Nihontochicken
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Posts posted by Nihontochicken
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Thanks, I just shot him a PM, looks like Scud had the last stash and sold out months ago. I'd like to be able to ride the scooter up the grades and wonder if the V11 was the source of the reference for Italian motorbikes as "Runzoni Downhill".
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Okay, thanks for the oil and clutch updates. Still looking for a Roper plate/kit source. Any available? I've canvassed the ether, but my search foo is admittedly weak.
As an aside, got a phone call a bit ago from the guy who ran into my dog and myself today. Seems like a nice young guy who made a regrettable error. Works at the Alzheimer's care center on the corner of the accident intersection. The mistake will cost him in insurance rates, but we're all lucky, it could have been much worse.
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Hi, back with old and new questions.
Old #1: Any current source for a Roper plate or kit?
Old #2 (follow up): Is Red Line 20W50 indeed SG rated and a better V11 lube than their 10W60?
New: Okay, V11s sound mechanical, but the clattering when the clutch lever is pulled in is rather remarkable. "They all do that" (???). From reading other threads, it appears that this is just a Guzzi aria, learn to love the music (but don't leave the scooter in gear at stoplights)? Correct interpretation?
BTW, if you think riding street bikes is dangerous, try walking your dog. I and my pooch were just mowed down today in a town crosswalk, driver said he didn't see us due to glare on his windshield. He stopped at the intersection, but came at us from the far side of the crossing and got us at maybe 15 mph. Thankfully it was a low slung car, a Mazda Miata, so I went over the top. His bumper hit my right shin (abrasion) and my left knee hit the middle of his hood, leaving a long dent (abrasions for me), and I finally bounced off his windshield (no breakage) and fell on the pavement on the driver's side (tweaked neck, shoulder and ribs). My dog Lacy didn't fare as well as she went under, nothing broken, but some nasty flesh damage, a kilobuck so far in vet fees and counting (the drain comes out on Tuesday). At least the driver has insurance. I guess I can cross this one off the life experience list.
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Thanks for the various recommendations. Looking at specs, prices and testimonials, I'm leaning toward Red Line 10W60. Comments?
As I do further research, I'm unsure what I've gotten onto with this hot Italian firecracker. Seems her family has some genetic behavioral disorders, such as gas tank venting, crankcase venting and oil starvation. So now I know what a Roper plate is! Speaking of which, are there current sources for a Roper kit? Or an engineering drawing for DIY?
It boggles the mind that such a significant engineering flaw should escape the factory, and for years, no less. Now I'm well past the age for pulling wheelies, but I have to avoid long uphills??? That's pretty lame. So just ride slowly on flat ground. Hmmmmm, somewhat less excitement than I anticipated. Oh, well, she sure looks fast!
BTW, instead of a Roper plate, as someone else asked, is it at all possible to reconfigure the engine oil pickup tube design so as to move the intake orifice rearward to the middle of the sump? TIA for informed opinion!
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I'm into classical music, Credence, Doors, Steppenwolf, Jethro Tull, Simon & Garfunkle, CSN&Y, etc. Blast from the past:
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Sorry, a bit late here, just came across this thread. Neat old trials bikes. I have one just like the unit at 1:37. Mine is nearly showroom with under 100 miles on the clock, which still sits unmolested on the lower left fork leg. A 1980 model (blue frame, next to last year issue that had the white frame), unfortunately, it's been a garage queen for many moons now. No dings on the skid plate! Slight rash on the muffler box where I dropped it screwing around in the driveway.
I tried to teach my wife to operate a motorcycle using this scooter, didn't turn out well, long story for another time.
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Wow, these Italians sure have a lot of, well, um, "personality". But then, if I wanted gender neutral reliability, I would have bought a Suzuki Bandit 1200. BTW, how did Guzzi get a plastic tank past the DOT? Even my DR650 (a "dual sport" hefty pig street bike that looks a lot like a dirt bike) has a metal tank. As far as the engine oil dipstick, interesting that it hits the middle of the pan and should be relatively lean position insensitive. I'd like to change the oil soon. At 2k miles, can I go to a full synthetic? Either way, what is recommended? One of my downloads indicates 5w40. I'm not into $20 a quart magic, but might go half that for decent stuff that is generally available. Thanks again!
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Thanks for the welcome, guys. Unfortunately the previous owner misplaced the owner's manual, so I spent the evening downloading various drawings and instructions for basic care and operation. I notice that the engine oil level is to be measured with the stick screwed in, I would suppose with the bike level. That looks to be a good trick with no center stand and the stick on the same side as the side stand. And remove the tank (not all that simple) to service the air filter??? I guess Italian hotties can indeed be difficult to maintain. Oh, yeah, lose the dweeb reflectors on the fork legs, check.
