Pierre

Well, in a less than inspired moment I decided to end this bickering once and for all by conducting my own experiment. Shit doggie, I've got a bathroom scale so if Ratchet can do it, so can I. Unfortunately my bike is now wedged half in and half out of the bathroom. Can't seem to move it forward or backward. Any ideas? Should I start a new thread?

Dave, I must admit your experience (though not a dismal as Ratchet describes) with its dyno performance is what turned me off to the Quat D. As others have noted (and you make the point quite well) there are any number of good sound reasons to prefer the Quat D - potential for damage, saddlebag options, weight reduction / centralization - all significant advantages. I know of only one other person using it, and that's the guy signs in as Jedi on the SoCal list. Saw his V-11 with it and talked to him for awhile. He's modified his version quite a bit (second outlet, I think) and claims some pretty impressive dyno numbers. Have you seen his / talked to him about what he did? If it can be made to work, in every other respect (except maybe cosmetic, and that's purely subjective) it's a superior solution IMHO. Thanks for adding some first person insight. I try not to bash what I haven't had personal experience with. I'm always interested in the hands-on experience of others.

Oh oh. Guess I'm gettin' sloppy thirds or fourths on the hot libertine dykes. http://tinyurl.com/yxdnu5

That didn't last long.

Graham, I had the clutch lighened on my '97 sport i. Not sure how the '97 sport i clutch pacakge stock weight compares with V11 clutch. The text in green is taken from correspondence with Bernd (he's quoting prices - which I've omitted) at Stein Dinse AU. I don't know what additional weight savings were realized by taking 1mm from the ring gear, but that was done as well. So the entire clutch package now weighs 1. Flywheel ultra light 1068 gramm 2. clutch pressure plate light 3. clutch plate surflex 1100sp. x2 4. clutch intermediate plate 5. clutch spring x 8 this set up should make your clutch 30% lighter, from 5600gr to 3900 gramm now the ring gear, attached is a pic, so if you find someone with a milling machine, he can take the oval holes between the mounting holes out. the leftover of each mounting tongue should be ap.20mm.,but all holes must be exactly the same !!! the original bolt holes are made to take a 6mm allan head bolt, that needs to be changed to 8mm bolt holes (allan head), you'll need 8 new bolts, 8mm x20, highest grade you can get. from the rear of the ring gear, that part which faces the gearbox, you can take away 1mm from the clutch plate part..hard to explain..its the inner part of the ring gear, its now 6 mm thick, and it can be made to 5mm.

LOL! Too funny, Dave.

If you're going to be there, then you might want to sample home grown. I've always liked the look and design brief of this bike: Derbi Mulhacen 659 http://tinyurl.com/yzem9x

Mine arrived today, Pete. Thanks. Will be installed this week.

It is. No connection that I'm aware of. My mistake - didn't read the rules carefully. Sorry. Hereby formally withdrawn by poster (that would be me - sheesh) as "outside" the limits of the contest.

Thanks Jim. Very enjoyable thread. I haven't missed a single posting. Worthy project - I appreciate your efforts. Looking forward to the yellow 1917 board tracker receiving it's well deserved pre-70 award.

This from a man residing in a country with a monarch.

Thanks Pete. Tough duty you've undertaken over there. Sorry for your loss. I'm sure you'll be relieved to have this trip behind you. Some journeys are like that. I'll check in with you next week. Thanks again.

I know Pete's had other things on his mind, but I'm trying to figure out if it's time to order yet. Anyone know if he's back in OZ? I think he wanted to know location to figure shipping prior to placing order, but not sure. Pete, you home yet?

Spotted this article then remembered this thread. All you ever wanted to know about squish ... and then some. Focuses on Harleys but should translate nicely to the equally ancient Guzzi. Actually that's not fair, Harley has made some interesting advancements in their head design (bathtub - angled squish etc.). Nice read I think Lots of additional hot rod ideas in other sections of the article. http://tinyurl.com/j8tad.

I'm really surprised you're passing on the opportunity to move up a level by campaigning a V-Rod. Poser possibilities alone make it nigh on irresistible imho. Let's see - custom helmet paint job to mimic a beanie ... custom racing leathers to mimic "colors" and Levis - with prodigious ass crack sewn in. Sheesh ... how can you resist? Now the ape hangers are gonna' be a little harder to get past tech.

That was Bush won ass of the year. The chick is Keyra Agustina. She was voted best in cl(ass). Here's more Keyra:

Spotted a V-11 (maybe a Tenni) headed east on Laurel and turning left onto 5th. Around noon today (Sunday - 10th) It's my neighborhood so thought I'd ask if there's a new goose in the 'hood.

OK guys - which is it? Too much or too little squish? More is better? More is worse?

Bernd at Stein Dinse AU told me (and he decked the heads for my Guzzi) that experts agree squish should be the width of a crushed (properly torqued) head gasket - I think .032 but I'm working from memory. Will require recessing valves - or deeper valve pockets in piston etc - but that's what I've been told squish should be. In short, I'm blushingly pleased to report that according to the experts I'm blessed with perfect squish.

Looks like the Mike Rich pistons have a flatter top, or less pronounced "dome.". That should yield a better flame path. Not sure how he gets compression bump - perhaps a steeper rise resulting in a flatter top. Would require pretty deep valve pockets going that route I'd wager.

Pete - I'm easily confused. With that email you can receive funds right now. Do you want those payments made forthwith, or are we to give you a shipping address first and then wait for the total with shipping and pay all at once. I'm happy to pay for the plate now, and then send additional for postage when you have it figured. I think that probably works better for you as well - no point figuring postage for every joe who's "thinking" about it. But your call on that - just need to know the procedure. I'm in the US so still not sure your schedule either. At any rate, if you want the funds for the plate only right now just say the word. Thanks.

OK. '... or how about ...

Help a local SoCal kid get to Spain for the Red Bull Rookies Cup! Drew Price - 15 years old - has gotten the opportunity of a lifetime - tryout for Red Bull Moto GP boot camp. Only problem - he needs to get to Spain on his own nickel by the end of this month. You can pay pal support at RC30pacbell.net . Here's the whole story: http://tinyurl.com/qewrw .. and Drew's personal web space here: http://www.drewprice.com/ Help Drew realize a dream we all probably had at one time or another.