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Pressureangle

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Posts posted by Pressureangle

  1. 13 hours ago, docc said:

    A miserable state of affairs marketing the masses to believe they do not have to to think, act, or engage any (high) level of skill to operate a motor vehicle on today's roadways.

    Locally, only the deer are more of a brainless threat . . .

    Saw a vid of a Tesla hitting a deer, though it was a glancing blow on the mirror because the deer jumped back at the last second, the car made no change in speed or direction. 

    • Like 2
  2. I worked at a friend's Texaco station in the mid-80s. He was scrupulous about quality in everything, starting with the bathrooms. His friend owned an independent station halfway through town ("Woody's Gas" lol). One time we couldn't get gas from any regular channel, so my friend went to Woody for enough low-grade to get by. Woody said, "@#$$#!, I would rather see you turn them away than let them catch you selling what I do". Heh. Yes, there's a difference. And they're very careful never to let you know all the secrets.

  3. Ethanol content; no clear data. However, Ethanol takes x3 the liquid volume per horsepower than 'gasoline'. So if you have 10% ethanol content, that instantly removes 3% of your horsepower; that then is also dependent on your engine- if it's carbureted, it can't adjust for the ethanol's additional oxygen requirement, and the engine runs lean, reducing power. This is the chainsaw scenario. On an EFI engine with oxygen sensors, the fuel system can increase the amount of liquid mixed in to maintain power, but then increases volume consumption. Either way, it sucks. But it doesn't explain the huge difference in mileage in the same vehicle of either type, with the same usage, using what is expected to be similar 'mandated' pump fuels. 

    We're being skinned, simple as.

    • Haha 1
  4. I haven't been able to turn up any science on gasoline formulation that gives any clues, but I can assure you that you are not insane. I regularly see + or - 5mpg on my Sport, and on my recent 3k mile trip on this BMW GSA, + or - 3mpg. These are consistent across an entire tank of gas, and I've been very careful on both to ensure my usage was similar enough not to affect it. The BMW needed a good tune and one stick coil (2 plugs per cylinder) has a hot fail, so that may explain the lesser difference since efficiency is down overall. 

    Meh.

  5. We discussed material offline. My plates were .080" 304 Stainless.

    Let me add one more thing here; I can tell you that taking on this burden for the benefit of the community and without any meaningful profit is a favor not to be made light of. I stuck my neck out for many thousands of dollars up front and I may have kept enough profit to pay for my gas to the post office. If there's one among us who will willingly take a passed torch, I'm one to thank them and sit back down. 

    • Like 8
  6. 50 minutes ago, Speedfrog said:

    is not too much of a blind faith to trust DGI, a newcomer to these shores, to produce plates within the original specs that will fit and function as they should  - says the worrywort - ...

    All the specs but the material are in the digital file, and actually hard to make mistakes with. Quality and finish are really the domain of the cutter. 

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 2
  7. I built the motor in my '85 LeMans 1000; famous for not-city-friendly drivability stock, but pretty quick. I added a half-point of compression, stupid good ported heads and a Web 86b camshaft that took more shade-tree engineering to fit than anything I'd done by myself previously. It is absolutely glorious to ride. Perfect throttling from idle, smooth power from 2k rpm up (although you can over carburet it at low RPM if you try) and fast as F**k, boiii... 

    At the end of the day, it's a little smoother, a little more docile, and just enough faster than my stock-with-pipes and MyECU 1100 Sport-i to say it's a certainty. Not enough difference to spend any time or money making the 'Sport any faster or more drivable- which by the way, is nearly impossible to improve both at the same time on a bike that was pretty fast and drivable to begin with. My reading says that Crane Cams designed the lobes in the 'Sport, and I've dealt with them for decades long enough to know that what's in there is the best balance between power and drivability, within the confines of durability. 

    • Like 4
  8. On 10/21/2023 at 5:09 PM, Dragonknee said:

    My question is "what years would need this plate, or do all of the V11's need one?" and is there more about. Thanks

    The consensus, I think, is that all 6 speeds need it. Nevertheless I put one in my 1100 Sport 5 speed, just because all the cool kids do it. 

    No meaningful updates on production, except that it's still happening. 

    • Thanks 3
  9. 43 minutes ago, activpop said:

    I agree, especially the part about getting away with dumb stuff. The mindset of people on the road today is "it's all about me".  It bothers me though, especially seeing the young woman as a passenger. She needed to be more assertive, for her own good. I know my two daughters would have.

