Mal

OK (ignore if bored with rear shock tech details ) I've spoken to those nice folk at Harris performance (who import Ohlins to UK) and their technical guru spent a while looking up the specs for all rear shock Ohlins fitted to Guzzis and the one offered as an aftermarket fitment for the 99-02 V11s. He had a database which told him everything from types of springs to damping to the name of the beautiful Swedish lady who packed it. In short, all models of Ohlins Guzzi fitted to their V11s are identical (length, damping, springs etc) until 04 when they made them shorter (from 286mm to 280mm) with less preload and maybe damping changes (forgotten that one sorry). The Ohlins aftermarket shock that Ohlins offers for V11s is exactly the same spec as the earlier pre04 bikes apart from an external preload adjuster. No ideas why they changed length , for the Ballabio type Cafe Sport maybe? (unlikely) The Harris bloke thought there must have been a change to the frame or mounting points but I've always thought there was no changes to the rear end. I was also under the impression that the earlier Ohlins Guzzi fitted (e.g. Scura) to be not as well sorted as the later versions (e.g. Rosso Corsa) yet I've riden a 03 Rosso Corsa which handled beautifully (maybe this was mounted with an 04 shock). Still confused Mal

yep, just ride it , but get a PC111usb soon, you'll notice the difference. Hobbsport over near Keighley (W. Yorkshire) did a good job setting mine and Guzziriders bikes up with custom maps, it'll cost a bit more but well worth it (and surely the Volvo can do without a turbo for a while...umm V11 bits or Volvo bits...I know where my money would go ) Mal

Thanks for the input folks (no comments on Keiths weight) I have to admit I'm still confused about whether the aftermarket Ohlins (with remote preload) is exactly the same as the Scura type Ohlins, or the Rosso Corsa type or different again I have heard a few remarks here on the forum about the early Guzzi Ohlins being not as good as later ones and having riden Guzziriders 04 Rosso Corsa and a 04 Coppa Italia I know how good these bikes should handle, the Ohlins shocks were in a different league to the Sachs (although I'm pretty happy with my 43mm front forks). As mentioned here and elsewhere the Ohlins are a little longer than the Sachs and the back end of Guzziriders Rosso Corsa does sit higher but the ride is so good I don't see that as a problem. As Mike mentioned you can order the Ohlins for a Rosso Corsa etc via Guzzi but this is way too expensive (870 pounds for a rear shock compared to 590 pounds for the Ohlins with preload!? ouch). I'll get in touch with Harris performance who import them into the UK and ask them to do a bit of investigation between the differences as I don't want to spend good money on something that isn't quite right, hopefully they can sort out this question, I'll let you folks know what they say. cheers Mal

Hiya I'm toying with spending big bucks on a new rear Ohlins shock for my 03 black V11 Le Mans but the supplier only lists it for 99 to 02 models...is there any difference to 03 models? As far as I'm aware they lengthened the bike around 02 but did this effect the rear suspension? I am also puzzled as to why they only list a version with the external preload whilst the Guzzis fitted with them as stock (Rosso Corsa for example) does not have this! yours confused Mal

yep, its an easy job, did it on a friends V11, as this was stuck in gear with a broken spring I did not have the luxury of being able to put it into neutral but it didn't seem to cause any problems (I think it was in 3rd). I marked the 2 gears with something (tippex - the white correcting fluid is good) in relation to each other (where they meshed) and in relation to where they mounted on their shafts (probably not necessary). you may also need circlip pliers as the 2 gears are held on with small circlips. other than that (and instant gasket) its quite easy and you just need to be logical about it all (and remember which allen bolts go where - some are different lengths), cleaning off the old gasket goo was the only pain, a bit of patience needed there. If you have a digital camera a good quality picture(s) will help with reassembly, or maybe a nice watercolour if you are more arty. Of course another option is leaving it there if it hasn't broken but that one is up to you. good luck Mal

I've put new spark plugs in and balanced the TBs...... should see me ripping down the straight in about an hour or two, may even wash the bike which will make it even quicker, am thinking of bricks in the tankbag to tame those wild wheelies .Hope Santa Pod has its hour glasses polished and ready. I'm looking forward to it, anyone else fancy it ?(we've even persuaded a mate/monkey with a Le Mans 5 to give it a go). Mal

I've riden Guzziriders rosso corsa around some Italian twisty roads (and local Yorkshire dirt tracks) and its suspension is way above the standard setup on mine (which aren't bad, well front is good but not so happy with rear), as he says, it floats over bumps and seems to hold the road much easier than mine. I've also ridden a Coppa Italia with Ohlins and this too had impresive handling. I guess it depends on what you use it for and what your local conditions are but if you can afford it its worth the extra (and there are a few 2nd hand rosso corsas about these days making it cheaper still). I'm now after an Ohlins rear shock . Mal

Greaser while there may be folk here who can help you may get more answers to this problem at the site below, its a good place to get info on all Guzzis (as opposed to mainly V11s). http://morini.com.au/phpBB2/index.php good luck Mal

I also have a twin plate V11 that makes wierd noises in neutral with the clutch lever out (and like rocketmans bike it goes quieter if I pull lever in and out a couple of times). It certainly did not do it in its early days and as Pete suggests it does sound like some sort of backlash in the gearbox but the bikes been like that for ages (now on 20k) without anything falling apart. If I have to strip it down for any reason I'll look into it but until then I'm just enjoying riding it. Mal

yep, mine went pretty early on although I rode for a good 12000 miles before changing them, but by then the cracks were getting steadily worse but no effects on running. I then fitted a new set and its been fine for the last 5000 miles, easy job to do and not too expensive if I remember right. Mal

