FreyZI

@fastaussie I'm a little late to this game but a few ideas: 1) If you're swapping plates (I like "pork chops", but others either don't like that or prefer "stilettos"), be aware that there seem to be two different versions of the plates with different size swingarm pins (20 vs. 22mm, by my measurement). If you get new-to-you plates, either confirm the correct size for your setup or get the pins with the plates. See 2) I got a set of plates powder coated. They are beautiful, though not presently installed. I wanted to get a visual sense of depth in the finish, so the powder coater shot them with silver first, then cherry red, followed by clear. As pretty as they are, I don't like them as much as the original Tenni anodized chops, as I discovered that I like the comfortable patina of the originals. I also haven't put them back on Bubbles (the champagne Lemans), feeling that's a little like putting lipstick on a pig (Bubbles is cosmetically-challenged). So Bubbles is wearing a pair of darker silver stilettos of unknown provenience. 3) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I like the "pop" of red chops and valve covers. If we agree that the stilettos and the valve covers are roughly equal in exposed-to-view surface area, then what you're proposing to do is essentially just moving the red spot around on the canvas; no new pop, just the same pop somewhere else. Seems like a lot of effort. But, hey: you do you, as my daughter says.

Now $3800.

@mikev I'd be inclined to try the extraction. My motto is give it a shot and be willing to call in the experts if I screw it up beyond my abilities. Fortunately, I've never had to call in the experts, and so have become (if not adept) capable at many endeavors. Also, I'm cheap. Also, the beer will taste much better as you look upon your success. I recently sheared the small kickstand bolt that goes into the sump. A little scary, but took it slow and got it out. Agree with advice previously given in this thread (extractor), but FWIW, I got my sheared bolt out by drilling several small holes along the diameter of the shank to make a slot, then a flat-head screwdriver did the trick. Good luck!

This may be an age-related question. Thought I might be able to find a on this forum to speak to this: elbow pain (mostly acute, piercing; presumably from a little inflammation about the cubital tunnel or bursa) exacerbated by elbow armor and the office desk. I generally wear ATGATT -- MTGMTT. I'm tempted to do olecranonectomies on the elbow pads. Also thinking about a more elegant solution. Anybody ever deal with this annoyance?

That Fredericksburg Sport has been on Craigslist for a while. Apparently no bites at $4500; now offered at $4,000, as of two weeks ago. Speaking of $4000 Italian twins, there's a 2003 Aprilia RSV 1000 Mille in Westchester, PA. Thoughts?

FWIW, I think a more accurate description of the so-called suede would be "rough-out".

This may be my solution to the too long legs issue. Thanks.

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.

@footgoose, this one is more like a sponge. Do treat with anything, wash periodically, etc.?

I don't know anything about mounting sheep.

@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.

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?

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!

When I got Bubbles-- sight unseen -- she came with a H&B rack and a pair of Junior 30 cases. Sadly, the cases were damaged by slides/tip overs on both sides, seals missing, and hardware (older style) less than perfect. Found a pair of as new Junior 30s in southeastern CT on CL for a very reasonable price, so Bubbles and I had a back roads, as-nearly-as-makes-no-difference 1000 mile loop this week. Damn the rain. Very nice seller. He had bought a Breva 750 for his wife to ride (with him on the most pristine pre-2K R1100GS you're likely to see). The PO of the Breva had bought the rack and cases and stored them unused, as did the gentleman who sold them to me. Encountered a lot of rain on the way home and the cases stayed dry. I'm rather pleased with them. Also brought home the H&B rack specific to the Breva 750 -- thinking I might do some modification to mount them to another of my bikes. Anyway, the old cases are going out the curb unless someone here has any use for any part of them. PM me if you want more specifics/photos. Also, if you want the Breva 750 rack, I'm happy to part with it. Say $100 delivered contiguous U.S.

Took an old roto-ho to some farmer friends over the mountain. Got a few vaguelia looks along the way.

