PhillipLarsen

A few photos of my 2004 Ballabio after the major work

My 2004 Ballabio is in really nice shape and has about 27,800 kms (17,300 Miles) but is 20 years old and was showing a few maintenance needs. My 2012 Stelvio has cut into the amount of Kms I do on the V11 over the last couple years. The bike has never been outside other than when riding it and has only spent maybe 15 to 20 nights away from home where it stayed outside overnight. It is kept in a heated /cooled environment. Earlier this summer I decided it was time to deal with all the items and do a thorough maintenance check to prepare it for the next 20 years. Kind of a 20-year block check (D check in large aircraft words). It had a little bit of oil weeping at the cam case cover, the phase sensor, the rocker oil feed lines at the heads, sometimes some oil dripping out of the air cleaner box, the tires needing replacement, one caliper and one master cylinder showing signs of needing rebuild I created a work scope and have completed it over the last few months. It has never had the TPS or Throttle Bodies touched other than me balancing between them using a balance tube. This Forum with all the Experts and organized information made this a very enjoyable task. I appreciate all the people that have made their expertise and information available to everyone. Included in the work scope was the Decent Tune Up. Bought the suggested cables/box for both Guzzidiag and Voltmeter This was my first time using Guzzidiag, and my computer skills are not what they might have been 10 or 20 years ago. I read all the threads and watched several videos before I attempted to use it. The one item that took me a number of attempts was right at the start where you select Preferences when you enter the program (Language, the Bike Model and Com Port). I didn't realize you had to close that little window prior to being able to Select Connect under File. Workscope: Front and Rear tires Michelin Road 6 Front 120/70 ZR 17 Rear 180/55 ZR 17 (4 rear (one was short life due to tear), 3rd front since new) Rebuilt front and rear brake calipers, front & rear brake master cylinder and clutch master cylinder. Fresh pads all calipers. All flushed and fresh DOT 4. Cleaned from fork seals using the thin film (they were not weeping but as a preventive measure, they were not near as dirty as the ones in my Stelvio) Spark Plugs replaced with same type NGK BPR6ES Valve clearances set to In .006 / Ex .008 Replaced Odyssey AGM Battery with Eliminator AGM battery (third battery including original, first two were Odyssey) Crankcase vent hose – GU30157400 Oil Pressure Switch – GU17768750 Intake Temp Sensor (in airbox) – GU30729331 Phase Sensor/with O-ring – GU01721600 Cylinder Head Temp Sns. – GU29729461 Holder Cyl. Hd. Temp Sns. – GU03163330 Timing Cover Gasket – GU05001231 Timing Cover Crank Seal – 90402840 O-Ring Spacer, Crankshaft (tim. cs) – GU90706178 Crush Washers, Rocker Oil line Feed at Head – GU90706010 (used copper replacement) Roper Plate, Upper sump gaskets (2) GU01003650, Lower sump gasket – GU01003600 Viton O-Rings at oil Cooler Lines and at Breather Return to Sump Line - GU90706010 Exhaust Crossover Gaskets – GU91113230, Exhaust Gaskets at head – GU90718370, and installed a restraint to ensure crossover cannot move in future Air Filter – GU30113600, Oil Filter GU30153000, Dipstick O-Ring GU90706178 Although I had new Rubber sleeves for Airbox to TB and TB to head I did not install them as the originals look like new and are still flexible like the new ones. Oil Motul 7100 15W50 4 L. Transmission & Rear bevel box oil replaced Removed Bevel box to access front u joint, greased 3 fttngs (2 u joints, and spline) Removed Gianelli slip-ons and installed original exhaust. Polished stock exhaust head pipes, front cross pipe / under transmission collector / using 400 thru 3000 grit. Came out very nice. Removed Power Commander 3, measured TPS with TB fully closed (was 300 MV) TPS set to 157 MV using Voltmeter (with everything disconnected), Right Side TB Idle screw backed out TB Idle Air Screws removed, cleaned TB/screws, reset to -1 turn out setting Engine run, Balance tube used to synchronize RH/LH TB at 2500 RPM Guzzidiag used to read CO, check idle compared to Tachometer (it is accurate) CO was at 0, CO Set to +5. Idle set to 1100 RPM using LH idle screw reading on Guzzidiag, correlates to Tach. Also noticed that TB balance is almost equal at idle as well. Cleaned / polished bike. It is now pretty much original (except for heated grips and 2004 Lemans Upper triple tree plate/clip-on handlebars, and speedo cable with the Instruments moved up / forward about 2.5 inches to clear the clip ons. Looking forward to Spring and riding the fresh V11

