LowRyter

yeah, it's pretty difficult to see unless you get on our knees in and inspect it in broad day light. We'll see if it's as durable as advertised. Dusty did a similar fix when someone (not me) ripped the side cover of my EV thinking it was pried off rather than screwed on. It would've been nice if I was told that it was broken rather than find it in the middle of the road an hour after I rode it. But that side cover didn't break on it's own on the EV like the Greenie. So we'll see.

Sooooo . . . . if it ain't broke . . . . . Man, I've been through it with this bike for the last month. I am not looking forward to anymore fritzing. It's together, running, and just put the plastic back on .... my hobby time and dollars are on the far end of the scale. SP, it's been hammered and baked and welded and in a million pieces. I hope it ain't broke now. So no more fixing. Time for riding.

oohhh Chuck, I think that Brad said he did some modifications to the airbox. Sorry, I didn't know what to look for when the tank was off. All I know it runs well and has no dips or flat spots.

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17183 here's the forumla

here is the work done on the panels. Dusty (Central Customs in OKC) uses 3M 04247 two part filler epoxy + adhesion promoter. He filled, bonded and sanded. Since he knew I didn't want to paint it, he was limited to working on the backside only. I gave him the paint recipe using the candy paints from House of Kolor and may go that route in future.

my bike was set up by the previous owner, Brad S (aka "the Kid") with a PC. Runs great. I suppose if I drilled three tear drops holes into the airbox lid, I might have an incentive to learn Guzzi Diag (like how to plug it in, which bikes have the right computer, where to get the software, how to turn on Windows, how to type, etc.) But again, if I did more mods, couldn't I just press three buttons on the PC?

how about these two Puigs? https://www.amazon.com/Puig-1482F-Smoke-Windy-Windshield/dp/B00GA3CMZM https://www.amazon.com/Puig-0869N-Universal-Windshield-Headlight/dp/B00GA3B6SQ/ref=pd_day0_263_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00GA3B6SQ&pd_rd_r=BKGRFBYH87QXYSCQ4TAP&pd_rd_w=WKdau&pd_rd_wg=jL5Af&psc=1&refRID=BKGRFBYH87QXYSCQ4TAP Mine measures an 8 in opening to fit the 7 in headlight.

Scud, you're a spine frame addict.

I am out of it now Dave. I settled with Don (and it was pretty good bite as you can imagine). Call Don next week after he gets back from COTA and he should be able to help you. I think he had a little bit of interest here from e-mail and calls. He told me yesterday that he was selling them for $80. I can't even see where it's mounted on my bike. I saw it all painted red and pretty before he installed it but can't even see it now.

80 miles for dinner. I'm running my LeMans without the side covers. They were black and I don't miss them. I like the side covers on the Greenie, but a starter cover that matches the engine color would look better (just my opinion) - or a dark grey, not black. Scud, posted elsewhere here: I dropped off the side and starter covers off with my body shop guy. He was pretty optimistic that he could fix all three parts in a couple of days without painting them. Apparently there is a new miracle adhesive-filler that is super strong and works super good. I think he uses it for plastic bumper repairs. Since some of the parts around the screw holes are broken and lost, I am not sure he'll touch them up or leave bare. When I get it all back I'll provide a report.

Well now, working on the bike I hit the switch and no fuel pump. Yep, that Bosch relay. I had a spare offa the EV after I replaced them all with Pyro Dan's stuff for about $25 (it's another trouble shooter story, not to bore you) and the bike started fine. So I go to the auto parts store to get a new relay and it was $20 for one and it was made in Ghina . I guess I'll order a whole 'nother set from Dan-o. I don't know what I did with the other relays offa the EV. ?? .. Prolly trashed 'em

I dropped off the side and starter covers off with my body shop guy. He was pretty optimistic that he could fix all three parts in a couple of days without painting them. Apparently there is a new miracle adhesive-filler that is super strong and works super good. I think he uses it for plastic bumper repairs. Since some of the parts around the screw holes are broken and lost, I am not sure he'll touch them up or leave bare. When I get it all back I'll provide a report.

just got back from dinner ride with the guys. Took back roads and the few twisties and turned about 100 miles. Man it handles good and it likes to trail brake in the tight stuff Is the starter cover anymore than cosmetic or does it protect the starter from rain? I am heading to the Ozarks weekend after next and don't think I want to screw with it. > Had a failed start, fuel pump didn't go. Took the seat off and heard a "click" from the relay and it took right off. I am guessing that it was loose since it was in open for a month of jostling. Had a spare if I needed it.

