Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rocker59 on November 07, 2009, 01:11:45 PM
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I got this idea from a friend and fellow Arkansan, "eOR" over at ADVrider, who has chonicled his experiences with a couple different bikes he's owned over the past few years. Ulysses, R12GS, FXDX...
So, my intention is to talk about my experiences with my sporting Guzzis. The thread will probably ramble, so be patient. And, don't hesitate to chime in or add to the thread if you wish...
These are the two (current) subjects at hand. A 1996 Sport 1100 and a 2004 V11 LeMans Nero Corsa:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN3909/380173028_J7ZFN-M.jpg)
I bought the Sport 1100 new in March 1997 as a 30th Birthday present to myself. It came from a now long-gone dealership here in Fayetteville called "Motorcycles International" that sold Triumph/Ducati/Moto Guzzi. An elemental Italian sporting motorcycle, it's been a great bike over the 24,539 miles I've ridden it... Here, it is pictured on a cold January day ride through The Hills of NW Arkansas:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/2007-10-January-Tatum-Spring/DSCN2063/122368926_nAUyy-M.jpg)
The Nero Corsa came to my garage in January 2006. A friend who lives down in Ozark had bought it new a year, or so, earlier over in Tennessee. He only put about 2,300 miles on the bike during the year-and-a-half he owned it. I suppose that I've gotten along with the Nero Corsa much better than he did. The bike has now covered about 29,000 miles, so I've ridden it about 26,000 miles over the past three-and-a-half years. It has proven itself a very worthy sport-touring mount. Here it is pictured on a March day a couple years ago:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/photos/138644339_v6YWJ-M.jpg)
Stay tuned...
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Winter Projects...
I've got several things I'd like to get accomplished over the winter... One of those things is new fork seals for both bikes.
I've always thought the OEM fork springs were a little soft on the Sport 1100. I don't really mind it too much since I've learned to ride the bike smoothly over the years, but since the forks needed to come off for seals and oil, I decided to source some springs. I emailed "the usual suspects" and decided to send my Marzocchi forks up to Moto International for service and the addition of WP fork springs. Here it sits in my garage awaiting the guys in Seattle to do thier magic:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5240/705871060_8DCnt-M.jpg)
The Nero Corsa has the opposite problem. As delivered, the rear Ohlins spring is pretty soft (by sporty standards... It's still a log wagon in comparison to something like an '07 Norge ;) ). I've been keeping my eye on Ebay for Ohlins springs. Recently I won an auction on a 1093-36/105 spring to replace the 1091-26/85 that was original equiment on the bike. The 1093 spring is 10mm shorter, but much stiffer (600-lbs vs. 485-lbs), and should improve the bike's handling when riding 2-up, when loaded for camping, AND when I'm feeling like dragging a few hard parts on a nice Sunday afternoon:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5242/705871218_uKset-M.jpg)
stay tuned...
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Well, it's 74-degrees and sunny today. Although I'm on call at work this weekend, I think I'm going to sneak off and put a few miles on the Nero Corsa this afternoon... I'll add some more to this thread later this weekend...
;-T
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Looks like an interesting thread...thanks!
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Hey... please tell us the difference between the two bikes (engine pull, refinement, rider positioning, etc.). I love the look of the older Sport and have an '03 Lemans myself, so would love to know.
Thanks,
-Kevin
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Some nice person needs to buy you the factory engine stand. What is that, an old Quaker State oil bottle under the engine?
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5240/705871060_8DCnt-M.jpg)
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Some nice person needs to buy you the factory engine stand.
Does anyone have a picture of/a link to this and if so, would be kind to post it? Just wondering if I could have my brother (he's a metal worker) make one for me. It would be a great birthday present wish :)
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NA...........just needs a flat rubberized saddle........or a bottle of Mobil 1.. ;D...whatever works.......
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I was wondering if I'd get any comments about my field expedient jacking pad... :D
Re-purposed Mobil-1 bottle! ;-T
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Hey... please tell us the difference between the two bikes (engine pull, refinement, rider positioning, etc.). I love the look of the older Sport and have an '03 Lemans myself, so would love to know.
Thanks,
-Kevin
To be so similar, the bikes actually feel quite different... The Nero Corsa is quite a bit more refined than the Sport 1100.
Honestly, my seat of the pants feel is that the Sport 1100 has a little more power than the Nero Corsa. Of course, my Sport 1100 has Keihin FCR41 carbs and a full Staintune exhaust, plus it's a little lighter... They both pull nicely. They definitely don't have "too much" power, but accellerate quite rapidly in the 5,000 to 7,000 rpm range. Rarely do I ever need or use full throttle where I ride. Here in The Hills it's more about balance and being smooth. "The Pace" is how I ride. Corner speeds are high enough so that accellerating down the straights isn't really necessary on the street. On the track, however, the Sport 1100's lack of power on long straights can be quite noticeable... But I must say, things happen very fast on the track at 100+mph speeds... Even on a "slow bike"...
The transmission of the carb'd Sport contains straight cut gears that whine. The shifting is agricultural (and quite loud). It's geared pretty tall... Think of riding your V11 around in gears 2 through 6 and you'll have some idea of how the 5-speeder in the Sport feels...
Seating position? The Sport's tank is much narrower in the knee cutouts, something that I like... Pegs are in the same position, but a bit farther outboard on the V11. The bars on the Sport are below the triple clamp vs. the V11's bars mounted above. The bars of the Sport are much lower. Think Ducati 916 and you'll understand. I've ridden my Sport 1100 all over the country with the stock bars. It's something a person can get used to, but it's definitely a committed sportsbike riding position. Higher bars are not do-able on the Sport unless you're willing to alter the fairing. There was a yellow '97 for sale recently with those mods done that looked nice. Pretty big project, though... We have an esteemed spine frame aficionado in Maine who has an altered '96. Maybe he'll chime in regarding raising the bars on a Sport 1100.
The suspension on the Sport 1100 is actually quite good. The Marzochhi forks and WP rear shock are nice pieces. It seems Guzzi is always behind the curve on suspension and brakes. The Marzochhi fork fitted to the Sport 1100 and Daytona 1000 was used by Ducati in the 1980s with great success. Of course, the Ohlins on my Nero Corsa is something else altogether. I have fantasies of sourcing V11 Ohlins parts and installing them on my Sport 1100 someday...
Bottom line, if you have access to curvy roads or trackdays, the Sport 1100 will be great fun. You can tour on it, but the V11 LeMans is much more refined and comfortable for daily chores and long rides loaded down with a passenger or camping gear...
Obviously, I love 'em both. There have been four other bikes in my garage over the past decade. These two have been the ones I've kept...
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Haven't the slightest clue to what you're talking about. ;D
(http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo165/1000s1991/AttheFUNNYFARM001.jpg)
And what he says is true. ;-T ;D ;D
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ROCK ON!
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Great comparison Rocker. It sounds like it has my Centauro's gearbox, but not my engine :P
The Sport sounds like quite the bike, but perhaps a bit too sporty with regard to the rider position. I have bar risers and Matra pegs on my Lemans and it's a perfect fit. Try some Iridium plugs in that Nero and you'll love the pull. It does make a difference. Both my friend and I did it and it's rather significant. I'm going out tomorrow and will give a second experience report about it just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Thanks again for the report.
-Kevin
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My Sporti has Heli bars installed by the previous owner. It raise the bars about 3/4" which is all you can get before the fairing becomes an issue. It doesn`t sound like much, but it is quite a change in comfort.
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Some nice person needs to buy you the factory engine stand. What is that, an old Quaker State oil bottle under the engine?
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5240/705871060_8DCnt-M.jpg)
Is it better to use dino or synthetic oil bottles for this purpose? ~;
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Is it better to use dino or synthetic oil bottles for this purpose? ~;
Does not matter really, as long as you use a hose clamp! ;-T
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if you're going to the trouble of taking the forks apart & installing new springs, you might consider getting a Race Tech kit. Depending on the type of forks, they make a Gold Valve kit for cartridge forks, and Cartridge Emulators for damper rods forks. The Gold Valves made a huge improvement on my Bandit (which I hope to get back together before Xmas).
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I'll second the rece tech kit. I put a set in my trumpy D 1200 and it made a huge difference.
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Great thread, enjoyed it much so far.
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My Sporti has Heli bars installed by the previous owner. It raise the bars about 3/4" which is all you can get before the fairing becomes an issue. It doesn`t sound like much, but it is quite a change in comfort.
I was coming off a Sportster when I bought the Sport 1100. I wasn't sure I could get used to the seating position, so I had my dealer order and install HeliBars after a few months of ownership.
The HeliBars remained on the bike for a year, or so, but I went back to the stockers because I like the angle much better.
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I have ridden Leafman's Daytona RS and find the seating/clipping relationship much more comfortable than the stock setup on my 03 Rosso. I purchased some clipping from Jean-Marc a few years back and have considered installing them below the triple tree's in hopes of a similar riding position to the Daytona. I should have done it by now but......
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Well... Did 140 mile jaunt today since the mercury hit over 60. I have to say I totally agree with my friend about the iridium plugs agreeing with the V11 engine. It is a different bike. She just pulls harder plain and simple. It's the best $16 bucks I've ever put into a bike. Doesn't seem many have found a difference on this sight and I was sure skeptical when he told me about both his '00 Sport and '02 Lemans pulling harder. I have always respected my friend since he understands subtly better than anyone I know. I took the plunge and really had nothing to lose since they last longer anyhow. He was not joshing. It is much more Centauro-ish now with these plugs. It's got bigger gonads and I'm liking it.
My 2 pennies.
-Kevin
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The beginning.
I was 15 or 16 when I began reading about Moto Guzzis. That was 1982/1983 and my obsession with cars and motorcycles was in full force. In my mailbox each month I recieved five or six different magazines. I remember reading about (and lusting after) the Italian exotica that was occasionally featured. Laverdas were particularly appealing, but there was something special about Moto Guzzi. The LeMans III (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/features/122_0012_moto_guzzi_le_mans_iii/index.html) was the first Moto Guzzi that I can remember. Guzzis weren't the fastest motorcycles at the time. AMA Superbikes were all 1100cc four cylinder Japanese bikes. However, the Guzzis seemed to garner respect and admiration in the reports and tests I'd read.
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20%20A/Moto%20Guzzi%20850%20LeMans%20III%2081%20%202.jpg)
A couple years later, the LeMans made the news again when it was bumped out to 1000cc. I remember it being a pretty big deal, but by the mid-80s, bikes from makers like Laverda and Guzzi were well behind the performance curve and were beginning to be criticized by the press for thier "agricultural" feel and old school handling.
Then came Dr. John and "the Guzzi Gang". For a few short years they made quite a showing on the AMA endurance circuit with the bikes they campaigned. Being a bit of a romantic, I couldn't help but smile each time I'd read of Dr. John's team. It was during this time that I began reading a little about Moto Guzzi and its history. My attraction to Guzzi grew stronger...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/Dr-John-2/266850692_KbkD6-S.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/Dr-John-1/266850711_nro6J-M.jpg)
I was still only a teenager, though, and The nearest Guzzi dealer was 250 miles away. Atlas in Tulsa, or Gene's in El Dorado. Add to that little logistics problem the fact that Guzzis were about twice the price of a Honda 650 and it was quite understandable that my first motorcycle was a 1983 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk, but Guzzis were never far from my mind... Especially when the magazines showed up in my mailbox featuring the Daytona 1000 in the early '90s. Wow!
(http://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/u-_5_uBHZNApLwM2TSXiMA72157/GW275H207)
Well, this new Daytona was something else! Based upon a design used by Dr. John on his race winning endurance machine, this bike was simply fabulous! These small companies with real and accessible people producing motorcycles really held my attention during the early '90s. Along with Guzzi, I had also followed the efforts of Erik Buell since his RR1000 racebike project. Companies and motorcycles like these just seemed so much more "real" than the appliances being pumped out of the large automated factories by the big players in the business...
Life gets in the way, though, and fate had me riding an old Sportster XLCH and then a Sportser 883 before finally "coming home" to Guzzi.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/mike-and-jeff-1994/126368168_j4r5Q-M.jpg)
In February 1996 I moved to NW Arkansas. I had sold my 883 a year before and was really craving another motorcycle. Then one day it happened. On a Sunday I was driving in my car and heard a radio advertisement for a Triumph Dealer. No mention of anything else, just the new Triumphs and the dealership was only 20 miles from my house! My afternoon was open, so I decided to do a little window shopping. I was thinking I'd be looking at Triumphs that day, but boy was I wrong!
Peering through the window I saw them. There was a pair of red Moto Guzzi sportbikes sitting there calling to me. I was stunned. I couldn't get the beautiful red motorcycles out of my mind all weekend, so on Tuesday at lunch I stopped by the shop for a closer look and to find out what it was that I'd seen while peering through the window...
Sport 1100. That's what I saw. Jeez! The good vibes were flowing from these motorcycles. I couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't stop staring. The seat was high. The bars were low. I didn't care. My connection to Dr. John, to Mandello, to all those people I'd read about who had been a part of Guzzi over the years was made real when I sat on the red Sport 1100, leaned forward, and gently gripped the bars...
That was December 1996... I became a regular at the dealership... They were a great bunch of guys... It took me a few months to put it together, but in March 1997 I became the very proud owner of a brand new 1996 model Sport 1100... I couldn't have been happier...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/2007-10-January-Tatum-Spring/DSCN2050/122368783_M3FPQ-M.jpg)
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if you're going to the trouble of taking the forks apart & installing new springs, you might consider getting a Race Tech kit. Depending on the type of forks, they make a Gold Valve kit for cartridge forks, and Cartridge Emulators for damper rods forks. The Gold Valves made a huge improvement on my Bandit (which I hope to get back together before Xmas).
Too late. The forks are en route to MI for new seals/oil/springs. I'll be reporting back once the bike is back on the road in a couple weeks.
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Boy did you get sucked into the mental illness! ::) ;D ;-T
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Great thread, Mike!
;-T
Ohh, and Tom... I don't know whether to love you or hate you!
???
Haven't the slightest clue to what you're talking about. ;D
(http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo165/1000s1991/AttheFUNNYFARM001.jpg)
And what he says is true. ;-T ;D ;D
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if you're going to the trouble of taking the forks apart & installing new springs, you might consider getting a Race Tech kit. Depending on the type of forks, they make a Gold Valve kit for cartridge forks, and Cartridge Emulators for damper rods forks. The Gold Valves made a huge improvement on my Bandit (which I hope to get back together before Xmas).
Too late. The forks are en route to MI for new seals/oil/springs. I'll be reporting back once the bike is back on the road in a couple weeks.
MI can obtain the Race Tech stuff. My mechanic was able to procure and install. You're probably talking another $100. Not much considering the springs and labor.
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Great thread, Mike!
;-T
Ohh, and Tom... I don't know whether to love you or hate you!
???
Haven't the slightest clue to what you're talking about. ;D
(http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo165/1000s1991/AttheFUNNYFARM001.jpg)
And what he says is true. ;-T ;D ;D
One of these days I need to clean the garage. I'll take some pix. ;D
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I'm enjoying this thread Rocker. ;-T Thanks
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Versatility.
I've been waxing all poetic about the Sport 1100 and neglecting the Nero Corsa... I'll get around to the NC soon, but with the much needed maintenance happening on the Sport 1100, I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
So back in 1998 I took my first "big motorcycle trip". A friend and I trailered from NWA to Steamboat Springs, Colorado for the AHRMA Vintage Days in September. It was a big adventure (even though most of the trip was sitting in a BMW M3 with a Ducati 900SS and my Triumph Sprint Executive following along in the trailer... I know, I know...) It was an eye opening experience! I got to ride the Colorado Rockies on a motorcycle for the first time, seeing things I'd only read about! Total mileage on the bike was less than 1,000 miles for the week, but man! it was fun!
In September 1999 the races were moved to Park City, Utah. Again, Derek and I planned on making the trip. He was dead set on not riding across The Plains so we trailered to Colorado Springs to meet some friends. From Colorado Springs, we would travel a circuitous route across Colorado and Utah to Park City. We'd spend a few days in Park City, then head on back to Denver to friends', then down to Colorado Springs for the AMA Superbike races at PPIR. The trip would be a little different... I would be riding the Sport 1100 !!!
This was pre-internet (for me) and pre-digital photography. I've never really scanned any of the photos to my computer. I guess I should sometime. Well, it was a great week! Don't let anyone make you believe a person can't tour on a sporting Guzzi.
For all you map geeks (like me), here's the route we travelled: Colorado '99 Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=colorado+springs,+co&daddr=gunnison,+co+to:Crested+Butte,+co+to:Dolores,+co+to:monticello,+ut+to:Capitol+Reef+National+Park+to:boulder,+ut+to:Bryce+Canyon,+PO+Box+640201,+Utah+84717+(Bryce+Canyon+National+Park)+to:salina,+ut+to:US-89+N+to:park+city,+ut+to:vernal,+ut+to:UT-45+S+to:rangely,+co+to:rifle,+co+to:denver,+co+to:16650+Midway+Ranch+Rd+%23+1,+Fountain,+CO+80817-3738+(Pikes+Peak+International+Raceway)+to:denver,+co&hl=en&geocode=FdqOUAIdjY3A-Skr0uahLkEThzETa-j1kuuOQQ%3BFaEpTAId93Kg-SmfW4P1w5I_hzHskqdFEJ12zA%3BFdMaUQId0X6f-Snj0ziKPnJAhzGf8-fVGW4ANw%3BFVrOOwIdKFqI-SkD3cMeIDA5hzF8J-Sm5-17gQ%3BFRffQQIdUY97-Snr47X5hjo4hzGPAoN1Oeaavg%3BFcDiRgIdMrtf-SG1ddEsBDLBtw%3BFT5pQgIdLcZb-Sl_8ef0YvQ1hzFDVUBUH9HMuw%3BFXisPQIdg09Q-SEoh2i1SOCx1w%3BFa1yUgIdKydV-SnPeoKCHXZLhzEtYIwdkYZSKg%3BFRxIXQId2lhb-Q%3BFa41bAIdC61a-Sn9A2MsYw9ShzGUVzcl38Rx2A%3BFVxNaQIdVLl4-SmLj8GjR2JFhzHcJMG7bwCkog%3BFQasZAIdljB8-Q%3BFbSvYwIdI8WD-Sm79Xpg1UpEhzEqjH7LZL3C0w%3BFW5AWwIdMFyT-Smbehh00DhBhzFnHCucUmPx5Q%3BFRJfXgIdgQ---SnPFx8jqoBrhzHWNoon-PSOEQ%3BFeq7TAIdX-TC-SEFIcIuMWjXbikjhITGMG0ThzGeGQDwHNdz9A%3B&mra=ls&via=9,12&sll=39.10929,-108.42216&sspn=3.861039,9.832764&ie=UTF8&z=7)
About 1,750 miles in a week. I still had the HeliBars installed, but the seat was stock. My luggage amounted to a Marsee tank bag and a GiVi E50 bolted onto the pillion pad. The setup worked great and I actually had plenty of luggage space!
