Mike Stewart
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Posts posted by Mike Stewart
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The header pipe of the California has a smaller diameter than the V11Sport. I had thought of going that way when I first saw the picture also.
Mike
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I tried to add more Prescott Rally photos but could not upload. Can someone help me out?
Thanks,
Mike
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My 00 V11Sport feels like the saddle height is lower than my new 03 Rosso. My wife also seems to feel a difference between both bikes and says she has less leg bend on the 03 (which is good). The peg location looks the same, so it must be in the seat.
I would go to your local dealer and sit on the different year bikes to see if you can feel a difference in heights.
You can slide the forks up in the triple clamps and go with an aftermarket rear shock that is adjustable in length to lower the bike to your needs. Just realize that when a bike is lowered that parts tend to hit the ground sooner when leaned way over in a turn.
Good luck,
Mike
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Matthieu,
I did see that lonely Magni fairing sitting up across from the Magni bike and it did cross my mind about trying it out.
The rear hugger is just a bolt on item, I noticed that the Guzzi 1100i had the naked rear swingarm and liked the look.
Mike
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I don't use the extremly expensive motorcycle oil in my V11S, one of the main difference in motorcycle oil verse automotive oil is the additive for the wet clutch. There is also some additives in the oil to help with breakdown from heat. I say just go with Mobil 1 synthetic and change it more often.
I know I will get some heat on this issue. 
Mike
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I haven't seen any aftermarket front crossover pipes (just for the Jackels and California's). I have thought of making my own for my 00 V11Sport, but I will have to wait till it gets out of the shop. I think I will do a swap with the Rosso first, just to see how much difference there is if any by the seat of my pants dyno.
Mike
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Matthieu,
I haven't noticed any difference in the rain with out the rear hugger. I did 100 miles in the pouring rain last month going down south and only my gloves got soaked from the water going down my arms. Thats when I found out that Gortex gloves are hard to dry out when they are soaked on the inside. With lower clipons, the downward position of the arms make a nice gutter to channel water into the gloves. Next time when I am in the rain, I will put my jacket over the gloves to prevent this.
By the way, did you buy the Magni fairing from Moto Italiano?
Mike
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Yep, the 00 green V11 Sport is mine, I guess you thought it was johns because it is so dirty.
There is 2000 miles worth of bug splat covering the bike from the ride to the Arizona rally. Never had a chance to clean it since I dropped it off the following day to pick up the Rosso. If you think the Futura is fun, go ride a Falco. I did and now it is in my garage!
Mike
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The only other item that is different is the carbon fiber front fender. The Ohlins suspension is a plus in the tuning department. The new 2003 Lemans uses a new Marzocchi front fork that has rebound and compression dampening in both fork legs. Last year models had compression on one side and rebound on the other. I agree with you on the solid red color, but the Rosso will grow on you.
One other thing I noticed was some of the early 2003 Leman's still came with the wrinkle finish engines. That is another big plus on buying the Rosso.
Mike
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Al,
I know of someone who purchased the Ohlins shock from them for his 02 Lemans and it came with the preload adjuster and remote reservoir. Their site info may be wrong. But double check before ordering.
Mike
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Al,
I went with the Penske because it is valved and sprung for my weight. Even with an Ohlins, there is no guarrentee that the valving will match your weight or riding style. I figured I would be money ahead by going with the Penske, the Ohlins may need the Le treatment for revalving to make it right, which could be another 2 to 3 hundred dollars depending if a spring is needed.
So I ordered the Penske for my 00 V11 Sport, but who knows, if it is going to be in the shop for a while, the Penske may find its way on the 03 Rosso.
Mike
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Al,
I have a Penske on order from EMA (European Motocycle Accessories) in Livermore California, and like everything else it was only going to take 2 to 3 weeks to get and it looks more like 4 weeks. Talk to the guys at EMA they sell the Ohlins with the remote damper unit and remote spring preload adjuster for $775. and sprun to your weight and the Penske for $775 that is sprung and valved for your weight. Check out their web site, they have the cheapest prices on tires in town. Only $120. for a Sportec M1 180/70ZR/17, I should stock up now. No I don't make anything off the people I send their way, but I wonder if we can work on a group discount?
Mike
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Hey Bob,
I agree with you on the Ohlins forks springs being a tad soft. I know the stock spring Ohlins puts in their forks are .85 kg. Whether or not Guzzi had them up the spring weight is anyones guess. I also weigh in at 200 lbs. and on a 500 lb. bike I would think the spring rate would have to be around 1.0 kg. My Aprilia has 1.0 springs stock and feels perfect for my weight.
