pete roper
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Posts posted by pete roper
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I for one was delighted to see the poms win. Our elite sportspeople are a repulsive lot coached at expensive facilities at the public expense they behave like arseholes and never give anything back to the public that paid for thier educations. They earn absurd amounts of money for doing not a lot and then complain bitterly about what a hard time they have swanning around all over the world where their dreadful behavior, and especially their mysoginistic attitude in he case of the males, gets them into trouble and sullies our name abroad.
Well done the Poms. Thoroughly deserved!!!!
Pete
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Your alternative to preparing yourself responsibly is equivalent to diving headfirst off a 5-meter board where you have no idea how deep the water is. Make no mistake - on top of this, there's lots of croc's and sharks that you can't see yet, 'cause you have no idea where to look for 'em. I'm suggesting that by joining this popular new and rapidly growing high-risk demographic (Neophytes on large and powerful bikes), you'd have a high probability of a *best case scenario* within your first few thousand miles of selling a bent-up and road-shredded Ballabio CHEAP because you can no longer ride on crutches or from a wheelchair.
Just my
I agree wholeheartedly with Ratchethack's sentiments here and like everyone else virtually I'd have to say that a Balabio is NOT a beginners bike. Yes, it may be pretty and you may of fallen in lust with it, but it is a large HEAVY motorbike.
One other point, don't be duped into thinking that because some of the machines suggested as alternatives have smaller engine displacements they are necessarily less powerful. Apart from the fact that as a novice you really don't need a lot of power, (Some of us who have had 35 years experience don't need a lot either
). The power to weight ratio of something like an SV 600, (A lovely little bike by the way.) is probably better than that of the Balabio and it would definitely be easier to ride.By all means buy a Guzzi, they are a lovely machine, I've owned them almost exclusively for 20 years and although I don't have a V11 variant I would certainly recommend one. But not to a novice.
If you don't fancy a trailly to learn on any 250-600cc twin from the Japanese manufacturers is just about ideal. Buy one a couple of years old and learn the lessons on that. Then, after a couple of years if you still want to buy a Guzzi. Avoid at all cost any 'Super-sport' model from any manufacturer. Not only are they finicky to ride but they are absurdly demanding and require huge amounts of set-up to work well, they too are not for a novice.
Pete
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Hmmm. There's gotta be something that you can have right now. Let's see: sort of ugly, plenty of 'character'... and what with all this fretting over a new Breva I think there may be a few more considerations. You're in some sort of psychological crisis, you're in search of a Lifestyle, I feel you're even looking for something a bit effeminate: yes, a Harley V Rod is just the thing.
Problem solved?
Great! I'd never thought of one of those, and I could wear my ass-less chaps under my best frock too
Brilliant why didn't I think of it? 
Pete
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Hmmm, sorry, but you can't just have a pinion made. Crownwheels and pinnions have to be lapped together and you certainly can't have one made with fewer or more teeth than standard because even if you could get the toothform to match the different number of teeth would require the axis of te pinion to be moved appreciably closer or further away from the crownwheel. If you were to do that you'd need to reposition the drive box in relation to the rear wheel or run the wrear wheel with an offset to the centreline of the bike.
pete
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Top stuff. Glad it worked out!
Pete
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Alas, unless there is some aftermarket specialist in europe, (and I don't know of one.) who is putting alternative crownwheels and pinions into production I'm afraid the answer is no. The situation is further complicated by the V11 bevel set being unique in that a.) the crownwheel is machined along with the splined hub as a single part as opposed to the earlier bikes which have the crownwheel bolted to the hub and b,) the V11 pinion has an outrigger bearing at the end of the shaft for additional support meaning that even if you could cobble something together, (Unlikely.) using and earlier CW&P it still wouldn't work right. There is also the issue of pinion splines and the ratios themselves. I can't offhand remember what the ratio or tooth count is on the V11's??????
Pete
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On the contrary, I think the Convert looks kind of fun. Would be a bit wary of one myself given they are all so old now, and unusual in design. I mean, where would you get a new torque converter from when it wears out??!
The memory is hazy, but I think the gist was that all bikes would be auto's eventually.
Unless you do something silly like run 'em dry they don't seem to wear out! New Converters are still available, Teo has a heap of 'em! ear as poison mind! I didn't know you could put that many zeroes after the $ sign on a motorbike part
As for other parts? Most of 'em are still available and those of 'em that aren't you go to Fleabay or make 'em. Cheapest optionwith a poxy old 'vert is to buy a second heap as a spares bike. They are generally unloved so they're dirt cheap!As for the supposition that all bikes would be auto's, Well, Raymond Baxter always was as mad as a box of frogs!
Pete
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Yer heads gettin' soft.
What good is a bike that'll run all day with modern brakes, steering, drivetrain? Nah, Get some shite with 16 in. wheels, brakes that don't stop and fairing bits that leave a trail of where ya been...............
