docc

Was it hard to line up that bolt hole to get the fastener in? Some of us have had to resort to creative antics to get a tank back on a late model Guzzi . . .

Well, the tank is a "Nylon" (a polyamide derivative) and the starter cover is likely ABS (a styrene derivative). A "reinforced composite" (combination of bonding agent/epoxy with a substrate like glass fiber or metal particles) will work on either (with proper prep, as Chuck has said). In this case, I would be inclined to bond a reinforcement plate (maybe a shaped aluminum plate) to reinforce the rear mounting point for the tank. I would be concerned something broke that tank (impact) and carefully inspect the two front mounting points for stress or damage . . .

I saw those seal washers at Mcmaster-Carr, @Chuck, but they're not the same type with the rubber ring on the internal diameter. @footgoose, I wonder if the early Sports had the sealing washer and later V11 went to simple "crush" washer? (My 2000 Sport certainly has the sealing washer). . .

The Speedhut are awesome! Had them 20,000 miles, so a couple more years to see if they will outlast a Veglia (less than 30,000 each on those). Interestingly, the matter of Navigation has much to do with speed, distance, and time. The accuracy of the Veglia speedometer and odometer was always in question while the Speedhut is dead-on. I also "upgraded" my cockpit analog timepiece to an "expensive" $30 waterproof Timex. Very visible and reliable. (I looked at the Formotion products for years, but they are just too big for that space once in their mount).

A bonded seal washer doesn’t require the torque to “crush” a crush washer ( although it does take much), so will be easier on the sump threads over time. My Sport is still on its original seal washers.

I immediately went looking at McMaster-Carr for the "Dowty" (bonded seal) washer, but couldn't find it there . . .

Where is it cracked? Had there been an impact?

Was that part of the V10 changeover?

Hey, thanks! They are Speedhut. I had a great time getting the faces custom made and doing the installation. I just could not bring myself to buy a fourth Veglia speedometer . . .

I went down some "pop music" rabbit hole this evening and watched a bunch of early MTV-type videos. So overproduced, lip-synched, and with no actual musicians onscreen. Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" is one of my favorites in that genre. Yet, I ran across this awesome Sade production! Love the Film Noir narrated gangster theme with the muted horn intro (" . . . at ten past nine, the dame with the ponytail . . ."), the trains, the sirens, then the actual stage production that ensues. Have always loved this woman's smooth vocals. Plus, there is a bass solo!

??

Best smart phone nav results for route building I have see so far is a combination of Kurviger and Scenic. Creative route building is time consuming and fraught with dead-ends (literally!) and surprise creek crossings.

Yeah, I know a talented software engineer that struggles with the smart phone navigation algorithms. They don't give a rat that you want your Guzzi to sing down that creekside next to the bluff, but really good at connecting us to those Cheetohs we suddenly crave . . .

I have a half dozen of these atlases of my surrounding states where I've done 95% of my riding. When I was navigating from the tankbag window, I would photocopy the needed sections in black&white and use color to highlight the route, turns, and distance between. For the roughly 40 mile radius around my house, I would tear out that page for the tankbag window. I have also made "route books;" a technique I learned from a UH-1 MediVac pilot I knew. These feature a detail map of the tricky or key turns with some distance indicators with a "distinctive" picture adjacent. (That pilot was known for his flight plan books using, er, attractive models in scant attire/ if any). I've done 200-250 mile routes that I largely memorize and have maybe six tricky junctions in the route book. The adjacent image helps me memorize the turn and keep it distinct from the others. Drawback is having to reposition the route book in the window after each noted turn. DeLorme has a long history with electronic navigation and was acquired by Garmin a few years ago. They still produce the atlases that overlay the roads onto the topography. They are still part of my electronic route building by offering a big-picture perspective of road selection through (and over) desirable terrain and along water courses while avoiding cities, towns and awkward intersections

I recall motorcycle navigating with a page from the DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer in the tankbag window. It took a lot of focus and some considerable time with eyes away from the road. I still use the DeLorme as an intricate part of doing Sat-Nav route planning. Perhaps the biggest advantage to Sat-Nav is the dot that says, "You Are Here (Not Where You Thought You Were)."

Seems one might be more inclined to got the other way round and fit the narrower early rim to the later Longframes. Less unsprung weight and such . . . I've long wondered if the change to the 5.5 rim, in addition to footgoose's observation about the marketing of the day, was Moto Guzzi's extensive redesign that may have been in response to reports of the early bike being less "stable" than expected. So, we got a longer wheelbase, frame and subframe bracing, bigger rear rim/tire, bigger forks. @gstallons is an a unique position to compare the changes with an '03 Sport and a RedFrame Sport . . .

Pretty recently, @Cabernet started a thread about using the BeeLine for navigation. He made numerous great observations about motorcycle navigation, devices, and techniques. Lately, my riding buddies have been suggesting I update my maps. Shoot, they're only a year older than the bike I bought new!

I don't see why not. But I also don't see you would . . .

So, early RedFrames (and the 2001 Rosso Mandello) have 4.5 inch rear rim width and were delivered with 170 tires. My 2000 came with really soft, 'pointy' Pirelli Dragon Corsa that were gone in a flash. The 170 is a little bit of a "pinch" onto that rim which then looses some "roundness" in the profile. I have found the 160 on the 4.5" rim much nicer on the turn-in, especially with a more "sport-touring" tire (currently Bridgestone Battlax T31). Beginning with the 2002 LongFrames, rim width increased to 5.5" and came with a 180 tire. Lots of folks, similarly, have gone with a 170 on the wider rim of the later V11. YMMV!!

Also, @voycie posted his black 2003 LeMans last July. Not sure if it sold . . .

This is deserving of a topic of its own!

The very first post in Jaap's popular "What do you listen to?" thread is Earthshine-Rush:

Yessir, the cam bung can leak. One of eight places in that space that can leak . . .