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footgoose

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Posts posted by footgoose

    thinkin about a cruiser

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    The first thing is that Tonti California Moto Guzzis are NOT cruisers.  They have standard riding positions and are a variation on the sport Tontis.  They handle and brake pretty well and If not particularly powerful they still rev.  Don't lug the engine and don't shift to 5th gear until an indicated 80 mph.

     

    I have a '98 EV (it's photo was actually in an issue of Motorcyclist).  The EV has floor boards, linked brakes, passenger backrest and tubeless wheels.  Before you decide to take off the boards and delink the brakes (as I intended), ride it, it all works well together.  I like up-shifting with my heel.  The draw back is an uncomfortable seat due to a big computer under it.  Mine has HB Junior bag set up and I have matching rack on the Sport so I can swap the bags among bikes. 

     

    It's basically the same short block and electronics as the Spineys but a little less finicky.  Although the TPS swap is giving me fits now.

     

    Every motorcyclist should have a Cali IMO.

     

     

     

    Thanks for the evaluation Low. Just the info I'm after. Great tip on the HB set up as well.

     

    Regarding "cruiser", note that I placed it in quotes. Just an easy word to use for description. IMO, I don't think of any bike as a cruiser, as they all purpose built. That said, they can all be used to "cruise" whatever that means. In my world (goin out on a limb here) "cruiser" loosely defines any bike that a mfg'r designed/altered to emulate, the HD Super Glide. One of, if not the first factory custom that was designed to emulate the west coast custom bike trend in the late 60's - 70's. High bars, low seat, bulbous tank. Supposedly a more comfortable riding position.?. I have always thought the MG "Cali" style fits in there somewhere. The 850T is clearly a standard in my mind. The Sport/LeMans..?? A Sport Tourer?  IDK. I have described mine to friends as a gentleman's sport bike, but don't think it'll catch on :rolleyes:

    thinkin about a cruiser

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

     

    Here are a couple nice examples in Southern California:

     

    California Titanium:

    http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/5217109765.html

     

    EV Aluminum:

    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/5219228694.html

    point to note, niether of those have tubeless rims.. and the 03 might be a Hydro motor, I wouldn't touch it unless the recall was performed before any miles acumulated.

     

     

     

    What's up with the Hydro motor? I'm trying to narrow down the best years. So far I'm guessing 98 - 01....   ??

    Air Box Alternatives

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

    I'd do pods if I knew enough to make it right. I have the BMC system now and I'm really happy with it. Top of the air box goes away and a nice alm frame sits right on top of the stock intake box, with a large K&N style filter in it. It just sits open under the tank. It makes a beautiful noise! With the FBF Xover, and a dynotune, I am very pleased.

    • Like 1

    thinkin about a cruiser

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    I'm def going after the tubeless spoke wheels. I'll be after whichever Guzzi "California" style cruiser is the best for the money. They are all the same but for trim levels and names, right? 98-01 they seem like a deal at 3 to 4k

     

    jackalbob.. that Jackal is NICE

     

    thanks, gents

    dream bikes you would like to have

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    Great bike Kmac33! Great video.  Thanks.  For anyone not familiar ... here's the story 

    A short, 5 part documentary on John and this amazing motorcycle.

     

    I can't get the link to post properly. Google John Britten. Select - Britten:Backyard Visionary NZ On Screen ... Great story

    thinkin about a cruiser

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    thanks foto. takin' me back to iron mtn rd. love it. LOVED the video. Well done! the 'rider in the windscreen' shot --very cool. that Bassa is sweet. is 99-00 the years you'd look for if you were going to replace it? and, sorry but, what does "15m cpu bulletproof" mean?

    thinkin about a cruiser

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    I'm leaning towards getting another "cruiser" ...standard style highway bike. First thought is a V11 Cali style. Not crazy about the low slung look but that's not a problem with the Tonti, is it. I know several LM owners here also have them. My question to you bunch is... what years are better, regarding fits and niggles. I'm somewhat up on the V11LM's "best and worst" vintage, but the cruisers, not so much. Did they ever make a 6 spd? Is the top gearing (5th) long enough? Do they share any of the LM's problems? I really like the EV rim spoke wheels (tubeless??) Recommendations, opinions appreciated.

