Baldini

Mal, It might be worth speaking to an Ohlins shop. I found Kais in Manchester helpful for advice & bits (01942896366). I dealt with Nick White there. The Scura Ohlins shock is, I believe, longer than LM one, increasing rear ride height. Not sure by how much. Unloaded, my bike sits a little under 2" higher than Martin Barrett's LM at the rear, some of this may be differing amount of preload. A remote preload adjuster would be a fine thing to have. I think the Ohlins shock sold as aftermarket also has adjustable ride height? That'd be nice too. I weigh about 210lb w/gear. I replaced std 85kg (way too soft) rear spring w/ 100kg. Thinking of going up on the spring again. The trouble with the Scura (02) Ohlins shock is that the internal (not externally adjustable) damping is too stiff, particularly I think, the high speed comp damping. I have heard various reports that revalving to reduce high speed comp damping works well, & intend to get this done. All reports say 03 Guzzis with Ohlins came much better sorted. I have been unable to find out exactly what different specs were. I think Kais obtained Ohlins spec sheets for both 02 & 03 bikes, but when I asked what the differences were they were unclear - "not much". I'd like to see the sheets...& the one for the aftermartket fitment too...but then they'd probably not mean much to me as I'm a bit simple. Let us know how you get on. KB

....until you find something better.

? what you doing here??? Has Roper's defection got you thinkin about moving into the 90's? Best, Keith ps - you still not got a bike on the road?

Jim, Have you tried operating the shift mechanism with spring in place? Tho it may be a loose fit at rest, when shift mechanism operates, the spring tightens up around the oversize boss to the point of binding. This stresses the spring until it eventually snaps at the weakest point (the sharp 90deg bend). The boss on the pawl arm should be 15mm (from memory). The spring should not bind on it when operated at extremes of travel. KB

I have a spring that Carl sent from the States which maybe "Racecraft" - Carl??? I will send it if you want (FOC). PM me an address. But as BFG says the springs break because the pawl arm boss is oversize. KB

Welcome S251! I have 15K+ miles on Scura. Regards, KB

Mike, Sorry to hear your troubles. Good luck with it. Keith

Sure, it'd be great if they came 100% sorted. But they haven't done. I'm just saying how it is, not how it should be. If the problem is the pawl arm/spring, Windchill could get his bike sorted quickly. It is not a major fix. The parts & knowledge are readily available. His choice seems be to stick to ways which he knows don't work for him, then bring in the lawyers. I'm simply saying if he really wanted the bike on the road - it is easily done. In the time I've had them, Guzzis have always demanded some commitment from their owner. Initiative & self-sufficiency either in themselves or their dealer. The return is, as Guzzirider says: the only bike I have wanted to keep for ever. Maybe the factory need a legal kick up the arse, but if Windchill really wants the Guzzi on the road, there's easier & quicker ways. KB

Windchill, It appears you have had the pawl arm spring break. This is a very common failure on 02 bikes. The problem is that some pawl arms had an oversize boss that caused the spring to bind. Many owners here have had same, & fixed it or had it fixed (it is a quick & simple job for any competent mechanic). I remember when you first had the spring break. Having had the same problem myself & fixed it, I offered advice re the fix & sources of immediately available parts. You preferred not to take me up on this, instead waiting some considerable while for your (multi-franchise) dealer to obtain parts & fix. I do not know why this dealer did not obtain parts, as they were certainly available, nor do I understand why he was apparently unable to address the source of the problem. At that time, it was common knowledge here that oversize pawl arm bosses were causing the breakages. Moto Guzzis will run many thousands of miles reliably. They will maintain a consistent level of performance over many, many years (they require at least 10k miles before they are even run in). This is in contrast to many other motorcycles. In return, Guzzis require more hands on involvement from the owner, &/or a good, specialist dealer/workshop, esp in the first few k miles, to acheive optimum running. Some call this character, & to those, the payback is a feeling of kinship with the motorcycle & also to those who made it. Some find that this level of involvement is not suited to them. If that is the case, I would suggest that, generally they are better suited to owning other makes of motorcycle. I have cursed Guzzi for their lack of commitment to customer care, their unwillingness to own up to faults & deal properly with problems. But on the other hand, I find the self reliance, & mutual support from other owners that this lack of interest from the factory encourages, to be something I really value. Well, until the flywheel explodes anyhow.... Each to his own. KB

