Baldini

....that's your opinion! KB

Blimey! Just shows - the world over, we live in our own little bubbles, with our own views on the good guys & the bad. WE won the war, THEY won the war, None of it is THE TRUTH. Opinion, that's all any of it is - an accumulation of our family's & our society's experience, knowledge & prejudices. I cannot (tho I constantly do) assume that someone on the other side of the world shares my view eg: how this little lot started - an islander assumes that all imports must inevitably be from across a sea, & other islanders share his assumption. For him this is TRUE but not so for a man living on a continent containing many nations. They assume that cos that man says something according to his situation that does not accord with their's, that he is STUPID. Then go further & insult him & his, by voicing that ignorant assumption. This is the excuse for the axe-grinders to get to work. In the army it is said "assumption is the mother of all cock ups". If Germany had not invaded Russia? If the Japanese had not attacked Pearl Harbour? If my uncle was a woman? We share an increasingly small planet - I don't think it helps to be arrogant, jingoistic or treat as virtue an ignorance of other peoples' histories. KB Maybe we shouldn't air this stuff here - I dunno - but I don't think you should pull this thread Jaap - I read it by choice all 7 pages & found it entertaining & instructive. It was obvious it wasn't about m/c from it's title.

Also you're sat upright & the bars are very wide... Could it have been poorly set up? Had a short ride over bumpy road didn't seem that bad (Corsa Italiana bike I road seemed v well set up all round) & the handling from the new rear end made the V11 seem v crude. I didn't like the feel of the new motor either, compared with what we've had - too revvy, too Japanese - but they don't want to keep appealing to the diehards - they got a business to run & revs, smoothness, ease of use etc is what sells. Type of Carb KB

I've done for three pairs in 16k miles - now on to 4th. AFAIK R&T43 forks are same on 02/03 just diferent springs/damping set up? According to Ohlins shop I asked to look spec cards are v similar. The last seals I put in are the current redesign w/ext lip. Both sides tend to go at roughly the same time. I keep the stanchions clean, even smear them w/ Ohlins grease. No wheelies, tho I do use the brakes pretty hard sometimes. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, maybe it's the way I ride or the roads I ride on, I dunno. But it's a PIA. Any ideas? KB

My Scura had terrible stock (Ohlins) suspension! - undersprung & overdamped. Cost me for new springs & still haven't sorted damping. But I believe the later Ohlins equiped bikes come better set up. Ohlins are nicely made, very low friction, have stacks of adjustment but IMO are designed for low mileage sports & track use - has anyone out there got more than 6k miles out of a set of fork seals? All I'm saying is w/ Ohlins it's not all plusses - For me, & what I want, I would still have the Ohlins. Depends what you want out of the bike. KB

I would think the stock suspension would be fine. You'd get the added benefit of not having to change fork seals every 3k miles too! KB

Welcome Rocker59! KB

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's gotta be some kind of relief!!! Here's to ya! Kinda puts things into perspective.... See ya at Ty Croes. Best, Keith

Pete, Give em a ring? I dunno about the spares side but I've spoken with the workshop people, who speak good English. KB

I can do any them dates except 10/11 April. May 1st is a bank holiday so I'd steer clear of that. KB

I'm with Jose. Guzzis are different. They expect something back off you. Some of us love em - but some can't see the point. Make it a long test ride - takes a while sometimes... KB

grease looks like...err grease, oil looks like...oil? - any large amount of oil'll spread into an continous film, it's thin, grease is thicker tends to keep to itself more...... which is it? take the wheel out should show you - if it's coming from the hub/drivebox. KB

course it'd work....& you'd have the satisfaction of solving the problem with initiative - gives you confidence to get on... use a smaller hammer Pete . I have a 14mm Draper hex socket key - pretty cheap to buy - does the job. Rec'd. KB

It should be obvious, like you say if box has been out/apart, just down to crap covering the mounts & joints, gaskets (different gasket goo to normal? - no gaskets on V11 box), marked up bolts/screws etc. You'll know when you see it. As Mike says - the old parts should be out to see, or been sent back to importer - tho in itself that's no proof - they could be out of another box! You want to help but it's down to the customer to chase the dealer if he thinks the job's not been done. Has he been to dealer re his concerns? You can offer an opinion but it can't be your responsibility. Good luck, KB

If it's the tyre sidewall sounds like the rear bevel box seal's gone - there'll be a drip on the centre of lower edge of bevel box. Wheel off, it's the big seal in the box, around the splined drive gear. Look for a trail of oil from seal lower edge. If it's treaded area not sidewall, then look for a source ahead of the tyre. As Jason says - could be motor/trans/breather - see what's wet. KB

I did Biarritz in a day. Long day & boring - wouldn't do it less short of time. Pyrenees are fantastic. You can ride across West/East or vice versa. N618 runs from B. de Luchon W to Laruns, over Col d'Aspin, C du Tourmalet, C d'Aubisque. Be sure to take in Pic du Midi de Bigorre which is a v steep ride up a spectacular dirt road to an observatory at about 3k metres - lots of hairpins up the side of the mountain, sheer drops all the way. KB

Guzzirider, which group you booked in? thanks, KB

.Air in fuel line?

Beware awakening the wrath of a Jota rider, Nogbad. Theirs has not been an easy path. It is a world constantly punctuated by moments of stark fear... forever clenched buttocks echoing to the sound of engine casings grinding on tarmac. If they survive to master their art they become a breed apart, to be honoured... but also - feared! KB

Try the new 1100 Breva or Griso? Breva has a v comfortable seat & rides well. Next generation. Good price here. KB

First post a tip not a problem - Welcome to the forum Ian KB

who cares sbk/motogp - there's one man out there you'll see once in you're lifetime - Valentino Rossi - he could race donkeys it'd be worth watching.

I have an (02) Aprilia Mille R front mudguard on my Scura. Mount is same. Later Mille R's (03 on I think) had radial calipers & mount is different. KB

Easter w/e & half term - have to check w/family. But hopefully I'll be in. What club/company? Thanks, KB