I drove my bike to a friend’s house the other day and when I went to start the bike it just burped a little then died. I tried starting it several more times with the same results. I checked the spark and the fuel delivery system. There was plenty of spark, and there was pressure in the gas line. After an hour of troubleshooting I noticed that a wire to the electric petcock was frayed. There was only one strand of copper holding the wire onto the connector. After taking off the tank, I ended up pulling the solenoid out of the petcock. I replaced the solenoid with a bolt. This left the fuel on all the time. I then replaced the tank. I was able to start the bike and ride to a dealer and order the part. I left it that way for a week with no problems.
The petcock wires are tie wrapped too tight. There is no strain relief at the petcock solenoid. To resolve this potential problem I put a glob of clear flexible silicone sealer on the solenoid where the wires connect AND put some slack in the wire where it is tie-wrapped.
If you are experiencing "vapor lock" symptoms with your V11 Sport or any FI Moto Guzzi you may actually be having an intermittent electric petcock failure...
Tom in Boston
halchuk@attbi.com
