dbdicker
-
Posts
223 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Community Map
Posts posted by dbdicker
-
-
Dan,
duim.gif . Good to hear you're pleased with the set up.
There's a couple things would be helpful to know....
1. What do you weigh kitted up to ride?
2. Are front springs left stock?
3. What rate rear spring did he fit? (It is marked clearly in black on outside of spring, eg. stock is 1091-26/85 L511 = 85 N/mm)
4. Were you asked what sort of riding you do? eg sport, cruising etc....?
Thanks,
KB
Hi KB,
1. Jim weighed me with gear on, came out to (gulp!) 252 lbs..........
2. Yes. He said it was possible to go for heavier fork springs but didn't feel the range increase was worth the expense. Did go for a slightly different weight oil, though (245/262W).
3. The invoice is marked: SPG 1091-29 261F/248INS 13MM PRE. Does this make sense to you? I assume the 29 number refers to the rate, the 261 is the length and the 248 indicates the preloaded length as installed? If these figures aren't enough, I'll check the bike or call Jim.
4. Yes. I told him I was a guy who liked to ride long and turn corners, but a wasn't a racer by any means. He asked about what I was feeling with the stock suspension and seemed to instantly know what I wanted from the modification.
Dan
-
1
-
-
Here's where I might differ from others. For me, I've enjoyed suspension changes much more than engine hop ups: High quality suspension has given me more pleasure than any 120-130hp bike ever has...........
No poser crap, that's what I like and where I prefer to spend my money. Other guys run for PCIII's and mistrals, I like shocks and tires.
Meanwhile, this email was sent to me by Jim at Pro Pilot about what he exactly did. I asked him to write in 'layman's terms' because, frankly, I couldn't understand what the hell he was talking about when he started to get technical and I'm working on a write-up for Todd Eagan at GuzziTech:
Suspension changes were fresh ohlins fluids / a little different than stock. Valving front and back were modified for your weight, and plushness with more controlled damping from the initial compression,smother transition into mid-stroke , and rest of travel with applicable bottoming resistance corrected for rider weight. Pretty simple .
Should feel "more Controled action" (less springy and jumpy) thru whole stroke front and rear with more usable function at adjusters.("better damping / much more comfy")
Spring on rear was a "must change" to a firmer rate that actually makes an additional plusher feel because of starting force and spring rate correction.( slightly less preload, better spring rate for your weight, and better "ride height and function")
Settings and on your invoice copy e- mailed to you. These are good starting points , also noted were the "full range of adjusters"). ex. Shock Rebound R-17 clicks out(40 posible clicks total ) etc.
Go ride some more and enjoy- Jim
Got that? Even in 'layman's terms', I don't quite get it...........but it feels good.
As to the set points for me? Here they are for right now:
Fork: Rebound 14 out of 30 possible - Compression 9 out of 30 possible
6 turns out on preload out of 16 turns possible
Shock: Rebound 17 out of 40 possible - Compression 16 out of 25 possible
Preload 13mm 12Bar of pressure
This guy is not a poser. He knows his stuff. He continues to race while rebuilding suspension during the week for the last 20 years and holds one of 2 licenses in the US to access Ohlins's database and know precisely what he's working on.............
Jim offers a box, send in service for those who can remove their shock. Turnaround is about a week, and at a very reasonable price, if you ask me.
Dan
-
Went down to Jackson NJ yesterday to pick up my Scura from Pro Pilot after Jim finished upgrading/modifying the stock Ohlins suspension bits for my weight and riding style. In short, the discussion on this forum and elsewhere was confirmed; Jim needed to revalve both the front forks and the rear shock as well as replace the stock spring on the rear shock to a heavier one.
The preload sag is preset, and I won't be messing with it: this rear shock has easy access to both damping controls but uses those nasty collars to set preload. Past that, he also has a computer analysis program that 'dials in' the variables of compression and rebound damping for my specifics. I will be getting a full report back from Jim about what those settings are, what can be adjusted and why, etc.......... but for now I just wanted to ride the bike a little and enjoy the Ohlins kit the way it was meant to behave.
