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JRD

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Posts posted by JRD

  1. Delman- Another inexpensive "modification" I would recommend is insulating the fuel lines. When I removed my fuel tank I discovered my main fuel line was practically resting on the left cylinder head. Pre-heating the fuel in Norway might be a good idea but not so much in sunny, hot and humid Florida. I purchased two packages of fuel line insulation sleeves from a high performance automotive shop. It comes in different diameters, (1/2",3/4" and 1")with a fiberglass weave type fabric on the inside with an aluminum material on the outside. It is very flexible and easily slide on over the fuel line. I used one sleeve over the fuel line from the tank to the fuel pump and the other sleeve from the fuel pump to the filter, and filter to the throttle body. Not sure if it is totally necessary but I thought it would be cheap insurance against vapor lock. I think it was about $18.00 for both sleeves. If you PM me your phone number I will be glad to text you pictures how mine came out.

     

    Jerry

  2. Delman- I purchased an '02 LeMans in January which had super low mileage,(3,000)and at first, it ran great. However, it started acting up very similar to your symptoms, hiccups, rough idle and almost stalling at traffic lights. After adjusting the valves, (.006 Intake/.008 exhaust), I followed the tutorial, cleaned and adjusted the TPS and balanced the throttle bodies. While I was at it I removed the air filter boots so I could look inside the throttle bodies. I couldn't believe the amount of crud/carbon build up inside there for such a low mileage bike! Took the air fuel screws out and used two cans of carb cleaner to flush everything out. It looked like small pieces of varnish were coming out. I also replaced the fuel filter, figured if my throttle bodies were clogged up, there was a good chance the filter had collected crud also, and my filter had a small leak. Put everything back together and now it runs great. Use patience, follow the tutorial and approach it systematically one step at a time, you'll get it running correctly. Scud recently post a step by step tune-up procedure on "Sorting a Multiple Owner LM". And don't hesitate to ask for help here, The members have been fantastic.

     

    Jerry

  3. Docc-LMAO!!!!!! I forgot all about the cork on Czakky's bike! And if you guys think riding a bike with one rear set and one forward control is easy, I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the contorted position Nic was in. Good thing his is a young stud, they would have had to peel me off the bike.

     

    Josh- I definitely will try and make the SSR!!!

  4. Docc-Thanks for posting the photos. The day was a great excuse to get some fellow Guzzi enthusiasts together and go for a ride across the bridges that we take for granted living here. I would have loved to join you on the ride up to Cedar Key but Im just too busy getting the Triumph ready for the Three State Mountain Ride. Sure hope you and Nick can join us.

     

    Czakky- Those two guys in post #41 look just like us!

  5. Roy- My '02 LeMans that I recently purchased showed 3,022 miles on the clock when I took delivery. I too was very skeptical so the first thing I did was check the date code stamp on the tires, which looked brand new like the rest of the bike. Tires indicted they were manufactured in mid-2001. Upon further checking I learned the bike was originally sold up in Alaska, and eventually shipped to Texas where it went thru two owners. Hard to believe but there really are people that buy these bikes and then for one reason or another just don't ride them.

  6. What an absolutely awesome day!!! The weather was almost perfect, aside from the winds pushing us around while crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Traffic was moderate for this densely populated metro area but all in all, a great ride with wonderful people. We had six Guzzis, 2-V11 Sports, 1-LeMans, 1-Centaro, 1-Quota that Carl Von just bought and rode 350 miles from Tallahassee on Saturday, and 1-V-7 Stone. My trip meter showed 135 miles with no break downs and no introductions to any law enforcement. Hopefully we can make this an annual event as everywhere we went people were coming up checking the bikes out. Docc advised that he will post the pictures as soon as he gets home which I believe will be sometime tomorrow.

  7. Scud- For what its worth regarding the valve clearances- I purchased my 02'Lemans this past Feb. and it only showed just over 3,000 miles on the clock. Im fairly certain this was the actual mileage as the tires had 2001 manufacture date codes and other than the dry rot cracks, looked almost new. The bike ran great for the short rides I did around home so other than fluids, I left everything alone. While riding over to Daytona for Bike Week the bike developed the dreaded "hiccup" and almost stalled numerous times after getting off the expressways and when stopped in traffic. When I got home I checked the valves and sure enough, the right side was at .004"I and .006"E. The left side was at .002"I and .006"E. I adjusted both sides to .006/.008 and haven't had a problem since and the bike just feels like it runs so much smoother. I also synced the T/B but they were not that far off so it is my belief that the valve clearance was the major cause of the hiccup when it got hot. With you living out in California, I'm sure your air temps are similar to what we experience down here in Florida which may also be a contributing factor when the bikes get hot. Hope this helps if there is any doubt in your mind as to which valve specs to use

     

    Jerry

    • Like 1
  8. Ok Docc, here are three more bridges we can throw at you, and all can be incorporated into the ride. First, The Clearwater Causeway Bridge from mainland out to Clearwater Beach. From there, head south over the Clearwater Pass Bridge onto Sand Key. Continue south on Gulf Blvd then turn east onto SR686 West Bay Dr. over the Bellaire Causeway Bridge back onto the mainland. All three bridges have are 72' off the water and offer terrific views.

