Teal Sport 1100 first impressions

[Tiki Joe]

Finally had my bike delivered on Christmas Eve while I was away on vacation.  I returned home on the 27th and it was mid 50s out so I took her for about a 30 mile ride.  First impressions so far:
Very light in comparison to my 900 lb Harley.  Easy to push around.
Cold blooded and took a few tries to start but when it did fire up, it sounds amazing!  I especially like the sound on deacceleration. 
Long reach to the bars.  I'm 5'10" and I'm all the way forward on the seat and it's a tall bike.  I can't stand flat footed on it.   
Clutch - very stiff, but started realizing that I didn't have to pull the lever all the way in.
Side Stand - I have never seen one mounted so far forward!
Speedo jumps around a bit.  At 50 mph it'll bounce between 40 & 60.  Any ideas?
Riding position - I've had a lot of sport bikes, but it's been 20 years.  It's much harder to lift the feet up to the pegs now!  And riding behind a fairing on a Harley the last 5 yrs, I'm not used to being out in the wind and not have music playing!
Transmission - I was expecting the worse from what I read but it's not as bad as I expected.  Much smoother than the tractor transmission on the Harley but not like butter on the Honda's & Suzuki's I've had.
Bike runs perfectly.  Pulls strong from way down low.  The sport bikes I've had (4 cylinder) really needed RPMs to get them going.  This pulls hard from 2k.
Bike did die at a stop light once and sputtered a couple other times at a stop.  I believe it does have the Will Creedon chip in it as there are installation instructions tucked into the manual.  Maybe some adjustments are needed?
Color looks much better in person than the pics, but I'm still going to paint it.  The paint job is absolutely perfect.  One would think it was painted at the factory. 
Bike is absolutely filthy.  Previous owner had it for 18 years and I think he only used a spray detail cleaner on the paint and never had cleaned the engine or wheels.  Somewhere along the way he had the engine painted black and I'm positive it was to hide dirt.  The grime on the engine & transmission is thick!
I'm going to try to get another couple rides in if the weather cooperates then I'll be pulling it apart for paint and maintenance.  The intakes are dry rotted and cracked, but surprisingly it runs smoothly so I'm guessing they're not cracked all the way through and letting air seep through yet.  These will be replaced.
Any other things I should be checking when I get into her?

Joe       


roll a d12

[fotoguzzi]

Interesting color.
You should be sure to grease the u-joint/driveshaft in 3 zerk fittings. Also the suspension and drive splines. Luigi is know to be frugal with grease at the factory.

[Murray]

Re the black motor there is a slim possibility its a Corse (one of the last 200 sports made) came in red or yellow with black accents and a black motor from the factory NFI if any made it to the USofA. Although its been fernerkled with so anything is possible.

[fotoguzzi]

If the paint is perfect maybe you could just accent over it with some black? Or white or red?

[80CX100]

     Welcome aboard, very nice looking bike 

      I'm just learning about the V11's, and I'm not sure if the Sport 1100s have the same electrical set up, so with that in mind, subject to verification;

      The consensus over on V11lemans.com (search for an extensive thread on relay testing) is that one of the best things you can do for your bike is clean up the relay terminals (under the seat) with Deoxit and replace the 5 relays with these higher rated Omrons   - Omron G8HE-1C7T-R-DC12 Relay

      These relays aren't being made any longer, when they're gone, they're gone, there are a few suppliers still stocking them, here is one possibility TodayComponents.com .

      Good luck with the new bike, wishing you many safe miles and smiles

     

     

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

that paint color looks coo-coo crazy, but I love it. If the paint job is good, how about painting the wheels only (White, gold, or gunmetal grey would be my picks). I'd do the mirrors black while I was at it... or replace those with some small round fairing mount mirrors on thin stems (Rizoma used to make a pair I affectionately refer to as the 'marvin the martian mirrors' that would look cool on there)

[Tom]

The 5 speed with the stock gear ratios is a good trans match for this bike.  Get a tank bag.  Drop your chin on it while at speed.  Slide your butt towards the bum stop.  You only need one foot down at a stop.  The kick stand can be reached by leaning over and pulling it up with your left hand.  Do not arch your back.  Push down with your stomach.  I'm a shade under 5'9". 

