Chris Wilson

There seems to be a report of "hand numbing vibration" in the original post" and if the dampners are original then nothing is being ignored, its actually being well considered. And as you say, it all going to vibrate at some point but the aim is to reduce not eliminate. Chris.

Can't comment on a V11 but .... a comment about Guzzi's in general fielded from the store owner I bought my bike from went "It's a good day when something goes wrong on a Guzzi as it gives you a chance to make it even better." And I will qualify this by the thoughts, how many times can the big end be machined, the bore oversized, the frame straightened without favour or just things worked on without fear of running out of material or strength when doing so. So many modern machines are made right on their performance edge and are deemed disposable after 100,000km or have some form of break down. Guzzi's seem to dare their owners to, go on, get the spanners out, you know you want to! They seem to be a big boys Mechano set that can upgraded in so many ways. Chris.

Also back in the 80' Honda made internal vibration dampners for hollow handle bars. These were not end bar wieghts but a simple pair of heavy steel rods with expanding rubber rings at both ends. Insert rods into each end of the bars and tighten the screw (in much the same manner as end bar weights). My memory of these is that they worked well in the 4500rpm vibration zone inline fours were plagued with. Anything internal like this will change the natural harmonic frequency of the bars and take it away from your trouble spot without changing the 'look' of the bike. Come to think of it, a simple rubber sleeved expanding bolt may serve just as well as a proprietary dampener! Chris.

Yes, use the stock bar end wieghts as stoppers jamming in a length of rubber hose that is just longer than the available internal length and has its OD just smaller than the ID of the bar. This is assuming of course that your clip ons are hollow! This should negate some of the waves travelling up and down each end. Chris.

Probably due to the lower frame rails being deleted and using an old engine mount point for system location. Having a length of rail gives choice, having a point does not. Chris.

Have used a lick of spit on exhaust headers before to determine a misfiring cylinder or other causes of rich mixtures. This was done on a CB750 FA when O'Brien's exhausts at Sydney Australia pioneered their first 4 into 1 on my bike It alerted us to an issue that was later resolved. Chris.

I agree now Phil, thanks for bring patient. The bit that I found hard to explain was - "Now lets assume you move the "centre line" of the front wheel one way by 5mm the measured gap between the sides of the front wheel to the straight edges will now be a 10mm "difference" in measurement." The 'difference' you meant was between the two gaps (plural) and I took it to mean the total gap (singular) as there is no 's' on the word measurement. Anyhow, moving on. Thanks.

I don't agree. For example if both wheels are the same width and on track then the straight line will tell that if you move the track of one 5mm then the other is obviously the same 5mm out. I think that you are missing that if you move 5mm right then you lose 5mm left between the straight edges (plural) and the 'gap' remains constant.. My head hurts.

Not understanding the above Phil. Surely if the tyre is manufactured symmetrical a 5mm side offset equates to a 5mm centreline offset? Chris.

If the vehicle is asymmetrically weighted then surely the track is best kept parallel and simply moved over under the CG.

On the Bellagio, pic provided, a smaller diameter and longer length coil sits inside of the shorter larger diameter one so interference between the two is guaranteed. The rubber tube is only in contact with the larger diameter outside coil and only effects that spring. On my old K75 the rear drum brake used to snap return springs due to harmonic vibration between shoes ( official BMW statement) resulting in rear wheel lock ups from stray spring pieces wedging the brakes. A BMW recall addressed this problem by providing an orange block of rubber channelled out to provide contact with one side of the spring. 10 years later no more broken springs so I guess it worked. Chris.

Hi Phil, the number of side stand feet and the mount bolts coming loose is then due to something g else besides harmonics? And the side stand is a bonus on a bike with no centre stand? I doubt that a road worthy certificate would be issued unless its standard issue. Chris.

I actually reckon that adding mass to the end of a cantilevered beam, such as here with a stand, acts as a harmonic dampener. Witness handle bar end weights. Perhaps this limits the mounting bolts coming loose when the length of the beam acts like a tuning fork due to engine pulses. I note that my double retract springs are sleeved with rubber that stops vibration induced fatigue much like drum brake return springs are so there must significant twanging goin on here! Chris.

Boot burner, copy that! My left heel and toe looks like it's suffered a Hawaiian fire walk and it's the one reason why I would have a two into one right side header made to eliminate the left hand one. Chris.

Shamelessly stolen from Fleabay, a Bellagio side stand that seems to some sort of orthotics already installed. Chris.

Or is it that the ground is not level with foot. Rarely does the plate sit evenly pressured when deployed and is the reason I went with 3 x 6mm bolts and glue. Just gluing could lead to the plate being levered off the foot when rocking over 200kg onto it on uneven ground. I would have used 4 bolts on mine except for the fact that access under the leg on the fourth corner made things difficult, but not impossible if needed. Chris.

You don't out Harley a Harley in America, there is a veritable cemetery of Jap bikes laid to waste trying to do just this. Best to market it in Europe and Commonwealth countries. It's the only bike that I have buyers on the street asking me if I want to sell it, even the dealer who I bought it from and the guy who services it wants it back! Chris.

Yes Doc, it folds up into the gap between the exhaust pretzel and the footpeg. And that's is pretty much the model that I have and to my mind the best two valve engine Guzzi ever made. Go figure, they make a short stroke revving engine and then market as a Harely Sportster competitor!

How do you pick the plate up again when you are on the bike with the side stand flicked up? I have done similar in the past using an offcut of floor board but it's too difficult for me to hold the bike one handed, pick up your plate or board with the other , stowing the plate and then mounting all single handedly. Chris.

If my side stand foot ever grounded in a corner it would be a sure sign that I have fallen off! It's tucked away on the rear of the sump near the base of the foot peg. But that is a serious design concern with these things. Chris.

Screen shot your image and then crop it tight with any free image software? I use freeware Photo Editor to reduce the quality and then crop. Chris. [docc edit to show the reply outside of the quote window.]

Yep, last service said my side stand was about to fall off due to vibration unscrewing the bolts. Luckily the mechanic knew this was a known issue . Chris.

Hi Art, I agree with a change in ride hieght needing a change in stand hieght. On my Lux model Bellagio there is only about 50 mm rear suspension travel and I have upgraded the shock to include 120mm travel and lower the front end by 15mm so the stance the bike had is now very different. Coupled with the fact that the side stand on a Bellagio is a biatch to kick down as using the tang that's meant for the job as it burns your boot sole against the headers since it's so close. So adding real estate to the foot allows easier deployment since it sticks out a bit further as well as giving insurance on soft surfaces. Chris.

My meagre attempt at stopping my side stand from being buried in soft soil or melted bitumen. Chris.

Just tried a Pirelli GT2 A spec tyre on the rear and I like it. It seems to suit a rear heavy bike like the Bellagio.