I am on the road again. Taking it for a dinner ride probably 80 miles round trip for a shake down. Still need to dial in the suspension and patch the plastic covers. It's not butt ugly without side and starter covers.

there ain't a motorcycle as purdie as the greenie. that's a fact, jack. they ride as good as they look. ( provided I ever get mine back together)

I wouldn't sweat the difference between the naked and LeMans. I think the bars and pegs are the same. I don't think clip-ons are much different than the handlebar versions either. The difference is the fairing but a flyscreen on the naked is pretty effective- I rode mine from OKC to North Carolina and several trips to Austin and Springfield Ill. Air blast was never a problem. The only thing that catches me are my hammies and my knees riding all jockeyed-up. On the other hand, that works perfect in the twisties. The biggest difference is the red frame vs later frames. I never heard what you think about the handling, feel, and control of the bike? That's what I think is the best part. (Perhaps better with the red frames.)

totally agree.....a great trip punctuated by some rain, cold or hail, just makes the best of the trip that much better and entire trip more of an adventure and more memorable. Hey, even true if the worst of it was hitting the kill switch and getting a little cold.

I should have the bike on Monday. Don has painted the gearbox housing and bracket (red). Everything is cleaned up and ready for assembly. The bracket looks smaller than I imagined, I guess that its not 13 1/2 in but cm?

she's purdie

Yeah Marty, that's the sticker. Docc, it's on the right side of the frame under the tank. Perhaps NZ and USA had the same manufacture paper work compliance required for import? Otherwise, I can't imagine a connection. I am just guessed about the meaning.

so Docc, what s the significance of the build date? Are the frames built in New Zealand? Inquiring minds want to know.

Stew, the trail brake proponents suggest that you do it as a matter of habit to get proficient and smooth. Like, Chuck mentioned most folks aren't traveling fast enough on sweeping highway curves to try it. If you don't have a lot of curvy mountain roads you can get real world feel for it around intersection corners. When you brake to go around a corner, keep lightly on the brake and stay smooth until you apex it and hit the gas instead of coasting and hitting the gas.

Docc, I didn't get the part number but the build date was June 2000. And there is also a "New Zealand manufactured" sticker on the frame. Now that was a surprise. It will be interesting to know if this improves or degrades the high speed handling weave that has been a point of discussion. My guess it won't have an effect. But I expect to also stiffen the rear preload with it apart- the next step might be a suspension kit. -John L sends

OK, SP883 and others, I have an update. The transmission brackets are due to be delivered to the shop today. This is weeks later than expected. Because it's a small job, Don had to book available time on the water jet. And of course my bike is still pieces. So Don and I both want this bike out of the shop. I think the he'll have 4 or 5 to sell. I don't know who here has called or e-mailed him. Even if the brackets come in today, none have been test fitted on my bike. Even if it's good to go, Don has some other projects including bringing his Cafe Custom Sportster to COTA Moto GP in Austin. I am guessing he can mail them out in early May. I do hope you guys get them because it defers my cost. It's not a deal breaker for me but I hope it's mutually beneficial.

Use both brakes, try to stay balanced. Do most of the hard braking early in a straight line, then lighten up until you get to apex, let off the brakes and give her some gas. In other words stay on the brakes or on the gas but don't coast into the corner. Just lighten the brake until you hit the gas. It seems to work well with my Guzzis, my Suzuki has a tendency to stand up from the lean.