We met our Kansas friends at a hotel in Colorado Springs. Actually, we rousted them out of bed at 0700 after driving all night from Arkansas. A quick bite to eat in the hotel and we readied the bikes for the trip.
I'll spare you the rest of the ride report. No pics to support it. Maybe I'll scan a few sometime and add 'em to this thread. Here are the only two I've got handy:
Monticello, Utah at the junction of US-191 and US-666 (now US-491). There were some Indians selling skulls, jewelery, and blankets at the intersection. They kindly loaned me a skull for my obligatory "Devil's Highway" pic:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/Park-City-1999/devils-highway/23315332_fayaq-L.jpg)
Near Strawberry Reservoir on US-40 in NE Utah on the way back to Denver. My first "big ticket" on my second "big adventure". Ton-up, baby!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/Park-City-1999/Bad-Day-on-US40/23318720_fHDwd-L.jpg)
The Duchesne County deputy actually turned out to be a motorcyclist and a pretty nice guy. No book was thrown at us that day, and for that I was thankful! As was typical of this ride, we were stopping to smell lots of roses, so this 500 mile leg took us about 11 hours... I was seven years away from my first 1,000 mile day!!!
This was a big turning point in my motorcycling. I learned that I really enjoyed long roadtrips. I learned that touring on a sportsbike was not that difficult. I grew to really love this Sport 1100...
I did encounter a few difficulties along the way. At some point on our leg into Park City, my bike began running on one cylinder below 5,000 rpm. Once at our destination, we went down to Salt Lake City to the Ducati/Moto Guzzi dealer to let them have a look. The Dellortos were running pretty rich at elevation, but my biggest problem was a bad connection between the spark plug cap and the wire on the left cylinder. Easy fix for the tech at the dealership. He also put in some fresh NGK plugs and ran about three pulls on the dyno. The Sport 1100 had the OEM Dellortos, a K&N filter in the stock airbox, and a Marsee Crossover with stock cans. It pulled 76rwhp on thier Dynojet Dyno. Not too shabby. The bike ran much better on the homeward stretch.
My riding has changed with my experience over the past decade. I remember how wiped out I was after that 500 mile day between Park City and Denver. Now a 500 mile day isn't really that big a deal. Funny our perspective changes with experience...
In 2005 I rode from my house in NWA to Mexican Hat, Utah in less than 24-hours to complete my first IBA sanctioned 1000 mile day on my 2000 model Quota 1100ES. This year, I participated in the Colorado Classic 1000 and completed my second documented 1000 mile day on my V11 LeMans Nero Corsa.
The Sport 1100 has been mainly relegated to backroads blasts and track days because of other bikes in the stable. It's a mighty versatile motorcycle, though. Just after the Park City trip in September '99, I participated in my second Jason Pridmore's STAR School in October. I rode the Sport 1100 on the track for the first time at that school. Over the next few years, I took it to Hallett, Oklahoma a few more times for track days.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/Hallett-Trackday-October-2005/mike-guzzi-9/46255445_bNuvK-M.jpg)
And, then ultimately I was fortunate enough to ride a track day at Barber's in Birmingham, one of the USA's premier road racing facilities.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/Birmingham-Milk-Run-Barbers/IMG8063/26243970_cFoSE-M.jpg)
One of the reasons I'm spending money on the Sport 1100 right now is because I want to ride it more. Over the past few years I've been averaging less than 1,000 miles per year on the poor beast. Once my forks come back from MI with fresh seals/oil/springs, I'm going to lever on a new set of Pirelli Diablo Strada tires. It's not had sport-touring tires on it in awhile. It's going to need them, though, because I'm in the planning phase of my next IBA documented ride and this time I'm planning on doing it on the Sport 1100!!! So don't be surprised when you see a weekend ride report for my Sport 1100 where it covers 1,500 miles under me!!!
stay tuned...
;-T
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Rocker59
This is a great tread keep us informed an ride safe.
Gary
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The waiting game...
The good folks at MI serviced my Marzocchi forks and installed the WP springs last week. The forks are on a truck somewhere. Hopefully they'll be here tomorrow or Friday...
I just placed an order with American Motorcycle Tire for a set of Pirelli Diablo Strada tires. $228.66 delivered to my door! They'll be here next week...
Mobil-1 is waiting on the shelf, along with a new hose clamp destined to keep the Roper/Moto Moda sloppage sheet company in the sump...
I'm anxious to take a ride on the Sport 1100. I guess that's about ten days away, weather permiting...
;D
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Rock.....on! ;D
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Rocker, you're killing me! I want one...
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A motorcycle the way God, Guzzi, & Dr. John intended... ;-T
We got a break in the weather this weekend! Yesterday, I had the new set of Pirelli Diablo Stradas mounted by my friend Jesse at a local dealership, so I took the opportunity of today's good weather to scrub 'em in...
This ride also gave me the chance to sample the new suspension. As mentioned earlier in the thread, I sent the forks off to Moto International for some work. WP fork springs, new seals, and 10wt fork oil.
My route was a familiar one. I picked it mainly because I knew it wouldn't be too dirty from recent snows with the remaining sand and chat. From Fayetteville, AR-16 East then AR-23 South to Turner Bend. Turner Bend Store is on the Mulberry River. There's a campground there and canoe rentals. The store is also a pretty popular place for motorcyclists to stop. Many of you may have heard of AR-23. It's known as "The Pig Trail" and is a popular motorcycling road.
My route: MAP (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.901287,-94.10614&num=1&sll=35.866685,-93.971525&sspn=0.39197,0.37131&ie=UTF8&ll=35.866795,-93.971558&spn=0.504135,1.229095&z=10)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/turner-bend-11710/767006503_r8yRU-L.jpg)
Well, intial impressions of the Pirelli Diablo Stradas are good. I wasn't pushing it real hard because the road is still winter dirty, but they have a nice, neutral feel. A little slow on the initial turn-in, but much better than the Dunlop RoadSmarts I have on the Nero Corsa right now. The Pirellis actually work really well and I can't wait to push them a little harder on clean pavement.
As for the forks... Man, what a difference! The forks match the shock now for the first time. Much stiffer springing. Much better damping with the 10wt oil. This 80 mile shakedown has me very excited about rides to come this year on the trusty old Sport 1100 !!!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/sport-1100b-117/767066201_f3DZe-L.jpg)
;D
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Well... Did 140 mile jaunt today since the mercury hit over 60. I have to say I totally agree with my friend about the iridium plugs agreeing with the V11 engine. It is a different bike. She just pulls harder plain and simple. It's the best $16 bucks I've ever put into a bike. Doesn't seem many have found a difference on this sight and I was sure skeptical when he told me about both his '00 Sport and '02 Lemans pulling harder. I have always respected my friend since he understands subtly better than anyone I know. I took the plunge and really had nothing to lose since they last longer anyhow. He was not joshing. It is much more Centauro-ish now with these plugs. It's got bigger gonads and I'm liking it.
My 2 pennies.
-Kevin
Care to share details about the iridium plugs so I can try a set? Thanks.
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My luggage amounted to a Marsee tank bag and a GiVi E50 bolted onto the pillion pad. The setup worked great and I actually had plenty of luggage space!
Rocker, how has the top box bolted to the pillion pad worked out for you. I got a $10 2nd pad off ebay with the intention of doing something similar, but the rear tab on the pad just slides under the plastic bodywork and it makes me nervous. Did you reinforce the bodywork in any way?
Bill Lovelady IS
Eskimo Spy
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My luggage amounted to a Marsee tank bag and a GiVi E50 bolted onto the pillion pad. The setup worked great and I actually had plenty of luggage space!
Rocker, how has the top box bolted to the pillion pad worked out for you. I got a $10 2nd pad off ebay with the intention of doing something similar, but the rear tab on the pad just slides under the plastic bodywork and it makes me nervous. Did you reinforce the bodywork in any way?
Bill Lovelady IS
Eskimo Spy
Hey Bill,
I really only rode with that setup for one or two trips. I bolted the GiVi mounting plate straight to the pillion pad. As you noted, that's not a real secure way to do it because of the way the pillion pad is mounted. You really need to bolt through the pad to the subframe, but I never attempted that. To get me by, I used bungees to help secure/stabilize the topbox to the bike. There are four points with rubber bumpers under the pillion that seem like good places to bolt to. I've just never pursued it. On other trips with this bike, I borrowed some soft luggage from a friend that worked out pretty good. For the past five or six years, I've not taken this bike on any overnight trips.
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A motorcycle the way God, Guzzi, & Dr. John intended... ;-T
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/sport-1100b-117/767066201_f3DZe-L.jpg)
;D
Great thread Rock. One of the biggest mistakes of my life was buying a '97 Triumph Daytona instead of the Guzzi Sport 1100 sitting right next to it on the showroom floor.
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Some nice person needs to buy you the factory engine stand.
Does anyone have a picture of/a link to this and if so, would be kind to post it? Just wondering if I could have my brother (he's a metal worker) make one for me. It would be a great birthday present wish :)
(http://www.xtupload.com/new/image-0CDB_4B5539DE.jpg) (http://www.xtupload.com/new/share-0CDB_4B5539DE.html)
This is a home built one. Unfortunatly it's out on loan sitting under a 75% completed V7 sport so pictures of it are not easily obtained but, you get the idea. However for the work that you're doing on the front end, a floor jack and some sort of buffer, i would use a hank of two by four, or your "poly air pillow" would be my weapon of choice!!!!
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Well... Did 140 mile jaunt today since the mercury hit over 60. I have to say I totally agree with my friend about the iridium plugs agreeing with the V11 engine. It is a different bike. She just pulls harder plain and simple. It's the best $16 bucks I've ever put into a bike. Doesn't seem many have found a difference on this sight and I was sure skeptical when he told me about both his '00 Sport and '02 Lemans pulling harder. I have always respected my friend since he understands subtly better than anyone I know. I took the plunge and really had nothing to lose since they last longer anyhow. He was not joshing. It is much more Centauro-ish now with these plugs. It's got bigger gonads and I'm liking it.
My 2 pennies.
-Kevin
I didn't notice any extra power when I put them in my V11, but idle speed increased, so I had to re-set it.
-
Just back from a daytrip into the wilds of Northwestern Missouri. 646 miles in 12 hours to retrieve my new trailer.
Yep! I picked up the trailer I'll soon be pulling behind my Nero Corsa!
For months I've been mulling over what to do about a trailer. Build my own. Buy used. Buy new. What to buy. What to build.
I came up with a plan to use aluminum tubing and a 25x54 Thule cargo box, but just never could get motivated to collect the parts and start the project. I still like the idea, but I just haven't had the time to mess with it. I thought of a UniGo, but couldn't find one used. New ones are too pricey for me right now. Same goes for most new trailers. I did find a cool trailer on Ebay that I liked. It's about the right size at 36x57. Streamlined and would look good with the Nero Corsa. But, with shipping, still a little too pricey. I really like it, though:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/333579309tp1/787626786_qiaVQ-S.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/333578802tp1/787626793_Yfins-S.jpg)
Well, I finally stumbled upon Bob Carr up in NW Missouri. He's been playing with a cool idea in trailers. Refrigerators! Yep! He took a vintage fridge and made it into a trailer to haul his camping stuff in. People liked 'em, so he's made a few more. I saw an ad for one that I really liked, so I sent him an email, then visited with him on the phone.
We came to a deal, so this morning, I hit the road and headed North to his place in the Suburban to pick up my new acquisition:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5310/787620459_KeNo3-M.jpg)
The one I chose measures out to 24x44. Total width is about 36", something I was trying to stay close to, as that's the width of my NC with bags. My new trailer is a vintage mini-fridge made by Frigidare sometime about 50 years ago! It's got independent torsion axles and 8" wheels/tires.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/BkLngmkKGrHqEH/787632476_sfbLF-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/BkLbMCBmkKGrHqQH/787632468_hjMmu-M.jpg)
Bob is a cool guy. Has a nice shop where he tinkers with projects like this during to winter months. Here's his trailer. It's all tricked out with LED lighting:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5312/787620439_dirvj-M.jpg)
He's working on one I'd have bought, if it had been complete. It's a "Cromwell" fridge and has the coolest door I've ever seen. It's got an automotive style center crease/peak and some faux louvers. Very '50s looking. It's 30x57, I think. Very cool!!!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5311/787620443_G7HdK-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5313/787620570_n2YcY-M.jpg)
So, after visiting for awhile, he helped me load my little trailer into the back of the Suburban, and I headed South for home. Nice drive today. Temps in the 30s, but it was foggy most of the day. The freezing fog this morning was cool. I really enjoyed seeing a part of the country I'd not yet seen. This was my first trip up I-35 North out of Kansas City.
So, here are a few pics I snapped once I arrived home and unloaded the new trailer:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5314/787620719_T2X3n-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5315/787620714_m5GR7-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5317/787620916_a5MHH-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/motorcycle-trailer/DSCN5319/787620929_gdL8q-M.jpg)
So there you have it. Now all I have to do is install and adapt the UniGo hitch I have in the garage. Hopefully I'll be pulling it to Fools on a Hill in a month...
;D
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Cool. Does he take the insulation out?
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Cool. Does he take the insulation out?
Yeah. It's just the sheetmetal shell. Plywood floor. Automotive carpet liner.
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Very cool idea.
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cooool beans Mike....new Sport front end and trailer for the the black one.
Are you goiong to fooldson a hiill? You should be set.
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Hey Mike, cool setup. any idea on the total weight and tongue weight? May have to do something similar myself.
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cooool beans Mike....new Sport front end and trailer for the the black one.
Are you goiong to fooldson a hiill? You should be set.
Yes! Planning on making The Fools on a Hill campout!
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Hey Mike, cool setup. any idea on the total weight and tongue weight? May have to do something similar myself.
I've not weighed it, yet, but the builder said 140-lbs. It feels lighter than that to me.
Empty, the tongue weight feels like 12 or 15 lbs.
I'll be testing it ASAP.
I need to get some parts for my hitch.
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Hey Mike, cool setup. any idea on the total weight and tongue weight? May have to do something similar myself.
I've not weighed it, yet, but the builder said 140-lbs. It feels lighter than that to me.
Empty, the tongue weight feels like 12 or 15 lbs.
I'll be testing it ASAP.
I need to get some parts for my hitch.
Wow, that is light. I have and old 40's model fridge and the little harbor freight trailer. Hmmm....
-
Now how to figure out a tidy tail/trailer hitch combo. ::)
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Now how to figure out a tidy tail/trailer hitch combo. ::)
Tail tidys are OK for sunny-day bikes, but I ride in too much rain to reduce the already skimpy fender coverage...
:D
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I see this thread has taken a side trip to the "dark side" of motorcycling. ;-T ;D I'm always for "other" thinking. Good luck with the project.
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That is really really neat! Always cool when a durable good that reached the end of it's useful life goes on with another role to play.
You know everyone going to be hitting you up as the official beer run coordinator. 12, 18, 24 packs, yeah, you can haul them! ;D ;)
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Good read Rocker. I also have a 96 Sport with 123,000 miles on her. It looks like you have the exact same swing arm stand and engine jack I have. I bought mine used, with 3500 miles on her, from a guy in Jasper Arkansas. I've been on some of those roads you listed. The Ozarks is my favorite place to ride.
A good remedy for the long reach to the bars is to swap them left for right and flip them upside down. Way better than Heli bars. I'm comfortable doing multiple 750 mile days with the bars like this. I use a Ventura Rack-Pack system for trips. Good for about a 10 day trip.
I plan on fitting the Keihin carbs one day, the way it was meant to be.
I've owned alot of bikes over the years. I wish I still had a couple of them. I won't make that mistake with the Sport. I will never sell her.
Steve
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How do the door seals stand up to bad weather? I can't see that he's made any modifications to them.
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How do the door seals stand up to bad weather? I can't see that he's made any modifications to them.
I'll have to let you know later this year when it gets pulled in the rain.
-
Whew! This has been a bad winter. I finally got the Nero Corsa out for its first ride of the year today. Temp got up to around 50-degrees. Sky was partly sunny! Not bad!
Today's ride was just a backroads ramble with a new passenger. We were gone for a three hours, or so, and covered around a hundred miles, I guess.
No complaints from the 5'-9" passenger... Who says you can't ride 2-up on a Spine Frame Guzzi?
Points of interest included Devil's Den State Park, Lake Fort Smith State Park, and Artist's Point on old US-71. Oh, and some really great twisty Ozarks byways...
Fools on a Hill in Two weeks! Woo, Hoo!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/marcia2/799367344_9PVrY-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5333/799367308_BMZQZ-M.jpg)
8)
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Glad you're out and about, Mike!
I love the new conversion fridge/trailer - and I think it looks great.
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Glad you're out and about, Mike!
I love the new conversion fridge/trailer - and I think it looks great.
Yeah, it was a nice little loop.
Here's the route: Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=fayetteville,+ar&daddr=West+Fork,+Washington,+Arkansas+to:AR-170+W%2FAR-170+Scenic+W+to:chester,+AR+to:Shepherd+Spring+Rd+to:Artist+Point,+Crawford,+Arkansas+to:brentwood,+ar+to:fayetteville,+ar&hl=en&geocode=%3BFRgpJAIdBcxi-il_6SC8d2TJhzFvjlK-4_tqVg%3BFbAaIgIdEcZh-g%3BFZRyIAIdGgBj-im13s23MNvLhzHzVS_LMaR-2A%3BFeW2IAIdudNj-g%3BFXwKIQIdrpNj-ilVo_psZNzLhzGmIer_SB9ZTA%3B%3B&mra=ls&sll=35.858587,-94.159527&sspn=0.063024,0.153637&ie=UTF8&z=10)
You'll have to come back and ride some local twisties sometime!
-
Winter Projects...
As delivered, the rear Ohlins spring is pretty soft (by sporty standards... It's still a log wagon in comparison to something like an '07 Norge ;) ). I've been keeping my eye on Ebay for Ohlins springs. Recently I won an auction on a 1093-36/105 spring to replace the 1091-26/85 that was original equiment on the bike. The 1093 spring is 10mm shorter, but much stiffer (600-lbs vs. 485-lbs), and should improve the bike's handling when riding 2-up, when loaded for camping, AND when I'm feeling like dragging a few hard parts on a nice Sunday afternoon:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5242/705871218_uKset-M.jpg)
stay tuned...
Finally got the Ohlins spring installed on the Nero Corsa tonight. The roadtrip to Fools on a Hill with Marcia and camping gear really overtaxed the wimpy stock 1091-26/85 spring.
