docc

Stunt parking!

It's in both legs. It sounds like a swing set more than a hydraulic component. If my lawn mower made this noise I'd take it apart.

Ahh, yes, Glasshopper, the front glease fitting . . .

So, Terry, what year/model is the LeMans? It's not a Scura or a Tenni ? A Corsa ?

I'm pretty sure Pete answered Raz that he could just take off the front cover as in post #11. Ratch' , how may miles on yer 'hack? I've passed the 49,000 mark and still holding a steady idle. Could it be that the tensioners and chains need the 50,000 mile replacement?? I don't think it's just the oil that loosens up. All the tensile tolerances in the valvetrain should 'relax' at temperature. Still, the timing mark moving 4-7 mm? That seems like a lot of degrees BTDC. I'm somehow sure you've tightened the timing pick-up and every other simple thing. Does your bike flame out periodically at idle like Nose2winds?

Y'know, everything seemed pretty good before installing the new springs. My old sag numbers were sorted, but required too much preload to achieve. Topping out was too easy. The new springs really don't feel much stiffer, but do require less preload for the optimal sag. They are an inch shorter than the originals and measure 1.35" OD ( original Marzocchi 1.37"). I guess I'm lost on the stiction discussion and how to measure it. Yet, going from the familiar "squeesh-squeesh" before to "scrape-squeel" doesn't sit well with me. I just dropped the springs in and put the spacers on top. Am I missing something???

I tried for the 15 minute fork spring change. Add two three minute sessions of drumming on the practice pad to Pink Floyd and The Police. Add 20 minutes for setting one spacer on top of the spring and dropping the other spacer into the depths of Hell without thinking to put the spring in first. Add 20 minutes to release, and reset the rebound spring for the squeeking-scraping sound when jouncing the forks. Add 20 minutes to discuss the awful sound with TD. Add a 45 minute ride to see if the spring will 'center up.' Add an hour to make PVC spacers only to find the same scraping-squeeking upon reassembly. Another 30 minutes to pour and drain single malt and lament the fate of the mechanically engaged. Should the springs make noise like this? The sag looks good, I think, at 21mm static and 35 mm laden. It rides nice and I can't hear the noise while in motion. But, I am afraid of having bad dreams about stiction and wear and particulates in my fork oil.

Based on Verdone's work using cSt@40C it looks like most of the 'light' fork oil is still too heavy. I didn't like the Maxima oil I ended up with, but it looks to have about the right 'target' value of 16.00 cSt@40C ( actually 15.90). The Silkolene 5wt is rated 22.30. I have ended up with the 'heavier' Silkolene 5 wt in the rebound fork and the 'lighter' Maxima 5 wt on the compression side. Backwards by default? His chart on conventional slow speed damping adjusters is revealing. He shows that the adjustments are more sensitive in the first part of the range while making less and less difference toward the end. My estimation from the chart is that 10% of the 'clicks' is 25% of the damping; 40% of the clicks is 65% of the damping. I'll have to look, but I think I have the rebound adjuster on the fork turned in 75%. Based on Verdone's chart that is 95% of the damping. If I want 75% damping I should only turn in half the available clicks. + =

I'm still not one to answer Raz's question about the mechanics of changing the tensioner, but . . . If the chain or tensioner were shot couldn't you hook up an induction type timing light and watch a dot on the flywheel jump all over the place? If the dot stays put, it couldn't be the chain or tensioner?

Bill, I'd feel sorry for you if I hadn't seen you dancing the NOR-ge through the mountains. Are you changing your avatar? I hope you'll direct the Ballabio's new owner to the forum. I thought everyone with a V11 knew about this place until we ran into the guy with the silver Sport at Deal's Gap, Reiner Roemer. Did he say it took him two years to find someone to fix his transmission? We're pretty lucky here, I think. Tom, so the cartridge fluid comes in different weights? What is the "125/150" designation? And you would say the larger air gap is more "compliant?"

The springs are here. Traxxion had them here in a couple days. I do have my forks up 9mm to correct the ride height after putting the longer spacers over the stock springs. I had figured on going back to the original fork height with the new springs. Now to try and remember to take measurements on the front before I take it apart . . .