Lord, If I can't depend on the nutty old Guzzi farts, I think I'm lost
No, head is hard and made of solid bone.
Modern brakes? Well, yes, but from what I've heard you can't get rebuild kits for the newer Brembo'sand they are a lot more prone to seizing pistons. Not a particularly brilliant step forward
Also I have no problem with my older ones.Steering? Super quick *modern* steering, especially coupled with great, big, fat, expensive, modern tyres is one of the things that will really put me off. If Guzzi had stuck on a decent HCS system I'd be in like Flynn. I know that modern teles are good, but they are still such a loathsome compromise, time to move on to something that doesn't combine the steering and suspension functions.
Drivetrain? The drivetrains in my old shitheaps are not only 100% reliable, (Both my five speeds, the ZD and T boxes have been super reliable.) as has my Auto driveline. 'Updates' to the later five speeds have made 'em less reliable and the six speed fitted to the V11 seems to have certain issues. The enclosed driveshaft on the earlier machines is certainly more prone to munting UJ's than the later models but there again I've never seen an early model bust splines off the output shaft or pinion which I've certainly seen on later bikes.
I can't remember ever shedding a fairing part either.
Incidentally about 2 years ago I did a run down from a rally near the Queensland border on the SP. It was patchy rain all the way but I managed 1,200KM in 12 hours including a stop for lunch and the run through the sweaty armpit of satan that masquerades as Sydney, the last bit from Goulburn to home, (Some 80Km.) was in the dark and it was snowing. I don't really think that can be described as too shabby or indicative of 'Not being able to run all day'. To be honest I'd far rather hop on my SP if had to get to Perth in a hurry than ride anything modern, it's like a low-flying sofa, albeit not as fast as Enzo's
As I said, it'll have to be bloody impressive to sway me, but I'm not completely blinkered or one-eyed.
Pete
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I'd suggest you phone Yamaha and ask 'em.
My guess would be non hardening on the rubbery bit and hardening on the metal composite thingy but don't take my word for it I only work on reliable stuff. Has the Vulcan done it's oil pump yet?
Pete
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Wrong in what way? The fact that the incredibly conservative motorcycle market couldn't accept something so radical? Yup, I suppose so.
If you imply that the Convert itself is *wrong* in some way I suggest you actually ride one before making any sort of judgement. They were, and remain today, a superb tool for their purpose and are more fun than a sack full of angry squirrels!
pete
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What people fail to understand is that I LIKE slow and ugly
Really! I've got an SP with a 40 Litre petrol tank and a Convert! Ugly is as Ugly does! I'll only really be happy if they sell it with an auto and paint it sh!t brown though 
Pete
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Thanks Paul. Very interesting.
Pete
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OK, so you think I'm a miserable old bastard, worse still a miserable old lefty hippy bastard? One who has no interest in anything built after the dawn of the industrial revolution?
Well Nyah, Nyah, Nyah!
I went into my local 'Official' dealer today and 'booked' a test ride on a Breva. Now when this fabled machine is actually going to be available God alone knows, I know there are some in the country, I think I'll probably have to phone up Dave and pester him to see if any of the Shitney dealers have one I can take for a flog.The thing is that the looks of the wretched thing *are* actually growing on me, and although the motor is still, (IMHO.) the same repellent old lump we know and love there *is* enough that is newish and different about it to make me genuinely interested.
I do prefer the looks of the Breva to the Grease-Oh and given the fact I'm a seriously un-supple 'Old Fart' and would want to cart the ball and chain around with me the Breva looks like it might fit the bill.
The BIG caveat of course is that it'll have to do everything $20, 000 better than my current bits of shit! Now if only they'd build one with an auto transmission
Pete
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It's worth noting that inside that collar, (Or in a groove on the crankshaft, an't remember which????) there is an o-ring that seals the collar internally. If it continues to leak it might be worth swapping that too. I usually do these as a matched pair. Sorry, I forgot about that in my first reply.
Pete
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The 'Belt Rattle' can be quite extreme. I dunno what causes it exactly but certainly 'C' kitted bikes tend to rattle more so I suppose it's something to do with the loads imposed by the cams on the belts and gears. Given the MGS is in a pretty high state of tune I'd guess it would be noisy as all getout.
Does the MGS Use the 'C' kit or are the cams a new part/profile?
Pete
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By the way Pete. My plate has been with me for 12 years and 4 bikes. It is a non descript jumble of numbers and one letter. It spent 4 years on a dirt bike and is quite battered. Twice I have been threatened with fines or it being almost unreadable. I will replace it when they waive the 25 dollar fee for another plate. I'd rather pay the fine.
My guess is you would have a similar plate.
Ahhh! Different situation Jim. If I had such a plate, yes, I'd probably keep it too, but only if it didn't cost me money to transfer it from machine to machine.