Last week, I added some eyebolts to the ceiling of the garage so I could accomplish this task more easily since I still don't have a centerstand on the Nero Corsa.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5437/833159351_ZxvZq-L.jpg)
To get to the shock, I had to remove the fuel tank, the side covers, and the airbox. I then unbolted the shock and pulled it off the bike. Then, I used the tool I bought from Moto International to loosen the stock spring, remove the collar, and slide off the old spring...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5435/833159214_uYxZq-L.jpg)
Then, I reassembled the shock with the new 1093-36/105 spring. It's about 10mm shorter than the OEM spring, but much stiffer. I added about 15mm of preload, then reinstalled the shock into the Nero Corsa, then reversed my steps from earlier... Airbox, sidecovers, fuel tank...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5434/833159231_C9NQ5-L.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/DSCN5436/833159204_MbR5N-L.jpg)
Marcia happened to be over at the house, so after buttoning things up and putting the tools away, we hopped onto the bike for a little roadtest...
After a few miles of bumpy twisties near the house, all I can say is "WOW!!!" What a difference the new spring makes in the way the bike feels two-up. Night and Day! The bike was actually fun to ride with a passenger tonight. It felt more like work with the soft stock spring, but more "normal" with the new stiffer spring.
Tomorrow, we'll go on a 200 mile ride with the folks from the locak BMW shop. I'm anxious to see how the bike performs...
-
Was that a spring compressor tool that you borrowed?
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Just in from the Uncle Calvin surprise campout... 500 mile overnighter with the trailer. Add that to the 670 last weekend for the Swamp Goose campout and I'm working on 1200 miles of mototrailerpulling. .. Trailering is different. It's sure nice to be able to haul a bunch of camping gear in the trailer and a passenger on the pillion!
Several people have asked, so I weighed the trailer tonight when I got home...
Loaded:
Tongue weight right at 25-lbs
Trailer weight right at 239-lbs
I'll get the empty weight later this week after I get it unloaded...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-April-17-Swamp-Goose/DSCN5573/841053724_ueZWW-M.jpg)
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I haven't posted to this thread in awhile. There area few ride reports out there that mention pulling the trailer with the Nero Corsa. It's actually working out quite well and has allowed me to haul a passenger AND camping gear to some great events this spring! Swamp Goose, Uncle Calvin, SWMO... I've got some refining of hitch and trailer to do, but 1500 miles of 2-up trailering under my belt and I'm really digging it!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Partisan-Ride-Pix/2010-April-24-Calvin-Surprise/DSCN5700/850178870_ddS97-L.jpg)
This weekend was something different, though... I wanted to make the 25th Annual MGNOC Illinois Rally... I'd heard lots of great things about the rally, and I'd never been to that part of the country, so I decided to check it out. Work's been tough lately, so I could only make it a one-nighter. People looked at me funny when I told them I was riding 500 miles to camp one night, then riding back home... But, hey, the destination is great and all, but riding is what it's all about...
I've got some fresh Diablo Stradas on the Sport 1100, and I've been wanting to test its legs for an IBA BB1500 I have in mind, so the decision was made: Leave early Saturday morning and quickly ride the 500 miles up to the Illinois Rally, enjoy the scene, then take in some sights along The River Road coming back. Well, the bike performed flawlessly even though this thousand mile weekend was more miles than I'd ridden it in the past year! Fast, comfortable, and great fuel economy! Who says you can't tour on a spine-frame?
The outwardbound leg covered right at 505 miles and nine hours. With a bit of a tailwind, it returned 49mpg on the first tank,48mpg on the second and third tanks! Not bad for a bike with a pair of Keihin FCR41s, Staintunes, and a K&N in the airbox! The homeward leg covered about ten additional miles and took me an additional hour-and-a-half because of photo stops and a lunch stop!
I couldn't be happier with how the bike performed!
Preparing for departure at the Faux Chateau:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/DSCN5884/877870122_rUyrZ-L.jpg)
At Big River State Forest, home of the Illinois State Rally:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/DSCN5917/877859964_6fo93-L.jpg)
High Noon Sunday in Hannibal, Missouri:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/DSCN6008/877867991_7pTAK-L.jpg)
The Landing in Hannibal. Those bricks/cobble stones feel real funny on a motorcycle!:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/DSCN6004/877867556_jYtZQ-L.jpg)
A storefront window in Hannibal. What a pretty picture! ~;
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/window-2/877870200_yQMMy-L.jpg)
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Great to see you again Mike.
Dean
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A storefront window in Hannibal. What a pretty picture! ~;
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-May-22-MGNOC-25th/window-2/877870200_yQMMy-L.jpg)
I can never do a picture like that with a digital camera. Whether the Olympus I had, or the Kodak I have now, no matter what setting I use, whenever I push the buttom to take a picture, the camera goes:
"Hey, someone pushed the button! I guess they want me to take a picture! Well let's see now, have we got enough light? Yes, looks like it. Is it set on video or photo? Photo, I think. Do we need to adjust the focus? Motor, move the lens a bit. Good, right there, hold it. So lets get to it; shutter, are you ready to open? You are? All right then, let's do this!"
so about a second and half after I beg the camera to snap a photo, , the camera finally gets around to it, AFTER the event I want to capture has happened ....
These things must hate me as much as I hate them. There's a lesson here.
Good photos and a good travelogue!
Lannis
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You need a faster card, Lannis.. I think. At least a fast card made a world of difference on mine.
Sorry I forgot to officially meet you at Illinois, Rocker.. crs kinking in again.
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Sorry I forgot to officially meet you at Illinois, Rocker.. crs kinking in again.
Unfortunately, I didn't arrive until around 4pm Saturday. I walked around the grounds a bit on Saturday evening after the BBQ dinner, but I didn't get to meet as many people as I had hoped...
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That beautiful red bike sure looks lonesome without a passenger on the pillion....<divclass="msgbox">Nofilesuploaded!</div>
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That beautiful red bike sure looks lonesome without a passenger on the pillion....<divclass="msgbox">Nofilesuploaded!</div>
Finally, your first post...
Maybe next time... ;)
Do I need a hitch for this one, too? :D
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That beautiful red bike sure looks lonesome without a passenger on the pillion....<divclass="msgbox">Nofilesuploaded!</div>
Finally, your first post...
Maybe next time... ;)
Do I need a hitch for this one, too? :D
Sounds suspiciously like "asking permission". Careful, now .... :D
Lannis
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That beautiful red bike sure looks lonesome without a passenger on the pillion....<divclass="msgbox">Nofilesuploaded!</div>
Finally, your first post...
Maybe next time... ;)
Do I need a hitch for this one, too? :D
Better stick with the Nero red that Sport might get a bit uncomfy for you.
Dean
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That beautiful red bike sure looks lonesome without a passenger on the pillion....<divclass="msgbox">Nofilesuploaded!</div>
Finally, your first post...
Maybe next time... ;)
Do I need a hitch for this one, too? :D
Better stick with the Nero red that Sport might get a bit uncomfy for you.
Dean
I would have thought that the basic ergonomics on the two bikes would be very close to the same ... ?
Lannis
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Similar, but noticeably different.
On the Sport 1100, for the passenger, the pegs are a bit higher and narrower. The seat is wider and flatter. The seat is stepped.
She's been on a few rides on the back of the Sport 1100 and likes it. She likes being able to see over me (I'm leaned more forward because of the low clipons). And, she likes the fact that she can see what's behind us in the mirrors.
As for the pilot, the Sport 1100 is narrower at the feet and the knees. The bars are Ducati 916 low. Seat and pegs are in the same position as on the V11 LeMans, though the seat is flatter and wider on the Sport 1100.
-
The Sport is actually more comfortable for me. I like the wide, flat seat, and love the higher pegs. Sounds wierd, I know, but it really feels more natural. If I hadn't spent years practicing yoga, I might have a different perspective, but I love it! I can't wait to get on it again.
hint....hint.... ;)
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She's been on a few rides on the back of the Sport 1100 and likes it. She likes being able to see over me (I'm leaned more forward because of the low clipons).
"Being able to see over me" is one of my pillion's greatest wishes .... I'm constantly on the hunt for a combination of stepped seat and workable bars (I couldn't do Ducati 916 clip-ons, can do older Lemans low bars) that will work for us both.
Lannis
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She's been on a few rides on the back of the Sport 1100 and likes it. She likes being able to see over me (I'm leaned more forward because of the low clipons).
"Being able to see over me" is one of my pillion's greatest wishes .... I'm constantly on the hunt for a combination of stepped seat and workable bars (I couldn't do Ducati 916 clip-ons, can do older Lemans low bars) that will work for us both.
Lannis
There was a great '97 Sport 1100 on ebay awhile back.
Naked. It had Centauro headlight/guages and a ProTaper bar.
Would've been a great all 'rounder...
Unfortunately, the owner got impatient and broke it down for parting out...
:(
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She likes being able to see over me (I'm leaned more forward because of the low clipons).
You're a better man than I, my friend. I found the weight of a passenger coming down on my back made my wrists sore in a hurry on that bike. Even a tiny little bit of a thing (115 lbs?) was a problem after about half an hour.
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Yep, took the wife for a short 60 mile ride & that was the first & last - neither of us are eager to go two-up on the torture rack again. Though I may have sabotaged the experience by giving her a loose fitting open face helmet that acts like a para-sail - I think the helmet strap was partially embedded into her chin after that ride. :D
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Redridinghood and I did 135 miles of curvy Ozarks highways on the Sport 1100 a few weeks ago.
Nothing but fun!
Of course, she's done 1500 miles on the back of the Nero Corsa this spring, too, so she's probably just as insane as I am!!! ~;
You folks who have your passengers putting too much weight on you should have them place thier hands on the tank or top of your thighs and put thier weight there. They can also support themselves with their legs.
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On seeing my '93 Daytona monoposto. The girlfriend asked "Where do I sit?" I told her that she doesn't ride with me on that bike. That's why I have the other bikes. ;D ;D
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My wife does not lean against me at all. The HB rack helps a lot in that aspect. If she gets nervous the handles on the saddlebags are nearby to hang onto.
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You guys aren't listening to rocker59 with his "...you should have them place their hands on ... top of your thighs " . It's a progressive strategy, apparently. ;-T
On the other hand, that would be worse than using a cell phone ... :o :D
Lannis
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On the road in Kansas this past weekend. Another 700 miles with pillion and fridge:
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Shutter10000/KS%20Rally%2009%2010/IMG_0031.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Shutter10000/KS%20Rally%2009%2010/IMG_0027.jpg)
;-T
I'll try to put the ride report together this week...
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On the road in Kansas this past weekend. Another 700 miles with pillion and fridge:
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Shutter10000/KS%20Rally%2009%2010/IMG_0031.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/Shutter10000/KS%20Rally%2009%2010/IMG_0027.jpg)
;-T
I'll try to put the ride report together this week...
Hey Mike, the Fridge is to carry Her Stuff right?
Dean
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Been awhile since I've added to this thread... Didn't ride a lot during July and August. It was hot here this year, and it was the busy season at my job...
I rode the Sport 1100 over to the Oklahoma Chow Down at Okarche (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=37486.0) in early July.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-July-3-Okarche-Lunch-Ride/DSCN6247/922777950_9hquR-M.jpg)
...and again to the Four States Chowdown (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=18944.120) in early August. Two-up, this time...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-August-7-Four-States/DSCN6272/963254703_qpPAs-M.jpg)
August 21, and it was the Nero Corsa's turn for a two-up ride to the Oklahoma Chow Down in Ponca City (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=27278.120).
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-August-21-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN6369/978533475_N4Zeo-M.jpg)
And that's where it happened... Rolling in to Barnsdall, Oklahoma (200 miles from home) the Shift System Spring in my Nero's tranny broke, leaving me with only 5th gear... I wasn't about to end my trip early, so I (very gingerly) babied the bike onward to Ponca City, then to Cherokee, Kansas for the night. Luckily, the country out there is big and flat, with few stops. The trusty Nero Corsa made it home, travelling over 300 miles two-up with trailer stuck in 5th gear...
Well, what prompted this post tonight was an email from Todd at MPH, letting me know that my parts were on the way. This is actually the first breakdown I've had on a spine frame Guzzi after riding the two I have for a total of almost sixty thousand miles. Pretty good track record, me thinks... The Nero Corsa has travelled just over 32,000 miles with the broken odometer at 12,000 miles the only repair I've had to perform... Heck, I've never had to mess with the efi, or anything on this bike! It's been a good one!!!
Now, I have a deadline looming and work to do on the Nero... In a couple weeks I'm planning to leave on an all-Guzzi road trip to Northern New Mexico... Santa Fe/Taos/etc... 2,000+ miles of moto-goodness... This weekend I'll be performing surgery on my trusty mount and readying it for this year's western adventure.
Stay tuned for the gory details... :BEER:
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Good luck on the repairs and the roadtrip. Any chance of pix for that repair?
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Been awhile since I've added to this thread... Didn't ride a lot during July and August. It was hot here this year, and it was the busy season at my job...
And that's where it happened... Rolling in to Barnsdall, Oklahoma (200 miles from home) the Shift System Spring in my Nero's tranny broke, leaving me with only 5th gear... I wasn't about to end my trip early, so I (very gingerly) babied the bike onward to Ponca City, then to Cherokee, Kansas for the night. Luckily, the country out there is big and flat, with few stops. The trusty Nero Corsa made it home, travelling over 300 miles two-up with trailer stuck in 5th gear...
How did you get the bike rolling with a load in 5th gear? Sort of clutch/declutch, clutch/declutch until it was rolling? Even 10 MPH in 5th gear is below idle speed ... sounds like a real motivation never to stop!
I always wondered how Wild Bill Gelbke was able to get "Roaddog" in and out of gas stations, you probably know now!
Lannis
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I wonder how he was able to make turns at slow speed. ;D
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How did you get the bike rolling with a load in 5th gear? Sort of clutch/declutch, clutch/declutch until it was rolling? Even 10 MPH in 5th gear is below idle speed ... sounds like a real motivation never to stop!
Lannis
I had to slip it up to about 20mph. The bike would pull from 1800rpm. Basically, I turned it up to about 1500rpm and slowly fed it clutch until it was engaged all the way. that was usually about 1/2 a block, about 1800rpm and about 20mph. Once engaged, I just rolled the throttle on very slowly until it was over 3500rpm, then it was no worries.
It was a pain. I had to do about 20, or so, starts on the way home and could smell clutch a couple of times... But, I was surprised at how tractable the V11 engine remained in that situation. Severe duty, for sure, but it got me home like Guzzis usually always do...
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Heading out for some Saturday Night fun, but thought I'd mention that the pre-selector assembly was removed from the bike today. It was disassembled and the new spring installed. With a little (quite a bit, actually) fiddling, the pre-selector assembly was reassembled, and the gears properly (I hope) timed...
In the morning, I'll re-install it on the bike, fill it with some fresh Mobil-1, and give it a little road test... ;-T
Pictures to follow in the morning... :BEER:
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I'm interested.
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I love this thread, sir.
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As promised, here are a few photos from the job. A short road test after reassembly seems to indicate a successful operation! :BEER:
After reading a few old threads here and at v11lemans.com, and looking at the exploded diagram in the service manual, I started Saturday Afternoon by draining the transmission gear oil out in the driveway.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6432/1004809256_PFKms-M.jpg)
Then I pushed it back into the garage and began removing things... The starter cover, the battery, the starter, all of which came off the bike quickly...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6433/1004809381_w38Xp-M.jpg)
I removed the battery mainly to clean out the tray and the area around it since I ride in all weather and hadn't cleaned it up in awhile...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6434/1004808208_zndDF-M.jpg)
After the starter came off, the pre-selector assembly cover was in full view...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6435/1004808368_HB6AJ-M.jpg)
I removed the shifter mechanism from the shaft, removed the bolts holding the cover on, then gently pryed the cover. Once the gasket sealant (what little of it there was) gave way, the suspect spring's broken part fell out the bottom (along with the remaining tablespoon of oil in the tranny).
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6436/1004808496_ohZQg-M.jpg)
When I finally coaxed the cover off the bike, this is what the backside looks like. Disassembling this assembly was next on the agenda. Snap ring pliers are helpful here, as there are two on each shaft holding the gears on. Disassembly actually only takes a couple minutes once you look at how it's put together...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6437/1004808650_rh74M-M.jpg)
While cleaning the gasket surfaces, I snapped a photo of the transmission's innards... Pretty clean looking in there.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6439/1004808937_hdec6-M.jpg)
Reassembly of the pre-selector assembly is a little tedious and I had to do it a couple of times to ensure that the gears were timed properly after taking it apart to install the new spring. You have to start in neutral and there are a couple of marks on the gears to help with this. I tested the assembly in my lap several times, making sure I could run it through 1-N-2-3-4-5-6. It seemed to be working...
At this point, I'd been piddling around with the project for about three hours. Time flies when you're having fun, right? ;) It was time to take a break and get cleaned up for some Saturday Night fun, so I left the project sitting over night...
So, about noon today I get back after it. I applied some gasket sealer to the mating surfaces, then slid the assembly back in place. it took a little coaxing, but I was finally able to get it secured with its screws and wiped away the excess gasket sealant. I tested the shifting by spinning the back wheel with my hand as I shifted up and down through the gears... I was sweating a bit, but it seems to shift fine, if a little notchy...
At that point I reinstalled the shift linkage, the starter, the starter cover, the battery, then 850ml of Mobil-1 gear oil went into the transmission...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/DSCN6440/1004809085_rpR8n-M.jpg)
A short road test confirmed that it's shifting through the gears in a pretty normal fashion. It seems a little notchy, but that may just be me. I can put it into a false neutral between 5th and 6th, but it may have been that way before, I don't know... I'm probably just being hyper-critical of my work after digging so deep into my trusted touring bike...
Another road test is in order this afternoon. Probably go run 50 to 75 miles just to put my mind at ease. Having the bike back together feels good! This means the big ride to New Mexico at the end of the month is still on, and I may even bow to pressure from Marcia and Peg, and make Mo-Kan next Saturday Night!
We'll see...
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I'm interested.
I love this thread, sir.
Thanks guys! ;-T
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Thanks. For some reason I was thinking that I'd have to disassemble the bike to do the repair. Remove the trans. type of repair.
Pretty cool! ;-T
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Just in from 2,000 miles of 2-up trailering on the Nero Corsa. Passenger, trailer, AND bike survived...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-September-24-New-Mexico/DSCN7019/1034557379_RzZwP-M.jpg)
Only a couple of slight modifications were necessary to make the trip comfortable...
