Scud

Oh bummer... out she comes. It's good you had the picture that shows the issue. I think I've done at least 5 of these buggers. You really have to be careful about each retaining clip - that it is 100% seated. If the clip twists a bit and one end doesn't go in the groove, the whole clip will work its way out during operation. This is such a PITA part to get out, that it's worth making the preselector go through the full range of shifts several times before installation. At least this is easier on a red-frame bike than a black-frame.

Haha... when I looked at that picture, I thought, how the hell did I ride it like that? But I did ride 400 miles to Phoenix with it. It's better when the expansion zipper is closed and the bag is shorter, but I could still see the gauges with it like that. And as for GPS... I think they are becoming less relevant. I recently got a Cardo unit for my helmet and I can get spoken directions, which relies on internet access. I like it so far, and I can answer phone calls on it too. Tank bags are great for holding gps, paper maps etc. And as for safety and distraction... you can keep stuff on your dash that you only choose to look at when you're stopped.

I hope you got the oil screen sorted. It should only go in one way. The hole in the screen frame for the bolt is off center, so if you have the plastic frame fully seated in the recess, there is only one position where you can install the bolt. Then it will line up perfectly with the oil-sucker-upper tube (which probably has a real name). If the frame of that screen is not properly set into the recess, then stuff could get around the frame and the screen won't be able to block everything it is supposed to.

I have a 1 liter metal fuel bottle that I can carry in a backpack for those situations. That's about an extra 10-12 miles, which is better than pushing or waiting for help. But if I'm doing that kind or roads I'll probably be on the Stelvio with it's 8.5 gallon tank. Horses for courses.

My experience with the low-fuel lights is that they are not that useful - knowing range and watching the odometer is better for me. Although I am spoiled with an accurate fuel gauge on my Stelvio, and I would welcome that feature on my V11. The low fuel sensor is currently not working on my Scura, so I am thinking about fuel at 120 miles, and I don't push it past 150 miles. Sometimes gas stations are far apart in the lonely places I like to ride. And I have seen close to 200 miles from a tank on a long journey, but that would have been on a boring stretch of road.

RAM makes all kind of mounts, which can hold a GPS or whatever you want. If you are running bar-end mirrors, you can use one of the empty threaded holes to screw in a RAM ball on a stud (cheap). Then pick whatever length arm you want, and whatever holder(s) you need for your device(s). In this picture, you have to look pretty hard, but you can see the RAM ball in the RH mirror post, then an arm that is connected to a GoPro. And as a bonus idea, you can put a GPS Unit in a tank bag.

The Moto Guzzi Titanium pipes on mine give a rich, deep tone that is a bit louder than stock, but not obnoxious. They were OEM on a few special models, but are no longer available. Mistrals sound about the same as that. But there are probably lots of opinions on pipes. You can get carbon mistrals that will look similar to stock if you want to keep the look. And if you feel like spending even more, you can get a lighter Mistral crossover.

Just to add a voice, I get all the way forward on the bike when I want a bit more speed and performance in the corners. I run 34psi front and 38 rear, I might try some softer front pressures based on comments above. In California, where the freeways have rain grooves, you can really feel the difference with and without a damper. I had an airhead BMW that would wobble like mad on those grooves, and the damper was adjustable while riding - it would instantly stabilize the bike. The V11 has better manners without the damper, so I keep mine close to the loosest setting.

OK... we're posting Scura pics? I'll play. As for the Stones... wow, just wow that they are touring. I don't know if I am more surprised that Keith Richards or Ozzy Osborne are still with us... but they both gave us some great music. Speaking of music... maybe this would be a good time to put some aftermarket pipes on that Texas Scura?

Yes, you are crazy. And so are the rest of us inmates. You know what else is crazy? Buying a new motorcycle, barely riding it, and then selling it for $2,000 less than you paid. So buying a set of gears is only half as crazy as that. If you want to feel sane, you just have to compare yourself to someone crazier than you.

That's right... I learned about that AFTER installing my own. I think that could be a better method than the clamp.

The blade type goes in easily if you use a small clamp to compress it against the side of the case while you install everything else. Then you release the clamp and it puts the tension back on the chain. I imagine there is a picture of that somewhere on this site... The blades have been around a long time, and seem mostly reliable, so I am not going to worry about riding mine. But I am now looking forward to installing the gears. Possible a good project for the this holiday season (assuming gears get produced by then).

