Lucky Phil

January 23

question is is it an original flywheel or has it been replaced with a RAM unit at some time.

Phil

January 23

Single plater.

Phil

January 21

That sounds like a twin plate clutch to me. My single plater is quiet engaged and a slight high pitched rattle (more of a swishing sound) when disengaged. My old twin plater sounded like yours does. Check the flywheel access hole and see if it's been change to a twin plater by the PO. BTW if you snap the clutch lever in and out of engagement at idle once it'll reduce the rattle by about 75% each time.

The RAM single plater is the best individual mod you can do to a Guzzi big twin.

Phil

January 20

Missed out a whole process of fitting the plate up to the crankcase. I hope there's a gasket between the roper plate and the engine crankcase, doesn't seem to be from the side image.

Phil

January 11

I'd buy a set of these but that would be a "step down" for me. Get it/..."step down" lol. I'm here all week folks.

Phil

January 7

4 hours ago, Gmc28 said:

Perfect.

You went black… I like that. But I also see I didn’t think to paint the backside of the fly-screen fairing. Didn’t occur to me till I saw yours.

And which mirrors do you have? I think you’ve noted which they are in other posts. I forgot how beautiful your greenie is. Will stare more at some of your photos for ideas.

Where’d you source that top stainless yoke nut? I’ve got some likely sources here local that I can check.

Rizoma mirrors. I have a set of knock off the same in matt black on my Enfield but they are disappointing in that the ball adjusters are so tight they are unuseable. If you knock them out of adjustment you need to loosen the mounts to re align. Just buy Rizomas, expensive but quality. The top nut came from Stein Dinse.

Phil

January 7

1 hour ago, Gmc28 said:

That’s a great idea

Forgot the image.

January 7

35 minutes ago, Gmc28 said:

Hi Phil-

that’s what I was thinking. I got the bike that way, and I think that’s what I’ll do (paint), though the chrome finish will be another thing.

The original triple is painted silver. I went with a stainless steel yoke nut and a black rubber grommet. I'm not a fan of chrome personally on the V11 Sport.

Phil

January 7

59 minutes ago, Gmc28 said:

Freed up another small chunk of time for Greenie today… so wondered out and popped the Stucchi fly screen on.

”Popped” is a stretch of a term, because what I figured would be an easy afternoon in the shop with a game on in the background and messing with the fly screen and then other stuff, turned into a few hours of me getting some good curse-word practice. Not hard, just a bigger production than I had figured.

Fuel tank + body bits next.

valves are done, so decent tune-up with the laptop magic will follow after that.

The pic with the speedo shows the poor cosmetic condition of triple tree area, which I need to work on, somehow.

Pull it off and spray can silver it, preferably 2 pack spray can silver. This is why I don't use key fobs or crap dangling off the ignition key as well as it's not great having a bunch of comparatively weighty stuff flapping around under the influence of forces tugging on the switch assembly.

Phil

January 6

I carried out a few updates to my lathe I've had for 20 years or so. European style QC tool holder, a high accuracy chuck and a 2 axis DRO. The QC tool holder and DRO will make using the lathe a whole lot nicer.

Phil

January 6

6 hours ago, Scud said:

Fabulous. My test for potential long-term relationships was if they would ride with me. No ride, no future. My wife passed the test.

Now I have a new rule that my wife and three daughters know well. H=M>W. The secret to my happiness is to have more motorcycles than women in the house. (Personally, I count the garage as part of the house, and it is the best room in the house).

I've never wanted a bike in the living area of my house, but if I did... or ever do... this is a useful thread.

And Phil - I recall a conversation a few months ago about the definition of art. I might have to go find that and re-read our various definitions of art - maybe link these threads.

I only kept the bikes in the house due to space constraints in the garage. It was more a necessity although I quite like a beautiful motorcycle on display in a house. My main issue using having bikes in the house is it's generally a PITA to get them in and out to go for a ride.

Phil

January 6

19 hours ago, audiomick said:

Incidentally, I've never kept a bike in the house, but one time my house mates put my Z900 in my bedroom for a lark. It stank of fuel. Therefore, I reckon the advice to take the fuel out first, and maybe let it breathe a bit, is good.

I always kept the tanks 1/2 full and never had an issue. My bikes were modernish bikes with controlled tank venting though.