I am also looking for an original paper one for my 2004 Ballabio. Have been looking for many years, have posted here before looking for one as well. So far no luck.

I have 04 Ballabio as well. You might consider booster cables to a known working car battery to eliminate battery as issue. I think with clutch lever pulled in it should turn over even if not in neutral? Also confirm kick stand cutout is not a problem ( only active if in gear ), and should still turn over with clutch lever pulled, with kickstand down. If does not turn over with above, may want to look into starter relay issues.

Hamish is one cool cat. Maybe he could teach Lulu to hunt😂

This is probably the wrong thread for this but @docc asked! It was at Halloween Eve Party 2023 at Vancouver’s Notorious and Famous 1960s “Peace House” where I was fortunate to capture a photo of a Chinese Police lady arresting a Nurse for allegedly forcing the famous Princess Lulu to dress up as a Witch, a great offence to her status as the matriarch to another famous Lulu entity. The Peace House is notorious and famous for many things including being a commune in the 60s, a movie star in 1968 and where all the after concert, all night parties for the Rock Bands playing Vancouver in the 60s took place. Some of those that were there were The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Cream, and many, many others. https://evelazarus.com/vancouvers-peace-house/ Today there are more Motorcycles than people calling it their party place including some Moto Guzzi’s🙂 I was trying to get arrested or hurt enough to need medical treatment😂

@docc is correct😂 I did suggest that some leather gloves maybe fitting for their social media video shoots, but those model ladies are hard to convince of anything. Luckily they insisted on the Moto Guzzi V11. They passed on the CBX, the Stelvio, the VF1000R, a Ducati & Norton 850 that I had available. Even though they do not know anything about motorcycles, they said it represented the “style” they were looking for. I was thinking to suggest @docc’s idea, but didn’t! The Halloween costume photos they showed me as a Policewomen and Nurse (they are 2 cousins) were great !

The old Anvil from my grandfathers farm shop with the two holes described now in my basement shop (1908 home) and used occasionally, nearby the phones from same place, and the late 1800’s snooker table that I used to have in my hangar (no place large enough to set up).

Replaced the standard size Michelin Pilot Power 2CT’s (Front had 12k Kms. (7200 miles) Rear 10k Kms (6200 miles) with Road 6’s 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17. Have had it for a couple rides from Vancouver to Whistler return on Sea to Sky Hwy (sea level to 2200 ft) 150 miles round trip of nice twisty road. The 2CTs were finished, but I had really liked how sticky they were. The Road 6’s seem very nice handling, but comparing new to old is not really a fair evaluation. The Road 6’s are pricey compared to other option but wanted to try them to see how they do.

Yes, it is from 2004. Not sure but I think MG sold them in that 2003 to 2005 era.

You might also want to check that the master cylinder is working correctly and does not have any small pieces of debris contaminating the very small holes. One time my 04 V11 had a case where it started with no brake one time, like you mention and within a couple miles and uses of the rear brake had the brake on slightly all the time, overheating the pads and disc. If I had not noticed I think the disc would have turned red. The pads had started to break down from heat. The issue was a piece of debris in the small orfice where the 90 degree fitting comes out of the master cylinder. Looked like a tiny piece of black seal material. The brake had worked perfectly since new up to that time. I rebuilt the master cylinder, caliper and new pads and worked like new since.

