Bob Hartman

Hmmm... Just went to order 2CTs and found Motorcycle-superstore.com didn't have a front in stock. They have an 'email me when back in stock' box so I entered. Hours later, this appeared: "Thank you for your interest in the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT Front Tire. Unfortunately we have received notification that this item is no longer available and has been discontinued by the manufacturer. If there is an alternate item you are interested in or if we may be of further assistance please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Customer Service Motorcycle-Superstore.com" Michelin still promotes 2CTs on their website, but it must be said these tires are on special sale at compacc.com and elsewhere. What's next?

Here's how things ended up: 1) Electric snapping noise from relays now gone. I replaced the relays and tightened up suspect contacts on the rearmost relay. 2) Oil leak disappeared after I dropped the pan, changed the oil and filter and put everything back as it should be (along with a helicoil for the magnet plug). Beginning to think the magnet plug already had been compromised. Very relieved it wasn't from the gearbox/engine junction. Spent lots of time finding out the breather hose was fine but cleaned everything along the way. Learned quite a bit, including about expanding fuel tanks. Now it could use brake pads and tires, but they are less mysterious. Right? Many thanks to all who pitched in. Great group! Bob

New 2002 LM to me. Dropped the pan and was relieved to find it spotless inside. During reassembly I effortlessly and unknowingly cross-threaded the magnet plug. Bought a helicoil kit (M10 x 1.5) from NAPA, $42 with tax, instead of saving a few dollars online and waiting for shipping. The kit does not come with a drill bit; wish it did. Their online spec chart calls for a 10.5mm bit. Couldn't find one - the local BMW/Mercedes garage even said they've never seen metric bits. I have a dozen metric bits, but none in half sizes. Then I noticed the tap in the kit has stamped on it: "13/32 drill bit". Close enough, that worked despite being slightly smaller. The helicoil worked fine in that application; for stressier bores I'd prefer a Time-sert. So now it's all cleaned up. Wife was thrilled to see the sump pan in the kitchen sink. When the rest of the bike is buttoned together I'll spray the cases with aerosol foot powder and the search for the test-ride oil leak will finally commence. But, boy, I felt like one of the Wit brothers; Half, Dim and Nit. Bob

Bob, have you tried Pirelli Sport Demons? From what you say, I reckon they'd suit you. I went from BT45's onto them. Great grip, handling, feedback, & tho they wear quick they wear very evenly. Never heard anyone who's tried them say they'd go back to BT45. They're great tyres. KB Must admit never to have tried Pirellis but it's true the guys on belt drive 900SS Ducatis love them. The BT45s are an 18" wheel choice on the old bevels - as opposed to Avons (supply got spotty) and very few others of elderly design and performance favored by BMW airhead iron butts. The Sport Demons do sound like I ought to get some. Thanks! Bob

Cripes, I'm glad you said something. Wondered what was going on: I took the tank off for just a week and it didn't want to go back on in the worst way. Well, I did get it back on it the worst way: With towels as protection I used two pry bars (one in left hand, one behind right knee levering the tank forward from the rear) while ratcheting the bolt furiously with my right hand. With the tank off it must vent through the petcock and canister vents, so the growth surprised me. It did get hot in the shed last week, so maybe that had something to do with it. Here's the kicker: In order to reinstall the side panels I have to lift the tank again! Will get at it before work tomorrow. Wonder if it will shrink up overnight. Bob

Thanks you guys, hope to be back with some good news soon. In the meantime, the bike is draining engine oil over night so less to deal with when the filter, gasket, etc. arrive from MG Cycle. Judging from the color of the engine oil, the oil leaking onto the crossover must be from the gearbox . It does not leak a drop while at rest, though. This is the grasshopper part, right? Bob

Agree. There are two KBB prices: The high price is "Retail", which implies serviced from a dealer with some come back if anything goes wrong in the first 30 or 60 days. The low price is "Trade-In", which is one option for a seller. Quite a different number altogether.

