Baldini

The rules of this forum clearly state no politics. For years some people here have talked politics, & Jaap has, mostly, let it go, only intervening when things got nasty, personal or the whole thing started to disappear up it's own arse. He even created a forum here for the non-bike stuff. It's disingenuous to suggest this has happened simply because people are talking politics. Recently there's more stuff that is just vitriolic personal attacks, repetetive sarcasm, condescension etc etc. Last year, I came here less & less cos it seemed even the tech threads were everytime getting infected with it, like some virus. Sure, I guess it's entertaining for some, like watching a car crash, but like a soap or reality show, it leaves you feeling like you eaten something bad. So something's really hacked Jaap off & he's fired off an intrusive email, probably at, mostly, the wrong people. I dunno exactly what triggered it, but I've seen enough of the way he conducts himself to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's put a lot of effort into creating & maintaining this place. He's told us the limits, if you can't play by his rules, you're free to go play somewhere else. This forum is a valuable resource for all of us. Thanks for all your work Jaap. Take it easy! KB

Well said Bruce! It must be a hell of a lot of work to run this forum. The rules are clearly published & Jaap has gone along way to accomodate some who flout those rules. Now he's got hacked off by (I'm guessing) the continual cat fights & whining of a few members & reacted. Life's hard enough for anyone who steps out of the herd & does something special - as Jaap has done in creating & managing this resource. We'd all be worse off without this forum, so give the man a break, & if you don't want to play by the rules, go play somewhere else. KB

Dimitris, I got same. Think all members got same email. Jaap is fed up with some people going on about politics & bitching at each other. it's not you! KB

Good to see you're still around Al. Take it easy - hope things work out for you. KB

Of course?

If Belfast has a working motorcycle, it's news to me & that'd be 3 - with yours & tripletom's. KB

Looks like a v tidy bike Tom. Welcome to Club Scura (Celtic Fringe Branch)! Far as I know that'll be five members, two of which have functioning Scuras ... KB

Tested relay - it's f8888d. Tested solenoid it's also f8888d. But I don't think they did so bad - been working 30yrs! Replacement relay arrived today from Guzzi shop: it's a sodding great old fashioned looking metal cased thng more than double the size & wt of the original soddin great old fashioned looking metal cased thing. I dunno why. Think I'll send it back. Any recommendations what/where to get good quality small replacement in UK? Can I use V11 type? I have spare Bosch starter, but is V11 type Valeo a straight replacement fit? It looks the same. Thanks for help. Cheers, KB

Thanks. Wiring/switch & layout etc is all non std but in principal same as Guzzi set up. Had a look at it - the relay is not functioning. The solenoid is not functioning. Motor spins the gear but doesn't move it forward to engage ring gear, this when I short it between terminals. Switch looks OK. Dunno the sequence of events but these bits are knackered. Wiring looks OK. I have a spare Bosch starter. Does the Valeo (V11 type) fit as straight replacement? - it looks like it would, & is much lighter. KB

Thanks chaps! KB

Can anyone recommend a good, free, reliable image hosting site? Thanks. KB

6am in the dark riding at a steady 70mph or so on my way to a trackday on Tonti I hear a whine, & feel vibration. Pulled over thinking it was something gone in trans but couldn't find anything obviously wrong. Pressed starter - nothing! Ah! Figured I could still do the track day bumping it, I was running late so left as it was. It ran fine then later did same again. I disconnected power from the starter motor & left it, & it ran good all day. Can anyone suggest most likely diagnosis/fix from symptoms described? I have basic knowledge of system & figure it's bad relay, switch or solenoid, but what order/how to check? Thanks. KB

Aw come on - he's a media celebrity. Cultivated image - he needs controversy to survive. Anyhow, judging by some of the asshole style riding I've seen past few years he's got a point! How many motoriders can handle a bike? KB

Yeh. I know Robert Plant is real into Robert Johnson & the legends around him, & Blues music in general. KB

They may have more miles in em but they're the only thing twixt you & tarmac. Even just gently bimbling about, sh*t happens & it doesn't matter what else, if your tyres let go, it can be the difference between a "blimey that was a bit close!" & an "oh NO". & as Ratchet says, we never had it so good for tyres. KB ps: AS FOR THE POLITICS - CAN'T THAT STUFF BE LEFT OUT OF TECH THREADS, & KEPT WHERE IT'S CLEARLY LABELLED - JAAP EVEN CREATED SUCH A PLACE .... check it out, There's a thread there already just for this sort of stuff...

Closer in width to the front the rear = more balanced turn in. But profile design is just as important. Different tyres = different profiles. As Paul says pointy tyres = quick handling. A 170 is stretched further over the width of a 5.5" rim than a 180, flattening it's profile = slowing it's rate of turn. 170 on a 5.5" rim will run off tread earlier than a 180 on same. 170 & 180 are both rec'd fitments for 5.5" rim, but a lot of tyres are not available in 170 size. That's just my opinion based on my (limited) experience. I get the feeling.... I... know this place.....have we been here before??? .... KB

My Scura has been off the road for a year waiting on me replacing the failure prone clutch. When I get a chance to ride I ride my Tonti. But I guess it doesn't bother me much, it's a Guzzi, it'll be sorted one day, it's probably here for my lifetime, so I guess I must be happy with it ...

Guy, There's nothing much to the job. Just remove, clean & replace as I recall. I did the front crank seal as well...no other reason than it was there, probably not necessary. KB

It's a lovely track. Hard to put into words but it is just right, it all runs together without any bits that don't work. Bloke running the day reckons it's the best track in Britain. I haven't ridden on one I liked better. Dave, mostly what you're seeing there is body armour.... Yeh, springs both ends are shagged I think, & suspension has never been set up, but limiting factor in keeping up wasn't handling, it was massive power defecit (more than a little wt loss could affect) & brake set up. KB

It's a lovely track, wide, flowing & lots of hills! It feels very good to ride, even the chicanes seem to fit OK into the flow of the lap...I'd like to go again, I tend to leave it last minute with an eye on the weather, I'm self-employed so can do that to some extent...but as always family & work dictate etc.... KB

Managed to get a day out on track, - Oulton Park: an old track with a weight of history, not least for me that I used to watch their as a kid - cars & bikes - Cobras, Mustangs & Escorts, & the Transatlantic Trophy - Cal Rayborn winning on a Harley...I never rode there before cos I figured there was too many long straights for the Guzzi.... Well I had a great day despite losing the starter motor on the way there & nearly turning back. Only a couple of other hardy souls had ridden to the track, everyone else in vans. But good lads who helped me bump start the bike all day. Anyhow I had a ball, & the long straights weren't so straight afer all, & these are some photos. No V11, just the old Tonti & even with the slow old motor (& skinny tyres!) it got around pretty well. It made me think - the springs are very tired & it's never had it's sag set, the brakes are hard work, but the Tonti frame is so good, none of it matters - even amongst all the Firblades & R1's, it just gets on with it - TONTI!!! PS: Anyone looking for sticky tyres for one of these - try Pirelli Sport Demons, easily best I've ever used - great feedback, great grip & progressive on limits.

yeh - that's a great album - incredible sound for live - I like Neil Young's "Weld" too... & ....Steppenwolf "Live":esp chord intro into "Born to be Wild"... & Gram Parsons fake live on "...Grievous Angel" & Bob Marley "No Woman No Cry"" & Johnny Cash at San Quentin - (anyone listen to the late Rick Rubin produced Cash stuff?)..... Hey! Big J - where you been?! KB