mik

rons, I've gone through one cable on my 03 LeMans. My problem is trying to find a back up cable somewhere. Everytime I try to order a spare, MG sends the cable for the earlier bikes with the right angle adapter and the Veglia gauges. I don't think the head end of the earlier cable will work with the ITI speedometer. Before I put the replacement cable on, I shot it full of cable lube from both ends as it looked totally dry except for a little grease at the head end. Hopefully this will help the longevity of the new cable...it is a rather quirky design. I don't like the fact that the cable is crimped into the outer sheath , it would have been nice if it could be pulled out of it's casing and lubed that way. I will be disconnecting it at both ends and shooting the oil in regularly.....getting a spare out of MGNA is not easy. I emailed Italy and got a rather terse reply from MGNA...as if they were on top of the problem Let me know how well you fare.

Other than a occasional belch while accelerating in first, I've found my LeMans to be quite smooth and responsive in any gear as long as the rpms were 3000 and up. It cruises comfortably at sustained 80 to 100 mph speeds with no worries .

Murray, I don't know if my LeMans has a handling problem, but the damper did eliminate the speed wobble at 100mph on the expressway. I was traveling into a head wind and that higher windshield may have contributed to the buffeting. As far as I'm concerned the damper did what it was designed to do. None of the Triumphs I've owned ever had an unsteady feeling at any speed and none were equipped with steering dampers. The Guzzi is a different animal for sure, and I've made some minor adjustments to the front suspension settings. Please tell me that my Italian machinery doesn't have flawed suspension...this is the only anomaly I've run into regarding handling. It's a great motorcycle. A friend with a Scurra told me all the Bitubos leak , I guess I'll see what Al comes up with for a replacement.

I have to say that the steering damper is a useful item to have on my 03 LeMans. For the first time today, I had some problems with front end wobble. I'm sure it was a combination of road surface, high head winds, the slightly higher windshield and speeds approaching the century mark. The problem was alleviated by reaching down and adjusting the damper. I'm glad MG put one there.

You are going to paint the covers..right? I've seen the mechanic at the dealer remove the covers countless times without ever tearing a gasket, but he never re-uses them. They are some of the thinnest gaskets I've ever seen , I know that I'd probably tear them or damage them in some way. I'd get new ones.

I've had a little trouble with third gear myself lately. I attribute it to lazy shifting on my part, I'm just not kicking it in with authority I guess. Today however, while accelerating from a stop into a 40 mph cross wind it didn't go into third and there was no way to get it in any gear till I slowed to almost a dead stop. I am nearing the mileage for the first inspection...over 700 but not quite 1000 yet and I'll see if the lubricant changes make a difference. I really need to ride the LeMans more, as there is a marked difference between it and my other machine. This is the only oddity I've had in the performance of the Guzzi...hopefully it's just my lack of familiarity with it.

Al, thank you for confirming what I had expected. There is at least a gallon of gasoline for reserve when the low fuel light appears. Enough, I expect, for another 30 or 35 miles before it has to be pushed. I think I'll get myself a siphon and carry it in the saddlebag.

Ride it home ...it'll be nicely broken in when you get there. Then have the initial service done. Don't beat it but don't lug it either...these are machines that are made to run and they do it well. Enjoy

Al, I have to agree with you, the 03 tank does look appreciably better. What I'm really waiting for is your results on the fuel available for engine consumption. I have to thank you for your tenacity in persuing this project ...it seems that MG has forgotten to answer my inquiry, although they did attempt to reach me by phone. I envy your youth and the stamina it affords...sigh, it all seems so long ago.

Al, how's the 03 tank retrofit coming along? I'm very interested in your results.

I would hope that the new ECU would be all that's necessary for the proper running of the bike with the MG cans. I mean, why have a reprogrammed ECU if one has to run the software program for proper tuning? I put a carbon can on my Triumph Daytona and all that was necessary was downloading Triumph's new mapping for that can into the bikes ECU...done, finished, the machine runs great. I have often thought that if I were going to change mufflers on my LeMans I would go with the MG cans because they come with a re-programmed computer...plug and play, no?

