mik

andy....I emailed the particulars...hope you got them. mik docc, what is that herbal extract one takes for imroved memory ...I forgot and would like to start taking it again.

Thats it then ? I guess I should have gotten more than a couple of those relays from Pyro Dan. Thats an easy enough fix and I should have remembered docc's post...it's the reason I labeled my relays and ordered the spares. Thanks again, docc. I think I'll get a bag of those things and keep them in the tail section.

Could be a loose connection at a terminal, or one they forgot to replace (plug one in) when they were done working on your machine....maybe? Check the battery connections as they undoubtably disconnected it to do any work on the bike. Then after that, take it back to them and let them fix it, especially if it was running perfect when you brought it to them. It's what I would do.

Al, thanks for the link to the Evoluzione lowering kit. It is modestly priced and may be just the ticket. Definitely less troublesome than loading up on glucosamine.

Al, the windshield looks very nice. I notice that you've made quite a few changes to your LeMans. Are the valve covers painted or are they the ones from the Corsa? I see that the brake reservoir looks to be one of the billet type, have you changed the others also? You do nice work, especially the 'plumbing' on the fuel tank. I wouldn't worry about leakage...permatex is a very tenacious sealant. I suppose that after I install my aero windscreen, the weather will be nice enough for some longer distance riding. The only other issue I have with the LeMans is the peg position, although the problem may be more due to my knees. I may install the lower control kit...I believe Guzzi has one, don't they? The problem with not being able to ride year round is that parts of my anatomy have to break in again every spring. Two weeks of steady riding should bring things into perspective. Ageing is good for alcohol and steak, not so much for my knees.

Al, I did email Guzzi yesterday and am waiting to see if they respond. As far as mechanics go, the two that work on them where I trade are top notch. I'm sure that they yank my chain when I ask questions they deem pointless. I researched the motorcycle, the dealer, his mechanics and other MG customers before buying my LeMans. They were highly rated and why should I doubt satisfied customers. I get the feeling the mechanics don't want me messing with the machinery...they set it up (faultlessly), test rode it, and signed off on it. It runs perfectly so far and I was warned about the idiosyncracies of MG before buying. The mechanics make a point of asking about the machine whenever I see them...they will adjust my suspension, check the engine management or look at any niggle on request. I have to get involved a little though...I want to be more than just a passenger. I'm sure the day will come but until then, I don't care if those guys sprout wings, wave a magic wand and tell me they sprinkled pixie dust on my ride...so far so good. If I get a reply from Guzzi, I'll be sure to share it...I'm just as curious about the fuel tank too.

Allright.....assuming the mechanics were partaking of a little hooch or blow, or whatever and disregarding the 'tempest in a tea pot' story. Why not just ask MG what the heck they had in mind with their fuel tanks? I do know that fuel systems are touchy...electric fuel pumps..both external and submerged are expensive and I think that they do operate differently. I myself would be more worried about fuel starvation than extracting every last drop from the tank. Was it an oversight by the Guzzi design team to leave fuel trapped in the tank? Beats me...why not askTHEM. I do know from personal experience that starving the internal electric fuel pumps of gas means no cooling or lubrication and leads to a shorter life and possible engine damage due to low fuel flow. It would be nice to know the answer(s), but as long as the machine runs as intended it seems they knew what they were doing. As for me, when I see the little yellow light, I'm going to start looking for a gas station...I'd rather be riding than wrenching

How much fuel exactly, can be pulled from the tank and used by the engine? I really don't care as long as there is some reserve for me to rely on. I just ride these things and leave the physics of propulsion up to the engineers who designed them. As far as what the mechanics say, or know, that's their business, not mine. After all...I are just an igorant plumer...yoo no..poo goes down, water goes up and payday was today . They are certified to work on these machines and they do it well..at least those I know do. I wouldn't think of hacking on my machine unless it were totally necessary...if it works, then it ain't broke. Since I don't have a degree in automotive engineering, I personally wouldn't guess at the solution to a non-problem, that is why I asked a fellow who fixes Guzzi, BMW, Triumph, Ducati...well you get the point. They do fix them so they must know something. There are a lot of good things to be found here, but there is little doubt that there also exisits some closemindedness....criticism of ideas is an indicator. Sorry about that.

I asked a Guzzi mechanic about fuel getting trapped in the tank. His reply was that in the fuel injected models the fuel pump, whether submerged or external has ample power to create a swirling action inside the fuel tank. That is why if the anti-tip valve isn't removed the suction inside the tank caused by the fuel pump makes it hard to get the filler cap open and sometimes causes the paint on the tanks and the tanks themselves to crack...from the vacuum created by the pump. In his words, the fuel is literally forced towards the pickup by the power of the pump.. a mini tornado in the tank. Works for me.

