docc

I've fished the entire FI/ignition harness off the loom and removed the subframe. For the record, the bracket's welds did not break, but the bracket itself:

So, this whole idea that we can cut down a heater hose for the Crankcase vent return line is bunk?

Gates 18912 (cross referenced from the Goodyear 63318) heater hose was about $40. Yet, my auto parts guy has no confidence it will hold up to the oil exposure. How big of a concern is that?

Well, this is my big push to take care of this niggly broken hanger bracket. Basically all afternoon uncovering the rear subframe. Major setback now that the harness is fed through the tubes and I cannot figure out how to get it apart without taking the harness from the forward components (coils, fuel pump, and injectors). I'm bummed.

Thanks, g!

Oh. That's what's under there: a clapped out, 89,000 mile square-section, leaky O-ring! Must it be Viton to replace?

Pretty fresh and wet around the distributor blanking plate. Never had it off, what's under there?

On the slippery slope now. Tank off, fished out the vent tube. I was hoping to find it in worse shape! I'll pick up the Ford heater hose tomorrow and post reference numbers for Gates and a detailed fitting. Meanwhile, deeper to find the wetness!

I am thoroughly enjoying Leek u. Zeyen's book. The German perspective is very interesting. It's sectioned format makes it easy to read in 'snippets' which is often all I have time for. These fellows do really love the Guzzi V-twin!

After reviewing all of the literature I can find, including both Workshop Manuals, owner's manuals, promotional brochures, and period (US) magazine articles there are still only a couple things that can be said with certainty. Well, with some qualifications. Throughout the V11 range, 1999-2004, there were two frames; the later ~2002-on frame is longer, but the rake, or angle, of the headset from vertical is 25˚ in all published references I have seen. (no actual "2005" serial numbers have been reported). One of the magazines reported, in 2002, an increase of 0,5˚ steering angle, but there is no reference in the official literature. The swing arm did not change. There have been changes in the fork plates (triple trees, or triple clamps). Reportedly, a Service Bulletin was issued sometime in 2000 that documented a more "relaxed" clamp set. It has been said that the axis of the forks was angled forward an additional 0,5˚. There have been observations that the offset of the forks (increasing trail) has also increased from the earliest versions. Is there any resource we have to obtain the original Service Bulletin?

I've heard the only cure . . . . . . is a V11 !

Ha! True that! None of us mentioned the most likely cause. Perhaps because the sensor is oil pressure and not just level, lots of us go straight to the most worrisome possibilities. The connector to the sensor is inside the left cylinder's front corner and is certainly in the weather. Simple enough to unplug it, use an electrical cleaner, and reseal the connector with some Vaseline. It is the more round sensor with the smaller wire.

Roads like that are a good excuse for an NTX Stelvio with ABS . . .

You've got to be the type that looks for the gnarliest roads imaginable to scour the Appalachian divide for stuff like that! And then go ride it!

Certainly recheck the tightness of the oil filter. Some drop the whole sump and add a hose clamp. There has been much discussion about the difficulty of threading the "manhole" cover and how certain filters may be more prone to loosening. I recall some extensive consideration by a respected poster concluding that the filter should be turned 1 1/8 turns once the gasket touched.

I like the 'new' covers! I'll bet they'll look great on the bike. Er, . . . you are going to put this bike back together? Someday? Consider a quality satin clear coat for the valve covers for durability. Like Eatswood DiamondClear.

I'm not up on that one. You have point of reference (west of Bryson, northeast of Waynesville, off of US 129)?

Are you running GPS on the Guzzi?

That explains why it shook me off once! I am going to try this for a solution having cleaned up the broken ends and tucked them inside the screws. And, yes, LocTite!

How do you manage that, docc? I wish I knew. They all broke in the same place and heard of others breaking. At home, i park the Sport on the lift and don't even use the stand. I recall someone made an alternative, but it wasn't very attractive.

So, I love this forum. You guys are forever making me go back over my Sport. Regarding the side stand as some sort of Rube Goldberg device is brilliant. First, I think the pivot bolt would be really hard to replicate or fabricate: And, after a careful cleaning and inspection, I see I have busted yet another (number three) of this side stand "lever:"

I ask because my rear drive case was broken when it was "dropped" onto two blocks for disassembly; apparently a common technique for the earlier units. Bjorn, thanks much for the thorough thread and great pictures. I've set a link to it in "How To . . ." Swing Arm Bearing Removal and also in the FAQ thread Wheels Off Maintenance Checklist. Well done! I bet you can't wait to get her back on the road!

Sounds like all very good mechanical advice. I see the two wood blocks on the bench. Did the mechanic drop the drive onto these to dislodge the internal parts from the case?

You can tell you're in a proper Guzzi shop when there is a V11 paddock stand under the workbench. And a hammer on top.

Yeah, . . . yeah - that's right. Lots of little old ladies passed me going up the Cherohala that morning . . . I'm not mentioning any usernames, but . . .