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... and I hope I'll experience Italian ecstasy and not fury. I bought the 2004 V11 Sport Naked in Half Moon Bay, just towed it home today. I'm pushing the big seven-oh this year, so this scooter will likely be my last street machine (I started in 1970 with a Bridgestone 175 Street Scrambler, well, it had high pipes!). This Guzzi is one of the plainer V11 versions, but it comes from a very sexy family.
It looks maybe too naked, would like to perhaps add a fly screen. And shouldn't all V11 rocker covers be anodized in flaming Italian red? One bug identified by the previous owner, when the bike is in neutral and the green neutral light is on, sometimes the starter circuitry thinks the bike is in gear and won't start, requiring the operator to shift into gear and back into neutral to convince the starter lockout that all is well. Is there and easy fix for this? Or are Italian hotties always hard to get started?
TIA, wish me luck!-
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Received my spring, thanks Scud! I now have two parts for Italian bikes that I don't own, this shift pawl spring and a NOS mid-'70s Ducati twin heel/toe shift pedal;
Both industrial works of art!
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Link below to a public service TV advertisement over thirty years old that was banned from most mainstream channels because it wasn't politically correct. Yeah, I'm old enough to have seen it when it was new. Sigh. It's the W.R.Grace video on the Deficit Trials that was (attempted to be) broadcast in 1986. Directed by Ridley Scott (kinda obvious when you see it). Sooooooo, prophetic and ahead of its time, or a stray shot in the dark and not to worry? I brought this up on another forum eight years ago and was nearly banned for being too political (just threw it in there again to stir the pot for grins, effem). Whaddaya think?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiBCRQL58_k
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Man, there's no keeping kitties in the bag here!
Yes, I'm considering the one in Sausalito as well as another V11 (naked Sport) in Half Moon bay as identified elsewhere on this forum. I hope to see both of them on an early March trip to San Rafael to get together with and old school bud (who just had his second hip replaced and is looking at a second spine fusion surgery, tough times). I might take you up on your offer, r3datom9, when I get up there, assuming the scooter is still up for grabs, thanks for your interest.BTW, regarding the Las Vegas Eurocycle V11 put up for sale here that the previous owner returned for resale/refund/whatever, I wrote the shop to ask what was the problem. The response was, "Wow, the ‘Guzzi Guys don’t miss a thing! That is true about the bike being previously sold. The new owner wasn’t familiar with Moto Guzzi’s and had some issues with the bike, including the riding position, so we bought the bike back. I’d be glad to answer any other questions you may have." That's quite an understatement compared to what the owner told me by PM, though I need to treat that as confidential, and don't desire to get into a pissing contest in any event.
So if I purchase one of these two bikes and it dies on my way home, will you guys show as much interest and support? Inquiring minds want to know!
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Thanks guys, my mistake. So a stock 2004 Rosso Corsa should have a two plate clutch and be good to go? Sorry, just learning the V11 ins-and-outs, hopefully enough and so soon as to not make an expensive purchase boo-boo. This is the model I may be looking at:
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About what should it cost to have a dealer replace a Rosso Corsa single plate clutch (before it grenades!) with a two piece unit, parts and labor? TIA!
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Bike I ride: 2005 Suzuki DR 650. Nice pavement scooter, a dirt bike it ain't! Though I did push it down the McGinnis Creek Trail at Pozo a couple of times. It doesn't respond very well to body English!
Bikes I own and don't ride:
1980 Bultaco Sherpa T (with under 100 miles on the clock, and, yes, the clock is still on the fork leg!)
1970s (I think) Bultaco 360 Astro
Have owned over thirty motorcycles in my lifetime, starting with a Bridgestone 175 street scrambler (!) in 1970, an excellent use for my one and only student loan.
Among the bikes I owned I had at various times about six Ducati 350 and 450 singles, a Ducati 750 Santa Monica, a water buffalo, a Suzuki GSXR 750, a Maico 490 Sand Spyder, a YZ490, a YZ250 and 250F, a KTM 300EXC (best dirt bike I ever had), and even a first issue Moto Guzzi 850 LeMans. Yeah, I wish I'd kept the last one, but now I'd even more like to have a V11, currently on the hunt for a good deal, hence my new membership here. Serious dirt riding is over with, just want to mellow out on the street now. 
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PM sent.
Okay, I Done Did It ...
in 24/7 V11
Posted
Thanks, Chuck, I tried accessing Haven's web site, mphcycles.com, but all I get is a blank page, dunno whether the problem is on his end my browser (Firefox).