I'm quite interested in phycological "models" and keeping a bike in the house is somewhat a phycological model as mentioned. Google Ames room to see a demonstration of the power of the models people have in their minds. Applies to many thing including relationships.

Phil

January 6

2 hours ago, Speedfrog said:

There you go @activpop . . . A road map to matrimonial bliss and harmony . . .

It was pretty simple. New Girlfriends either passed the bike in the house test or they didn't. The wife passed. What can I say.

Phil

January 5

7 hours ago, activpop said:

We have an upright piano that isn't used anymore. It really needs to go and a special bike would look great there...except for the fact that my wife is not a lover of "kinetic art".

They never do until they are forced to reset their notions of what's appropriate in a house. Every woman I've ever know at first look was horrified at bikes in the house including my mother and mother in law. Because they all had zero say in the issue, surprise, surprise they then just became non plussed about it and realised there wasn't a problem in reality. Sometimes you have to challenge the "models" people have in their minds.

Phil

January 5

2 hours ago, activpop said:

Does putting a bike in the house impart much objectional odor to your room or rooms? I would think that just the pipes in a smaller space wouldn't smell as nice as say, baking cinnamon muffins. Maybe you have to put some miles on first with bean oil.

I kept my MV AgustaF4 and my 1000ss Ducati in the house. One in the lounge room and the other in the adjoining dining room. When the MV went the 1198 Ducati took it's place. No issues with odours or anything else. New girlfriends would be somewhat surprised at first then because the bikes didn't smell or leak oil or anything else and they realised they were quite benign they would forget they were there. I used to tell them they were kinetic art.

Phil

January 4

These guys are fully into the transition, obviously.

January 3

As a general comment I've watch a ton of these Indian manufacturing youtube videos and am amazed at the work they can do in manufacturing and repair when there is no OH&S to consider and there is often no other choice than to repair and refurbish anyway. However having said all that there's a massive gap between manufacturing/repairing a big diesel crank or conrod that turns at 2800 rpm max and a modern 15,000 rpm ICE engine. You can get away with some pretty crude work practices and tolerances in basic machinery. Full respect to them though, creative repairers.

I wonder how they will go with the transition to a renewable energy world. All totally on board and striving forward with it I would imagine.

Phil

January 2

6 hours ago, guzzler said:

I was in the same boat years ago when I was returning to the fold...

Pretty sure I wanted a Guzzi but had the money to go with whatever I wanted (within reason), so in the end a couple of things influenced my decision.

My wife decided she didn't want to ride pillion so that meant I can go with whatever...and I had every intention of test riding bikes that intrigued me.

Ducati Monster Triumph Speed Triple etc.

BUT before I could do so a certain Green V11 Sport popped up.

Ha ha, a few mates had also told me to go with the heart when making the decision too.

Well originally the colour of the V11 put me off (it wasn't mentioned in the ad and I can actually remember asking the shop on the phone about it...It's not that lurid Green one is it...) but as soon as I fired her up the heart was a goner and yep the salesman was right in that the colour grows on you!

I love it and don't regret it for a second.

Guzzi's are a long term commitment that get better and better the longer you own one..

So my advice is to...

GO WITH YOUR HEART.

Cheers

In this situation I'm the exact opposite. I well remember the glut of second hand Ducatis around Melbourne in the late 90's and early 2000's from people that fell in love with the big Ducati sports bikes until the first major service bill was shown to them. Then it was on the market and the head made the next decision. The heart decision is fine when you're young and malleable and adaptable and can live with massive compromises but you lose all that and get some insight/wisdom as you get older. The last bike I'm going to buy these days is a Sports bike I'm afraid and if I was in the "returning to the fold" position I'd go for the rational decision not the heart. There's time for the emotional decision after you've got back into it and can asses the extent of your new passion with some recent experience under your belt. So light weight, value for money, economical replaceable parts for the inevitable minor oopsies at the start, not to much power, easy to service and reliable. My advice.

Phil

January 2

1 hour ago, arveno said:

It’s on special order at MG cycle. It doesn’t mean they will have it for sure .

chances are it might not be available anymore. Only after placing the order, they will find out …..

