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Showing content with the highest reputation on 07/02/2024 in Posts
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4 points
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After spending Friday and Saturday at the John Day rally, I'd like to give my impressions of it. As a fairly new guy in the Guzzi world, I felt honored to be there. This was my first motorcycle rally of any kind that I have attended, and being bit by the bug I knew I would attend since I first heard about it over half a year ago. I mean, given it was in Oregon, it was a no brainer, right? It was sort of like church, with two wheels from Italy as the religion. The combination of knowledge, passion and experience was omnipresent. I was a fly on the wall to many conversations and got into others meeting many interesting folks. People rode in from all over Canada and the US. Lots from California, Oregon and Washington as expected, but all four corners of the country were represented with many states in between. So many pulled in on older bikes giving testament to the long life of these Guzzi engines. A Falcone was ridden down from Seattle. Two Australians flew into California where one kept his bike and the other bought and registered a 1000SP to make the run over...he will be shipping it back home. Spoke to the woman who rode in from New Hampshire. She showed me pictures of her old Norge with Crater Lake in the backround. She said, "See, they are the same color!" Not her first rodeo. I don't know all the variations and models, but my guess most all were there. I had the pleasure of meeting Gmc28 who turned me on to a stellar route for my return trip. Eastern Oregon roads...smooth, curvy and no cars. So nice! TwinAH rode from Canada on his nicely sorted out Stelvio. It's beautiful! If you knew him you would expect nothing less. Those were the only two forum members that I knew would be there. What went down to making this the outstanding event it was came down to the people...the organizers, the volunteers and the riders. Each and every one had something to say...I mean, have you ever met anybody that didn't want to talk about their bikes? I had a blast!4 points
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You can get one way valves that go at the bleeder, some of them are even a replacement for the bleeder with a one way valve built in. The ones I have used in the past were inexpensive one way valves from a tropical fish store that I throw away after I am done. They are not made to withstand brake fluid, so it tends to destroy them. But they last more then long enough to do the job. With a one way valve you can pump the master cylinder all you want, just make sure the reservoir doesn't run out of fluid. But it is easier then cracking the bleeder and tightening it, then cracking it, then tightening it.3 points
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3 points
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Different strokes for different folks...no pun intended. Back in 1974 I was 20 yrs old and road a Ducati 250 all over the place. My boss had a gig in NYC where he needed another rider for a motorcycle escort for a mini promotional parade for the release of the movie That's Entertainment. He borrowed his friend's brand new Honda 750 and asked me if I wanted to ride it down and do it. Of course I said yes! I couldn't believe it! I cruised down to NY on the Palisades Parkway, about a 25 mile ride, crossed the GW and headed downtown to the meet up point. I met up with the crew and another biker and we proceeded to ride to City Hall where the dancers did their thing to the music on the City Hall steps. It was a hoot. When it was over I rode back to Pomona. That bike was surreal to me. Cruising effortlessly at 60 mph and a little throttle blip and I was at 70. One finger on the front brake was all it needed to slow down. Coming off my Ducati to this it was an amazing contrast and it was easy to see why this bike was one of the biggest gamechangers in motorcycles. It wasn't until 1977 that I was able to buy a new bike. By then there were quite a few bikes out that were all part of what I thought was one of the most exciting times of motorcycle production. The next year Suzuki came out with the GS1000, another game changer. The battle in Japan was on for the baddest and best, and it was fun to watch. Oh yeah, the new bike I bought in '77 was a Ducati 900 GTS.3 points
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Actually he was misquoting me I think. My original description was ‘two cheesegraters fornicating in an iron tank’ but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.3 points
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Doesn't rattle at idling at the lights docc, no good. Then again neither does a quality aftermarket Ducati Dry clutch. This is the EVR slipper unit on my 1198 track bike. The only noise you hear at idle is the straight cut primary gears clattering the clutch is quiet. Note Mick the vented cover....because it's cool and cooling https://www.desmo-racing.com/en/sliper-clutch-cts-racing-sbk-48-evr-ducati-xml-253_351-2812.html3 points
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Glen Campbell was a far better musician than he is usually given credit for..and a fantastic picker.... About 2 years before he passed My wife and I were out to eat at a Brazilian steak house in L.A. ( one of those places where they carve it out of a big hunk at your table) and Glen and his whole family came came in and took the table next to us..about 12 of them..Him,his wife his kids and his Grand Kids..He came over to our table and said hello and was very low key and friendly....It was his Birthday.. He didnt recognize me. Flashback 45 years earlier In the early 70's when I was a young Camera man working for an Ad agency I was hired to shoot a commercial in L.A. at a Golf course with Glen and Forrest Tucker..This is when Glen was drinking big time and on his ass that day..that was when he was married to Tanya Tucker..Glen took Great delight at continually loudly calling Forrest "Taurus Fucker"!! I thought Tucker was going to punch him out for sure..he did not see the Humor in it. It was a long day..ha ha3 points