Foam grip covers and Throttle Rocker:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-September-24-New-Mexico/DSCN7512/1034563355_miCrc-M.jpg)
Air Hawk for rider and for passenger:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-September-24-New-Mexico/DSCN7514/1034563577_kWRJk-M.jpg)
Here we are at the distant point of our week. Brazos Cliffs overlook on US-64 in Northern New Mexico:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-September-24-New-Mexico/DSCN7150/1034562538_ETpg7-M.jpg)
The transmission surgery of a few weeks ago to repair the "shift system spring" was successful and the tranny shifts like butter!
My trusty Nero Corsa is proving to be a most versatile machine!!! Something like 38,000 miles on the old girl now and I'm loving every mile!!!
More details on the Throroughbred and the Milk Wagon in the upcoming ride report... :BEER:
edit: Here's the link to the Santa Fe 400 Ride Report: LINK (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=40450.0)
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A post I added in the Oklahoma Chowdown thread (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=40600.0)... 2-up, 400 mile overnighter on the Sport 1100!:
Great time! ;-T
Thanks to our host at "The Brookside Bed & Breakfast" for putting us up Friday Night! Marcia and I departed Fayetteville at around 545pm and arrived in Tulsa (via AR-16 and US-412) around 745pm. A few beers and shooting the bull, then down to Crow Creek on South Peoria in Tulsa for some really good burgers and drinks. We walked off our dinner by strolling down Peoria to a local pub for another, before heading back to the B&B.
Sunday Morning, Marcia cooked up some great scrambled eggs and sausage to tide us over until lunch at Seaba Station. Just before 10am, we fueled at the Quick Trip, then headed for our meetup point, Brookside Motors, the local Guzzi dealer in Tulsa...
Michael D befriended some random BMW d00d named Hal at the QT , who decided to join us for the run out to Seaba Station.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7640/1053984426_4kSbR-M.jpg)
Michael D in the lead, we grabbed I-44 across the river, then OK-66...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7643/1053959175_dcKLt-M.jpg)
Just on the West Side of Sapulpa, Michael D took us across a bridge and along a particularly old section of the former Route-66...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7645/1053961645_BeaLm-M.jpg)
Pretty awesome old bridge with an unusual brick deck...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7646/1053962885_wYNcy-M.jpg)
The route took us past a great old (and "for sale") Drive-In...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7648/1053965710_Ddo5N-M.jpg)
Narrow and winding... Danger around every curve, back in the day, I'm sure...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7649/1053967169_jneM7-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7652/1053971470_mX35s-M.jpg)
As usual, there were some cool old houses along the way...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7654/1053972722_qPzxo-M.jpg)
Soon enough, we were back on the "newer version" of Old 66 and parading Westward with some HD and 'wings...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7655/1053974181_W2KVY-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7660/1053981743_dpoep-M.jpg)
They pulled in for gas at Bristow, leaving us pretty much alone on OK-66...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7663/1053945776_q5UBw-M.jpg)
At the quaint (and nearly deserted) town of Depew, we pulled off the highway for a little break...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7664/1053947163_NT5k3-M.jpg)
Some cool old buildings in this town. Unfortunately, the only ones open these days are the grocery, the florist, the barber, and the post office... Pretty quiet little burg...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7665/1053948617_3kz5K-M.jpg)
Soon enough, we reach our destination for the day...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7690/1054011561_wL8h9-M.jpg)
Cool four-wheeled stuff at Seaba today, too...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7666/1053949921_br4Pc-M.jpg)
...but this is what we're here for:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7667/1053951226_MYpAe-M.jpg)
It was 1230pm by the time we arrived and apparently many bikes had already come and gone...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7673/1053988309_ELKKt-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7687/1054007193_Dmmdm-M.jpg)
The original 2-stall privy for the old gas station:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7675/1053990800_vSWBG-M.jpg)
A portion of the Guzzi crew that showed up for the event:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7668/1053952645_ohNCt-M.jpg)
Guzzis were well represented at the event. I counted ten or eleven during the time we were there...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7670/1053955131_KbbTg-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7671/1053985664_CLg3P-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7674/1053989631_c6cKj-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7672/1053987032_NYeQn-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7683/1054002293_PfSAY-M.jpg)
They even have a nice old Guzzi on display inside...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7677/1053993592_zcEoR-M.jpg)
Marcia and I made a loop through the museum:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7676/1053992176_3aqCJ-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7680/1053997898_uKAYm-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7681/1053999334_g2wsG-M.jpg)
This was a pretty interesting Street Tracker. Evo Sportster-based, but with modified heads to run the carbs and exhaust XR750-style...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7684/1054003508_39GgR-M.jpg)
Ah!!! The most beautiful bike in attendance!!! ;)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7685/1054004780_ekYHj-M.jpg)
The road in front of Seaba is very inviting!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7686/1054005925_fCqSN-M.jpg)
Gary Scott describes "the flasher incident"...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7688/1054008727_4Um8M-M.jpg)
A late arrival. The rare blue/champaign Quota! This guy is from OKC, but doesn't post here or belong to MGNOC...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7691/1054013042_d3qZB-M.jpg)
Lots of late-model British iron in attendance...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7693/1054014381_BkNF8-M.jpg)
Around 330pm, we said our goodbyes. Michael D, Marcia, and I headed back East on OK-66...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7695/1054017669_pq2Qm-M.jpg)
Some random buildings on the way home:
Yet another Route 66 Museum:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7696/1054019118_7GPh3-M.jpg)
Phillips 66 on Route 66:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7697/1054020590_qQWdZ-M.jpg)
A great old Victorian house:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7698/1054022048_9hRWd-M.jpg)
Lincoln Motel:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7700/1054024907_m8eQ9-M.jpg)
Old Gas Station:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7704/1054030921_3QH9A-M.jpg)
At Bristow, Michael D continued towards Tulsa. Marcia and I grabbed OK-16 for Muskogee where we'd pick up US-62 the rest of the 200 miles home...
OK-16:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2010-October-16-Oklahoma-Lunch/DSCN7701/1054026388_ZkrRg-M.jpg)
We arrived back in F'ville about 745pm after running the 200 miles from Seaba Station. What a great time!
Oh, and don't let anyone tell you the spine frame bikes can't go 2-up... Marcia and I had a great time on this little 400 mile overnighter with the trusty old Sport 1100 !!! ;-T
I bought this bike new in March 1997. Going on 14 years of ownership and I've loved every minute of it!!! ;-T
The Route: Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Fayetteville,+AR&daddr=36.10293,-94.34828+to:S+Peoria+Ave+to:36.10433,-95.97572+to:36.0766104,-96.0751122+to:Sapulpa,+OK+to:35.9943015,-96.154568+to:Kellyville,+OK+to:Bristow,+OK+to:Depew,+OK+to:Stroud,+OK+to:Davenport,+OK+to:Chandler,+OK+to:Warwick,+OK+to:35.69564,-96.92872+to:35.8202504,-96.4172029+to:Muskogee,+OK+to:Tahlequah,+OK+to:Fayetteville,+AR&hl=en&geocode=FXRFJgIdjkVj-imdPrUve2_JhzHPyLT8afAZRQ%3BFRLjJgIdCFxg-inr-_NzJnTJhzEd6ZGVp1pqeg%3BFQblJgId2IZH-g%3BFYroJgId2IZH-imB3BOEUJO2hzG6ju55opvOHQ%3BFUJ8JgIdmAJG-ik_qUt80L-2hzHly3k3C2Aliw%3BFe1LJQIdCmpF-ilruK_zLby2hzEwbPjgojEbBw%3BFb06JQIdOMxE-inZbDcOdby2hzHSx41BrYl4HQ%3BFRF1JAIdkuVD-inTNDq-x7q2hzHFgo7NaL1iCA%3BFWm7IgIdMjBB-ikRnjA7pKy2hzEy9r9SHWcs_A%3BFeFOIgId924_-imtxBTZTFaxhzFqs2__coqKHw%3BFUh7IQIdZx09-im7bAtWNV-xhzFBsNFK_rReig%3BFdXPIAIdjXo7-ik3uDgC7N-zhzGpmNRSblXlJg%3BFePDIAIdJrc5-intbwqapWKxhzHpb17AZV0CFg%3BFQiGIAIdXdU3-imdSPkKc9azhzGotntqV3QypQ%3BFRisIAIdMPw4-ilTJsrn8tezhzEEpN3kYExtoQ%3BFdqSIgIdTspA-imn634CsFSxhzE5pCT0akkOwg%3BFSV4IQIdJcZQ-ilFm_wxTuC1hzEooLlVcPzBdw%3BFWoGJAIdnN9W-imXIECjIfvJhzFmQ4K4SmUIbQ%3BFXRFJgIdjkVj-imdPrUve2_JhzHPyLT8afAZRQ&mra=ls&via=1,3,4,6,14,15&sll=35.777714,-97.069702&sspn=0.491331,0.88028&ie=UTF8&z=8)
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;-T ;-T ;-T
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Superb! ;-T
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Bump!
I'm on the trail-this thread has me panting!
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Thanks! ;-T
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Thanks guys!
I've got a couple of old threads I need to work on... Haven't added to this in awhile, and never finished the New Mexico ride report, either.
Had a job change the first of December and I've been working a screwey schedule. That, and the riding I've done lately has around town, and that's been on the Bassa.
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I really enjoy reading this thread whenever you update it. ;-T
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http://forum.animaguzzista.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12311#p1132686 (http://forum.animaguzzista.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12311#p1132686)
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Are you changing the trailer operations over to the Bassa?
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Great thread. You're making me want a Sport 1100.
Tobit
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Very nice. I like the tail treatment on a few of those . (bump)
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I like the under the seat exhaust on #4...
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I like #7 w/the QuatD muffler and BLACK of course!
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What eye candy. The Sport 1100 and Daytona were what drew me to Guzzi in the first place.
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The trusty Nero Corsa turned 40 last week. Yep. Somewhere just north of Hermann Missouri, on the way to The National, it rolled over 40,000 miles! ;-T
Seems like it had about 2,300 miles on the clock when I picked it up in January 2006. It's been a trusty steed. Oil and tires, plus valve adjustments are all that's been required.
The Nero has not had its efi or tps touched in all that time. Great bike!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2011-July-6-MGNOC-Iowa/i-CZVb4Vf/1/M/Nero-Parade-M.jpg)
There are a few niggling things that probably need to be addressed:
1) The left fork leg has a leaky fork seal.
2) The front crossover has finally gotten loose. Needs either new seals/shims, or just deleted.
3) There is a rattle in the front fairing. I suspect a loose headlight adjustment screw, but I haven't looked.
4) It does pop and spit a bit when it's hot and humid, and when it doesn't like the fuel it's being fed.
5) The rear brake is kind of noisy when pushing the bike backwards.
I can tell you that the 89 octane ethanol they sell in Iowa is pure swill. The poor bike ran like Pure-D shite on that stuff. Unfortnately, many stations up there only had 87 and 89. The manual calls for at least 90 in this bike and it will ping a bit on lesser grades. Luckily I was able to find some real-deal 93 octane gasoline at a few places and that made all the difference!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2011-July-6-MGNOC-Iowa/i-bprWxNQ/0/S/DSCN8879-M.jpg)
It's performed well as a tug, er, a Thoroughbred hitched to a milk wagon... The trailer weighs about 240 loaded. I weigh about 230, and my pillion weighs about 140. That's over 600 lbs for the poor little bike to lug around, but it does it quite admirably.
The clutch seems to be holding up quite well, even after the 300 miles stuck in 5th gear last summer with the shift spring broken, and nearly 10,000 miles tugging the trailer around. The bike just keeps on keeping on!
It is about due for a new set of tires. The 1,600 mile roundtrip to The National really put the hurt on the ME880s. This set has served well. They went on the bike a little over a year ago, just before the Kansas Campout, and are nearing thier service life (in my experience) of about 10,000 miles. The ME880 is, by far, the best choice on these bikes if the "touring" part of "sport-touring" is emphasized.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2011-July-6-MGNOC-Iowa/i-kTBwZPN/0/M/DSCN8824-M.jpg)
So why exactly did they quit building the spine-frame bikes? Who the hell knows? They're great Moto-Guzzis!
Every Guzzisti should own one! :BEER:
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2011 Ride Reports:
March: Fools on a Hill: Link (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=43427.0)
May: SWMO Ride Report: Link (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=36134.0)
June: Eureka Springs Ride Report: Link (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=37370.0)
July: Elkader Ride Report: Link (http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=47224.0)
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Love the updates Rocker, but, my God man! You've posted your gals weight on the internet! You could've at least beclouded the issue with the use of voodoo measurements like the metric system. What's next, age, shoe size? Be afraid, be very afraid!
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Love the updates Rocker, but, my God man! You've posted your gals weight on the internet! You could've at least beclouded the issue with the use of voodoo measurements like the metric system. What's next, age, shoe size? Be afraid, be very afraid!
She had a birthday this past weekend, but that's all I'm going to say about that... :D
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She had a birthday this past weekend, but that's all I'm going to say about that... :D
Smart man.....yes, very smart man! :D
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**C You forgot to mention that she's tall, very tall.(Trying to save your bacon here) ;D ;D
**C Dave ;-T
P.S. Michael correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Marcia takes a lot of these pictures off the back of the bike while they're moving.
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Yep, Miss Swivel Hips! Mike said he' doesn't have a clue when she's turned a 180 degrees for a snapshot.
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P.S. Michael correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Marcia takes a lot of these pictures off the back of the bike while they're moving.
Yes, she takes most of the "moving" pics. My new camera is not real ergonomic for one-handed use, and she loves watching the world go by and snapping photos.
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Nice thread!! I totally agree about the spine-frame bikes... specifically the V11 Lemans for a sport-tourer. I too had a shift spring go at about 25000 miles or so but stuck in first. Had to limp across town in over 90 degree weather. Really sucked and she was quite hot to boot. I've also never had to adjust EFI or TPS over all the years and miles. I'm at about 30k now. She runs like snot and smooth as silk. Glad to hear there are others like her out there. Keep posting about your journeys. Very enjoyable to read.
-Kevin
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Another rally/campout season is drawing to a close. The ME880s on the Nero Corsa are just about done. Oklahoma will be thier last roadtrip. 10,000 miles two-up and pulling a trailer ain't bad! And the performance penalty really isn't that bad for real-world sport-TOURING type riding. The front could go longer, but I think I'll replace them as a set...
The old Nero Corsa has clocked 40,000 miles of fun, mostly trouble-free riding. I sure do like this bike for the way we use it, and Marcia sure likes travelling on it.
It'll get cleaned up when it gets new tires this fall. The season here in The Hills goes (almost) year-round...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2011-October-1-Texas/i-CK2jH3r/0/M/nero-lindale-1-M.jpg)
(photo courtesy Paul Valentine)
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Bump.
Just so I can find it again.
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Thanks!
I'll try to take some time and post some updates soon. I work evenings right now, and for some reason I can't get onto WG from the work computer...
Haven't really been riding much this winter. Been devoting a lot of time to the horses. Rally season will be kicking off in March.
Hopefully, I'll get some riding in before then!
I added a Tonti LeMans to the stable a few weeks ago, so maybe I'll be able to post up some comparisons in the coming months.
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I just pulled the trigger on a new set of tires for the Nero Corsa. I'm going to try something different. Over the past three years, I've been running the ME880. At first, just on the rear with a Z6 on the front. Then, I moved to an ME880 set. For the 2-up trailering/touring that we've been doing over the past few years, they've really fit the bill. 10,000 mile tire life has been nice with the ME880.
I stretched the ME880s life through the winter, but the Fools on a Hill campout was the last ride for them. Cord is finally getting ready to peek out in the center of the tire. They held up good. No real complaints. They steer a bit slower than I prefer, but overall they've been very good tires.
For the same replacement price (about $300 for the pair), I've decided to give the brand new Michelin Pilot Road 3 a try. The tire has been getting rave reviews, and I'm planning on transferring some of the touring duties to Miss Bassa this year, so a slight reduction in tread life won't kill me. People say they really last, but I'm hoping I get a slight increase in turn-in and cornering performance in the exchange. American Moto Tire should ship them out in a day, or two. I'll have them installed for the ride down to The Louisiana Campout in Homer.
On another note, Marcia and I rode the trusty Sport 1100 on a 130 mile lunch ride this afternoon. We enjoyed a great lunch in Catalpa at the general store, then explored the locally famous "swingin' bridge" over The Mulberry River, and enjoyed some toe-scraping fun on AR-215, AR-23, and AR-16, with stops at Turner Bend Store and Mulberry Mountain. The old Sport 1100 is really balanced with its OEM WP shock and OEM Marzocchi M1 forks with WP springs and 10wt oil, and was running great on its $4.03/gal Shell Premium fuel...
Google Map Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Fayetteville,+AR&daddr=Black+Oak,+AR+to:Catalpa,+Ozone,+Arkansas+72854+to:Turner+Bend+Store,+Ozark,+AR+to:4117+Mulberry+Mountain+Loop,+Ozark,+AR+72949+(Mulberry+River+Mountain+Ranch)+to:Fayetteville,+AR&hl=en&sll=35.86486,-93.84222&sspn=0.528633,0.877533&geocode=FXRFJgIdjkVj-imdPrUve2_JhzHPyLT8afAZRQ%3BFfASJQIdbIBk-ik5IzVahGfJhzHJHLf39-UwQA%3BFc6bIAId0uVs-ik5woJmdhrMhzGXR6vMi5RKLw%3BFTtAIAId7Upo-iGdMzY4hDtPoin_3MoTsvDLhzHd74WG1ooqxA%3BFQTsIAIddbto-iHLGdM1qiKyxynFaVMbu_nLhzEniumTEb-uHw%3BFXRFJgIdjkVj-imdPrUve2_JhzHPyLT8afAZRQ&oq=black+oa&mra=ls&t=m&z=10)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-1-Catalpa-Ride/i-tVjpWv6/0/L/1204010005-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-1-Catalpa-Ride/i-RRRLJNv/0/M/Photo239-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-1-Catalpa-Ride/i-2MszCx2/0/M/1204010003-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-1-Catalpa-Ride/i-Q4xFktL/0/M/Photo237-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-1-Catalpa-Ride/i-dHnmz4C/0/M/1204010001-M.jpg)
(http://s17.postimage.org/tyu8q8gx7/120401_0001.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/tyu8q8gx7/)
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I just pulled the trigger on a new set of tires for the Nero Corsa. I'm going to try something different. Over the past three years, I've been running the ME880. At first, just on the rear with a Z6 on the front. Then, I moved to an ME880 set. For the 2-up trailering/touring that we've been doing over the past few years, they've really fit the bill. 10,000 mile tire life has been nice with the ME880.
I stretched the ME880s life through the winter, but the Fools on a Hill campout was the last ride for them. Cord is finally getting ready to peek out in the center of the tire. They held up good. No real complaints. They steer a bit slower than I prefer, but overall they've been very good tires.
