Scud

That's funny. And you're correct that the part is in front of the pegs, not behind. My bad. However, I'd still be a little concerned about the sheet metal.

I don't think there's much demand for the headers with the front crossover pipes. Nice work on the new set-up.

I haven't had one break, but I've heard of plenty breaking, so I am super-careful with mine and have managed to stash at least one spare away in my box of goodies. When Chuck and I were deep into shift spring engineering and production, we learned that the spring material was bent too tightly for its diameter, which created weak points at the bends - and explained the failures. I suspect these "side stand deployment loops" suffer from the same issue. I think you could have a set bent up by a spring maker with correct radii on the bends. The spring maker I used was willing to make the side stand parts if I would give them specs - but I never pursued it. Count me in as a buyer if somebody decides to do this. I don't think I would buy a pressed metal plate. I am not a big fan of having a sheet metal blade by my left Achilles tendon. Even though I almost always wear good boots. I'd rather have something that would bend or break.

There's a link to a Greenie for $3,000 in Reno a few posts up. Best of luck to the seller of the Black one at $6,000, but it seems high to me.

You need all the grease off before powdercoating, so you'd need to remove the bearings - and the heat is not good for any rubber seals. I used canned spray paint as well. VHT Engine Case is good paint.

I've painted a few of them without disassembly. I was careful with the aircraft paint stripper, and used plastic scrapers and wet paper towels to remove the gunk. Didn't need any abrasives.

I have not removed one pork chop at a time, but I think it could be done. I don't think you can remove both without getting almost to point of docc's picture. If I wanted to remove them one at a time, I think I would proceed as follows: Remove wheel and swingarm. This means taking off the two large chrome nuts (30mm I think) and removing the very finely threaded swingarm pivots. This is also a good time to check and lube the driveshaft u-joints. Remove all the peripherals - brake pedal and master, shifter assembly. Leave the footpegs on - or at least the mounting brackets. Those are best removed when the porkchops are off. Loosen all eight nuts that are inboard on the frame - if you can't get to these, all bets are off. Remove the long bolt that goes through the bottom hole on the porkchops. Then remove one top bolt and all four frame bolts on one side. It should pop right off with a big rubber hammer from the inside. Paint Drink Beer. Reinstall Repeat on other side.

Great pics, thanks. What a fine collection of motorbikes. Interesting observation about the Cub drawing a crowd. Restoring small bikes takes about the same amount of work as larger bikes that command higher prices when finished. So IMO, the small bikes represent true passion, where the vintage desmos and MVs might be seen as investment-grade restorations. Also, a lot of people start our on small bikes, so there is a personal nostalgia factor. My first bike was a Honda CB350-Four. I always look fondly on them when I see them. And... small bikes are fun. Like that saying goes - "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." My Yamaha TW200 is actually a lot of fun - if you're not in a hurry.

Some time ago, and on the previous page of this topic, I posted a picture of how I use a block of wood to get leverage to compress the tank and make the hole line up. And FWIW - If I had to trim a rubbber part to make the tank fit, I would start with grommet at the rear. And before that, I would push the small metal sleeve up out of the grommet onto the bolt. Then you have more wiggle room to get the threads started and the bolt will force the sleeve back into the grommet.

That's the Zard full exhaust. I wrote more details about this bike in the "Show us your Tontis" topic. It's wicked fun and sounds fabulous. [docc edit]:

That looks like a fun ride. I didn't know there was town called Jenner in California... probably will get some attention given our local political situation and Caitlyn Jenner potentially entering the election. And no politics... just noticing a name coincidence. I have ridden bits of that, and especially enjoyed all narrow twisties in Point Reyes. Do you get out the point sometimes? It's so pretty.

Just checked in... that is SOLD to the gentleman with $8,000. And it is a fine looking machine. But it sure makes me feel good about spending a lot less to get this last week: Emphasis on RACER... I can skip the cafe.

The Yellow Thing is intended for installation, not removal. You just clip it on the rim to stop the bead from creeping back over the rim as you install the tire. The Yellow Thing is large and heavy - not something I would carry on a ride. For that, I have a trail bead-buddy by Motion Pro in my dirt-bike travel kit. That thing is super-handy for changing dirt bike tubes in the middle of a ride.

There's no T or anything. It's just a hydraulic line screwed in where the bleeder valve would otherwise be. I think this could be done on the V11 if somebody just figures out the correct threads and finds a good routing for the line. I'd guess there's a pretty good chance that the OEM Guzzi line for Stelvio would work as-is.

Here's the No Mar hitch mounted option in operation on a Stelvio front wheel. The Yellow Thing (it's actual name) is the best bead keeper I have ever used. I resisted ordering the No Mar for a long time, because they state the bead breaker is not compatible with the hitch mount. But here is how I made it compatible: This adjustable height hitch lets me put a LOT of weight on the tower, which is supposed to be mounted on the floor with bolts.

