Pierre

That would explains his obsession with keeping the air box in place.

Yes. Very much so. Thanks again.

Phil, it looks from the picture (Europe) of your lovely red Centauro that you have retained the stock center muffler and the stock Lafranconi pipes. Am I correct in that? Are either / both modified? Phil, I take it the "snorkels" are the runners going into the air box pre filter, and it is those that get "bell mouthed." I assume the runners are the plastic extensions within the air box affixed to the Throttle body - and in your modified air box they remain and are unmodified. Is that correct? Finally, after reviewing previous (paper filter) thread it is my understanding that the work you have done with the air box gets you to the same place (HP) as pods affixed to the stock runners with air box removed, and that retention of the air box was a "noise" and "filtration" driven approach. IOW, pods on the stock runners and your modified air box perform pretty much alike wrt HP? Am I correct in concluding that? TIA.

Oh god. Do I need to upgrade? Will this never end?!!!

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...=8924&st=15

Pete, don't worry about it. It's in and I don't know what he needed to grind. This wouldn't be the first "problem" this guy has encountered where no one else has problems. Next oil change I'll have Sean at Classics take a look. See if he can detect an issue. But since no one else here has had to do "substantial grinding" then I'm assuming it was the guy with the grinder was the problem. I'd thought maybe some difference between V-11 and sport i iteration, but Mike cleared that up.

Mike, on the sport or the V-11? I had it installed on my sport i by my local dealership, so didn't get to see what they were talking about but I was told the plate needed substantial grinding to fit. No idea why.

Pedrosa and Honda extend relationship to further two seasons News - Dani Pedrosa will continue as a Repsol Honda rider for the next two seasons, after finally signing a new agreement announced today at Honda’s home circuit of Motegi. http://tinyurl.com/3bs2oq I thought Danny might bolt. Recent success may have changed his mind. Wonder if this is seen as "good news" in Nicky's camp?

So Ryland, in the age old debate of "pods" vs "drilled air box" am I to understand that (assuming the intake runners remain in both set ups) the pods may be superior? IOW, is the "reflection" off the inside walls of the air box a negative that is eliminated with pods?

Spies to test for Rizla after Malaysian round. It's about time he got a shot. Not many details ... http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=11373

It was so great seeing Rossi interviewed after the race. Reminded me of all the intangibles that go into making what may be one of the greatest to ever ride Moto GP. Boy I'm gonna' miss him when he's gone. The contrast with Pedrosa (interview) was striking, another reminder. I'm not a Pedrosa hater, I think he worked his way out of the bonehead move on Nicky with a proper "mea culpa" and a classy "hat's off" to Nicky last year. It's just that it's not gonna' be the same. Not even Stoner, nice as he is, can come near the "rock star" charisma Rossi brings to the podium. Oh yea, and nice racing as well. Tire "wars" seem to be evening out, just as the "power differential" seems to be disappearing. I suspect Rossi will be satisfied to have the Yamaha back in the hunt and giving him a legitimate shot at "top of the box" for these last rounds. If he can force Stoner to "win" the championship with a succession of 2nds or less, it'll be a "victory" of sorts for him. I hope things stay lively for the rest of the season.

David, does your Tune Boy work with the newer twin plug Guzzi's? I've been trying to find the factory map for their twin plug version but those maps are apparently unobtanium, so now thinking that your Tune Boy plugged into a newer twin plug Guzzi would reveal the factory advance curve. What do you think?

Glad you're up and running again, Alex. I'd miss your enthusiasm if you were without a ride for too long. For some reason I thought you'd had extensive work done on the heads that got hammered, including having them "decked." That's why I suggested timing gears. If you're running stock clearances then a properly working chain ought to be fine. Glad you're back riding. That was quick. Pretty reasonable price too, all things considered.

David, what's the source for the ignition advance chart?

Paul, it'll be interesting to see what they've done to get it to spin upwards of 9500 rpm. If they have gone 'big bore, short stroke' then I think we'll see a parallel development of two distinct motors - one a long stroke torquer, and one a "sporting" short stroke mill. The problem I have with going down the hi rev path (ala 1098) is that in the extreme, I think you lose a lot of the motor characteristics that make a twin attractive in the first place. This will be interesting to watch. BTW, would you mind posting the power (in cv) and torque (in kgm) figures of your 1225? I assume the 1225 is strictly a "big bore" approach with no change in stroke. TIA.