I was there too, it was fookin awesome...way to go I could not believe the way the MGS01 was ridden into the set of corners before the start finish straight, very fast, very late on the brakes and thundering off down the straights with a gorgeous sound, not loosing anything to the faster bikes, wow, a very talented rider and a very cool bike up against, modern V twin Aprillias, Ducatis, Hondas, Suzukis etc. There was also a few other Guzzis racing (not all in the same class) ranging from a fairly standard looking LM111 (did well) to the mighty Dynotec Guzzila, that did pretty well too and sounded wicked...wish I had a video of it to share with folks. The whole range of racing was brilliant with classes ranging from classic racing with old Triumphs, Manx Nortons etc right up to the Sound of Thunder modern beefy V twins. coooool Mal

Yep, Odyssey are a very good battery I've not had to replace the one in my V11 yet but have experienced them in older Guzzis and they are brilliant, lots of power and very long lasting, ok they are more expensive than other types but in the long run well worth it. When the time comes to replace mine thats what I'll choose. They are a sealed gel type battery so if you need to charge it (e.g. if not riding for a long time) it needs a charger that specifies it is for this type of battery. Here is their website although they have outlets dotted around the world. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/ Mal

I assume this is to ensure a V twin sounds as it should, with hefty fines for quiet pipes With all those Ducatis around they won't notice a few Guzzis slipping by (I hope) Mal

cheers Paul , will hopefully see you there, hopefully the weather will stay as good as it is now. Mal

Paul, Jaap or whoever else is going I'm now going to be there too, do you know what times the races are? Still without camera though 'sorry, I'm sure some others will take some nice pics. If anyone wants to meet up on the way let me know. G, sorry you can't make it but hopefully there will be other races a bit closer to home. Mal

You don't get quiz points for spotting background garages Guy As for the bike, could be a whole host of bits & pieces with the interchangability of the Tonti bikes, I had one that looked similar, it was a T3 with Le Mans 1000 engine and Le Mans 1/11 bodywork (but it was lovely & black). This one has the V7 sport type sidepanels, early(ish) 35mm forks, engine out of a ...could be anything from later Cali, to Mille, to later Le Mans, wheels look like they are from early T3/G5, in other words a bitsa, but none the less very nice. Mal

I might be tempted to go as its not far but is the MGS01 appearing on the Sunday only? Is anyone else going? Also, through circumstances beyond my control I have no cameras for this weekend , if I go I'll see if I can borrow one from somewhere. Mal

yep, thats the one Mal

Keith I ended up cutting most of the lid away (copied a picture I saw on the Raceco website of their V11 airbox modification, figured if Amedeo did it it can't be bad) and as with Guy I did not notice much of a sound increase (I too have Mistrals), certainly not the levels other folk seem to be experiencing. The only down side to cutting the best part of the airbox lid off is that you can't go back to standard whereas with holes you can cover them in strong tape but that doesn't bother me as I've no intention of doing that. One way around this would be to sourse another airbox lid or do as some folk have done and fabricate a frame to hold the filter in place. I have also tried pods (always love to experiment), and I find they do make a lot more noise when you are going for it on large throttle openings, a fair bit more than my open airbox lid, don't know why. Mal

I've just done this on my V11, its a bit awkward to get at but do-able, I had to remove the rear shock remote canister on the left hand side to get access to the bleed nipple (which needed soaking in a penetrating fluid, in this case WD40 as it was a bit reluctant to move). Stick a suitable tube on it and bleed away as you would a brake, Guy's instructions above should be useful. If you have a paddock stand it would be heaps easier to remove the rear wheel to get at this and then while it is apart you can grease all those pesky UJ grease nipples and put some grease on the splines on the wheel (and that roller bearing on the far right of the drive box). Doesn't take long. Mal

Yea, should be fun although we'll probably all be blown away by Jaaps V11 and have to drown our sorrows in beer . Mal

Not got much of an idea at the moment as to the cause of this breakdown but its very unlikely to be a timing chain, I've ridden and known Guzzis for many years and I've never heard of a problem with a timing chain other than getting a bit sloppy at huge milages, at this milage its unlikely unless you have been very very unlucky As the others here point out its generally easy to see if an engine is siezed, whip out the plugs and turn the engine somehow, either in neutral via the alternator or in gear with the back wheel (easier if you have a paddock stand!). I can't think of anything immediately to point a finger at as these engines are very strong unless its oil is too low or some kind of oil pressure failure! I hope it is something simple and easily fixable, good luck Mal

Oh believe me, he tries hard enough , certainly not what you'd call a slow rider.. Mal

txrider Like you I have the original manual, I bought it from a Guzzi dealer (not cheap and very heavy but generally useful) not long after I bought the bike but it didn't have the updates which came with the 02/03 bikes (such as the 43mm forks). I tried to get hold of an updated version (probably easier to get hold of now) but at the time I didn't have much luck, however a friend came to my rescue, he managed to get me a copy of a Guzzi CD (from E-bay if I remember rightly) which not only has the original manual but also has a section on udates, this has the info on the forks along with a few other useful bits of data. Mal

txrider just to confirm, the 43mm Marzocchi forks use 435cc of 10wt oil in each leg. Its a job I need to do soon to my bike...can't wait Mal