     

    thanks, David

    LeMans in BC

    in 24/7 V11

    Posted

    I've read here that the filter coming unscrewed is kind of a common problem for us. I'm not sure how that would affect flow pressure, but it's maybe worth checking.

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

    I guess spring, flywheel, and engine paint are also the Tenni Trifecta, which is alluringly alliterative.

     

    My RAM replacement flywheel and clutch assembly is still on backorder at MG Cycle - although I haven't called in while to see what's going on. I've decided to let the lucky dice keep rolling till the Scura hits 12,000 miles - do a major service and pre-emptive repairs at that time. Hopefully MG can come through in time.

     

    Meanwhile, I just loaded the LeMans into the truck for a short trip; this thread has reminded me that I need to transfer all my tools and supplies (including lucky spring) from the Scura - so as not to need them in Arizona.

     

     Is this....

    http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=193&products_id=2986

    the assembly you are waiting on? Will you need anything else for the swap? It doesn't say "replaces 1 plate or 2 plate" Would have been helpful to include "this is the one you Tenni/Scura/Rosso Mondello owners are after"

    Should I assume replacement friction plates will be available for this kit?

    If there's a thread covering this replacement, somebody please link me.

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

     

     

    Maybe carrying the spare spring is a good luck charm?  

     

     

    I'm carrying my spring with a rabbit's foot, a horseshoe, and a four-leaf clover. 

     

    Seriously, I'm hoping it lasts a bit longer so I can do a pre-emptive spring repair while I replace the flywheel and do the engine paint (due to bubbling). That's the Scura trifecta... Of course, the trifecta only pays out if you guess the order. Engine paint has already crossed the line... spring and flywheel are running neck-and-neck.

     

     

     

    Hopefully you'll have Stick's luck, Scud. I'm following your clutch replacement process as well. I gotta do that in the Tenni as well. Hopefully, before it blows :)

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

     

     I would urge anyone with an 02 (maybe others) to bite the bullet and do the fix. At least prepare and carry the roadside repair kit. It will break.

    Just as a data point:  I bought a 2002 Lemans from the original owner about 3 years ago.  He pointed out the spare spring he carried, due to the breakage issue.  I bought it with 50,000 miles, and sold it with about 60K miles.  The spring was never serviced in the bike's history.  

     

    Maybe carrying the spare spring is a good luck charm?  

     

    The spring is now in the tool kit of another 2002 LeMans that I purchased - at around 7K miles.  Now over 10K

     

     

     

    my 'luck' record is a bit different than yours, but I will be carrying a "charm" from now on. I guess if an undetermined batch of bikes can get built with an incorrect part (16+mm boss) it seems reasonable some bikes, maybe yours, got the correct one. And, just sayin'  from what I've read @LM.com, and from what I saw in MY bike, the design is not the best with the CORRECT parts, and with the over sized boss, the spring is stressed and abused with every shift. The relative ease of a pre-emptive repair, makes it a no -brainer for my other '02. I'll post what I find.

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

    Just to sum up "my" fix. having followed directions from those kind souls posted, I have completed my swap and have but a few notes to add. I don't mean to hijack, just wanted to share.

     

    In theory, if the spring breaks while in gear, as long as you mark the cover plate cogs gear teeth (and linkage splines), and don't mess with the shift forks, it should all go back together just as taken apart and be in the same gear it was. Since I messed around with mine, I couldn't get the plate to line up. So, as previously suggested, I set the 4 shift forks centered between the gears, spin wheel, =neutral. The cover plate is easy. Turn the cogs till the neutral switch pops in to the divot that's on the back side of the lower cog = neutral.