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Growing up with US "TV", I never knew what a musician and guitarist Glen Campbell was. Plus, I love this song . . .3 points
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You can buy a tester for 12 bucks Au Mick and I have brake fluid in sealed containers that are 10 years old and still zero water content. I've also bought new fluid that was 1.5% water contaminated out of a sealed bottle. Thats why I open it and test it at the counter in front of the staff before I pay for it these days. Phil2 points
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Wyoming looks flat on the map, but now I know where the Bighorn mountains are. Got snowflakes?2 points
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HI Footgoose,my speedo is still working but highly inacurate and the police having GPS speed recording its time to be on the same playing field.2 points
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This would seem to be the leading brand of the bleeder replacement type here: https://www.stahlbus.de/index.php?language=en I've read about blokes putting them in time and time again, and they all seemed to be well pleased with them. Personally, I would prefer the solution that I saw in the workshop that I go to when I need help. The mechanic there uses an in-line valve downstream of the bleeder, i.e. hose on the bleeder like conventional "pump-open-close" bleeding, but there is a valve in the hose, so you just have to open the bleeder and keep pumping until the air is out. As has been mentioned, all you have to do is make sure to keep enough fluid in the reservoir to stop it sucking air in. The other thing that I picked up from watching him was to remove most of the fluid from the reservoir with a syringe before you start. That means you don't have to pump as much old fluid through the system before the new stuff comes through. Having said all that, I prefer to have mine done in the workshop. I hate doing it, and one always has some brake fluid left over that you can't store for more than about 6 weeks and that has to be disposed of properly. I'm happy to pay someone to do it for me.2 points
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I prefer speeding up the process with a vacuum pump. But my favorite way is to pressure bleed, where you force fluid into the reservoir and from there through the system. That pushes the fluid and any air present out the bleeder. Applying a vacuum to the system can in some cases suck air into the system, which is opposite to what you are trying to do.2 points
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UHHHH , the master cylinder is in the relaxed position . As in no one is pulling/pushing on any lever or pedal . Don't forget DOT 4 fluid only !2 points
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What does all this mean. I'll make my own nut and cut the thread myself on the lathe. Phil2 points
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2 points
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The facts . The only pivot and jam nut I have is a (I measured) 20mm X 1.0 thread pitch . The outer hex is a 30mm head on the jam nut. Searching Fastenal website gives only 20x2.5 thread pitch only. You can Google and find plenty of offerings there . Not all taps/dies are created equal . Maybe someone will chime in on their favorite brand(s) of taps. The miracle of all miracles . I keep LOTS of things .a.k.a. JUNK in many plastic drawers . @ 3:45 a.m. I walked out into the shop , opened the first drawer and "presto" found the jam nut/pivot bolt . Remind Deanna to purchase Lottery ticket today !2 points
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Met up with Mark today and asked him about the map/file sizes of the respective ECU’s. The 7SM which was a pretty complex device is apparently about 720Kb. The MP11? How does roughly 3.5 Mb sound!!? That’s a LOT of information!2 points
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2 points
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What color starter cover, Dave? Last OEM turn signals I got from MGCycle (your Wisconsin neighbors!). Joe Kenny makes a brake pedal that won't snap off, but I like the one from HMB Moto (Germany) better . . . Yet, I cannot find anything from Joe Kenney online now.2 points
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I still have fond memories of the sound and smell and fun of my Yamaha Daytona Special (RD400 style 2 stroke). I sold it because of overwhelming feelings of inadequacy when an associate showed up on his Suzuki RG500 "Gamma." Sadly my excitement over the Gamma exceeded that of my Daytona, and I never even rode it. What a sound!2 points
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What? The Kawasaki 2-stroke triples were fantastic. Ok, shit frame, but the motor was a monster, even the small capacity ones. The CBX 1000 was fantastic. Ok, typically Honda "glattgebügelt" (ironed smooth), but still nice. I haven't experienced a Benelli Sei, but I would love to. Z 1, don't start. Legend. The only one I wouldn't be interested in was the modern BMW at the end of the lineup.2 points
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Yeah... Moab to Jackson Hole. Beautiful start, to Dinosaur and North... Then Wyoming. The high plains winds are crazy, and for hours. Dropped it at a stop from a pebble and the wind, good sam helped pick up Humpty Dumpty. Jackson WY rather sucks bull nuggets. San Fran libs have taken it wholesale to the point that an old biker gets side eye looks buying coffee. The baby Hilton (idr which brand) was f*'n $525 tax in, and every tent site was beyond full. Nice scenery, though. Flew Teton and Yellowstone, got some rain with hail at 7500 feet. Cody WY now looking at ugly weather.2 points
