Baldini

The Scura sits fair bit higher than the others at back (I presume shock is longer tho I never measured it) so has more clearance at pegs. I never ground footpegs til I started using sticky tyres (Pilot Power 2CT). KB

Meanwhile, don't let engine oil level drop. Keep topped up to max or 1/4" above max on dipstick (screwed full home). This should avoid exposure of pick up in sump (causing starvation) under very hard acceleration. From what I've seen, this only occurs when oil level is down. Pete made up a batch of plates to stop oil migration which offers a solution. KB

Welcome to the way of Guzzi! The bike is just introducing itself to you. Pay it a bit of attention & it'll repay you well. You'd be as well to go over the bike & lube what needs it: Guzzi can be very mean w/grease. Have the wheels out & check brngs, esp check the brng in the outside of the drive box - this typically gets water in & rusts. Top shock mount may be dry too. Where exactly is the oil coming from? If it's losing that much I'm surprised the shop didn't sort it already. No oil weeping anywhere else? It's probably just the gasket as Richard says. KB

Sensible fellow, if he didn't wear the sandles he would get holes in his socks. KB

Pete, Sounds like you have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. John O'Sullivan Esq., who counts most of S.W.Ireland within his estate & is a fine gentleman to boot... so far as I know (& I don't know much). Keith

Try a search. There's a few of us made em up & there was a a chap (Edge) made up a run of them for sale: search for Edge guard. Also I think it was Al R posted a measured drawing of one he made. I cut one from a racing # plate: very light but strong black plastic. Protects the shock too. KB

First - sorry. Not sure that we are in disagreement here? I think you said it yourself: Pedrosa/anger - anger wasn't a part of Elias's riding - Looked to me just like he'd really found a groove & everything was working perfect for him. T-boning someone inside midcorner cos you're p****d at them is something else again. Pedrosa's mistake looked like bad judgement due to frustration/anger/immaturity & because racing is already risky that's not acceptable. But everyone #@$&'s up sometimes. No etiquette - No sport. KB

Think you're getting mixed up w/something else here Ryan, or is that just a US attitude. There's more to racing than kill or be killed & I for one have more respect for them as race with courtesy than them as don't. Pedrosa f*cked up. Watching Elias flying balls out sideways on the whitelines was something special. Hayden seems like a decent guy & a decent rider. But Rossi deserves the championship. KB

Very sorry to hear you had this happen. Only thing comes to mind is I've heard some people have had throttle body connecting rod joints seize & stick throttle. Check the rod runs between TB's. Get well soon. KB

Pyrenees are great. A fantastic route is: Col d'Aspin/Col du Tourmalet/Col d'Aubisque via Pic du Midi de Bigorre (don't miss Pic du Midi: nearly 3,000m & you can ride a crazy hairpin dirt road to the top) - OK so it's in France...but only just! KB .

For you maybe. Dunno your strength. Dunno your tyres or what surface, or what you think of as hard braking. A rock climber will have stronger fingers than me. A BT020 on gravel will lock soon enough without lever effort. A grippy tyre (Pilot Power/SportAttack etc) on a grippy surface will stop real hard before locking but I have to put a hefty four finger effort on the lever to get it to do so. The brakes are good, but if there is a system that can do same stop using one or two fingers & still retain good feel & sensitivity, then that, for me, is a better system - for road or track. If stock matches your needs - fine, but we're not all you. KB

Better power/better feel/less lever pressure? Are these high metal content - do they wear the rotors quick? Thanks, KB

Sounds good. What system? detailed on earlier Guzzitech link? Presumably expensive - ? I find stock brakes stop OK but do need a lot of lever pressure. KB

That's one useful clock.

If front is still good it's OK to just replace rear. any change in tyres will affect handling - just take it easy till you get used to it. Good idea to stick to same type f/r. Correct fitment for 5.5"rim is 180/55 (stock) or 170/60. Antonio - how would you describe the effect of a 190. Like putting a pair of socks down your pants? KB

BFG - you thinking of ditching the Scura for one of these new fangled fashionmobiles??? (sorry Pete).

I'm with KeS - Blimey - my stock brakes (ferodo pads) stop pretty good. I'm more worried bout the tyre. What ya'll doing with these things? KB

Confidential hp??? - the very best kind!

Greg, After respringing Scura I found similar. I run little or no added comp damping on rear but it does move around a lot. Up comp & it gets harsh but moves around a little less. I wonder tho, even if shock was spot on, given the short, spindly s/a, doubtful frame stiffness, & massive weight out back (& everywhere else) how good it 's ever going to be? I came across this longtime back: http://www.cycleworld.com/xp6/CycleWorld/t...uzzi.xml?body=2 Intended to do same but still haven't got around to it... The new back end on the Breva seems to work v well. Sounds like a great day out you had. KB EDIT: Above link doesn't work. It's a Cycle World test from 03 on Scura. Complains about back end. They take shock to Pettersson Pro Suspension, Anaheim, Calif where they "...dismantled shim stack, reducing compression damping by approx 5%. Doesn't sound like much but...it makes a big difference..." They still weren't happy tho.

Me too. I guess summertime posing is over, & next year brings another toy. If I was in the market for Guzzi I'd be looking at them. KB

BFG, I did collate some photos & sent em to MG customer services - just to register really. Didn't expect nowt - got nowt. Been meaning to follow it up but just ain't had the time. When I get a chance, will dig out what I got & talk w/you some more. Best, Keith

...errrmmm...you sure you came to the right place??? KB All these dealers are Guzzi specialists & usually have a V11 to sell, give em a ring: Twiggers (Loughborough) 01509263967 Corsa Italiana (London) 02085407155 Streffords (Worcester) 0190523532 Motocorsa (Dorset) 01202822511 Moto Strada (Yorks) 01274592500 MCN usually has a couple but none this week. MGCGB mag usually has a few: dunno when it comes out next.

Basically there's 3 versions of V11: 99/2000 (original short frame, 4.5" rear rim). 01/02 (long frame 5" r rim ). 03 onwards ( w front ex balance pipe). For each there's various ltd ed models (Ohlins, Single plate clutches, bodywork etc). That bike is an 01/02 type. KB

Mine weeped onto xover from new. Put in Redline - it stopped weeping. Let us know how yours gets on. Cheers, KB

Well put Gary What caused the 2 Scura motor failures? KB