  9. Karl Vonn- We also have the Woody's Beach Café in St Pete Beach looking out Blind Pass directly into the Gulf.  I have gone there several times recently on a Sunday and parking is not a problem.  Either one is fine for me.  I was going to suggest Ft. Desoto also as that's a nice ride, but they increased the fee. I think its up to $5.00 now but I ll check and let everyone know.  The ride out onto the Dunedin Causeway is always nice scenery, especially this time of the year.  And that would be just a hop over from Safety Harbor.   There certainly isn't a shortage of great places to ride to in the Tampa Bay area. Really looking forward to this ride and meeting everyone.

  10. SP838- well if I get the carbon fiber cover we both know where that is going... next it will be the front fender, then..oh cant have that fugly plastic thing over the back wheel....do you hear that...the sound of the cash register ringing and the ATM spitting out twenty dollar bills by the dozens :-0

    • Like 1
  11. I passed the word along to a couple other friends that ride Guzzis.  Skip will try and get his Centaro back together for the ride and Brad will have to make the tough choice between his Centaro or Griso.  I really like the idea of the ride from Safety Harbor/Tarpon Springs etc.  Have you ever been to O'Maddy's down in Gulfport? Located down town and overlooks Boca Ciega Bay.  Docc ho long will you be in town as we have a Quaker Steak and Lube with bike night on Weds, and also Biff Burger bike night on Weds and Sats. 

  12. Thanks for all the replies!  I should have known a 15 minute job was going to turn into an all day adventure.  I'll take the cover back off and truck on don to the local automotive paint supply store and see how close they can match it, I don't really care if its perfect, I'm sure it will get its share of dings and scratches.  Although the carbon fiber cover sounds interesting......

     

     

     

    thanks guys-

    Jerry

  13. Does anyone have the paint code number for the starter motor covers on an '02 Le Mans with the champagne/gray color combination.  I cleaned my throttle bodies with a carb/T/B cleaner.  The paint on the lower edge of the starter motor cover spider webbed and I would like to re-spray it. 

     

    Thanks-  Jerry

  14. Looks like the left side plate of your transmission cover is weeping.  Has it been of to replace the shifter springs?  Try just snugging up the screws first.  If the leak persists replace the gasket.

  15. LowRyter- Whatever brand you get, I would recommend buying the "matched pair".  I have found that the bike handles better when running the same make/model tire on both front and rear.

  16. LowRyter- Having owned both a 2000 V-11 Sport and now the 2002 Le Mans, I was amazed how much more stabile the Le Mans felt on the interstate.  Maybe it was due to a brand new set of Michelin tires on the Le Mans while the Sport had older Dunlope D616's.  The Sport just felt "nervous" or twitchy? It was definitely a much more responsive/sensitive handling machine.

    As far as those big bags, just look at the profile of your bike from the front or rear.  They probably double the width of the profile of the bike, which increase the surface area the bike has to overcome to maintain a certain level of speed. I like to refer to it as pushing the barn door down the road.  That "blast of air" you feel when you overtake the semi tractor trailers is the same theory on a much larger scale.  Used /worn tires that are under or over inflated, or overloaded as well as suspension set up and load placement are all details affect the handling of your bike.  Im in total agreement with GuzziMoto as far as having someone more knowledgeable help set up the suspension.  Im certain that I can do it on my own bike, but it would be a trial and error situation.  You might be better off bitting the bullet and taking the bike to a shop that routinely deals with suspension set ups.  Especially shops involved in racing, they are more inclined to have the necessary experience as they routinely make suspension changes for the various tracks.  Good luck.       

  17. I don't think that just saddle bags could carry enough weight to have an adverse effect on the over all handling, mainly due to the fact that they keep the overall center of gravity of the bike low.  Its when the weight is "stacked up" either on the back side of a sissy bar or back past the passenger seat that definitely raises and moves the center of gravity.  At the same time the weight transfer up and back  is unloading the weight off of the front wheel which causes the wobbles on the straights and make the bike feel like it is "falling" into the turns.  The only adverse effect I have felt when using saddle bags was the increased windage which is usually minimal even at higher speeds.

  18. Hi Ken- There are several great threads on the Aprilia Forum about charging issues and voltage regulator repair/replacement that early model Milles and Futuras suffered.  I believe the 14.8V is at the high end of the scale but not enough to cook the battery.  Does the voltage drop when the engine RPM increase at/over 3,300RPM?  

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