Dan M

Snake oil? None of it is Snake oil. Respringing the Marz forks makes a huge improvement in both handling and ride. I didn't try to respring the rear shock, just replaced it with a properly sprung Wilbers unit. Ohlins makes excellent products, not knocking them here. Just offering a less costly alternative that makes a real difference.

I too agree with rachet. I set up my Marz forks with Wilbers springs & 125 cartridge fork fluid. Changed to a Wilbers shock in the rear too. Once everything was dialed in, the bike was transformed. I haven't ridden an Ohlins shod V11 but can't imagine too much more improvement for the extra money. I ride fairly aggressively for an old fart but any improvement from here is probably beyond my ability anyway. That certainly wasn't true with the mushy stock set up & the Bridgestones.

That's encouraging. Now if they can only sell them.

That's a pretty smug smile Carl! Congrats, she's a beauty.

Now yer on to something. Any nominees?

I think it has been mentioned before but that's a great photo.

insert (yawn) icon here

very good!

I came across this somewhere and while it is not a LeMans, it is a swarthy looking Italian guy on a MG, kinda like me.

Careful Martin, This appears to be the beginning of a global cooling thread.

A worn universal will give you noise (clunk on & off throttle) & vibration at speed under load. Elaborate more on what you are experiencing. The V11 is pretty torquey and has is capable of some pretty serious engine braking when you close the throttle. She requires a light touch on the throttle to ride smoothly

Not trying to step on any toes or make any "personal attacks" but looking at the whole picture and remembering peoples choices at the time (bought a new Yamaha myself in 1983), it seems silly to me, regardless of other factors, to state that added sales and the resulting profits have no effect on a company in the midst of a turn around.

I have the kit from M.I. & love it. It moves them lower & more forward. Very nicely made but they don't fold. As an added bonus, the gear change action is improved with the new lever & linkage. Call Greg, I think he keeps it in stock. He'll give you some installation tips while you're at it

Yes, I think you are right, a Harley guy is a Harley guy. He wasn't looking at a Honda. However, that's just when the Japanese were coming out with their first and IMO rather ugly cruisers. I'm sure more than one buyer looking at a Japanese cruiser may have thought with the increased price they might as well go for the Harley. By then Harley may not have needed it, but they certainly profited from it.

If it incorporates a personal recorder they can call it "tit-talk"

Very cool Carl! Please post your impressions after you've put some miles on her.

I'm right with you on this one Greg. I'd go out of my way and spend more to support an independent business rather than shop at one of these mass merchants. I remember in the 80s with the advent of the "electronic superstores". They put 2 small local audio stores out of business. Gone is the independent along with his product knowlege and usually better quality line of merchandise then these giant stores. People want the low price and put up with the pimple faced kid who typically knows less about the product he is selling than the consumer.

Thanks Mattress I just searched Old Towne Cycles. Looks like they have three locations, besides Wells St there is one in Worth and one in Joliet. Both of which are pretty close to me. They must all be pretty new. Looking more promising all the time. Now if they only have a parts inventory! Have you been to Tag Sport? Nice dealership but way out in Geneva.

Mattress, Does this guy sell parts? Where is he?

I don't think Ryan was speaking of water.

Ah the memories. Tillotson carbs. Westbend 820s. Probably 35 years ago my buddy had a go-cart that had twin Macs, I think I recall them being 89's or 101's, not sure. Two carbs each. I'll never forget that look and sound of the cris-crossed expansion chambers across the back. No such thing as idle (I think the clutches engaged about 3000rpm) and went like stink when wide open. Cool stuff. No, no helmets, mostly just shorts and 80mph on the street with your ass an inch off the pavement.

Yea, they're a bunch of bleeding hearts. No wonder Golden Goose left.

What Pete said.

Yea, it's one of the troubles with having euro bikes. My closest dealer was BMW, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Suzuki. BMW wanted him to enlarge and become BMW exclusive. So he got out of BMW. He still has Moto Guzzi but sells mostly Suzuki & Triumph. Hence, the parts coverage for MG is terrible. The next BMW or Guzzi dealers are 50-70 miles away. Wouldn't be bad except it means either driving through or around Chicago's congestion to either. Oh well, I'll still take them over the UJMs.

People need to lighten up