Thanks Andy and Felix, Sorry, I wasn't clear; a little frustrated rhetoric. I've been working on getting at the blasted breather hose. I just couldn't believe that's where they put it. Looks like they borrowed the Ducati engine accessory design committee for this one. The hose looks fine at the bottom but now, this deep in, I'll follow through and replace it. The air cleaner looks brand new so that can stay. Yes, the best part of the process has been learning - and cleaning - everything in the middle of the bike. Foaming cleaning spray has been the way to go; wish I'd found it years ago. Was going to fill up with 20w-50 but given the current blast furnace weather I may go for 10w-60. Didn't I read there was a bulletin out for V11's recommending the latter? New relays arrived today from Dan. I've tightened the relay block spade connectors from above and will have a snoop around the bottom for ropey grounds or shorts. Wish I had the time to speed up the process. I'm looking forward to getting this bike out for a good run! Thanks, Bob

Went looking for the breather hose today after taking some snaps. https://picasaweb.google.com/113055271327028956964/V11LeMans Is this a newbie hazing thing? Breather hose? Do you know where they put it?! Not to be dramatic but, oh dear. Do we know how many red/grey V11 Le Mans were produced? Bob

Horses for courses, but here we go: I have no experience - yet - on a V11, but on my VFR800, two valve BMWs and Ducatis, and an RS1100 I've run various Bridgestones, Michelin Powers and Pilots and Dunlop Roadsmarts. 2CTs suited me most due to best grip, feedback, turn-in and predictability. They seem not to wear much but then get to a point - with plenty of tread left - when they don't want to turn anymore. If I recall correctly, they are much more synthetics than rubber, which may account for that. Roadsmarts were supposed to be the business but for me they required more effort and were loud, especially the front. Roadsmarts probably had the edge in the wet. The rear squared off badly on an 800 mile two-up and loaded trip but eventually I wore the profile back on local roads in a few weeks. They were fine, but I didn't embrace them. Bridgestones used to be my favorites, from BT10's, 14's, 20's, 23's and stopped there. Certainly just me, but the feeling was gone. On the other hand, I swear by BT45's on my 18"-wheeled bevel Ducatis. Another class of bike for sure. For ME the Michelins are the worst money value and best riding value, and therefore worth it. The Roadsmarts may have been better tires than I knew how to use, but I don't like to push to find out. I'd try Bridgestones again because they are quality units but may wait for another iteration. For ME, it works better to use rubber that's deemed one grade too sporty for the bike in question, with an emphasis on wet performance, because I'm mainly on B roads. This way they heat up easily and give fine grip. Not squeezing high mileage out of tire probably ends up costing $20 - $30 extra a pair but seems worth it. As others - and my tire dealer - say: They're all damn good these days. The good news is it's hard to make a bad choice! Bob

Thanks to all for great replies, especially to Roy who's got some impressive guides and guidance. I collect the bike from the seller tonight so photos will follow soon. The seller spoke about the bike in the present tense over the phone but the records reveal minimal use in the last four years. So along with the oil leak and errant electrons mysteries needing sorting, it'll need replacement tires, fluids, pads, probably battery and possibly fork seals before much else happens. Watch this space for engine oil and tire recommendation threads!! Looking forward, Bob

Many thanks, Tom and KB, for your sane advice, appreciate the replies. Good questions, too; should have clarified: Appears to be engine oil. Seller wondered out loud if synthetic oil seeps through seals and gaskets. I let that go. I hadn't thought of breather hose issues - which supports the symptom of no leak at rest. When I get it home I'll clean it all beneath, talc it up and hope for a clear diagnosis. The bike had been sitting and was charged up before my two test rides, which may have disturbed the battery connections. The snapping sound, about every 7 - 15 seconds, was apparent after both short runs. The ignition was off. The sounds seemed to be coming from the relay area but I'll certainly check around the battery. Darndest thing. Otherwise, it ran and handled beautifully! I hope to collect the bike one evening this week. I'll be back to report! Cheers, Bob

Forgive a Guzzi newbie's questions: Found a red/grey '02 V11 Le Mans for sale, 14K miles. Two issues: 1) Went for a test ride, came back to find oil dripping and smoking on the exhaust crossover. 2) Electric arcing/snapping noise from the relay region with engine off (!). Oil doesn't leak with engine off; drip on the drain plug and one beneath the engine toward the right side. This does not look new, lots of oil stain on the crossover. Owner says he hadn't noticed this (had put 8K miles on it in seven years). Said it was always had it serviced at the (now defunct) dealer. Where do we think that leak is coming from? I've read the relays are suspect. But why are there a loud, intermittent electric 'snap' sounds coming from the relay area - or at least I thing that's where - with the ignition off? Yes, I bought the bike for near the KBB trade-in value because it's otherwise great; strong, quiet, fine suspension, brakes and cosmetics. I've read about oil leaks and relays on these bikes but am still not clear on tracing symptoms. All advice much appreciated! Bob