Scud

It seems that many 2003 Sport models were mechanically identical to the 2002 models. They'll have the pad on the gas tank, which is the easiest difference to notice. They may also have the textured paint on the engine and driveline, which was problematic on many bikes. All the 2003 LeMans and special models (such as Nero Corsa) got the update with the internal fuel pump.

The parts diagrams for a 2000 V11 Sport show the bracket. So at least we can assume that it was supposed to be installed.

Like the Aprilia Futura that didn't sell too well? There's always the Honda 1200 Interceptor.

Funny. Good thing his next breath was about Harley's not floating his boat... Jester - you should visit WildGuzzi to learn more about loops. I can imagine a CalVin or LAPD Eldo in my garage one day.

I have a spare original crossover in good condition. But perhaps you are looking for an upgrade (Mistral, FBF, etc.).

Geez, signs like that are not warnings to motorcyclists, they're temptations... invitations... attractions...

Yeah the Joe Kenny ones were made by an enthusiast - I think they are rare and special. Such nice workmanship... beveled edges, right and left facing eagles, recesses for bolt heads, and they work with the shape of the heads. I like them a lot. They look especially good on a silver engine. I don't know the source of the ones on the LeMans now - they were on the Greenie when I got it.

After having such a nice ride recently, I've decided to keep the Greenie for a while and to sell my red 2003 LeMans. Here's a partial list of stuff the green tart has swiped: Ohlins Shock Shindy Steering damper Titanium exhaust and high-mount hangers Ghezzi-Brian carbon fiber hugger/fender LED taillight (MartyNZ special) and LED rear turn signals Joe Kenny Headguards

No - but I'm going to try again later today. And that brings up another difference between the red and black frames, which I'll re-state here to try to get all the differences documented in one place. The red frames have a bracket welded underneath, just above the place where the engine and transmission cases join. It seems that some early models had a brace there, but they stopped installing the braces at some point. It also seems that without this brace, the engine and transmission may move too much, putting pressure on the whole system, and could result in a crack in the rear of the transmission case.

So yeah, I think I'm going to let the Red LeMans go , and hang out with the Greenie for a while . Details later.

As others have noted, the red frame steers a bit quicker, but I didn't feel like it sacrificed stability. I assume the quicker steering is due to three factors: Shorter wheelbase Narrower rear tire No steering damper. The Bitubo damper that came with the greenie had a noticeable sticking point, so I removed it. Other differences between frames for the record: Front subframe - the black front subframe is beefier and has more cross bracing. I assume that this would be interchangable with a red frame; the distance between the two frame-mounting points is the same. Lower (center) subframe - as noted elsewhere, the black lower subframe has additional cross-bracing, including a significant one to the LH porkchop (which makes clutch slave cylinder access extremely difficult on the black-frame bikes). It also has arms that go around the transmission to the engine. The black ones cannot be bolted directly on the red-frame bikes, because the engine case would need to have holes drilled in it - and there is a small difference in the LH porkchop mount area of the spine frame where the cross brace attaches. Rear subframe - the black frame has tabs to mount the rear fender/light assembly. The painted tail sections of the red-frame bikes are heavier and mount differently than the tails on the black-frames. Shock reservoir bracket - I noticed that these are different between the two frame types. It's because the bracket mounts over a brace-point on the black frame bikes, while there is no brace attached behind the porkchop on the red frame bikes. Transmission Brace - The red frames have a bracket welded underneath, just above the place where the engine and transmission cases join. It seems that some early models had a brace there, but they stopped installing the braces at some point. It also seems that without this brace, the engine and transmission may move too much, putting pressure on the whole system, and could result in a crack in the rear of the transmission case. Edit to include trans brace from discussion below.

Here is the SHORT red frame, measuring 59cm from shock tower to center of steering head. And here is LONG black frame, measuring 61cm at the same spots. Note how the oil breather is centered at about 53cm on both frames. The extra frame length is between the breather and the steering stem.

Swapping shocks today, which gives an opportunity to answer Docc's frequently asked questions regarding differences in the frames. Here are two exposed frames. I just picked up a tape measure. What will it reveal?

those look nice. I can't work out "folding" option on them. what is that? the shorties are the way to go and... Pazzo does not list the V11... ? Here's more on the Pazzo lavers, along with a list of bikes that use the same Brembo master cylinders as a V11: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19514&p=211559 Folding levers have a hinge; they will fold, rather than break on impact. I have ASV folding levers on my dirt bike.

The Greenie in the video. My part of her story starts at the beginning of this topic.

Glad you enjoyed it. FWIW - the whole video was in California, except for the ending, which was at the "Welcome to Arizona" sign about 1/4 mile after crossing the Colorado River (which is also the CA/AZ border). Wish you were here? I've got 3 working V11s at the moment. Come on out and ride one. Not sure how long that situation will last...

The Harpers foot levers are good quality, though a bit bulky. I powder-coated a pair flat black and I think they look much better than the bare casting. For hand levers, I'm quite fond of the Pazzo shorty levers. I have them on the Scura (single-plate clutch) and the LeMans (normal, dual-plate clutch). They have very fine adjustments for position and have a good feel.

I only used the GoPro Session, no external microphone. The early parts were at lower speeds and still air. The later parts were at higher speeds and there was some wind.

Oh, that looks bad. When did that happen and how are you doing?

Here ya go...

I imagine he would say to me: "Looks good, you should think about polishing the foot levers like Docc did.

Congratulations Roy. A Griso and an Eldo sounds like a nice pair. How many pages of electrical diagrams did the new owner get?

And the chrome bar-end mirrors... gives her a little extra shine from top to tail. And I used the "old-school" chrome, finned exhaust flanges - the ones that need the fussy little inserts to clamp down properly. I think she needs some shiny fluid reservoir caps.

It had a chunk of valve guide go through the engine.. had a broken spring, too, but I didn't see any part of that missing. Thanks Chuck - but I put a different engine in it. The original engine you refer to is still in pieces.

Looks like that CL ad is gone. That sure looked like a good bike for a below-average price. I just got back from riding my Greenie to Scottsdale, AZ. I went out Monday morning, worked Tuesday and back home Tuesday night. After a few shakedown runs, this was her real break-in test. She ran flawlessly - even in 105F (40.5C) heat on the slab leaving the Phoenix area at rush hour. I thought the idle was a bit rough a couple times at stop lights in extreme heat, but no stalling, no hiccups, no problems. She had 5,400 miles on her when I left, and 6,200 now. So she's been on the road for 17 years, and 13% of her total use was in the last two days. I got some GoPro footage of a fabulous ride through California back roads during sunrise on Monday.