Steve G.

Love the engine, and chassis. The color, well you can paint it anything right. The bodywork?? I'll leave stealth technology to the U.S. military! The engine is frickin' cool. Ciao, Steve

The acidic impurities of incomplete combustion are kept within the oil. The oil, among other things, also acts as a filter, which of course is changed. Changing this burdened oil before you store the bike away, it gives the acidic qualities and moisture no chance of eating away at the bearings. Autumn is the best time. Ciao, Steve

Ciao, Steve

I totally agree with your thoughts on the crossover. Don't know if the Stucci is as h.d. as the factory tank of a thing, but if it it not, save your money. Ciao, Steve

On my older bikes with tubes, I do it myself no problem. Tubeless tires, I just take them to my shop where I've been buying tires for decades, it's always price installed, he still beats everyone. Ciao, Steve

That's the road sign just out of Missoula Montana I think. Ciao, Steve

I agree, The standard V11 Sport is still the one for me as well. Ciao, Steve

Some consideration should be made to the tires pressure readings on the tires you have. Tire pressures for pre '02 V11's are for Bridgstone BT57's, no longer available. Ciao, Steve

Actually that's a good catch. These bikes are tough to find cvery clean, most were put away wet after a hard run. Ciao, Steve

Yup, it said right here, page 99 of the 2001 V11 Sport Service Schedule; heading 20,000 kms [12,000 miles], the letter r for replace, right beside the fuel filter. Then turn to page 140, sub heading Changing fuel filter, that the filter is fitted between the 2 cylinders, that there is only ONE, that it is paper element. You really think it's a good idea to get in there with a high pressure air line to "dislodge" any foreign elements. There's not too many dumber things I can think be done to a fuel filter like this. Another note I'll make on this problem these bikes have. If you do find it happen again, take note of the slightly different pitch of sound the pump makes as you first turn the key on. You will find it sounds like it's running a bit higher, without resistance, and gurgling, like it's playing with air. Well, it's vapourised gasoline. You can burp this out, and be on your way in 5 minutes. The fuel line off the left side of the tank, the fuel on/off valve, loosen that line, and move it around a bit, don't remove it. It will start hissing vapourised gas, after 15-30 seconds, it will stop, tighten the fuel clamp, get your helmet on, and it won't give you any trouble for at least two of these instances.

An early Suzuki 2 smoker? These were stolen from the East Germans, I believe during the 1964 OIM TT. Or could it be something lame like a VW Golf? Ciao, Steve

I was at the Seattle bike show last wk, and the rep there said only silver for USA in 07. There you go! Ciao, Steve

Pre 2002 bikes have an external tank fuel filter. You can't clean it, all you can do is replace it, which must be done every 20,000 kms. Ciao, Steve

It really sounds to me like a vapour lock caused by the fuel lines which are too close to the cylinders. 1 or 2 stops are enough to heat up the fuel in the tank, which then cannot cool the lines when the pump is turned on. This exact thing happened to me several times, always after I'd stopped for something. I spent alot of time re-routing the lines away from the cylinders [one of which was actually nestled right up against the inside of the left barrell]. They really were frickin' idiots when the routed the lines at the factory. Ciao, Steve

You will do very well with the V11. I also own this bike. There are a couple things you should check. Your bike had aluminium oil cooler brackets. Make sure they have retro'd the replacement steel ones on. Ask if the bike has had it's recall done on the gearbox. You may have to go through either of the two dealers who co-sponsor this forum if your dealer won't look it through. Check to see that the fuel tank has not settled down on it's rear fixing point. When this happens, it can cause the weight of the tank to press down on the side covers, causing fractures around the fastening screws of the covers. See that the angle drive of the speedo is not about to lose it's worm gear, which will happen if the pressed in/melted in cover comes loose. Other than that, be aware that these engines take a very long time to break in, perhaps 20,000 miles. The engine gets more & more pleasing with mileage, less vibes, more power, just more relaxed. You will grow to love the bike. It is a hands on machine, not a Japanese machine. You will have to get involved in it's regular maintenance, which is part of the joy of such a simple machine. One other thing, avoid the Global Warming thread on this forum. You will be sucked into a bottomless pit of head swelled chest beating arrogance like nothing else you've ever seen:D . Well done. Ciao, Steve

I agree with the dealer. I've heard more horror stories about these P.O.S. than good stories. Ciao, Steve

Ciao, Steve So, what is it, the 10000th bike of '06??

Well Done!!! Ciao, Steve

Just read that old time motocrosser Marty Moates has taken his life. Very sad. Great guy. Ciao, Steve

No problem Jim, I sort of borrowed captions of it from another forum! Ciao, Steve AHHH, CCR. Now you talkin' my language, my religion!! Ciao, Steve

It's political correctness gagging reality. It's only going to get worse in the first world. Ciao, Steve

For my Liberal friends; Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an enviromentally conscious, socially responsible, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the generally recognised winter solstise holiday, practiced within the traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect of choice given you to practice or not practice any at all. And I will also wish you a fiscally successfull, personally fulfilling and medically uneventfull recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but with due respect given to calendars of other cultures around the world. For my Conservative friends; A very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year. Ciao, Steve

Perhaps you could clarify what you are talking about for a stupid shit like me. Ciao, Steve

I remember this time very clearly, and consider Vaghn Beals to be a genius for turning around HD. How else can you catagorise a man who could 90 deg turn a company like this, and convince an American public to buy a product like this. Whether the embargo itself did it, or whether it was part of a grander picture, perhaps this thread can figure out. Ciao, Steve

Actually, I'm quite enjoying this. If I may just enter my thoughts. I was one of those Japanese bike owners during the embargo, where we saw a number of 700's running around. I clearly remember walking into the Harley dealer, and looking at the $5995 [only in USA was there $3995] Sporty. The Harley's were still more expensive than equivalent Japanese stuff. But it was for me the meager performance of HD that made me go across the street and buy a new 84 KZ 750, for $2995. Twice the bike, even now. Regarding the opposing thoughts going on with Gary and Greg, I'll say that it's amazing how a thread on MG oil filters can go into talking about these frickin' HD shit boxes. Human nature is so cool! This great conversation should continue in the Banter forum, where it can be left alone by the forum police to go where nature intends, instead of still born killed, where I think this may end up soon. Ciao, Steve