Steve G.

It appears I may have inadvertantly put some ethanol laced fuel in my fuel tank,,,,,it seems to be showing slight 'characteristics' of this well documented problem. When putting the headstock at full lock both ways, the tank is within 1/8" of touching the fork tubes. Clearly the front of the tank, the two "winglets" which protrude forward, are spreading apart allowing themselves to be contacted. At this point, I'm assuming a new fuel tank for a 1999-2001 V11 to be unobtainium, so I'm kind of pissed off at the whole thing,,,,Acerbis for making fuel tanks out of plastic that cannot handle a basic additive to currently available gasolines,,,and to Al Gore and the U.S.A. government for feeding the bullshite to the world that ethanol is going to save trees, or something else wild and virgin. If I drain the tank [which I'm currently doing] and let it sit for a couple months with a rubber strap carefully wrapped around the front to close it up a bit, what may I assume might happen? Anybody else who have had this problem sind a solution? Cheers, Steve

While I understand the reasoning to buy a Scura [to avoid the early "niggly's] , I'm sure you are aware that the Scura, Tenni, and other series were issued [some say cursed] with the single plate clutch system, which, unlike the easy retrofit of upgraded relays on the 1st series V11's, the potentially destructive consequences of the underdesigned "single plater's" is something nobody should ignore. Again, not defending the 1st series, but trumping Aprilia's improved working practices is a bit of a laugher! Ohlins suspension, ok, I'll give you that one, but I think the biggest improvement in handling from the factory was the extension of the wheelbase and angle of the headstock in early '02. And of course, the visual appearance of these things is always a personal thing, one man's "Suzuki Madura" is another man's " MV Agusta 850". I think my favourite looking Spine frame post 1100Sport Guzzi is the Rosso Corsa followed closely by the classic red framed green V11, then the Tenni, but in the interest of single clutch avoidance, it's got to be the Corsa. Steve

Happened to notice that we all have our own little sub group-hug areas,,,,,,Scura, Tenni, Rosso Corsa, etc,,,,,. What about the original machine that spawned off all these sub-models??? Steve

I consider this part of the Moto Guzzi's 'quaint character'. I eliminated mine fogging quite by accident when I installed a Givi mini fairing on the bike. Steve

This forum has a particular specialty, that being a single model motorcycle [essentially the spine frame Guzzi]that in the larger picture, is quite rare, hence a smaller captive audience. It's simply a case of numbers. Steve

Be very aware that this particular model, for some reason, is hard on swingarm bearings. Also be aware that the swingarm rotates in the back of the engine block. I know of two that had wornout to such a degree that emergency surgury had to be pe3rformed with JB weld, and a quick reduced cost sale!!!! Steve

umm, WOW, thats a lot cheaper than I expected. I REALLY like the first one I might have to talk to my credit union, probably won't happen right now but next fall I bet I could get one of these even less than the super dukes and sexier, still want to get a KLR seems like the rat bike to own. Shouldn't be a problem: http://motorcycle.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mcy&fil=KLR+650&itm=kawasaki&state=&ps=&pe=&ys=&ye=&submit=+GO+ http://motorcycle.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=mcy&fil=Griso&itm=moto+guzzi&state=&ps=&pe=&ys=&ye=&submit=+GO+ Steve

Moto International is still THE Guzzi dealer on the west coast of North America. Dave Richardson is a great guy, well respected, and his knowledge of Moto Guzzi earns respect all the way back to the factory. Steve

Not to get all fussy, but it was the Honda Cub rated best bike ever. The one tested was a late model 90 Passport, same bike generally. I can vouch for the durability and reliability of the little Hondas. I owned a 1965 S65 [sport], which to this date, still has it's original Honda/NGK spark plug, points, everything. It has 25000 miles, starts with a 1/2 stroke of the kicker, with your hand!!!, will do an honest 40mph, and gets around 150 mpg. Mr. Honda was a genuis. Steve

Glad you're not badly hurt. You live in Minnesota right?? Lots of,,,,,,,straight ass boring roads???? Heck, I'd get a dual sport bike, spice up your riding a bit, I mean alot, go find cool gravel roads. Can't beat a BMW GS, seriously. There's a reason they're the best selling big adventure bike,,,,,,for 30 yrs!!! Steve

What a lovely set of pictures. You really should get a position with the Tuscany tourist ministry. Very nice!! Steve

I've got one of these lifts. I had my old GS on it, was working on the front wheel, when it decided it wanted to tip forward. I stopped it, but my finger got caught in the spokes, broke my finger and ripped my fingernail off. NEVER USE IT AGAIN!!! Bought one of these,,,,,, http://kendonusa.com/lift.htm best money I ever spent in the garage. Steve

I've been riding down to the TT since the mid 90's. Always used to camp at the Sportsman's Club, tent over at the gun range with 10-15 buddies from the Vancouver British Bike Club. Forget which year, but ultimately it was one or more of us Canadians that, during the annual tire smoke out show over by the bbq area, one of us rode their Norton into that skanky old pond, then decided it might be nice to continue going for a swim. Used to be quite a show, and miss the gong show Saturday nite. Blame us crazy Cdns for banning camping @ the location. Known George for years, rode up with us to the Laverda Rally this yr. He puts together the Italian Bike nite the last Tuesday of each month @ Cafe Calabria in Vancouver, up to 30 bikes in the summer. Great guy, knows his Italia, great commercial pilot, been around the world. Steve

