JRD Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 You can certainly tell it's winter giving us crummy weather to ride and too much time to ponder. With all the previous discussions in the " EXHAUST CROSSOVER" Thread about the benefits of different exhaust systems and cam shaft replacements, has anyone besides Knumbnutz given thought to the performance gains just by putting our bikes on a serious diet? One of the first places to gain performance is reducing the rotating mass starting with the wheels. Has anyone here checked the difference in weight between our cast wheels and a set of aluminum rims with spokes (disc brake models)? Being shaft drive makes it more difficult but it can be done. My Aprilia has a set of OZ forged wheels that save something like 2-3 lbs. on the front and almost 5-7lbs. on the rear wheel compared to the standard Showa rims. My pockets arent deep enough to even consider carbon rims. Do you check the difference in weight between the various brand tires? And the difference between our standard brake rotors and the scalloped/drilled rotors? Working our way up the bike, how about the difference in weight between our standard Showa front forks and a nice set of Ohliins? or even fork tubes off something from Japan, say R-1, GSXR or Kaw? Czzaky- Did you ever weigh you headlight/fairing assembly when you removed it from your LeMans? What kind of weight saving did you gain by going to just the headlight bucket? Any weight you can remove from the top of the bike will lower the center of gravity and improve handling and performance. And last but not least, does Jenny Craig ring any bells Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scud Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 SP838 has put his Sport on a diet. He's drilled out some parts to lighten them and is even thinking about a lighter rear axle. Replacing the original exhaust is probably the easiest way to drop weight. The EBC scalloped rotors I put on the front of my red LeMans weighed less than the Brembos - they have aluminum carriers, where the Brembos use steel. This would be true for the rear as well. I think you can save a few pounds by changing to one of the Lithium batteries, such as Shorai. A red-frame bike could probably drop 5 pounds by using the lighter plastic tail section from a black-framed bike - would take only a little work to mount it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 A red-frame bike could probably drop 5 pounds by using the lighter plastic tail section from a black-framed bike - would take only a little work to mount it. I didn't know there was a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 A red-frame bike could probably drop 5 pounds by using the lighter plastic tail section from a black-framed bike - would take only a little work to mount it. I didn't know there was a difference. Different materials. Seems that early tails are rotomolded Nylon like the tank, so has some "thickness" in the structure. Later tails are ABS, as I recall ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scud Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 The later tails are very light - nothing but an external shell. The rear subframe is slightly different too - it has tabs for screws to go up from the wheel well, while the early tails have studs molded into them that protrude down through plastic. Consequently, the mudguard/taillight flops around when you remove the tail on the early bikes, but it stays put when you remove the tail from the later bikes. The later one also offers a bit more storage space. You can save 5 more pounds by leaving your tools at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 So, you can trap bigger monkeys with the later tail sections? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68C Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Just been down to the shed and weighed a few bits with my luggage scales so not too accurate. Ex V11 Sport parts: Seat fairing (01.57.31.35) 5.5 lbs Ex Le Mans parts: Fairing assy including L & R main panels with airscoops, top and bottom centre panels,windscreen. 5.9lbs. Fairing mount frame with attach bolts, headlamp adjust mechanism and 'dashboard' panel. 5.2lbs L & R Side panels 1.1 lbs Front mudguard 1.7lbs Fuel tank less filler cap, pump and heatshield. 12.6lbs (heavier than I expected) So in total around 32lbs for the bodywork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r3datom9 Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I was really surprised at how flimsy the black frame tail is compared to the one on my Greenie. The old one has some road rash on it, I would think the newer ABS version would have broke into many pieces upon a crash or even just a fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRD Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 Since our engines are pretty much limited to any power gains by their cylinder head design, we can probably optimise it's performance by doing a few little things to maximize engine output. Lighten and balance the crank assembly, Piston skirts, flywheel, and valve train. Hopefully someone who has actually raced one of these bikes can offer inexpensive suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 Since our engines are pretty much limited to any power gains by their cylinder head design, we can probably optimise it's performance by doing a few little things to maximize engine output. Lighten and balance the crank assembly, Piston skirts, flywheel, and valve train. Hopefully someone who has actually raced one of these bikes can offer inexpensive suggestions Has anyone actually raced one of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Racing? Inexpensive solutions? Not compatible. I don't care what you are racing. There is someone else that is racing and has deep pockets. You have to beat him. Sorry, but that's the way the world works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbolesaz Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Time / Money / Skill Trade-off as appropriate ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swooshdave Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Time / Money / Skill Trade-off as appropriate ! I have none of those. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoguzzi Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Hopefully someone who has actually raced one of these bikes can offer inexpensive suggestions who would you race? other Guzzi's or a Harley? otherwise you loose don't ya? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Great work gloves in that shot, unlined leather for less than 20$ Total respect Leave the wallet at home Save a ton 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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