beauchemin

OK, so I said LEFT, when I meant RIGHT... now you're getting technical!

Wow - great article. Makes me want to saw off one my cylinders and swap the fuel injection for some carburetors. Maybe I should just get a nice little Italian thumper instead...

I've just noticed that the left cylinder head appears to be forward of the right cylinder head (when looking down) by about 1.68cm. What's happened? I admit that I revved it pretty hard last night, could I have bent the crankcase or something?

waspp - that is an interesting viewpoint. Others would say that the only strength in the economy is in the housing sector (tradesmen, realtors, mortgage brokers, etc.) and that this is not a healthy basis for an economy. If one's country can only create growth through the domestic real estate market, then watch out for a recession. There is one upside... interest rates will remain low. The only reason that the unemployment rate is so low is a quirk of how it is calculated. It doesn't include "discouraged" workers - i.e. those who have given up looking for work! There are economists who say that the true unemployment rate in the USA is closer to 8%.

These were taken off when almost new. Not a scratch! $60 USD + shipping for the pair.

What about getting a set of used stock Marzocchis and inserting a set of Traxxion AK20 cartridges. The cost would be $1000 on top of the Marzocchis (they should be available used for $400) and the end result would rival a set of Ohlins forks. The extra bonus is that you don't have to worry about changing any ancillary parts (axle, fender, triple clamps, etc.)

I think Gil is referring to this older thread: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3892&hl= I used plastic rivets to attach mine.

this is totally cool! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4...80538&q=ukulele

Are you sure about this? I can see how this advice relates to a multi-cylinder head, but is it actually possible to warp a Guzzi head?

Hey cool plate hangar & tail light - where/what are they from?

I'm up for it - what weekend is that?

Congratulations! Nothing better than daughters! Although you will be outnumbered...

Wow, that's interesting. I thought George Bush said it had something to do with "weapons of mass destruction"? You are entitled to your opinion, but racist remarks won't get you anywhere with your arguments.

I'm not bitching about the US involvement in WWII. I'm only bitching about the narcissistic view held by many that the USA singlehandedly saved the world by participating in WWII. Thousands of ships, planes, trucks, and tanks only get you so far - you still need the heroes who are going to use the hardware!

Not to criticize the US WWII contribution, but the 27 million Russian soldiers who died fighting the Nazis get the top spot as "world saviours". There was no larger allied sacrifice than that.

My 2002.5 V11 Sport (with 40mm forks) had terrible stock suspension. The forks and the shock were both under-sprung and overdamped. The shock was easily replaced (not cheap) and the forks were a relatively cheap fix (new springs and lighter suspension fluid). It's a toss-up really. If you run into the same situation as me, it will cost you a front suspension re-work (springs & fluid - @ $150) and a new shock (Ohlins shock @ $800).

Hi Cliff - I'm still very anxious for twin sensor inputs. Let me know when you have the new board design ready to go. My donor ECU is boxed and waiting to be sent!

Huh? Do you know what you are talking about? The 120 triple had to be rubber-mounted because of high-frequency vibration. The 180 has way more character - I've heard that from just about everyone who has spent time on both versions. The 120 is certainly a fine machine, but hardly "better". IMHO the best triple was the very late 180 with Nippondenso ignition on the LHS of the crank.

Never mind that! The used bike at MPH has the suspension sorted! Buy it dammit! There is set of characterized Titanium LeoVince mufflers in the classified section for $375!!! What are you waiting for!

Someone on the list had their OEM Sachs rebuilt (re-sprung and re-valved) by Lindemann Engineering. It also involved some machine work to create a new seat for a readily available shock seal. The final results were mixed from what I remember.

There's not much to say except that the difference is absolutely amazing. I found the OEM Sachs shock to be severely undersprung and overdamped. Others have changed the spring, but the reviews were mixed. I didn't feel like trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, so I replaced it altogether. Re-springing the shock would probably require it to be re-valved as well, and I didn't want to get into that. I think the cost to re-spring and have it re-valved is in the $300 to $400 area. With the Wilbers, I get more compression adjustments, and hydraulic preload (a big plus on this bike since the preload nuts are so hard to get at). The damping adjustments are also quite amazing since they go from zero to almost fully locked in 26 steps. Here is a post with some photos: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5898&hl=

Yes, I went with a complete replacement -- Wilbers with remote preload and high & low speed compression damping adjustment. I'm very pleased with it.

OK, I just did my sag measurements: 25mm static (bike only) 40mm dynamic (with rider) I was aiming for 20 and 35. Not bad for the first iteration! I think I'll ride it like this for a little while.

I'm using Traxxion's Omni springs which have a length of 270mm, whereas the stock ones are 295mm. You and I have the same forks (you mention three clicks on each side, but I have more than three positions, more like 10 or so). My stock spacers are also the same as yours. I was given the 10mm preload recommendation from the suspension pro in Vancouver from whom I bought the springs. I haven't done the sag measurements yet, but I'll do them tonight. It felt so good during the ride yesterday that I completely forgot to do it after parking it. I can see why non-committed V11 owners don't keep these bikes long -- among other things, the suspension setup from the factory is very poor. The very least they could do is match the spring and damping rates.

TX - thanks for the laugh - you made my afternoon!