Enzo

Japp, These are good questions. In fact, I think I'll go to the hardware store and get a heavy rubber washer for isolation on the platform the cameral sits on. That could help. I can swing the cameral around so that you don't see the windscreen, or I can take a pic of myself riding, or a side view, or a back view. Very easy to do. As for rain, the camera can be taken off very quickly even with gloves on. Bugs - well, I can only hope a bug doesn't hit it when the lens is open!! I'm going riding today into the mountains, so I hope to have some pics for you guys tonight.

A man after my own heart. God bless him.

mounted camera

Well, I live in Seattle where it is pretty cold. About 40 degrees f. all Winter. The bike sits out there in an unheated shed. That's a mighty cold engine and reservoir of oil. So, I figure that it needs something thin when starting and warming up. Then, I think the Guzz is a pretty cool running engine. I think a very high quality lubricant like Redline or Mobil One is very adequate. 30 weight up here with a low revving engine seems OK to me.

John, I wasn't too impressed with my first dyno and the guy who did it. On the other hand, my second dyno with George Dean I can count on. He has a very good rep in the racing community and has done over 1500 dynos. When he says my bike is putting out 87 RWHP, I believe him. So, I am going to use HIS dyno as a base line for all future mods. Just pretend this dyno is my first one. He was also very impressed with my flat torque curve and said my twin was maybe the strongest 'unmodified' twin he has ever seen. Now, it would be nice if I went back now that I have the windage plate. I guess I would do it and pay the money if I had something to sell. I don't have anything to sell. I ought to be selling my Enzo Cobra Pipes, but no one is interested. Pete is going to be selling the windage plate, but again, I don't know if there is any interest. So, to me, I have nothing to prove. I only know what my 'seat of the pants' impressions are - and I am pleased. Actually, I SHOULD create a sort of business selling what I think works well with the V11. Problem is, I don't think there is a market for it.

JuhaV, Brilliant work! Your calculations help illustrate what is going on here. Once again, I encourage others to try the plate. It makes a noticeable improvement on acceleration. I want others to verify this for themselves. I will be sending the drawing we came up with back to Pete. He was kind enough to send me a plate for testing. I like its size. It is 2mm thick and about a pound and a half. No bid deal! I like that something so critical is not fragile. If you are interested in the plate, contact Pete Roper. He deserves the credit and the shekels.

Fonz, The crank is not close to the oil in the sump as you say. But I think what happens is that the spinning crank creates a vortex. This vortex is a low-pressure system which SUCKS UP the oil in the pan into the maelstrom. (Hey, that sounds like a song, 'Into the Maelstrom.') This suspended oil is simply thick wind resistance to the crank. Also, it is not in liquid isolation waiting to do its job in the sump.

Yes, that's right. Floating oil does you no good.

FRANK!!! What a kick ass idea! Wow, great web site! I didn't know this stuff could be done on line. Here's what I'm gonna do - order one with the correct inputs and dimensions. It will be pretty fun. Then we will lay it on Greg's V11 at home to see if it fits. And, if I can do THAT, I can take on other projects. Vedy vedy interestink.

Well, I don't mind being a Guinea pig when an idea is sound TO ME. This windage plate idea is sound to me, sound to Pete Roper and sound to Greg Field who gave it some thought. I am not at all surprised by Pete's experience that his engine is running cooler. That only makes sense when the oil is in the sump where it belongs - getting air flow. I also think there must really be a drag created with the cyclone affect extending down into the sump. I think this because I can definitely notice power improvements. The engine also feels more 'lubed-up'. Could be my imagination, but I try to be honest about my experience. It is sort of nice to know that at extreme RPMS, I am getting the same, consistent, and un-aerated oil flow where it belongs. Of course, like I said, the timing chain may be a little under oiled, but I'm not sure. I guess we will see in the long run. For now, I am certainly enjoying the differences in performance. When I consider the intense cyclone vacume at high speed - with the oil in your sump frothing up and actually being suspended, it is a wonder that the oil return can even send oil at those moments to your bearings. Something to think about.

