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My 2002 MR2 Spyder is 2200 lbs and 138 hp, sporting 15 inch wheels. It's a true 2 seater convertible sports car. Only the experience of driving a car with the engine behind, allows appreciation of that handling difference. Whether winding through the misty forest in the morning, or cruising under the desert stars at night, a true convertible is sweeter than the same ride in a closed sedan. It's ideal for group rides through the mountains/hills with my wife who has retired from motorcycle pillion duties. Admittedly, I still prefer my luggage equipped Stelvio for grocery runs. I can shift up and down through the gears, even to redline without reaching speeds unsafe for public roads. That's why I chose it over the too fast, yet lovely Porsches. I upgraded the exhaust, so it sings sweet, not too loud. I upgraded the floaty oem suspension with quality shocks and swaybars, all adjustable. So it is generally fast on the super twisty bits, yet compliant, not jarring over bumps. Compared to the Lotus dream machine of my youth, it's 6 inches taller, so easy entry/exit now for my old bones. How I survived summers in Virginia without air conditioning is a mystery of my youth. A/C is now a requirement. It's got the build quality and reliability that Toyota is famous for, easy to work on, and doesn't strain the wallet. Easy to own, compared to the classic Italian sports cars that are more fun to look at. P.S. Washing a car is more pleasurable than washing a motorcycle.

I just bought a set of swingarm pins for the V11, shipped via DHL Germany, shipping total was $5.00 US. $5.00 Huh. Edit; 5 Euros, actually.

Let's just say that "wind noise" would have been a welcome improvement. That said, I would love to get some riding video/audio using your expert tips. Thanks for sharing those with us!

Nice film, but the wind noise is annoying. If you want to reduce that, find the apeture for the microphone, and stick a nice thick bit of low-density foam rubber over it. To find the apeture, have a look at the camera, and when you think you have it, make a recording and scratch lightly on the hole you think is the mic. If you've got it, it will be obvious on the recording.

It's a fairly well known story, but Ryan makes it interesting.

No, the 22mm nut that goes into the rear of the sump. It was dripping out of that area and no sign of oil anywhere beyond it on the flare connection or elbow. After looking at the parts diagram, it was evident where to start. gstallons prompted me to open the book. What I don't understand is why that line ends into the frame. Does oil make it up there?

I know a number of YouTubers use two separate devices for moto video; obviously the cameras, but they put a sound recorder under the tail section, or wherever the sound is best. Then they honk the horn so they have a point to synchronize, and add the exhaust sound over the video, sometimes with a voiceover if the camera sound is ugly.

It is beautiful isn't it... The Countach was my poster car as a kid though. Funny you mention pricing, I remember seeing a Ferrari Dino ( the original 6 cylinder one ) that was almost affordable many many moons ago and thought ....should I? Rationality prevailed and I realised I couldn't afford to maintain it! Jeezuz I'd probably still be living on cheese and crackers and cheap red now, and I'd never have been able to indulge my two wheeled obsession. But every time I see a photo of one....Or read Peter Egans tale of driving one cross country in winter something in me stirs.... Cheers

Selling my 2002 V11Le Mans which some of you may have seen at the IMOC meet in Massachusetts last season. About 9500 miles. Recent factory seat, since it was roundly criticized last year for the Rich Maund seat it had then. Did the fluids last season and the air and fuel filters about 1000 miles ago. Pictures are too big for here. See on FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A9DCmbcyA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

No , it is part of the closed loop ventilation system. I don't like it but I didn't make it. This back hose goes up to the lower portion of the frame and bolts to the side of the frame. The front hose that always deteriorates goes into the top portion of the frame goes down and attaches to the engine crankcase area. Look at your parts manual for a good understanding .

Well that was easy, $1.40 washer and no more drips. Simple pleasures!

Is this the same? http://www.eaglescreens.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/M17Pricess.jpg

Do Eagle Screens do one? I think it’s the same screen used on the Balabio and Titanium amount others. Eagle may have a mould or whatever. Can you post up a pic? I can enquire after the weekend if you wish?

Here are the photos so you can judge; the BMW one fits both sides, while the Quota has a distinct part number for the left or right side. I was amazed to find out these are directly listed from BMW Motorrad, and the catalog have the spare parts available for ALL their motorcycles, including the vintage ones... Obviously, BMW has the financial strength to do that. You can still order pistons for your R-90S from the 70's....

Good technical advice. I would trade what I had to do today for wind noise . . .

Where I live, there is no such thing as "overkill" . . ---> It's kil't. Or it ain't. I've put sixty-six tires on mySport (and had the wheels and suspension parts off numerous other times). It only fell off the jacks once . Belt + suspenders for ever . . .

We like overkill . Cheers Tom.

Just saying transport is ridiculous both ways. Ordered 3 fuse boxes from US, may be 60gr, freight 206 $. What. Shipped to sister in-law in NY 9$. Cheers Tom.

You are free to have that much faith, that much confidence, in Michelin. I do not share your faith and confidence in Michelin. Without even a sign of impending tire failure I don't see a legitimate justification for the current minimum pressure. F1 tires have nothing in common with MotoGP tires. A fundamental issue if you do accept that the minimum pressure limit is justified, is why do their tire perform best at a pressure below what they deem safe. Normally, a tires performance is reduced before it ever gets below what would be considered a safe pressure. For example, when I was racing we would adjust the tire air pressures to get maximum performance out of the tires. At an event down at Roebling Road I mistakenly set the tire air pressure too low. The tires weren't so low they were in danger of failing, but they definitely did not perform well. The tires were sliding around and wearing excessively. That is what you would expect. You would not expect max performance from your tires to occur at a pressure your engineers deem unsafe. I do not except that the minimum pressure rule is justified, but even if you do accept that it makes no sense that the tire works best at a pressure below that supposed safe limit. As to pushing back the introduction of the new front tire, I am not sure that is on Dorna. Michelin announced the push back of the new front tire claiming they needed more testing. Likely that relates to the fact that they can only beat themselves in a spec tire series. The incentive to push the limits is not there. The only incentive to Michelin in a spec tire series is to not screw themselves, to not have tire issues. Introducing a new front tire that turns out is a problem would make Michelin look bad. Not introducing the new front tire until they are sure it is good would make sense. They have nothing to gain by taking a chance. Personally I would rather they roll out development tires alongside the existing tires, allowing riders to choose which tire they want to run. That would also allow them to actually test the new tires under actual race weekend conditions. I think they only have some 30 minutes of actual testing of the new front tire so far. I can see why they are reluctant to commit.

Just beeing polite. What I realy meant . Cheers Tom.

I sure don't like the way those hydraulic lines are routed . That looks pretty sad.

I quite liked this opening sequence... When the lottery win happens, I will be buying a Countach.