Baldini

Guzzi Ti kit on Scura - Felt like it revved better, but kit ECU was way out - v rich. Fitted Stucchi xover & PC111USB + dyno - sorted it. Runs great now. Stucchi can be a bit of work to fit - it's very good solid made but dimensions can be variable I think. May have been good w/o Stucchi - dunno. Stucchi adds fair bit of noise. Cans only are pretty quiet. KB

If you don't have a problem w BT020's then you're not blasting hard enough. Worn/cupped 020 gives a disconcerting front end oscillation when pushed. Diablos are more stable when worn & have more grip. Re other stuff - Murray said it. KB

it's a great track - really well designed with variety & elevation.....& a short straight. I'm aiming to get there again this year. I don't see how gaining a knowledge of how the bike behaves/responds at extremes can be a bad thing. I've seen people fall off on the road simply cos they were unaware how much more the bike could give them. But knowledge is one thing - how you use it is another. Trouble is - riding on the track makes the road seem slow.... KB

Pete...is someone putting something in your porridge??? First a lurch into new bikes & now ...this!!! Come on man, pull yerself together..... KB

02 Scura w/ about 17k miles. All paint still good. No problem w/clutch operation either tho I'm concerned about the no & nature of failures reported. I had a few initial faults but for the last year or so the bike's run w/o a problem. Goes great. Blows fork seals regular tho (3rd set just gone). KB BTW it's said that the RM clutch is a different unit to the Scura.

No expert me but....Can't see any benefits. Less unsprung weight? Circumference will be smaller so you'll lose a little ground clearance. May be some loss of high speed stability, dunno - but bike is v stable to start with.... Rear is already overtyred w/180 & you're increasing the discrepancy between f & r turn-in. Front may turn quicker but you'll be making balance f/r worse. Would be interested to know what rear tyres/rims they're running - the people who prefer 110 front . Carcass will be stretched between beads more than 120 so will flatten profile a bit. Never had a definitive answer on this but it seems logical to me that you'd run off tread sooner. This is reason I stopped using 170 on 5.5" rim (170 on rear improves turn-in & balance hugely). KB

I see your muddy puddle & raise you a deep muddy puddle...

I see your muddy puddle & I raise you a deep muddy puddle...

Don't worry how long it takes - more important to get it right, slow & methodical is the only way on any first time job. Like Ouiji Veck says: it'll help you get to know the bike. Good luck. KB PS I'd give that cover a very close look for cracks whilst you got it off (dye penetrant?).

Sounds like a knackered battery. Try swapping w/ a good one? KB

Well put Belfast! From Cal Rayborn wrestling a HD round Oulton Park to Freddie Spencer drifting at Donnington, same place every lap, Joey on the Island - so neat, so fast (& driving trucks of supplies to the Balkans!) .... & people I only saw on TV or read ...Nuvolari, Moss (ever seen about his Mille Miglia Victory - 100mph average on open roads in 1955[?]), Rossi....&...Ali.... Hendrix...Velasquez....Fienman ....whatever their field, they show us the possibilities.... KB

When I was a kid - George Best was everything I wanted to be. He was the most gifted footballer I ever saw (mostly on the TV, granted). Whether you follow football or not - look at some of the footage on video....He was an inspiration to anyone who saw him play. Such ability & application transcends it's arena - it's an example to all of us to apply in every aspect of our lives. Not so his life outside of football. I agree with all you say re celebrity & media Martin. But to compare his death with Richard Burns is unfair on both & not the point at all in my view. Thank them both for whatever they gave you. When someone you know dies, something of you goes too. It happens George Best was a part of more lives than was Richard Burns. That's all. KB

A contradiction in terms ? I didn't like 020's. Same problems as you. Using Diablos which are very good. Wear only a little quicker (2.75-3k rather than 3.5K miles). Haven't tried Avons. KB

Spark 500 is an original Guzzi fitment. These were subject of a MG service bulletin wherein they were changed for YuasaYTZ12S. I understand the problem is the Spark 500 is a low spec battery not up to the job. My bike came with Spark 500, lasted a couple years & failed suddenly (out of warranty). Fitted a Hawker Odyssey cos I think they're good (tho expensive). You can't use a normal trickle charger on them, but they stay charged for ages even if not used. KB

So would I be, I figure it's barely up to the job as it is. The Guzzi stand works for me, tho others have had success using conventional paddock stands - there's a thread somewhere.... KB

Looks like a CZ or Jawa or even a bit MZ like in spine frame...I have no idea - why are all these quiz questions small ugly2 strokes? not that i'd get any points if they were anything else....but they're just so dull...

OOOPPS!!! Sorry. .....welll reeeally....Daytona..Sport....bellhousing & contents are same... KB Anyhow - I don't wanna go back to one of them heavy ol things.....

He used to run an old Tonti. Seems like a pleasant enough chap. Sure he's on a different planet to the rest of us - but it seems a bit pointless to either envy or begrudge the man. KB

How do you know boss thickness is changed? Roberto's (broken) clutch photos clearly shows the steel ring present between the bolts & the flywheel. Of course the ring itself may be a stress raiser. Tonti clutches: Was wondering about that too. I think crankshaft end is same but not sure about distances between crank & input shaft. Paul fitted a 6 speed to 1100 sport... KB

Right This is a very small # of bikes. I know Roberto's & John O'S's. The others are all 3rd hand over web. Think a fairly low % of riders use web forums. Failures are happening out of warranty so dealers aren't necessarily seeing them either. Not sure if frame #'s or ltd ed #'s would tell us much given the seemingly haphazard nature of production @ Mandello. If anyone has any experience of this failure & can post details (inc frame & ltd ed #'s) here or pm I would be grateful. KB

yes.... KB

Frenchbob, I fear somewhere along the line, you have misunderstood a fundamental principle... KB

The timing cover does commonly leak. Tightening (not too tight to strip threads) screws can sort but some have needed new gaskets. But, given this is a problem only since the crash (yes?) a thought, tho not assumption, would be that it has been caused by the crash. Although it's a big plus you didn't hit anything, I think you should check frame/mounts. Those front frame members bolt to the main spine under the tank. Have you had the tank off already? It may not be easy to see any distortion but, given that the leak is right next to the mount & wasn't there before the crash, it's worth a look. If you support bike/motor & remove the front left mount bolt only it may show any distortion/stress if this causes bolt holes to be misaligned. Check upper bolts too. I would remove the screw where leak is & have a good look around that whole area for any cracks. Another thing that can bend is forks/triple clamps. I would look over these best you can to check for straightness. May be worth loosening off clamps & re-aligning. Are wheels aligned front/back? If you suspect frame is bent you can remove forks & stick a broom handle or suchlike thru steering head as easy check for alignment. KB