mighty fine day to have a retired fellow's schedule.

Oh C'mon now. I did 10k on this. You can make Tellico from Houston in a day, if you leave at 4am.

. . Back home, so a few -- OK, a bunch -- more pix. Captionless, but you can probably figure out who is who. Bill H's SR 2025 Pix Bill

Replaced exhaust hanger that had gone AWOL (thanks @MartyNZ for the help), evened out the exhaust height/spacing. Snugged up a few bolts that were loosening (hoping that will stop the small oil seepage problem), swapped stock ECU for the Titanium Kit Racing one, replaced the rubber nuts on the belly pan, gave it a bath and checked the tire pressure, ripped around a bit and topped off the tank. Ready for a proper ride in a few days.

the wonderful wizard of Oz(tralia). Given that I am here often, I thought I'd mention that for the next three weeks I probably wont be. We're flying to Australia tomorrow to visit my family. My last visit was in 2016, and I haven't seen one of my brothers since 2013. Flying in to Brisbane, where a former flatmate of mine lives, the brother I haven't seen since 2013 2 hours south of there. 1400 km down to Canberra to my sister, 450 odd km south of there to my mother and another brother, 1 1/2 hours west of there to my father and another brother, and then 300 odd km south to Melbourne for a couple of days. I'm expecting to cover about 2,500 km in three weeks. I hope it all goes to plan. PS: also my first long trip in a camper van. With my girlfriend. Hope that works, too.

Not mine. I just had the pleasure of riding it today. Michael has been doing a lot of work on this beast for its owner, (Who is a member here.) Apart from the cracked flywheel talked about elsewhere. It had lots of horrid little issues, and a few larger ones. Forks seals were shot, lots of missing fasteners and stuff, non existent state of ‘Tune’, buggered camchain tensioner, gearshift spring was changed prophylactically. Tuned and mapped. Anyway it’s passed it’s test. It is lovely! I took it for a brief flog, (It’s only 7*C here today!) it was like riding an angry dinosaur! Despite the missing fasteners and mechanical foul ups heaped upon it in the past it’s paint and plastic etc. is in outstanding shape. What a lovely motorbike?!

He’s fortunate because he lost his legs in a road accident and our third party insurance scheme has covered his entire recovery and return to work. The amount of assistance he has received has been outstanding and although nothing is perfect it means that rather than being a lost soul, probably unable to work, he has his own business, working from home, with all the equipment needed to, if not overcome, at least mitigate, his acquired disability. Everyone moans about the cost of our registration and CTP, (Compulsory Third Party.) insurance for vehicles. Well I will never moan again. What better thing than there be than keep people alive and contributing? He’s also an outstanding mechanic. Far better than I ever was.

Look, as I keep saying. If you want confirmation? Just pull the bevelbox and pull out the pinion carrier and pinion. You wouldn’t hesitate to pull the back wheel if you had a flat tire would you? Well it’s the same deal and then four more nuts that hold the bevelbox on. Once it’s on the bench all that is required to pull out the pinion carrier is to separate the flange from the casing. Sometimes it will simply pull out with a tug on the pinion. Sometimes you need to give the flange a couple of biffs with a hammer and drift to get it to separate a bit and then you can pry it forward until it comes loose and you can pull it out. Once it’s out the head of the pinion is staring you in the face. All these bevelboxes are essentially the same. All the way through from the T3 to the last of the California 1100’s. Yes there are differences in the lengths of the spacers in the box and these are easily swapped, then there was a change in about 2002 to the depth of the spline spigot in the crownwheel carrier, your Quota will need one of the earlier type. Apart from that the earlier Tonti boxes had 7/33 gear sets rather than the 8/33 of the Quota and of course the case has a shock mount on it whereas yours has a rubber bung filling the hole. Older Cali bevelboxes must be ten a penny in the US. Mark at Guzzi Classics probably has a dozen of them! If this had happened to me I’d just be buying a Cali box, checking it was sound and sticking it on. There is no need for it to be a Quota bevelbox. I can’t stress strongly enough. If you did ride 200 miles without oil there will be serious damage and you are taking a great risk riding it further. It will not of escaped unscathed.

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!

I worked with him filming "ON ANY SUNDAY" and had the pleasure of riding with him at Bruce Browns Ranch ...Great guy! RIP https://www.cyclenews.com/2024/11/article/godspeed-malcolm-smith-1941-2024/

I saw the new factory under construction when I was in Mandello last September. It looks interesting BUT it's obviously going to be a another "tourist attraction" thing. Don't know about others but the interest for me these days is to discover things and places that aren't popular or "attractions" for the masses. Things like the back alleys and little side lanes in Venice away from the main attractions where the real Venice life is or the hills of Tuscany and the Villas and small villages away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Bit like going to an old world bike shop with an owner and staff that have been running the place for 50 years. Much more interesting than the modern glitzy places of today inhabited by people that seem to think you are privileged to be in their showroom. Phil

Just bought this and have been riding it around quite a bit. It's incredible!