Over here when you register a machine they give you a plate. if the registration lapses you're supposed to give the plate back to the RTA, (Govt. body.) If the machine is then re-registered at a later date it gets given another, completely different plate.
In The UK, unless things have changed, a vehicle gets issued a number when it is first registered and it keeps that number effectively for ever.
Look, if folks want personalized plates thats fine, it's no skin off my nose. I just think they're daft.
pete
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Yup, you can here too. I just think it's a ridiculous waste of money that could otherwise be better spent.
Pete
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You know as well as I do that that isn't what I was saying. Such an argument is fascile and beneath you Dave, (it is Dave isn't it???).
The blood issue is a good one. I can't give blood any more due to having been in England during the mad cow thing but it's easy and painless so go out there and get stuck!
Pete
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Yet, just perhaps, if you gave the extra cash you're going to spend on a personalised number plate to a relief organization it might do some good for this, or some other worthy cause?
It must be wonderful to be able to compartmentalise your life so thoroughly.
Pete
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All my bikes are, and always have been, very personalised. Just because I think that paying a government agency a big fee on top of what they already extort out of me for the pleasure of having my own *chosen* selection of letters and numbers is a wank doesn't mean... ah, bollocks, I can't be bothered trying to explain. Do whatever you want with your money, I just think it's a stupid waste.
pete
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VLZ 10. It identifies the bike, which is what the gubmint want so they can tax me if I go too fast and it costs me *nothing* above the general registration fee.
Sorry Jim, but I think personalised number plates are sad and the people who *need* them seem on the whole to be unsatisfied sorts lacking in any real self confidence or self worth. If people crave to have a lable put on them to prove their worth or make a statement about their *individuality* I'd suggest they grow up and go and get a life. And that's what personalised number plates are all about, no matter how they are 'justified'.
Pete
Ageing tosser books Breva test ride!
in Technical Topics
Posted
I haven't ridden it yet, but I got to sit on it at the NSW Guzzi rally last weekend.
Bugger me it's un-necessarily big! God alone knows why, probably trying to appeal to the American market. Anyway, from what I could glean by pawing it and sitting on it everything is very *modern*, ie, it's covered with a whole load of useless crap to disguise the fact that it's actually a MACHINE and make it look like it's a 'Lifestyle Accessory'. Fine if you want that sort of thing but to me it's just ugly and pointless extra weight!
I can't comment on the rear CARC system as I haven't been able to see any exploded pictures of it and on the bike you have few clues as to what happens within the swingarm. Obviously though it's going to be some sort of enclosed variant of the V11 set-up which seems to be fairly bulletproof.
I personally don't like all the crappy chrome/plastic bling on it, in fact I passed comment that if ever there was a machine crying out for an all-over coat of rattle-can black this was it. Needless to say this led to a rather stiff reply from the importer's rep who had bought the bike along
Look, it felt comfy to sit on, the riding position was very upright and easy to live with and it has a dashboard full of widgets and lights to tell you where you've been, where you're going, how old you are, your shoe size and when you next have to go to hospital to have your rectal prolapse put right. All of which is bloody useless complication to me, but I'm NOT who the bike is aimed at so just because I think it's stupid junk doesn't mean that it has any real downside apart from adding weight and complexity, and people seem to love that, as long as the wretched thing can still go stupidly fast, (on paper at least!).
Six speed box looks a bit shorter than the *old* six speeder, not having actually ridden it I can't say how it actually performs. All the rest of it is basically bog-ordinary *modern* motorbike.
Do I want one?????? Well, that's a good question. Yes, I would like one to play about with. I'd like to work with Cliff to build a decent exhaust/efi combination for it and try to manage all the awful emissions munt and performance stranglers it's fitted with, (Don't get me wrong. I'm all for environmentally friendly. It's just that IMHO the cost of adding and manufacturing all the crap like Cat-Cons on small volume manufactured bikes in terms of environmental pollution over the life of the machine makes it a false ecconomy!!!!!) Would I want one as a replacement for what I currently own? Honestly? No. Why? Because what I currently have does everything I want and has that ellusive content, 'Charisma' that I found sadly lacking in the Breva 11 .
Yeah, yeah. I know. Get with the programme, get modern, don't live in the past, yadda-yadda. Sorry, but I don't subscribe to the 'New has to be Better' philosophy. The local Snap-On man was trying to sell me a U-Beaut $700 digital torque wrench the other day. It was a lovely tool, but I didn't need it. He didn't make the sale either. This isn't to say that the Breva 11 won't be a great bike, and maybe the Greaso, (Which I belive is Italian for 'Stand-over Merchant'
) won't also be a great bike. It's just thatI don't think, even if I had one in the garage, I'd find myself taking it's keys off the hook in prefference to those of the 'Vert, the SP or the Hot-Rod, (Which doesn't have a key <_>
Pete