As my buddy, Jim Anchower, says, I know it's been a long time since I rapped at ya. Work got me down, house turns a hundred this year, so no end to house projects, yadda, yadda. However, I did take advantage of the Harbor Freight 20% coupon and got myself a motorcycle lift. I was so excited to do some work on Bubbles and the Tenni. What a difference it makes. No more dreading the cold concrete floor. Some months ago, before things got busy, I had purchased four sets of front brake pads for the two V11. Took off a front caliper and opened a package of pads before I realized that somehow I ended up with the wrong damn pads. As it's been months since I purchased them, the vendor won't take them back. Now I have four pairs of EBC FA308HH pads -- suitable for most 600-1200 Yamahas, I gather. PM me if you have a Yam or two that need new front pads. Cheers, Frey

@KINDOY2, did you ride with this outfit? I'm currently entertaining a pipe dream. Kid is doing a tour with a school group (performing various places), flying into Milan late June, leaving Rome early July. She'll be traveling with the group the entire time; my wife will intersect with the group's itinerary for a few day, but I have other ideas: to wit, Mugello for MotoGP, then renting a Guzzi, hitting Mandello de Lario, and points north, ... then intersect.

I had an extra set of chops powder coated a couple years ago. I had wanted to get them anodized to restore the faded anodized chops on the Tenni, which have turned to a sort of burnt orange. I don't actually mind the color -- actually kind of like it -- but had wanted to replicate the original finish. The powdercoater tried a lot of things, but never quite was able to replicate that soft anodized finish look. In the end, they did a couple layers, with clear on top to give some depth. It's hard to get a photo that catches the light, but they have a darker cherry color. Kinda looks like red jello. You can see through the clear and make out either sand-casted or sand-blasted surface texture. @Drahchir I think you'll have an awfully hard time getting powdercoat to replicate an anodized finish. If I had an extra pair of chops lying around, I'd take my chances, IFF I could find somebody willing to give it shot. Worst case scenario, you then get it powdercoated. If you find an anodizer to try, I wouldn't sandbast to prep the pieces. Let us know your results.

@Drahchir What color are you thinking? Trying to match an original color, or something creative?

Never mind. Sold out. Edit: I'll call them tomorrow and see if they can source more.

https://italianiron.com/ducati-paso-nos-protection-cap-037141445/

This particular boot is identical to Ducati part no. 037141445. Seems it is difficult, but not impossible, to find that part (found on Italian Iron website).

Ciao. Unfortunately, my schedule NEVER permits me to make the ride for SSR (2 weeks into school), so instead of preparing for the ride, I have to content myself with deferred cleaning of the Tenni (Bubbles remains neglected in that regard). Anywho, as I was wiping off the bug splatter and working rearward today, I realized that the rear brake switch boot is shot. Reviewing the spare parts catalog, it looks like that boot is part of the "main cable kit". Anybody have a part number for the boot individually, or an alternative part that works? Cheers, Frey

Sadly, I think that was an exercise in futility. Will let my friend check it out for his ergos (mine are uncommon for an Italian bike: 6"-5", 35" inseam). I considered for a few minutes the idea of mounting some auxiliary lights on those stalks, instead of footpegs; however, they're probably too far aft to be much use for lighting. If anyone has ideas befitting a rat bike aesthetic, by all means let me know. Cheers, Frey

Long awaited footpeg lowering links arrived today. A buddy used to ride long distances (K1100, if I remember correctly), then kids and all. Has been telling his MC stories and talking about getting a Goldwing for at least the past six years. Meanwhile, I've had him out for a couple rides on my R1200R while I ride the Tenni. But, he's got some knackered knees -- he'll be popping ibuprofen and stretching his legs out in front before we get out of the neighborhood. When I picked up Bubbles from P.O., she came with a pair of custom footpeg mounts that bolt on along with the rear subframe. Finally got around to putting them back on (takes some work, b/c exhaust needs to move to get each bold out), and ordering some inexpensive (naturally) footpegs and mounts. The result is foldable pegs 17 inches forward, 3 inches lower, and a bit wider. Sitting on Bubbles in the garage felt okay, if a bit awkward with the subtle forward reach of the arms. Little test ride now... Hoping my amigo can enjoy riding Bubbles with less discomfort until he picks up a bike. I speculate that he will start looking for a Guzzi instead of a 'wing.