[OldMojo]

Looks pretty good for being a grimy turd like you say!

Paint does look good - although it's very in-your-face.

I agree with fotoguzzi - some stripes and/or accents would break it up a bit and look great!

I'm thinking a thick white stripe bordered in black right up the middle, over the top of the tank and on - Fender to match.

Check out one of the red or green Centauro GTs to get an idea.

[Tiki Joe]

I added 3 more things above to keep it all together....stiff clutch, goofy side stand and jumping speedo

[OldMojo]

Eh?

 

[Cam3512]

I actually dig that color.  Very MOPAR muscle car.  Wheels are too much though.  Change them.

[Tom]

How's about red pinstriping.  On the wheel rims and on the body work??

[jwinwi]

Re the black motor there is a slim possibility its a Corse (one of the last 200 sports made) came in red or yellow with black accents and a black motor from the factory NFI if any made it to the USofA. Although its been fernerkled with so anything is possible.

I believe the bodywork was black/root beer brown originally...

[Guzzistajohn]

I wouldn't go all crazy about changing the paint. It's pretty cool. Ride the shit out of it for a season and see what you think. You might like another Guzzi more. It's about the ride man........  

[Groover]

Digging the color as well. I'd start with some black mirror shells, and I'd probably be done for a while.


Was fun reading your report on it. Congrats.

[redhawk47]

"Speedo jumps around a bit.  At 50 mph it'll bounce between 40 & 60.  Any ideas?"

Mechanical: Lube the cable and take-off gears.
Electronic: check and clean all wire connections, check for damaged wiring.

[Murray]

"Speedo jumps around a bit.  At 50 mph it'll bounce between 40 & 60.  Any ideas?"

Mechanical: Lube the cable and take-off gears.
Electronic: check and clean all wire connections, check for damaged wiring.

Fixed :D If the cable doesn't help the actual instrument might need a birthday.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

This gives me an idea?




Run an orange stripe up the fairing and give it a LeMans nod

[Tom]

Subtle and not too garish would work.   

[guzzler]

G'day
For my tuppence ha'penny's worth, I think the colour looks great!
Reckon all I'd do would be to remove the colour from the wheels and enjoy a unique bike with a unique colour!
Cheers Guzzler

[Chuck in Indiana]

I added 3 more things above to keep it all together....stiff clutch, goofy side stand and jumping speedo

The stiff clutch is a "feature."  Uhh, so is the goofy side stand. The jumping speedo is probably how the cable is routed, or worn cable.
They are a PITA around town, but maybe the best credit card Sport Touring bike ever. Certainly, it never lets you forget you are operating a machine.. and that's a good thing.

[Tenni138]

When I had my 96 sport1100 the first thing I did was cut the pin off the bolt to stop the automatic side stand. Then I changed it over to the Centauro side stand and added a aluminum block to the bottom to make it stand up straighter. With wire bracket on the side stand much easier to deploy and retract. I watched an old lady lift my friends Triumph off the stand, if that was the sport it would of fallen on her. That's when I got rid of the self retracting stand.

[rocker59]

Re the black motor there is a slim possibility its a Corse (one of the last 200 sports made) came in red or yellow with black accents and a black motor from the factory NFI if any made it to the USofA. Although its been fernerkled with so anything is possible.

Murray, I'm not aware of any Sport Corsas that made it to The USA.  Any brought in would have been Grey Market imports.

[D Knaus]