For the same replacement price (about $300 for the pair), I've decided to give the brand new Michelin Pilot Road 3 a try. .....
I've had several sets of ME880s and two sets of Pilot 3s, albeit on different bikes. I predict slightly better handling and about 2/3 of the tire mileage from the Pilot 3s than from the 880s ......
Lannis
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I've had several sets of ME880s and two sets of Pilot 3s, albeit on different bikes. I predict slightly better handling and about 2/3 of the tire mileage from the Pilot 3s than from the 880s ......
Lannis
6500 miles on the rear would kind of suck, but it'll probably last me a year since I have other bikes to spread the miles out.
I hope there is some handling benefit with the mileage penalty. If not, you'll see me back on the ME880s!
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Tires:
Well, for the past three years, I've been running the ME880 radials on the Nero Corsa. For the mission, they've been great: touring-oriented sport-touring. I was not real happy with tread life on the Z6 Roadtec, with 4k to 6k out of a rear. Next was the Dunlop RoadSmart, with 5k to 7k out of a rear. I did try a Z6 front / ME880 rear combo for awhile in 2009. It worked pretty good, handled great, though the initial turn-in did feel odd for the first thousand miles. After that, though, the combo was fine.
Eventually I went to a set of ME880s, and have been really really happy with the combo. I had heard some horror stories of these tires in the wet and other miscellaneous negative comments. Those comments mainly came from people riding bikes with horsepowers of 50+ more than my Nero Corsa has. In my experience, which has mainly been high-speed, all-weather, 2-up touring, the ME880 has more than performed. The great thing being the 10k mile rear tread life.
My most recent set finally got down to the steel coming home from Fools on a Hill, so it was time again to order a new set of tires. People have been ranting about the new Michelin Pilot Road 3, so I thought I'd give it a try. The hope being that the tire performs a little better in the twisties than the ME880, but with close to the same tread life. I guess we shall soon see.
I removed the wheels/tires today, and tomorrow will take them to a friend at a local Honda shop for mounting. Here are a few pix for comparison. One thing that concerns me is the rear load rating for the PR3 is much lower than the load rating for my ME880 REINFTL. I fear that will mean 6k to 7k rear treadlife for the way Redridinghood and I ride the Nero Corsa. I'll report back...
Pit Bull stands come in handy:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-n95vn9X/0/M/DSCN9571-M.jpg)
The fronts. The ME880 has some life left in it, but I like replacing in pairs:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-tK73j7v/0/M/DSCN9567-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-jjMkV3C/0/M/DSCN9569-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-kXVTsZk/0/M/DSCN9568-M.jpg)
The rears. The ME880 has a load rating of 78. The PR3 is 72.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-FL5zqC8/0/M/DSCN9563-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-CHc9ghV/0/M/DSCN9562-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-X4rVKMQ/0/M/DSCN9564-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-qg5T8Dx/0/M/DSCN9565-M.jpg)
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Hey, Mike, would you mind taking a closer picture of the way you have the front on that stand? TIA I have a stand like that, I think. Always have used it on the rear.
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I use the engine hoist for dropping front and rear wheels. Blocking the engine and trans. mounts while I play with the wheel/tires. You don't want the bike to be a pinata while hanging there. ;D
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Tires:
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2012-April-9-New-Tires/i-tK73j7v/0/M/DSCN9567-M.jpg)
My buddy, Jesse, at the local Honda shop mounted up the new PR3 tires this morning, and I took time at lunch to get them on the bike...
I think I'll ride it to work today and sample these new skins...
:bike
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Hey, Mike, would you mind taking a closer picture of the way you have the front on that stand? TIA I have a stand like that, I think. Always have used it on the rear.
It's a Pit Bull front stand. I think it's too narrow for use as a rear, except maybe on a little bike...
Oh, be sure you have the rear wheel on a stand, or hung from a lift before using the front stand. The bike will not stay on the front stand by itself...
(http://s14.postimage.org/nxjethfwt/DSCN9572.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/nxjethfwt/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/vhkcobydj/DSCN9573.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vhkcobydj/)
(http://s8.postimage.org/mzhh2d9fl/DSCN9575.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/mzhh2d9fl/)
(http://s12.postimage.org/xz0dots95/DSCN9577.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/xz0dots95/)
(http://s15.postimage.org/cxwvj7007/DSCN9576.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cxwvj7007/)
(http://s8.postimage.org/owe76y03l/DSCN9578.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/owe76y03l/)
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Thanks, Mike. I have a Pit Bull rear and a font stand that fits the triple tree. Only problem is, with Rosie, I have to pull the fairing to be safe when using it. Maybe I can mod my rear to use on the front like yours. I've already made a stand that lifts the rear by the pork chops.
Thanks for the pix!
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Holy crap Tom............... you wouldnt happen to have a low milage unmolested Nero or Corsa in that herd some where would you???????
Im looking!!
:pop :bow
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Nero Corsa not for sale. Part of the LeMans collection. Daytona models not for sale.
Here's what's for sale:
'01 V11 Sport Rosso Mandello.
'00 V11 Sport Black w/red frame.
'95 Sport 1100 Black carbs.
'95 Sport 1100 Red carbs.
'97 Sport 1100i Yellow.
'91 1000S Green-currently spoken for.
'80 SP1000 NT.
'80 Convert-currently spoken for.
All low mileage. PM if interested. I haven't advertised yet. I'm looking to narrow the herd down to the LeMans models. Will include crating. Easiest way is to ship to San Diego for fly-n-ride. I don't have pix on all of them but can take. Might be able to do the phone pix thing. Not really sure on how to do that.
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I'm looking to narrow the herd down to the LeMans models.
;D ;-T
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Yeah...what can I say? ;D It started out as a LeMans collection then expanded to the sport models. Then it was what ever else was interesting. Along the way I ended up a bunch of non-Guzzi stuff. I have to do an inventory every once in awhile. ;D
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Mike where did you buy the PR3s? I am looking to get tires for my Cafe Sport and Cycle gear is telling me almost $500 for the set. I was thinking of going with Angels. I can find them for $300 a pair.
Myke
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Mike where did you buy the PR3s? I am looking to get tires for my Cafe Sport and Cycle gear is telling me almost $500 for the set. I was thinking of going with Angels. I can find them for $300 a pair.
Myke
I like Bike Bandit for their AMA discount of %10 off and they usually already have good prices. http://www.bikebandit.com/michelin-pilot-road-3-motorcycle-tire (http://www.bikebandit.com/michelin-pilot-road-3-motorcycle-tire)
Oh and I have the Pilot 3 on the front and a Pilot 2 on the back of my V11 Lemans. They seem to be a good set of tires, but I've not experimented with other tires yet to compare.
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I took my Angels to Todd Egan to put on. He said, " I wish I could put you on a set of Dunlop Q2s back to back." Motorcycle Superstore has them on sale right now, a little less than the Angels I bought. I'll probably try em next time. Todd knows his stuff.
I *like* the Angels, by the way..
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Mike where did you buy the PR3s? I am looking to get tires for my Cafe Sport and Cycle gear is telling me almost $500 for the set. I was thinking of going with Angels. I can find them for $300 a pair.
Myke
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/
Free Shipping. I think my set of PR3's was about $295 +/-.
They're pretty good. I've been ordering tires from them for a few years, now.
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Just a reminder to check the simple things first:
Tuesday Morning, I was riding the trusty Sport 1100 home from work when it cut out a few times. The closer I got home, the more it would cut out. Felt like it was running out of fuel.
I checked the odometer and had only been 132 miles. The first thought that came to mind was that one (or both) of the electric fuel petcocks were failing. Or, the screens were clogged with junk.
The bike cut out a few more times in the few miles it took me to get off I-540 and into a gas station. When I topped it off, the tank only held 3.2 gallons of gas. That had me thinking again that the petcocks were failing, as the tank holds 5 gallons.
On the few remaining blocks home it sputtered again, so I rode up the hill in the back of the neighborhood, riding slow, trying to determine if it was fuel or electric causing the problem. At the top of the hill, the bike died. All electric was gone.
Well, that answered my questions on "fuel or electric". While coasting the mile down to the house, I was pondering relays and ignition switches and fuses... I was able to coast the whole way home! It was great!
I pulled the passenger pillion and before checking fuses and relays, I grabbed one of the negative leads to the batteries and yep! LOOSE, LOOSE, LOOSE!
A quick snugging of the bolt with a 10mm socket and driver, and I was back in business!
I'm not sure why the negative lead suddenly decided to loosen, but I was glad it was such an easy fix!
The Sport 1100 is sitting outside my office right now, waiting for me to fire it up and head home again at about 07:00.
What a great old bike! We'll probably be taking it to the McAlester deal on Saturday. 2-up, 300-mile lunch ride.
I'm looking forward to it!
;-T
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**C Exactly same thing happened to me with the V7C. See you guys Saturday in Baja, OK. ::)
**C SG ;-T
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I had the haunted ground cables on my Spot - in fact still do - and after a bunch of bolt securing attempts, I settled on a set of "disc-lock" washers on all four terminals (jeezum-crow! 2 batteries and it's not a diesel!?!) so far, so tight.
Don'tcha just love the effect of loose cables at highway speed and no cushdrive? Feels like mechanageddon back there.
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mechanageddon
;D
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I had the haunted ground cables on my Spot - in fact still do - and after a bunch of bolt securing attempts, I settled on a set of "disc-lock" washers on all four terminals (jeezum-crow! 2 batteries and it's not a diesel!?!) so far, so tight.
Don'tcha just love the effect of loose cables at highway speed and no cushdrive? Feels like mechanageddon back there.
Must be much like the "camnarok" going on under my Stelvio valve covers ....
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I hate to admit that I just discovered this thread today, but I just read the whole thing through and it's been a great one. ;-T
Glad to hear so many positive thoughts on Spine ownership. I've only had mine for just under 2 months, but I'm in love. :bow :)
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I hate to admit that I just discovered this thread today, but I just read the whole thing through and it's been a great one. ;-T
Glad to hear so many positive thoughts on Spine ownership. I've only had mine for just under 2 months, but I'm in love. :bow :)
Glad to see a younger rider buying a Spiney ;-T
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Unkept and I will help keep the Spine-frame flame burning. :D ;-T
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Spent some time this morning prepping the Nero Corsa for the weekend's trip up to Mo-Kan. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I've not started or ridden this bike since the Louisiana Campout in April ! :o
On the return trip from Louisiana, the exhaust crossover gaskets gave out. So, too, the starter. I had to bump start the bike a few times on the return trip because the started locked up. Having three other bikes, plus two horses, meant that the Nero Corsa went to the back of the garage for the summer. I've been commuting on my V7Classic and my LeMans 1000 CI, occasionally breaking out the Sport 1100.
So, today, after months of putting it off, I installed the OEM fibre gaskets I recieved from Todd @ MPH a couple months ago. That went pretty well, but what a stupid system. Why not just metal on metal slip-fit like ever other motorcycle? Well, anyway, the install was pretty easy, with one of the gaskets needing a little trimming to fit. Now I have a nice, quiet exhaust system!
The interchangeability of Guzzis is one of thier big plusses for me. To address the starter issue, I double checked all relays and confirmed that the starter was, indeed, the fault. Then I simply removed the starter from the Nero Corsa, and replaced it with the starter from my Sport 1100.
Bingo! The Nero Corsa started on the first try! Six month old gas, and the OEM battery that hasn't seen the charger since July! Heck, the tires hadn't even leaked down. Crazy! Naturally, I had to take a victory lap around the block, and all went well! ;-T
Tomorrow, I'll clean it up and hook up the trailer, and begin preparing for the trip to Mo-Kan!
I guess I need a starter. Anyone have a line on a nice, used starter from a late model Guzzi?
:bike
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So, because of rain, we hauled the V7C to MoKan.
The next week I decided to ride the Nero Corsa to work since I'd prepped it for the rally and didn't take it.
On the way up to the office, somewhere on I-540, that telltale exhaust leak sound returned... When I arrived at work and took a look, I was shocked to see the entire front crossover missing! :o
Dang stupid thing! So now, I either need a replacement crossover, or I need to do the right thing and buy a set of Guzzitech's "crack proof" headers for the poor bike. Damn! It was running good, too! Heck of a fun ride on the nearly new Michelin PR3 tires...
This has been a great motorcycle for me. I've put about 40,000 on the thing, the most of any bike I've ever owned. Unfortunately, a list of things to do has accumulated this year:
1) Left mirror needs replaced, which I broke messing with it in the garage.
2) Front exhaust crossover needs replaced, or new headers without the crossover sourced.
3) Needs a new starter. The OEM unit has locked up on me. I've been switching starters between the Sport and the Nero, but I just need to buy one.
4) Clutch is slipping sometimes. I've been able to get it to slip a time or two at very high load/high rpm. Maybe it needs some adjusting, or maybe the 2-up trailering and the "stuck in 5th gear ride" have taken thier toll.
So, the Nero Corsa parked for now. Winter project, I guess.
:bike
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I just realized tonight that I'm nearing the 100,000 mark on Guzzis...
In round numbers:
Sport 1100 - 29000
Quota 1100 ES - 12000
Nero Corsa - 42000
Bassa - 10000
LM-V - 1000
V7C - 1500
Six Guzzis and 95,000 +/- miles... Nearly half of those miles on the Nero Corsa...
I think that says something right there.
:bike
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Finally got the starter thing all sorted out. Recieved a starter from Moto Guzzi Classics last week.
(http://s10.postimage.org/sm8bpcqhh/DSCN9394.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/sm8bpcqhh/)
First, I pulled the Sport 1100 starter from the Nero Corsa, then installed the one I picked up from MGC.
(http://s11.postimage.org/cgl5u2abj/DSCN9395.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cgl5u2abj/)
The remote reservoir for the Ohlins shock is a little bit of a PIA, but otherwise the swap went quickly.
(http://s10.postimage.org/ko0l1upzp/DSCN9396.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/ko0l1upzp/)
I had the bikes lined up nose to tail in the garage, so I slid down to the Sport 1100 and reinstalled its original starter that I'd robbed for use on the NC.
(http://s16.postimage.org/m3chu99ld/DSCN9397.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/m3chu99ld/)
You gotta just love the simplicity and interchangeability of Moto Guzzis!
I'm gonna check the forecast and ride the Sport 1100 to work tonight, if its not gonna storm.
Next for the Nero Corsa is a new mirror and an improved exhaust option. I'm torn between the "crack proof" headers from Guzzitech...
http://forum.guzzitech.com/store/category/33-v11s.html
...or the super badass system from Agostini's.
http://www.agostinimandello.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&category_id=32&product_id=491&Itemid=59&lang=en&vmcchk=1
Mmmm.... SEXY!!!
:bike
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Is that the starter I pointed you to on eBay? ;-T
Do you have an aftermarket crossover already? If not, I'd say go with that Agostini exhaust!
I've always wanted this Rossopuro exhaust myself.
(http://s11.postimage.org/42y0j6fgf/SC3_G0007_TI_qd_v11_high_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/42y0j6fgf/)
http://www.rossopuroitalia.it/index.asp?Prd_ID=93&Prd_PrdType_ID=11 (http://www.rossopuroitalia.it/index.asp?Prd_ID=93&Prd_PrdType_ID=11)
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Yeah, man! Thanks for the heads-up on that starter. Those guys at Moto Guzzi Classics are great!
The Nero Corsa is completely stock, save for the trailer hitch.
I've been jonesin' for that Agostini's exhaust for months. I'm really tempted to take the plunge.
I love the Rosso Puro stuff, too, but need low exhaust because of luggage and 2-up options.
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I understand the two-up concerns. My wife needs to have some leg room as well. :D
Without VAT (before shipping) the Agostini system should be $625. That's $15 less than the crackproof headers and it includes a crossover. ;-T
I wonder how much shipping will be? Also, will the stock ECU run well at all with the setup? MyECU time?
If you go the Agostini route, let me know the details! I'm interested for a similar setup in the distant future. :)
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Guzzitech's page is a little confusing, but the headers are actually $320 for the pair. If I added a Stucchi crossover, then I'd be in the same ballpark.
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Guzzitech's page is a little confusing, but the headers are actually $320 for the pair. If I added a Stucchi crossover, then I'd be in the same ballpark.
Ah, much more realistic pricing. Good to know.
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How important do you think the front connector/cross-over on the stock pipe is to performance / smooth power band? They were a later addition on the V11s, and the aftermarket replacements don't have them. I recall GSXR's (and others) use a front header connector to blend the exhaust earlier as well.
Guzzitech's page is a little confusing, but the headers are actually $320 for the pair. If I added a Stucchi crossover, then I'd be in the same ballpark.
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How important do you think the front connector/cross-over on the stock pipe is to performance / smooth power band? They were a later addition on the V11s, and the aftermarket replacements don't have them. I recall GSXR's (and others) use a front header connector to blend the exhaust earlier as well.
Todd at Guzzitech said it wasn't really measureable on his dyno. I remember him posting that he'd build headers with the front crossover, for those who wanted it, but that it had little or no effect on performance.
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After getting its starter back from the Nero Corsa, the old Sport 1100 just couldn't stay in the garage on a nice day like today! So, I did the right thing and rode the old battle wagon to work.
What a great bike. This old bike starts and runs good every time. No drama, just go. And go, it does! These Sport 1100s are geared pretty tall and are deceptively fast, making short work of the commute this afternoon!
I really love the bike's shade of red, and the full Staintune exhaust is pure music. 5th gear and 4700/4800 rpm. Can't ask for much more!
As usual, the only bike in the parking lot at the office.
(http://s12.postimage.org/cvigprwy1/Sport_1100.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/cvigprwy1/)
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Purdy. Oughta be in Luap's thread.
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Well, I finally decided how to address the Nero Corsa's shoddy front exhaust crossover...
I bit the bullet and had an email exchange with Nicola at Agostini's in Mandelo del Lario...
I'll be recieving this exhaust very soon:
Agostini's V11 Exhaust Link (http://www.agostinimandello.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&category_id=32&product_id=491&Itemid=59&lang=en&vmcchk=1)
When in doubt, go all in... That's what I always say...
:food
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trick stuff.
I won't ask.
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Interesting to see the finished photo. Haven't thrown money at my V11 in a couple years and still can't imagine selling it.
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Glad to see you are picking those up! I can't wait to hear your feedback. How much is it costing you total? I wouldn't mind going that way myself one day. ;-T
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Glad to see you are picking those up! I can't wait to hear your feedback. How much is it costing you total? I wouldn't mind going that way myself one day. ;-T
Well, at today's exchange rate, about $730 delivered, plus any credit card transaction fees I get clipped for doing the Euro/Dollar exchange.
500 Euro for the exhaust. 65 Euro to ship.
I'm going to stay with the stock cans for now.
