docc

All right . . . this is really challenging thinking ( and good ale) . . . (and I didn't get to ride 1000 miles in this tropical weather system, as planned), so, I've been reading and giving this a lot of (foggy) thought. First, I think it's time a *couple* of forum members came to terms with "some iz an' some ain't." While there are numerous parameters and a myriad of adjustments and changes that can be effected to these bikes, this is , after all a mechanical device, however complex. So, while the whole Demonic Vampirette thing has been fun, it's no longer productive. Let's get on with the fact that a thorough and productive set-up is critical. (Don't let that deter you from linking hot images of Vampirettes; that last one reminded me of a "girl" I dated in college . . .) Second, if increasing trail increases stability, why did my Sport get better by raising the rear ride height, fitting a smaller rear tire, and dropping the triple clamps (thereby decreasing trail?) I would suggest it's about weighting the front, a trait for which Guzzis are not known. "Damn the (trail), full speed ahead!" (desperate to ride again, docc)

The Bosch relays (one per horn) checked out okay. I recrimped connectors, groomed harness, and the trumpets blow their beautiful 135 dB tune!

It might would have been good to remove and clean your switch while the box was drained. You could try putting it in gear and tapping about on the switch (or just give it a proper *whack*). The fluid level may be low enough, on a stand or upright, to remove the switch with the gearbox full. Get a look at the switch level and compare to the fluid level in the window on the right side. (Don't try this on the side stand). The starter will have to come off to do this; watch out for the hot lead from the battery. This would also give the the chance to inspect the wiring to the switch. They've been known to get pinched.

"SOP" - Standard Operating Procedure Greg, is it possible to identify the triple clamps of a particular bike? Are the parts numbers visible? Maybe it's the "twisted triple clamp" bikes that are nervous?

I didn't mean to point the finger at anyone, although I was probably responding to your post at the time. I was just pointing out that when these posts degrade into our opinions of one another, rather than our opinion on the topic, the threads seem to get closed

Henri, There is a good tune-up procedure pinned at the top of the Tech Forum page that you can do without the Axone or computer software. It does require a good digital multimeter. How long since the gear oil has been changed? Many have found Redline gear oil to be good medicine for the gearbox. It will be important to resolve the gear whine quickly. Oh, not all Americans use the Power Commander.

Wasn't there a nifty Ford heater hose that could be trimmed to fit and more durable?

Why, that "LSL" is exactly the damper I bought as "Shindy!" They are Japanese, no? Using the lock nut under the upper bracket leaf is a clever solution versus the "spacer" I used to fill the space.

That's a nice install, Ratchet! Very neat to retain the originals for "neighbor duty." MZNYC, that is a good write-up, although I'm no fan of crimp connectors and Posi-Locks; more of a lap-solder and heat-shrink guy. Still, my new high tone won't blow. I can only hope the Bosch relay has played up; maybe from the FAIMM that went bad on that circuit(?) Tuesday, off with the tank and try the spare GEI. Ratch, what are you using for a relay?

Durn, even in the PNW y'all can make folks a'skeered just by makin' 'em ride yer goozie. Down-yonder-just-here we have to resort to twelve gauges or, at least, Ton Trucks. *HONK* *HONK*

Nerts. I'm exposed. Don't tell my feathered patients! The geese will be especially dismayed. Does that make me a "honk?" instead of a practitioner-of-the-duck? So be it; worse when you see my posts on "Serious Horns." *HONK*

Frankly and honestly? No. That stuff is just all "silly banter." What will get this thread closed is the "you're so stupid" . . . and "duh, ain't you a twit" and "if you had a clue and one oar you could at least go in circles" kind of language. I haven't been the only one trying to diffuse it. It may even be the design of this particular thread. In reality this isn't a technical thread. Oh, I think it's interesting; the whole study of the Litany of Fear and all. But, it isn't "technical" and it promises to degrade into further ranting and name-calling. Say it ain't so. Save us. On top of that, I have to say: I appreciate folks posting references from other sites. I don't get to surf around alot and find it interesting to read what people are finding. Especially worldwide. Don't ever let me say, some one doesn't "know what they're talking about" because they posted an excerpt or reference from another site. I spent the day with four other riders helping to refurbish four old bikes belonging to our late friend and great rider Bruce who passed on a few months back. What a great bunch of guys! I can't believe how much they accomplished on these old (Hondas) in just a few hours. Beyond that, though, was their unerring sense of humour. These guys can't be kidded into an angry fit. Quite unfortunately, the tolerance for kidding is not universal. I found it extremely hard to get away with when I got *home*. Ooh, and internet forums , kidding and frolicking could be construed as absolute subterfuge. Sabot-tage. I've thought this to be a rather tongue-in-cheek thread all along. Will it get closed? Only by the posts of people that can't seem to reach their cheek with their tongue.

You California guys should be glad there's no active moderator on this forum. Of course, we're drifting the thread somewhere between "24/7 V11" and "Silly Banter . . ."

Point well taken.

