al_roethlisberger

I'm not standing over my bike to check(plus I have aftermarket reservoirs) but in most of my experience with the "race" plastic reservoirs, they are mounted with a rubber grommet and metal bushing such that you can tighten them, but it will allow the mount and reservoir itself to move about on it's rubber "cushion" to absorb vibration. This keeps the plastic mounting tab from breaking(although they still do at times) from fatigue. So to answer your question, unless the mount/reservoir is flopping around loosely, it is normal for the mount/arm to be able to move with some small effort even if the bushing is tight. al

Since many of us use the LeMans as a long distance all-weather ST bike, and have also added the PCIII.... has anyone had any issues with water, dust, etc.. adversely affecting the unit? I've got a tool kit and some other gizmos under my seat and in my tail, so the PCIII has to get mounted somewhere else, and just about everywhere else is susceptible to water under extreme conditions. Looking at the package, I'm not sure it can take getting too wet, but then again, it does seem to be designed with some environmental protection(i.e. sealed, gaskets, etc) in mind.... so I dunno. Anyway, I was thinking about mounting it to the frame inside the rear carapace. It should stay dry there, but you just never know with tire thrown spray... and then there's the exposed DB-9 port.... ...any concerns? Or is the PCIII fairly "weather bullet-proof"? al

Question: So, does anyone know(have measured) if the top of the 43mm 2003 forks are larger in diameter than the 2002 and earlier 40mm forks? This will be important to know for the manufacturers of these aftermarket risers so that they can have a 40mm and 43mm version if so. Has anyone measured the crown of the 2003 forks(and clip ons) and compared them to a 2002 or earlier V11 Sport/LeMans? This will also be a good thing to know if one has to change out the top triple-clamp if upgrading forks. al

That's not too bad, but I wonder how they compare with Ohlins, etc?? al

The DB-25 printer port on your PC is a parallel port, not serial, which is what the DB-9 is.... so yep, unfortunately that will never work. However you probably have a USB port or two, those are serial, and all you need to do is go pick up a USB -> DB-9 adapter cable and that should work just fine. al

Boy I wish I could get to a Dyno shop that was "Guzzi-centric". But for now I guess I'll head over to Hare Racing here in San Jose. Several of the folks on the ST Forum have recommended them. I just got my PC back from Dyno, hopefully all checked-out and firmware updated. So now it's to Orchard Supply to get some hardware to mount the sucker somewhere out of the way and neatly. ...then make an appt al

As Jaap would say.... djeeez ~$2100-2500! I'm not surprised, as that's what I thought they would be, but it still knocks the wind outta me every time I don't think I can justify that for any reason Unless I come across some "deal" on some used ones or something, I'll probably have to go with the LE treatment. Although the deal on some used forks from your friend's G&B, I don't know if I want to have to work out new brakes, and trying to fit the fender, etc... Although still curious, do you know about what he is looking to get for his "used" Paoli forks though? ...of course not that it matters anyway, as I don't think they would fit the '02 smaller fork-tube diameter clamps. I notice no one has really offered their opinions on the Paoli's... anybody? Just curious. Hey Mike, don't slack off on that Rosso Ohlins and your Sport LE forks review! That's what I'm really interested to hear about! al

How much were they John? al

I'll be very interested to hear FBF's testing with pods on their project bike since they market an airbox lid eliminator, and it has seemed to work out well for them and others up to now. Victor? ...what's the deal? al

So John, Here's a question or two in regard to the engine paint: How did you get MGNA to cover this, because so far none of us have had any luck pinning-down MGNA or the dealers on how MG is going to handle this. Also, when they did take care of you, how did MGNA address the problem? Did they send you new cases? ....repaint yours?? ...and in the end what kind of paint did the new/replaced/repainted cases have... the new '03 smooth paint, or some new version of the '02 "fuzzy" paint that just isn't supposed to bubble this time? thx! al

I'm liking these guys more and more al

hrmm, techically I don't see why it wouldn't work... but it would probably only raise them to the height of the OEM LeMans bars, mabye 1/4 inch higher?? I would think something like the Verlicci bars might offer more adjustability and height. Not sure though.. al

A little more from the Cycle Cat folks: Seems like a bunch of really nice folks, and they are quick to communicate back, which I think indicates good customer service. So all good things. Terry and I will let everyone know more as this develops... al

There's certainly some small degree of religion about this topic depending on who you ask , and I've seen some of the dyno tests out there. But unfortunately many of those have a couple of other variables in play at the same time such as exhaust x-overs, etc. that make it hard to ascertain what is contributing or impeding performance where. So, for those that have ridden, tuned, or have bikes where you've tried modifying the stock airbox with something like Fast By Ferraci's lid eliminator and you've run with the K&N filter pods off of the TBs.... I'd love to hear your thoughts of the benefits and tradeoffs for both. I am sure both work fine based on a number of people that have had either, but I wanted to try to get this info and comparison in one thread for myself and anyone else that might have the same questions and interests. thx! al

