Scud

I just put my name a list with Joe for a set of gears. Anything for my Dark Lady (Scura).

Hey - I've spent a lot of time and money bringing back bikes that started in better condition, and I was proud of that. I've never started with a basket case bike, although several people here have. I think all we are saying is that if you're going to start with rough and incomplete bike, make sure it's something you will love when it's done. A BMW /6 is what you settle for if you can't find one of the more desirable models. Then you tell yourself, it's basically the same as an R90S (it's not), or all airhead BMWs are inherently valuable (they are not).

Put $400 a month in jar till you have enough to buy one that runs. You will spend less money and have a running bike sooner. Did you notice the spoke wheel up front and the mag in the back? If it had a pair of good condition "snowflake" wheels, it could be worth $400 just to get the wheels. If it was an R90S, I might sing a different tune, but there is nothing special about a /6.

Sorry you had that experience, but thanks for the heads up. I typically trust NAPA, but will avoid that product and stick with Gumout or CRC. +1 on Phil's recommendation for an ultrasonic cleaner. I have a small one and have used it with Simple Green, CLR, Purple Power, and diesel fuel. For small parts, put the solvent and part in a plastic bag, then fill the ultrasound with water an immerse the bag in the water.

The 1980s Moto Guzzi LeMans 4 and 5 both have an upswept lip on the tail, like a little air foil. This also was on a 1985 FJ1100 I had (and I was just looking at an FJ1200 wondering if I would enjoy "re-owning" that model.) And a similar style tail section was on the early 80s Honda CB1100F (also the CB750F and CB900F, which were earlier) So... what gives? Where did this tail style originate? Was there some theory that it helped airflow? What was the first motorcycle that had a tail that said "Give me a little lip, baby?"

Congratulations, Bob. Re the 1000SP, you might also ask on WildGuzzi.com. And if you find the right machine, you could always have it shipped. Not sure about current costs, but it was about $500 with Haul Bikes a few years ago.

That is the right hose. But a leak can still be caused if that rear hose clamp is loose. What happens is the oil goes outside the metal fitting for the hose, down through the bell-housing and makes the type of mess that you have. I would try to remove at least the rear fitting of that breather hose and inspect it for internal cracks. Maybe give a twist first to see if it is loose. I once forgot to tighten up that rear hose clamp and it made a mess.

Nice one - and the same link shows in similar items, a Silver Sport with 11,000 miles near me. It's in San Diego for less than $5,000.

PM sent with phone number

Check the crankcase vent hose. I think that is the most likely culprit.

My 89 LeMans also has the Caruso gears. But I got it with the mods already done, and I have never ridden a stock Tonti-LeMans. The PO said each mod made significant improvements. He didn't mention any head or cam work, but he was especially rhapsodic about the Zard stainless exhaust. He said the header pipes are a larger diameter than stock and "woke up" the bike. Brick on a stick... that's funny.

I've been enjoying my recently acquired 1989 LeMans. It has carbs, pods, electronic ignition, and full aftermarket exhaust. It's got a bit, fat, mid-range and pulls surprisingly well. I've been tempted to say it is equal to my Scura in some respects, but I am going to enlist a buddy to join me for a ride on the LeMans and Scura so we can both ride both bikes on the same roads and compare notes. So far my impression is simply that V11 Scura is more refined than the Tonti-framed LeMans. I think the smoothness of the Scura's fuel injection, lightweight flywheel, and easy-shifting 6-speed make the LeMans V seem more brutish by comparison.

Thanks - get the ebay one (assuming it comes with the box and the lid). Saves me the hassle of shipping. But if you can't get that one, I'll dig mine out for you.

I think they will fit. The frame was elongated at the front, not where the airbox mounts. I have at least one airbox from a 2002 LeMans if you are looking for one.

Is that a real thing? I have a crank in storage, but just wrapped up in old T-shirts in a box. Am I doing wrong?

Haha... well, the Scura is not going up for rent.

