p6x
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Posts posted by p6x
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17 hours ago, docc said:
The V11 factory stand only lifts the rear. Awkwardly. Once on the factory stand, the front can be lifted with a platform jack under the sump. PLEASE be certain the platform is fully seated under the sump, not lifting from an edge or a corner. And PLEASE either tie your V11 down to the lift or to joists above ("chain fall").
With both wheels off the V11 on the factory stand and sump on the edge of a platform scissor jack, you are halfway to a bad day. Don't ask me how I know.
It looks to me that lifting the whole bike from under the sump is not really helpful, as it would possibly interfere with the oil filter access, should you want to service it?
I got the answer from Abba, and it is rather laconically formulated: -"sorry, we don't do anything for Moto Guzzi!"
If I understood all the entries here, the safest is to purchase a rear stand, a front stand, and if I want to work on the bike at height, I need to purchase one of those scissors platform?
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31 minutes ago, docc said:
Yep, this one is from the Netherlands. Easy....
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6 minutes ago, docc said:
The V11 factory stand only lifts the rear. Awkwardly. Once on the factory stand, the front can be lifted with a platform jack under the sump. PLEASE be certain the platform is fully seated under the sump, not lifting from an edge or a corner. And PLEASE either tie your V11 down to the lift or to joists above ("chain fall").
With both wheels off the V11 on the factory stand and sump on the edge of a platform scissor jack, you are halfway to a bad day. Don't ask me how I know.
I am guessing I am not going to try to be "too clever", I already dropped the bike by doing something stupid that served me as a lesson.
I am going to get something that is safe to operate, or I will let the guys at MPH do the heavy lifting.
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3 minutes ago, Lucky Phil said:
Well I have the ability to learn but it's like playing a guitar like an expert it takes many many hours before it's like an extension of your body. I used to set up the Mill to do work I wanted and anything remotely involved I would get him to do as I didn't want to wreck an expensive part due to a lack of skills. it never helped my confidence when I watched a master like him work the X/Y manual feeds together smoothly and with finesse. I knew then that I probably don't have enough years left to ever become that good and it be second nature.
Ciao
I can attest that it is easier to play guitar as I do that too; but I understand what you mean. I remember how we learned at school, by first doing simple stuff, such as cutting a parallelepiped block to quotes. First starting with raw material, and then taking one already started, and installing it properly. Of course, it takes time to make it just natural. There is a lot of arithmetic to absorb to. Especially if you wanted to cut your own gears, using a divider.
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On 7/16/2021 at 4:40 PM, droydx said:
My Formotion gauges are 10+ years old on my 03 Rosso...... have held up well even with just stick on tape and velcro mounts on my fairing inner. I have to change clock batteries about every 12 - 18 months and I just recently had to refill my thermometer with silicon oil, which was easy to do, and recalibrate the temperature. Quality stuff!
Andy
Hopefully, the newer technology will decrease the frequency at which you need to change the battery on the clock.
I am not yet settled on what I am going to do to install the gauges. I thought about doing what you have, having them at the back. But I am waiting to have them on hand, with the "mounting bar" fixture, to see if I can put them closer to me.
Calibrating a mechanical temperature gauge is not easy.
Speaking of Silicone oil, I am hoping they have thought about expansion. With the temperature fluctuations we have in Texas, I am afraid that I will find the gauge leaking oil. So that may be a reason to have the mounting as you did it, so the gauge is less exposed to the ardent sun we have here. Or I will maybe need to have some kind of cover?
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On 7/17/2021 at 4:32 AM, Steve S said:
I have a factory stand but find this one easier to use, drilled the swingarm and bolted on bobbins
But for the front wheel, you need the factory stand, correct?
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On 7/16/2021 at 10:46 PM, po18guy said:
For major work, I think a block and tackle, chain hoist or ceiling crane to lift the motorcycle, then a heavy duty transmission jack beneath to lower the engine.
I live in one of these cardboard house. If I install a railed hoist on the ceiling, the moment I attempt to lift the Guzzi, the bedroom floor is going to land into the garage.
I thought the ABBA sky lift was a possible choice.
On 7/17/2021 at 12:42 AM, Lucky Phil said:This, race stands at the back and a scissor jack. The wooden part is a dedicated engine holder which isn't totally necessary.
Ciao
I can see the lathe....
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On 7/16/2021 at 9:13 PM, Lucky Phil said:
Well I have a decent sized metal lathe and various other stuff but I dont have a Mill. My closest friend who passes away recently had a full engineering workshop and more importantly the skills on the machines to go with them so I was spoiled for that really. I've just spent the last little while hand digging and jack hammering 18 tons of dirt and rock from under my house which adjoins my garage so when that's concreted and I can move the bikes in there along with storage stuff that takes up room at present and I'll buy myself a Mill and a workshop press and metal bandsaw. Learning how to properly use the mill will be my next mission after that. I've got crankcases and cylinders to bore out:)
Ciao
I had the training to use most of the machines when I was in school. Including learning to use files to may fine adjustments. I learned before CNC brought the sill level from knowing and understanding, to changing tools and starting a run.