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That's what I mean. The Honda at the start belongs to the bloke who made the video, apparently, and the segue is that the bloke who owns the interesting bikes restored the Honda for him. It's just that the bikes presented in the video are nearly* all iconic and interesting ( * there was a BMW at the end... ), and the Honda at the start is just grey porridge. Quite a nice motor, actually, but an uninspiring package.2 points
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My friend had the H1 back around '73. I rode it once. It scared the crap out of me. No way, no how.2 points
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Unless it's a dry clutch with twin friction plates and a steel intermediate. In a basket flywheel. With a couple hundred thousand kays on it, all ridden like a jackrabbit on hot lava. Then it sounds like nine monkeys fighting their way out of a cymbal factory with ball pein hammers.2 points
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According to "La Provincia Unica", click the link to you can see the current state of the construction. Moto Guzzi will soon have more space to put together their V7, V9, V100 engines. As the media says, the engine assembly line always was the one sacrificed for space at the current plant. So much that the V85TT is currently assembled at Aprilia's. With the new space, better synergies will be achieved and time to complete assembly will improve. Should we understand that Guzzi bikes are now in high demand? so much that the current line can't cope?1 point
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Looks like the "pressure bleeder" I see specified in the BMW ///M roadster manual. Need to get-me one o' them . . .1 point
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I can't believer people still manual bleed brakes and clutches when you can use one of these. Dirt cheap and a million times more effective. I actually use a Motive products bleeder which was way more expensive at the time I bought it. Vevor sell good stuff. Phil https://www.vevor.com.au/fluid-evacuator-c_10350/vevor-car-brake-bleeding-clutch-fluid-bleeder-kit-vacuum-pump-3l-air-powered-p_0103154057341 point
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I searched "St. Vitus Dance" and found a couple of posts from docc. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/topic/23020-speedoodo-replacement/#comment-263381 https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/topic/22169-v-11-sport-veglia-speedo-needle-bounce/#comment-255352 Perhaps not exactly what you meant, but they seem to lead to information on the typical causes of the wobble in the speedo.1 point
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It doesn't hurt to have a backup. A wheel sensor type speedo will have a magnet attached somewhere ie brake rotor, and there will be a calculation needed for overall diameter or circumference of the tire to be programmed into the brain. When finished you'll want to compare it to a known working speedo. If you have a smartphone you can mount to the bars somewhere, download a Speedometer app and just use that. Re the factory speedo, they are known to give trouble. Be certain your cable is working 100%. Not in a bind, plenty of lube, and not damaged -outer or inner. The connections at the speedo and at the angle drive. does anyone have a quick link to the St. Vitus Dance on the forum?1 point
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I always thought that the action of moving the master cylinder piston was always more desirable to agitate any lodged air pockets. IMO And yes very repetitive, but then I again I always just use a clump of rags.1 point
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That concept has been around for a while, and keeps turning up. It is from Oberdan Bezzi, and there is no guarantee that Moto Guzzi are paying any attention to him. https://oberdanbezzi.artstation.com/projects/3qwb4D?album_id=11177621 point
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Thanks, gst! I have always done the press lever/pedal->open bleeder->close bleeder-> release lever/pedal->repeat/repeat/repeat. So, just open the bleeder and let the fluid drain into a catch can (or use the vacuum pump) while keeping fluid in the reservoir?1 point
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1 point
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Yes, the math favors running three current spec 2025 factory Ducati's next year and three 2024 spec bikes. That means one of this years bikes will not be used, but that is no big deal. That is bound to happen either way, whether it is one 2024 bike not being used or two 2024 spec bikes not being used. Their issue will be that they are supposedly obligated to provide a 2025 spec bike to Fermin Aldeguer, which means that they would require the team that they give that single 2025 spec factory bike to run Fermin Aldeguer on it instead of their own rider. I would be surprised to see VR46 take that deal, although maybe Gresini would take the deal if they sweeten it by dramatically reducing what they charge Gresini for leasing their bikes. Where as VR46 would likely be willing to pay more to lease current spec factory bikes, they would only do so if they get one for their rider. If they only get one 2025 bike and have to put a rider Ducati signed a deal with on it they really have no incentive to take that deal as they get little out of it. Also factoring into the math is Yamaha and KTM will be running 4 2025 spec factory bikes next year while Ducati seem to be saying, as per Digi, that they will only run three 2025 spec bikes next year. I did not know Digi said that when I suggested they might do that, but it seems that is what they are planning on. That makes sense from a number point of view but it may hurt them from a performance point of view. Yes, I have heard about the testing being done with the new front tire, and