The rear shock is harsh over large bumps, while not as harsh as my 00 V11Sport, you would think there is still room for improvement. I have read test reports on the Scura and after having the rear Ohlin shock revalved, it was better but some harshness was still present. That may be just as good as it gets with the Guzzi rear suspension.
Mike
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Mike,
The address for MG Cycles is: http://mgcycle.com/main.html
I also use the moly additive in the gearbox, it did wonders for my BMW!
The other Mike
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Hey Bob,
Do you live in the Berkeley/Oakland hills? Thats my backyard!
Mike
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David,
I believe all that you have listed will be ok in Sunny California. I am not sure you should use the 85w/140, leave that on the shelf for the Harley crowd.
The 75w/90 is a multi viscosity and is what i use. The reason for using a 75w/90 over the straight 90wt is that when the temperture is cold (freezing), there will be better lubrication than with a straight 90wt and the shifting will also be easier when in the winter months. Mike
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Mike,
I usually order through MG Cycles, really fast and super nice. They carry the moly additive and also factory oil filters and anything else you need for your Guzzi. You can pick up Redline Synthetic 90 wt. or even Mobil One 90wt. at most auto parts stores. That is what I use with the moly additive in both my transmission and bevel box.
The other Mike
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Al,
Sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your bike.
If your bike didn't have these problems before, then your problem must be related to the work that was just preformed. I would start from scratch and start with rechecking the valve adjustment. I know you had the heads off for the porting and the valves were adjusted at the same time, but the valves could of seated in and closed the clearance. My V11Sport is very sensitive to valve adjustment and I have to run the clearence larger than european specs. (I am currently using .006 intake, .008 exhaust) to avoid the high speed, coming to the stop, engine dying syndrome. Are you also using a Powercommander to compensate for the porting and exhaust system?
Keep us posted,
Mike
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I know I can't be the only one thinking about installing simi flush mounted turn signals on the front of the Lemans. Any ideas or pictures?
Thanks,
Mike
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I'm going to pick the bike up now ('03 Rosso) and should have more info this evening.
Teros1,
So was it your 03 Rosso at Moto Italiano getting the crossover and Ti pipes? Inquiring minds want to know!
If so did you check out Al's 02 Lemans with the tricked out heads and my 00 Green V11Sport with the red Dymag wheels and the oil leak on the Stucchi crossover? Mike
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Humm,
I will have to check Carl's 2001 TT the next time I see him. I wonder what his head angle is. I talked to Todd (Racerx) at the Prescott rally and he agreed with me about the head angle being too slack on the 2000 V11Sports and causing the twitcheyness of the bike when pushed into a turn. Depending on tire combinations and skill level (nerve of steel), one must start out with a clean pair of shorts!
I feel really good on my 00 V11Sport, but know it could be better. The 03 Lemans is really stable through the turns, rock solid. Is it the added 25mm. in wheelbase that makes the difference or the true 25 degree head angle? Inquireing minds want to know. 
Mike
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So if it is 1200. bucks to change the head angle one degree, wouldn't it be cheaper to get the front frame off a wrecked 02 Lemans (25 degree head angle) and install it on the V11?
Or am I missing something here. 
Mike
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Al,
I plan to rotate stock at Moto Italiano tomorrow. I will drop off my V11Sport to have a few things repaired ( transmission leak, neutral light, jumping speedo needle) before the warrantee runs out this month. Of course I will be picking up the new Lemans for the ride home.
I will check out your bike while I am there. Mike
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Docc,
The forks are sticking out of the clamps 10mm. to steepen the head angle. I have a angle gauge that that can read 360 degrees of a circle. The fork angle of my Falco and the wife's Monster read right on the money. The 26.5 degrees are with the forks up in the triple clamps. There is a company that makes a steering bearing set that steepens the head angle by one degree and they also offer the triple clamps with a different offset to change the trail. Now if I can only figure out where these guys are.
Mike
Oil filter wrench size
in Technical Topics
Posted
The filter wrench is an odd size. I have tried the Snap-On tool man, auto parts stores and while some wrenches are close, none of them will get the filter off. I finally just bought one from a Guzzi dealer, it was not made by Guzzi but some other bike company. It also fits Ducati, so just go to your nearest Ducati dealer to pick one up. I would bring in a Guzzi filter with you when purchasing the wrench.
Mike