Thanks Mike; I got to see and hear what my old silver Desmo 450 was like. It was also good to have a tantalising glimpse of what appeared to be a Saturno or Bialbero.
It's still running great. I did have to fix the pull cord because it frayed on a burr in the starting drum but that's the only issue I've had with it so far. But in saying that I only use it occasionally so it's had an easy life.
Hello Mike first of all many thanks for the video. I would like to ask you if this procedure can be replicated in Breva V11 from 2011. I have the same problem and I would like to try your procedure before trying a mechanic. Thank so much for you helpful videos. Wish you the best of lucks. My very best regards from Portugal
I would LOVE to see this bike have a go with a Britten. The Raceco Guzzi Daytona was right on its tail until something broke. As to the 01, There was a dealership in Seattle who had one in a crate. 49K USD....
I had a nightmare with an LM2 front engine bolt in the early 80's. A few winters on salted roads had corroded it into place. It would not rotate let alone drive out. I tried soaking in lubricant, heat, as much force as I could physically put on a huge home-made breaker bar, and a borrowed impact driver. It did not budge even slightly and I was out of ideas. Fortunately, the job was clutch replacement and the frame was able to hinge open around the stuck bolt, leaving the gearbox clear. Don't know what I would have done if the front bolt really needed to come out.
Fun fact - the blue V85 in the background of the Mandello test day (8.17-ish) may actually have become my bike, as i bought one of the importers internal fleet bikes recently and it happens to be a blue 2023 model........
great review, Mike. And lovely to see some familiar roads out near St Andrews. When I was much younger, one of my "dream" bikes was the Sport 1100, and as a successor to that bike the V11 also appeals. I never managed to own a Sport 1100, but maybe, one day, I'll do so.
Hello I am the owner of a Moto Guzzi California Custom 1400 2014 and I would like to know how to remove the key for maintenance warning, is it possible to do it at home.
Thanks Mike, very well-done video. For the 2021 V7 850 E5 Stone model, the service manual specifies 75W-140 oil for both the gearbox and the final drive. Do you think that it would be ok if we use the same 75-140 for the older model for both gearbox and transmission oil?
I just bought a copy with 7500 miles, like new for $3K + tax, registration, prep, etc. $3800 out the door. I think it was the best deal of my life, considering I am 81. I don't worry about wearing it out.
This sounds like a wiring issue. I assume that the bike is a 750 Breva? If not the wire colours and relay position may be different. You will need a multimeter to go through the starting circuit to confirm that power is getting to each stage.
Hi Mike, I liked your list of bikes from the seventies. I have now a Laverda 750 SF , Laverda 250 Chott, Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000. I also have a BSA A65 that was on my bucketlist from the seventies + some more japanese things. Now looking for a Benelli and Ducati. Nice to see the woodwork engraving :-)
Hi Mike, I’m here in Texas. I have a 1992 Guzzi Lemans 1000 like yours but mine is Black.Unfortunately for my 6 ft 4 inch frame, the Corbin seat on it doesn’t work for me. My knees touch the heads. Previous owner was maybe 5’6. Can you measure the height of your Lemans seat for me please? How tall are you? This seat is a bummer for me as it is the Lady Gunfighter with 2 buckets and its really low,doesn’t allow me to skooch backwards. Thanks, I have to either fix this seat or find a stock seat. Your seat looks stock and comfortable from seeing you ride it
I'm around 6ft 2 and don't have any problems with my knees hitting the rocker covers. My seat height is roughly 4.5" from the base edge to the lowest point.
Looks good, Mike and that's an interesting process! Seeing you use the rip-saw took me back to 1960, when I was working in a builder's yard. One of our chippie outworkers was cutting up some timber on our large industrial one; instead of using the push-rod he was talking, not concentrating and fed his right hand into the blade. Chopped off the top part of his fingers and the tip of his thumb. Oops!! One of the other blokes rushed him to the hospital. Meanwhile, guess which young lad got the job of putting the guards onto the machine and clean up the mess...
The manual doesn't specify the torque setting for this but it does give general settings. I can't recall the bolt size but it will probably be one of these: 6mm bolts 4.5 - 8 ft/lb 8mm bolts 16 - 21 ft/lb
Great video. I’m looking at one of these in the US. A couple of questions, can this cruise at 120 kmh on the highway? I’m not into speed but might ride on highway trips from time to time so I’m curious if this can handle that? Also, is it possible/easy to put on new handlebars? I don’t care for the v-shape handlebars and would prefer putting on more standard bars.
From my experience it won't cruise at 120 kmh. Regarding the bars, you would need to change the top yoke to fit standard bars. All in all if you don't mind the extra weight the 650 Interceptor might be a better option for you.
A fully floating disc allows the disc to expand evenly when hot and reduces the chance of warping. Fully floating is really for the race track. Semi floating works fine on the street. Semi floating disks have spring wave washers under the retaining buttons that limit the movement and stop the disc rattling.
