2003 v11 sport purchase, am I nuts?

[rocker59]

Thank you all. Did notice the blistered, crinckle engine paint. I guess that indicates a rebadged 02?

Look at the 10th digit of the VIN.  If it's a "2", it's a 2002 model.   If it's a "3", it's a 2003 model.

I don't recall any 2003 model bikes having the peeling crinkle black engine paint, but I guess it could be an early production 2003.  Build date should be on the VIN plate on the frame neck.

[Chuck in Indiana]

This green?

Awesome price, and a cool unique color! :)

My bad.. I'd forgotten  about that one. Never have seen one in the flesh. It looks like it has the 02 chin pad.. maybe the end of the model year or start of the next? Probably has the external fuel pump, and maybe has the oversized transmission pawl spring boss. Many 02's did.

Edit: it's an 02. There is a rundown on changes over the life of the Lemans series on the V11 Lemans forum.
Picture of the green one here:
http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5691

 '02 and later models have additional bracing in the frame and a wider 5.5" rear wheel. New front forks with the clip-ons mounted above the triple clamp are standard. '02 and later models have black engine paint. The '02 model paint is 'fuzzy' and is prone to flaking and blistering off- so it looked horrible- and Guzzi offered new cases to those afflicted with it. New brake rotors (triangular holes) are stock.
Late '02 models have commonly been rebadged as '03 models. True '03 models should have a '3' in the VIN and have 'satin' engine paint. Fuzzy engine paint on an '03 model is an indication that it is a rebadged '02.
In '02 or '03, Guzzi changed the electric gas petcock out for a manual version.

[frogeye100]

Are 03 bikes much improved over previous years? My first reaction was yea a great deal, and I am going to buy it but I want to be careful bringing it back to life. Friend is pretty sharp with lots of bikes ie knows what dry clutch rattle sounds like. Owner may have traded it in to avoid dealing with a problem.

[rjamesohio]

 All these “buy it” responses should give you plenty of confidence. You cannot lose in this and if you don’t like it you have plenty of folks right here that will take  relieve you of it! I’ve always heard the last person gets it and I’m currently that guy [emoji106]

Btw - I don’t remember Guzzi clutches rattling anything like Ducati’s infamously do.  And the noise from the engine may be the valves as many people set them a bit loose for good reasons. Any doubt just wick the throttle and listen to it breathe. That should take care of it.


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[vstevens]

Buy it.  1800 is a steal.  Try it.  Pass it on without losing a dime if you don't like it.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Are 03 bikes much improved over previous years? My first reaction was yea a great deal, and I am going to buy it but I want to be careful bringing it back to life. Friend is pretty sharp with lots of bikes ie knows what dry clutch rattle sounds like. Owner may have traded it in to avoid dealing with a problem.

03 bikes are improved over 02s. Not much, though. The fuel injection is better sorted. Bigger forks. Supposedly  higher compression. Internal fuel pump.
If you don't want it, I'll take it. 

[Unkept]

03 bikes are improved over 02s. Not much, though. The fuel injection is better sorted. Bigger forks. Supposedly  higher compression. Internal fuel pump.
If you don't want it, I'll take it. 

+1

I think the later Marzocchi's didn't have as much adjustability? Preload only or something...

Even with flaky paint on the engine, $1800 is the cheapest I've ever seen a non wrecked V11 Sport, and from the photos that green tank looks really unique and cool to me.

Add me to the list of interested buyers! Haha!

-Joe

[Fnq1000]

Wow lucky you!!

Don't over think it - service,tyres and a battery. Then ride the wheels off it.

If you decide it is not for you, sell it for considerably more than what you paid.

What's not to like?

Cheers
Jason

[Nic in Western NYS]

Beemer dealer barn find

[frogeye100]

Got it home, now what, lol
Should I hunt for the weird noise he recalled or just get a battery, put gas in it and try it?

[LowRyter]

whoooa.   Looks like new.

cranker her up.

[rocker59]

  just get a battery, put gas in it and try it?

Yes.   

[frogeye100]

I read the battery lays on its side? No battery there now to match to. Your thoughts on the preferred battery series for best fit and capacity appreciated.
 
 

[Kiwi_Roy]

A regular AGM battery, none of those fancy new tech ones.
The owners manual only says 12V 13 Amp hour.
You might even be able to get one with a little higher capacity
Congratulations, you are going to love it.

[Chuck in Indiana]

An Odyssey PC545 is equivalent to the original Spark 500 the bike was delivered with. About a hundred bux from Battery Mart. You'll want to change the OEM relays to the high current Omron
http://www.digikey.c...5645-ND/2755412
Especially the last two in the stack. (farthest aft)
For more than you'll likely want to know  join the V11-LeMans site and lord it over the poor souls that will be jealous..

[rocker59]

Yep.  Odyssey PC545.  Worked great for me in my V11 LeMans.

[frogeye100]

Dumb question, with the battery on its side won't it leak?

[PJPR01]

Dumb question, with the battery on its side won't it leak?

Not if it's an AGM battery.  No leakage.

[fotoguzzi]

You nearly stole it so do self a favor and buy that pc545. It will last a long time!

[frogeye100]

Hi,
I bought the Yuasa, is it still winter in Mpls? My home town but in San Antonio now. Sure miss the lakes.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I bought the Yuasa,

After several well known Guzzi people told you to get the Odyssey?  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu:

[Kiwi_Roy]

Hi,
I bought the Yuasa, is it still winter in Mpls? My home town but in San Antonio now. Sure miss the lakes.

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[Kiwi_Roy]

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I had great service from the Yuasa I put in my VII


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[fotoguzzi]

Hi,
I bought the Yuasa, is it still winter in Mpls? My home town but in San Antonio now. Sure miss the lakes.

yes we got 10” just this past Tuesday and 2-6 predicted for Sunday.

[slopokes]

Please give me his number—- I will offer him $2200— thanks

[frogeye100]

upload image no signup

Well I got this Yuasa, supposed to cross reference to the Odyssey pc545 but didn't fit! All they carry is Yuasa. Anybody know the correct Yuasa part number for a 2002 V11 Sport?
Gotta run back there tomorrow.

[smdl]

upload image no signup

Well I got this Yuasa, supposed to cross reference to the Odyssey pc545 but didn't fit! All they carry is Yuasa. Anybody know the correct Yuasa part number for a 2002 V11 Sport?
Gotta run back there tomorrow.

Be careful with the "-BS" units as this means that a separate bottle of acid is supplied.  When you receive the battery, you will have to fill it yourself, and people have seen leakage in these batteries when they are not positioned upright.  The benefit of the Odyssey batteries (and the non-BS Yuasas) is that they are completely sealed from the factory and won't leak.

Congrats on the great score with this bike!

Cheers,
Shaun

[RinkRat II]

 Seriously, get your money back,  buy the Odyssey. We've all been there and done that. You'll learn Grasshopper 

       Paul B

[fotoguzzi]

Order the odessey on line and it will be delivered in a few days all charged and ready to go.

[Scud]

Congrats on the new V11. It's a great motorcycle - so much fun to ride. Hope to see you on the V11LeMans site as well.

You'll want a special shift spring to keep in reserve (or pre-emptively replace). It so happens that I have a supply of said springs (I also have an extra set of the good relays). Send me a PM if interested.

BTW - I had a Yausa on my Scura for a while - no problems. However, I think it is a touch bigger than the Odyssey, which is a problem on the earlier models, but not on the 2002 and later. The seat pans are subtly different. I'm surprised yours didn't fit. (but I don't know the part number of the one on my bike).