Ok, here is how it all turned out. I kept a log for about a month of starting issues and clearly there was a correlation between low battery charge and the starting issue. Tried to start bike last weekend: bike completely dead, so I went to local auto-parts store, got a new Yuasa replacement battery, carefully set the battery up and charged it, and installed on bike. Poof: all starting problems gone. I also realized my leather gloves touch the left side of the starter switch: also part of the erratic issue, so now I start the bike with naked thumb, then put on gloves. Switch works best if pressed on far right side. Finally, I am spraying my starter switch with electronics cleaner after every ride to drive out moisture from our ultra-humid Houston climate. Saw no strong reason to spend extra $200 on lithium battery, wait to install, and also have to buy another charger. V7 III Special is not a racing bike, so I don't care about weight. All is good in Guzzi land, and the bike is running beautifully after full tune up by Mike Haven of MPH here in Houston.