Bogwopit

I've got a 2009 1200Sport 8v and a new Griso 8v. I've just started to ride the Griso and will post elsewhere with my initial views/experiances. Andy Roo.

Thanks Belfast, thats the funniest thing I,ve read for ages.Tears are streaming down my face. I think I,ll invest in a cow instead of another V11;come to think of it I should have bought several instead of a new Griso 8V. Andy Roo. p.s. overnight ferry is booked from Liverpool on the Thursday 27th. What time will everyone be arriving at the hostel?

Is the Cafe Sport the rarest V11?, anf if so how many produced? I need no's to satisfy my curiosity. If you don't know exactly just make something up;I don't suppose that anyone at Guzzi could prove otherwise. Andy Roo.

very good to watch,Dave, but what do you mean slow motion? That's the speed I ride at all the time! Andy.

Thank you, Greg., Thats what I wanted-a clear straight, no nonsense answer that even I can understand, and I'am not even going to drag things out by asking why? I shall follow where you lead, a Sheep forever, Andy Roo.

Help, I've been following this thread quite closely as I'am trying to decide which type of crossover to get for my LM but have to confess to being hopelessly lost now. My LM is an'02 model with a front crossover but no lambda sensor.I have a set of factory titanium pipes and ecu,11;1 compression pistons[fastbyferraci} balanced rods and crank,polished heads with stainless valves and uprated springs/guides[raceco]and I've opened up the air box to improve air flow and fitted a K.N. filter.I've not done anything to the flywheel yet as I've read conflicting info. regarding lightening of the flywheel causing an upset to the balance of the motor and as I want to use the bike as a road machine did n't want to upset things too much. Lastly I'am not an out and out sports rider so would like to see an improvement in the mid range rather than in the absolute top end. What I'd like now from you knowledgeable gentleman is some suggestions as to which make of crossover would best suit my needs. Many thanks in advance, Andy Roo.

Thanks for the help guys, I did try to find info. before I posted but could n't find anything;no suprise really as I can only just manage to Log on! I have not had the rear brake system apart since I've had the bike,and it has not done many miles so I'am not sure about the air problem.I'll replace all fluid when Ire-assemble later today. Once I get it together I'll put it on the paddock stand and see how free the wheel is. Thanks for the input. Andy

Hi Everyone, took my '03 Le Mans out for a short ride today.After 5 or 6 miles the rear brake was binding so bad it nearly locked up.Rotor very hot and unable to push bike. After 10-15 minutes of cooling down the brake had freed off and was able to ride again. After similiar distance the same thing occured again.Once I got the bike home I removed the caliper suspecting a siezed piston but they are both moving freely.I now suspect the rear brake cylinder. Anyone have a similiar problem or anyone want to share some thoughts? Andy Roo.

Hi, all, just a quick question. I've a brand new Termignoni exhaust supplied with my new 8v Griso and wondered which other models it may fit. I know it fits 1100 and 1200 Griso and I thought it may also fit the 1200sport and 1100/1200 Breva. All suggestions gratefully received. Andy Roo

yeah,I thought you meant something like that,but you Yanks are a strange breed so I was keeping an open mind. And whats all this 2 metre crap? This is good old Blighty and the European Union hasn't made it illegal to use or think in imperial measurements. Well, not yet anyway, but if they thought they could get away with it they would. We have some really hardened criminals over here now-would you believe it some hardline shopkeepers and market traders have had the audacity to sell vegetables,groceries e.t.c. in IMPERIAL measurements!! My goodness I hear you say,but don't worry,the good old E.U. has saved us all by taking them to court, fining them and giving them criminal records. We can now sleep safely in our beds now. We,ve been forced for a number of years to buy our petrol in litres and it's only a matter of time before we,ll be forced to convert miles to kilometers. The irish did that when they embraced the E.U. dictatorship a few years ago. It won't be long before motorcycles are fitted with childrens stabiliser wheels-obviously for ours and everyone elses good.The current phase of legislation is aimed at restricting power output of motorcycles in all subjugate (sorry, MEMBER) states to 100bhp. Mind you,that isn't going to worry mahy Guzzi owners, now, is it? Sorry all, got a headache this morning and just felt like having a bitch about something. I think I'll go and have a blast on the bike. Thats sure to cheer me up, in fact I feel better already. see you all' Andy Roo.

for the stupid amongst us (ok,me.)how exactly do you line up front and rear wheels using a 6" bulb? I'm afraid I can't picture how, Andy Roo.

Heres my input, FWIW. I use Speedaway all the time, for parts and for new bikes, and although I've not had any mechanical work done there, (except for obligatory 1st services) prefering to do all my general work myself, I,ve found them nothing but helpful,v.knowledgeable(if you ask the right person) and v.v.friendly. They always negotiate a discount on any purchase.parts,bikes or clothing. The only downside is a lack of organisation sometimes(due to short staffing at times) and the overall setup is aimed at Aprilia,being by far the biggest volume seller. The Guzzi part is by no means an unimportant part and several sales people and others ride Guzzis themselves. Sales Manager, Dave,loves Guzzis and currently owns an 8vGriso. Rockingham Classics and Motorcycles are very nice.I've only spoken to the boss Mark on the phone and have never visited but I do order some parts from them (they have an excellent online ordering service including full parts listing with numbers, prices, etc as do Speedaway) and all parts that I've ordered for the V11 have been delivered in 5-10 days, and they've had to come from Italy!! Twiggers are also a lovely bunch of people.Very friendly.exceptionally knowledgeable and totally moto guzzi. (they only sell one crap make at a time!} I've not bought a bike from them (was,but an H.A. put paid to that last year, but I can recommend them 100% Oops,now I'm late for work, hope above is helpful, Andy Roo.

