Dr Gil

Hey, I live here! Actually I live in Eureka...just 18 miles north of ground zero for this "non-event." Unfortunately (it's all in the timing) my Le Mans has decided to act up during the hight of the riding season once again...such a prima dona. Electrical problems. Anyway, the bike is being trailered down this weekend (Labor Day) and being dropped off at my "local" dealership (250 fricken miles away) for repair. Hopefully it will return to me soon. So on the weekend of 08/08 I will be either bikeless or trailering my bike back home. If bikeless, then I will try to steal the wife's Suzkuki SV650 and motor on down (don't hate me for riding Japanese) or if on the road picking up my Guzzi then I will stop by with my trailer queen. Either way I hope to see some Guzzi's in Fortuna...the town could use some Italian noise...and Hwy 36, oh my!

Thanks guys, your advice is much appreciated. I've decided to bite the bullet on this one and trailer the mighty Guzzi down to my local dealership (250 miles away). I am totally ignorant about electrics and this one is over my head. While there I'm having them put it on the dyno and tune in the Power Commander. Something I've been meaning to do anyway. You guys are aces.

For the love of... On this morning's commute the Guzzi's tach quit on me again...sooner than usual however. I got 19 miles into my 20 mile commute and suddenly the bike starts stuttering, loosing speed and then quit altogether. I pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. I turned the ignition off then on, hit the start button and NOTHING! I thumbed the kill switch off and on and still nothing. A passing co-worker gave me a ride to the job. Several hours later I went back to the bike and tried to start it (hoping it was just dampness that had shut it down) and the engine turned over but wouldn't start and then the starter just clicked. Dead battery. The battery was replaced about 6 months ago. I towed the bike home after work and put it on the battery charger. After a couple of hours I went out and tried to start it and it fired right up and ran strong. I put it back on the charger and went to bed (long day). I have now shifter gears in all this and am no longer thinking I have a short/ground problem but have a charging problem instead. My alternator light will flicker at times at low RPMs around town or at idle but goes away with increased engine speed. I have had no other indication that anything was seriously amiss. Am I right in my thinking it's a charging problem? Any thoughts?

Update: Ok, I spent about 4 hours on Sunday tearing the front of the bike apart. I pulled the seat, the plastic and the tank off...all was revealed. Nothing was obviously out of place so I spent my time meticulously cleaning all the build up from numerous mysterious oil leaks (another thread and I think I can safely say once again "problem solved") and opening up, cleaning and coating with dialectic grease ALL the connections I could find...including relays, battery, turn indicators (both bulbs and innards). The good news is that my tach hasn't quit since the operation. The not so good news is that that is no indication that I've cured the problem. While down in its bowls I did take the opportunity to clean the K&N air filter and re-oil it and did change the spark plugs (bike's running rich...must get it to a dyno and set the Power Commander) and must say the bike is running sweet !

Update: (with all new clues!) So now I'm on day 3 of this on again/off again tachometer. Each day I loose the tach about 1/2 way into my morning commute. Each day I park the bike at work with the tach not working and each day (after sitting in the sun under a cover) after work the tach is working again and works all the way home. The only difference between the morning and afternoon commutes are temperature and moisture. I suspect the moisture is causing some sort of electrical anomaly (the temps here on the coast don't vary that much). Which brings me to today. This morning the tachometer started off working as it generally does and then as I neared the 1/2 way point and then I noticed as I used my turn indicator that the tach would drop about 2K rpm every time the turn signal fired. I'm doing 4,000 rpm, no I'm doing 2,000 rpm, no I'm doing 4,000 rpm...you get the idea. A little further down the road it failed completely only to come back on for the ride home. Another thing noticed about the turn indicators is that they are much more sluggish than usual. They used to come on immediately when the switch was operated...now there is a lag. I flip the indicator button and it's 2 seconds before the signals react. I now know the problem is electrical. I know I'm going to have to start sorting out electrical connections (I hate sorting out electrics) but I'm hoping with this latest bit of info someone can give me some sort of idea where I might start. The problem seems to lie somewhere where the turn indicators and the tach share a circuit. Any thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated.

This morning during my morning daily commute (20 miles) I suddenly lost my tachometer. It registered zero RPM. While I was swearing at the almighty Guzzi-gods it suddenly sprang back to life...for a minute. Then it went back to zero. It did this a couple of more times during the ride but never worked more than for a few seconds. When I parked it at my job it was not working. At the end of my work day imagine my shock when the tach is suddenly working again. The bike has not moved nor been touched for 11 hours. I lost the tachometer one more time for about 30 seconds on the ride home then it "came alive again" and worked the rest of the way home including a shut down for fuel and over rough roads. I am not sure how my tachometer works. I assume it's electric but have no idea if it's tied to the engine (or where on the engine) or to the transmission. My first suspicions are some sort of sensor is going bad (sensor?) or I've got a connection working loose (damn vibrating sons of bitches). Can anyone more knowledgeable help me out with a few suggestions about where I might start looking and what I'm facing here? I am also suffering other electrical issues (intermittent oil light, neutral light and an alternator light that's on more than I like) but don't feel they are related. I NEED my tach.