Another late summer bike event passes, the Isle of Vashon TT. For those not living in the North American North West, this is a Greater Seattle event, geared towards the classic/vintage/antique bike scene, the main event of the year for the Seattle based VME [Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts] club. Riders from as far south as Portland, Oregon, as far north as Vancouver, British Columbia. Anyways, I try to head down every year, about 130 miles one way. I get up around 5:00am, hit the border by 6:00, and make the Vashon ferry crossing by 8:30. This year took down my 20 yr old GS, maybe not a true classic, but is approaching the age, where it is now warmly welcomed amongst most of the event. I've taken my Nortons a few times, the RC30 Honda as well, and the 400-4 SS Honda, all classic bikes now, not just of age, but with general standing as collectable machines of merit. I've held off taking my V11 Sport, too new I've told myself. I've always cursed under my breath, the guys showing up on modern crotch rockets, or new Harley Davidsons. I mean crap, there's got to be some Harley rally these guys can go to rather than an old bike event. Just go away you idiots!!! So, about the late Spine Frames??? 1999-2005. I spotted at least one 2002 red/grey Lemans, one red framed green V11 Sport, and a couple more 2003+ Sports within the assemblage this year. 5 years ago, I'd have questioned these things showing up. But they were made in fairly small numbers by other manufacturers numbers, and with the red framed Sports, are around 10 yrs old now. So, when will it not be in 'bad form' to show up at a 'classic' event on a V11 Sport????

I must say that the exchanges between those two was some of the most entertaining reading on the internet! You could probably write a book with that material. The 'global warming' thread was like nothing I've ever seen on any online forum. I often wondered how much time he spent typing out endless paragraghs of information, or he was good at copy/paste. It wasn't that I disagreed with his point of view, it was his most distastefull arrogance that made me shake my head, especially his self imposed expert status in suspension setup, and his utter discontent to anyone who dare question either his views on the matter or the arrogant manner in which he 'poopooed' anyone else as knuckle dragging mouth breathers if they did not want to bother spending hours typing out responses to his diatribe. Clearly he is in an occupation that gives him the feeling of a 'higher purpose person' status in his mind, a particularly unappealing trait for anyone. I do miss his entries, strangely,,,,entertainment comes in strange and different ways. Steve

Motobits in Washington state sells a relocation kit that puts the footpegs 1" forward and 1" down. I have them on my Cafe and they're more comfy than stock. The 1" drop is good, but to have the footpegs brought forward 1", instead of rearward 1" would defintely not work for me. Steve

I'm 6'3", and will tell you that you will have issues with the footpeg location. I could not deal with it on my then new '01 V11, the green one. Moto Evoluzione used to sell a cheap little relocation kit [basically a series of long bolts and a bushing for the brake lever] which basically stopped my from selling the bike, it's way better now. I've since purchased the MPH handlbar kit, needed on the pre: '02 V11's with the lower clip ons, a great kit, except that it needs, and does not come with an extended throttle cable. I can confirm that Yamaha of Chilliwack has an '02, burgundy, higher bars. It's rubber tank cover, or whatever that thing is called, has been damaged, not sure what that thing is worth. It also has factory carbon fibre parts that have, of course, deteriorated, and look like shite. It's been there at least 1/2 yr, so maybe a lowball offer will get it. Steve

I'm sorry, but that was painfull. Steve

I'm coming in very late on this topic, but I fully agree with Hubert about subfora: They detract, rather than add. I'll take the opposing view on this one. ADV Rider is one site with many sub forums, and works very well. Up to 7000 people on the forum at a time. Steve

KTM, and super reliable???? Do those two phrases actually go together??? Steve

Many thanks!!

I'm reading all the threads on my issue, and am quite thankfull that there is such a wealth of technical knowledge about these bikes. Really!! Just to let you know, I have less than 1000kms on a new fuel filter,,,,and yes, I pulled my airbox off today to check for mouse nests. And I checked the valve clearances, they are still set to the loose European clearances I've used since 2002. My next step is to take my bike over to my buddy who has much technical hardware to check TPS settings, and the knowledge to use it on anything,,,he just did his MV Agusta complete service, valve shims, TPS,,,a mandatory thing as MV Agustas are not available in Canada. I have a confession to make, the last time this bike had the TPS looked at was in 2001 during it's first check up at the dealer. I know, you guys can give me crap now. Steve

So with the new season, I find that my V11 has now aquired an idle of less than 1000rpm, in fact, at times, it wants to hover around 800rpm, in other words, barely running. I actually prefer it around 1150-1200, so I've been pulling the high idle lever back [that choke thing]. I would rather not have it this way. So I've looked at the idle stop, appears to be some kind of grub screw stopper. If I just turn this thing in a bit, will this cause issue with the TBS? Steve

He is a gastly looking dude these days isn't he? Steve

Well done!! Steve