Scud

Since the original question was "the most beautiful cafe racer yet"? I'm going to assume we are comparing to the modern-retro offerings of other manufacturers. And while this BMW is "semi-good-looking" (queue Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love by Van Halen), the first Ducati Sport Classic (monoposto) was better looking, and so is the end-of the line Triumph Thruxton RS. And obviously, the V11 is way better looking. As for classic BMWs - a stock K75S is a surprisingly capable and versatile machine. I could imagine bringing home a stock, low-mile example one day. But have not had a K100RS. I really like the blue and white Special Edition. Agree with gstallons - the R100CS was the best of the modern airheads. And FWIW, the FJ1100 was a great bike, but it attracted unwanted attention. (queue Bright Lights by Gary Clark Jr.)

I've had a few BMWs. I've also had a few refrigerators, and a few microwaves. They all did their jobs. My R100CS was lovely, but TBH I bought that because I needed to slow down (was at risk of losing license due to the intoxicating acceleration of a Yamaha FJ1100). Not long ago, I parked my Griso next to a very nice R9T and talked the owner. Long story short, he wished he had seen a Griso before he bought his R9T. And while the R12T is neat, and has "dual clocks" I would not even consider giving up my 12 year old Griso for it. If BMW want to interest me, they could bring back the K75s or K100RS. The flying bricks were uber-cool. That's a WKF.

Sounds like you need a Moto Guzzi Griso. Almost as much fun as a V11 sport, but lower, more upright seating, and dare I say, marginally less needy. Or if you really need to sit up perfectly straight take a look at a Moto Guzzi adventure bikes, the V85 or Stelvio.

Bar-ends for a sport - better looking and better visibility. And it frees up the mirror mount for a RAM ball, where I use a small arm and the quad-lock for my phone when I want navigation help. I'm impressed with the quad-lock system. I have the motogadget "glassless" mirrors on my Griso, but in the more angular, elongated-diamond shape. I like them. My Scura has the classic Napoleon bar-end mirrors. And I like the close mirror in your picture reflects an image of the far mirror.

A little solo time early this am - 120 miles of backroads before a breakfast burrito stop in Campo. Happy Fathers day to all the dads here. Pizza night tonight with my oldest daughter. Mexico and Italy have the same colors on their flags, and they have the best food groups. Coincidence? I think not. Red, White, and Green. Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil. Or Red Salsa, Sour Cream, and Green Chili.

...and what is the penalty for cancelling an auction? Might be worth it. I just read through the BAT comments. They seem like reasonable questions. Tires absolutely should be replaced before riding. Brake fluid, despite looking good, can absorb water over time, and should be flushed every few years whether the bike gets used or not. And... It's not a motorcycle in the house, it's a connection to your dad. Add in a couple months of core exercises to strengthen that back, and you're riding. That Falcone looks lovely. Maybe you should keep that one. Talk about art in the house...

Despite it's excellent condition, the Ballabio did not emerge as one of the most desirable V11 variants. The Ohlins-equipped version of this bike, the Cafe Sport, would seem more likely to fetch that price. Just my opinion.

Wow, what a nice Ballabio. Sorry about the circumstances. I suppose that you keeping the bike has already been ruled out? There is at least one member here with an affinity for pristine, low-mileage bikes. @Twin AH

Last week I rode Carson Pass (think Kit Carson) and Sonora Pass (the second-highest in CA at 9,624 feet elevation). All the passes over the Sierra Nevada between Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe are close to 100 miles each, with hardly any stop signs or cross traffic. Here is an interesting sign at the Westbound entrance of Sonora Pass from Hwy 395. Steep 26%... that seems redundant... but I can attest that there are some steep sections. In fact, I'm not sure I have ever seen a sign with a higher percent grade. Wouldn't you like to hear your V11 at about 5,000 RPM working hard on a grade that steep? Accelerating up something like that would make you happy you installed a Roper Sloppage Tray.

if you want to remove a piston that is actuated by hydraulics - like a brake caliper or clutch secondary cylinder - you can use compressed air. I'd suggest wrapping the entire unit tightly in a shop rag, then you can close the bleeder port and blast a little compressed air into the input port. That should pop the piston out - and into the shop rag to prevent damage. And if you do find out what O-ring is needed to repair the clutch slave (aka secondary) it would be great service to this community. I think the O-ring is the only part that would be needed for a "rebuild."

Here is a link to the thread where we discussed this in some depth almost 10 years ago. Deep in there, you will find a photo where I put three clutch options side-by-side (OEM dual, OEM single, and new RAM single 6-speed). The only option I did not have was a new RAM single 5-speed kit.

Yes Docc, my understanding is the same as yours. That's why I was surprised to find my Nero had been fitted with a single plate clutch. I really need to look in there to see if it was a new RAM unit or perhaps a take-off from one of the three models that had it from factory.

I have not done a 5 speed kit to fit the 6 speed. But I recall the guys at MG Cycle saying it would work, because they thought the only difference was the transmission input spline when they compared the 5 and 6 speed kits. This is worth verifying. This has got me thinking about my Nero Corsa, which I think had an original aluminum flywheel and single plate clutch installed. And agreed - if someone actually does it, with pictures, we can document it. I think there was a thread on this forum with a lot of pictures and we got very close to "proof" - but I'm not sure where it is now.

