badmotogoozer

All I've ever used is a couple drops of household 3in1 light oil in my cables. The only cable I've ever had break was a new tach cable on the duc that I must have installed wrong because it tore itself apart when I started the engine. Oh and a rear brake cable that tore itself out of the end stop (wheel end). I certainly wouldn't ever want RLSH to get up in the guage. Toasted for sure. cheers, Rj

Well, I am involved in this thread. I have posted in it. I have been reading it, but had nothing more to contribute until you and Noggers got at each other again. Distinction? How about you and Noggers bringing the same "maintenance vs. no maintenance" argument to ruin many threads where this is, at best, a side topic. Dump a load of negativity? Look again close - there ARE some compliments in there. You have only elected to quote the negativity. This selective reading reinforces my belief that you only read the words you want to hear. Piling on?? Please. And I HAVE been inspired by some of your posts. I have just installed my Wilburs springs as per your instructions. I HAVE done more reading into your side of the argument WRT global warming. I HAVE read and considered your K&N study. I HAVE picked up many little tips and tricks from your posts. Most appologies to you other listers. I won't post on this subject again. Rj

We've come to expect nothing less from you. You know, I kinda like Dr. Ratchet. His posts are usually informative, and represent services he has carried out himself. Most of the time presented fairly humbly. I don't always agree, but I respect him. That other guy though, Mr. Hack, is a self-righteous prick. Constantly talking down to anyone who doesn't see things his way, and then gets a burr in his britches when someone else does the same to him. This guy I don't much care for. Dr. Ratchet, Mr. Hack. Hard to believe they are the same guy sometimes. Can we go back to the hero portion of this topic and leave the "zero" crap behind? Rj

Huey - It is great to see a m/c business man going to these lengths to help out a customer who has a problem that most likely you had nothing to do with. It is very refreshing to know there are places out there who still go to this trouble. We have a few exceptionally good dealers and service people who hang out here too. cheers & welcome, Rj

While I was hoofing it to the gas station after running dry about a mile from where I planned on filling, I realized that I had the tools to remove the tank in the tool kit and could have just popped off the tank, swished the trapped fuel into the feed side and put it back on again. I needed the walk anyway. Rj

They look a little soft and droopy. Might want to drop a couple of little blue pills down the hole. Rj

I think the consensus is to use the red (shockproof Heavy) stuff in both trans and drive box. Some are using the lighter blue stuff. cheers, Rj

True, but brazing requires a lot more heat - nearly red hot. When I've brazed tanks more often than not, I get some "sag" in the metal around the repair. Maybe someone who is better at it might have more success... I'm not bad, but there are always people who are better... I always have good success with silver soldering. Never had to use any filler. cheers, Rj

If just a pin hole, definitely silversolder. Follow that up with the Bill Hirsch m/c gas tank sealer kit. If the pinhole is from rust, there'll be more on the way but the Hirsch stuff will fix it permanently. Been using it for over a decade with excellent results in both fiberglass and steel. Same stuff they use for aircraft tanks. Sealed up a very bad Duc 750 tank this way. Rust pin holes all along the bottom. cheers, Rj

We're bruddas from a different mudda, Keith! Rj

That should tell you all you need to know about trans oil. How long has this forum been up? Five, six years? And the ONLY thing we talk about is Redline in the trans. A hell of a lot more than just a few are doing it. Put it in your drive box too! If you're set on it, and have it, and don't want to buy anything else, I'm sure 80/90 will be just fine. Rj

Only two things in this world smell like fish... and one of them's fish. Rj

I am not currently using K&N's on any of my vehicles but in some of my previous ones they made a HUGE difference. eg. My 57 Chev pickup with the stock 6 cyl was a massive improvement with the K&N. I no longer had to drop down a gear to get up the Royal Oak hill (steep!). Night and day. You won't see that kind of improvement in a modern vehicle. You DO get more flow which does get you a bit more power and better acceleration. The tradeoff is you do allow more dirt in the engine. If you are using K&N's there are a few things to keep in mind. 1. Always keep them oiled. 2. Clean them regularly!!! 3. Avoid dusty environments. 4. Change your oil more often. (negates the whole "not spending money on air filters" argument...) If you live in a dusty area or frequently drive dirt roads, K&N's are NOT for you. You WILL get more dirt in your engine and you Will be doing more damage to the engine. How much more? Depends on how well you follow the rules. As a side note, my 74 Duc has had open bell mouths for at least 15 years. Long before I owned it. I had the heads off last winter and didn't see much in the way of cylinder wall damage - certainly no more than I would expect in such an engine. Your bike, you choose according to your desires... cheers, Rj

I had my bike fall over in my shop earlier this year. Dumped gas everywhere before I got it untangled from the other bike and back up again. My tipover valve was removed by the dealer when they did the predelivery insp. I'd like to add one again to avoid the dumping gas/fire possibility. Is the valve easily gotten from Guzzi or should I use something else (if there is something better??). thanks, Rj

That's the nice thing about K&N's - you never need to vacuum the crap out of them. Rj

I just use RL for the color. Bel ray (green) in the forks, synth oil (brown-black) in the engine, and RLSP (mmmmm berries) in the trans. That way when something leaks, I know what it is. My bike is never working long enough to worry about what I'm putting in there... Leaks, however, are a constant occurrance. Rj

Oil filter. That is an aftermarket deep V sump. Forget who makes it... Rj

Rockers are maple as are seat, bars and forks, slats across are black walnut, light and gages are cherry. The painted parts are laminated pine shelving. Not really my idea. I built it from a set of plans. Pretty easy, just lots of work. Used a bandsaw, sander, router, and drill press. Nothing special. slug - Uncle of the year maybe, no wife or kids of my own - I'm letting my sister take care of that! cheers, Rj

I'm more of a Lepton man myself. Rj

That's just a beautiful thing. We all learn from our mistakes... but I bet he gets caught in the drill press next. Rj

I'll use ANY excuse to buy another bike. This rationale would be a lot saner than some of my excuses have been. Cheap reliable Japanese is what you want. You need a throw-away bike, get one. Rj

Thanks for the compliments guys! I figure everybody's first bike should be a Triumph. Great for cutting your mechanical teeth and will leave you with a much greater appreciation for every other bike you will ride in your life. Maybe Rich will cut me a package deal when I send him my V11 seat. I'm just glad it doesn't leak oil on the floor... cheers, Rj

And it is an American show - choppers are THE shite for large majority of the population. Thanks Discovery. Rj

That Alfa is very sweet. If I ever had the money for vintage car racing, I'd have one of those. Always loved them. I'll have to make a point of getting down to Seattle for the vintage races next summer. Haven't been in a few years now. Thanks for the pics!! Rj

Hi all, I'm looking at the Hyperpro steering dampers now that my Bitubo shit the bed. At the site it lists active and nonactive dampers. I see the difference, but what do people think would work better on the Guzzi? As far as my damper goes, I always had it on min (still some damping so not quite like not having one at all) and turn it up a few notches if riding hard. I don't want to run without it as I did have one high speed tank slapper that I'm pretty sure it did its job on. Price is the same so... what do y'all think? cheers, Rj