I've only had the chance to ride the 100 miles back home yesterday, all on parkways -- hardly the best test of great suspension -- but even that short hour and a half ride has me saying three words: Oh My God.
I cannot believe how wonderful the bike feels compared to 1 week ago: It's fabulously compliant and plush, gliding over all the pavement irregularities without any harshness. Still, I can feel the street more clearly than before......what a pleasure.
When I get a few more hundred miles in, I'll report again about settings and subjective impressions. However, I think it's fair already to say that this experiment has been a major success. I think it's also fair to say that the OEM Ohlins kit was incorrectly spec'd, and that most everyone would be benefitted from this kind of reworking from an expert like Jim if they've got the stock '02 Ohlins equipment.
http://www.propilotracing.com]Pro Pilot Racing[/url]
-
Ah so YOU'RE the one guy who bought that goofy euro-spec Yamaha BT1100, eh???? At least they sold one of 'em
And I thought that 70-hp, big bore, weird looking V-twin powered semi-trailies were the singular purvey of Italian motorcycle manufacturers, looking to retain their 'individuality' while going broke...........
That bike is SO out of line with the rest of the bikes on offer from Yamaha, you wonder what nut got into the new products drawing room while all the rest of the Jap moto-drones were out to lunch...............
Jus' kiddin'...of course......enjoy the bike!
Dan
-
Maybe I'm a fire waiting to happen, but I replaced the relays with the quality GEI relays everyone's been touting and then substituted these These Fiamm horns from the JC Whitney catalog. They fit as if they were stock on the stock brackets. I used one high and one low tone horn. Sounds great and makes me feel much more safe. Didn't bother with new circuits or anything, so if I blast a truck and my gauges catch on fire, I've got no one to blame but myself
So far, however, all seems to be working beautifully..........sometimes the solution is simple
Dan
-
Paul,
You're right.........nothing cheap at all.........just wrong for the intended use. Apparently, MG wanted to make the Scura/Rosso/Nero their 'super sport' version of the V11. Ohlins took this to mean to equip with track-spec kit.......which they summarily did.
For a guy like you, Paul, after seeing your site...........I can imagine that you were happy with the stock Scura suspension.........you look like a hell of a racer and your weight is correct for the springs.
As for me..........ahem...........I'm a bit.......uh..........larger. At 6'2" and 240lbs., the stock setup is clearly very, very wrong for me. Also, I imagine that I'm not the screaming scraper that you are. I appreciate shock absorbers that, uh.......absorb shocks...........race tracks are noticeably smoother than the stuff I normally ride on. When I jump on other pals' bikes, they all feel better to me.......recently I rode my friend's Ducati S4 and I felt I could go faster and be more confident with it. His bike had Sachs suspension and, I believe, ohlins forks.
BTW, I'm pretty sure that the equipment that Ohlins has been making for the MG 'sport' models hasn't changed since '02 and they continue to fit the new Cafe/Coppa etc. with the same race-spec kit; my service tech in NYC (Aprilia of NYC) told me that they are all the same..........(although he could be wrong).
Dan
-
Hi all,
I'm going to replay this post, which got started on a different thread on seats; I think it's important enough for other V11 owners with standard Ohlins suspension (Scura/Rosso/Nero etc...) to know about this other option:
Hi Ralph,
I know there's been some heated discussion on this forum over Ohlins kit so I've stayed away from it.
Meanwhile, this has been my experience: I've owned Ohlins before on other bikes and found it to be the most compliant and wonderful addition to make to a bike, a major reason why I bought the Scura which came with the 'upgraded' suspension. However, from day one, I was really unimpressed with the ride from my 02: Harsh, not progressive, and generally giving less information from the contact patches. I never felt like I was 'sinking down' into the road, more like I was chattering across it.
