Dan M

Here's a qoute from Spectro oil's FAQ page: "WHAT TEMPERATURE IS GOOD FOR OIL AND WHEN IS IT TOO HOT? Engine oils that run at @ 212° are ideal in that moisture is allowed to evaporate out of the oil. Above 260°F every 10 degrees increase halves the oil’s useful life. Over 350° presents serious problems and engine oil should be changed immediately. An oil cooler would be appropriate for these elevated temperatures." ... 100C is ideal, 82 is a bit cool.

Here's the deal. Cars have several different systems depending on model: Single oil light. Comes on with loss of pressure. Usually the switch closes with very low pressure, I'd guess most are calibrated between 5 & 10psi. Two oil lights. One for pressure as above and one that is connected to a level sensor in the pan. (two sending units) Gauge only. Pressure only Gauge and light. Gauge for pressue & Light is for level only. (again, two senders) I agree with everything you stated, if that light is coming on, expect the worst. So far as the bike in question goes, it probably is just the sender. If he rode it for several miles with no pressure, he'd have done damage already.

Sorry to hear about this. Glad your injuries are not too terrible. The bike can be replaced and given a little time hopefully your wife will calm some. Orangeokie makes very good points I remember riding back in the mid 70's As teenagers we'd say "watch out for those Cadillac drivers, they are the worst!" Thirty years of evolution and the self absorbed fat cats are now driving Mercedes sedans. I have a whole list of suspect vehicle operators but I won't go there now God luck with your recovery & repairs

Me too, no response yet. I have carbon fiber mufflers & rear fender. Probably don't get the abuse that a front cover would but the finish has held up nicely.

I thought HD was a religion. There has to be some sort of mind control going on over there. "Nothing wrong with owning a HD, heck just about everybody I know that rides owns one and there is my problem with them, everyone has one, they are as common in my neck of the woods as mosquitos." You should live a hundred miles from Milwaukee. Can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting one.

EXACTLY. I dont mind some noise and I can somewhat appreciate the harley sound when muffled. It is the open pipes that so many have opted for that I find irritating on the street. Gives us all a black eye.

They are out of a couple of things in red. I've been watching for availibility of a red cardan bar for awhile. Hopefully they will be available soon, not to mention those Alpina wheels.

Thanks for the info & pics. They look great. How's the length compared to the stock ones? From the picture they seem to stick out more. Are there any ground clearance issues with them lower and non-folding?

They interview Ed Miltch (Guzzitech) He tells it like it is, talks about the quirks and the positives. The mag says they're a bargin as a clean example can be had for under $6000. The report overall is good though not glowing. Hey, we know why we love them and the non guzzisti think we're nuts. If they don't get it, they never will.

If smallish is the goal, RKA makes a very nice mini that is expandable but very low profile when collapsed. http://www.rka-luggage.com/pages/08tnkbag/...ow/ssminix.html

They're protecting us from ourselves. The front has to supply 8 caliper pistons. Assuming no maintenance, there has to be enough fluid for the pads to wear completely out and not run the reservoir dry. The rear has to supply only 2 pistons so it needs 1/4 the fluid capacity of the front.

Everything Ratchet said, Tracey. Define "dark" though. New is clear. Slight discoloration is normal. In a about a season of riding (depending on humidity) it will darken to light "carmel", eventually it will be "coffee" colored. (way too late) I usually change mine when I see light carmel (color not texture!) regardless of time or miles. Edit: If the clutch fluid went dark sooner then either brake perhaps the reservoir cap was loose for awhile allowing air / moisture in.

Thanks for the tip gthyni.

Seems like if any FI setup could use the variable pressure it would be an open loop system like we have. I don't know why they would use a vacuum operated regulator and then not apply vacuum. If nothing else it should lean the mixture slightly with closed throttle. Next time I have the MG at work I'll check CO content at idle with & without vacuum applied. I'll attach a fuel pressure gauge as well and see what the pressure difference is. Stay tuned...

So sorry to hear of your misfortune & wish you a full recovery. Only you can make the decision of getting back on the horse or not. Give it time, I hate to see someone give up their passion. If you do part the bike out, I'm sure there are many here to buy it. Keep us posted whatever your decision. Good luck.

What have you done so far? Typically broken down fluid or misalignment are the cause. Mine were sticking some making it difficult to get a good sag measurement. A fluid change cured it. Lubing the tubes like dlaing says may identify if the seals are grabbing. I'd use a dry lube though, silicone will attract dust & dirt which may eventually wear the seals.

My sentiments exactly. Big improvement even over other synthetics.

You're welcome. Is a great deal, eh? I was all set to order Metzlers until someone on this very board turned me on to the Pirelli USA deal. Great resource!

I like the phrasing in the older British repair manuals. It is all so literal. I recall reading "taking it to pieces" when referring to disassembling a component.

Pirelli is currently offering the front free deal to Canadian residents. I did not check how many tires are left. Hard to pass up for you boys from the north. I wonder how much real difference between the Diablo Strada and Metzeler's Z6. They are described the same, same design objectives, same parent company, same country of origin, and the tread pattern is similar. I have the Metzelers on one bike and the Pirellis on another. Both work great but the bikes are so dissimilar its hard to compare handling characteristics.

It's the FBF that is without a hanger bracket. Adding one is easy though.

Very true, but with only 2000 miles on the Bridgestones I slid the back twice while slowing under circumstances that I felt were too sudden on a very familiar road. I also felt that the front would lose traction too soon under hard braking. With the offer of a free front I switched to the Pirellis and they feel great. I've pushed them harder through the same curve without incident

I don't agree about the reliability issues. I've had no mechanical failures on my RT. Routine maintenance: fluid changes, valve adjustments, TB sync, are nearly identical in ease and time on both bikes. The EFI on the 04 BMW twin spark engine has no surging trouble of prior models. My V11 has had a few more hiccups than my BMW. I now have my suspension on my V11 sorted and am fine tuning. It is much, much better than before but still not quite as flickable as the BMW, and mine is an RT not an S. (probably 100lbs heavier) I can take or leave the ABS, certainly a nice safety feature, but the trade off is complexity and poor "feel" compared to the V11's Brembos. The BMW motor is buzzier than the MG, the power delivery feels more flat than the MG so not as exciting. Parts availibility for the BMW is much better. So much for the objective part. If that is the criteria for your decision, buy the BMW. You'll be making a mistake though. Unless I'm riding in bad weather or going long distances, the Guzzi is the one that makes me smile.

That's interesting Mike. When I first got my MG I changed all of the fluids and put Spectro synthetic gear lube in the trans & differential. After a few hundred miles I was missing shifts everywhere. I changed to Redline heavy and it completely solved the missed shifts. I think that so far as protecting the gears & bearings is concerned, sythetic gear lube is fine. The extra slipperyness of the moly additive or whatever Redline contains makes the difference in shift action.

I observed the same thing last summer while riding in central Italy. Saw plenty of Ducatis but not one Guzzi. When I mentioned to one of the Austrians who was with us that I rode a Guzzi, he looked at me like I was just another idiot American who knows nothing about motorcycles. (I am of course, but that's besides the point)