I have heard about how they are 3D printing the rear tire. It is very cool tech. Not sure it is the best tech, as they still seem to have QC issues, some tires are not as good as others. But that has always been true with the Michelins, and no doubt this 3D printing is an effort to cure their QC issues. But, as mentioned, the official stance is still that the new front tire they are testing is for use in 2025, and for 2024 they say all they did was update a compound of the old design with rubber that is between the medium and hard tire. Simon Crafer is a great guy, and a good source of info. But I have not seen any info that says the new front tire design is already being used in races. The interesting thing to me about the Michelin tires in MotoGP is that the tire compound seems to directly effect the construction of the tire. Normally the tire is made from two different rubber compounds, the carcass of the tire would be one compound and the tread another. But with these Michelins it seems like the rubber compound of the tread is also the rubber compound of the construction, and a soft compound tire has a softer carcass while a harder compound tire also has a harder carcass. That is not the way it used to be. That results in a difference in the way the tire works far beyond the difference in the grip of the tire between different compounds.1 point
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@GuzziMoto Let's do the math: this year, they have four GP24 and four GP23 distributed in four teams. Next year, they will have four GP24 from this season, only three teams. The Factory team gets two GP25, so in theory, VR46 and Gresini would inherit the four GP24. But this is no longer the standard strategy. Tech3 has current year KTM's or GasGas in 2024. PRAMAC will get the same M1s of the Yamaha factory team. LCR also has current factory spec'ed rides. Aldeguer has a Ducati contract, so maybe Ducati will still have four/three GP25 next season, however losing PRAMAC is certainly a bigger deal than they are trying to make sound. As for Yamaha, working with Paolo Campinoti is not going to be a walk in the park. He is known to have very strong opinions, as we could verify with his decision to dump Ducati. As for the tires, as I said, I am following two journalists from different media, both French, which have been in the motorcycling racing for a long time. I also follow Moto.it, also run by people who used to race in their days. Simon Crafar collaborates to GPMag, and brings a lot of technical insight which those YouTube guys don't have a clue about. In the latest issue of GPMag, there is a very interesting article about Michelin and the manufacturing of the MotoGP slick tires. Did you know? The rear MotoGP slicks are produced using the C3M procedure; 3D printing. Front is still produced the traditional way. Next year, both the front and the rear will be produced using the C3M procedure. Their QA/QC procedure is that every 100 tires produced, they take one out and cut it to verify that it is within the specs. All the production is nevertheless scanned. Should anything be spotted, the tire is removed. Each tire has its own identity and can be tracked, like aviation spare parts. Meaning that each of the components are traceable, including the rubber compounds. They gave the example of Jorge Martin's specific complaint about a tire. They have a lab that specializes in peeling, analyze, dissect tires. It takes time, but they can. Of course Martin's tire was perfectly matching; they came up with an explanation why the tire underperformed though. Martin's way of riding overheated the tire, dimming its adherence property. They did acknowledge that Bagnaia's tire issue at Sliverstone 2021 was a manufacturing defect. The MotoGP tires are produced around the clock, 9000 per year. They said they have an English version of the magazine, using Simon Crafar to translate the technical minutia.1 point
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Yes, I have had good luck on eBay, and I do try searching for the part number too thx1 point
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I know I'm a grumpy old man these days but there isn't a bike in that video I'd have any interest at all in owning. If I was the owner I'd sell all of them and buy 2 decent bikes with the money. Funny these days how people lust over motorcycle that we were all puking over back then.1 point
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audiomick- The initial bike is a bad start to the video. Most of the bikes had been restored by different people basically describing the owner as more of a buyer than restorer. But their are many cool bikes in this collection from two-strokes to 6 cylinder bikes. The Benelli had many Moto Guzzi sourced parts, looks like the front forks and triple tree, but I could be wrong.1 point
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This is Sedona Airport's designated overlook for watching the sunset... This is such a romantic moment when you can share it with the other 500 people that are there with you to witness it too....1 point
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Yes, lots of nice bikes. What I don't understand is why the bloke showed his "Nighthawk" at the start. That is a CBX 650 E. I used to have one of those. Someone gave it to me as a birthday present, because he had been unable to sell it for about 5 years. It was an "honest" bike, but boring. How can one start a video with "this is my bike" (that...) and then go on to show those other ones. I would be embarassed, to say the least.1 point
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It's good that Piaggio invests in Guzzi. I am also happy that we don't hear anymore about the new mid-size Guzzi equipped with the new Aprilia parallel twin. But it may still be in the works. We will know at EICMA 2024. A new V500 would be nice...1 point
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We better watch out... Guzzi will be a mainstream brand1 point