Scud

AMA = American Medical, Management, or Motorcyclist Association. The M in AMA almost always means medical in US conversations - probably as it does in Australia. But on this forum, I think we can assume the M will be for Motorcycle. Here's AMA's take on lane-splitting (which I do lot): http://americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/positionstatements/lanesplitting.aspx And wikipedia's take on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_splitting How'd you like to be able to legally ride up to the front of every red light and get the hole-shot on every green light? I love it... seriously shortens travel time. IMO, it should be legal everywhere. AMA supports legislation to make it possible.

I'm an AMA member; have been for a while. I see it sort of like a charitable contribution, but I sometimes get discounts because of the membership. The magazine that comes along with it is usually worth reading. They lobby for motorcyclists' rights and try to keep riding areas open (for dirt bikes) - stuff I appreciate but don't have time to get informed about. I think AAA is different in each state. In California, the RV option includes motorcycle retrieval/hauling. Maybe that's the same where you live and the rep didn't know about it. The basic membership gives the free towing, gas, unlock your car, etc. I upgraded to a level that provides up to 100 miles of towing for any vehicle - the probability of breaking an Italian motorcycle within 25 miles of a good place to get it fixed is quite low.

Update - I managed to get a mechanical oil pressure gauge connected today (test kit). I got the same readings as posted before, which just confirms the accuracy of the gauge I installed. So there's one more thing off the list... and I got a new tool, so that's always a good day. Good looking mount, dontcha think? Meanwhile, I've been riding it almost every day - mostly my short commute - and it's doing fine.

Installed the fender today. Here's why it's better than the old one: Thicker bracket material - does not bounce like the old one and I expect that the bracket will not break It no longer rubs on the lower shock mount It comes with sturdier mounting hardware Critical comments/mods required: The bracket needed to be reamed out for the shock bolt to pass through it It seems that it could do with bigger washers - so I got some It's still tricky to get it aligned correctly (holes not pre-drilled) The fender itself still has an odd curve in it as Jaap noted earlier. I mounted the fender to the bracket before installing it this time (much easier than installing bracket first). These pics show how the fender needs to align to the bracket in order to look straight when installed. As for function - I've been running the stock fender on the Scura and noticed that it does get dirtier with the stock fender, so even if it's only to prevent road debris from accumulating, especially on the shock, I'm happy to have it back on. I still think it looks cool.

Another one of those crazy owners of low mile special edition bikes that goes balls out on the mods! hehehe (JUST KIDDING SCUD BUDDY!) I mean, honestly... who would put so much money and effort into a bike and then not ride it farther than their tank of ethanol-free gas will take them? (batting it back over the net to you...)

I believe I've seen a few people write about how much they want a Coppa Italia... here's your chance: http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/mcy/5137009055.html Not even 3,000 miles, heaps of tasteful upgrades. $10,000.

I got chewed out for suggesting something like that once before. All Guzzi's are limited production. Having a numbered plaque is not required. Some are less common than others, having a numbered plaque has little to do with it. My '93 Daytona is probably rarer than a Scura, my wifes Lario is probably rarer still. But that has little to do with how much fun they all are to ride. I enjoy riding ALL my Guzzi's, and would happily enjoy riding yours if you want to lend it to me ;-) Can't we all just get along????? They are all rare. I did a little rough math over at the LeMans Registry: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17535&page=3 The number plaque makes it seem more rare. I admit, it's kind of fun to show off when people ask about the Scura: "Look it's so rare that they numbered them..." Maybe I'll stick a plaque on the LeMans for entertainment value. Let me know when you're in the area. I'll show you a few mountain roads and you can show me how to lean a bike until the front axle nut drags around the corners...

Thanks for the data, which makes it easier to find other compatible fuel caps. This site shows all the bikes that the Oberon 0421 will fit: http://motowheels.com/i-6922330-oberon-billet-fuel-cap-aprilia-triumph.html Too bad they don't have all-black... I've been casually eyeing a couple options by Driven Racing. With Driven, you buy a base to fit your bike, then choose a color cap and buy that separately. Thanks to Steve, I know what bike to pretend I have when placing an order. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-halo-fuel-cap-base-triumph-daytona-675-955i-street-triple http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/driven-racing-d-axis-fuel-cap-base-for-triumph

Scura were numbered with plaques on the top triple clamp (mine says S375), but it seems that they were more common than many of the non-numbered bikes. I added the one for sale to the Scura Register (aka therapy group)... wait, isn't this whole site a therapy group? I know I feel better since joining...