2004 V11 Ballabio

2004 Ballabio around 18k miles on it, recently replaced the Gianelli exhaust with the original exhaust still new so could take the wife for a ride ( she insisted as wanted a video to show friends, both her and her cousin). The bike has always been serviced regularly with all 3 oil changes, filters (air and oil), drive shaft off for greasing, calipers and master cylinders rebuilt, brake pads, etc. Getting new Michelin Road 6’s this week (has pilot 2 ct2+ that are finished). Found there was a slight hesitation or misfire sometimes when rolling on the throttle between 1800 and 2200 rpm. Seemed more frequent when hotter out, and becoming more frequent over a few hundred miles. Decided I should prepare to do the “Decent Tuneup” and while I assemble the needed items I would proceed with step 1. Spark plugs and tappet clearances. A real surprise. Plug gap was about .040/ .041 with the plugs looking in good shape ( likely about 6 k miles since last look) Tappets .011/.013 Int / Ex ( likely 10 k miles since last checked) Installed new plugs .028 (have a box of them). Set the tappers to .006/.008. Went for a 150 mile ride. No more misfire or cough at low engine rpm throttle roll on. So nice.

Agree with @Lucky Phil I still have and ride the 45 year old CBX that I have had since new with about 71,000 KM (owned a Honda dealership back then). Had it out for a ride a couple days ago. During my ride I was thinking about what attracts people to this bike as it is not very pleasant to ride. I have the Euro bars/ foot pegs option that was available in Canada, better CB900F rear shocks, and much better Pirelli tires than originals, but it rides and handles not well, much like many 1970s motorcycles. My 1975 Norton 850 is a nicer, lighter, better handling bike. But if I make the mistake of stopping by the local motorcycle Starbucks for a coffee, it is swarmed by the other bike riders, and the non riders that recognize it, etc., more so than some of my other old bikes that I think are much nicer. I don’t like to answer all the questions, so avoid doing that. If you like that kind of attention for your bike, the CBX can do that.

Docc, Great idea and am going to do it on my Ballabio next, rather than waiting for it to start showing fluid, same for Ducati 916.

Used the Seal Mate on my 2012 Stelvio today. It has about 32,000 miles on it. It started weeping a slight but visible film on both tubes a few days ago. Surprised how much debris came out. Cleaned them, pumped forks a few times, cleaned again ( a little more came out second cleaning), pumped them, cleaned all up. Took it for about 80 mile ride, with no sign of any seeping. I suggest this is worth trying if the seals are not too old and hard ( like the ones I changed out on my 49 year old Norton). Phillip

email sent

Looking forward to getting it.

Recently needed to rebuild rear master cylinder on my 2004 V11 Sport Ballabio. Found the rebuild kits at Gutsibits in UK. Cost for the two kits was about 38 Euro. The one kit is the piston, seals, spring, o-ring, sleeve, washer, etc. (BRA10241 / LS0418) The other is the 90 degree plastic fitting and seal that attaches to body where brake fluid supply enters master cylinder. (BRA19500 / LP1419) I suggest making sure to remove the 90 degree fitting, as that is where my problem was where the smaller of the two holes was plugged in behind the 90 degree fitting seal. This resulted in the caliper not fully releasing, keeping the rear brake active, heating up the pads/rotor. Lucky I noticed fairly quickly ( the next time I went to apply the brake) as I think if one did not, it would quickly cook the pads/disc. Delivery to Canada by post was relatively fast. I rebuilt the rear caliper, new pads, as well using kits from Powerhouse UK. Could not find Rear Brake Master Cylinder Thread so added here. Picture is of the removed old parts.

Confirmed for 1

Thanks DucatiGuzzIindian. I could also have it shipped to Point Roberts, Wa, just a short ride away. Shipping is much less to there and for lower cost items like this manufactured in the USA I will not need to pay and tax to import in person. Thanks

Confirming I (PhillipLarsen) am still needing one plate. I am in Vancouver BC Canada. Thanks for everyone’s efforts to design and manufacture these.