Dazz

Thanks for all the responses, with 3 bikes all exhibiting the same free movement, I will go out on a limb and suggest that one connection in the output gearing is where all, or most of the infamous guzzi drive train lash is generated. This may be obvious to you but for me this helps. The slop is built in, and the cush drive of course softens the slam of one set of out put gears. forgive my lack of correct terminology. Still seems like a hell of a lot of free 'no load felt' movement before the gears connect. A hell of a lot of clearance built in. Please correct me if I assume too much. Michael would enjoy meeting up somewhere like Harriman Park in the future, right now I'm still working on straightening out my health issues. thanks though.

thanks for the response gs, I started by poking, prodding, pulling, shaking, physically checking the drive train to find the source. It's not in the drive train after the first uv joint. Now that docc has checked and confirmed that his has the same free movement and metal to metal contact noise it puts my mind more at ease, but still I have questions. What's going on there, what in the out put shaft- gear box could allow this extreme amount of free move. What is the metal to metal contact noise about. One more confirmation would be a big help. All it takes is one motorcycle stand and 30 seconds to move the wheel back and forth with bike in gear. Most of my rides have some sport riding involved, tight switch back turns that require on and off throttle in lower gears produce a significant slamming effect. If this is common with all v11 sports, I would like to know. But my bike didn't do this for the first 12,000 miles.

wow, thanks docc, God now I have to find something else to worry about. I really didn't expect others would find as much. a real relief. still would like to know why this much play. and what is the metal to metal knock it's not bevel box, uv joints or drive shaft.

Hi Andy, I'm pretty sure this is more than the normal amount of free play movement, but would love to have confirmation. The bike has 25,000 miles on it most put on before 2005. Everything seems to be snug, driveshaft, uv joints, bevel box. The onset was at the time of my clutch failure, it's possible I damaged more than the clutch. The clutch had started to act up at Deal's Gap, I continued to ride the Gap, repeatedly, and ride home another 1000 miles. One thing which would help me would be if anyone would check the amount of movement, with the bike on a stand, in gear and measured at the outside edge of the tire. as stated mine moves 2 1/2" and there a distinct metal to metal knock coming from the engine housing. I do plan on getting this resolved, and Andy I would love to see 100,000 miles on my V11.

Hi Docc, yes it had the recall work, I didn't realize there was a cushdrive in the gearbox nor that it was a part of the recall. does this sound like the type of problem that a poorly functioning gearbox cushdrive would exhibit?

greetings, I haven't been around for several years because of health issues, things are improving and I've returned to one of my passions, motorcycling and specifically on my 2000 V11 sport. I purchased the bike new and went through all the teething problems, including having the clutch replaced at 15,000 miles because of a rivet failure. This happen at Deals Gap, in North Carolina, about 800 miles from where I live in NY. Limped home and had the clutch replaced. So the problem is the amount of "free play" in the drive train, especially evident when sport riding in lower gears and going on and off throttle. I realize lash is an issue with v11's, but it's getting worse and I fear on the road failure. With my bike on its stand and bike in gear, I can move my rear tire 2 1/2 " measured at the outside edge of the tire, when looking at the drive shaft I can detect about a 1/2" of free play travel. When moving the tire back and forth you can clearly hear it connect, its a loud metal on metal knock. I know it's not the bevel drive, and I don't believe it's drive shaft alignment. The noise when it connects at the end of the free play come from the engine case area. Any help, suggestions, discussion would be appreciated. Thanks