Oh, yes, and the subtle difference in tense between "skeered" and "askeered" is in fact more than just the varied inflection imparted. No, in fact, the Appalachian and Highland Rim dialects are highly developed. Admittedly, this may not translate well and, further, my "people" were from West-By-God-Virginia and not originally from Lower Middle Tennessee (hence, that other local phrase, "Ya ain't from 'round here, are ya?"). In short, "skeered" (scared), is a state of being. Something that might drive you blindly to fit a damper (or not), or run a particular tire, or give up riding altogether. "NO FEAR" was the clever marketing slogan, no? "Ain't skeered" they said here just to be sure no one thought this was California. "A'skeered" , on the other hand, is a far more transient tense. I might make you askeered (sic) as you might be set alight; that your relays (God forbid) could be found afire. It's a much more dynamic and transient state. You would not be a'skeered for long. Again, I ain't skeered of my Guzzi. But, there was that one instance up on South Harpeth Road on that uphill-right-hand-off-camber-decreasing-radius-nightmare-turn that the Guzzi broke away, that I was, briefly, a'skeered, as she and I horizontally slid our way into the oncoming BMW E36 sedan. You could live your whole life skeered. To be a'skeered will be followed by some fairly immediate consequence: in my case - just disappointment. But, don't come 'round the back of my house at night - I or my Rottweiller could make you so a'skeered that things could not ever be the same. It's a difference that you may have to wet your pants to truly grasp. (Don't , though, if you don't really have to).

There 's a difference? I'm in the dark here. The V11 is my only road bike (of "not many") to have a damper. The only 'damper' on my dirtbike ended up fitted to me leg . . .

With this high overlap cam and the rather big valves, the V11 motor has a sweet spot at 5000 rpm. It'll "run" lower, but it ain't happy. 2800 is closer to "idle" than "sweet." With fresh plugs, "loose" valve adjustment (006/008), and throttle body balance (and with the air screws open a full turn and a fresh air filter with the TPS spot on), she'll tolerate lower revs (below 5000), but she still ain't happy. I don't know of any shop that can take the time a dedicated "enthusiast" will. When I was a kid, a friend of my Mom would bring his Triumph TR6 (car) for me to tune. I would put in new points and condenser and set the points with a dwell meter at the bottom of the range. He would drive it and I'd move the point gap in the dwell range until it ran as one would hope. Either the cap or rotor or a plug wire would always break in the process, but "Ira" had a great spirit about it. We'd head up to the dealer and he'd buy the broken parts. In the end, he knew: no one will take this kind of time outside of an "enthusiast." You can't pay for it. After tuning my Sport every 4000 miles for the first 100,000 km (62,000 miles), I can now go the full 6000 mile interval between tune-ups. But, that doesn't mean she's happy about it.

Or, as I hear in the colloquial vernacular: "Lak ah sed, ah ain't skeered."

A "complete" tune with plugs, valve adjustment, TPS and throttle body synch may do wonders. Also check that the ignition wires plugging into the coils are free of corrosion.

Some have said the Redline solved the problem (I run "lightweight", but probably more guys use the "heavyweight." Others have had success just taking the switch out and cleaning it (it's under the starter). I had to replace mine at 54,000 miles. The change interval on the fluid is 6,000 miles, although I just ran my Redline twice that far. Surely (Shirley?), your 'box doesn't have the original fish oil? [i hesitate to even mention that you should avoid all manner of Australian Yak Fat, even if it 'claims' to be organic/synthetic/or an aphrodisiac. Do not rub it on any of your parts, or even your bike.]

Some have said the Redline solved the problem (I run "lightweight", but probably more guys use the "heavyweight." Others have had success just taking the switch out and cleaning it (it's under the starter). I had to replace mine at 54,000 miles. The change interval on the fluid is 6,000 miles, although I just ran my Redline twice that far. Surely (Shirley?), your 'box doesn't have the original fish oil? [i hesitate to even mention that you should avoid all manner of Australian Yak Fat, even if it 'claims' to be organic/synthetic/or an aphrodisiac. Do not rub it on any of your parts, or even your bike.]

While fear may certainly trigger, or at least, contribute to, physical disorders, intellectual pursuit is known to create similar manifestations. I recall late nights studying pathology or neurophysiology when a frantic call would come from a fellow student, "I think I've got Chapter Four!" Regarded as "Medical Student Syndrome" , would-be mechanics can induce some of the same effects. Indeed, not only have I probably given my Guzzi some of its electrical problems, but attempting to fettle the suspension (to better it, of course) actually impaired it and contributed to a crash. But the VooDoo wasn't begun out of fear, merely intellectual pursuit. "No coward soul is mine No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere: I see Heaven's glories shine, And faith shines equal, arming me from fear." -Emily Bronte

I guess I should be clear saying that my Sport isn't touchy or twitchy either. Never has been (again, there was that high speed weave "as delivered"). I was talking more generally about motorcycles and the 45mph harmonic.

Lots of the tachs read optimistically relative to what the ECU is seeing from the crank sensor,; often as much as 300-500 rpm. That could be giving you an idle of 600-800. The only way to know for sure is to cpmpare your tach reading to a software "dashboard" like Axone or VDSTS. In the meantime, she would probably be "happier" at a higher idle. Not that this would account for your "problem with the tach and headlight. That certainly smacks of a connection problem under the relays. How old is the gear oil?

What's the status on your battery? And your tach indication at idle?