LowRyter

My kid's Focus ST was totally out of commission for a couple of weeks due to plastic door latches! The danged driver's door would not close! He duct taped the door because Ford wouldn't send a tow truck. Of course the battery died next, due to the dome light burning. Lucky he only had to drive it for a couple of miles. On top of that, the car would occasionally overheat because the fan switch only worked randomly. Ford wanted $800 to replace the entire fan assembly. The switch was $75 plug and play, we replaced it in about 30 minutes. Ford offered to take the $120 diagnostic fee off the $800 bill but I didn't tell the service guy that I refused to pay that fee. I didn't pay Ford a damned thing! Fix their POS recall crap. This was after several suspension issues and an axle bearing (what?). After paying lots on tires and brakes, I think my son isn't enthralled with a performance car used for commuting. He's the only one I can recall in the family to ever own a Ford. I'd be curious if he ever buys another. My deal is, I only buy used cars that have good track records and in great condition. The only new cars I buy are Accords. I would consider a Toyota, maybe Chevy Bolt if I were to buy an EV. Actually the last new car I bought that wasn't Accord were a couple of Isuzu Troopers 4WD, strong and reliable. I still have the '99 with a little more than 100k on it, never even put brakes on it, the oil change place did the timing belt (V6) for $300. uuuuhm anyway But Plastic Door latches! That's it for me. It just plain pisses me off.

95 degree is Saxony

Since Petrucci enjoys other forms of bike racing, like Dakar, perhaps he'd really like a go in the dirt during his time in the US and give Springfield or Peoria a shot?

All I know is have lamb chops for the grill tonight. Bev grows her own herbs and they're dry brining as I write this.

I've never heard so much whining over the threat of progress regarding clean, efficient and fast transportation Gees I haven't seen a Pinto, Duster, Olds Diesel, K-car, or Chevette on the streets in 20 years. Who says they really miss them? But if you want keep one of these marvelous contraptions in your garage 40 years from now, I don't think anyone would stop you.

Thanks Phil. Appreciate the recommendation. That makes more sense than fishing line (my only thought).

Phil, I remember when Rossi got "special tires". My statement was generally how tire situation works now.

Times have certainly changed. The Duc is the only bike that I would take on an overnight ride now. KNOCKING WOOD <again> (I'm also on some Duc forums, there are some issues with new Ducs but nothing like I see on WG for 1400, 8v, V7, TT, etc., etc. I'm not comparing my legacy bikes since they're old and have miles on them but the long term reliability for them has been a challenge.)

They're not going to make custom tires for each team. They'll bring a selection that they consider that works best and safest for the entire field. Sometimes they miss and find a particular tire doesn't work. It's the same in every race series and tire manufacturer. Some of the variables are the speed and condition of the track, whether clockwise or counter, etc., etc. Each tire typically has three compounds, left, right and center, all depending on the variables.

Michelin decides which selection of tires to bring to the track. Those tires are available to all teams and riders.

here we go again

Don's agreed to fix it when the next oil change is due. I don't expect to pay additional labor and if he totals the bike, he can own it. He said that the former tech used gasket sealer. I haven't a clue why the guy did that even if he didn't know anything about servicing Guzzis since there was never any adhesive on the surfaces in the first place. Believe me, I'm damned pissed about it. Ironically, I never had much problems with my Guzzis until I got some miles on them and relied on Don's shop. Then gearbox cracked, voltage regulator, fuel pump, oil pump, timing chest, etc., etc. So far my best ever experience for any motorcycle has been 24k miles on '17 Ducati, KNOCKING WOOD until my knuckles bleed.

I'm subscribing to this 4 CD collection, one a month. TTB "I am the Moon" This is the first CD. WOW

Keep a couple of hours free. And then expect to experience about half. The closed archive stuff was supervised by historian Douglas Brinkley. It's a serious endeavor. Also going on now is a three day seminar regarding Bob but I didn't get the full subject. I learned about it from a couple participants that were talking to us on the sidewalk after we left the exhibit. I don't see anything about it on the website. This is in a pretty neat part of Tulsa. There's a great music venue (Tulsa Theater) close by, that's where I've seen Tedeschi Trucks, Bill Maher, Jeff Beck, Leon, etc. Cool bars, restaurants and hotels, the Ball Park, the large arena (BOK Center) where I saw Roger Waters. Tulsa is a major architecture center too, lots of Art Deco era buildings and midcentury.

I just went to the Dylan Center in Tulsa. I'd post photos but they're too large to post. I did meet a fellow a couple of weeks ago on a Rosso Corsa Lemans that rode with me. Found out he works for Bonham's auction as a motorcycle specialist and was involved with selling McQueen's Husky from OAS ($220k). Also met Rudy and Michael D.

I can't say I saw many Guzzis in Italy but I got a good couple nods wearing a Guzzi t-shirt.

There's more truth than humor, since the 90 V twin seems to be the starting point for many of these. And just look at most of the new parallel twins that are mimicking it. Of course Ducati has gotten more notice for the last 30+ years compared to Guzzi.

Many more variables than the engine config, since the issues are volatile even within the same manufacturer from update to update. Just the risks of keeping a technical edge to up the competition.

even though the Yamaha is an inline engine, it's a "big bang" engine with a crank like a V8 rather than an inline 4. The V4 engines have manufacturers' unique cranks and firing intervals. Rossi did the original testing of the M1 and was given several combinations of screamer and big bang engines. Now all the bikes run some type of odd firing big bang engine.

I camped outside of town once and rode around the TVA stations along the river. It's a scenic area. But I'm not really familiar with it other than a single camp day. I took my toy hauler from Barber and camped on my way to the Dragon.

225mph !

The only other issue I didn't mention, all of the fasteners were over tightened. They were lipstick marked and my guess is they guy might've gotten his metric torque numbers confused with his SAE muscles. I've had the pan off many times and never had the fasteners so tight. I tried to remove it when the bike was stone cold. Used a light mallet with no luck. So I filled with oil and reinstalled the bolts. I'm guessing it will take heat and maybe some high strength fishing line. Or some other technique TBD.

PA- I never change filters for every change. I usually change the oil at 3k intervals and at 9k I do the full service of fluids, filter and valve adjustment. I'm riding it for a while but I expect to shop to fix their problem. Same for the Sport too. If they were simple access filters, I'd change it at every oil change.

So am I. The bolts were all off, I couldn't see any sealant from the sides but it feels like it's welded on.

I couldn't see any sealant when I was trying to remove the pan. Only the paper gasket. I'm not the one that's going to try again. But advice is appreciated.