From the discussions here, as well as from talking to Todd Eagan and others, it's pretty much the consensus that the Ohlins kit was built exclusively for MG with track valving and springs suited for race 'built' guys of around 170-180 lbs..............not what aftermarket ohlins suspension is usually sold for most street duty. I called Ohlins USA to see who was capable of sorting out the suspension for me; of course, I was already annoyed that the 'upgrade' I was supposedly paying for was in reality probably quite inferior in practice to the 'standard' suspension on other V11's and LeMans's . I didn't sweat it much since I had bought the Scura as a leftover and paid peanuts for it; still it's been a hell of a hassle so far sorting it out..........we'll still get to see how expensive, too.
Anyway, the Ohlins guys recommended Jim at propilot for my modification work. Very few people in the country have access to real ohlins springs and valve kits and are capable of really doing right by the job; My dealer, for example, as much as admitted that the shock was incorrectly valved but he was unable to obtain the correcting parts from Ohlins. However, just seeing Jim's workshop convinces me that he is one who Ohlins USA has wisely put their trust in to correctly modify their equipment: clean and large with measurement equipment and hundreds of springs lined up on the shelves.............neat. If you happen really fine wrencher (I couldn't imagine being able to remove my own forks and reinstalling them, although I know many of you can) , Jim offers a special box to ship your shock/forks into him and with static measurements you provide on a questionnaire, he will do what is necessary to make your suspension (even if it's not ohlins) perform to its best abilities. He's a race guy first and foremost, but clearly knows what's different about the street. Check out his website and give him a call. Most impressive.
I'll be getting my bike back in about a week and will report again on the *hopefully* improvement along with costs. Todd's also asked me to write up the experience for his website and I'll do that after logging a few hundred miles on the new improved stuff...........assuming it's improved
Dan
-
Hi Ralph,
I know there's been some heated discussion on this forum over Ohlins kit so I've stayed away from it.
Meanwhile, this has been my experience: I've owned Ohlins before on other bikes and found it to be the most compliant and wonderful addition to make to a bike, a major reason why I bought the Scura which came with the 'upgraded' suspension. However, from day one, I was really unimpressed with the ride from my 02: Harsh, not progressive, and generally giving less information from the contact patches. I never felt like I was 'sinking down' into the road, more like I was chattering across it.
From the discussions here, as well as from talking to Todd Eagan and others, it's pretty much the consensus that the Ohlins kit was built exclusively for MG with track valving and springs suited for race 'built' guys of around 170-180 lbs..............not what aftermarket ohlins suspension is usually sold for most street duty. I called Ohlins USA to see who was capable of sorting out the suspension for me; of course, I was already annoyed that the 'upgrade' I was supposedly paying for was in reality probably quite inferior in practice to the 'standard' suspension on other V11's and LeMans's . I didn't sweat it much since I had bought the Scura as a leftover and paid peanuts for it; still it's been a hell of a hassle so far sorting it out..........we'll still get to see how expensive, too.
Anyway, the Ohlins guys recommended Jim at propilot for my modification work. Very few people in the country have access to real ohlins springs and valve kits and are capable of really doing right by the job; My dealer, for example, as much as admitted that the shock was incorrectly valved but he was unable to obtain the correcting parts from Ohlins. However, just seeing Jim's workshop convinces me that he is one who Ohlins USA has wisely put their trust in to correctly modify their equipment: clean and large with measurement equipment and hundreds of springs lined up on the shelves.............neat. If you happen really fine wrencher (I couldn't imagine being able to remove my own forks and reinstalling them, although I know many of you can) , Jim offers a special box to ship your shock/forks into him and with static measurements you provide on a questionnaire, he will do what is necessary to make your suspension (even if it's not ohlins) perform to its best abilities. He's a race guy first and foremost, but clearly knows what's different about the street. Check out his website and give him a call. Most impressive.