I just finished flushing all the hydraulics in the stable. Good to do them all at the same time out of a freshly opened bottle of fluid (or two as I needed). This was the first time I did the clutch on Stelvio and I must say, I was dreading it. But amazingly, the clutch slave has no bleeder, only two lines. I followed the other line and found a bleeder at the end. All nice and high and easy to reach for one person. This makes me wonder if I could run on of these on a V11. I'm in no hurry, since mine already has fresh fluid. But maybe somebody reading this thread is thinking "it's about time I flushed all my hydraulics." So take up the mantle for us and figure out how to run a remote bleeder like is on the 2017 Stelvio.

I loaded mine in the truck and dropped it off for electrical service. Hoping for a working bike next weekend. She's got new shoes and needs to go dancing.

Well, that is a fitting photo from the San Diego "not a rally" at Lake Henshaw, which the previous owner of my Tonti-framed LeMans helped to organize. I don't recall who the other rider is, but he managed to get a Moto Guzzi patch on his leathers. And FWIW, yesterday I flushed the brake system since the rear had almost no pressure. Those linked brakes work really well. The brake pedal activates rear caliper and front left caliper. The hand lever only activates the front right caliper. I didn't think I would like the linked brakes, but I do.

OK, first... the fact that this thread had drifted to include prospective inheritances of TR7s and an album cover by Wishbone Ash... that is expert level thread drift. Next... I just got an email from GP Motorcycles (Guzzi Dealer in San Diego) promoting a new V7 Special with an 850 engine. I assume same engine at the V85. If Moto Guzzi doesn't make a LeMans, somebody surely will make a LeMans kit for that. https://gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=3654

I've got a set of plain black perforated Vanson Leathers that suit this bike (and my Scura). But it might be time to put some vintage Moto Guzzi eagle patches on them. Maybe I could find a big reflective one for the back.

Blasphemy alert... I am going to share some more first impressions. It feels in some ways like my old BMW K75S. And I mean the good parts of my K75S (which had upgraded suspension). Let me just preface by saying that the comparison stops at the engine, which is like comparing a gorilla to a sewing machine. But check this out: In 1989, you could buy a BMW K75S or a Moto Guzzi Lemans 1000 at your local dealer. The overall shape of the frame-mounted fairing and seat are remarkably similar. Both have metal tanks that hold close to 6 gallons. The front tires are exactly the same size (100/90-18), and the rear tires are close (The LeMans rear is 120/90-18 compared to 130/90-17 on the brick). Both are shaft drive through 5 speed transmissions. Same Brembo 2-pot calipers on both bikes. The BMW was 30 pounds heavier, but carried its weight lower. Now the engines... in stock form: K75S - 75HP @7500 and 50 ft/lb at 6750 LeMans - 81HP @7400 and 56 lb/ft at 7250 (that's stock, this bike has a bit more. Obviously the LeMans is far superior in the intangibles of engine feel and sound and just plain fun factor. But I was really surprised at how much it felt like the little brick in the corners.

Chuck, you might know this bike. It belonged to a Wildguzzi member, Groundhog. This particular LeMans is surprisingly nimble. He got the suspension tuned perfectly and I weigh about the same as him... so it really is a "hand-in-glove" fit for me. Come ride it next time you are in Southern California.

I had a problem like that with a 2003 LeMans. I hooked up an oil pressure gauge and found that the pressure was low. I finally solved it by dropping the oil pan, pump and spacer ring. Turns out piece of gasket was missing. New gasket - problem solved. But it had running like that for a while (since previous owner). On that bike, I ended up installing an aftermarket oil pressure gauge so I could monitor it instead of just having a warning light. If you are not sure of the history, I'd recommend replacing those gaskets - and if you can get your hands on a Roper plate, that would be the time to install it.

I just picked up a 1989 LeMans 1000. It's a well-loved rider with extensive upgrades... full Zard exhaust, Caruso timing gears, electronic ignition, seriously upgraded suspension, etc. It was previously owned by a local guy who is an excellent rider. I've chased this bike on my Scura and had a hard time keeping him in sight. Just took my first short ride and loved it. Though I must say... there is a big difference between 1989s LeMans 5 speed tranny with manual clutch and 2000's 6 speed with hydraulic.

Just re-discovering this Audioslave album. It is so good. I had it on CD back when it came out (2002). If you don't know... Audioslave is Chris Cornell (of Soundgarden) singing with the entire band Rage Against the Machine (after their singer left). So there's the whole album for you... The reason I "rediscovered" it is that I was helping my daughter dig through my old CDs to find some of best full-albums - not best songs, but the kind of CD where you are amazed that all those great songs are one CD and you don't want to skip anything. Other CDs that fit the bill (and this search was focused on hard rock and metal, not all genres): Dirt by Alice in Chains Master of Reality by Black Sabbath Van Halen's first album Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest Master of Puppets by Metallica Led Zepplin's first album She played Dirt first, on her drive to school. That afternoon she told me "I didn't even need a second cup of coffee."