Paul, from that article:Although designed along traditional lines, the new engine is a celebration of the logic behind the 90 degree V concept. It features a single overhead camshaft that operates the four valves on each cylinder with noiseless timing chains. This is quite an evolution to the already tuned 1200 cc engine that now puts out 110 CV at 9,500 rpm with maximum torque of 11 kgm. (Emphasis added.) What catches my eye is 9500 rpm. My guess is if you spun the Daytona motor that fast (with suitable cams) you would approach same numbers. Time tested method of increased power, spin the pump faster. (edit) Or am I reading this wrong. Are those specs for the current 2 V 1200? 9500 rpm? I frankly have no idea what the 2 v 1200 puts out. Anyone know? Is the current 2 v 1200 rated at 9500 rpm?

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/11...92609MWEBWF.htm From the article: 8 V Griso - 115 cv power @ 9500 rpm, 11 kgm torque @ ? rpm. From the workshop manual: Daytona - 102 cv power @ 8400 rpm, 9 kgm torque @ 7800 rpm Centauro - 95 cv power @ 8200 rpm, 9 kgm torque @ 5800 rpm

Time for timing gears, bro. Those stretchy chain thingies with the tensioner thingies apparently let the valves dance too close to the piston. Sorry about your incident. Hope you're up and running soon.

I know many here love to bash HD, but when it comes to getting flow out of 2 valve hemi cylinder heads there's more work being done in the Harley world than anywhere this side of NASCAR. I knew about "smaller can be better" (from moto man among others) when it comes to porting, but the additional related info on squish - or not to squish, is pretty interesting as well. Kevin Cameron did the interview and translates the black art in his usual erudite and understandable manner. Lot of interesting info IMHO. http://cycledoctor.com/Articles/JET.htm

Hats off to Ducati, I agree. I miss Rossi's antics, but I have to respect Stoner's dominating performance. Seems like a good kid as well, so what's not to like? Maybe the two Suzuki and two Honda riders (all 4 beginning to hang around the podium regularly) can find some answers to that dominance before the season is out. It has become a little boring. Speaking of Dani and Nicky, that was a bone head move by De Puniet. I've already put in my order for a set of assless race replica leathers. A new era in posing is about to begin!

Anthony West confirmed as Hopper's team mate for the Kawasaki 2008 effort. http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/motogp_new...p;news_id=20806

Agreed. I'd have thought with that beautiful long tank it wouldn't have unbalanced it to extend the cowl/bubble another 4-6". That said, I'd take her and show her off with pride every chance I got, just as she sits. Beautiful piece.

http://tinyurl.com/ynmyof Indy track layout being finalized. http://tinyurl.com/ynmyof Appears to be on schedule. FWIW, anyone here interested in attending? There's a guy on the Aprilia list who has purchased a large block of what are purported to be good seats. Includes a parade lap - but on your own bike (no, you don't get to pick yer' favorite off the grid). Pretty large crowd of Aprila nuts already signed up. The guy putting this together (Bob Davis) runs a B & B in Indianapolis and is a known quantity, having put together any number of events for the Aprilia faithful. I'm in, BTW. Here's a link to that action: http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126493

Pete, once again you mercilessly trash my upgrade choice. First it was Bernd's timing gears and now Mike Rich's titanium push rods. Is it me? I'm beginning to think I need to publish my choices anonymously to avoid having the vendors I use get the sharp end of your stick merely for selling to me. Titanium is light and stiff - both good qualities I would think for long hollow tubes going up and down rapidly - especially with a relatively radical cam. Chrome moly (Raceco?) is very stiff, but very heavy from what I've been told. YM apparently does V

Raz, I've tried to make reaching for the kill switch a "grooved" action just in case I ever need to do it quickly. Haven't had the need for it yet, but a throttle stuck wide open seems like one of those situations where mind can freeze and things begin to go badly very quickly, so I'm hoping I've grooved the action sufficiently for it to be a natural response. IMHO all you can do is try to get out ahead of the game a little, and hope you never face a situation requiring more than you ever learned - or more accurately, more than you can remember. Good poll.