Wise move, Hope to meet you in N.Ireland.

Hi Lemmy, I can only agree with all the above comments;all of them far more axperienced A La Guzzi than I am. I've got a Rosso Mandello and have converted to raised handlebars as per this bike and all I can say is do as I did-go for a ride,fall in love with it and sod all else.It does'nt matter what it's good at or what it's bad at.It's just a bloody fantastic bike that will punish you for small mistakes and reward you for getting it right.Hell, I don't even need to start mine to appreciate it. I just have to sit and look at it and it gives me far mor pleasure than any jap machine could ever do.I even considered buying an M.V.Agusta recently and left the dealership with a new 8v Griso(after all,Agusta's are just bikes-Guzzi's are a way of life) At the end of the day it's your money and your choice.I think it's all down to the kind of personality you have, If you buy it welcome aboard;if not, God bless you anyway.Ride fast and ride safe. Andy Roo.

Unique indeed, but when does it stop being a Moto Guzzi and merely a Moto Guzzi engined special? While I do find the overall G.B. design attractive I still can't buy into the whole conversion deal. I love the V11 because it is a V11; once you use the G.B. kit it ceases to be a Moto Guzzi and merely a Guzzi engined special. This is only my opinion and I would not wish to denigrate anyone elses choice, but it just seems to be the end of a V11,which, of cause makes me sad, because I love the V11 in all it,s guises, Ultimately, of course,it's down to individual taste. My comments (controversial as they may be) are probably due to the consumption of a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc. It's probable best to do as my wife does: just ignore me 'til I'am sober. Andy Roo.

Thanks G.M. I'am considering using Bellagio wheels as the rear is designed for the carc unit, it just means getting the front re-spoked with a 17"rim. My local dealer has a rear Bellagio wheel that was replaced under warranty(less than 8 months old and with peeling chrome!real Italian quality product) and I can have it F.O.C. It just means I'll have to get a front wheel/hub. Like trying to find the holy grail secondhand. By the way, can anyone tell me why it is that Guzzi quality is crap,factory aftersales support is zero,spares supply is erratic at best,yet we remain loyal and love the products? Perhaps it,s some kind of genetic disorder we all have.

Thank you Paul. I spent a couple of hours this morning at my local Guzzi dealer, with the Service manager, and between cups of coffee, numerous horror stories of Guzzi and Aprilia mechanical failures, we spent time comparing Griso and 1200 Sport 8v's and decided thebest option was to use the 1200 Sport oil cooler.Good to get your input though. Would you have any knowledge of the fitment of wire wheels to the Griso? Obviously the use of SE wheels would appear the first choice however I think the price will be prohibitive.I've looked at CaLI. wheels but apart from whether the rear wheel will fit with a carc drive i know the front wheel is the wrong size anyway. I don't know of any 17inch twin disc front Guzzi wheels. Andy Roo.

my 'o3 Le Man has a plain black panel[not cf] chassis no.m111365. Come on Luigi, what happened to my cf dash,bas$&rd?. A.Roo

I sure will. Thanks for the replies, Andy Roo.

Morning all. This questions for you Mr Belfast. I want to remove the oil cooler on my 8v and replace it with a more conventional design in a more conventional position allied with a different set of exhaust pipes.How you seen this type of mod before or can you see more than the usual no. of pitfalls? I,m presuming that the usual oil cooler outputs in the block are merely blanked off. Looking forward to meeting at Sheep Island. Andy Roo

Well,I must say I am suprised that know ones replied yet. Knowing what V11 owners are like for messing about with their bikes [sorry,IMPROVING their bikes!] I'm sure someone must have tried something like this before. I wonder, would it fit an 8v Griso? I'll let you all know. andy roo

Hi all, I,ve been offered a performance exhaust kit for the 1200 sport and wonder if anyone knows if it would fit the V11.It looks as though it will fit, but it's still a lot of money to spend and then find it won't. many thanks, Andy Roo.

Hi, anyone got a pair of Guzzi 'TALON' winter gloves in xl or xxl for sale? New or good secondhand, or perhaps someone knows of a dealer who might have a pair? All info. gratefully received. Andy

Hi all, I wonder if anyone knows of anyone experimenting with fitting different headers on the V8 Griso.(1200sport or similiar type) I'd like to try a different style,a la 1200sport but don't know of any aftermarket types available. many thanks, Andy Roo

Hi everyone, would anyone know of a good clean Scura for sale in the U.K.? I'am in the market for one. many thanks, Andy Roo.