I even did gears on milling machines, using a divider and the technical stuff about steel and alloys, what to pick and all that. Learned some welding and the rudiment of being coppersmith, which is one of the most difficult skill to hon, since at the time it was all manual.
Having access to any machines, and blanks I needed made life a paradise for someone with a motorbike. This makes me understand the difference today. None of the machine shops here would let you do your own thing. Mainly, liability if you injure yourself. I asked MPH, the shop I use in Houston, if I could come and use their tools and lifts to do my maintenance, and still pay them as if they had done it themselves, but they declined.
If you know how to use a lathe, I think it is not going to take you long to master a mill.
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On 7/17/2021 at 2:28 PM, LowRyter said:
arya serious?
Y'knaw, I wazn't.
oh! I thought you were... it is difficult to tell with written narratives, especially shorts. I was just trying to bring some perspective, and I was not trying to one up or anything like this.
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If you did not know what to do, each year, you can run the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas; the tour runs from March 15th until November 15th of the current year.
There are 50 stops to make distributed inside the state, and you are considered a tour finisher if you complete at least 25 of them. Here's the interactive map of the stops!
Registration for 2021 closed on February 28th, opened to all bike brands.
I intend to make as many stops as possible, so far I made 3, the third completed today. I started with the easy ones, those located around Houston.
I will update the thread as I find it will incentivize me to do as many as I can. There are 50 stops total, and some events which allow you to meet other participants. there are 1250 participants to the 2021 tour; many of them from other states, not necessarily border either.
I am flag 1001 which is a number that fits perfectly as it can be read in both directions. The bikes' brands are not shown, so I do not know how many Moto Guzzi there are, out of them, if there are any V11. Another reason for this thread, if any reading it are doing the tour this year.
Anyway, here's my three stops so far. I will adding them as I go, to see if I can get as far as possible.
This is my 1st stop: Brenham.
This is the second stop: Navasota
This is my third stop: Anchor blown 1 mile away Texas City. I rode it in the full of typical Texas weather, around 100 degF feel, and I am able to confirm the V11 does not like it hot!!!
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On 6/9/2021 at 8:52 AM, LowRyter said:
I see Paris
I see France
I see someone's....nope
Not Paris, not France...
For the rest, I don't know..
The paving arrangement is the give away. This is typical of older Italian streets, and you see a lot of them in cities. The tramway railroad compels me to say it is Milano.
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On 6/8/2021 at 7:53 AM, Kane said:
Hmmm....looks like Paris.
Nope!
It is Italy. There is an easy tale tell... it could be Milano, but other cities have the same clues that you only find there...
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I think nature and motorbikes go hand in glove together!
Nothing like a good road trip on two wheels to make you feel special and different. I always find that riding a motorbike, wipes out all the worries and problems in life.
Riding issues over on a V11 Guzzi is the cherry on the cake! nothing compares to that.
Why don't MDs prescribe a Guzzi ride as therapy is beyond me...
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20 minutes ago, Lucky Phil said:
I have one of these. Only hassle on the V11 is I need to disconnect the shift lever to use it. Other than that it's perfect. I ordered mine direct from Germany. Make sure you order the sockets with it unless you have a few old ones lying around.
Ciao
You have a motorcycle lift as well, and a real workshop... that's nice! I can't see the lathe, milling machine, rectifying machine, boring machine, Tig/Mig and arc welding machines in the picture. At least you have a vice grip and I can only guess the cabinets are full of tools.
I don't think I need to look further for a workshop stand or a lift. I will simply com and squat yours..... :-)
I liked the Abba "sky lift" idea, but Moto Guzzi is not even in the list of the compatible motorcycles.
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What about the Abba sky lift? viable? safe?
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I found the Becker Technik stand sold by MG Cycle.
JMP Hydraulic Motorcycle lift Red 400KG sold by Boonstra BV, although I have seen several variations of that same lift sold under various other brand names.
There is also the one from Gutsibits, which I believe is a copy of the original Moto Guzzi, with a center prop that allows disassembly of the front wheel.
I found a bunch of professional solutions, which are not really adapted for the "home" garage.
The Boonstra seems to be a relatively interesting solution. I am wondering if anybody here uses one like this?
I have read that someone uses the Becker Technik stand on his Guzzi V11, and needs the prop to get the front wheel off.
There is the Zeny, but it seems it requires anchoring so that is not going to work for me.
Are there any other candidates?
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21 hours ago, LowRyter said:
I saw about 20 seconds. Clean your headers with a toothbrush? It's still stainless? Right?
Man, I'm 67 years old. My time ain't his time.
You can use a powered buff, although you would have to wear more PPE and do it in a protected environment because of the projections.
I am two years younger than you, but I like the blue look of my headers.
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39 minutes ago, Scud said:
I installed angled valve stems on the rims, both pointing to the right so they are a bit up when the bike is one the side stand. Buy some now, and hold on to them until next time you change the tires.
Here's an amazon link to the ones I used. Note that there is not a lot of extra thread when you install, so I suggest a dab of green loc-tite.