I'm finding that my current tank bag of choice, the Tour Master 21 Liter is starting to wear out the raised "leather?" section on my fuel tank. This isn't good. I've owned the MG tank bag and didn't much care for it. I didn't like the backwards opening flap (opening from the front on the windward side) and didn't much care for leaving the base footprint on the bike all the time. So maybe I'm fussy. I'm looking for the "perfect" bag for my '02 Le Mans. It seems there was a thread at one time (can't find it in a search) where someone mentioned a bag they had that straddled the middle hump and that they were quite happy with. This sounds more like what I'm hoping for. Am I asking for too much to want a tankbag that is practical and doesn't damage my beloved bike?

I didn't need to replace the crank seal...but that's me (and I suspect you). A new gasket for the timing cover seemed a good idea for me (and probably you) at the time since you're in there anyway. You (me) really doesn't want to do this procedure any more often than necessary.

I'm interested in replacing the stock brushed aluminum exhaust on my '02 Le Mans. I want something that will shed some weight, gain power and sound lovely. I'm one of those who likes the look of the stock exhausts. Given the limited aftermarket exhaust options for the V11 I'm considering either Mistrals or M4's...in titanium ovals (to keep the stock look). So my question (I am so ignorant on so many things) is: Is there a difference in either sound or performance between titanium or carbon fiber? I'm assuming the inner workings are the same and therefor the end results will be the same but before I plunk down the large money to replace the exhaust I thought I'd ask.

I've not noticed anything unusual about the cornering of my '02 Le Mans over other bikes. It seems a bit heavy and loves the slow curves more than the twisties but seems quite stable. I should point out that I don't ride "hard" or "carve"...just a spirited sports-touring rider. Perhaps the "interesting" part of the handling is tires (tyres). I run my tire (tyre) pressures higher than recommended. I run 38 psi in the front and 40 in the rear. It just seems to perk things up a bit. Now if you're talking about the effects of torque and shaft drive in a serious down shift then yes, things can get "interesting." But you learn to deal with it.

I like what you've done better than any of the other rear end clean-ups I've seen. I think you've managed to maintain "the look" of what Guzzi was going for with the V11's...a look quite I like. ...and yes, there is a market for "these things." It's at least a market of 1...me.

I've been down this road...my gear has saved my bacon. I owe it. I ride today because I wear "All The Gear, All The Time"...even when it's uncomfortable.

Call me crazy but I too like the look of the stock cans. What I'd really like is some pictures of V11's with the various M4's on. I love the looks of my Le Mans and would like it to continue to be "sexy" as well as "sound nice" AND have "increased performance." Pics please. As a sidebar...I understand living on a shoestring and how nice these group buys are for that. Me, I'm not rich but comfortable and feel better supporting Guzzi dealers who support the V11 site. I can (barely) afford it so I do. It's all good.

Ok, start the clock...my 15 minutes of fame has officially now started. I was recently interviewed by our local paper about the trip I took from my home in the northern California redwoods down into northern Baja and back. The reporter thought it unique that an "old guy" rode solo on such an adventure and entitled it "Going Solo Moto Guzzi to Baja." The article appeared in today's edition. It was posted in the "sports" section and was the lead article for the day. The online version can be found HERE. The print version included a couple of photos (one of the Guzzi in the desert and one of me eating crawdads in the Sacramento delta) from my trip report that can be found HERE. For a small fee I will send a sig(h)ned copy of the article to my closest fans.

You (and of couse Baldini) are right...it is a stupid design. Mounting the sub-frame to the "oh-so-fragile timing cover" is ridiculous. I can't imagine what the engineers were thinking of...perhaps that no one would ever lay the bikes down? The good news is that the covers are available and they are pretty easily replaced (this based on the fact that I was able to do it and I'm no mechanic). Good luck and I hope everything turns out alright.

I've got to agree with you on this route you took Bill...I have been over it (and variations of it) many times it is a dandy! River roads are my and my Le Man's favorites. Lots of big sweepers with wonderful lines of sight. I'm sure these are the roads Guzzi had in mind when they designed these bikes. And I agree about how wonderful a job Rich Maund does on the Moto Guzzi saddle. Mine took a bit longer to break in than your's seems to be having but after about 5K in it is is broken in perfectly. It's never my butt that forces me to take a break anymore...it's the other worn out parts of my body. Now if Rich could only do something about my knees...heh.

Thanks Ratchet...while I don't alway understand your replies they somehow make me feel better about things. I will try to digest all you've said tomorrow in the clear light of day. Thank you for your thoughtful reply and if any of it makes sense tomorrow I will probably have to question you further. I haven't taken the bike out since my trip and the extreme conditions that it suffered. I need to ride it here locally under moderate conditions and see if any of the same problems persist or if they were merely manifestations of the extreme conditions encountered during my ride.

