Scud

More than once, I have stopped myself from going to look at a Benelli Tornado. This narrator gets it:

Like as a palate cleanser after those BMWs and Triumphs?

Fixed it for ya...

Ok, maybe one picture is a red LeMans. But if that's so, then another picture is a Scura. I think we should keep ShinyMike away from the Scuras for a while. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe I'm feeling grumpy and opinionated tonight, but that green speed triple looks like a salvage-title Kawasaki that was totaled by the insurance company because it was too expensive to replace the fairing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I read it a very long time ago. I think it's a great title with an acceptable book. Like Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, it could have been so much better if a good editor would have cut it by 30 percent. I might be open to a re-read. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BMW R1100s? Bite yer damn tongue. If there has to be a BMW in here at least have the courtesy to make it an airhead R90S or R100s. I had an R100CS that I was rather fond of... but I think I would be grossly disappointed to ride one now that I've gotten comfortable with the V11. I had a Ducati Sport Classic. Same raw appeal. Good manners. Noisy clutch on the monoposto. Fabulous in the mountains but a torture rack on the straights and around town. So... the V11 is more comfortable than the Ducati and less than the BMW. It's a better performer than the BMW but not quite as good as the sport classic in the tight stuff. In short, it's "just right." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Au contraire. You can clearly see the Greenie's starter cover reflected on the plate in the middle picture - and the silver engine in the background. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. I've been hoping to get it done in time to ride to the Not-A-Rally near Sedona, Arizona on May 5-7. But with my business travel lately it seems unlikely. Won't be home till Wednesday evening - not enough time to finish up and do some shake-down rides. And I still have to get it registered in CA. And did you see the Greenie reflected in the Roper Plate? Too subtle? I may have to set the Green tank on this bike and wheel(ie) it into the sun to see how it looks with candy-red rocker covers. Currently enjoying the Hudson River out the window of Amtrak on the way back to Penn Station in NYC.

I don't think that nut loads the bearing. But I do think it serves a locking function. Imagine if the pinch bolts on the lower triple are looser than the top clamp's pinch bolts. A slight movement of the forks would push the top triple up. Maybe it's a redundant "belt and braces" sort of thing. But it's a front end on a motorcycle so I tend toward extra safety being a good thing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The green is really cool in person. But I think a red LeMans is even more iconic than a green sport. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just looked at the ad. Much better than the Ballabio for about the same cost. And in Pittsford... I went to Pittsford Sutherland High School for a couple years. I'm close to Utica, NY right now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What? Is crazy a bad thing all of a sudden? You know what would be really crazy and borderline insane? Buying three cheap V11s that need work. Mike - can't wait to see the new LeMans. Black or Red?

Getting a well sorted bike that you like better is a good decision - even if you pay a little more. You have to be crazy to buy a cheap one that needs work. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ha. I KNEW it was candy apple green. Green Delicious. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This platform jack has served me really well. Once you stabilize the rear (a standard swingarm stand will work) you can put the platform jack under the engine to lift the front wheel. ...or you could leave the wheel on and use the platform jack to take out the engine...

Yup that stuff too. I'll give her a thorough inspection/maintenance. But she's gonna have to wait her turn after barging in all cheap and pretty and unannounced... the sassy little tart.

Nice pic...looks like the road near Ben Lomond... That's very close. It was on 236 in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Interventions must be conducted in person. Bring riding gear. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

start with the basics like fresh fluid. Maybe a gear oil change if you don't know when the last one was. Also check the linkage. A lot of "transmission problems" are due to loose shift linkage. And if you feel like going "all-in" there is a shift improvement thread that shows how to fine-tine the pre-selector on the bench.

Well, I gotta get the Champagne LeMans running before the Greenie explodes in the garage. They're all lovely and it will be hard to decide which one to keep in the stable with the Scura. I already got "busted" for stashing the BMW on the side yard under a cover last week. But the BMW's hanging out at the airport this week. ...and doesn't the candy apple red rocker cover look kind of good near the candy apple green motorcycle?