I'll hazard a guess..those look like quick disconnects for the fuel line(s). Similar to those on my English motorcycle. Be careful, they usually don't take well to rough handling (plastic you know). I have the same system on my 03 LeMans. I'm not sure where the pressure regulator may be as I don't own a shop manual cuz I don't think there are any for these models yet...maybe someone else could tell the both of us? I don't believe that there is any fuel shut off..the quick disconnects have check valves in them I think. Remember, there are no dumb questions.. but I couldn't guarantee my answer...sorry

Well, if Guzzi lists the reserve as 1.5 gallons on the 03 model, then my low fuel light came on at the prescribed time. The big question is, I guess, whether the reserve fuel is available for engine consumption. My mileage was around the 120 mile mark. I really don't want to purposely run this thing out of gas or even let the fuel run low in the tank. I just know it's not good for submerged fuel pumps. I.5 gallons is an ample reserve, but it may be that way to provide adequate cover for the fuel pump to provide cooling. I just won't let it run low...when the light comes on, it is time to stop. The reserve is just that..for emergencies like forgetting to stop at the last gas station. The fuel injection on this banger is not as frugal as that on my Daytona. The low fuel indicator comes on and leaves me a gallon in reserve on the Triumph. The Guzzi is what it is.

Al, I think the tank on the 03 models is a little longer than it's predecessors. At least it looks that way to me . So, if my fuel light was on and I filled the tank with 3.5 gallons that must have meant that I had 1.5 gallons in reserve? I guess the only way to find out for sure is run out of fuel.

motor , get the Tekno bags...they are light, hold enough and keep out water.

What, is the exact capacity in gallons of the LeMans fuel tank? My reserve light came on and I pumped 3.5 gallons into the tank. I figured I had about one gallon in reserve......how wrong am I?

Same here, Andy. mik

Hi Andy, I sent you an email expressing my interest in purchasing a tinted windscreen from you a while back, but I don't know if you received it. Hopefully you'll read this thread again. mik

I've seen the mechanic at the local MG shop replace a bunch of these gaskets. It seems that most of them are 'pinched' or torn slightly from not enough care being taken at the factory. The gaskets are so thin and flimsy that a fine coating of silicone does help hold them flat onto the stationary surface allowing for a more trouble free installation of the cover. I just hope that my LeMans ...an '03, doesn't suffer from this malady. I was told to check everything on the motorcycle for tightness after riding it for the first 40 or 50 miles...nothing fell off or leaked. Thats all I had time for before winter set in. I guess I'll find out for sure in the spring what riding a 'Guzzi' is all about.

I don't think I've ever seen thinner gasket material than that which MG uses. Toilet paper looks heavier. If mine leaks or seeps I'm going to put the new gasket on with a slight film of silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket...and I do mean slight. It was all I ever needed to keep the old model Triumphs I owned from leaking like everyone else's did. I am having to read about everybodys experiences here because the weather in northern Illinois is worse than Alaska at the present time. How I envy all of you riders that live in more temperate climates Wish I were riding.

Hummm, perhaps I'll squirt a little gel adhesive under the lower edges of the pro-grips

Yikes! You had to glue yours on? I just took off the bar ends so as not to scuff them and used compressed air to get the stock ones off and install the nice, squishy ones before replacing the ends. Do you think these grips will 'slide' down when it gets hot out? I wear some Olympia gel reflector gloves too...they really help in the carpal tunnel area..no pain after riding anymore and my hands don't go numb mik

al, thanks for the response. I should have entered 'Throttlemeister' in the search window instead of 'cruise control.' Once again this website has helped clear the fog from my overworked brain. Now I'll know which 'Throttlemiester' to order. Your installation post is also having an encouraging effect...I oughta have my LeMans road ready by the time the snow melts. mik

I'm thinking of installing the 'Throttlemeister' cruise control on my LeMans and was wondering if anyone else has done this yet. mik

That's the one!

Hi, I am a little late filling out this introductory thread by at least a week...sorry. I'm married, over fifty, am a grandfather and have ridden motorcycles for going on forty years, give or take. To me, what has happened in the past isn't as important as how much time there is left. At some point the glass goes from being half full to half empty. I live in the U.S., in the northern part of Illinois in a town that is considered a suburb of Chicago. I live 30 miles south of that city. This MotoGuzzi LeMans is the first Guzzi I have owned , although I have desired one since the mid-seventies. I have been riding Triumph for the most part and have done so without regret. One ride on the LeMans sold me on buying a Guzzi...it's Italian like me and is a joy to ride. I look forward to touring on it this coming year and for years to come. I'd like to thank the administrator(s) of the website for it's existence as I feel it is a place where I can learn about my new machine and share with other owners and riders their experiences and knowledge about the V-11's. cheers, mik

I guess I should be happy that I bought the later version LeMans and delighted that my dealer was 'up front' with me about recalls and such. I was informed to day that my LeMans was produced late enough that it won't be recalled for connecting rod bolt replacement. So far I've been fortunate in that my particular machine must have been assembled near the end of the model year...or during the growing season In any case, the dealer has an excellent MG mechanic and I do have my Triumph to ride if something should come up. I would hate for the MG to be laid up though...I bought it to tour on Comes the spring around these parts you can be sure that I'll put the break in miles on it. In the mean time I'll continue to learn all I can about it from the riders on this site I was only able to get about 40 miles on it before it snowed...and it hasn't stopped. Six inches more today and 12 below wind chill tomorrow. I'm getting 'cabin fever.' cheers mik