Yesterday, i rode about 200 miles with my nephew, who agreed to leave his beloved MV F4 at home so we could go out on my Scura and my 89 LeMans 1000. I wanted to ride them back to back on the same roads, so we swapped bike after burgers and chocolate malts at Frosty Freeze in Pine Valley. The Scura has the blade tensioner, and the LeMans has Caruso's gears. I had not heard about a blade tensioner failure until today, so it makes me feel better about converting some hard earned $$$$ into £££ (USD to GBP is about 4:3 currently) for Joe's gears. As for the running of the bikes: BLADE: when I put the blade tensioner in the Scura it idled better and just seemed overall smoother. The difference was noticeable even on what was still basically a new motor at the time (only has 14,000 on it now). The blade makes some cool whining noises, but as we know noise=wear. The original tensioner seems a bit too relaxed and weak to make much of a difference when a heavy chain is slinging past it. GEARS: The gears do not make any noise on the LeMans. This is a carbureted bike, but it starts super easy, and the idle does not fluctuate. The PO said the gears made a huge improvement, especially in starting. This bike has several other mods, and I have never ridden a stock version, so that's about as much insight as I can offer. And as for other comparison notes on the ride, basically, they are both cool, but in different ways. One more thing, in case it hasn't been mentioned... if you take the timing cover off, be sure the use one of the metai gaskets (not paper) when you reinstall it. I think you can get them from MG Cycle. Not a bad idea to pop a new rotor seal in at the same time, just in the interest of preventative maintenance.

Hey Pete - I imported a bunch of plates from you for a group buy for members of this site several years ago. There were 2 different plates. I think the other was for Tonti-framed bikes. Out of curiosity, and since I now have a 1989 Lemans 1000, which bikes are your Tonti plates intended for?

If I ever feel like polishing headers, that does look to be easier than anything else I've seen. Ventilation... 9% Hydrochloric Acid in that stuff (he says at the end of the video).

I installed angled valve stems on the rims, both pointing to the right so they are a bit up when the bike is one the side stand. Buy some now, and hold on to them until next time you change the tires. Here's an amazon link to the ones I used. Note that there is not a lot of extra thread when you install, so I suggest a dab of green loc-tite. Also note, these are 83 degrees, which makes easier tool access than the 90 degree stems. Also, they are 8.3mm diameter, which is an uncommon size. Nitrogen... I agree with pressureangle, don't bother.

Contact Joe directly. His email is on the website I posted above. I actually just got a message from him today saying he now has enough orders to do a run of V11 gears. But he has to wait for a backlog to clear with the machine shop he uses. He also did not estimate a date. Nobody here is organizing a "group buy" - but I did tell Joe to expect a few more orders from V11LeMans members.

^Act Now. Here is Joe's website: https://woodburymotomedia.com/moto-guzzi-timing-gears-by-joe-caruso/ All the contact details are there.

Not really, it seems he makes a few sets at time for various models - and just keeps names of who's interested. He said anyone can "reserve" a set, but there is no deposit required, and you can back out without penalty. I'm in no rush to pop that front case off anyway. Just thought it would be cool to have a set on hand for a "rainy day project."

I just put my name a list with Joe for a set of gears. Anything for my Dark Lady (Scura).

Hey - I've spent a lot of time and money bringing back bikes that started in better condition, and I was proud of that. I've never started with a basket case bike, although several people here have. I think all we are saying is that if you're going to start with rough and incomplete bike, make sure it's something you will love when it's done. A BMW /6 is what you settle for if you can't find one of the more desirable models. Then you tell yourself, it's basically the same as an R90S (it's not), or all airhead BMWs are inherently valuable (they are not).

Put $400 a month in jar till you have enough to buy one that runs. You will spend less money and have a running bike sooner. Did you notice the spoke wheel up front and the mag in the back? If it had a pair of good condition "snowflake" wheels, it could be worth $400 just to get the wheels. If it was an R90S, I might sing a different tune, but there is nothing special about a /6.

Sorry you had that experience, but thanks for the heads up. I typically trust NAPA, but will avoid that product and stick with Gumout or CRC. +1 on Phil's recommendation for an ultrasonic cleaner. I have a small one and have used it with Simple Green, CLR, Purple Power, and diesel fuel. For small parts, put the solvent and part in a plastic bag, then fill the ultrasound with water an immerse the bag in the water.

The 1980s Moto Guzzi LeMans 4 and 5 both have an upswept lip on the tail, like a little air foil. This also was on a 1985 FJ1100 I had (and I was just looking at an FJ1200 wondering if I would enjoy "re-owning" that model.) And a similar style tail section was on the early 80s Honda CB1100F (also the CB750F and CB900F, which were earlier) So... what gives? Where did this tail style originate? Was there some theory that it helped airflow? What was the first motorcycle that had a tail that said "Give me a little lip, baby?"

Congratulations, Bob. Re the 1000SP, you might also ask on WildGuzzi.com. And if you find the right machine, you could always have it shipped. Not sure about current costs, but it was about $500 with Haul Bikes a few years ago.