I enjoyed SwooshDave’s hunt for a greenie a little too much… it’s definitely contagious. And look who checked in for rehab at Scud’s home for neglected V11s. The Good Low price (like parts-bike low, or “what’s really wrong with it?” low) New tires (like the tires are worth 10% of what I paid for the whole bike) 5,250 miles, seems complete and (with some exceptions) unmolested Starts easily, shifts well, suspension is good, brakes and clutch work Previous owner is son of original owner – says his dad bought it new, barely rode it, then parked it (in Florida where some salty-air found it… see “The Ugly”) Green paint is in excellent condition – with a few minor scuffs/scratches Evap canisters and hose-monster are already gone Original tool roll Yellow assembly paint still on things like TPS screws – suggesting it hasn’t been messed with much. Both needles on the Veglia Gauges are orange – and they still work. Mistral exhaust Color-matched flyscreen included (but was not on bike) Moto Guzzi branded tank bag (Made in USA, so probably a dealer add-on) Billet head-guards The Bad Runs like crap Transmission leak (but does not appear to be cracked case) Somebody’s been messing with the wiring… and there is green electrical tape in unexpected places Dash lights don’t work License plate light housing is gone The new tires are Dunlop Sportmax Q3s, which I assume will burn off in 3,500 miles – and the rear is a 180, which doesn’t fit right No records or manual included Electric petcock Badly cracked intake rubbers Battery leak has destroyed the battery tray – and dripped onto swingarm, causing rust The Ugly Incorrect breather hose. This garden-hose-green is a fashion failure and greenie-attitude inhibitor. Surface corrosion – especially on the headers, and on lots of fasteners Has been down on the right – damage to the Mistral and a few other small bits Silver paint starting to peel or blister on heads, barrels, rocker covers, alternator cover, and a few other little spots Weirdly, the front turn signals are different than the rears (maybe one broke in the tip-over) All four chrome Aguilas missing (but found them in great condition in the tank bag) The immediate problem: It runs like crap, which is why the PO sold it. He said he had been fussing with it and gave up – and he really wants a BMW 1200 GSA. It idles a bit rough, but the real problem starts at about 3,500 RPM or any time it gets more than ½ throttle. It just coughs and cuts out – will not go faster unless eased in, then I can get it close to 5,000 before the problem appears. I had to truck it home, not ride it. What I’ve done: New Omron relays Ran a little seafoam through the system (20 miles of going slow) Adjusted valves to .008”I and .010”E (they were at about .005”I and .007”E) New spark plugs and replaced damaged RH plug wire cap Shined up the head guards (can’t put a dirty part back on) and replaced the exhaust cap nuts (since they were fugly and I had a set on the bench) What’s up next: All fluids and a Roper Plate (I’m getting pretty good at putting those in) Air, fuel, and oil filters Clean TBs, injectors, and replace rubber boots Electrical investigation 160 rear tire (will mount the super-sticky 180 on the Scura at next opportunity) Lollipop mirrors need to go Spend a week in New York while the supplies roll in at home And if all that doesn’t work, I have a spare manual petcock. The bad running feels like a fuel restriction to me (but there could also be a mouse-house in the air filter). I was wondering if the electric petcock (after extended periods of non-use) can fail to open all the way and therefore not allow enough fuel for high-RPM operation.

Just seeing this on a bigger screen now - was using my phone earlier today. Did you paint the cover already - or is that some very tricky photoshop work? I'm not home, but here are some dashes from my my photo-bucket. Sad 2002 LeMans dash: Happy 2002 LeMans dash: Sad 2003 LeMans dash: Happy 2003 LeMans dash: Scura (the Scura can't be bothered with emotions, she just wants to go back to the Redwoods)

Ha ha. Truth is that I had previously offered this part to anybody who would try to retro-fit it to a red-frame. The 2002 and later V11s had significantly stronger subframes and seem to be less likely to have cracked transmission cases. So... it just so happens that I am staying here in NY just 3/4 of a mile from where another member keeps his red-frame V11... and the subframe is already delivered. Now there are no motorcycle parts in my hotel room. I guess I'll have to look at pictures instead.

I brought this lower subframe to New York City to serve as art in my hotel room.