#363 for sale on Craiglist in Santa Rosa, California, USA http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/mcy/5134197576.html

Pristine, low-mile, red 2004 LeMans in the Los Angeles area. MG Ti exhaust. http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/5135324146.html Lovely Scura in San Francisco. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/mcy/5134197576.html They would go nicely together.....

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Perhaps there is a mistake in writing? A 5mm valve clearance seems like enough to do serious damage (or prevent the bike from running); the gap is supposed to be about 0.10mm to 0.20 mm (depending on who you ask). 5mm would be 25 times bigger than the loosest recommendation that I've seen. Have you contacted the seller?

Mileage, of course, depends on many factors. I think a wider tire will generally last a bit longer than a narrower tire under the same conditions. I ran the 170 rear - I think 160 for you. Our pressures were pretty close. However, I understand curves and corners tend to inspire you toward hard acceleration and hard braking. I am no stranger to that style, but most of the time I aim for smooth transitions and settle into a flow that's sustainable for me - so I'm probably not riding quite as hard as you most of the time. I'm really pleased with how the Angels wore - pretty evenly (not squared off too badly) and there was only minimal scalloping. The wear indicator is in the right spot - once the tread got even with the indicator the handling deteriorated.

I'm ready to put a second set of Angel GTs on the Scura. Yesterday morning, I still had a little bit of tread above the wear marks. I did about 150 miles of freeway (had work in Los Angeles) and decided to avoid the Friday afternoon LA to San Diego traffic by taking the scenic route home (including a lovely 7,000 foot ascent into the San Bernardino Mountains and another 4,000 foot climb over San Jacinto). Narrowly missed a nasty wildfire (hydrant icon on map) that burned a bunch of cars and closed the freeway. Check out the roasted E-Type Jaguar on the car carrier at 1:31.... so sad. http://ktla.com/2015/07/17/15-freeway-shut-down-in-cajon-pass-due-to-30-acre-north-fire/ Anyway, the rear tire is done now; the tread is even with some of the wear bars. I got about 6,000 miles out of it, running 34psi front and 38psi rear. I felt comfortable on the tire up until about the last 100 miles yesterday, when it started feeling a little mushy in the corners. The front still has life in it, but it's got ridges on the sides - those bumps after the flat spot from my most common lean angle (which apparently is not very deep). I estimate I could squeeze another 2,000 miles out of the front, but I'll probably just put a new one on at the same time. Wildfire on the San Andreas Fault... Welcome to Los Angeles... Shake and bake...

Oh, man, that's cold. ...cuz of the elevation.

As good fortune would have it, there is another V11 close by, right in my garage. My Scura has only 7,000 miles on it; I can compare against the LeMans (and it's unknown past). After yesterday's oil change on the LeMans, they both have the same Maxima 20w-50 oil. I just ordered an oil pressure test kit - will hook it up to each bike for comparison. As to wear, I did notice a worn part when I retorqued the heads. There is a pair of brass (I think) washers that go near the springs on the rocker arm pins. They had some grooves in them, but not having spares on hand, I reinstalled them. I assumed the LeMans had fairly low-miles when I bought it, but seeing those grooves gave me some cause for doubt.

Keyboard sounds like a good outfit, which gives me an idea... Czakky - I have a lovely piano that I don't play much anymore. I would gladly "store" your LeMans in my living room and ship the piano on to you. Docc's earlier idea about storing your bike near mountains is good - but at my place, it will have MOUNTAINS nearby and still be close to the salty ocean air to which it is accustomed.

Great photo. Got anymore? Makes me want to try a track day - never have done one.

Update - the LeMans performed well on my recent trip to the Eastern Sierras, mostly short rides (+/- 100 miles) in the mornings. One morning, with temperatures near freezing, I saw about 80psi at startup. I just pulled the sump and found: No debris No metal on the magnetic drain plug Clean screen UNI filter was secure and only had one gasket (still in perfect condition) Mating surface for gasket has no scratches I filled it with fresh 20w-50 Maxima full synthetic oil, along with a new WIX filter. Initially, I was encouraged, because the pressures in the first couple miles were much higher than I saw with the 10w-40. Example: 70psi at 4,000 with the 20w-50 vs. 40psi at 4,000 with the 10w-40. Then, when it was fully warmed up, I got about the same pressure readings as posted earlier (post #6). Example, just below 20psi at 4,000. The easy checks and switching to heavier oil have not made a difference. Stay tuned for an independent oil pressure gauge and/or further disassembly...

And I felt especially dumb, since I wrote about how good their instructions were... I tend toward the meticulous, so it really bugged me that I put it on backwards. Then I found this photo of the bike when I got it - with the stock shock mounted backwards. The PO had installed a shorter spring to lower the bike and must have reversed the shock during reinstall (FYI - reservoir was mounted under seat). I copied the incorrect orientation of the stock unit (without consulting the book). I'll still fix it - but at least I feel a little better. Thanks again for calling attention to the error.

I bet the whole front end (clamps, forks, brakes, etc.) weighs less than stock. I imagine the bike is not carrying the stock tool kit (how many pounds for that?). Don't underestimate the weight of the stock wiring harness and all the related connectors, switches, and sensors. I got a spare harness for parts and was surprised at how heavy it is. No steering damper No plug guards There's a huge pile of take-offs somewhere - look at the v-shaped brackets from frame to engine - there's nothing in there. My LeMans had K&N pods and no hugger when I got it. It was a mess from tire spray - including that the inboard sides of the air pods were clogged with debris (sand and pebbles). Beauty seems to have been prioritized above daily utility for this build - and beauty (IMO) has been accomplished. Great for a collection, but not sure I'd want to ride it a lot. Since we're critiquing... if I had been given "carte blanche" as the article states, I would have used some billet fluid reservoirs instead of the clear plastic cups, and installed a Roper plate to keep the oil flowing during the inevitable wheelies...

Sweet bike. Let's see if we can figure how they shaved 50 kilos (110 pounds) off the bike. Here's what I spotted: Excel Wheels Smaller tank (but if it's metal, not sure it would weigh less than the stock plastic tank) Box exhaust No accommodation for pillion (seat, hangers, pegs) Switch to carbs (no ECU, fuel pump, other injection parts, no airbox (or filters that I can see) Total rewire: no signals, no horns, fewer gauges/lights, fewer switches (such as sidestand), I assume there is a lithium battery hiding in tail or under tank, also assume no need for relays and associated wiring Drill holes in frame, swingarm, and final drive housing Shock without reservoir What else?

I had that problem once. I was puzzled at first too. When I revved the engine and quickly released the throttle it went back to idle speed, because it had enough momentum to snap-back through the resistance of the sticky linkage or gummed-up springs. Try cleaning and lubricating the springs that close the throttle bodies - and all the other parts of the throttle linkage. Open and close the throttle with the bike off - try to notice where it is sticking. I hope it is the same problem that I experienced, if so, you'll be done with it in 10 minutes of cleaning.

Thanks guys, but the only reward I need is a big mountain ahead, the morning sun at my back, and 6,000 RPMs through miles and miles of big sweeping corners. The Eastern ascent of Tioga Pass is over 3,000 feet vertical in about 12 miles... I rode it twice last week. Great family trip too. They sleep in; I get up early, walk the dog, then rip around for 100 or so miles and get back to camp for breakfast and the rest of the day. Here are a couple more pics from the same spot as the first three photos. Every point of view seems like it's a totally different location - but I only stopped at one spot on the Eastern slope. Come visit and ride one. The LeMans is almost sorted...

New fender, bracket, and mounting hardware arrived. This bracket is NOT going to break; it's about 3mm thick. I'm glad that Ghezzi-Brian responded by improving their product. FYI - they also now accept PayPal.