footgoose

This bike is gorgeous! Is there a thread for this thing? I did look at the gallery... very nice.

^^^ better days ^^^

I think you may be overstating things. Cash1000 has seen my shed. See pic Kiwi Maintenance.jpg We may just drink beer and hope the little guy knows what he is doing. We don’t want to look as if we’re trying too hard, just in case someone is watching. Well, it is the land of Burt Monro, and Beer Island... credit where credit's due. made national news here

You obviously need another Guzzi. What do you think I'm squirreling away all my Moderator pay for? (Well, once I pay off these two bolts plus shipping-from-the-frikkin'-moon). you don't get paid enough for the fine job you do here Docc. We're lucky to have you

For myself, the zero mileage bike has the benefit of not being abused. The rubber bits, covers, cables, boots, fuel - oil lines, filters, fluids, etc., would need replaced after that time regardless of miles. I think the best way to find them is 10 - 20k miles, one owner, decently cared for and most important, meticulously stored. This is a great color. An '02 is set up the right way imo. I hope it get's to meet the road.

Someone on here has done a 1200 in a spine frame. I can't recall but it'll show up eventually. I will follow with Interest!

Thanks for 'splainin that Chuck. And thanks Scud for getting this under testing so quickly, and documenting.

The "cut" in the arm worn in by the old spring was at least partially the result of the bind from the oversized boss. Good thing you got it out of there. The new spring with the extra coil, should be far less stressed, at least in the coil area. But that's not where they're breaking. It's usually on the shorter straight bit, near the tight bend (hook) isn't it? That's where the functioning abuse occurs it seems, as indicated by the cut, and the typical breakage. Torsion pressure combined with a twist at every shift. I'll bet that area will also benefit from some relief from the extra coil. Wouldn't it be nice if, instead of hooking over the arm as it does, that end could ride perpendicular to a polished cylinder, like the other end does? Over thinking?

:whistle:

So Docc, you could just cut a hunk off a 'presumably worn out or too small, or otherwise useless' jacket, as I did a few years back for my DR650. This is a piece of the sleeve. The stitching is just what was on the sleeve and oriented to look intentional. This particular leather piece is too thin for a durable, quality seat, but fun and easy.

Sweet seat Rox. From my house it looks like the "suede" on my Tenni seat. I'm tracking you on the weather proof aspect, And the butt-sticks-to-itness. Did you use the stock cushion? Reshaping/alterations? This thread has me inspired to get my long desired seat done. Docc, that bomber jacket leather hide might be something to share

shaft pinch bolts? I missed the thread I guess. Is this something a good Guzzisti should keep in the reserve bin?

yes, totally following! I want to know how it turns out. Up dates appreciated. and the lingering question... what is the "imitation special saddle?" Rox... do you have a better pic of your lovely seat handy?

It was aluminum, and he's using tig. Somewhere in there he gave the gauge of it, but I don't remember. I too am fascinated by panel beating-shaping. (must be the wood worker in us) I'd love to do some moto bodywork, and do plan to 'some day'. But takes a bit more dedication than I can give at the moment. As Michelangelo so aptly states "art is a jealous thing, it requires the whole and entire man" and his level of metalwork is truly an art. You can tell by the way he works it, it's second nature to him. I'd like to spend 3 months in his shop as an apprentice. As a bonus, I'd learn to "spake Austrialyin". I'm reminded of something guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson said about getting "good" (paraphrasing) "it's not how many years you play, It's how many hours" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15eu7ar5EKM

very nice video

This guy is a gas. Funny, talented. The bike is a real piece of work. The build overview. A bit long but if you enjoy metal fab, you'll like it.

There's a little thingie in the tender that knows when the battery is charged, and switches to float mode. If that goes faulty, it will cook the battery. It happened to me once. Since then, I still use a tender, but only once in winter, and once in spring. Leaving on for only a couple of days.

So still in BC? Same owner? One of ours? Needing a new home? Do tell..

Sounds like you've found a good bike, and the bike found a good owner. The great thing (among many) about the V11 is the torque "launch". I'm not at all easy on my bike, but I'm not merciless. I've never seen my oil pressure light come on. Still.. the Roper plate is what the bike wants. As you said .. no brainer. One will turn up. I'd love to hear your impressions of the WR450 sometime. Maybe the adv bike thread? http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20154

why a business has to openly take a side, effectively disparaging half of his clientele, is beyond me. Got some nice stuff, though.

yes, very nice

yeah fotoguzzi, you got me thinking where exactly I got the "faux suede" idea I've had for quite some time. I must have just read it somewhere on line/magazine. I did some digging and my Tenni brochure calls it "imitation leather unique saddle" It seems a good idea it's not leather.. for wet riding purposes, it should last longer. I won't be using my "suede" seat for anything but very special occasions, and posterity. I wouldn't know where to start with reconditioning it FreyZ1. I really love the look tho, enough that I bought a beater seat to have recovered in real leather. I like the darker shade too, example Tenni Griso. Note: 2 tone

It's not real leather. I'm not sure what it's made of. I've only used mine a couple of times. Still looks new.

"build what we can and rethink" good idea. Sounds like some good times to be had, and no real loss.

needs some zinc chromate