I'll be getting my bike back in about a week and will report again on the *hopefully* improvement along with costs. Todd's also asked me to write up the experience for his website and I'll do that after logging a few hundred miles on the new improved stuff...........assuming it's improved
Dan
-
I went for the Rich Maund seat; it is styled correctly in keeping with the 'blacked-out' Scura look. It is ridiculously superior to the stock seat; I can now do 2 full tankfuls back to back (250 miles) without needing a good 'airing'. I also have the MPH cycles bar risers and the evoluzione peg kit installed. With all three, the bike is as comfortable as I suppose it can be made for someone of my .....ahem.....stature (6' 3" and 240lbs).
If you'd like, I'll be happy to take pictures of the seat and set-up............but I can't right now. I rode the bike down to the middle of nowhere NJ and left it for suspension work at Pro Pilot racing. Jim will finally sort out the issues with the OEM Ohlins suspension on the Scura/Rosso/Nero etc..........
On that issue, I'm waiting with baited breath to see what he'll suggest to 'fix' the high-priced kit and I will of course report it all back to you guys...........I'm assuming he'll want to do a revalve and heavier springs, but I didn't suggest anything.........We took static measurements and I went on my way. BTW, ProPilot was the suggestion of Ohlins USA, and his shop looks like all business to me. We'll see how it goes.................
Dan
-
Add me to the list. Mine whines in 6th, but I don't worry about it.
-
this is the first I've heard of the stock V11 bars being too HIGH and for a rider wishing to drop the bars down and forward beneath the triple clamp. Very interesting. I wonder, why would someone prefer a lower and more forward position unless you were thinking of racing the bike exclusively??
Dan
-
I'm not sure what Guzzi would want for a replacement Sachs Shock, but surely it would be quite a lot
That would make an aftermarket alternative like Ohlins much more cost effective. I've put Ohlins shocks on almost every bike I've ever owned and it was a primary reason I bought a Scura instead of a different V11 model. I've always thought that suspension upgrades are worth a heckuva lot more towards enjoyment of a machine than power upgrades. Never regretted paying the admittedly high price for the Swedish kit. Still, there are other, more cost effective choices than Ohlins, some considered as good...........Penske comes to mind.In short, I wouldn't spend for a stock Sachs replacement. If you have to go that money, there are better alternatives available for the dough.
Best of luck,
Dan
-
Yes, can you contact the 2 or 3 highest bidders before the dumbass destroyed your action? You can tell them what happened and see if you can make an 'arrangement' with one of them. Try that before relisting
Dan
-
Still searching for optimal mirror solution, but I'm glad you like the CRG's. Very innovative.
Dan
-
I had same issues, tried the kill switch cycling thing, which didn't help and then this forum suggested the 3/8ths throttle method.
That one works every bloody time -- no choke (enrichener) -- no fuss
Dan
-
after the slow speed drop of my Scura, I needed new mirrrors. I looked upon it as an opportunity, perhaps I could find better (neater looking and better visibility) replacements for the stock mirrors. MG wanted over $50 bucks for a replacement for the stockers which aren't seemingly much.
I found the catalogs for replacement universal mirrors little help. They didn't ever give good statistics about stem size and class size, whether they were convex or flat, how adjustable they were etc...........
I have installed these rather pricey Napoleon mirrors which I think look great, have a large viewing area and are very adjustable. Only problem is, they don't extend far enough out to give me much more of a view than I had with the stockers. However, they are constructed in 2 pieces and screwed together, so that if I could somehow find an extender tube, with a male thread on one end and a female thread on the other, I could attach these where the stem ends meet and solve the problem. Perhaps 2 inches is plenty, certainly 3 would solve everything.
does anyone know of such a small extender? Or, barring that, does anyone have an aftermarket mirror that they swear by (other than the bar end mirrors I don't want )?
Any other great engineering solutions I've not thought of?
