Baldini

I have no experience of changing steering angle, but as Docc says, there are simpler ways to improve turn if you haven't already done them... What tyres you got? Different tyres make huge difference to handling feel. Quickest handling tyres I've used are Pilot Power 2CT's, which also grip great, wear evenly but very fast. Going from 180 to 170 rear improves speed of turn in & also balance between front & rear - but not all tyres are available in 170 (2CT isn't as far as I know). I raised forks in triple clamps by about 11mm on my Scura, which also runs the Ohlins (always check all clearances). Is sag set correctly for your wt, front & rear? Enough rebound damping on front, enough compression on rear? I changed to stiffer springs f & r (Scura came w/very soft springs but I heard later Ohlins bikes had suspension set up better from new - although I don't know that for fact, & when I've asked for spec I've been told it's same ...). Getting your bodyweight over front as much as possible also helps plant the front, V11's carry too much weight on rear, promoting vague front end, esp when suspension is off. I think 1100sport riding position is more over front end? I dunno I never rode one. I dunno is st hd angle same as V11? All these help handling/steering more positive & precise, but no way make for a "modern" handling bike. Guzzis are very heavy & that is reflected in the nature of there handling. Like Windchill, I like their slow steering stability. KB

As usual Mr Veck, you write it in pictures. Well put. KB

Fair enough, but let it go mate. You've seen the job Jaap's done on creating & running this site, he doesn't often mess up. So this was a cock-up, but maybe it'll make someone sit up & see he means it. Maybe you haven't noticed some of the gratuitous personal name calling & bitching that's been happening here....we'd all be better off w/o that, but we wouldn't be better off w/o this site. KB

I'm with you, frogonwheels! time I sent another contribution too.... KB

The rules of this forum clearly state no politics. For years some people here have talked politics, & Jaap has, mostly, let it go, only intervening when things got nasty, personal or the whole thing started to disappear up it's own arse. He even created a forum here for the non-bike stuff. It's disingenuous to suggest this has happened simply because people are talking politics. Recently there's more stuff that is just vitriolic personal attacks, repetetive sarcasm, condescension etc etc. Last year, I came here less & less cos it seemed even the tech threads were everytime getting infected with it, like some virus. Sure, I guess it's entertaining for some, like watching a car crash, but like a soap or reality show, it leaves you feeling like you eaten something bad. So something's really hacked Jaap off & he's fired off an intrusive email, probably at, mostly, the wrong people. I dunno exactly what triggered it, but I've seen enough of the way he conducts himself to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's put a lot of effort into creating & maintaining this place. He's told us the limits, if you can't play by his rules, you're free to go play somewhere else. This forum is a valuable resource for all of us. Thanks for all your work Jaap. Take it easy! KB

Well said Bruce! It must be a hell of a lot of work to run this forum. The rules are clearly published & Jaap has gone along way to accomodate some who flout those rules. Now he's got hacked off by (I'm guessing) the continual cat fights & whining of a few members & reacted. Life's hard enough for anyone who steps out of the herd & does something special - as Jaap has done in creating & managing this resource. We'd all be worse off without this forum, so give the man a break, & if you don't want to play by the rules, go play somewhere else. KB

Dimitris, I got same. Think all members got same email. Jaap is fed up with some people going on about politics & bitching at each other. it's not you! KB

Good to see you're still around Al. Take it easy - hope things work out for you. KB

Of course?

If Belfast has a working motorcycle, it's news to me & that'd be 3 - with yours & tripletom's. KB

Looks like a v tidy bike Tom. Welcome to Club Scura (Celtic Fringe Branch)! Far as I know that'll be five members, two of which have functioning Scuras ... KB

Tested relay - it's f8888d. Tested solenoid it's also f8888d. But I don't think they did so bad - been working 30yrs! Replacement relay arrived today from Guzzi shop: it's a sodding great old fashioned looking metal cased thng more than double the size & wt of the original soddin great old fashioned looking metal cased thing. I dunno why. Think I'll send it back. Any recommendations what/where to get good quality small replacement in UK? Can I use V11 type? I have spare Bosch starter, but is V11 type Valeo a straight replacement fit? It looks the same. Thanks for help. Cheers, KB

Thanks. Wiring/switch & layout etc is all non std but in principal same as Guzzi set up. Had a look at it - the relay is not functioning. The solenoid is not functioning. Motor spins the gear but doesn't move it forward to engage ring gear, this when I short it between terminals. Switch looks OK. Dunno the sequence of events but these bits are knackered. Wiring looks OK. I have a spare Bosch starter. Does the Valeo (V11 type) fit as straight replacement? - it looks like it would, & is much lighter. KB

Thanks chaps! KB

Can anyone recommend a good, free, reliable image hosting site? Thanks. KB

6am in the dark riding at a steady 70mph or so on my way to a trackday on Tonti I hear a whine, & feel vibration. Pulled over thinking it was something gone in trans but couldn't find anything obviously wrong. Pressed starter - nothing! Ah! Figured I could still do the track day bumping it, I was running late so left as it was. It ran fine then later did same again. I disconnected power from the starter motor & left it, & it ran good all day. Can anyone suggest most likely diagnosis/fix from symptoms described? I have basic knowledge of system & figure it's bad relay, switch or solenoid, but what order/how to check? Thanks. KB

Aw come on - he's a media celebrity. Cultivated image - he needs controversy to survive. Anyhow, judging by some of the asshole style riding I've seen past few years he's got a point! How many motoriders can handle a bike? KB

Yeh. I know Robert Plant is real into Robert Johnson & the legends around him, & Blues music in general. KB

They may have more miles in em but they're the only thing twixt you & tarmac. Even just gently bimbling about, sh*t happens & it doesn't matter what else, if your tyres let go, it can be the difference between a "blimey that was a bit close!" & an "oh NO". & as Ratchet says, we never had it so good for tyres. KB ps: AS FOR THE POLITICS - CAN'T THAT STUFF BE LEFT OUT OF TECH THREADS, & KEPT WHERE IT'S CLEARLY LABELLED - JAAP EVEN CREATED SUCH A PLACE .... check it out, There's a thread there already just for this sort of stuff...

Closer in width to the front the rear = more balanced turn in. But profile design is just as important. Different tyres = different profiles. As Paul says pointy tyres = quick handling. A 170 is stretched further over the width of a 5.5" rim than a 180, flattening it's profile = slowing it's rate of turn. 170 on a 5.5" rim will run off tread earlier than a 180 on same. 170 & 180 are both rec'd fitments for 5.5" rim, but a lot of tyres are not available in 170 size. That's just my opinion based on my (limited) experience. I get the feeling.... I... know this place.....have we been here before??? .... KB

My Scura has been off the road for a year waiting on me replacing the failure prone clutch. When I get a chance to ride I ride my Tonti. But I guess it doesn't bother me much, it's a Guzzi, it'll be sorted one day, it's probably here for my lifetime, so I guess I must be happy with it ...

Guy, There's nothing much to the job. Just remove, clean & replace as I recall. I did the front crank seal as well...no other reason than it was there, probably not necessary. KB

It's a lovely track. Hard to put into words but it is just right, it all runs together without any bits that don't work. Bloke running the day reckons it's the best track in Britain. I haven't ridden on one I liked better. Dave, mostly what you're seeing there is body armour.... Yeh, springs both ends are shagged I think, & suspension has never been set up, but limiting factor in keeping up wasn't handling, it was massive power defecit (more than a little wt loss could affect) & brake set up. KB