I've always wanted to love BMW motorcycles, being 1/4 German and having lived in Bavaria as a youth. I recall taking a bright yellow BMW 1100 Sport for a test ride while mySport was hors de combat for a warranty thing. First lesson in German engineering solutions was the "servo" braking popular at the time. I knew about it, but was really shocked rolling the thing out of the dealer's shop down a slope on the concrete apron. The hand lever did so absolutely NOTHING to slow the bike I melted my boot soles using them as brake pads on the concrete. Fine, I thought. I knew about that; just didn't expect it to be that ridiculous. After all, hardly anyone (!) rolls their bike around, unstarted, using the front brakes for control . . . Once underway, I kept (stupidly) flaring a knee out to look down at the "Big Twin" cradled below. Just wanted to get a visual confirmation it was actually there. There was zero motor feel. Not just compared to my(lusty)Sport. I've had Hondas, too. Somewhere in my distant consciousness, I heard a gathering of Bavarian engineers toasting with their steins of Märzen bier, "Vee have saved Doktor Hennz from zee annoyance of zee motor !" Thinking better of my distracted foolishness, I focused on the path of travel. With no "twisties" to engage, lane changing became the test of handling. It seemed just changing lanes required a Morse Code message from the helm to the Steering Control Room where the request was translated to German and transmitted to those same Bavarian engineers who celebrated yet further, "Vee have saved Doktor Hennz from the annoyance of feeling the road feedback and deplorable handling characteristics of such substandard motorcycles as the RedFrame V11 Sport." (Cue more stein clanking and proud celebration. ) I was soooo happy to get back on mySport . . . .

A little solo time early this am - 120 miles of backroads before a breakfast burrito stop in Campo. Happy Fathers day to all the dads here. Pizza night tonight with my oldest daughter. Mexico and Italy have the same colors on their flags, and they have the best food groups. Coincidence? I think not. Red, White, and Green. Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil. Or Red Salsa, Sour Cream, and Green Chili.

The reason Guzzitech’s boss rants about The Guzzidiag suite of tools is because using them cuts into his profiteering from selling unnecessary, obsolete shit that he doesn’t even understand and often doesn’t work. Using Guzzidiag and the ‘Reader’ and ‘Writer’ programs CANNOT brick or otherwise damage your ECU. Using a correctly constructed aftermarket map allows you to achieve far more, far better, than using a shitty add-on like a Power Commander or the like. Quite simply it is my belief that your problems could likely be fixed by simply tuning your bike correctly. Start at the beginning with valve lash then go through with throttlebody balance and TPS adjust and it’ll probably be golden. Don’t be tempted by stupid crap like aftermarket air filters and ‘Sensor foolers’. Just tune it correctly first. If it’s still giving issues they will be a lot easier to identify rather than just going for the ‘Scattergun’ approach to diagnosis.

Recently, a fellow explained to me that motorcycles are essential to a man's survival, even if they are sitting in the garage just to be gazed upon. His compelling argument? "Dinosaurs didn't have motorcycles. Look what happened to them !"

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

My daughter came up for a visit yesterday and as I was checking out her car...oil level, tire pressure, etc I saw she had a nail in one of her tires. I took the wheel off and threw it in the truck and headed over to Discount Tire for a free fix. About four miles from home there were two bikers pulled off in a bad spot. I parked nearby and asked what the problem was. He said he picked up a nail and couldn't ride because it was hitting the frame. I don't know how or why that tire picked this thing up but it was in the tire to the bend. I asked him what he was planning to do. He said he would take his wife's bike home and get the trailer. I told him to sit tight, I'll go home and get my stuff to fix it. Came back with my plug kit and Airmoto and got him good to go. They were an older couple on two well traveled '17 GSA's and were very appreciative. I felt good about getting them going again and I got on my way to get my tire fixed. Also I think he will be carrying the right tools when going for a ride. It's not like those bikes don't have any storage space. 8

Had my first ride of year on 2004 Ballabio after completing my 20 year (approx 25,000 km ) maintenance visit. With all the work done, new tires, all callipers & master cylinders rebuilt, new brake pads, all new engine sensors, complete “Decent Tune Up”, including plugs, air filter, etc., Roper Plate installed, drive shaft removed and greased, etc. it is just like it came out of the showroom in 2004. Good for another 20 yrs/ 25,000 km. Not sure I am! What a pleasure to ride.