I have about 90,000 miles on my Sport1100i. so for what it's worth here is some of my experience.
The stock mirrors are junk, the subframe they bolt to is not strong enough and they vibrate excessively.  Bar-end mirrors (mine are Napoleon Baren)  made a huge difference. 
I am 5'=9", and Helibars made a huge difference in making mine a joy to ride.  They bring the grips up about an inch and slightly back.  Doesn't sound like much, but feels miles better than stock.  I don't know if Helibars are still available. 
My front brake was very touchy, from no brake to lockup with little pressure and no feedback feel.  I changed it to get the brake feel more like my other bikes.  Still can lock the wheel with moderate pressure.  Master cyl is now a Nissin, I don't remember the piston diameter, but it make a great improvement.
Lube or replace the clutch cable may help.   
My speedo does the same dance.  I spent $350.00 a few years ago, and sent it to an 'expert'  trying to get it better.  It came back the same.  I use a GPS now to get accurate speed.
I have Will Creedon's chip, and still get some idle stalls.  Worse in hot weather, worse in repeat stop and go traffic.  I found running premium gas helped.  Can't explain why, and it may be my imagination, but may be worth a try.  The stall doesn't bother me much because I mainly run highways.  Some people have put in other ECUs and had good results.  I run the stock air cleaner and Staintunes, so your bike may behave differently.
Beware that if the battery goes bad, jump starting the bike may (will) cause severe damage to the ECU.  Keep the battery good and charged up.  Make sure all the grounds are in place and in good shape.
Some rear tires can rub the driveshaft.  Keep that in mind, I don't remember what brand tire rubs.
Change the sidestand so that it doesn't retract, by removing the knob from the bolt.  I don't have any problem finding the stand with my toe to put it down or up. 
I haven't had problems with the relays, but carry an extra one in case of a failure.
If the bike drops on the right side, the brake lever will break.  Harper's have made up some replacements.
I can't think of anything else right now, hope you enjoy the bike as much as I have the last 23 years.
-Dale

[Don G]

It would look just fine going by at 90MPH. DonG

[SmithSwede]

I actually like that color on that bike.   I’m not ordinarily one for crazy aesthetics.   Personally, since it is a good paint job, I’d just ride it a while.   It might grow on you. 

If not, then at least you are riding it and not worried about every little scratch.   

[Tiki Joe]

I have about 90,000 miles on my Sport1100i. so for what it's worth here is some of my experience.
The stock mirrors are junk, the subframe they bolt to is not strong enough and they vibrate excessively.  Bar-end mirrors (mine are Napoleon Baren)  made a huge difference. 
I am 5'=9", and Helibars made a huge difference in making mine a joy to ride.  They bring the grips up about an inch and slightly back.  Doesn't sound like much, but feels miles better than stock.  I don't know if Helibars are still available. 
My front brake was very touchy, from no brake to lockup with little pressure and no feedback feel.  I changed it to get the brake feel more like my other bikes.  Still can lock the wheel with moderate pressure.  Master cyl is now a Nissin, I don't remember the piston diameter, but it make a great improvement.
Lube or replace the clutch cable may help.   
My speedo does the same dance.  I spent $350.00 a few years ago, and sent it to an 'expert'  trying to get it better.  It came back the same.  I use a GPS now to get accurate speed.
I have Will Creedon's chip, and still get some idle stalls.  Worse in hot weather, worse in repeat stop and go traffic.  I found running premium gas helped.  Can't explain why, and it may be my imagination, but may be worth a try.  The stall doesn't bother me much because I mainly run highways.  Some people have put in other ECUs and had good results.  I run the stock air cleaner and Staintunes, so your bike may behave differently.
Beware that if the battery goes bad, jump starting the bike may (will) cause severe damage to the ECU.  Keep the battery good and charged up.  Make sure all the grounds are in place and in good shape.
Some rear tires can rub the driveshaft.  Keep that in mind, I don't remember what brand tire rubs.
Change the sidestand so that it doesn't retract, by removing the knob from the bolt.  I don't have any problem finding the stand with my toe to put it down or up. 
I haven't had problems with the relays, but carry an extra one in case of a failure.
If the bike drops on the right side, the brake lever will break.  Harper's have made up some replacements.
I can't think of anything else right now, hope you enjoy the bike as much as I have the last 23 years.
-Dale

Any pics of your bike?
My sidestand must have been altered as it does not retract automatically...tha nkfully!
I'd like to find a set of Helibars if anyone has some.

[D Knaus]

Harper's may have a set of Helibars.

[twowheeladdict]

I actually like that color on that bike.   I’m not ordinarily one for crazy aesthetics.   Personally, since it is a good paint job, I’d just ride it a while.   It might grow on you. 

If not, then at least you are riding it and not worried about every little scratch.

screams mid 90s.

a lot of bikes and cars in shades of teal back then.

[Tom]

screams mid 90s.

a lot of bikes and cars in shades of teal back then.

It is a '97.