al_roethlisberger

....great ride report, and hey, that tank looks familiar al

I know Zeb has a punched out 4V motor in his Supertwin, but I'd have to wonder about long-term durability with a 200cc larger than spec motor on the street ...not to mention "rideability" al

Heh, I was just going to ask about that

I think that's and excellent question.... as although I know I'd like to see the MGS delivered, I know I wouldn't buy one. It's just not "my style", and it's too pricey. But I think that given the reaction I've seen from typical many non-Guzzi fans WRT the MGS, I think that in limited numbers, the MGS will sell... if for nothing more than a collectible, and status... if not the performance. And even though I'd like "HALO" products like the MGS and Griso delivered, I hope MG focuses upon improving their dealer and warantee network moreso, as this is a serious achilles heal for them(eroding public perception)... and that they continue to improve the reliability and QA of the bikes, which admittedly seems to be getting better since 2003. If they get the fundamentals right, then there's a stong foundation upon which to capitalize upon. al

"technically" specifically I can't say, but apparently the PCIIIusb is different from the old PCII/III not only in the addition of the USB port(as opposed to the db-9 serial)... but functionally as well. One example is that the USB version uses twice the data points for it's map than the old PCIII, and has a physical expansion port inside for future functions like an ignition module. al

Although not an exact answer.... It was discussed some here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2719 And here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...736&hl=swingarm ...in the end, I just put them on hand tight, even, then backed them off a tad, then cinched down the lock nuts. al

You don't need the steel braided line, but I would get some "heavy duty" line just to be on the safe side. But yes, good fuel line would work fine, after all it's not pressurized. In my past project I used some XRP "push on" hose. I can't recall, but I believe I used the AN -6 size, and that was about perfect. The hose can stand riduculously high pressure and temperature, and is damned tough(but not terribly flexible, it's only drawback... oh and it's BLUE ) Other options include hoses from Earls, XRP, etc... that have the braid(nylon or steel) bonded to the surface, but you'll need to heat shrink the ends(like the OEM hose) to control the fraying at the ends. I would cover it with heat-shield while you are at it though... why not ... after all you have the hose off, and the aluminized heat shielding sleeving is relatively cheap from Summit Racing(~$20??), or your local "speed shop". In fact, I think I may have a bunch of the heat-shielding left over(used but in fine shape) in a box if you want some. I could even throw in some of the hose I mentioned, since I don't need it anymore. Send me your address and I'll drop them in the mail for you, and you can see if they fit your needs. al

Great advice Mike.... and is what I was thinking But I was just trolling for a good known "base" to start from Brian, definitely keep us in the loop, as I'll be very interested to hear your results... including mileage "impact" al

...but anyway, back on topic.... yes Gary, if by any chance you make a couple "prototypes", I'd love to buy one off of you al

...yeah, I hear ya If one had removed the airbox, the "balance tube" is actually pretty easy to install, as mounted on a 2003 tank in the photo below. It would be a bit harder on an earlier tank due to lack of access, and with the external petcock and fuel-return, but still doable with enough patience. I used AN -4 sized tubing and fittings, and in retrospect would have liked to use -6 for better "balance" flow... although I don't think that a -6 fitting would have fit in the vertical location I have the tube fitted , so some modification would be required to where the tube is installed. Anyway, it works though... I'd just try to use -6 if someone else does it. al

So, from the brief instructions I've reviewed, there are three parameters to set for the Accel Pump feature: 1) Amount of fuel 2) Number of engine revolutions to add fuel 3) Sensitivity of throttle position movement to add fuel It sounds like you gave us 1 & 2: But what do you recommend for paramter #3 based on your tinkering? With that last bit of info, for those of us interested, it would give us a good place to start Thanks for the feedback Todd al

I still wonder why the bracket got removed on later models As mentioned earlier, my '02 doesn't even have the welded frame tang for mounting the the thing. .....we'll probably never know al

hrmmm, how surprising

ewwwww, can I buy one now? ... can I, can I, can I? Seriously al

No problem, interesting though. As always YMMV al

.....yes, I wish the Ohlins came in silver or BLACK. I really don't care for the gold, but ah well al

Sage advice Doc .....even though I am a youngster, I've found in my youthful wisdom that just taking a bit of time and patience goes a long way toward avoiding frustration in many things. I do the same with the bike.... roll it out, give it a minute.... turn it on, turn it off, turn it on, repeat maybe once more... let it sit.... hit the starter, and usually it's happy After all, what's the hurry al

Sorry to pick nits and honestly not to be argumentative .... but ... unless you've found some very heat resistant caps, using rubber caps is generally bad advice I went the "vacuum cap with clamps" route several times(trying a few different types), and found that without exception, over just a few months the caps would harden, expand, and crack, causing a vacuum leak, and rough idle. Further, they would often eventually expand and crack so badly that they would occasionally just fall off(even with a spring clamp) while the engine was running, and then the idle/running would really go to hell Anyway, I would caution against just placing vacuum caps on the brass nipples, and instead use quality vacuum hose(why it doesn't crack like the caps is beyond me ) to bridge both throttle bodies, or as most recommend(including yours truly ), remove and *save* the brass nipples, and use two hex head bolts with an appropriately sized crush washer to seal the tap. These should be readily available at an auto supply or hardware shop. And although I used to be a proponent of lashing the tipover valve vertically to something stationary like the frame to avoid "tank suck"... I eventually just gave up and took the thing off after the paint on my tank cracked. I advise just tossing it wholesale ...and yeah, the rest is junk al