Thanks,
Dan
-
1
-
-
I've been doing weekly jaunts on Sundays that amount to 250 miles in a morning, about 2 full gas tankfulls plus a little in the space of about 3- 3 1/2 hours. I've got the bar risers from MPH cycles and a custom Rich Maund seat, and the only thing that's even approached ache level was my left shoulder blade, which I think is common only to me and not attributable to the bikes ergos. I heartily recommend both comfort upgrades. I've also got the Evoluzione peg relocator kit that I'll try soon, can't seem to loosen the peg hanger allen key bolts and I'm afraid to strip them........I'll let the shop do it when I send it in for the next service (I'll have someone to blame then when they do it......)
What I'm saying (very poorly) is that the bike has worked out much more comfortably than I had imagined when I bought it, I can see myself making 500+ mile day trips without much problem. Like the guys say, about a tankful is what you can easily enjoy without a break..........but the way some of these guys ride on this forum, that could well be under an hour of saddle time at once!! :-)
Dan
-
My Scura has most of these 'problems': rattling clutch at neutral, valve noise under load, and dicey shifting w/ many false neutrals.
At 1350 miles, have not bothered to worry about any of them, they are all reminiscent of previous Guzzis I have owned, although I'd like to get the shifting issues out, seeing that others have claimed Jap bike shifting smoothness from these.........(hard for me to believe, however)
Dan
-
For another great source for aftermarket tuning, springs etc.......I recommend Pro Pilot in New Jersey. They are ohlins specialists but will do anything you want and are racers themselves. They are the most knowledgable I've found on the East Coast.
-
just needed to order that, for my mini crash.......called a head guard, available in all colors.........$35 from Harper's, not in stock. Probably a 10 day lag from order to delivery.
Dan
-
thanks for the input. Jaap, I'd love to read about/see photos of your tubular bar conversion. thanks for the williamsport comp option, I followed the lead and the pictures look very, very good. I will probably buy the scura and take a chance on the other issues, I'll keep you all informed.
Dan
-
Hi alll,
I'm new here but in another life I owned (and put enormous mileage on) an 850 T5. Never got Guzzi off the brain, although I 've ridden a BMW R-bike for the last 6 years and 25K miles.
I looked at the LeMans 2 years ago and passed, because I didn't really fit right, I was too bent over the bike. Recently, with the creation of the more upright Guzzi's (Ballabio, Cafe Sport, Capo Itailia) I've gotten interested again in dumping my BMW for one of these. In my search for the best deal, I've come across a few leftover 02 Scuras, which dealers are really looking to dump at outrageously low prices considering their retail. The Scura has all the trick suspension stuff i've grown to require on my bikes (I did Ohlins upgrades to the BMW almost immediately after I bought it and never regretted the cost once).
the question is whether the bar and footpeg mods that are done on the Lemans (and other clipon guzzi V11's) ever REALLY fix the ergonomic problems as well as the tubular bar of the newer guzzis. Clearly, Moto guzzi realized that they can't attract the 'old, fat man BMW rider' (like me!) until they eased up on the riding position, hence the new models. I'd like to (obviously) save the thousands by buying the leftover Scura, but want some people to tell me if they can longhaul the lemans and its variants with the MPH cycles or the Two Brothers riser mods. (are there other riser kits than these 2?) How much adjustability is really possible? Will a 3 to 4 inch rise require entirely new hydraulic and electrical cables and make the mod cost many thousands? Which riser system has worked out the best? Can any shop be trusted to do the work?
Thanks for the input. I tend to keep bikes for many many years and therefore think about the investment for a while before committing. Therefore, any expertise from long time owners and riders of these bikes, both with and without the modifications are extremely valuable to me. I've searched the forum and found good information already, please see what else you can tell me.
Thanks and ride safe,
Dan
Throttlemeister Installation Conundrum
in Technical Topics
Posted
I had the same issue when I first tried to install my Throttle meister. It was solved by using more spacers than they include with the 'stock' kit.
Call TM and request more spacers............
Dan