Ryland3210

Graphite is a form of carbon, whereas moly is short for molybdenum, usually used in the compound molybdenum disulfide. They are two different friction modifiers. Do you know if Motul has a true "moly" based product?

Thanks for the reply, Docc. When I signed up to this forum, I was taking a real hard look at the 2000 Sport, but ended up buying a new (leftover) '04 Cafe Sport last month. It has handlebars. In riding the bike, I found that the mini fairing sends a blast of air right at my face at normal highway speeds. I'm sure in high speed racing position it's fine, but I find it annoying. When I stand up on the pegs, much less wind. I plan on taking it off and storing it. If I'm out in the rain, I'll get no significant protection anyway. I was pleased to find magnetic drain plugs in the sump and rear transmission. Both had collected quite a lot of metal filings even though I only had 83 miles on it. It's my practice with new vehicles to change the oil within the first 100 miles for that reason. However, I have had no luck finding the name brand moly additive spec'd in the manual. The links on the forum lead to products that sound like the right type, but I'm not totally convinced. Neither Agip nor Dow Corning list either on their websites. McMaster-Carr lists 3 grades of moly based gear oil additives. The middle grade is gray, which is what I think came out of the transmission. It also lists an aircraft grade, which I'm intrigued by. Do you have any data on what to use? Thanks, John

The startling improvements due to battery change makes me wonder if the connections to the previous battery were high resistance or the battery itself was less able to maintain constant voltage as a large capacitor would. It's a long shot theory, but perhaps the electronics were not being supplied a good stiff voltage source. That could cause variation in timing, spark, etc. and possibly account for the improvement.

There is method to my madness to explain the apparent leap. Until Sept '04, I had ridden a Norton Commando for 30 years. Had to give it up due to a knee injury sustained on a Honda 250 in the 70's that finally started acting up, making it too risky to kick start anything. Next move-long distance cruising Venture for traveling with wife and friends. Guess what, a year later, the knee blows up, and turns out I had a screw loose in the old repair. That's fixed, so kick start not so risky any more, but the Norton was already sold. It wasn't long before I missed the Norton unbearably. Just purchased a Cafe Sport and am absolutely delighted with it!

Hi Al, How do the Buell conversions differ from the Centauro, in terms of position? I am very interested in trading pegs with someone with a desire for Cafe Sport pegs. My bike is an '04, and brand new (68 miles). John

Since my last message, I found a picture of the Centauro on the link below; It's of the whole bike, so not too clear, but you can sort of get the idea. http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcguzzi/mcphotos/v10sp-7.html

That sounds perfect! Please excuse my ignorance, I'm new to the Guzzi line. Just purchased an '04 Cafe Sport. How do I find out about Centauro parts? I could not find that model on the MG website. By the way, the dealer told me this morning that MG is in a state of flux due to the acquisition by Piaggio. He said there are some problems getting parts for now.

I'm looking to move my Cafe Sport's pegs forward, to unbend my creaky knees a bit. Anyone know of a source?

As a result of all the helpful info. research, and suggestions, I put a deposit down on an '04 Cafe Sport today, my last significant act for 2005! I'm looking forward to lots of enjoyment out of this impressive piece of technology, and hopefully meeting up with some of my fellow afficianados. Happy New Year! John

Thanks, Doc. That helps narrow it down for me. The mpg surprises me. My half ton Venture with full fairing, 1300 cc's, 96 HP, four carbs and performance jetting does better! Do you think the Guzzi's run too rich? Is the valve overlap near to race specs?

I've been fascinated by Moto Guzzi's unique designs ever since I saw the Spanish carabinieri majestically riding them in 1969. I've settled on buying a used or new Moto Guzzi, but need help deciding which year and model. I would really appreciate the following information: From 2000 to 2005, which models and years have: Carburettors vs. EFI Solid lifters vs. hydraulic Hydraulic vs. cable actuated clutch Quiet mufflers that meet the 85 DB noise standard vs. traditional What does the PCIII consist of? Any other important distinguishing characteristics. I know this is a lot to ask, and realize I probably could find the answers somewhere in the forum, but it is so vast, it would take me too long. I want to make decisions soon. Thanks much, John

I have many times experienced this kind of problem where the plugs missfire under heavy load, but otherwise run fine. For some reason, European engineers in general seem to believe they can use much thinner insulation on the high voltage cables than American engineers. The thinnest I've seen are on BMW's. They are about as thin as you can go and still have them work out of the showroom. A very good diagnostic of this problem is to lug the engine and open the throttle. This is worst case for plugs to fire under. If possible, I replace whatever the OEM used with 7mm diameter, or even 8 if it will fit, and make sure the connections at both ends are good. Anywhere the wires come close to something metal, I'll run them through the wire loom sleeves available at auto stores. This solution works basically for the life of the vehicle.

Hi, I'm John from New Jersey, long term rider. The first vehicle I owned was a Honda 90, so it's clear I've been riding for a while. I've had 2 Honda 450's, drove the '69 to California, down to Mexico and back to Jersey. About 10,000 miles in a little under three weeks. In those days in the U.S., the only bikes I recall seeing windshields on were police bikes. In my case, no windshield or fairing of any kind. My idea of comfort was: A seat I made up custom to fit my butt out of carved styrofoam covered with reupholsterer's vinyl. "Crash bars" with wide horizontal top bars, upon which I clamped big, sheet aluminum plates with foam glued on top. I could rest the calves of my legs fully stretched out horizontal on these. I bought big, wide "western" handle bars, bent them close together, and clamped them way back so I could reach them while lying back on my wife (yes, she did the whole trip with me). Fiamm air horns and the tallest sissy bar I could find completed the modification package. For weather protection, denim jacket, sweater, vinyl jacket and pants, and cowboy boots. That shows how little I knew about highway speed riding in the rain for long periods. It rained on us all the way from West Virginia to Kansas. I was soaked to the bone and practically paralyzed with cold the entire first two days. After that, it was sunshine all the way for the remaining 17 days of the trip-wonderful! Aftermarket saddle bags didn't exist in those days. Yet, we packed full camping gear and 3 weeks worth of personal stuff for both of us on the trusty 450, using every available attachment point, including the front fender. We had absolutely zero breakdowns the whole trip. Changed oil and oiled the chain almost daily. Honda's oil change interval at the time was 500 miles, which was a little shy of our daily average. Later on, I've owned a Honda 160, Honda XL250, '64 Harley police bike with sidecar (lot's of fun with that on many long distance trips, and the '70 Norton which I have ridden for the last 30 years. Sold my beloved '70 Norton Commando when I feared damaging an old knee injury by kick starting it. Went the other extreme and bought a Yamaha Venture to go long distance cruising with the wife and friends. I love the bike's comfort, reliability, and power, but yearn for a short distance, fast handling, lightweight, electric start, sport or light cruiser. I have a couple of technical degrees with a fair amount of experience with mechanical equipment, including having rebuilt my previous bikes myself. I've been fascinated by Moto Guzzi's unique designs ever since I saw the Spanish carabinieri majestically riding them in 1969. I've settled on buying a used or new Moto Guzzi, but need help deciding which year and model. I would really appreciate the following information: From 2000 to 2005, which models and years have: Carburettors vs. EFI Solid lifters vs. hydraulic Hydraulic vs. cable actuated clutch Quiet mufflers that meet the 85 DB noise standard vs. traditional What does the PCIII consist of? Any other important distinguishing characteristics. I realize I probably could find the answers somewhere in the forum, but it is so vast, it would take me too long. I want to make decisions soon. Thanks much. John