Now I wish I'd measured the same points with the Sachs so I knew eactly how much higher it is. I was too excited and skipped that step. I did measure the shock length difference after it would not go in without dropping the swingarm further. A 6mm longer shock would theoretically change the ride height how much?

Certainly, the 8mm static would suggest the spring is too much. I suspect the 1.0 springs for the front are also on the stiff side for my weight. We'll see what the sag shows . . .

I do have a special on a 'rebuildable' Sachs-Boge. Fits the V11 like a glove. Well, maybe more like a mitten or a big fuzzy sock.

Oh, it's definately not harsh. It's lovely, really. After 49,000 miles and seven years of riding the difference was apparent in the first corner. I agree it's going to be better to get the front springs in before jacking around with the shock any more. It'll be interesting to see how close Traxxion got the spacers. Ohlins, obviously, pegged their end extremely close!

For sure, the Ohlins unit for the V11 has a remote preload adjuster: http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c215/docchaynes/IMG_3703.jpg[/img]] With it set to zero additional preload, this Sport sags 8mm unladen. If I were to crank the preload up fully, the bike would have no static sag. Now with a load in the panniers (single malt and tools) or a passenger, I can add another 8mm to the laden sag. I think the sag is about right. I definately ready to move on to the forks and balance the package. So, a #514 spring. Thanks, Dave. Is that about what would be expected for my rider weight? Funny, they never asked about riding style. I guess they figure if you're springing for an Ohlins on an Italian bike, they know what you want.

My bad: static is still 8mm / Laden ( in the Aerostich etc.) 29mm. I edited my flub. The preload is adjustable remotely. But only 8mm can be added. Nothing can be taken away with out putting the thing in a spring compressor. Can't really do it 'on the fly' since the adjustor faces back from the right passenger peg bracket.

That's correct. The adjusting collar is pinned and can only be moved by removing the spring pressure or the 8mm ( the spec says 10mm but the travel measures 8mm) with the remote adjuster. Just back from a 37 mile spin. If anything, it's riding 0.5 mm higher now. Static sag: 8mm (edit) Laden: 29mm Impression: magic? Maybe so! The biggest surprise is how composed she stays powering out of corners. And with much less dive going in I was able to carry a more consistent pace. Maybe my new front rotors will last a lot longer than my first. To be expected, midcorner bumps don't upset the line and I was able to sit over very rough sections that I have always stood on the pegs for. The set-up was for 190 pounds and I'm really 185 in gear. Maybe that's the other mm right there? I'm ready to put in the 1.0 fork springs now. I guess i should change the oil and reset the levels even though it was just done.

My Ohlins owners manual recommends static sag 10-20mm. Mine is at 8mm . To clarify, I was hoping it would settle after a ride another 2-7 for a total of 10-15. Unless it settles, or changes some, after a ride it will have to come back off so the shop can move the basic preload setting as the spring pressure must be released. The spring Ohlins specified for the Guzzi unit is 1091-26. This has a 1091-29 based on a rider weight with gear of 190 pounds(418 Kg). I told Andy someone would ask about the spring. Paul, do you know what that /29 spring is rated?

By the time I got the flippen' side covers back on my metric assistant had gone off to bed. The shock length looked to be about 6 mm longer than the Sachs. I'd like to see the thing settle 2-7 mm in the static. You don't think so? Word is this is the last Ohlins built for the V11. I should feel lucky. Right up until the MasterCard bill hits. I sense a lot of rototilling coming on . . .

Oh, OK, let's talk valves then. Rode with some cat on a Truimph 675 ( beautiful!) who also has a Ducati. Warming himself up to the necessary training and other indoctrination required, he had more than a little trouble even saying, "dez-moe-dromm-ick." He noticed the Guzzi offering itself up to the task, so to speak. "Yes," sez I, "It's a joy actually." He never mentioned poinking the valves on the Trumpet . . .

Worst part of the install was getting those damn sidecovers back on. There's only 8mm static sag so I hope she settles in a bit. The Red Frame and Yellow spring have that look of ignition, yes?

Naked Asian twins actually sound pretty good . . . I hope you'll ride it over the mountain to the South'n Spine Raid next summer. You'll enjoy the company and the rest of us can appreciate a naked Asian twin.

Good thing we have the Guzzi to enjoy. I'm off to pick up my Swedish shock from the local shop and do my part to keep up the economy . . .