3 to 31/2 gallons before the low fuel light comes on is what I have been averaging. I have not been checking miles per gallon as the bike is still being broken in and I tend to ride at all different speeds and revs. It is somewhere in the low to mid-thirties range but I expect that to improve over time. Since I took delivery of my LeMans on December 30th all of my riding of course has been in cold weather, and in the midwest the winter blend of fuel is not noted for giving you the best mileage either. I look for vast improvement by this summer...hopefully.

Al, I had a previous post up here but decicded to delete it...being that I have different instruments it probably wouldn't have helped. Still, it's probably just a loose or bad bulb....or at worst a loose connection somewhere.

Motor, those are great . They are more of what I was looking for in the riser department. Did you have to run new hydrolic lines? And, if you don't mind my asking...what did they cost? I suppose I could call Williamsville Competition but this is better than getting put on hold long distance. Thanks for the photo.

Motor, Williamsville Competition doesn't seem to have an online catalog. Is there any chance of you posting a picture of your risers? I am not sure if I will need them, but I think it's a good thing to start shopping around just in case. The taller wind screen is a wonderful upgrade. I'm totally happy with my LeMans.

Al, better see if you can come up with a wiring harness for an 03 LeMans. It may be your best bet in the end. If you need the wiring diagram from the 03, let me know..I'll scan mine and email it to you.

Al, if I were not under the influence of pain killing liquid I would go out in the garage and take a look under the tank of the LeMans. I could just ask a question or two of those rather dubious mechanics where I bought my bike on the morrow. I know that you aren't too fond of the answer I received about the fuel tank issue, but what the heck....it could be enlightening or amusing in any case.

I read a road test in some magazine extolling the accuracy of the 2003 LeMans speedometer....stating something like 'it writes a check it can really cash' or something of that nature. Really doesn't matter to me because I rarely look at that instrument. When I'm in town and around traffic, I just keep up and when I'm in the boonies, well......I just go as fast as like. By the way, Jaap.....what's with the avatar setting device? Did TX break it? I wanted to update my avatar again but it won't comply with my wishes.

Al, I have every confidence in you...My hopes of a speedy reply from are waning. I'm just glad things are running in well on my LeMans and hopefully fuel consumption will improve with mileage. I suppose it would help if I could control my wrist a little better.

It seems that MGNA did try to reply to my email about the usable fuel amount in the LeMans tanks. Unfortunately for me they decided to do so by telephone and I wasn't home to take the call. While clearing out my caller ID tonight I ran across the phone number for MGNA dated the 9th of March..six days after my email to them. Hopefully they will try contacting me again or sending me a reply by U.S. Postal Service. I'd really like to hear their answer on this.

I doubt you will have any problems. None of those modifications caused the paint to bubble. Factory defect= warranty replacement= dealer gets paid by MG.

Al, apparently Moto Guzzi doesn't know the true capacity of the 03 fuel tank either. I've not yet received a reply to my inquiry (3 weeks ago) about capacity from them ...I'm not holding my breath. I guess I'll just keep topping off whenever the low fuel light starts to glow. Usually it takes around 3.5 gallons to top off at that point. I'd be interested in your findings or perhaps encouragement to send another email to MG.

Andy, my thanks to you for getting these windscreens imported. I received mine today and it was a simple install...perfect fit and looks great. biesel, thank you for posting the windscreen information on the site. It is a superior product.

Thanks for the info Al, I wasn't sure what type of clutch I have. This whole bike just has a life of it's own compared to my Daytona. IT'S ALIVE! There is some fairing shake and a little vibration but nothing there that makes me feel uncomfortable or nervous about it. When I roll the Triumph out for the first ride of the year, it's going to feel like the 'Concorde' I'm sure. The Guzzi does tend to grow on you though, I really like it more with every ride. I'm getting a shop manual for the LeMans this week.

The clutch on my 03 rattles like a bucket of bolts when it's pulled in...I think it's a single plate. It makes enough of a racket that people next to you take notice when you are stopped at a traffic light. I interpret this as part of the character of my LeMans, I just hope it holds together.