I did the same on my Scura. Sourced the parts from MG Cycle. It was bolt-in with no modification of any part needed. @JGP contact MG Cycle and talk to them about it. For a while, RAM supplied a kit for both 6-speed and 5-speed. The only difference was that the 6 speed came with a transmission input spline and pushrod to replace the parts from the twin-plate. But the Scura already has those RAM parts, so you can use the 5-speed kit on a Scura or Tenni.

It's a 2004 Nero Corsa. But starting in 2002, they are all the same with regard to frame and brace. You'll find two bolts. When looking from the outside, they will be at both 6 and 9 o'clock positions.

The subframe is not welded to the upper frame (unless that has been done a previous owner.) Here is a link to a picture showing that I had the subframe power coated, but not the spine frame. There are two bolts going through a plate that is welded to the diagonal brace that blocks access to the clutch slave. (go to the 3rd page of that thread, Dec 29, 2021 for the most relevant picture). This brace does not exist on the red-short-frame bikes, I think it was added for rigidity, and the design compromised access to the cylinder. I am almost certain that you have to remove the subframe in order to get to the clutch cylinder. IIRC - you will need to remove the shift linkage too.

There are four rubber boots in total. Loosen the two rear ones that connect the airbox to the throttle bodies. Then you can push the har plastic tubes back into the airbox, which will give you room to back the throttle bodies away from the heads and remove the broken rubber boot(s). It doesn't sound like any further damage was caused, since the engine was running for quite a while with the broken intake boot. This is a common problem, because those parts wear out from age and vibration. When you put everything back together, put the new boots on the heads, then connect the RH throttle body, then the left. (since the RH cylinder is farther forward, connecting RH first gives you a better angle when you connect the LH throttle body.) Then attach the intake pipes from the airbox and tighten all the clamps.

We went to dinner at Skadi last night, which is attached to the Empiera High Sierra Hotel. And look at all these Harleys. Surely we could make this parking structure look better than this. The mountains in the background are part of the Sherwin Range in the Sierra Nevada.

That's funny, Pete. But there enough hoarders on this site (takes on to know one) that the search has a reasonable chance.

Yesterday, I rode Ebbetts Pass for the first time and it might just be my new favorite road. I was on the Stelvio going from Sacramento airport to Mammoth Lakes and it got me wanting to back and ride it on a V11. Then I started thinking about the Sierra Spine Raid idea that I've been incubating for too long. So... I am testing interest in gathering in Mammoth Lakes, CA in early October, when the high-altitude roads are still open and the aspens are putting on a color show. Tentatively October 9-13, with flexible arrival/departure dates. There is a hotel in town with covered parking (not garage). The hotel I'm thinking of is walking distance to my house, which has a two-car garage and can accommodate several bikes. Potential routes include: Ebbets Pass: https://scenic4.org/the-route/the-driving-experience/. << required reading Yosemite Valley via Tioga Pass Short loops around Mammoth and June Lake area Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Lake Tahoe Sonora Pass Mono Lake and Benton Hot Springs (and search for wild mustangs on route 120) There are plenty of dirt bike trails here too in case anybody wants to trailer two bikes. What say you? Interested enough for me to inquire regarding a small block of rooms?

My mailbox was at 100%, so I just purged it. I do still have a quite a few springs.

FYI - there are two types of sub-frames. The larger of the two was introduce starting in the 2002 black (aka "long") frame models, which includes your Scura. It has two arms that attach to the engine block. The "tiny" version would be on a red (aka "short") frame bike - or black framed special edition Rosso Mandello. While you have bled the clutch many times, can you confirm whether you have pressure at the lever? In other words, when you pull the lever in, does it resist? Also - when was the last time the clutch was working correctly? You mention that you are the original owner. So I assume your Scura has the original clutch, which is a high-performance, single-plate unit mated to a lightweight and problematic aluminum flywheel. Unfortunately, that high-performance comes with a short lifespan. Are you aware of the problems with the flywheel cracking on Scuras? Sorry to add your list of potential troubles... but I think it might be worth taking the transmission or engine out to inspect that flywheel. Many of us Scura owners have replaced the stock clutch with an aftermarket RAM single plate unit. It's an easy swap (after the difficult part of getting to it).

Turns out she also had ALL those symptoms, but I hadn't noticed as I had not been riding in full darkness (came home just about sunset). Replaced relay #2 and all is good again. And this is why I carry spare relays under the seat, even though I had previously replaced all the stock relays with Omrons.

Went for an early evening romp on the Scura. Now that the starting issues are fixed, she decided that I do not see the engine RPM. It just failed. I think I could make a vaguelia guess with a margin of error of +/- 500, but I like seeing the needle. Gotta figure out if we have a bad connection, or a failed tach. At least it doesn't interfere with the riding.

I used a GoPro on ball that mounts in the hole freed up when I switched to bar-end mirrors. I just got the quad-lock system for phone and like it. Have not been recording any videos lately. But here is one I did a few years ago when I had a Greenie...