docc

Did you fuse a hot wire straight from the battery? 18 guage is big enough?

Carl, Thanks for being so kindly persistent with the truth about the relay. I've the tank coming off soon for a fuel filter and plan to add the relay then. No question you are right about the switch not being up to the draw. Especially not as much as I blow the trumpets! Thanks again! docc

Acid test: Today led 9 bikes on 350 miles. Four dogs in all : Two changed direction, two stopped and cowered from the sound of the Fiamms. I say "bravo."

I need to check the amperage on the left hot lead as it appears the horns are wired in series (why else would the right quit with the left unplugged?) I'm sure the amperage will be higher. But even if it doubles, that's about one amp. Loud horns, good: maybe scare off dogs. Loud horns, bad: wife only allows about three amperage readings of sustained blast.

Rats! Now I'm really confusede@! I got the Fiamms from the local Advanced Auto (about $25). I figured to just hook'em up on the stock wires and see (hear) what they sound like. Like a Cadillac! The squeakers say "12v, 3 a, 105db". The Fiamms say"132 db" with no amperage claim. So I wire in a digital amp meter in series with the hot to the right horn. Followed shortly by the confusion. Blowing the horns amperage starts about 2.0 and drops OFF to about 0.5 amps. I tried unhooking the left horn but then the right would not blow by itself. If the amperage is really that low then they pull no more than the 3 amps stamped on the squeakers. WHAT GIVES??

Carl, Well said. I have to agree with you on the horns. Last year I got flipped off the bike by a BIG dog. Since then I #1, STOP ( not just slow) for dogs and #2, use the horns copiously. You'd think they wouldn't like the 'squeakers' but the noise just seems to draw them closer like they think it's a mouse and would be fun to play with or eat.

Carl, I'm assuming the stock 'sqeekers' work through the switch with no relay? I was thinking of sourcing Fiamms at the local 'Ad vanced' if they're all the same. My '89 Taurus wagon had Fiamms. They'd work, yes? Probably way cheap from the bone-yard.

The bag of Siemans relays we all have jerked out of our bikes: are they good for anything? Can they be used as a horn relay? EDIT/ April 2007: The Siemans lasted for about three years and starting giving up. I'm trying the Bosch now . EDIT/ Sept 2009: The Bosch have outlasted the FIAMMS.

40 minutes south of Nashville off I-65. Let's ride! Check your pm. docc

Definately sounds like a common, easy to fix relay problem. Go to www.dotnet.com/~dprune/ and Dan can set you up with a good set of the Bosch relays. Do them all, they're very inexpensive.

What's the deal?? I ordered some stuff from the dealer 6 weeks ago. I try not to call too often since he acts like he owes me money when I get him on the phone. Is anybody in the US getting any parts lately??

That's a nice plug you've got there! Looks like someone 'did it right.' It's goofy they left the valve in ! No doubt you've got your tank suck solved. It is hard to get under the tank but you've got the method now. Ride well, docc

The taps are located where the intake meets the head. Lots of riders just connect the two with a hose. Discussion on the Wildgoose board claims improved idle and part throttle by plugging the taps. This is from people who've tried it both ways. I ended up using the Allen head bolts the hard (stupid) way. First, I tried putting a rubber vacuum plug over the taps. First little hiccup and the things blew out! Major 'pop' sound followed by vacuum leak.

While there's always a little 'Scot' in me , I'm always up for a little 'scotch' in me as well! Especially after a good ride on the sport! Make mine a single malt, Carl! docc

So, like, where does the vent hose go now? You'll definately be better off without the valve and running the hose to atmosphere. (or, as we do in Tennessee,straight up Al Gore's p'toot) Also , I'd check to be certain how the intake taps have been handled. Some just run a hose between them. I think it's cleaner to remove the tap and replace with a short Allen head fastener on each intake.

The Mistral cannisters (cf) are 10 pounds lighter than the stock cans.How much lighter is the Stucchi crossover from the stock unit?

I bought the ' factory filter wrench' for some high price. When supplied it did not have the hex drive to remove the access plate to the filter. I have found the rear axle nut to be the correct size to remove the plate.

When I had my throttle bodies replaced (which didn't change the drip) the dealer refused to check the CO.He said the plugs would strip out the threads in the headers. Are they really hard to get out? Has anyone stripped the threads? (I'd love to get40mpg!!)

What's the manual say for gearbox oil change interval? Is it 6000 miles? Sounds like too long if shifting degrades before then. What do you think 3000 miles or at every engine oil change?

Rich, is that a 160/60 or 160/70?

If your bike shifts down easier than up it sounds like you need to adjust the pawl engagement.

Now there's a plague to be wary of.

Carl, Are you talking about the Tekno semi-soft saddlebags? If so, where does the Loktite go? (Hey! You mean stuff falls off these bikes?!)

It occurred to me you might want to bleed your clutch hydraulics as well. Looking for all the 'simple' maintenance and adjustment items for a simple solution. When my V11sport was shifting poorly the most common advice I received was, " romove boot, insert new more aggressive foot." Also, the idea that something inside the box was amiss (which does happen but let's hope. . . ). As it turned out, some careful fettling made a huge difference. Typical Guzzi , just wants to be fettled!

Rich, that looks so goog it hurts! now my silly silver wheels look so dull. I'll try to drink more and get over it. What did you cut your spring spacers from?