I, too, have a wonderful wife who indulges my Mandello Syndrome. Don't want to mess that up by using the word "lust" here, but that sure fits my (continuing) yearning for a Rosso Corsa. I happened to be in an Atlanta dealer c. 2004 looking at one in their showroom window. As I drooled, a truck pulled up. loaded it, and took it to https://www.barbermuseum.org where, at least, I and others can look longingly at it. About the only "cheesecake" in my Moto Grappa is this ... I do, however, disagree, Andy, with your assessment about Moto Guzzi "soul" vis a' vis the V85. Aside from having, as do you, a saintly wife, I, too, own an "Oreo Guard." My V11, a Ballabio ... ... left my Moto Grappa, actually, even earlier, the Moto Grappa's beloved Atlanta predecessor, the GarageMahalo ... It makes me smile to think of it. With those Mistral cans, it made riding along water courses on backroads, inside tight, palisaded valley walls an absolute aural, and near-spiritual delight. It's why we ride motorcycles and Moto Guzzis, in particular. But, ah, the Guardia. When I first saw a V85, I found its "beak" and other Jurassic Park looks off-putting. I still am not at complete peace with that. Yet, overall -- after owning seven new Guzzis and ridden at least a dozen more from several Loops, two Nuovo Falcones, lots of Tontis, a Centauro, my own and others' Spines, and (ditto) Carcs, including several Spine LeMans variants, I think the V85 has 100% Mandello DNA, and ever bit as much of that elusive "soul" -- but, as did the SCOTUS justice, Potter Stewart, with pornography, we know when we see it. It is -- again, IMO, i.e., YMMV -- quirky beyond its gawky looks. Power? No, not the raw grunt of my Griso, or visceral joy of my Ballabio. Still, way enough for me; youngsters in years and personality may disagree. Comfort for long multi-day rides? Best of any motorcycle I've ever ridden. Better than my Norge -- minus weather protection. OK, wait; I did ride a 2003 Goldwing for some miles once. It wins. Go anywhere, even off-pavement? Except with my spunky little "Let's go!" Stornello, I am rarely on gravel, and never (Intentionally) with my EV or V85, on dirt, dual-track, or worse, but I get there more often than I want by following my GPS instead of tempering that with common sense. Handling? I find the V85 composed, willing, and certainly more capable than I am to take on the tight stuff at speed. I rode two V85's -- a '22 & a '25 -- in Corsica and Sardinia last fall. The pace was way faster than I like to ride on technical and unforgiving roads, but the V85's just said "Hang on!" and I did. Overall, it's Best in (My) Show ... [For C&W connoisseurs, in the second pic, that's Patsy Cline's first home on Back Creek Road near Gore, Virginia. ] Enough, with apologies for droning on, but I needed to help Andy understand that he was wrong. Seriously, how blessed we all are to ride this remarkable marque. Whichever Guzzi I am riding at the moment is my favorite. That is a great reminder that I need to get the V85 off of the lift ... ...and road ready for a jaunt to see the grands and then house- (and dog, cat, & gerbil!) sit in N.C. next month, followed by the Mutton Run to Kentucky and Catfish Crawl in the Ozarks. Retirement: best job I've ever had. Ciao! Bill

Day one with mySport, August 2000 . . . Top 5 Moto Guzzi picks since 1965? V11 Sport/silver, V11 LeMans Tenni, V11 Sport "carryover"/burgundy, V11 LeMans/black, V11 Coppa Italia I mean, hey @4corsa, you're asking the other inmates on the ward!

Some progress going thru the Coppa Italia, svingarm back on, carbon fender, alu plate in front of rear wheel, led rear light, startus interruptus, better ground, all connectors cleaned and treated, Caig D. Front part to do. Tires from 2014, wondering about Dunlop Sportsmart TT. Yes IPA time. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

Hi all, picture of my Scura S608 - proud owner and still going strong on trackdays 💪

In Chicagoland the Norton Club has put on an outstanding Antique Motorcycle Show every August. 20 years ago I woke up Sunday morning and hopped on my 1993 Daytona and went to it. Not having had my coffee I was a little groggy and when I pulled into the show someone waved me in. I suddenly thought “Oh Shit I’m in the Show”. I was directed to park with the Guzzi’s. I spent my day bouncing between the show and parking lot looking at cool bikes. At one point I walked by my bike and saw a sign on my seat. Move Your Bike To The Modern Bike Section. So I did. I ended up staying all day until the end. When they announced the show awards they started with Best Modern Bike and called my name. I was in shock and had not realized this was possible. The plaque was nice and I stuck in the back of my pants for its ride home. What happened next was a heart felt note that the award announcer stopped to add a special guy. He said the best Norton award goes to Joe Blow. Now his bike is a beauty but I feel that I need to tell you that everything that has been done to this bike was done by Joe. From rebuilding the engine and trans to painting it. I thought what a nice thing to say. As a baby boomer I remember when everyone did this back in the day. I knew how rare it has become to not farm out the work. I got my award because I forgot to get my coffee and park in the parking lot. My hats off to you Joe for a job well done.

Enjoy your holiday and a happy and healthy 2025!

Early gift for the Coppa, yes IPA time. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

Hi Everyone! i am happy to be a member of this forum for this wonderful Moto Guzzi model. i took delivery of this '02 Le Mans i purchased off ebay that came with all the goodies i hoped to find, Throttlemeister, MotoBits, Givi and more. I've been with Guzzi's since 2007, i have a 2011 V7R and sold my '09 CalVin last year, and am glad i found this Le Mans. I'm looking forward to participating with you guys, have been mostly reading topics, but will be more active. Here's a couple pics of my bike. It's been a bit neglected, but nothing that some attention can't make right. Right now, i'm changing fluids, it will need a new set of tires and i'm thinking i'm going to purchase a full Mistral exhaust system. PS. my apologies, this intro should have been posted in "Introductions."