Keith Foster

I'm right with ya. When I read about all of the strings pulled to get him in MotoGP, I was thinking: well, he's a good US based rider, but he's going to play with the big boys now. It will take him a while to be competitive, any of the would smoke me of course, but the level of riding is off the charts!

Nice score on the Coppa Fly - I always dug that paint sceme. Welcome. 1) Is the infamous tank suck isuue been resolved on 2004 bikes or should I just have the dealer remove the system? I would have the dealer disable it. If the hose is in the wrong position it causes problems and really doesn't accomplish a whole lot. 2) How can I make a tool for the 27mm hex nut for oil changes See here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...411entry24411 3) what are people using for tank protection from scuffing by pants and riding suits? clear 3M material? Does anyone have templates? See here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...787entry24787 4) Any suggested starting point for the Ohlins set up? 205lbs, pretty even mix between agressive and comfort desired. I set mine a couple of clicks beow the middle to get a softer highway ride. I'm pretty average at 175 lbs so I haven't touched the preload. 5) Are the shop manuals on line here up to date or am I better jut buying one? Plan on doing all my own rootine maintenance. There is the shop manual available to download at a Yahoo site, a search on the forum will get you the link. Any and all advice welcome. Thanks 52911[/snapback]

That sucks big time Tony, sorry to hear for your loss. I have my yearly insurance bill to send in next month, your pain makes it easier to write out that check. Did anything ever happen on the guy from Europe (Jean Marc) bike turning up? maybe I messed him posting it's recovery???

Welcome aboard Poguzzi, there is a lot of good advice and experiences available here. A great resource.

I can vouch for Big Twin also. It's been nearly 10 years ago, but they helped a friend with his airhead BMW when he had alternator troubles on our cross county tour. They went out of their way to accomodate him/us. A good shop.

Me too Edge, I sent you an email but I've not heard anything...

Hey Edge, I'm on it. Great solution and a clean execution. I'll email for the address and details, regards.

For 12 years I was process engineer for a company that produced small diameter SS tubing. 300 series, 304, 316, 321, some Inconel's. We heated treated thou. of pounds every day. To bright anneal this grade of SS you heat the tubing in a hydrogen atmosphere to 1850 +\- and cool rapidly in the same, getting it below the 1000 deg. area in a certain time, I forget the time deal, like less than 2 minutes I think.(no, it doesn't go "boom" unless you have enough oxygen present) This made the tubing soft and able to be drawn to smaller sizes. I think key to your question will be to know what grade of SS our exhausts are produce from. A lot of automotive SS exhaust is made from 400 series, the heat treatment of these I don't have any experience with, hopefully someone else can offer some insight. I don't think heating an area would make that area more prone to cracking, but this is based on my experience with the 300 sreies and not knowing what grade the MG exhaust is. My $0.02

I've read this too and wonder what the deal is. It will probably come out over time.

Don't forget Performance Coatings near Seattle. Several on this list (including me) have had them do work and everyone is quite satisified. I'd use them again, and the cost seems to be nearly the same. I posted pics of the silver I had them do, do a search for "coated exhaust" or such, they should come up readily. http://www.performancecoatings.com/

(? carbon fiber front mudguard?) -Yes-

Make me 4, but this is Max's last shot, if he doesn't deliver the bread this year... As for Rossi's move, I vote for it being over the line. It was not a classy move. Last race of the season, title on the line-OK, but there are 16 more races to go. Maybe this will incite Sete to a higher level of focus, concentration, agressiveness, some mental aspect to make him win the title. I do admire his restraint in the interviews and comments I've seen. he has to be seething inside. If it had been Biaggi - who!-what fireworks Max will be back in contention

You have the standard set up. There is some movement, but nothing I ever notice or find a concern. Don't worry, it'll stay on.

That sucks Jean-Marc, keep up some hope. On the tire thread, I have a set of the Diablo Strada's on order, they should be in this week. I'll fill you in.

So true Al, I was out hammering Sunday with some friends on the Nero. During the ride the odo passed 8K miles. Yes, I had a time (just about a year ago) when I first bought it, but since it's been a total blast!

I too bought a set and installed them when I had my headers and crossover ceramic coated. A tight fit, but they work nice. They are stainless steel, not aluminum. Forum member Turtle is the guy that made up a dozen or so sets. Good Luck.

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but man I feel for your slip up. The simplest things sometimes reach out and bite ya.

Frisky, a photo please, if you can! I was thinking of this solution just 2 days ago. For what model bike was your donor CF hugger made to fit originally? R1?, GSXR? What brand was it, from US supplier, like Lockhart Phillips or ? Does it go all the way to the swing arm pivot? TIA.

A couple of months back I bought an extra stock lid from fellow member J.Bee. I cut off the snorkles close to where they meet the "body" of the lid and cut an oblong slot on each side for plenty of air flow. I left the top untouched. A couple people have commented that they have had the under tank foil insulation drop down and plug up the filter, so I left the top as is to avoid that.

Hi Fernando what does this Euro switch do? Does it enable one to ride and not have the headlight going? I guess it has an "OFF", "LOW" then "HIGH" positions? I don't imagine it takes the place of wiring in a relay as some have suggested? Inquiring minds are wondering

I bought a on-off-on (3 position switch) rocker switch instead of the goober toggle switches the grip kits seem to all come with. Most some automotive speed shops have them. i got mine at a CB radio place. I would think a trailer or camper place would have them too. I then bent a piece of sheet metal to mount the switch on the RH side of the steering stem, just below the top triple clamp. Using one of the two boltsthat is right there Take a look here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3686&hl= for some pics.

Well, for what it's worth, maybe things will get better after this... Piaggio to Office all Brands in New York Powersports Business Tuesday March 15, 2005 Paolo Timoni, vice president of Global Sales & Marketing at Piaggio & C. SpA, says the company is in the process of centralizing the operations of its brands in the United States at Piaggio USA, Inc. corporate headquarters in New York. Piaggio owns the Piaggio, Vespa, Derbi, Gilera, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi and Laverda brand names. Piaggio USA, Inc. is the importer and distributor of Piaggio and Vespa brand scooters. Recently, the unit also took over the import and distribution of Derbi brand powersports vehicles in the U.S. The move ends distribution of the brand by Derbi West LLC, Portland, Ore. While Piaggio plans to have all of its brands in the U.S. headquartered under a single roof in New York, Timoni says Vespa will continue to have a small office in California and Aprilia may continue some duties out of its facility in Georgia. The majority of Vespa's office in Los Angeles has already been moved to the Piaggio USA office in New York. Timoni said Aprilia soon will follow. Piaggio USA, Inc. is located at 140 East 45th Street, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10017; 212/380-4400.

Bravo Jim! I hope for warm weather for you.

Hey DeBenGuzzi, what happened with the guy in NC that had the MG Ti set for $700? Were they already sold? Just wondering.