On my recent vacation, I rented a Honda Africa Twin from Riders Share. https://www.riders-share.com/ It was a good experience, and I decided to try renting out my Yamaha TW200 on the site. After registering, they gave me a code to share to get more people signed up. As I understand it, this code gives me $100 credit toward future rentals if any of you complete a trip or register one of your bikes as a rental. It also gives you $100 credit on your first rental. www.riders-share.com/welcome/Timothys+NTDC7 ^that's the link/code if you want to use it. I was thinking about putting my Husqvarna 701 up for rent too. The process was quite good - make the reservation, arrange to meet the owner, take pics of the bike and upload to site, document milage. Then ride... Then more pics, including odometer at check-in. And the rental period is covered by Riders Share's insurance, not the owner's personal insurance. Anybody else already using this site?

I bet that latch mechanism and seal are used on many bikes - and documenting that seal would be a worthy addition to our compatible parts thread. And that's your yellow Sport, right? Not a V11? But looks to be the same fuel door.

A few wraps of black electrical tape will tame a boot leak until it can be replaced. This is also helpful as a diagnosis - if it runs better after getting taped up, then you have identified the leak - even if you can't see the crack.

Today, I rode the Scura around while testing my new Cardo Pack Talk Bold communicator. Just solo today, but it is a mesh communicator for multiple riders, and I got a pack of two communicators. I made and received some phone calls, played music (Black Sabbath on shuffle), and asked Siri for directions. I had been thinking about a motorcycle-specific GPS, but decided to just try the voice-navigation from my phone for a while. Normally, I just memorize where I am going, so having on-board navigation is quite a luxury. The people I called had no idea I was on my motorcycle till I told them - they didn't hear wind noise, which is nice, but they were also denied the thunder of the Ti Racing exhaust, which I enjoyed.

Here is a link to Malcolm Smith's story on his dealership's website. Malcolm is the real deal. Interestingly (which I didn't know before), he was originally partners with K&N, who went on to form the air filter manufacturer.

In case you also missed it... Bruce Brown also made "Endless Summer." The guy made two of the most iconic action sports movies of all time, about surfing and motorcycling. I think he is my hero. I love those old Huskies that Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen were riding. I saw McQueen's bike once at the motorcycle museum in San Diego's Balboa Park. Malcolm really leveraged his exposure from the movie. His dealership in Riverside still sells Husqvarna. I've heard that his Husky from the movie is (was?) on display there. The final scene, I believe, was shot on Camp Pendleton, in San Diego. Steve McQueen used his fame and influence to get onto base with the film crew. Every dirt biker in San Diego dreams of being able to replicate that.

Today I circumnavigated and summited the island of Maui on a Honda Africa Twin that I rented from Riders-Share.com. About 225 miles in total, including the famous "Road to Hana" and some less-travelled, twisty, one-lane, two-way roads on magnificent cliffs. Haleakala, the summit in the National Park, is over 10,000 feet elevation, While some of the road is at sea level - and by sea level, I men including wet pavement from wave spray. Some pics... At end of the ride, I checked my MPG: Mango Pineapple Guava Shave Ice. So I can report excellent MPG for this ride. I've been curious about the Honda Africa Twin for a long time. This was a DCT model. It was comfortable and I had a great day. But I don't think the DCT is for me. I'd like to try one with a manual transmission. While I applaud Honda for trying something new, I got really frustrated with the DCT. It would upshift automatically when I was trying to pass uphill... and upshift when I let off the gas to corner (meaning I was constantly either bogging the engine to exit, or hitting the manual downshift button with my left thumb. Sometimes it would downshift mid corner, which I found unsettling (especially in the dirt road sections). The DCT was kind of nice on straight and level, and small grades with easy curves - like a giant scooter. On the rough pavement and dirt, when I stood up, I kept doing "phantom shifts" with my left foot... but of course, there was no shifter. I suppose we will all have to get used to stuff like this as we move toward electric motorcycles. But I still like manual shifting. I think it's part of the fun of riding.

I used Rust Oleum brand Aircraft Remover to get the textured paint off a 2002 engine, tranny, and final drive. Stubborn spots still took a few applications. Incidentally, I have an epoxy painted garage floor, and this is the only thing I have spilled on it that did immediate damage to that floor - including brake fluid and other paint strippers. A decent paint job should last a while. If you DIY and save some paint, you can spot-paint over damage later.

Blockage could be in any line as it makes a big loop: Petcock to Pump, to filter, to LH Injector, to RH Injector, to Pressure Regulator. When I had my problem, I took off the pump and it tested fine. Then I reconnected it to the blocked fuel lines... it drove me crazy for a long time till I finally solved it.