Scud

The rack comes with longer bolts, but they won't interfere with anything if you leave them on. If you might re-install the rack, leave the long bolts on. If you think you're going to sell the rack, go find some shorter bolts so you can include the mounting hardware. She looks in great condition. How was that area of concern on the paint on the tank?

I organized the garage and started thinking about how I might entertain myself when the Champagne project is finished. http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m492/timscudder/Champagne%20LeMans/IMG_6015.jpg

Right - because that's how much they paid for sales tax and saddlebags when they bought their BMWs.

Hey Mike - I just checked out the ad. Looks like a great bike for a fair price - especially if the dealer has done all the fluids and given it a good overall inspection, fresh tires, etc. The bar-end mirrors are aftermarket, but I think that's a plus. It looks like it's been down at low speed on the right - you can see a little roughness on the leading edge of the RH exhaust can. So take a look for other abrasions on the right. I wouldn't be surprised if the bar-end mirrors were installed after the tip - if the stock bar-end was damaged. The only two problems you might anticipate after a few miles are the failure of the ITI gauges and a potential exhaust leak at the front crossover. These problems might not show up for you, but if they do, the gauges are replaceable with cooler ones - and you can occasionally look for a set of headers (no crossover) from a 2002 V11 to hold in reserve in case you ever have a problem.

FZR400 - I rode one of those a few times. Amazing handling... but a shade lighter than a V11. I like the tires a bit firmer than recommended - about 35 PSI front and 40 rear. Your trip looks like a good time. The Bigfoot stuff was funny - and the Oregon coast... wow. And most road trips in California can be enhanced by a stop and In-N-Out Burger.

What else you gonna do tonight, watch TV? Run out and get a different filter first.

Somebody had a problem like that recently and I think the o-ring on the UFI filter was too thin - not making contact. What filter are you using?

Makin' progress...

Thanks again for sharing your stories - it's what got me motivated to go in and get checked. I'd been putting off the colonoscopy for two years (I'm 52 now). They removed two polyps (one small, one large) and said they probably saved my life. Now, instead of waiting 10 years, I need to go for another in 3 years. The procedure was not nearly as bad as people made it out to be. Two days out of life to possibly extend it by many years is a fair deal in my book.

Welcome. Balarosa sounds like a mash-up of some other 2004 models. Did you buy a Ballabio or maybe a Rosso Corsa? Deal-breakers would be the same as any other bike. If you trust the dealer to have given a good inspection before sale, you'll probably be fine. 13,000 miles is pretty low - but it's enough for the gremlins to have been sorted out, and the 2004 bikes were at the end of the production of the V11s, so they were probably the best-sorted of the series from the factory.

The Mistral crossover is available through MG Cycle (and probably other sources). I have an FBF crossover on my LeMans. The FBF has no hanger tab at the rear and seems to have a reputation for cracking. But I am running it with the lightweight Ti pipes and was careful about tightening the whole exhaust system gradually. So far so good on the FBF - but the stock crossover will stay in reserve.

Thanks for taking us on the adventure. Best wishes for the ride tomorrow.

Coincidentally, I'm in about the same spot with an engine - just put the heads on yesterday. I understand that when using new base and head gaskets, it is a good practice to torque the heads, then let them sit overnight, then loosen slightly and re-torque. I think it's because the gaskets compress kind of slowly under the initial pressure. I haven't done that ye, and I'm open to being corrected.

True - the wrenches are decent as are a few other bits. But after some sorting and replacements you can end up with a smaller, lighter tool roll that is more functional. I think I was spoiled early by BMW tool rolls - the one on my K75s is great.

Factory tool kit? - Yes, and it's almost totally useless, especially the pliers, but there should be a useful hex-thing to help with rear rear axle removal. Oh, and you guys already know this but these things just plain fly. :-) - 6th gear is illegal in California. This one could stand for a tuneup for sure and it will run even better! - yeah, a little cleaning and adjusting will pay off. Then up the coast! - envious.

...says the life-long machinist to us wee mortals who have never done such a job before and are venturing into the unknown. But that's what YouTube is for...

Very nice looking black LeMans in Northern Arizona, near Las Vegas, NV and California border: https://mohave.craigslist.org/mcy/6070399256.html

Cool - I think having yours repaired at a shop will be better, faster, and cheaper than getting my black one from California. But the spare is here if you need it. I'm pretty sure I have a good drain plug if your threads are damaged beyond repair - but since plug is steel and sump pan is softer aluminum, your plug is probably fine.

A machine shop might be able to fix that quickly and cheaply. For super-cheap, you could fill the hole with Quick-Steel and resign yourself to dropping the sump for every oil change - or draining the oil from the oil-return line fitting. In this case, you would lose your magnet, which seems like a bad idea. Alternatively, I have a fugly black (crinkle paint) lower sump "kicking around" that is structurally sound, but has a broken fin. Yours for cost of shipping and a beer. It came from my 2002 Red/Grey parts bike, which had been crashed. You'll want to get friendly with some paint and paint-stripper before you fit it on a silver engine. I have also wondered about the purpose of the RH plug. I use the center one to drain the oil.

It's green with a red frame. But seriously, I think they just haven't differentiated between the V11 Sport and the special edition Rosso Mandello. ...and if you think you're packing too much, you probably are.

You should only be worried about how much you're not going to want to ride your other bikes once you start riding your swooshy Green V11.

I'm looking forward to YOUR trip. I hope you're being a little playful in your comment about tucking behind a local bike to lane-split. Lane-splitting is an "acquired taste" and takes a little while to get accustomed to. I don't intend to make this a lane-splitting thread (because there are a few on Wild Guzzi that might be worth reading). But for your safety, try lane splitting between stopped cars at first. Getting to the front of every signal is a HUGE time saver. On the freeway, go between the carpool lane and the next lane - that's where you'll find all the experienced motorcycle commuters. Some of them will be hauling ass between the lanes. Please don't try to keep up with them - and watch your mirrors so you can move into a lane and let them pass. You should probably not split lanes faster than 20 MPH while you're "learning."

I didn't know him personally either, but I felt like I knew him a little because of this forum. That's just tragic - and like Chuck said, it's a reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

It's only when it's my friend. He's still kind of a new rider and he appreciates it if I give him a few pointers. I keep trying to give him the "get a Moto Guzzi" pointer... I mean... he could sell the Harley and pick up a few nice cruiser-style Guzzis, and still have some cash left.

Chuck - I try to ride very much like you described. The constant speed game is fun - and generates less wear. In fact, that's how I enjoy riding behind one of my Harley buddies. I let him get away in th straights and catch him in the curves. All that said, I still trail brake on steep downhill twisties. Ride smooth... ride all day.