Pretty common these days for Guzzi's of this vintage. Even cycle parts like Brembo callipers are advertised on websites and I know they haven't been available from suppliers for years. If you get a refund in full without transactional losses it's ok but I've been nailed with losses on the refund that's why I ask them to confirm with their suppliers that they have stock before I order and pay.

The V11 is now getting to the point spares wise where it's not really the bike to put a lot of miles on anymore. New part supplies have dried up and SH parts can be risky to buy and are getting expensive.

Phil

January 2

2 hours ago, arveno said:

Hello everyone

happy new year!!!

I am looking for a head light to use on my 04 lemans but I cannot find it anywhere.

MG cycle can order it for about 200 bucks and 3/4 week eta.

does anyone has one that will work and willing to sell?

any alternative that will fit as the original?

Thank you so much for your help

$200 bucks sound cheap for a new headlight. I'd grab it at that price.

Phil

December 30, 2023

43 minutes ago, docc said:

So . . . no one has volunteered to perform the assigned geometry problem, yet . . .

But, we can agree that increased shock length approximately is doubled in ride height?

Double ish

Phil

December 30, 2023

1 hour ago, activpop said:

Ok Phil, maybe I never heard that record. Could you tell me more?

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. Incredible value to buy, good quality, modest but adequate power, zero vibration 650cc fuel injected parallel twin with balance shaft, easy home maintenance, ABS both wheels, spare parts very cost effective and fast to get (example $350 usd for a new painted fuel tank shipped to your door) With aftermarket Stainless mufflers shown ( $350usd) 205KG and low C of G. Lots of aftermarket stuff available.

I decided I'd like to use black front and rear guards instead of the standard silver so I purchased a set of new genuine RE front and rear guards from India. I had them in 10 days for a cost of $65usd delivered. Cheaper than painting them. Have a silly garage tip over and damage stuff? Well no grief to the hip pocket there. A brand new instrument set is around $125usd from memory. Delivered of course. have the same thing with your new Ducati or Guzzi and you'll be at the bank re mortgaging the house.

Can't go wrong.

Phil

December 30, 2023

3 hours ago, activpop said:

I have my own opinions, but would value yours. I have a friend who wants to get back on a bike again after a 25 year lay off. He wants a Guzzi, but I suggested he could entertain other makes also for his first one. I'm not ruling a Moto Guzzi out though. What models would be a good bet for him, either new or used? Price won't really be an issue. I will rule out most ADV bikes because of seat height, weight and higher center of gravity. He is not tall but is inclined to buy something more unique. There are plenty of used bikes to choose from, that's for sure.

I'm going to sound like a broken record here but this every day of the week.

Phil

December 30, 2023

21 minutes ago, docc said:

This sort of thing is precisely why I exited the College of Engineering at university . . .

When a deflection of 6mm is applied in the x-axis to the upper mounting point, calculate the mm change in position of the rear mounting point in the y-axis:

It would be easier to just go out and swap shocks docc, lol. My 2-3mm is clearly wrong as I halved the additional shock length instead of doubling it and subtracting a bit for the shock and swingarm angle. BTW the Penske suggestion is a good one. I've had one of these apart on the race bike and they are excellent quality and a step above the OEM Ohlins. People don't realise that Ohlins suspension comes in different grades and the OEM stuff while decent isn't the magic gold people thing it is. It's a marketing exercise by the manufacturers more than a massive upgrade in suspension quality. The Ohlins "benefit" has reduced as time has passed because the Japanese/Italian OEM suspension is so much better than it used to be. I say this not to denigrate the Ohlins stuff but to make people aware that there is many other superior options out there from aftermarket manufacturers that people seem to ignore in the "worship of the gold". The money asked for a second hand Ohlins shock for a V11 is ridiculous these days when you can buy a superior tailored shock of better quality new. Remember the original V11 Ohlins shock is now 25 year old tech and materials

Phil

December 30, 2023

On 12/30/2023 at 1:20 AM, mjseymo said:

Hi All, very useful info. I have a short frame and want to change the Sachs unit. Will the extra 5mm change the seat height too? I'm short in the leg and just wanted to check. Thanks.

Yes by maybe 2-3mm.

Phil

[edit: corrected by Phil in his post later in the day (six posts below):

"My 2-3mm is clearly wrong as I halved the additional shock length instead of doubling it and subtracting a bit for the shock and swingarm angle. "

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