docc

So, then. what is it? Maybe the difference between my 17" Guzzi and the 18" Honda is 1.234 mph? It certainly seems that 40-45 mph is *touchy*, if you know what I mean, *touchy.* More iterations of "gyroscopic progression?" Or are we goin' back to N'Orlins on this?

On another, related, note: Why is 45 mph ( about 72 kph) the point at which motorcycles are most unstable (wobble prone)? Seems like Kevin Cameron 'splained this once, but I don't recall; something about the harmonics of the front wheel size?

I honestly have no experience with that particular piece, but many have had results loosening all the fasteners in the exhaust from the head to the can hangers and fastening it all back up starting with your trouble area first.

It has been reported that the connectors under the relays can loosen up. At the very least, use a good contact cleaner on the relay blades and the connector blocks. Some have reported having to 'tighten up' some of the connections in the connector blocks. The seats of the early Sports tend to contact the relays and may affect their reliability. The under side of the seat can be relieved with a Dremel until no signs of contact remain. The neutral light stays on either because the neutral switch is stuck on or the wire to it is pinched. The switches can be cleaned and often function better in RedLine gear lube. Otherwise, thy are easy to replace. Having removed and replaced the starter or airbox could, potentially, trap the wire to the switch and short it.

Well, Mike, did you fix it or sell it off like an old lawnmower?

Jim, In the 'run' mode, power to these components flows through both the open Start Relay and the closed Headlight Relay as well as Fuse 5. In the 'start' mode, the Start Relay closes, simultaneously blocking power to the headlamp Relay and diverting 12V to the starter solenoid. No starting trouble ever? The starter never hesitates to engage?

I found the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart to go about 20% longer than the same size Strada, running about 40 psi. Harder compound center.

The Shindy is aftermarket, I believe) it came from Greg at Moto International, part number PUD17-001. Be sure to say you have a RedFrame as the fitment may be specialized.

I'm running the Shindy 2 clicks (of 6 total) in from soft. I had always left the Bitubo all the way out unless the front tire needed changing (then 3 clicks of 19 total) Perhaps the original had more adaptability. Though "6 clicks" makes a lot more sense to me than nineteen !

I'm always after the simplest thing first: it's not uncommon for the rubber grip to get pushed up so close to the throttle housing that it rubs.

After fitting a manual petcock to my Sport (thanks to TXRedneck, remember him?), I found it quite hard and very awkward to wind the thing all the way open or closed. It takes a lot of 1/8 turns. I've run dry on fuel too many embarrassing times. Getting off and deeply leaning the bike left and making several *slosh* maneuvers has always gotten a bit of the fuel trapped on the right side of the tank over to the petcock side for a shot further down the road. Early sports trap about 0.8 US gallon. I'm not sure this really changed when the pump moved inside the tank in 2003. It's an awkward, strenuous maneuver and could be hard to describe to your Chiropractor!

Interesting observation! I had been thinking this thread really rings of the old "Fun with Threads" approach to the forum. It ain't all bad, really. As long as we can each show some personal restraint and join the fray for what it is. I certainly believe that riding, especially riding hard, is an emotional state. Why else would it be so captivating? "Skeered?" Naw, I ain't skeered. Yet, I don't want her to bite me again. I want to get so close that she might think she can; almost taste it. It's about the control, the choice. But, in the end, what good is control if you don't let her get close. Even dangerously close.

I do keep the Sport in the garage. Unless I'm riding it. And then, anything goes and that damper in out in the wind, so to speak. I'll keep after its finish. Thanks for the heads up! I've done the final fitment and must say, this thing is much tighter than the Bitubo which always rattled about on its Heim joints. Clearance is tight, but the proper application of washers and spacers makes me confident of the installation.

Tyres have gotten pricey. My last Pirelli (163 USD), and the last Dunlop Roadsmart (158 USD), still needed around $30 to mount. It's couple hundred bucks no matter how you look at it. Top that with: I'm lucky to get over 4000 miles on a rear. I have fun doing it, but I know I fall in to the "hard on tires" category!

While there is another thread on the beastly nature of RedFrames and their possible possession by Vampirettes waiting to feast upon your inattention, I've decided not to run the Bitubo with no oil. Thanks for the reasoned replies and links. While the final fitment is pending, I've hung the Shindy. It is nicely made and works quite well (not that I would know if it didn't! ). The body measures 4 mm shorter while the rod is 3 mm longer. The result is that the steering travels all the way from lock to lock without bottoming the damper. The Bitubo requires careful centering of the body to avoid a limited travel one way or the other.