     

    I purchased a new 15mm boss arm but used my orig re-sized one, as I see no difference. I eased the edge where the spring hooks on, replaced the arm seal, used three-bond as a gasket, and shock-proof heavy to finish. I can already tell a difference in shifting with the red line.

     

    Thanks to those who took the time to post their experience and knowledge. Big help! This job will be dead easy on my other spine, now I've done it, and which I will do BEFORE it breaks. If you're not sure about your spring and arm "status", I would urge anyone with an 02 (maybe others) to bite the bullet and do the fix. At least prepare and carry the roadside repair kit. It will break.

    • Like 2

    Major clutch issues - Coppa Italia

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

    when I purchased the Tenni, the hydraulic fluids hadn't been changed for a couple-3 years, or more (color of molasses) and the 'engage' position on the lever was JUST off the grip. I flushed all fluids and immediately got back to almost normal lever engage position. It continued to improve even more with use, to where it should be. Not to mention brakes. Fresh fluids every year are a small PITA, but the rewards are big.

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

     

    mine just went. pawl/boss 16.12mm, broken spring 17.24mm coil, new spring (MGCycle) 17mm coil.!? The springs bind very tight on the boss. There is no way the new spring will survive without belfastguzzi's finessed mods, which I will do, since I can't find a new arm...(ie:Harpers) Anyone know where they are available? And am I correct, it's Red Line Shock Proof heavy gear oil for the refill? I've read so much, I can't be sure. I'm going to replace the shift seal while the plate's off. And...assemble and carry a roadside repair kit.

    ps. guzzisti, don't despair, the venerable Yamaha XS 650 suffers from a similar affliction, as does the Kawasaki KLR650.

     

    I ended up grinding my down with a Dremel and aluminum oxide stone. A little hand filing to clean up the edges and shoulder of the boss too. I also used the Dremel polishing pads to get it nice and smooth. I ended up just shy of 15mm in diameter. I also reshaped the spot where the small pawl spring hook catches the edge of the shift linkage. The edge was pretty sharp so I rounded it off and made it smooth.

     

    Clamp in a bench vise and take your time going round and round, periodically measuring with a caliper gauge.

     

    Yes, Redline Heavy Shock Proof. Looks like strawberry yoghurt.

     

     

     

    My dremmel experience didn't work so well. Very hard for me to keep it round,... and square, if that make sense. I just switched to hand file and it's working great. Positioning in the vise in such a way as to have a 'stop' for the file edge. Almost there.

     

    Meantime, thanks Gunther, turns out Harpers has a ratchet under a different P/N, (if you call them) so I have one on the way for my other '02 LM.... pre-emptive maint.

    Gearbox ratchet spring - Fix?

    in Technical Topics

    Posted

    mine just went. pawl/boss 16.12mm, broken spring 17.24mm coil, new spring (MGCycle) 17mm coil.!? The springs bind very tight on the boss. There is no way the new spring will survive without belfastguzzi's finessed mods, which I will do, since I can't find a new arm...(ie:Harpers) Anyone know where they are available? And am I correct, it's Red Line Shock Proof heavy gear oil for the refill? I've read so much, I can't be sure. I'm going to replace the shift seal while the plate's off. And...assemble and carry a roadside repair kit.

    ps. guzzisti, don't despair, the venerable Yamaha XS 650 suffers from a similar affliction, as does the Kawasaki KLR650.

    any AMA members?

    in Meetings, Clubs & Events

    Posted

    Well, it sounds mostly positive. I'll try it for a year or 2 and see how it goes. I don't have much faith in any PAC, so to be determined....

    My dad liked to add ethanol in the pickup during the winter. He said it helped with condensation in the tank. I don't want it in any of my motorcycles, especially the nylon tankers. The politics of ethanol I'll leave for another day, and place.

    Thanks for the input all.

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