Also note, these are 83 degrees, which makes easier tool access than the 90 degree stems. Also, they are 8.3mm diameter, which is an uncommon size.
Nitrogen... I agree with pressureangle, don't bother.
Good information to install the inlet facing the opposite side of the kickstand. N2 is what Costco provides....
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44 minutes ago, Pressureangle said:
Nitrogen has only two places in my world; 70% in the air I breathe, and 100% in tires where hot pressure is critical and blowouts contribute to fire safety.
Nitrogen was a real fad for a while, but when you realize that if you let all the air out of your tires, and re-inflate with 100% nitrogen (can you verify that it's 100% nitrogen?) you still have all the regular atmospheric air in the tire left over. So you go from 70% nitrogen to 90% nitrogen. Even the guys who use it for tire pressure control use pressure caps when it's legal.I am less categorical in what I do. Yes, the actual benefits appear to be small. But I like to check my air pressure often, and I always fill up at Costco.
So, why not check my tire pressure there? I am not even certain on the N2 percent, because I never did a full inflation, just top ups.
To me, it is more a practical thing than any kind of heap. Besides, if you are on the road and away from Costco, N2 options are restricted.
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I have an air compressor at home, and the inlet is elbowed 90 degrees.
However, since Costco is providing N2, I would rather switch on my Le Mans. But the Costco inflator chuch is straight, so it does not fit.
I could install 90 degrees elbows, or 135 better for the front wheel, so it clears the rotors. You can also carry a small flexible too.
Anybody using any of those adapters (elbows) permanently installed?
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There are two main reasons to use N2 to inflate your tires;
1) Unlike air, which is the mixture that we all know about, you are using a "purer" gas. N2 has larger molecules than the 21% O2 contained in the air you inflate your tires with. Permeability will drain the gas from your tires, a little slower if you used N2.
2) Pressure sustaining: in compressed air, you have H2O vapor. This can affect your tire pressure incredibly if temperatures change drastically. This is where a "pure" gas is drier than air. I experienced this issue first hand. I was driving to Dallas from Houston, and Dallas was considerably cooler than H'town. I got a TPS warning en route; I carry an air compressor in my car, so I adjusted the pressure on the fly. But all of my four tires needed inflation.
Costco offers free N2 inflation now. They have installed self service N2 stations.
This brings me to the one issue I had: the Costco pressure chuck is straight, and there is no way you will be able to use it on your V11.... unless you have installed 90 degrees elbows valve extensions.
Has anyone done that?
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On 5/30/2021 at 4:45 PM, turn11.Larry said:
Hmmmm, where to go?
I just called EuroCycle in Las Vegas to schedule an oil / filter change and replace both tires. They ask the year and I was told they don't do anything on bikes 10 years old or older. WHAT???
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Larry Pence
Bullhead City, Arizona
Larry,
Don't feel frustrated, it is the norm for many dealerships or workshops to not work on "older" vehicles.
Before I purchased my Le Mans, I prospected workshops here in Houston, and I knew that the official Moto Guzzi dealership would not service my bike. Although the Guzzi engine has remained the same for decades, they don't stock some of the older parts, and they don't want to spend the time looking for them.
I am lucky here in Houston, because there are a few options. But just so you know, I had to replace a handlebar end weight, and it took about one month until I could ride again. Mainly because the clip on handlebar vibrated so much that it numbed my hand.
For tires, some of the shops here will not remove the wheels from your bike. You have to bring them for tire change. Again, this is for their convenience. It is easier for them to have tire installers than mechanics who are able to remove the front or rear wheel from multiple bike brands.
I have not solved that problem myself yet. I know how to remove my wheels, but I do not have a workshop stand. But I will tackle this one soon.
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Ciao,
Based on the look of your V11 Sport, I purchased the signature clock and thermometer from Formotion.
I thought about symmetry; besides, Texas is no longer what I thought it was. When I came here, I was expecting "hot and humid" all the time. This year, we have had a different Texas than the one you came to expect.
And the Guzzi is definitively temperature sensitive. Yesterday, we had cooler temperatures, and I could run around the 3k mark without having any protest from the fuel injection.
So I decided that I definitively needed time and temperature.
I chose the black bezels, because my ITI instruments are black faced. And I opted for the bolt on option. One reason is that the temperature gauge can't be had with the adhesive mount, because it is vacuumed silicone oiled filled.
Installing them so they don't look like warts will be the challenge. I have a few ideas. This is when I wish I had a lathe and a few other machines option. When I worked I my battle tank factory, I had access to all the machines and tools and supplies one could dream of.
Anyway, I am looking forward to having time and temperature on my Le Mans.
I forgot to mention, I like that Formotion proposes analog gauges. They fit the V11 Guzzi so much more in my opinion.
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Tire inflation for our V11s... valve extension: flexible? elbow 90 or 135 degrees? do you do N2?
in Technical Topics
Posted
I think Costco has done it across the board in the USA. Self serve N2 stations. As I said, it does not matter to me if it is air or N2. I am concerned with pressure accuracy.