[Exposing Oil Picc-up On Steep Grades]

Thanks, Pete. This is not a challenge to the function of the plate, nor to the veracity of your statements about it. I believe it works as stated. I understand how the plate would trap the oil underneath to prevent surging during hard acceleration and wheelies. On a long steep hill I understand how the oil might find its way through the holes in the plate, give sufficient duration of riding up the grade. But that is not the point. I was trying to employ the resourses of the forum and determine from knowledgeable sources if it was possible to expose the oil pick-up on a steep grade. The answer seems to be "yes, if it is steep enough" without the plate fitted, and "yes, if it is steep enough and long enough" with the plate fitted. But it is difficult for anyone to deternine what that grade is, or to advise me regarding conditions they could not remotely know about.

 

While riding up a short but steep grade, I noticed that the oil pressure light was on. (Visiting in the hills of upper East Tennesse, in very wet conditions). After making a turn onto level ground, the light flickered and started to dim. Subsequent erratic behaviour of the oil pressure light, followed by normal light behavior, and then quickly followed by the total faliure of the oil pressure sensor's electrical function led me to conclude that what I experienced on the run up the grade was the oil pressure switch begining to fail, and which maybe was exacerbated by moisture comtamination from the torrential downpour I rode through. But I was still left with the unsettling feeling that that short, slow run up the steep grade could have also exposed the oil pickup, loosing oil pressure in the process, and that the crank bearings took a hit, hence the flickering and lazy oil pressure light behavior. How likely is it that the oil pressure light coming on during the run up the grade was due to both oil starvation (which is questionable and uncertain at this point) and oil pressure sensor failure (which certainaly did occur)?? I have noted your remarks elsewhere that damage to the crankshaft bearings begins with any loss of oil pressure. The light was on for a short period, seconds, but long enough in my opinion for damage to occur, if that's what was happening. However, the bike runs fine, and strong, and there are no unusual noises coming from the crankcase, and no unusual vibrations. Now it seems very unlikely that there was oil starvation due to the steep grade. I was simply trying to find out if it was possible, and if so, how probable, that oil starvation occured, before I take the time and trouble to test the oil pressure to see if I can determine if the is any damage to the crank bearings, or to just remove the rod caps to have a look at the big end shells and rod journal, or maybe both. At this point I am feeling that what I experienced was simply an oil pressure sensor failure. And a hefty dose of paranoia.

 

Thanks, everybody, for all the comments and insights.

 

That was the symptom mine displayed -- 2004 V11 Sport -- a flicker... a solid light... a flicker and gone. Thought: nah, that can't be anything! But it kept happening. I got worried - and about the same time, Pete made the plates. I bought and installed the plate -- never seen my oil light since - except one time, when I was actually low on oil. I stopped immediately at a gas station and the bike took a full quart... don't know why she was so thirsty and never been thirsty between lubes again.

 

[2008 MGNOC National SoCal, USA]

Van-

On your way to the Rally or on your way home, be sure to stop by the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum:

 

http://www.motosolvang.com/

 

PS: They are currently listing this bike for sale for $8,500

 

Don't know how to get to it... but there's also Guy Webster's

 

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1...annel=155872646

[Hooters]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Upgraded ECU]

As noted - your year of V11 is a bit different than mine.

But my Ti Kit came with a new ECU that was marked differently than the OEM:

 

The New ECU with that came with the Kit:

 

 

Comparison of Old and New ECUs:

 

[Hooters]

 

 

 

 

 

[Wierd tire wear]

I hate to suggest this... but if the tires are showing significant wear patterns on one side with all riding being "normal", wouldn't that suggest something rather ominous, such as a bent frame?

[Hooters]

probably been posted before... but I think it bares repeating

 

[Hooters]

[Hooters]

[Hooters]

[Hooters]

[2008 MGNOC National SoCal, USA]

I am paid up and will be attending!

 

Since I am coming from VA, I am hoping to be in the running for the Longest Mile (on a V11) Award Should be close, as long as nobody is riding out from Maine or Nova Scotia, etc... On the current planned route, I would be putting on just shy of 4,000 miles on the trip out there, unless I get pressed for time, then it will be closer to 3,000 miles.

 

See y'all there!

[Ti Hi Guzzi Pipes and Luggage]

You could use the longer OE footpeg brackets and "low mount" the cans.

 

I believe this is what Greg Field and VA Sean have done.

 

Yup-

I use the stock (low) position with the Guzzi Ti race kit and have the Hepco+Becker hard bags.

 

Positioning the pipe (hi or low) is just a matter of the angle you have it coming from the extension from the x-over.

 

Love it!

 

[A Tale of Four Crossovers . . .]

That's great to read... totally looking forward to the new mods...

 

My box of goodies just arrived from MI today.

 

If my wife has the time, I'll have her take photos when I do the X-over and centerstand installation and I'll write up something to post here.

 

Prolly won't have time to do the work for a couple of weekends, however.

 

Thanks, Greg!

 

In case people wanted to see the photos:

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=12vg8a...0&y=-ib5e1r

 

FYI- I absolutely love the effect of the new crossover compared to stock: grunt, responsiveness - you name it... everything is better.

 

[My Le Mans is dead]

So, Foxy-

Have you had any progress to report on the V11?

[My Le Mans is dead]

Once again - get lost !

 

Jens Lyck

www.guzzitech.dl/english

Sport 1100i 1997

Moto Guzzi Wrisw Watch #001

 

Cheers, Jens!

PS: Moto Guzzi Wrist Watch #70 is still keeping great time and I proudly show it off whenever I can!

 

[My Le Mans is dead]

If you want to draw lines in the sand, jump on the bandwagon, take sides, that's your right, but all we seem to be accomplishing here is finding out who can be the biggest online jerk.