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out with the old...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-hTgRW5b/0/M/DSCN9803-M.jpg)
in with the new...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-jW8SZMP/1/M/DSCN9815-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-Hj5N7wn/0/M/DSCN9806-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-XcQXbZf/0/M/DSCN9810-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-4Lc6SsP/0/M/DSCN9807-M.jpg)
A little test ride in the cold rain, and all seems to be well...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-XhmjxhK/0/M/DSCN9814-M.jpg)
no more probelmatic front crossover. no more evap canister.
the pipes are larger diameter, and though I wish they were plated or polished, they're pretty in a purposeful sort of way.
Nicola at Agostini's was a pleasure to deal with!
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Like them! Would they fit your Sport too?
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Very nice! Any noticeable sound or power changes? :)
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Like them! Would they fit your Sport too?
If I'm not mistaken, the exhaust ports on the V11 are larger than on the Sport 1100. I'm sure it could be "made to work", but I already have Staintunes on the Sport 1100, which work (and look) really nice.
Very nice! Any noticeable sound or power changes? :)
Well, I'll have to await another day for testing driveability. It was 40 degrees and raining pretty heavy when I rode it around the neighborhood in 1st and 2nd gears.
There "may" be a little deeper tone to the exhaust, but with the stock cans, it's still very quiet.
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and though I wish they were plated or polished, they'r
You can polish them. A big buffing wheel, some rouge, a little elbow grease..
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Discovered a new lunch destination yesterday...
I've been riding past this place for awhile. When riding in Newton County, we usually eat a Ozark Cafe or Cliff House, saying, "we really ought to stop and try them sometime" as we ride by.
Well, yesterday we were discussing lunch destinations, and decided to make Low Gap Cafe the object of our lunch ride. Red called ahead to make sure they would be open. "Until 2pm", they said. We hopped on the trusty old Sport 1100 at about 11:30 and 68 miles, and about an hour later, we arrived at Low Gap.
They were having a buffet, and man! It was something! Steak & Mushrooms, fish, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, rice, bisquits. All good!
Talked to the owners for a bit after dinner. They mentioned they have music on Saturday Nights. The hillbilly kind, just like we like! We'll be going back soon!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-vKm3dH9/0/M/DSCN9669-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-ddZKMWt/0/M/DSCN9666-M.jpg)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Low-Gap-Cafe/331015646912397 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Low-Gap-Cafe/331015646912397)
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/75/1659932/restaurant/Arkansas/Low-Gap-Cafe-Jasper (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/75/1659932/restaurant/Arkansas/Low-Gap-Cafe-Jasper)
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31696-d3294191-Reviews-Low_Gap_Cafe-Jasper_Arkansas.html (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31696-d3294191-Reviews-Low_Gap_Cafe-Jasper_Arkansas.html)
:ricky
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(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-f7KcnDp/0/M/DSCN9668-M.jpg)
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Driven by there many times but never stopped.
BTW, what was the place in Jasper that had a bear in a cage?
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Driven by there many times but never stopped.
BTW, what was the place in Jasper that had a bear in a cage?
The Dairy drive-in. It's changed hands a couple times over the past few years. No bear, no more.
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Love the old battle wagon!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-CtvGRWz/0/O/03.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-HDpjRwV/0/L/16-L.jpg)
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Love the old battle wagon!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-CtvGRWz/0/O/03.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-HDpjRwV/0/L/16-L.jpg)
I have to say, of all Guzzi's, the 1100 Sport has the "sport style" DOWN! ;-T
If only we got the Euro headlight, that's the only thing which can make those bikes look any better. IMO.
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I've always wanted a Euro Fairing / Headlight, but it's just never worked out that I had the free money when one was available...
I agree, it's about the only improvement needed in the styling of the bike. I
t's too bad about the ugly DOT headlight. But, my other favorite sporty bike, the 1990s Ducati Supersport had the same one!
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For you V11 experts out there, I have a question:
My 2004 Lemans has decided to not show its headlight or brakelight, and the tach is not working. They are on the same fuse and relay. I have checked fuse (F5) and it is good. Even swapped it for a known good one. I've recently replaced the relay (34) with a USA-made unit from O'Reilly's. In fact, I've replaced all the relays recently.
It's acting like either the fuse or relay are out, but known good parts are there. Am I missing another component in the line? Any suggestions?
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/schematics/2004_V11_Sport_Catalytic.gif
What the schematic doesn't show is the position in relay rack under the seat, in the tail section, that relay 34 occupies. Can anyone tell me?
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Here's the little reminder I have for the relay order...
From front-to-back, it goes:
START
LIGHTS
NEUTRAL
ECU
EFI
Hope that helps.
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Here's the little reminder I have for the relay order...
From front-to-back, it goes:
START
LIGHTS
NEUTRAL
ECU
EFI
Hope that helps.
Thanks!
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I have thought about carrying extra fuses and relays for my V11, but had not researched enough to know which ones were prone to failure / what to carry / etc. Is there a fuse/relay survival kit that V11 travelers should consider carrying?
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Have you checked the cable that goes into the headlight assembly to make sure it's seated? I don't have the schematic with me to give more details....
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My guess is the headlight relay's not picking up, it feeds 12V to the tach and also the Voltage reg so you won't be charging either.
Do you have a good 5 pin in the start position?
Unplug the headlight relay and test for Voltage on pin 30 and 85 or 86
I may be wrong about charging if you don't have a Ducati Energia reg
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My guess is the headlight relay's not picking up, it feeds 12V to the tach and also the Voltage reg so you won't be charging either.
Do you have a good 5 pin in the start position?
Unplug the headlight relay and test for Voltage on pin 30 and 85 or 86
I may be wrong about charging if you don't have a Ducati Energia reg
I had a bad OEM relay and replaced it with another one, a spare, that also failed.
I've bought new, supposedly better, relays, but just wanting to confirm relay position on the rack.
I've installed a new relay in the #2 position, but still have no headlight, brake light, or tachometer.
Either I have another bad relay, or something is causing the relays to fail, or there is a wiring problem between the relay and one of the lights...
I'm sure it's something simple, but I'm not really very quick with electrics.
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I have thought about carrying extra fuses and relays for my V11, but had not researched enough to know which ones were prone to failure / what to carry / etc. Is there a fuse/relay survival kit that V11 travelers should consider carrying?
Look at your fuse box and carry one of each of the 5, 10, 15, and 30 amp fuses. I keep mine in a small box in the tail.
I have sourced replacement relays from O'Reilly Auto. I can get you the part number, if you like. I would carry at least one relay in the box with the spare fuses.
On my trip to Ouray, I had a relay fail in Enid, Oklahoma. Luckily, it was a weekday and O'Reilly's was open. If it had failed out in the boonies, it would've been much less convenient.
The relay is somewhat of an oddball, and O'Reilly's will probably only have one in stock.
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Dpguzzi on this board also sells the relays. He has a replacement front brake light switch.
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Yes, please post the part number for the relays, I am going to get a backup or two (plus the fuses).
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order good relays from Pyro dan here,
http://dpguzzi.com/
5 for 20 bucks, good deal on good relays.
Rocker, have you inspected the relay base? it may have bad connection.
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These are the relays I got from O'Reilly's. They're about $13 each. They're the blue ones...
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-czwFMt3/0/M/DSCN9546-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-nPfzz9C/0/M/DSCN9547-M.jpg)
So, this afternoon I double-checked my work. Installed new 15 amp fuse for headlights. Swapped relays around, using one that would run the fuel pump in the headlight position.
No Joy.
Foto, next I will have to check the connections under the relay rack. You might be on to something there. Maybe I have a loose, or worn wire under there...
:BEER:
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because if you have a Corbin or any other seat in might be crushing down on the relays? OR check that the plug into the CPU isn't getting pinched from seat pressure.
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Remove the headlight relay then probe the base with a meter or test light to chassis.
Standing on left side of bike the relay base 30 contact should be the furtherest from you (it's the large one by itself) and should read 12 Volts.
With the key on you should also see 12 Volts across the two coil contacts, they are the two small ones at the bottom corners, this power comes from the start relay normally closed contact.
If you have had the battery out check to make sure you put back all the wires, it's easy to miss one.
Push down an each of the relay base contacts to make sure one is not popping out the back when you insert the relay, you could also check the connectors are gripping properly with a sliver of metal the same thickness as the relay pin.
Looking at Carl's drawing fuse 1,2 4 & 5 should have 12V on them at all times but just be aware sometimes the fuses are in a different order, check the legend or owners manual.
Good Luck
Roy
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzi007/schematics/2004_V11_Sport_Catalytic.gif
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s526/Kiwi_Roy/RelayBaseRepair_zps8809f6c1.jpg
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http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18199
Michael, we got a schooling on this at the Spine Frame Raid. All the answers have been posted here but you might like the thread. We came to the conclusion that in a pinch you could cannibalize the dash/headlight relay to get the bike to run.
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Make sure you have power to the second relay, also *the ground* in the relay base is grounded. Report back. ;D
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Remove the headlight relay then probe the base with a meter or test light to chassis.
Standing on left side of bike the relay base 30 contact should be the furtherest from you (it's the large one by itself) and should read 12 Volts.
With the key on you should also see 12 Volts across the two coil contacts, they are the two small ones at the bottom corners, this power comes from the start relay normally closed contact.
OK. "Always on" 12v going to the #30 contact, the one farthest from me as standing on left of motorcycle.
No power between the two coil contacts, with or without the key.
I checked another relay base and confirmed that the key would switch power between the two coil contacts.
The relay base contacts seem to be in place.
Is this pointing to a bad wire on one of the coil contacts?
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OK. "Always on" 12v going to the #30 contact, the one farthest from me as standing on left of motorcycle.
No power between the two coil contacts, with or without the key.
I checked another relay base and confirmed that the key would switch power between the two coil contacts.
The relay base contacts seem to be in place.
Is this pointing to a bad wire on one of the coil contacts?
with the relay out, do you have power between 30 and neg on the battery? If so, do you have power probing 30 and 86? If yes, bad relay. If no bad ground on 86.
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with the relay out, do you have power between 30 and neg on the battery? If so, do you have power probing 30 and 86? If yes, bad relay. If no bad ground on 86.
Power between 30 and battery negative.
Power between 30 and the slot just below it. Is that 86?
I have installed a known good relay that will power the fuel pump in position 5 and will power the starter in position 1.
I'm beginning to think there is a problem between the two smaller, vertical slots at the lower end of the relay base. Are those 87 and 87A ?
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Power between 30 and battery negative.
Power between 30 and the slot just below it. Is that 86?
I have installed a known good relay that will power the fuel pump in position 5 and will power the starter in position 1.
I'm beginning to think there is a problem between the two smaller, vertical slots at the lower end of the relay base. Are those 87 and 87A ?
I'm no electrician. Just looking at the diagram, 87a doesn't do anything. It looks like when the relay is energized, it makes contact between 87 and 30. You'd think that would do it. If it has power there, I'd go to the next plug in the harness and check there, etc.
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Power between 30 and battery negative.
Power between 30 and the slot just below it. Is that 86?
I have installed a known good relay that will power the fuel pump in position 5 and will power the starter in position 1.
I'm beginning to think there is a problem between the two smaller, vertical slots at the lower end of the relay base. Are those 87 and 87A ?
Are you sure you are on the headlight relay, I thought it was in the No 2 position.
Sort out which is the Start relay and it will be the other one, the bike won't crank if you remove the start relay
The coil terminals are 85 and 86, the two outside small ones.
One of the small pins should have 12 Volts on it with the key on, this comes from the normally closed contact of the start relay which must be a 5 pin variety.
The other small pin should be connected to ground.
To summarize you should have a wire from the 87A pin of start relay to either 85 or 86 of the headlight relay, with the key on this wire should be hot.
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Well, since the headlight isn't working, I'm pretty sure I"m on the headlight relay.
1st position is the starter. Starter turns when relay installed. Does not turn when relay removed.
2nd position previously would run headlight when installed.
3rd position neutral switch.
4th position runs the ECU. Bike will not start with this relay removed.
5th position runs the fuel pump. Fuel pump will not prime with this relay removed.
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Since the bike cranks you must have power on the 30 pin of start relay.
When the start relay is not busy cranking the bike it sends this power to the coil of the headlight relay so check the headlight coil pins to ground, 1 should have 12 Volts on it
Then check between the two coil pins you should once again have 12 Volts If not you might have lost the ground.
If you ease the start relay out a little bit you should get 12V on the middle small pin (87A)
Report back.
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Roy, help me out here. It looks to me like there is no connection to 87a..why would it have 12v?
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Chuck, we are talking about the start relay, 30 to 87a is normally closed so power on 30 is also on 87a
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Chuck, we are talking about the start relay, 30 to 87a is normally closed so power on 30 is also on 87a
Well, duh! Thanks Roy.. I was looking at the wrong relay.. ::)
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Thanks for the help gentlemen! ;-T
I'll mess with it again tomorrow, when I have some natural light.
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Start relay (5 pin) 67A to Headlight relay coil.
Good Luck
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Start relay (5 pin) 67A to Headlight relay coil.
Good Luck
Roy,
I owe you a beer, or dinner. I'll pay up at the next rally we both attend! It seems that in the switching of relays while trying to diagnose the problem, I removed the 5-pin relay from the 1st position, and it ended up in the 4th position. It seems the 1st relay requires a 5-pin, but the remaining four only require 4-pin relays. Anyway, moving that 5-pin relay back to the 1st position allowed the headlight, tach, and brake light to work.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-S3PjSmX/0/M/DSCN9637-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Nero-Corsa/i-bSmvQwJ/0/M/DSCN9636-M.jpg)
Now, the question still remains. Why did my "new" two month old relay fail in the 2nd position? And, why did another new relay also fail in that position? Hmmm....
I'll do some road testing now to see if all is well. And, I'll just make sure I carry a couple extra relays with me.
I'm not much of an electrician, so Roy and Chuck, I really appreciate the help!
:BEER:
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That's great Michael, no need to buy me a beer we all owe you for moderating right here.
Besides I owe you for putting on the Colorado "Not a rally" giving me an excuse to add to my collection.
Your bike only uses a 5 pin in slot 1 but you can put them in all slots, (some other guzzis use it in the side-stand relay also)
Looking at the bottom photo you can see the 87A connector in relay 1 base (the middle one) relay 2 doesn't have one.
I don't know why your relay failed, possibly a manufacturing defect, there's nothing difficult in switching the headlight, perhaps just look at the base
again and check the connectors are gripping the pins properly, if not just pop them out the back using a release tool (sliver of sheet metal), give them a squeeze.
I haven't had a relay go yet, the V11 I had in Colorado still has it's original Siemens but I have a new spare set on hand.
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s526/Kiwi_Roy/RelayBaseRepair_zps8809f6c1.jpg
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merged into "the spine frame chronicles".
:bike
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Rocker, BTDT. Last week I went to start my Cali to head to work and it would not start. Realized that my fuel pump was not energizing. I toggled the ignition switch a couple of times and all was good. On the way home the bike started fine but quit running before I got out of the parking lot. Toggled the ignition switch a few times and made it home. Took out the Fuel Pump relay and cleaned the connections, the pump energized every time I switched the key on. Until the next morning. I switched the relay from the headlite circuit to the fuel pump circuit and solved the problem. Headlite is coming on but I have noticed it is not on all the time so I will replace the relay. I've been using AR606 five pin relays from NAPA simply because they fit and I've had no luck finding replacements at the other auto parts stores (The clerks can't find me a relay unless I specify which year/make/model of auto they come out of). If anyone on here has a better (cheaper) replacement, it would be good info to know. Also, I've been dating my replacement relays with whiteout when I replace them. The last one I put in was about 18 months ago.
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It's been a very wintery winter here this year. Normally I'm able to ride every month of the year, but other than a short one on New Years Day, the bikes have been sitting since late November.
Anyway, the twin Yuasa YTX-9BS batteries in the Sport 1100 need replacing. This is only the second set of batteries for this bike since new. It's a 1996 model!
My other two bikes have been switched over to Odyssey. PC545 in the Nero Corsa. PC680 in the LeMans-V.
The carb'd Sport 1100s came from the factory with two batteries. Kind of odd, but also interesting. Many people have gone to one battery in the bikes, but for some reason I'm drawn to keeping the twin battery setup. Here are my options.
1) another pair of the Yuasas. They seem to really last in this bike. I really want to get away from lead-acid batteries, though.
2) a pair of the Odyssey PC310 batteries should work. Need to confirm dimensions. Would retain the "stock look" under the pillion seat. Would cost the most, though.
3) a PC680. Will have to measure, but think it will work. Will take up most of the battery tray, which would look good.
3) a PC545. Small battery. Works great on the Nero Corsa (same size as stock on that bike). Would leave a lot of space in the tray of the Sport 1100.
Decisions, decisions. Hmmm...
Any thoughts ?
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I'd be tempted to get the PC545 and have a little storage space. Shove a sandwich in there or something.
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Love the old battle wagon!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-CtvGRWz/0/O/03.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2013-May-26-Low-Gap-Ride/i-HDpjRwV/0/L/16-L.jpg)
It is a super cool bike, but I do have to say it does make your butt look big! :D :D :D
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Rock, I'd think about switching to a single battery. Only for the reason if one of the batteries goes bad, it will ruin the good one and you have to buy both. I have an 5th wheel (I upgraded to two 6v in series) and a Diesel Pickup, the downside is replacing them in pairs.
Since you've had good luck with the current set up, I am not sure I'd change what's working.
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I'd stick with these-- they're proven to last a long time, fit perfectly and look cool. There's plenty of room for a sandwich in the tray.
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_8174_zpseaf75f43.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_8174_zpseaf75f43.jpg.html)
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It is a super cool bike, but I do have to say it does make your butt look big! :D :D :D
Unfortunately, my butt is big! :D
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I'd stick with these-- they're proven to last a long time, fit perfectly and look cool. There's plenty of room for a sandwich in the tray.
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_8174_zpseaf75f43.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_8174_zpseaf75f43.jpg.html)
Cost is an object. Isn't it always?
I can get the pair of Yuasas for about $120
The PC545 would be in that neighborhood.
So would the PC310, but I'd have to buy TWO !!! So, twice as much...
First set of Yuasas lasted 1996 to 2005. The second set 2005 to 2013. Not a bad track record...
Hmmm...
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Junk in the Trunk!
While looking for 1100 Sport photos showing the battery placement I found these. There's a lot back there:
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_5774_zpsc4180163.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_5774_zpsc4180163.jpg.html)
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_5785_zps5b8af2f0.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_5785_zps5b8af2f0.jpg.html)
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This is a really great thread. Seems quite helpful and demonstrates these bikes, in true Guzzi fashion, can be whatever you want them to be.