JuhaV, I'll find out if it will fit the Sport 1100. Stand by for that. I believe that the spinning crank may yet 'mist' any necessary parts that do not get direct oil feed. That's my hope anyway. As for wheelies, I think ANY V11 will wheelie in first gear without use of clutch - right? Isn't that everybody's experience? Just roll along at about 10 mph and hit the throttle hard, the front end will come up. In addition to that, my front end will come up slightly shifting hard into second, and now third. If I am going up any hill on hard throttle in second or third, I have to be careful the front end doesn't get away if the surface is at all bumpy. I haven't done any internal mods. Just K&Ns and my 2 into 1 exhaust system (Enzo Replica Cobras). And, now my windage plate. I had the bike dyno-ed last month before the windage plate was put on. It was the hottest day of the year in Seattle - 95 degrees F. and the dyno still gave it 87 RWHP. Also, a very flat torque chart. I have that chart on line somewhere I think on my site. I hear a lot about jap bike power, but, honestly, I can't see one running away from me under 100 mph. It sounds pretty wicked too. Yesterday a guy in a parking lot with a Harley shirt came back over from his car and said my bike sounded like the most dominate machine he has ever heard on the street. He owned a Harley and couldn't stop telling me how fast my bike looks and sounds. Man, was he impressed with Guzzi.

Al, I think if we can get ten interested people, that might be enough to cut some plates. The more, the cheaper. So far so good. We will see how my bike holds up. The only possible theoretical disadvantage that we can think of is loss of oil on the timing chain. We will see about that. As far as we can tell, it solves many potential problems, and, it really seems to add to performance. I'm very surprised about that.

Enzo's Windage Plate - pics

Man, I only know electrical tape, hack saw, cheap spray paint and channel lock - I have been frozen in a block of ice for 10,000 years. And Motomonster comes to me for advice. So, we're not off to a good start. We better find a mechanic amonst us.

If you mean MAY 8th - that is the day Jason from M.I. will be racing his Guzzi at Pacific Raceway - hopefully. I think that this sort of get together will only work if we can at least find a 3 car garage or some other big open indoor space. I don't have such a place either. Plus, I know nothing. It seems that it would also be helpful if a day was chosen where everyone who will attend has some project they want to get done on their own bike. That way we can learn what the others are up to and get a pointer or two if we are lucky. If everyone looked around and checked on people we know and businesses etc., maybe we could even rent a space for a day every other month or so.

Modify THIS.

Al, don't be offended at this. I'm sure he means me - his master. He's a little confused. I'm already beginning to loosen up his mind.

shifting problem resolved

Francesco, Thanks for the offer, but when I travel long distance I use an Air Bus!! I don't have any long distance plans for the Guzz right now. Motomonster and I might make a trip into Eastern Washington this summer to find some nice desert roads. Spending a day in the desert sounds really good to me right now.

I love this bike. I've never seen one 'live' though. I think it is a very attractive color scheme. I believe the suede seat is an homage to tradition in Guzzi's past. Fernando - I will be in Coral Gables in July. I'd love to stop by and take a picture of your bike and see one in real life.

OK, I took the entire linkage off yesterday, cleaned and lubed it. Will put it back on this afternoon and adjust for NO PLAY or SLOP. We'll see what that does. Thanks JRT, I will also look for blockages etc. I am also going to recheck my gear oil level and may even replace oil to a straight light weight dyno like 80 SAE.

Mechanics, please offer your opinions: gearbox sticks

Yes, I have noticed bikes are rather loud at the race track. And, you are correct, I've never seen one of those highly engineered stock air/exhaust systems on any of the bikes there either. I still have a question for you all: What does hard engine braking MEAN? or, conversely, what does easy engine braking and coasting MEAN? Does anyone know?

Jeff, Excellent report. I've come to learn about the basics as you lay it out here. But I don't associate noise with power. I've seen plenty of loud and slow Harleys to know better. I hope I don't burn a valve. It may be helpful that my header is ceramic coated and also wrapped in pipe tape. This would keep the inside of the pipe super heated throughout. Well, the gas would be very hot, but the walls of the pipe would probably be less hot than stock - which again would be a problem with fresh cold air coming back up the wrong way. So, maybe my coating would make a burnt valve more likely. My main goal was to create a clean look in the back and not lose any performance. I think I've done it, but only a Dyno will tell now. It is a bit loud, but it was worse. I'm learning things by doing these experiments. I still can't tell where the bike is now making the most power, but it does seem strangely linear. I did run it right up to 8000 rpm this afternoon and it pulled strong all the way up there like it was going to go past it making power. That seemed to be a good sign. Also, the bike feels like it is not working as hard and will cruise at slow speed with more ease. There is also less hard engine braking. I don't know what this means. Does anyone know?

Well here is another follow up question: If you increase the efficiency of the combustion, will you get better milage? Assuming you have not turned up the gas mixture, I would think so. I always test my milage on the same Twin Peaks run. Last time was 33 mpg. It will be interesting to see if milage has changed. Would a change of milage indicate anything?