Scud

That's funny. I'm not far from doing something like that. By the time I pull the porkchops, the subframe will fall out. Then it's only one more bolt to take out the transmission. So I'll probably just prop her up on a couple sawhorses - or maybe just set her down on a rubber mat (tress). I'm in "detective mode." Wheel and swingarm bearings feel new (as are the tires) - so that all makes sense. The shock doesn't have a speck of dirt on it, which leads me to believe it was recently serviced... so it's inching ever closer to the Red LeMans. Final drive was obviously repainted, but the needle bearing doesn't feel good. I've left a few stubborn bolts to soak in WD-40. Started a box of stuff to get powder-coated...

Oh yeah - I have some hooks in a beam in the garage - that's the ticket. I'll get it figured out. I did a shock swap on 2 BMWs recently. That was a breeze because they both had centerstands.

Took the Scura out for a little pre-breakfast loop today. Still plenty of sand run-off and debris on the roads - that and new tires can make a guy think a lot about traction... And about a mile from home I ran out of gas. Perhaps I failed to connect the fuel level sender???? Well, that's what shakedown rides are for... and mobile phones... and understanding spouses who are willing to deliver gas.

That is a good setup - but I also note the cheater-use of a centerstand on that bike. I'm thinking about how I can get the back-end off the champagne LeMans, and still have enough lifting devices to swap a shock on the red LeMans at the same time.

That's pretty. But shouldn't we be attributing some sort of supernatural explanation to it - like crop circles?

No games - and I didn't need a hammer. I don't think there is one in this picture. However, my daughter brought me hot chocolate and I confess to turning the mug so you could see Curious George's face.

No need to thank me.. it's what I do. As soon as I showed up in SoCal there were two major storms, and snow pack in the higher elevations, not to mention the almost every day light rain. In three weeks, I rode in the canyons twice, and there were enough rocks and mud on the roads to make it entirely not fun.. Remember when you, Rox and I rode? Cool and damp. That was a good day.. I'll see about coming out in the Summer, when you *really* need it. You mean the "Scura Rally" where only one of us (you) could muster up a Scura? Yeah that was a great day. I was in Santa Monica yesterday for work, but went in a car. I had high hopes of taking the bike up there and have a rip around - but we DO need the rain here, thank-you.

Raining tonight. So let the games begin....... I'm selling the aftermarket bits and getting ready to return her to stock. I'm gonna get the front end in order first. Needs grease in the steering bearings, brake pads, stock bars back on, general cleanup, etc... That yellow spring just doesn't look right on this bike. I think it would look better on a red LeMans. My daughters all agree that the porkchops, valve covers, and alternator cover should be powdercoated candy-apple red - which is very close to the original, sexy red on the 2002 porkchops. If you look closely, you can see a candy-apple red washer taped to the porkchop. Five candy-apple red bits under a champagne fairing...

It's a swap and go. The clutch kit has everything you need except for the schnorr washers (for the flywheel bolts) and medium loctite. However, I would not use your new HF lift. I highly recommend a platform jack and a front wheel chock. The front wheel chock will lift the front end a few inches, and the platform jack will support the engine. You can slide the platform jack on the floor with the engine on it, but you will have a very hard time doing that over the lip of the HF lift. Once the engine is out, swapping the clutch is even easier than the twin plate. Yank the old one out, put 6 bolts into the new flywheel and torque them - it's cool that the RAM clutch is assembled and just bolts in as one piece. I think the only special tool you will need is the starter ring gear lock - to stop the engine from turning when you remove/install the flywheel. I'd be happy to talk you through it on the phone.

Yes, and on this occasion I was especially nervous, because I had never taken a transmission apart before, nor had I installed a timing chain. So I was worried that I'd end up with a long trouble-shooting period. The perfect first-start and quick ride was truly a great feeling - that doesn't happen every time. More rain today...

that is fantastic! can't wait for the reviews Isn't it about time for you to start a "winter project" and put yours in? Want to borrow some tools?

Just looked back at the date of the first post - I got the clutch 6 months ago. But today I finally rode my Scura with the new RAM clutch installed. I was a little anxious at first, because when I reassembled it, the clutch effort at the lever was so slight that I thought I had done something wrong. Here are observations from a very short shakedown ride: The clutch effort is positively lady-like. It's almost laughably easy to pull. It's quieter than the original single-plate. I sort of liked the rattle of the old clutch, but I can dig quiet too. Engagement is quick and precise. Shifting is perfect. I have to wait at least a few days for a proper ride.

SHE'S ALIVE!!!!! Came home from work today to find a new Odyssey battery on my door step (along with a fresh set of knobbies for my Husky). Popped it in and (after the requisite purging of air from the new fuel lines and filter) she fired right up and ran perfectly. Cool new noise from the timing chain (but not as "blower-like" as the unreasonable expectations I had fabricated). Clutch and all six gears working flawlessly. No signs of leaks or smells of fuel. Even the speedometer works again. Just went around the block a couple times and sat in the garage and smelled that sweet scent of curing paint and Simichrome polish residue burning off the exhaust. She needs a few more shakedowns of gradually increasing intensity to heat cycle the paint and keep checking for leaks and looseness. Then we're gonna find some steep twisties and make up for lost time. I missed her so much... Thanks again for the advice, encouragement, and provocation along the way - and a special "thanks-again" to Andy for loaning the transmission tools after my discovery of the particularly discouraging transmission leak. I don't know if I would have made it through without all you guys. New projects await...