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Junk in the Trunk!
While looking for 1100 Sport photos showing the battery placement I found these. There's a lot back there:
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_5774_zpsc4180163.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_5774_zpsc4180163.jpg.html)
(http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad123/osteoglossum/IMG_5785_zps5b8af2f0.jpg) (http://s928.photobucket.com/user/osteoglossum/media/IMG_5785_zps5b8af2f0.jpg.html)
While I've had mine apart - this photo and your comments are the first time I recall noting the degree of stuffage. Must be one of the reasons these are such great competitive performers - following rules like; keep as much mass as high and to the rear as possible. :BEER:
Damned though if the dual batteries don't warm the diesel in my blood. Spark plugs? Nah, them's glow plugs.
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My Daytona is doing it for 18 years with this ytx9-bs, only just one!. last year replaced with a Motobatt, same size
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I'm running a tiny Ballistic lithium-reliable starting under 40 degrees (as cold as I've tested) and a genuine performance enhancement.
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Aaron, what model Ballistic do you have?
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I'll look tonight-pretty cold and snowy here. I think it's about the size of my loosely clenched fist.
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I use the Ballistic 12 cell model EV02 in my carb 1996 Sport.
Dimensions 113mm (L) x 87mm (W) x 100mm (H)
Weight 1045 grams, 2lb 5oz
Voltage charged 13.6V
Cold Cranking Amps 410
Capacity 20 AH lead equivalent
Operating environment 0*F to 140*F
A really useful characteristic of these LiFePO4 batteries is their ability to maintain a high terminal voltage, even when deeply discharged.
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It can be pretty cold here. I would be concerned about the cold-start abilities of the Lithium battery.
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Read a angry post this week from a DS thumper owner ...
I have extensive experience with the Ballistic batteries(8 cell EVO2). Unfortunately, it's all bad experience. Of all the lithium's out there, they seem to be the worst. Their warranty stinks as well. After 2 of those POS batteries I finally threw in the towel. Both batteries had major internal failures that had nothing to do with charging. They just flat out vibrated the internals loose and Ballistic expected me to pay $100 every few months to replace them. No thank you.
He went back to lead acid. I'd give another known brand a try though.
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they look sturdy, but if you read all this:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ballistic-performance-12-cell-evo2-battery#reviews_tab
you will be looking at something else
In the daytona is one MBTX9U MotoBatt and works ok, and cheap
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There was a Triumph guy at Ron's rally last spring that had one. Every morning, it was a half hour (no kidding) ordeal for him to get it started. I decided right then that I didn't need one. ;D
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There was a Triumph guy at Ron's rally last spring that had one. Every morning, it was a half hour (no kidding) ordeal for him to get it started. I decided right then that I didn't need one. ;D
I'm replacing my Ballistic 16 cell with a PC545... done screwing around with it for now! ::( I've had nothing but bad luck with it lately... I used to sing it's praises, but that was in summer! :BEER:
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I'm replacing my Ballistic 16 cell with a PC545... done screwing around with it for now! ::( I've had nothing but bad luck with it lately... I used to sing it's praises, but that was in summer! :BEER:
The PC545 in my Nero Corsa works great!
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order good relays from Pyro dan here,
http://dpguzzi.com/
5 for 20 bucks, good deal on good relays.
Rocker, have you inspected the relay base? it may have bad connection.
Still having troubles. I think the O'Reilly's relays can't handle the vibes. I've emailed Pyro Dan. Hopefully next week, I'll have a supply of his nice relays in hand.
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I put a Shorai in my 900SS last summer after years of going through batteries and hard starting (944 big bore kit). Absolutely no issues with starting the Ducati after installing the Shorai but it wasn't cheap. They do not have a listing for the Sport 1100 but they list the Daytona from 1992-1999.
http://shoraipower.com/products?action=vehicle&type=175&make=1407&model=8006&year=8006
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Well, after mulling it over for the past couple weeks, I finally broke down and bought a pair of Yuasa YTX9-BS batteries, tonight, for the Sport 1100. They should be here in a few days. I really like keeping things sorta stock and/or period correct. I like the dual battery setup, and the Yuasas have been great for me, lasting over eight years each on the past two sets. The closest thing from Odyssey would've been a pair of PC310s. Only problem with those is that they would cost about three times what the pair of Yuasas did.
New Batteries! Now, on to other niggles to get the Sport 1100 ready for Colorado, here in a few months...
:bike
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Still having troubles. I think the O'Reilly's relays can't handle the vibes. I've emailed Pyro Dan. Hopefully next week, I'll have a supply of his nice relays in hand.
Pyro Dan's relays installed. Battery still discharges while bike is running.
So, regulator or alternator must be at fault, I guess.
Any ideas on where to start with the diagnosis.
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Well, after mulling it over for the past couple weeks, I finally broke down and bought a pair of Yuasa YTX9-BS batteries, tonight, for the Sport 1100. They should be here in a few days. I really like keeping things sorta stock and/or period correct. I like the dual battery setup, and the Yuasas have been great for me, lasting over eight years each on the past two sets. The closest thing from Odyssey would've been a pair of PC310s. Only problem with those is that they would cost about three times what the pair of Yuasas did.
New Batteries! Now, on to other niggles to get the Sport 1100 ready for Colorado, here in a few months...
:bike
Dual YTX9-BS batteries serviced, charged, and installed tonight. Weather is nice, so may get to ride the Sport 1100 this week! Can't wait! :bike
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Pyro Dan's relays installed. Battery still discharges while bike is running.
So, regulator or alternator must be at fault, I guess.
Any ideas on where to start with the diagnosis.
Pull the yellow wires off the regulator. Check output from the alternator. It should be somewhere around 40 volts AC, IIRC.
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I just looked in my shop manual, 40 VAC is @ 3000 RPM, goes up to 80 VAC @ 6000. While you're there take a pair of pliers and tighten up the female half of those yellow connectors, if they're not a good, tight fit they can start getting hot and melt! You do have an extra ground wire to the regulator mounting bolt, don't you?
Howard
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I just looked in my shop manual, 40 VAC is @ 3000 RPM, goes up to 80 VAC @ 6000. While you're there take a pair of pliers and tighten up the female half of those yellow connectors, if they're not a good, tight fit they can start getting hot and melt! You do have an extra ground wire to the regulator mounting bolt, don't you?
Howard
Thanks Howard!
I'll work on that this weekend. I have a strange feeling that I have a connector problem, since this started out as an intermittent problem. We'll see.
I've never added an extra ground to the regulator, so might do that when I've got it all pulled apart.
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Dual YTX9-BS batteries serviced, charged, and installed tonight. Weather is nice, so may get to ride the Sport 1100 this week! Can't wait! :bike
What a great old bike. It's been months since I've ridden it. The new batteries fired it right up this afternoon. Rode it to the gas station and filled up, then rode some backroads near home. The bike started and idled just great! Glad it's back on the road!
Now, I need to do a few more miscellaneous things to get it ready for Colorado. Tires, oil change, and a few piddly things.
:bike
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What a great old bike. It's been months since I've ridden it. The new batteries fired it right up this afternoon. Rode it to the gas station and filled up, then rode some backroads near home. The bike started and idled just great! Glad it's back on the road!
Now, I need to do a few more miscellaneous things to get it ready for Colorado. Tires, oil change, and a few piddly things.
:bike
Don't forget that extra ground..
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Don't forget that extra ground..
You think the Sport 1100 needs it, too ?
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You think the Sport 1100 needs it, too ?
*every* bike with the Ducati alternator needs it. Losing the ground in Guzzi's tenuous wiring is what causes the rectifier to let out it's magic smoke.
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What metal gas tanks would fit a V11 Sport?
Daytona? Sport 1100? other?
travlr
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What metal gas tanks would fit a V11 Sport?
Daytona? Sport 1100? other?
travlr
Tanks are the same for the Daytonas and Sport 1100s. There are differences in fittings on the bottom for the carb vs. injected bikes.
I'm sure you could make a Sport 1100i / Daytona tank work on a V11 Sport, but would probably require some fiddling. If it's a later V11 Sport with internal fuel pump, then you would have to deal with that issue, too.
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Michael, this means you are good to go for Cedarvale ?
Dusty
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Michael, this means you are good to go for Cedarvale ?
Dusty
We'll be there, one way or the other.
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Time for new tires on the Sport 1100. The Pirelli Diablo Strada was a fine tire, but it never was a great handler. And, it got worse with age. I have missed the performance of the Bridgestone BT-014 I've run in the past, but not the short life. Well, last year Bridgestone introduced the T30, a sporty sport-touring radial to replace the BT-023. I read some reviews and decided to give them a go.
I ordered a set from American Motorcycle Tire and had them delivered to my house. This morning, I had my friend at the local Honda shop mount them up for me.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-9V8nnSP/0/M/DSCN3428-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-bX4sN77/0/M/DSCN3430-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-zLnZvFw/0/M/DSCN3431-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-D2s3mDw/0/M/DSCN3435-M.jpg)
Jesse was able to mount the tires while I waited, which was nice. He was in between PDI-ing those Honda Goldwing custom things. Whatever they're called.
After getting the wheels remounted on the bike, I took it for a short test ride, and Man! What a difference! Yes, there is always a joyful difference from worn tire to new tire, but these T30 Bridgestones really handle! I took the bike on a twisty county road for about 10-miles. 50-60 mph type of road. These new tires have a nice, light feel and offer good feedback. I can't wait to really put them to the test on the next lunch ride.
:bike
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I'm jealous, my Sport likely will not see blacktop before next year. Twist your throttle for me.....
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I'm jealous, my Sport likely will not see blacktop before next year. Twist your throttle for me.....
I rode with no earplugs on the 10-mile loop.
The Staintunes were glorious at 5,000 rpm !!!
:bike
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I rode with no earplugs on the 10-mile loop.
The Staintunes were glorious at 5,000 rpm !!!
:bike
Staintunes rox.. ;-T
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what?
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Lemme turn up my hearing aids.
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I have a intermittent tail light on my Carb Sport. Being bone lazy can anybody tell me if there is a relay for the tail light? The brake light works. I keep planning to remove the cowl and double check the connectors. The socket seems to be OK, and it seems to work when near home. I went to a bike night in New Orleans last month and it was out for the 110 mile trip home. A nice policeman mentioned to me it was out.
All the best
Jay
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My bet is either the socket or the bulb are at fault. Those old 1157 sockets aren't the greatest.
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Oh, and the Sport has finally turned 30... 30,000 miles, that is.
Bought it new in March 1997. For most of its life, it's been a second bike for me. First in fun, though! :bike
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2014-May-25-Ride-with-Michael/i-3rPCqJJ/0/L/DSCN0039-L.jpg)
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The tail light comes from a different contact of the ignition switch. A friend had the same problem with his LeMans I told him to check the switch contacts, it turned out the wire had broken off with the constant flexing but check for power at the socket first as Mike says.
The reason for the seperate contact is for parking, in the Park position the light is ON but ignition is OFF, it should also go to the small lamp in the headlight.
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For whatever reason, the Centauro used to eat up tail light filaments. <shrug>
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Thanks guys, I plan to remove the seat cowl and do some basic troubleshooting. I found a wiring schematic, that'l
Help. It has been basically trouble free save for the mondo carbs. Just replaced the timing chain and tensioner due to a "noise" in the gear case. The bike now has 61,XXX miles and I wouldn't have a problem gulping a Advil and strike out across the country!
Jay
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30,000 miles, I've just passed 82k kilometres on mine. How far have you pushed those forks through the yokes? I've recently set mine to 25mm and it certainly has quickened up the steering.
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30,000 miles, I've just passed 82k kilometres on mine. How far have you pushed those forks through the yokes? I've recently set mine to 25mm and it certainly has quickened up the steering.
On my Sport 1100, I've lowered the front 20mm / 0.8 inch.
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from what I can see the only limitation is the possible interference between the mudguard and the fairing. If I could I would drop it even more, but 25mm seems a good place to leave it. For what is basically a free mod it certainly makes a huge difference.
thanks
Dennis
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Dropping the front has been a real lesson in steering geometry, a lesson which Johnr posted in another thread.
It finally cured the front-end deflection problem I was having on fast, very bumpy corners. I am considering a further drop, I'm currently between you two at the moment.
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Thanks guys, I plan to remove the seat cowl and do some basic troubleshooting. I found a wiring schematic, that'l
Help. It has been basically trouble free save for the mondo carbs. Just replaced the timing chain and tensioner due to a "noise" in the gear case. The bike now has 61,XXX miles and I wouldn't have a problem gulping a Advil and strike out across the country!
Jay
I assume the harness is similar to the V11 spineys. There's a 4 pin connector toward the left front of the tank where you can check power going to the tail light. As Roy mentioned above, it's probably an almost broken wire in the ignition switch. Removing the seat cowl is pretty much a waste of time, don't ask me how I know.. ;D
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I have a intermittent tail light on my Carb Sport. Being bone lazy can anybody tell me if there is a relay for the tail light? The brake light works. I keep planning to remove the cowl and double check the connectors. The socket seems to be OK, and it seems to work when near home. I went to a bike night in New Orleans last month and it was out for the 110 mile trip home. A nice policeman mentioned to me it was out.
All the best
Jay
If its the same as the Sportie, then the Ducati monster tail light is the same, and there are plenty after market LED versions out there.
My money is just bad contact between the bulb and fitting, they really are quite poor.
Phil
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yeah. Sport 1100 tail light is same as Ducati
Supersport Monster.
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OK, back to the topic of dropping the front, and combining it with another Carb Sport "issue"-
The stories of fifth gear failure have been attributed to bad heat treatment of fifth gear. This makes no sense to me.
But-early on I saw that the Sport transmission needs more oil to get the level up, not to the level plug, but to the point that the gears visible through the fill plug would pick up lube. And fifth is further back yet!
And..I rechecked my oil level after dropping the front-and again it was leaving the rearmost gears dry.
The Sport transmission, when the bike is sitting on its wheels, slopes toward the front. All other Guzzis I've owned have either been level, or sloped to the back.
A Sport ridden hard will have oil sloshing back and forth under acceleration and braking. A Sport ridden in "SofCoq" fashion will have a fifth gearset running with reduced lubrication.
I would recommend checking that your layshaft is picking up lube, especially after dropping the front of the bike.
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Worth checking, but I doubt most of the failures were from lowered bikes. Most of the Sport 1100s I've seen have not been lowered in the front.
And, any acceleration or upward incline in the road is going to move oil towards the back of the transmission.
I just measure the recommended amount of Mobil-1 75w90 gear lube into a mixing cup and pour it into the transmission.
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Worth checking, but I doubt most of the failures were from lowered bikes. Most of the Sport 1100s I've seen have not been lowered in the front.
And, any acceleration or upward incline in the road is going to move oil towards the back of the transmission.
I just measure the recommended amount of Mobil-1 75w90 gear lube into a mixing cup and pour it into the transmission.
I'd also guess that lots and lots of moderate to hard on and off throttle at cruising speed without a cush drive does its fair contribution to failure.
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Does dropping the forks make a big difference? I've just changed the wheel bearings, steering bearings and outer drive box bearing on my Sport 1100, also drained the sludge from one fork leg and the gnats p*ss from the other, put the correct quantity of fork oil in and the handling has been, unsurprisingly, transformed. It used to stand up in a bend if I backed off the throttle by even a small amount and just felt generally vague. Lots better now but still feels like it needs a lot of input to make it turn.
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Does dropping the forks make a big difference?
Yes. If you want quicker steering, it's easy and free to drop the front end.
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yeah. Sport 1100 tail light is same as Ducati Supersport up through '98.
Actually it is the Ducati Monster taillight that is the same
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Actually it is the Ducati Monster taillight that is the same
And the cagiva elephant however the monster had a red insert in the bottom of the light where as the sport has a clear one to allow illumination of the number plate.
Re livening the steering up I'm running mine about 8.5mm through the forks and that seems to work fine if you really want to improve the steering I suggest complete removal of the steering damper. The forks on the carbed models are the old school damper rod style so they do like nice fresh fork oil and it to be cycled through on a regular basis.
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I've just dropped mine by 10mm and had a brief hurtle around the area this morning, it's definitely more responsive but not twitchy, I'm happy with the way it handles now so I'll leave it at that.
One more thing, does anyone else think that these engines run a bit cold? Now, although I'm in the north east of the UK it has been a warmish summer, for our standards anyway. I had been getting a wee bit oil on my left boot so I replaced the rocker box gasket, the rocker feed oil lines and the "O" ring which resides under the 10mm hex head plug. Also re-torqued the heads. I had quite a bit of mayo on the inside of the rocker cover when I took it off, which was a bit surprising as I haven't been using the bike for short journeys.
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Actually it is the Ducati Monster taillight that is the same
Yeah, you're right. Monster.
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One more thing, does anyone else think that these engines run a bit cold?
I think that's been documented. ;D Better cold than too hot, IMHO..
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October was an interesting month. I went from three bikes to one. dsrdave took my LeMans 1000 and ratguzzi took the Nero Corsa.
I had about 43,000 good miles on the Nero Corsa over nearly nine years. The Nero Corsa carried me (and many times a passenger) all over the country. From Virginia to Utah and from Minnesota to Louisiana. It was a mighty fine bike, but for some strange reason I was never in love with it, though it did everything I asked of it over those years. Two up, towing a trailer, back roads, interstate, commuting to work, 24-hour rallies. The bike could do it all, and do it well. Though I didn't love it, the Nero Corsa was a good friend for all those years and miles. With a little needed maintenance, I'm sure it will make a good ride for our friend ratguzzi. It served me well.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Summer-Running-2006/i-Tk4Lj7V/1/O/DSCN1414.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Summer-Running-2006/i-87KnKmv/0/O/summer%20running%20shadow.jpg)
So, now the garage has a little more room in it! One bike occupying the space formerly holding three. And, I should have a little more time to catch up on some deferred maintenance on the Sport 1100. I got a start on that this weekend by replacing the rear drive big seal. The seal had been weeping for some time, and it let go a few months ago right after changing the tires to the new Bridgestone T30. I kind of put the job off with so many other things going on, but once to it the job was pretty easy.
I've been lucky all these years, with all these Guzzis, and have never had to change this seal. Bike up on stand, remove rear wheel, use a knife to lever out the old seal. Lightly lube the new one I sourced from MG Cycle with a little grease, then slide it into place. Snug fit, but a little coaxing got the seal fully seated. Add new Mobil-1 85w90 gear oil, re-install the rear wheel, and the bike was ready for a shakedown.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-fZvBXLw/0/M/bevel%201-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-TMfSFTn/0/M/bevel%202-M.jpg)
Though it hadn't been run in months, the twin Yuasas turned the bike over and it fired to life, glorious Guzzi music coming from the full Staintune exhaust system. I quickly donned my helmet and jacket, then headed off for a quick ride. Fuel tank was low, so I headed 20 miles east to Anderson's in Hindsville for a splash of gas, made two passes down a nice little twisty road I know, then blasted back home at high speed on the divided 4-lane, being sure to burp the rear drive when I arrived. A quick but fun 50 miles on a cool December afternoon. On these old Sport 1100s, there is no bevel box vent. After service, it's a good idea to run it until hot, then unscrew the fill plug to let off any pressure that has built up, then re-install the fill plug. Just a little something that may keep seals intact and oil weeps to a minimum.