EXCELLENT! I'm glad to hear someone has already taken them up on their offer! Otherwise I was thinking a cross-country trip might be in order I wrote them an email, and sent photos of the Williamsville product for comparison last night. Here's their response: So yeah, this is great news that you've volunteered Did they give you any idea what the turnaround for R&D might be? My only concern is that their products seem a bit pricey, but if it's just the risers and no bar, I noticed some were closer to $400USD. thx! al

Yep, our own Ian(dkgross) wrote the article here: Water Manometer Thread ...but I think several folks provided feedback that it might not be the safest alternative. The TwinMax is relatively inexpensive though, and everyone highly recommends it. al

Interesting. I'll have to give Mike a call and ask him about this cam especially in combination with his titanium push-rods. I meant to get those when I got the heads sent back, but forgot. No big deal, as they are just a drop-in affair. So when I adjust the valves again I'll have him send a set over. I'll be curious to see if he recommends the cam with his push-rods though, as the rods themselves require different valve settings because the rods are so stiff and don't flex like the aluminum ones. al

Wow, those are really nice! But they are kinda pricey Their "S" style risers seem to be close to what several of us were hoping to get out of the Williamsville risers Val purchased.... Maybe if we sent them a photo of the Williamsville product and said, "..hey, for example, something like this would be perfect if you could also just move the mount back a 1/2 inch over the fork tube crown as well..." ?? al

Glad you like it! ....I really think mine adds a great deal of visibility and safety, and it's a simple upgrade. al

Paul, thanks for the additional information on the Paoli. But question: how do the Paoli that your friend in France has compare to one of the three "classes" of Ohlins you list above? Also, the forks your friend has for sale, are they the same measurements and "issues" as the ones on the G&B site as you mention above, or are they a different model that is a straight equivalent swap for the stock pre-2003 V11 Sport/LeMans? thx! al

So, Carl after your long talk.... what did Mike say about the benefits or trade-offs for the aftermarket cam? John, how did it impact idle, etc? How would you characterize the immediate impact of the cam alone? thx! ...always making a new mental shopping list for next Winter al :900

Excellent work, and sounds like a lot of fun. I'll be watching my engine cases this Summer/Fall and if it gets much worse I'll probably go the route you just took and get some engine work done while it is apart, including balancing and rods. However, I wish I had the luxury of being able to take the time, and have all the correct tools, to disassemble and rebuild the engine under the watchful eye of someone knowledgable like you had. That's great I'm sure it was loads of fun, and reassuring to do it all yourself. Question on the cam choice though... there's almost always a trade-off when going with a hotter/higher-lift cam. With the cam you chose, you said you gained some mid and high-end HP, but did it impact driveability, idle, lose bottom/mid torque, etc?? I'll be taking mine to a PC center in the next few weeks probably... as soon as Dyno gets mine back to me with the updated firmware release. I sent it in last week, so I suspect I'll see it in a week or two. I'm hoping this will smooth some things out and address the "hot stall" idle problem as well. Great work! al

Hrmm, curious.... well no matter what, I'll be interested to see what the price of a pair of WP forks might be if they ever do get back to you, either directly or through TLM. Especially if they are just a bolt-on affair with no major modification required to fit, etc.. Keep us informed. I wonder how well they stack up against Ohlins? BTW, I thought you were also checking into Paoli(sp?) forks as well Jaap?? ...never heard anything. al

...and for those that wonder, Russ just confirmed for me that the kit is 9" long by 6" wide. That makes it about an inch and a half too wide for the stock tool-tray(and Rich's leather bag if you have one) and similarly about an inch too long. I think this also makes the Cruz kit a bit too wide to fit easily into the cove in the tail as well. So unless one took the tools out of the Cruz kit and put the loose tools into the OEM bag or something like Rich's, I don't know where it could easily fit under the seat. That's too bad as it seems like a really nice kit Maybe I'm wrong though. If someone has the kit and is able to squish the cordura bag around, and it does indeed fit somewhere, that would be good to know al

Hrmm, I don't remember the part number off-hand, but here is the link to my review in the "old forum": Old Forum Tailblazer Review ...hrmm, I don't know anything about their "Vectra" lights though. Although I do have their Headlight Modulator. You have to get an external unit though, as there is no room in the bucket for their piggy-back unit. I had to get their Goldwing model, but that was a plus as it's got a much more durable MOSFET in it. At least that's what the Kisan folks told me. If you go this route, you'll have to call Kisan to figure out which wires go where, as their instructions are Goldwing specific, and so are the connectors. I also have their Signal Minder, and like it a lot, although I'm going to rewire their connector with an AMP weather-resistant one when I get the chance. al