pShenk

Yes, the buttons are definately either *very* stiff, or they're siezed. I'll try the penetrating oil trick. Im thinking that if they are siezed, the disk might be cambered out of true, and this would cause it to hit the pads intermitantly. This might cause pulsing when squeezing to a stop, yes? Seems to make sense to me.

I noticed a slight pulsing and grabbiness in the front brake when slowing to a stop. My mechanic thought it might be a slight warp in the front disks, and he suggested either replacing them, or changing out the little springs that float the disks in the mount. The stock springs are *really* tight, so much that they are barely even "floating". The theory being that lighter springs would allow the disks to move back and forth more between the calipers, and reduced the grabbiness. Anybody have any experience with this operation?

Well, I guess that's the "etc." in "Fuel tank removal, Changing air filter etc." Really though, the minute you concede multiple definitions or interpretations of "perfection" you're moving towards the relativist side of the spectrum. Of course, just having a "spectrum" is pretty much anti-absolutist... Thanks for the info about, um fueltanks though!

thanks Ratchethack, that helps a lot! So the regulator maintains an even fuel pressure (relative to the ambient air pressure). I suppose that that pressure would be the maximum that the injectors need at any given point in the map. I'm sure the injectors have some device for modifying the amount of fuel sent into the cylinders... is that just time that they are open? Or can they vary the rate that the fuel flows? Sorry I might be asking basic questions, but I figure this is a pretty good place to ask

Thanks people! I tried searching for Ratchethack's posts, but search seems to be broken. I only get a blank page clicking the search button, or even going from a profile page to "show member's posts", etc. I did find some non-Ratchethack posts dealing with suspension. Last night I went to adjust the rear pre-load and ended up removing the fuel tank. One of the reasons I wanted the Guzzi was to start wrenching on motorcycles more I ended up tightening the spring oh, maybe 4 or 5 full turns at least, and now it sags about 1/2". The guide I was going by said to shoot for 1/2" to 3/4" loaded sag... Does this sound right? I haven't ridden it yet... will take it out tommorrow and see how it feels.

Ok, thanks. What does it do (obviously regulates pressure). It varies the fuel pressure based on the difference between the ambient air pressure, and the relative vacuum in the manifold? Im having trouble picturing exactly how it works...

I know it's been a long time since the last post on this thread, but this seems like the best place to ask this... Just tonight, I went to adjust the preload in the rear, and ended up removing the fuel tank. It was one of those things where I started wondering "can I unhook this"? and then "what about this?". Before I knew it, the tank was off. Now on my bike (03 v11 sport), there is a fuel line connection on both the right and the left side of the tank (right and left when I'm sitting on the bike). On the left looks like the main petcock, the line going into what I assume is the fuel pump. It has a knurled knob that closes it off (still dribbles a little when the line is disconnected, but mostly off). Out of the fuel pump, the gas line goes into the left injector, and then over to the right injector. The line then goes out of the right injector, and up back into the tank on the right side. On the right, this line connects to what looks like another petcock. Instead of a gnurled knob, like on the left side, there is a small rod sticking out of it, to enable it to turn. I thought that it was to open or close the valve, but after I removed the line, it didn't look like turning it did anything. No fuel came out, although it was wet with gas. Any clue what this thing on the rear right of the tank is? Is it some kind of fuel return valve? How does it work... is it open/closed by turning it 90 degrees? I rotated it around several times and it didn't seem to be unscrewing, so I left it back in the original-pointing position (towards the front of the bike). I'm not sure if I rotated it back as many times as I rotated it out though.

Thanks for the welcome! Yeah, it's a lot of fun. I think I need to raise the back (via preload) or lower the front a bit (via raising the forks in the triple clamp). I've ridden it to work the past two days, and it's a little squirrely at speed, or under acceleration. It's not awful, but not quite completely planted like I want it. Any thoughts on this?

Hi everybody! A little over a week ago, I bought a 2003 V11 sport, and straight away rode it three hours from Grass Valley to Redwood City. The previous owner had some high handlebars and a pretty soft suspension, and I must say, I was starting to doubt my decision. Within 30 minutes, my right hand was starting to get numb from the vibrations, the steering was wobbley... the whole bike torqued to the side reving it at idle.... and the speedometer showed only *general* speed in the 75-90 mph range. I had just come off owning two Ducatis... a Monster 800, and then a tricked-out 748. I went to bed that night wondering if I had made the right choice. So, the next day, I took a few hours and put the stock clip-ons back on, adjusted the suspension (as well as I could, after reading lots about it on this forum) back to stock, and added some gel handgrips. I took it out for a ride, and MUCH better. Now bar vibes were more in the line of "feeling the power" than "tenderize my hand-meat". To my pleasant surprise, I found that the V11 sport was actually living up to the "sporty" tag! Sort of like a mix between the Monster and the 748, wrapped up in green retro amore. So, then I took it down to Moto Itailiano in San Jose to pick up a brakelight switch I had busted, and started asking Julio about mufflers. Well, before you know it, I had bought a pair of the Guzzi TIs, complete with chip and rearset It rained a lot this weekend, so today was the first day I got to really take it out for a spin since the new pipes, and... oh joy! So smooth, so melodious... everything was in harmony. The nearly endless torque and the raw, throbbing power. It's so easy to ride, so much more so than the 748, and it has so much more charm and oomph than the monster. I'm sure I'll continue to tweak and adjust and modify, but right now, it's pretty golden. I'm totally happy with my purchase I'll post pics when I get some good ones.