belfastguzzi

Can you explain a bit more? What did the glass packs consist of? Did you cut down the seams and weld together again? Is there much weight difference? Ta

Maybe, but you've just got to be suspicious of golfers. Those Swedish 'snowbikes' would be good on a golf course. TX Redneck should try it out and report back.

– you need to put your Captain Nemo glasses on again you should have suspected from his 'fanatical golfer' post that there was something a bit odd about 'Mary Jane'.

**snort** England isn't an island. Britain is an island. But hey, maybe you've got a good idea there! Lets bring spades and saws to the Midlands rally and see what we can do. Baldini, can you do some prep work on the Welsh border before we arrive? (Just cut along the dotted line.)

Ok, recap: so, ZX 6R with 20,000 miles run the engine at 8,000 rpm for 30 minutes to sort of warm it up pipes glow... red hot coolant boils and overflows - all of it radiator fan switches off as no coolant to heat the switch continue to run engine at high revs for another half hour no apparent problems - could wear be increasing, oil burning or carbonising -- seized bearings or pistons???? the manual says 3,5 litres capacity is all that oil really needed? Drain oil, boiling oil melts plastic tank as explained before. Part 2: put in ONE litre of oil (funny, they don't seem to debate what sort would be best) oil boils immediately, but carry on anyway start engine, tape throttle fully open. Shortly there's a bit of a hiccup as backfires start. The rev limiter is cutting the spark so that petrol is exploding in the exhaust. Big flames, small holes appear, big holes appear, big noise, fire extinguishers appear. Leave the building, coughing. Conclusion of story: Come back next day when things have cooled put in oil start the engine it runs smoothly Hooray. The bike won. Go on - try it for yourself.

What about starting another dipstick thread then? Personally, I think it's a pity that no one wanted to know the next instalment of this story.

So you suggest using cheap oil during break-in when the friction is at its highest. Sounds like the right thing to do But cheap doesn't mean bad, it doesn't mean that it does not meet the specifications and does not do its job. One thing cheaper does mean is that you might be prepared to change it more often, which is a good thing on a new motor.

I have been searching for information on applying paint to the rotomoulded plastic tank. I will probably paint a bit of my mat black Scura tank (which I assume is self-coloured). I haven't seen any other plastic Sports tanks so have no idea what sort of paint finish is on them. I have only found this so far: 'Paul Minnaert - I think there is PE on it, PE= Polyethylene. Applying filler or painting is nearly impossible' which is what I expected, from experience with the plastic in rotomoulded canoes etc. What sort of paints and preparation have people used and do you know what the factory finish is?

Otto seems to have both issues taken care of.

...you use that in yours! (...and to think some people complain about the smell of burnt oil!)

Thanks again Al Right enough, I do remember seeing this on the Guzzi site before. I don't know what happened last night. It was a different computer and maybe brought up an old page from the cache: or my eyesight just failed me. The site I use is motoguzz.it and then select the English version. It has a different display for the Accessories from your American site. It emphasises very heavily that these are NOT to be used on the public road ("- It MUST NOT BE USED on any motor vehicle that is EVER used on pubblic roadways or trails. Such use is illegal." - and there's lots more like that), which I think is why I didn't look too closely when I first saw them and then forgot they were there. BTW, LaFranconi is stamped on the end-cap of the sleeved silencers as far as I remember, without going to check. In my ignorance I at first thought I was getting something a bit special (more special than stock parts) with the bike. In fact I imagine these parts must be pretty heavy. I'll find out soon when I do a first proper service and start taking bits off.

Sorry Al, I was being naughty. I meant for the horns in the attached picture. I think they would make a good warning to approaching Volvos if attached to the front of cycle, or perhaps helmet.

Are these MG Ti exhausts advertised somewhere? I don't see them on the MG site – maybe I don' know where to look. BTW, I've seen claims of lighter weight for MG's 'carbon fibre' exhaust as fitted to Scura etc (MG's press release?) but surely they must actually be heavier than standard. Aren't they just standard silencers covered in black fabric?

err.. serious horns. Anyone got a part number?

ha, Guzzi see the future, pre-empt the yoofs, and get there first with 02 Scura. Aged yoof buys one: though I am thinking about taking a spray can to it anyway. But that subject belongs in a different forum, upstairs.

...they just don't make them like that anymore

These guys look at that luggage strap

Ok I'll settle for the photo of you in your Santa suit. THIS TIME.

I name that bike "Queen Mary". Now, hand over the dosh.

You're all wimps The boys at Bike magazine (UK) don't need oil. In the current issue they run a stationery ZX-6R at 8000+ rpm for 30 minutes to warm it up. Then they drain the oil. The ferociously boiling oil melts through the plastic drop tank and makes a mess of the workshop floor. Whoops. They put in a litre of oil, which boils immediately, then they carry on regardless, start the engine and tape the throttle wide open... you want the next instalment?

It sure looks yummy - congratulations. Have you used a leather seat before? I'm wondering how it performs long-term in all weathers (I'm thinking about British weather). Obviously leather is used for clothing and some bicycle saddles. Once upon a time I made a leather cover that could be put on over a saddle and taken off again. It would certainly be a lovely feature to have a good leather seat. Is it an all weather proposition?

Yikes! Do your trousers still fit you after that? A photo would be interesting. But seriously, that sounds like an idea all right. The seat height is fairly tall for me too and it's a long way back to the rear hump. Do you have a photo of the finished product?

Thanks. Search done. What about those Rich Maund seats - excellent! I ordered Cuzzi's rear carrier when I ordered the Scura: both unseen. Perhaps I should have waited as it really only seems suitable for small tailpacks. There doesn't seem to be a straightforward way to fit panniers (Oxford Sports) and especially to have them far enough back to leave room for a passenger.

V.11 Sport, clip ons, itsy bitsy teeny weeny 'fairing', hmmmm. I partly justified this 'once in a lifetime' purchase by telling myself that maybe, someday, (childrens' arrangements permitting) my wife could get on the back of this lovely big bike and we could go off to... Kerry, Scottish Highlands, France, Italy... But in reality, what is your experience of riding any distance two-up, or even just one-up for that matter? Of course we're all different sizes and shapes with different ideas of what is acceptable, but I'd be grateful to hear how any of you have got on. (Some of my best experiences were on a little old XL250 Honda, over 20 years ago, with tent and sleeping bag and sometimes future wife on the back, battling up mountains, travelling on Island ferries – so, yes, anything is possible.)

what can this mean? KB, Cymru obviously it's in Welsh. Babel Fish doesn't seem to give Welsh to English translations, but Portugese to English must be pretty close: "tirg to frost" Now we're getting somewhere. Anyone have a photo? motion guzz