 

So, VA Sean, how many rallies have you attended? How long have you been riding? I'm just curious, since you've involved yourself here.

 

Geez- can this really be the same guy's philosophy? No way!

 

Kevin H

Hero Member

*****

Posts: 1094

 

Re: Lost in Action > RidingFree ??

« Reply #64 on: December 04, 2007, 06:39:51 PM »

 

Yes, I admit to pushing Kev M's as well as everybody else's buttons probably....I enjoy a good argument. I think the best in a rant, sometimes. I am a passionate individual. I like to joke around. MY LIFE IS THE BIGGEST JOKE OF ALL!!!!! Grin Grin Grin Live the life you love, use the God you trust, and DON'T TAKE IT ALL TOO SERIOUSLY....

 

How many rallies have I attended?

Just a few - I'm not nearly as seasoned as you are.

But we can talk all about that in June in Malibu, if you like.

I'm just a back-woods country bumpkin living out here in the Commonwealth.

This is my first week of riding - I think.

 

I don't pretend to know anything about the inner workings of motorcycles. Wish I did, but lucky for me I am humble enough to admit my shortcomings and ask for help... and I have damn sure received some fine help from the members of this and some other Guzzi forums we all seem to frequent - a lot of that coming from Pete, Todd E, Todd H, Greg and lots of members who don't wrench for a living. Not one of them ever asked for a DIME from me in return.

 

I'll tell you something though -- I am a pretty good judge of character, even when viewing those characters through the filter of the world wilbur web.

 

PS: Please tell me you were kidding about that threat to call in a DIP on Pete at the Guzzi National Rally... that is about the most absurd thing I've ever read!

[My Le Mans is dead]

Kev H.

I dont know you, but I've met you and likely, you were as underwhelmed by me as I was by you. I dont normally give a rats ass about when anyone says anything about anyone else on the net. But over the past few months, I've seem you trash Todd E, Ed Milich, and now Peter Roper. I dont know if you were pulled from your momma't tit too early, suffer from penis envy or are just a plain asshole. I have known Ed, Todd and Pete for a number of years, and their combined contribution to the Guzzi world speaks for itself.... how much did your organization donate to support guzzi racing last year? How many times did you fly overseas to fix another guzzi riders bike for the cost of airfare, where is your website that provided valuable information to guzzisti around the world gratis? When did you invent a device that helped numerous spine frame owners avoid bearing failures. Your rhetoric has finally driven me to call you what you are, a petty, arrogant, self centered asshole. My friends that you have disparaged are a bit too kind to crawl into the gutter to participate in your insulting banter, but I like the gutter. You must not know Ed, Pete or Todd, as your disrespect is unwarranted and demeaning. You fancy yourself an expert, and you may be fairly clever, but for your own good, I suggest you spend more of your time focusing on becoming a decent human being with respect for others. The internet is a poor mechanism to judge character, and you may be a decent person, but your written words are often rude, insulting and belittling.

 

Jon

 

Well said, Jon.

I had not really been following this thread - haven't been to this forum in a while, actually.

I don't know Ed (but I am aware of his contributions to Guzzidom), but I have dealt with Pete and Todd and know both of them to be stand-up guys.

 

Regardless of the petty back-and-forths on this thread (yeah people have called the other some names - big deal), but I think Kev H has totally crossed the line.

Why?

This has got to be the first time I have ever seen anyone threaten to call the cops to report a drunk in public... at a MOTORCYCLE RALLY! let alone the Guzzi NATIONAL RALLY???!!!????

 

And yes, I'm aware of the laws governing personal conduct in my home country. I'll remind you that should you become intoxicated and obnoxious you'll find yourself with a public intoxication charge, or arrested and charged with driving under the influence, like one of your good SoCal pals, who I observed doing that, but won't bother to name.

 

 

If you don't drink - fine... but a lot of people do and do it well! And some might even tend to get rowdy after a few drinks... but it is a FRIGGIN MOTORCYCLE RALLY at a park for Heaven's sake! It isn't being conducted in your living room.

Good grief, man - get over it!

 

See y'all in June - ride safe to Malibu!

[Hooters]

okay-

I take it back!

[Hooters]

Always amazed that a great pair of hooters seems to show up in almost every forum topic (except chiropractic).

 

Just what the heck is with you guys?

Damn you, Ralph!

If you are going to start a new page in this thread, at least have the decency to include some hooters in it!

 

[Hooters]

[Hooters]

[Price check - LM Rosso Corsa]

the MG TI looks sweet... where do you buy those... dealer? How much do they run (including the chip?)

They are as rare as hen's teeth, but you could probably call Greg at MI or Todd at MPH to see if a set can be found. I don't know what they cost because they were thrown in with my purchase of my Coppa Italia. I am guessing the Ti race kit is probably $1,500-$2,500 but I really have no idea.

 

But the sounds is AWESOME! I think there is a bit of a bump in performance too (they flow better than stock and it comes with a new ECU). You'll also want to ditch the stock x-over in favor of one that better suits your needs. There are several threads on cross-overs in the how-to and tech related forums.

 

Greg wrote a really nice piece comparing several x-overs and what he thought were the + and - of each one... I ended up getting a Mistral X-over from him and it did everything he said it would. I couldn't be happier with my bike in its current config... though, when I get some more $ I will be buying a PC III and getting it off to the dyno for tuning.

 

[Hooters]

[The leash is too short]

VA Sean, your Fat Bastard avatar is absolutely frickin' disgusting. Especially the hairy flap man-boobs. I mean it. It makes me want to completely avoid your posts and any thread you participate in.

 

Gee-

 

 

Sorry about that.