Man! What a great bike! I really enjoy the Sport 1100. The knee dents on the tank keep the knees close together. The seat/peg relationship is nice. The bars are a little low, but very purposeful. The chassis is solid. Nice WP rear shock, and Marzocchi M1 front forks with WP springs and 10wt oil does a nice job. Wonderful new Bridgestone BT30 tires give quick steering and predictable feel. All the right vibrations and sounds to let you know you're on a real-deal Moto Guzzi sporty bike. Straight-Cut gear whine mixed with the melodic V-twin rumble. Heaven on Earth, the way Carlo and Dr. John intended!
Wild Goose, indeed!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-PfjRW3H/0/L/WG-L.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-TZfdDdc/0/L/20141110_194740-L.jpg)
:bike
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REALLY 8)
Dusty
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Would you quit rubbing salt in my broken Sport's wounds! ;D
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Heaven on Earth, the way Carlo and Dr. John intended!
;-T
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;-T
Once on the same wave length with the bike, it really is amazing how effortlessly fast it can get you from point A to point B.
Wide spacing of the gears and a nice torque curve mean little shifting most of the time, on the street.
And, it's eerily smooth between 4200 and 5000 rpm.
On smooth, sweeping pavement, the experience is fantastic.
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Nice December weather this weekend and was able to roll the Sport 1100 out for a little Saturday ride. 70 miles of Ozarks fun. Bike is running well, and the new big seal on the rear drive seems to be holding!
I'm really enjoying the Bridgestone T30 tires. Good feel. Nice turn-in. Hold a line, and resist standing up when on the brakes. Probably not as much grip as the previous Bridgestones I tried, BT-014, but will give me a lot more miles. All good, so far!
Stopped for a quick pic at War Eagle, along the way
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-WkHPtnk/0/M/sport%201100%20war%20eagle-M.jpg)
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Nice December weather this weekend and was able to roll the Sport 1100 out for a little Saturday ride. 70 miles of Ozarks fun. Bike is running well, and the new big seal on the rear drive seems to be holding!
I'm really enjoying the Bridgestone T30 tires. Good feel. Nice turn-in. Hold a line, and resist standing up when on the brakes. Probably not as much grip as the previous Bridgestones I tried, BT-014, but will give me a lot more miles. All good, so far!
Stopped for a quick pic at War Eagle, along the way
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-WkHPtnk/0/M/sport%201100%20war%20eagle-M.jpg)
Hmm , no Harleys in the parking lot ;D (just kidding Kev m) ;)
Dusty
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Great story/saga. Replay it every now and again.
Recently I replaced the front tyre on the carb Sport with a 120x60x17 - appears to turn in a little sharper - comfortable with this.
BTW if anyone needs new forks, Agostini Mandello currently has both Marzocchi & Ohlins on special for 1,000 & 1,250 Euros, respectively.
Mal
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Great story/saga. Replay it every now and again.
Recently I replaced the front tyre on the carb Sport with a 120x60x17 - appears to turn in a little sharper - comfortable with this.
BTW if anyone needs new forks, Agostini Mandello currently has both Marzocchi & Ohlins on special for 1,000 & 1,250 Euros, respectively.
Mal
Thanks for the tip on the forks special!
I used a 120/60-17 for awhile about 15 years ago. I think it was a Pirelli Dragon GTS. Seemed to work pretty good, but I ended up going back to the 120/70-17 size, and have used it ever since. I really liked the Pirelli Dragon GTS. Diablo Strada replaced it. I used one set of the Diablo Strada, and they were OK. Preferred the Dragon GTS, though. The current Bridgestone T30 really feels good. Looking forward to more miles on these tires.
:bike
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A little Springtime prep for the Sport 1100 on a beautiful afternoon here in The Hills...
- torqued the heads
- adjusted the valves
- cleaned and oiled the K&N filter
- installed a new clutch cable
- cleaned a little as I worked. It sure gets dirty under the fairing and fuel tank!
Still need to change the fluids and grease the drive shaft, then I'll be ready for Cedar Vale, and the Colorado Classic 1000!
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Sport-1100/i-4pP2rzD/0/M/DSCN0125-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Sport-1100/i-czrKmJw/0/M/DSCN0127-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Sport-1100/i-vm3xBh9/0/M/DSCN0128-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Sport-1100/i-MBRSCxX/0/M/DSCN0130-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Sport-1100/i-NHVxGPX/0/M/DSCN0132-M.jpg)
:bike
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Kewl , any left over parts ? :D
Dusty
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Kewl , any left over parts ? :D
Dusty
No, but there's plenty of grease and grime to share.
And, I did accidentally swap the plugs for the left petcock and the low fuel light. Now I get to pull the fairing again to swap them back.
Took it for a short test ride. It's running goood... ;D
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Rocker, on your recommendation I just put T30s on my V11 lemans last week. Really like them. Much more stable feel than the 10 year old original ones :o
Also went with a new Odyssey battery, and full Mobil 1 in all locations including the driveline!
She just turned over 3000 miles yesteray
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No, but there's plenty of grease and grime to share.
And, I did accidentally swap the plugs for the left petcock and the low fuel light. Now I get to pull the fairing again to swap them back.
To me, the designed-in error condition in making those two plugs the same is one of the most inexcusably stupid things that Moto Guzzi ever did. I'd love to have a candid conversation with the designer and honestly find out what he was thinking when he did that. Was he told by management that they needed to save $.15 by using the same connector, and screw all the hundreds of owners in future that would mix them up?
There's no telling, I suppose. Probably no one would ever admit to it ... !
Lannis
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The low fuel plug is wrapped in red electrical tape. By the factory, I guess. I just didn't take the time to make sure I plugged it into the correct loose plug end!
It's things like that that make me love the struggling Guzzi of the 1990s.
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Rocker, on your recommendation I just put T30s on my V11 lemans last week. Really like them. Much more stable feel than the 10 year old original ones :o
Also went with a new Odyssey battery, and full Mobil 1 in all locations including the driveline!
She just turned over 3000 miles yesteray
Cool! I really like the T30. And Mobil-1 !!
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The low fuel plug is wrapped in red electrical tape. By the factory, I guess. I just didn't take the time to make sure I plugged it into the correct loose plug end!
It's things like that that make me love the struggling Guzzi of the 1990s.
As my Centauro could attest, that red tape never lasted long .... ! And then, Error Precursor, thy name is Guzzi!
Lannis
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I finally took the time to read this great thread. I think I might even have shed a tear when the NC departed...
Thanks, Rocker! ;-T
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Nice Saturday here in NW Arkansas. Sunny and mid-70s. No other plans, so I took the Sport 1100 out to stretch its legs. And mine.
Stopped by the Indian dealer and demo'd a Chief Vintage. Then stopped by the BMW dealer, ordered some Olympia riding gear, and checked out the super-cool R9T they had on the showroom. Nice bike!
After making my rounds, I hit the twisties east of the metro and really had a great time on the Sport 1100. It's really in its element on these smooth, sweeping Arkansas State highways. Maintaining +10 to +15 speeds is almost effortless on this old sporty Guzzi.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-j4c9Mqj/0/M/4-25-15%20sport%201100%201-M.jpg)
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-nXtdnJ4/0/M/4-25-15%20sport%201100%202-M.jpg)
Unfortunately, upon returning home, I noticed the telltale trace of grease splatter on my rear wheel. Then, I ran my finger under the rear drive and found a drop of oil. So... it looks like my new big seal isn't sealing for some reason.
Tomorrow, I'm going to ride it 20 +/- miles, then "burp" the rear drive. Ride 20 +/- miles and check it again.
I used the "better" V11 Sport seal, but now I'm wondering if I'd have been better off buying the regular big seal... Hmmm...
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If it is a big seal then it is known as a walrus!
Sorry.....
And to think you nearly sold it a couple of years ago! That thing is your muse Mike, if you ever get rid of it your brain will explode! :D
FWIW I feel exactly the same about my shitty old 8V Griso...... ::)
Pete
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If it is a big seal then it is known as a walrus!
Sorry.....
And to think you nearly sold it a couple of years ago! That thing is your muse Mike, if you ever get rid of it your brain will explode! :D
FWIW I feel exactly the same about my shitty old 8V Griso...... ::)
Pete
Paul McCartney ? REALLY SORRY :-[
Dusty
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Expert texpert
choking smokers
Don't you think the joker
laughs at you?
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I'm still scratching my head with my Sport's rear drive as it, too, is having leaking issues. Thing is, every seal in the rear drive has been replaced, and each time she was properly burped. ???
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I'm still scratching my head with my Sport's rear drive as it, too, is having leaking issues. Thing is, every seal in the rear drive has been replaced, and each time she was properly burped. ???
I had the seal problem almost immediately upon taking delivery of mine.
Before the nay-sayers cry foul over this in relation to my perspective regarding the hostage taking aspect of modern technology in new bikes and the "cult of engineers" sweeping shade-tree-mees under the rug of history - note this mechanical prob... concern, was handled in a decidedly low tech fashion. As were the fueling, oiling and other issues counted minor compared to todays electro-fuffles. When, did a '95 Spot become an old bike?
Since I whisked mine away from Minnesota and my favored TrackStar dealer - alas, gone now - and was dependent upon dealers Californian, and particularly Pro"Duc-tannia" and was not a celebrity (awful shop in those days for a walk-in Guzzi owner) I gave up on the factory seal after two re-fits. Too, I was not yet aware of Sonny Angel.
Eventually I visited with the Ol' Man's logic and weighed beating my head against a pasta wall on the one hand and properly representing the sons of Odin by way of the "Highlands" on the other. The latter being the route of self-sufficiency and quiet self congratulation of one's self for thinking outside of the box before "the box" was a "thing". Cringe not, this involves no duct-tape whatsoever.
I took my third factory seal with a couple of plastic-mic measurements to an inland bearing house and got one of the same outside (hard) diameter, the same depth (or close enough) and 1 or 1.5 millimeters smaller inside diameter. I don't recall the application of the seal but it was odd in that it was maritime, generator... both?
Haven't touched it since in 20 years, 25,000+ miles and very long periods of sitting and merely being adored for her style rather than being ridden.
Seems too, that I seated it at a different depth. Perhaps I spied something on the shaft to decide this?
Todd.
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It seems the burping was a success this morning. 20 miles of highway then stopped to burp the rear end. No drips. 30 more miles of highway and then stops to burp the rear end no drips showing. Then 50 high speed miles back home. When I arrived home no splatter No drips. Looked good. I went ahead and burp again for the heck of it. but it seems okay today.
The first seal lasted thirty thousand miles. So not complaining. not sure why I had splatters and drips yesterday, hopefully today's burping solved the problem
The Square in Kingston.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-GFSwx2L/0/M/kingston%20sport%201100%204-26-15-M.jpg)
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Just back from a nice, long weekend in Colorado with the Sport 1100. The bike performed surprisingly well. I was expecting a fuel economy hit with the FCR41s up at altitude, but was surprised to see the bike return 50mpg tank after tank after tank. It wasn't running as nicely at 10,000 feet as it does down here at 1,500 feet, but it didn't let me down! Elevations varied from 5,000 feet to 14,122 feet on this ride
I put another big seal in the bevel box before heading to Colorado, but still have a drip. I guess I'll need to open up the box and see if replacing the small seal will do the trick. It only lost a few CCs over 1,400 miles of riding, so although it's dirty, the leak isn't severe.
Link to the 2015 CC1000 thread: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=74520.0
Link to the 2015 WG Western Adventure Thread: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=74537.0
I like this bike so much, I'd almost like to have another that I could make into a standard. Remove the fairing and add bar clamp and handlebars to the triple clamp, along with a standard round headlight. I've seen it done a time, or two. Standard ergos and 7/33 gearing would really widen the bike's capabilities. I don't really need another twenty year old bike, though... And this one will remain as-is. I really like the way its set up right now.
(http://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/2015-June-18-Western-Adventure/i-Qwz7jSK/0/L/DSCN4811-L.jpg)
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This has been a great read, Mike... I learned several things about the 1100 Sport I never knew.
I've always had a thing for the 1100 Sport, they just don't come up for sale often, and when they do condition is sometimes an issue.
Next weekend I'll be heading north to pick up my 4th Guzzi - an original owner '97 1100i with 5,770 original miles - with Staintunes.
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This has been a great read, Mike... I learned several things about the 1100 Sport I never knew.
I've always had a thing for the 1100 Sport, they just don't come up for sale often, and when they do condition is sometimes an issue.
Next weekend I'll be heading north to pick up my 4th Guzzi - an original owner '97 1100i with 5,770 original miles - with Staintunes.
Thanks! And, glad you found a nice one! I was wanting to buy a '97 when I got the leftover '96. No real regrets, but the '97 does have nicer wheels, cush-drive, and the inverted forks. If the efi is tuned right on the bike you're buying, it should be a blast. Don't get too hung up on trying to change the ergos. There isn't much room to raise the bars. Ride it a bit and you'll grow used to the seating position.
Post up some pix and a story once you've got it home! :thumb:
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Still on the original tires....I'll probably make that my first order of business
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/blakebird/1997%20Guzzi%201100i%20Sport/IMG_2425_zpsfxgmqnhk.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/blakebird/1997%20Guzzi%201100i%20Sport/IMG_2427_zpsreyc7y2d.jpg)
It was purchased new in '98, and some time in '99 it was being trailered with another bike somewhere in an enclosed trailer, when one of the tie-downs let go.
The Guzzi fell over onto his brother's bike and dinged the tank, fairing, gauges and a mirror - which he replaced right away.
The original parts are not in bad shape at all - I have pictures of the original pieces, as well as pictures of receipts for all the work done.
Those verify that the bike had 2,800 miles on it, and the picture showing 2,970 miles is recent - for a total of 5,770 miles.
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/blakebird/1997%20Guzzi%201100i%20Sport/IMG_2433_zps9x9yifi0.jpg)
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Dunno what's up with your box Mike. I think your idea of going through it is the best but as I said in the PM if the pinion isn't leaking? Leave that whole side alone.
The problem is either the inner seal or the pinion carrier where the big seal runs on it, (Assuming the big bearing hast got a problem but I think that wpuld be more obvious by now.)
Anyway if you think I can be any more help? Let me know.
Pete
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Mike, you are the brain trust of the Sport 1100, and I have enjoyed your extensive thread.
My Sport has a vent that PO drilled in the fill plug and brazed a 2 inch long 1/4 copper tube with a piece of clear plastic tube snaked up in the bodywork. Would a similar mod help your minor leak?
Jay
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Blakebird - I have two of these and a box or two of spares. If you need anything,
Let me know. I'm in Denver.
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Blakebird - I have two of these and a box or two of spares. If you need anything,
Let me know. I'm in Denver.
thanks, I appreciate it!
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DXHall, happen to have a complete (or parts of) the air box for my carb Sport 1100? The PO removed it and I am searching for a replacement. The body and slides on my Del's are worn and I want to install a new set of Keilin 41's. Just want to do the jetting dance once!
Jay
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I put another big seal in the bevel box before heading to Colorado, but still have a drip. I guess I'll need to open up the box and see if replacing the small seal will do the trick. It only lost a few CCs over 1,400 miles of riding, so although it's dirty, the leak isn't severe.
I had quite a time sealing mine up when new. After three factory seals (interior - axle) and still the weep-seep, I went to an independent seal/bearing house in San Diego and ended up with nearly the exact seal (maybe 1mm under internal?) but it was for an odd application; marine, fork lift... something.
I also found that while the contact surfaces were the same as the Guzzi seal in shape and positioning within the seal, that it sealed completely when I seated the seal at a different depth. I did this as I was suspicious of the smoothness of the interior contact on the diameter of the of the sealing surface.
Nearly 30,000 without a drip.
Todd.
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Awaiting some time this fall to go through the bevel box, but in the meantime, how 'bout a plug check ??
These are pix of the right-side plug. 1,500 miles of 6,000 to 14,000 feet elevation riding. This plug was new for the trip to Colorado.
(https://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-QFt3szZ/2/O/20150921_164217.jpg)
(https://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-pnW7krB/2/O/20150921_164157.jpg)
:popcorn:
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rich looking plugs on all my motorcycles. Perhaps not that rich....but still, air cooled vehicle run rich. Especially in lean air of the Rockies.
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The years-old plug that was removed before the Colorado trip.
Tan on one side. A little dirty on the other side.
(https://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-5bPvpWL/3/XL/20150921_223908_resized%20%281%29-XL.jpg)
(https://rocker59.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Miscellaneous-bike-photos/i-2NxfLDH/3/XL/20150921_223900_resized-XL.jpg)
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I know guys that index sparkplugs when they install them. Apparently if the electrode is open at the best angle to the valve openings you get better combustion.
I never got in to it. I just replace the plugs when I do maintenance.
I'll bet one of the mechanical geniuses like Chuck or Pete can say "how to do it" or "BS" on this.
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All good things must come to an end.
Feeling ambivalent tonight after watching my first Guzzi, my Sport 1100, head down the road to its new home with Medic Andy in North Carolina.
Just over twenty-two years of fun and memories tied up in that old motorcycle. I'll miss it, but glad it has a good home with a collector and enthusiast.
Maybe we should lobby Andy to start his own "Spine Frame Chronicles" thread !!! :bike-037:
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Yeah , but that 1400 is calling :thumb:
Dusty
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That looked to be a very nice bike Mike.
Did Andy do a fly 'n ride?
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That looked to be a very nice bike Mike.
Did Andy do a fly 'n ride?
He's hauling it home.
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Times change, nothing is forever. I've had bikes I thought I'd never sell, but did. Right now it's my 1200 Sport.
Your Nero was a favorite of mine. But motorcycle love can be fickle.
Mike
(https://i.ibb.co/ZGFgYGS/nero.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZGFgYGS)
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Wow! This was a tough one, no?
Hard to believe she's gone, I know. Soon, second guessing will become your constant companion.
All the warts will be forgotten, all the aches and pains, and any shortcomings will be a distant memory.
You'll kick your own ass a thousand times over for selling her.
..But what a companion she's been! All those miles and all those sweet memories!
No regrets now and don't look back. Ever onward, ever upward!!
The road is still calling you Mr. Rocker! :bow:
:bike-037: