Scud

Here's the original post that started this thread 10 years ago. Let the Italian Artwork continue. ...with minimal words.

Thanks. Maybe we could change the topic title to "few words." I enjoy reading a bit about where people take their bikes. The natural light was very nice there - filtered through the trees. Camera is on my iPhone6, iCropped it in iPhoto. I took it while I was waiting for my friend on his Harley... got some good pics of him going around the corner.

San Diego back-country roads this morning...

Based on the pictures, you should be teaching me - I've never done a track day, nor have I leaned my bike that far over. But I do like to work on my technique and try to improve on the street. My personal philosophy is that you're never to old to learn, nor too old to change. I am currently reading Total Control, 2nd Edition, by Lee Parks. I've been trying some of the suggestions in there and it seems to be helping me. There was an especially useful reminder about low-speed technique; I can do U-turns tighter and faster now. Anyway - the book shows pictures of knee-down antics on all sorts of bikes - even overloaded tour-barges. The body positions of the riders in the book are different than your photos. Maybe a book like that would be a good resource for you too.

I bought one from Pete less than a year ago. I used PayPal and he shipped to me from Australia. He's a member of this forum, just click the members tab, search for Pete Roper, and send him a message.

Is it safe to assume that you have already downloaded the shop manual and parts diagrams? If not, I think you'd find those to be invaluable resources.

The event sounds fun. Prostate cancer is bad. A cure would be good. I just registered at https://www.gentlemansride.com/ - because you can't see the details of the ride till you register. It says they leave at 11am and go from Pasadena to Downtown LA. I need to be at LAX by about 2:30 to catch a flight to Chicago. I am interested, but perhaps a bit logistically challenged as I will need to bring some baggage. Won't be able to stay for the after-party. I guess our Guzzis would belong in the "Modern Classics" category, since the "Cafe Racer" category description starts with "light-weight". If I can't figure out my logisitics, I'll sponsor you.

Like this Stelvio Motard? http://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-stelvio But with knobbies, fenders, bash plate, big air-box with a foam filter, etc.

Did you stop for a refreshing date shake? I can get there in 2-3 hours, depending on route - then easy access to Joshua Tree National Park through Box Canyon Road. Let's go riding - sent you a PM.

How much does a bike weigh? Something that seems like it should be simple can get so complicated. Well, do you mean with all the fluids and a full tank of gas? How about the optional equipment? How about the extra stuff you know you're going to want to put on (crash bars, bash plate, etc)? So many different weight numbers out there for the same bike - it does make comparisons a bit tricky. They're all too heavy to be serious dirt bikes. My Husky is under 250 lbs - half the weight of the average ADV bike. Once a bike passes the point that I can easily lift it by myself, it almost doesn't matter how much it weighs. I read one review of the Stelvio that made an excellent point - the Stelvio chugs along at idle through slow, difficult terrain, whereas many of the others require a lot of clutch work in similar circumstances. The reviewer said you could walk it at idle through, up, or over things that you'd have to hit at higher speeds on the other bikes (increasing risk of dumping the bike). Being able to chug slowly through the tough spots is a lot faster than getting stuck. A low 1st gear is a big advantage in the dirt - helps with controlling downhill speed too. The counter point (in favor of the KTMs and Africa Twin) is that more suspension travel and ground clearance make it easier to hit that same terrain at higher speeds.

Wow - the Stelvio is lighter than I imagined. Wet weight goes up a lot, because of HUGE fuel tank. 31 extra pounds for ABS and a Dual Clutch Transmission on the Honda, no thanks... Quick Internet searches reveal these data: BMW F800GS: 407 lbs dry KTM 950 ADV or Super Enduro: 417 lbs dry KTM 990 ADV: 461 lbs dry Honda Africa Twin (standard) 504 lbs wet - subtract about 35 for gas/oil and that leaves 469 dry weight Stelvio: 471 lbs dry KTM 1190 ADV: 521 lbs dry BMW 1200GS: 582 lbs dry (with luggage) Yamaha Super Tenere: some huge number... even more than the Beemer. I really would not like to pick any of these up from a difficult spot by myself (was difficult with my 950). However... I think the older KTMs and Africa Twin have similar ground clearance and suspension travel, more than the rest of the above class. I'm sure there will be plenty of comparison tests available soon. I hope the Stelvio gets into the mix for these. The Guzzi stirs my soul. Soichiro said that's important.