    I was pretty severe with my kids and motorcycles, and they took me seriously. I bought them a Honda CB125 to tool around town on, individually and together so they knew how to carry and be a passenger properly. Told them if they went to jail on a motorcycle, don't expect to be bailed out. If they got hurt of their own accord, they'd never put a leg over a bike within my reach again. Taught my daughter a proper rear choke so she could get off the back if she needed to. Seems it's funneling down to parenting again. 

    • Like 2
  10. I am no longer sympathetic to stupidity ironing itself out. 
    My lament is that such stupidity affects me personally by increasing insurance premiums and bringing negative attention to motorcycles in general amongst the driving public and particularly law enforcement. I did my share of dumb s**t and got away with all of it, but at my dumbest I never did even once what these fools do on the daily. I don't know where it went wrong, the parents, the culture, the advertising; I think part of the problem is the death of amateur track racing. There is nowhere to turn anymore unless you want motocross. 

    • Like 3
  11. 16 hours ago, audiomick said:

    I had to go looking to find out what that is. B)

    Did Randy actually ride in the Boxer Cup, or did they just use his name?

    Whatever, I'd be interested in your impressions in comparison to the V11 Le Mans. It seems to me, they are "natural competitors". Similar figures, similar date of birth... :huh2:

     

     

    Not that I would ever consider buying a BMW. I'm just curious... :whistle:

    I believe the R and the GS actually share the same chassis, just different shocks for ride height. I haven't had the GS over the ton, but it feels good there given the upright seating and wide bars. But, if I had to bet money on times through the Dragon, I'd give 5-1 odds on the Bimmer. Below 50, it's nimble, stable, and planted. Not so much 'nimble' the 'Sport. Who had the one in the Garage in the Lodge a couple years ago? 

     

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  12. 9 hours ago, 80CX100 said:

    Iirc up here in Canada,dealers are charging up to $10K+ for work on BMW's servo brake system if it involves major parts replacement.

    Owners seem to trade the bikes in just before the warranty runs out 3-4-5? yrs and take a beating on the resale price 

    I "think" I've read of work arounds to eliminate the servo system with standard parts for under $1K?

    Smooth mile munchers,but I'd break into a sweat thinking about wrestling with it in the garage :grin: 

    Seems most of the servo problems are caused/resolved by properly maintaining/flushing the system which is directed to happen every 2 years, a bit of a PITA. My plan should the servo fail is to trash the entire system and just pipe the masters to the calipers. Not like that's rocket science. Part of lessons learned early, is try to end your rides at the end of the gas tank. Don't park it full. Another demon while bulldogging is the brakes; without the servo active, the lever moves 2/3 of it's travel before braking and takes x10 more effort. It tends to roll away while you're trying to find your balance.

    • Like 1
  13. 2 hours ago, gstallons said:

    Mmmmm. to the best of my knowledge , the original large roller bearing is the problem and the upgraded bearing has more rollers and is supposed to be "the cure" .

    Seems to me that even an upgraded ball bearing isn't the whole answer, when angular race ball bearings are available in this size, and in high quality. I'm going to try it out, as I have a spare final drive. Seems too easy. 

  14. 27 minutes ago, gstallons said:

     

     BTW: if you haven't changed the plastic fuel line quick disconnect , do it NOW before you get a lower leg / boot full of gasoline !

    It's been apparently well-attended wrt upgrades/maintenance. There's a quick disconnect in the spares- I haven't looked to see if it's a take-out or a what-if.
    The rear drive did crap out the main bearing right on schedule, though. Replaced at about 40k miles, now 91k. "They fail because they're too tight. If it failed and you replace it with the same preload, it will certainly fail again". So I bought a replacement on eBay and I'll have a crack at rebuilding this one myself. 

  15. 10 minutes ago, Scud said:

    The big GS is super competent motorcycle. And almost as fun as a Stelvio. I hope you enjoy it. Looks like a good trip (it's almost always a good trip if you avoid the main highways).

    A big change from the 'Sport. Super tall, monkey motion front end with no dive took a minute, power brakes I'm still not sure I like. But I have to admit it's comfortable (though it has risers and aftermarket bars, tough on the shoulders) and from 0-50mph it's a terror on tight pavement where the 'Sport likes higher speeds. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to put 550 pounds and 8 gallons of gas on a Giraffe, but I did make it down one horror of a gravel 'road' without much event. 

    • Like 2
    • Haha 4
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