po18guy

Industrial progress in Italy depends on the season of the year. It is always delayed if construction is occurring during strike season.

The Japanese will change specifications mid-year. They are very traditional, but have few mechanical traditions. Thus, if a better part is proposed, it goes in mid-year. In Mandello del Lario, I think that parts are more like a family affair, so the bits and pieces do not change all that much. Except...

What competition?

And a happy Christmas to you and your loved ones!

In 270º twins, as in 180º twins, one cylinder works slightly harder than the other , so idle exhaust temperatures will never be the same. Heavy flywheels help smooth that out.

That same situation caused quite a few fires in Honda CRVs and Elements. The old gasket would stick to the block, unnoticed by the technician. Then, double-gasketed, the seal would eventually blow out, spray the exhaust manifold 6" away and then poof! Was even a class action lawsuit over the design.

Docc, you're just riding on the wrong tires! Aside from traction, the big plus is that the suction cups popping drown out the tappets!

They are building a manufacturing facility in West Midlands, UK. DOHC, liquid cooled, 4 valve w/F.I. I think it will be a very pleasing thumper. They hint that there is more in the engine, so a clubman version might be in the works. Now that would be very cool.

I have learned to never throw a spring away. Shampoo and soap pumps have useful sized stainless springs in them.

So my plan is to make a port into the intake boot and give it a spritz of starting fluid. Or not. Actually, if you adjust the fast idle cam to minimum acceptable slack, you can get pretty fair opening with the lever. And, swap out that valve spring on the fast idle cam for say, a ball point pen spring. All it needs is just enough to retract the cam. Helps if the cable is well lubed. Fast idle can then be tweaked with the lever, without it "springing" to the off position. Oh, and for those running standard plugs, might try a set of Iridium. I noted quicker starts after swapping them out. The spark being less shrouded, they have an easier time firing a leaner mixture than the wide electrode OEM plugs.

Thank you. I ask because there are apparently some FI systems which send a primer shot through the injectors before cranking begins. I have cycled the key/pump on and off and on again and it does seem to fire off more quickly. It's the effect that might have on the pump and relays that makes me leery of the practice.

The M-M gives a prime shot when the pump hits, does it not?

Either crash just right or hydraulically bend. We have to trust the Italian frame jigs and the worker's willingness to seat everything properly at welding time. Suddenly I don't feel quite so confident... Actually riding interstate with one hand as I do causes more misalignment than I could ever correct for - if there was any adjustment, that is. Only time and tread wear tell the tale.

While we were aging (and perhaps not looking) all sorts of beard-growing and other hipsters and metro-types have taken a liking to such urban -retro bikes. I mean Honda catalogs the Grom as a sport bike! Nothing else surprises me.

Very nice stuff. Phil, is shipping from the UK prohibitive? A good maker there, of alloy/stainless/Ti hardware.

Mahindra is not stupid. Since they are in no way directly competing with Triumph, could they - would they seek an arrangement to distribute through existing Triumph dealers? Cannot see a hook-up with Enfield.

And after H-D and their belt drive gave Erik Buell the shaft, he turned to Rotax for his 1125.

Another thing that might turn up the parts is to save an eBay search for "V11" and "Ballabio." The exact parts you are looking for will most likely not be listed in search results, but if you message the seller, they might have the parts which are not listed.

And now Dot is back(?). "Devoid of Trouble" caries a Kawi 650 single, so that bit is well done. What's next? Francis-Barnett? Pointer? A.J. Stevens?

Euro 5 is the word. With F.I., DOHC/4 valves and probably a catalyst, it's doable. More HP is almost certainly in the engine. Norton. Again. Someone, again, "claims" - yet again - that Norton is/will be back again. No Wankel, no 270º twin and no retro. 1200cc V4 they say. 360º crank and 8 or so gears if one indulges their dreamy website's audio. Two mockup...er...uh...models. One less idiosyncratic than the other - or maybe just wearing more bodywork. Said website is pure chocolate frosting, heavily laced with testosterone, but very little actual cake. Again. If I buy a Norton calendar, at least I can tick off the days, weeks, months.

As to the revival of English brands, it seems that Brexit is the result of a rekindled nationalism. The BSA is a go, simply because Mahindra is a huge company and accomplishes what it sets out to do. The India/UK design and manufacture indicates that one can take the best of the past and build on it - whether technology or culture.

If for no other reason, a V11 is comfortable because it is a known quantity. Delays and murky show models smack of engineering or production snafus. "IF" I was interested, I do believe I would wait until the second production year, if only for the parts pipeline and dealer servicing training.

A Holden or Ford with gear drive (lumpy) cam is a thing of beauty. 50 years ago, I worked security at a paved 5/8 mile oval track, where Nascar short course cars ran. Love that sound as they slowed for the pits.

Couple of thoughts. Consider contacting a body shop - maybe one that specializes in Euro cars. Their painter normally has excellent eyes for paint match (if a code is available). Some of the paints are diabolically difficult to match, having a few drops of several different tints in them to arrive at the finished color. A fellow in the UK (BikecoloursUK) does a lot of motorcycle paint match work and sells commercially:

MGB, Guzzi, Corbin and Parilla? Well, he's certainly got the fringe covered. What he needs next is an Aero Sport powered by a Ford flathead V8 with a reduction gear.