Various goodies for sale. All prices negotiable, it's hard to find comparable prices - so make an offer. If I overpriced something, show me where you found it for less. I will pass on the actual cost of shipping. Moto Guzzi rear rack new in box, no longer available. Paid $119 over a year ago when Harper's had a special lot available. Never used, but the black rack braces have been powdercoated flat black. SOLD Heated grips and bar risers. Both items freshly installed, and I believe never used. Grips are by Oxford. $90 for new. I'd like $60 for these. Bar risers include: clamps (to fork tubes), chrome bars, heavy bar-end weights, extra-long brake and clutch lines. For comparison, MPH cycles sells clamps and brake lines for $399. SOLD Top Case and Rack This is a large Hepco Becker top case in good shape. It has the back rest and the optional metal rack on top. It attaches to a metal plate, which is on the rear rack. I think the rear rack is by Stucci - it's the beefy one that attaches solidly to the subframe and takes more weight than the Moto Guzzi rack. Top Case Sold. Rack only: $75. Tekno Panniers and Racks Structurally sound, although a bit faded. One zipper pull missing. I think these can be brought back to life with some black fabric spray paint. $150 for bags, racks and mounting hardware. FBF Crossover This is in near-new condition, but was used some. This crossover is far lighter than stock, but does not have a place to attach the hanger. I'm running one on my LeMans with the Titanium exhaust. SOLD Titanium Kit Racing Exhaust These are used. Presentable, with some wear as shown in photos (mostly where the straps attach). I do not have the high footpeg brackets or the kit racing ECU. This is for the pipes and hangar straps only. Asking $600.

You forgot the Biggest reason. The other bikes are Not a Moto Guzzi Scura. Best line from this review: "My only reservation is the black wrinkle finish on the crankcase and rear drive, which may take some keeping up to."

Thanks. But I started this "major service" in mid October... I had a few days off and it was raining pretty hard the last two days. I pushed hard to get the engine paint done before the rain, then I had the proverbial rainy-day project. It's been killing me to not have it working. The other bikes are rideable, but they each need something.

That is fabulous and deserves an encore. Thanks for posting, I had never heard him before.

My New Year's resolution is: "Rub my hose less and ride more." The RH oil cooler hose had rubbed through the thin rubber and the paint on the subframe - so wrapped the offending section in a piece of split heater hose. The hose to the shock reservoir had burned through paint on the frame and I didn't like how it was rubbing against the airbox bracket - and I had some clear vinyl tube in my toolbox. This oil hose had rubbed through the paint on the subframe, and it rubs on a sharp edge under the transmission - so more heater hose to protect it. And here's how I'm going to ride more... Still have a lot of fine adjustment and tuning to do... hoping to get it through a few heat/cool cycles and get her out for a proper ride soon. And where did I stash that belly pan?

Then comes the moment when you think "Well, that WAS worth it."

OK, it would make a fine winter project - and here are some lessons learned. Supplies and Techniques: Aircraft stripper is "the bomb" - wear long sleeves, rubber gloves, and a full face-shield (not just goggles) Super Clean helps to dissolve the black-tar goo that some of the paint turns to (the entire engine case turned to a horrid, sticky mess, while some parts released the paint like a rubber glove). Thick-bristled parts cleaner brush helps to dislodge stubborn bits of stripped paint from hard-to-reach places Plastic scrapers can be cut into little strips the same size as the grooves in various parts Q-tips are the same size as the grooves at the bottom of the engine block (you'll need to scoop paint-tar-goo out of those grooves) Specific Parts: Rear drive and stabilizer arm - easy peasy Driveshaft collars - I recommend powdercoating, but they would be easy to spray Transmission - I think you could leave the two main cases and all the gears together - and paint the rear cover and selector cover independently. I split everything because of a leak. Engine - the sump parts are easy. The timing cover is a PITA, because the fins are so tall (the timing cover might be a good candidate for powdercoating, especially since it gets hit by gravel). The block would have been much easier with the cylinders removed - but I didn't want to strip it down that far. I ended up leaving a partial ring of old paint where the cylinders meet the block - especially on top of the engine. Bonus Points: This would be the time to drop off a big batch of goodies at the powdercoater: swingarm, subframes (I did the lower and the front), various bits and brackets. FAIR WARNING https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I51eR2hzdQ

Thanks. And as to why Moto Guzzi put new cases... yeah, that was a shit-ton of work. And underneath the crinkle paint, the case is a much rougher cast than the case on my 2003 (and you can see how much smoother the transmission case is). I bet they celebrated every time a person chose the free accessories instead of the new case. The RAM clutch is in now. I can rotate the rear wheel by hand with the clutch in and transmission in gear, so it seems like it's going to work... and it takes very little effort at the clutch lever. And, you know, I may just swipe the thermometer dipstick from my LeMans. It's a good idea to mark the levels on that now. I blacked out my engine number...

Hey Pete - I was thinking of you today. This is third time installing one of your "Roper Plates." Second time in this bike. I think I'm marginally proficient at it now. Happy New Year to you and all the AU/NZ people who will see it almost a full day before me.

I don't know them, but I've enjoyed Wayne's participation on the WG forum. It's tragic, and an important reminder about how dangerous our favored form of transportation can be. He posted some pictures over there... looks like a life well-lived.

BBCode (replace photobucket's img with this in your post) It seemed fitting to drink a Sierra Nevada "handcrafted" Pale Ale while removing the masking from the freshly painted engine. I promised to take her to the Sierra Nevada Mountains as soon as the snow melts. ...and that's the last of the crinkle paint. If I ever think about repainting another 2002 V11 drivetrain, please conduct an intervention to stop me. BTW, ignore the nasty paint on the sump ring, that ring is a spare that I used as a base while painting.