...yep, at that point, the whole coil assembly(both coil packs and the triangular mounting plate they are bolted to) will be hanging by the wiring harness, and held mostly in place by the rubber oil breather tube that runs between the coils. I don't think the whole assembly can go anywhere at that point, as it's attached by the harness, plug wires, and jammed in a tight space(...ever try to take it out? I have So one should probably check this every so often along with whatever gross inspection routine you employ. al

No worries Gary ..... I was just going by what was said here since this is the thread it was being discussed al

Thanks guys! I'll have to look into this for sure. I wonder if my local Frys has this op-amp? ..have to go check. al

I think Mike got his Ohlins(which I now own) from EMA USA They have the correct shock, and will provide it with the correct spring rate for your weight upon request. I believe that the unit with remote preload(optional) and a correct spring installed(~$100 extra) comes in at about $900(after tax/shipping), which I believe is right in between the 2-way and 3-way Penske as far as pricing goes. The Ohlins model is MG 127, which is a 46HRCS derivative/model (Note: not 46PRCS as noted on the page below. I also don't know why they list it as MG 147) http://www.ema-usa.com/suspension/suspensi...ns_shocks.shtml Another source is Lindemann Engineering, who is a pre-eminent suspension shop in the Bay Area: http://www.le-suspension.com/ http://www.le-suspension.com/LE-Products.html They are a big Penske promotor(and contributed to the shock's internal design according to them ), but also carry Ohlins, WP, and Fox. From the Ohlins site, http://www.ohlinsusa.com : Another option are the Wilburs that Todd at Guzzitech is selling now. He says great things about them, and are apparently related to the WP folks somehow. You might check them out too, although I've only seen the Wilburs on the Tontis so far, not a Spine... so you could possibly be the first al

Well Gary, I'm honestly sorry you seem so frustrated with this topic, but I really don't see that the folks here have meant to argue with you, nor present the Ohlins as you describe.... as elitist. I certainly didn't suggest that you were somehow inept at adjusting the suspension, nor did I find that others did. Perhaps as Baldini suggests, it was just a misunderstanding due to lexicon/semantics But again, WRT saying suspension is "undersprung"... this is not specific to the Ohlins. Again, many bikes come setup for the median weight the factory thinks the average buyer/rider will be. However, for many of us, especially those over 35(which is many a Guzzi owner ) ... that weight is often too heavy for the stock springs, whether Marz or Ohlins. And this is not uncommon on any make of bike when the buyer isn't a young, or lightweight, rider. It's just part of dialing in a bike to fit one's personal needs. But also, again, I don't think anyone here has espoused or presented any "elitist" statements about Ohlins, or "factory tech setup", etc... at least in this thread. I suppose it's possible that someone on the forum may have suggested taking it to a suspension shop as an option, but not as a requirement .... although I don't recall it being pushed So although you may be frustrated, I think you are beating a dead horse to some degree, as no one here is arguing with you For example, to sum up: I really don't think anyone here has said Ohlins is a must to have a Guzzi worth riding, and the Marz/Sachs are junk ...and yes, agreed, it would be nice if every manufacturer offered the option of ordering(or just having setup at purchase) a bike with the appropriate spring rates front/rear for the prospective buyer's weight. But none do to my knowledge, unless one buys it as an option from the shop that is. And although we are talking about Ohlins versus the Marz/Sachs here, I think it's important to stress again, that I've mentioned several times that the Marz/Sachs is probably just fine for many people that happen to be the correct weight for the stock springs, or if one simply spends a couple hundred $$ for new springs. Either way, the rider will find the ride much more satisfying. So "huge additional costs" are not really required for just a set of springs, and ergo I think Ohlins aren't de facto required either Can one ride a bike with springs mismatched to their wieight? Sure. I did for years. But is it optimal, or even just ideal? No. According to the 'experts'(and I don't mean poseurs ) suspension "upgrades" or at the least "tuning" is some of the best money spent to improve the performance of any bike.... and again, that doesn't necessarily mean changing out the entire kit, just tuning the parts as needed. That being said, if just a couple/three hundred $$ in springs will make a bike's suspension ideal, as opposed to under(or even over) sprung, I don't see the problem. But yes, it would be nice if a bike from off the showroom floor were not just setup properly for the rider as part of the prep, but also sprung, etc... appropriately for one's riding weight and style. But they don't, and alas we can only dream, or in my case, lose 50lbs al

Heya, hope the following helps..... Here are some threads on the subject: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...=3039&hl=ohlins http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...=2520&hl=ohlins http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...=2238&hl=ohlins As far as general suspension setup: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...4&hl=suspension ...and specifically, a guide: http://www.sportrider.com/tech/suspension/

It's nice to see some folks from Austin with interest in the Guzzi(related) products though When I was considering moving to Austin last year, one of my potential new 'projects' was to open a dealership there, but alas.... it was not to be al