I think you'll like the change to the 160 (assuming you have the 4.5 inch rim). I do like the Pirelli Stradas, but have *heard* good things about the Bridgestone BT021. I always think, "No matter, the thing will be gone soon if I don't like it." The track take-offs I've seen are all played up. Sure they might still have tread, but the heat cycling has made them hard as nails, especially off at the edges. Trying to save a couple bucks on used condoms may not be in your best interests *wink*wink*.

The FIAMMs have played up. One lasted 6 years and the other: only a year. In all honesty, I've ridden through some really nasty, caustic road conditions in the past year. I've replaced the FIAMMs with new 135 dB Freeway Blasters, and aimed them away from the tire spray (I think they may broadcast sound better that way as well); still running two Bosch relays and a 10 amp fuse through 14 gauge wires grounded back to the frame. FIAMMamerica has promised me neat little grills to cover the bellmouths; figures to help. I'll post back on that. I don't know if having two relays is necessary, but the redundant system seems a propos and it continues to function even though the horns have needed replacing. If you have any doubts, this is an improvement worth making. Ask the Dodge truck and horse trailer I honked back into his oncoming lane last week! EDIT 9-11-2009: And now with the proper grills! They actually look quite large in the photos, but I had to really work at it to get good angles and close-ups for visibility. The horns tuck in very nicely betwen the pipes and the regulator and are not obtrusive at all. Until you press the horn button!!

I've not ever tinked around with my fly while riding. On the other hand, the damper adjustment on the 2000 Sport is as easy and safe to adjust as making a hand turn signal or adjusting a faceshield.

If I'm reading right, you're saying that the brake light and horns do not work? Also, when the key is turned on, there are no oil or battery indicator lamps?

The Starter Relay may be sticking in the closed position. I wouldn't expect this with OMRON, but it's one possibility. Did you get the sealed relays? Fuse 5 and its connections are also suspect. I suspect, with this, the horn will not blow nor will the brake light come on. Have a check on that last one and post back.

I have had my triple clamps up and down and back to where they are now (down 5mm). Translating that into changes in trail makes me dizzy . . . Not only did the increased rear preload help (along with the Ohlins!), but carrying the rear panniers with some load (tools, compressor, patch kit, first aid, Scotch) seems to give the rear suspension action some 'moment of inertia' that keeps her tracking and more stable.

That is well reasoned, GM. Yet, "as delivered" my Sport sagged so much to the rear that any efforts to put more weight on the front increased stability. There is, of course, the "too much is too much" point. There's that relativity thing. And to hell with this red-ugly-image crap. I guarantee you the Sports are possessed by dominatrix vampirettes. She tried to kill me once and I'm here to tell about it. Been in the tunnel. Seen the white light. And the air dam of a 3-series BMW. If you're gonna post pictures of the VooDoo in the Machine, you're gonna have to get it right: [And, you know, once she scares the hell out of you, you just keep coming back. It's the VooDoo. You know you want it . . . you want the RedFrame VooDoo. You know you do . . .

I did, as you may recall, drain all the oil from my leaky Bitubo.( It was just so *untidy*, you know. ) Much the same as taking it off, I suppose. She didn't give me any shakes, but I didn't like the low speed (parking lot) feel. Too abrupt. The only time I've gotten the headshake was when my front tire was really played up. again, I'd wind in about three turns on the Bitubo and order a tire. Currently, there is a very beautiful Japanese Shindy on the Sport. It is lovely and "appears" to work quite well. The adjusting clicks are very responsive. I'm waiting for final fitment to report in full (to the best of my limited abilities). While the Sport did, once, throw me off with a fit of mysterious suspensionismism, I don't believe she's possessed, quite. Afflicted, perhaps. Even, bent (in a psych sense). She reminds me of a strange, dangerous vampiresque girl I once dated. You can call the Ghostbusters, I'm gonna see if the Vampirette would like to go for a ride . . .

I just must add, it's quite remarkable how much better the bike runs; so much more power, better/quicker starting, less *popping* and hiccups. True, though, that I did also change the plugs, adjust the valves and (slightly) rebalance the throttle bodies. Oh, well, yes: the lighter motor oil, fresh Redline (lightweight) in the gearbox and heavy in the bevel drive with redline greeze for the shaft. These bikes love you back! I'm ready to head for the mountains!

Oh, that is scary! But the little horn(y) demon on my Sport is always looking back at me! Oh,and this "take your damper off, get to the most susceptible speed and induce a wobble" is the equivalent of checking your weapon by pointing it at your foot and pulling the trigger. Survival of the fittest?