You are a complete crazy person... and it takes one to know one. I feel the same way. The Stelvio seems too big for the terrain I would want to take it on, so a V7 NTX would get my attention. My KTM950Adv was great to ride almost everywhere - but crappy gas-mileage and a total PITA to work on. And the V11 and the Husky are staying. Full-stop. I'd go with the base Africa model too. I bet it will also weigh less than the DCT - that's dual clutch, that's TWO clutches, that has to add weight. I'm thinking about having a Big-Red sip of Honda Kool-Aid.... "The value of life can be measured by how many times your soul has been deeply stirred." -Soichiro Honda "Stir it Up" -Bob Marley

I've been having some warning signs regarding electrical issues at startup on my LeMans, so I'm keenly interested. Here are some thoughts: How about putting in one of those 15 amp MAXI fuses that Docc recommends frequently? I did it on my LeMans as a preventative measure. It's a somewhat involved wiring job - the MAXI fuse does not fit in the standard fuse block. A previous post mentioned cleaning the relay contacts - so that's inside the relay blocks. I think the way to do that is to fold up some fine sandpaper and slide it in and out a bit - or maybe you can use a tiny file. You can use the same 5-pin OMRON relays to replace all the relays (as you've done). Maybe put a little vaseline on the pins to keep the corrosion down. If the bike's been sitting a bit, you might need to condition (or replace) the battery.

I keep looking at the Stelvio - I miss having a big adventure bike. But now that Honda is entering the full-size ADV market with the 1000cc Africa Twin I'm getting distracted from the Stelvio....... will the Africa Twin be as dirt-capable as the 950/990 KTMs, but with Honda price point and ease of ownership? That would be a winner for Honda. (as would a 450 with turn signals and license plates) http://powersports.honda.com/africatwin.aspx

I saw a V7 on the road each of the last two days - been seeing more of them around. Also seems to be a lot of V7 owners over at WildGuzzi.com. It would be nice for Guzzi to have a strong-selling model - maybe give them some R&D money to develop another sport bike? Referring back to the original post - GP Motorcycles is close to me (it's where I bought my Scura). Just recently, the BMW dealer in Escondido (even closer to me in North San Diego) has added Moto Guzzi - but they're not allowed to have them on the same showroom floor as the Beemers. Probably a good thing... we don't want the Guzzis' jugs to start sagging.... Two Guzzi dealers in the same county. What's the world coming to?

That's an impressive piece of work. However, I think I still prefer the look of the Laverda fairing. The one above has the headlight sticking too far out for my taste - kind of bug-eyed. Craig - have you been able to make any progress recently?

Bit far for me too. But I think that sounds like a good excuse to go for tacos in Tecate, Mexico.

How about posting up some pics of your "small stable of goodies"? Maybe let us have a little peek at the collection you're building?

My daughter is all settled in for her second year of college at NAU (Northern Arizona University). I managed to slip in a short ride each day - a couple nice out-and-back jaunts. My wife met me with the truck in Wickenburg - loaded it up for the 115-degree trip home across the desert... BIG NEWS - I saw another V11 on the road. First time I've seen another. It was a stunning Greenie - pulling into Prescott as I was leaving. Should have turned around... but was trying to make time to Wickenburg. Anyone know a member with a Greenie who is within a day's ride of Prescott? Northern Arizona is gorgeous and the roads are not crowded (except near main attractions like Grand Canyon and Sedona). By all means, go if you get the chance. Elevations on these rides from 2,000 feet to 9,200 feet.

Here's an update regarding the LeMans oil pressure situation. I've put about 2,500 miles on it in this condition - and I assume it was this way when I got it. Pressure readings are consistent with previous posts. It doesn't burn oil. It still feels weird to see the low oil pressure on the gauge, but there is always some pressure - it never drops to zero. I'm glad to have the gauge rather than the light - the light would come on sometimes at idle, but since it only comes on at something like 4 PSI, it only provides a limited amount of information. Use has been mostly commuting, but I got about 600 miles of spirited riding in Northern Arizona during the last few days. It's running strong even under hard acceleration and long high-speed sections. My conclusion - the engine seems to operate well with oil pressures lower than commonly-held beliefs (self included) would suggest. At least for the short-term. Long-term test now in progress...

How many miles on the bike? Do you do some of your own work - or do you always take it to a dealer? If you're going to work on it, it's probably a good idea to drop the sump, inspect the filter, screen, and have good look around while you're in there. If it's not the filter, there could be something in the oil (or pan) that will give you a clue. If you're going to take it to the dealer, I would ask to observe when they remove the oil filter. Based on having read about this type of problem a few times, it seems likely that the culprit will be something to do with the oil filter - maybe loose, maybe multiple gaskets. A sudden mechanical failure (such as the oil pump) seems unlikely.

To verify - did the oil light stay on when you ran it up to 2000 RPMs - if so, then I would verify that the filter has not come undone. I just read an old thread recently on WildGuzzi.com where someone ignored the light, seized the engine, and found that the filter had come loose - this was also a few thousand miles after an oil change. Some use a hose clamp to prevent it coming loose - but then you must drop the sump pan to change the filter. Others say to tighten the filter 1 1/8 (If I recall correctly) turns after first contact with gasket. So - if your oil light is staying on at all RPMs you have done well to stop running it. Do the easy stuff first - make sure the filter is still connected.

Grand Canyon, South Rim

I won't make that event, but I did see the Del Mar Mile a few years ago in San Diego. Fantastic event - worth it for anyone who's close enough to go.