So I just returned from a 2.5K trip from my my home in the California redwoods to the Sea of Cortez in Mx and back and have a couple of concerns. #1 During my time in Mexico my '02 Le Mans started "weeping" a light skim of "viscous matter" on the lower triple tree. It appeared during the day's rides (somewhat rough) and continued during the evenings when I wasn't riding to where if I wiped it off in the evening I'd find more in the morning. Meanwhile I'd started hearing a "squish-squish" from the front end when traveling at low speeds over rough roads. Are these things related? Have I got fork seal problems? I suspect no...I think this oil is too high up and is probably from that large bolt on top of my frame...but still there is the "squish-squish." #2 Is the overheating that occurred during the trip. The bike sputtered and stopped running when idling at at the border in 100 degree weather. I had more than one sputters when the weather was 90 degrees and at slow or no speed. Can this be normal? It seems I've run it in this sort of temps before without problems...but now I have consistent probs. I have recently set the valves (they were right on even before the re-setting) and re-gapped the plugs (which were WAY too wide). Is this a tuning prob? As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated. View the trip report of my ride HERE. 32 s

I'm still not sure what the seepage is in the front end. Seems too high up to be fork seals (although that is still my concern). I suspect that big oil bolt that fits into the top of the frame...I would prefer that. I'm still in "post ride denial" and am not really dealing with anything yet. Fortunately I replaced my clutch and front reservoir caps with those lovely Ducati red anadized ones and still had my originals. I have replaced my "not a bodge" temporary rear brake cap with the original...ugly but functional. And actually I had the Mexico maps offered me but declined (foolish in hindsight). I figured with only 3 paved roads in northern Baja why would I need GPS. Foolish me.

I have just returned from a trip on my '02 Moto Guzzi Le Mans from my home here on the northern most coast of California (Eureka) down the coast and into Mexico. I crossed at Tijuana and continued down to Ensenada and then traveled across Baja to San Felipe before heading back north through California gold country and then back home. It was an epic ride and the Guzzi did wonderfully. We covered almost 2,500 miles. To do a trip report here would be prohibitive (the final report has over 120 pictures and a couple of small videos clips and is 5 pages long) so I've opted to make a "generic" version (to share with the Guzzista, motorcyclists in general and my non-riding family and friends) on my website. You can view the entire adventure by clicking HERE.

Just this afternoon I returned from a 9 day trip from my home in the Northern California redwoods down into Baja (I'll post a ride report with lots of pictures soon). It was my first trip using the Garmin 2610. It saved me from many missteps...but in a fairness it also confused me at times. This was in part because I don't fully understand all of its subtleties yet. I used the RAM mounts suggested for my Le Mans by the fine folks at Express Mounts. They worked wonderfully. The problem I see with mounting the unit in the tank bag would be visibility. Often turn warnings happen in fast sequence, especially in urban areas. My Garmin is mounted just beneath my gauges. The easier your GPS is to see the more often you will look at it and the fewer cues you will miss.

Ah, heated grips...I live where it gets cold. I'd forgotten about that mod, I'm such a sport-touring wuss.

Ok then... Backstory: I've always been a "gas station map" kinda guy. I ride a Moto Guzzi and this has carried over to the "give me a tach and a full tank of gas and I'm happy...I don't need nothin' else" kinda attitude. Ok, so I added a clock to the dash because I'm a wee bit anal retentive and I use the bike to commute. So enter reality. I find myself getting lost a lot lately and not in the "good" sense. I don't know if it's just that I'm getting older and this is one of those side effects that no one talks about or if it's that I've simply lived in the sticks for too long and "big cities" confuse me. I have actually been know to spend (no exaggeration) "HOURS" looking for an address in the pouring rain in the Bay Area (S.F.). :crazy: So I bought a GPS. Garmin 2610's, long the workhorse of the motorcycling community have gone out of production and can be had "refurbished at the factory" for $300 U.S. or less. So I contacted RAM mounts, asked for suggestions and this is what they have come up with... The new mount: With the Garmin 2610: ...is this wrong? Am I violating some sort of basic Guzzi ideology? Or do I simply have to go buy a new Norge and simply get on with my life? What do you guys/gals think?

Add me to the list of satisfied customers glad to see Rich back in business. I was afraid we'd lost a wonderful resource. Rich remade my Le Mans seat two years ago and I could not be happier with the job he did and the price he did it for. The seat seems to continue to get more comfortable the longer I use it. Welcome back Rich! And sorry about the miserable winter.

I have mediocre wrenching skills, a tumble-down garage, basic hand tools and own an '02 Le Mans that I crashed and put back together with the help from the Moto Guzzi online community and mostly with the help of the good people right here on the V11LeMans site. I live over 200 miles (one way) from my "local" Guzzi dealer. I have learned to do most all the basic maintenance on the bike (oil changes, valve adjustments, etc.). Once a year I make the ride down to my dealer and have the old girl tuned up (throttle bodies balanced and such) and have them give her the once over. I don't think having your "local" dealership be 70 miles away will be a problem. You've got friends.