Sorry to hear you came off. Get well soon. Stop junctions can be covered in all kinds of crap. Oil & fluids of standing vehicles. What tyres? BT020's mine came with as std weren't the grippiest things.... KB

!!! & where the f*@&/n hell have you been???? Welcome back Docc!! KB

Well I dunno but I guess I'm with big J. I've had Tontis over 20 yrs & no-one's touched em save me. They go fine - still on points & carbs tuned by ear - plugs out one at a time, adj idle screw then balance then back & forwards till running sweet. But TPS etc - PC111??? @#!#$# off!!! I put it with a dyno - got it running very good clean thru. Maybe some can do that by feel but to me electricity & petrol don't mix....give it to a man who's got the tools. Similar mods, similar figures to Big J's, max torque @ 5.5k. Only complaint I have is below 2.5k the operator obviously didn't consider that anyone would run these revs being mostly on Japs - so it is a bit short there. Sure another session would sort it. KB

....yes, a slidehammer. Can't remember where I located it, & can't see now cos starter's in way but as I remember there was some sort of lug that served. I used a piece of wood to wedge the claws of the slidehammer & to absorb the shock....it should be obvious once you've removed the starter. Others probably did different ways. It isn't a difficult job, but it is a bit fiddly. Make sure you match up the selector wheels & sliding dogs in neutral. KB

If you don't manage this, they should be positioned equidistant in their spaces on the shafts to get neutral when replacing cover. The selector wheels on the shift mechanism should also be aligned for neutral some have marking, mine didn't. One of the lower socket cap bolts needs a cut down allen key to access. The cover maybe reluctant to pull off. I used a draw hammer & a bit of wood. Disconnect battery before removing starter wires... KB

I also drop sump & use strap wrench or screwdriver punched thru filter (punch thru at top/closed end of filter there's no fittings to damage). You can also look up into the cases which is impressive if you never seen it before... KB

well @#!#$# me!!! good on ya Pete review of Griso in MCN last week - they loved it. Re the motor they say "based on Breva 1100...but nearly 50% internal components new over that engine...rods 10% lighter, pistons shorter & lighter..." I'd thought the Breva & Griso had same motor. If it's lighter internals than Breva, it's gonna be real revvy....still i bet you got an old T bike flywheel around somewhere... Hope it does it for you. Keith

Mine's # 484. Lives in Wales. KB

If possible have someone who knows what they're doing look at the FI set up - TPS & synchronisation. If it's well set up it gets rid of the roughness but there's always a dip there. Like Jason says the way to mostly lose it is PC111/xover/cans/filter. KB

I also have 3 young kids & have similar feelings to Martin. I find it difficult to be away for any amount of time. I think the Welsh run is great as it is - so's we can watch weather. Timing depends on Orson...he visits spring - dunno when. Orson? An overnight stop adds a chance to have a few beers etc. It maybe, depending on numbers we could fix last minute pub accomodation. There's a couple places I had in mind, & maybe Gary knows places? We could camp but that means lugging gear...& it's not really about that... Belfast, really hope you can make it over. Your idea of a trip round the "Celtic Fringe" sounds great too...bit more involved - & more time, but worth thinking about? Like Martin, one way or another, I'd like to get over to see you there sometime. Best, KB

Bah! - bunch of pussies - the Tenni they raced on the Island few years back was dragging it's sump.... KB

Next spring - Anyone fancy making it a 2 day with a pub B&B? Mid-week would still be best - it's quieter. KB

Great ride . We were so lucky - I still can't believe how the weather turned out - all them clouds & we rode in the sun the whole day! Thanks for the good company. Glad to see you all got back safe (considering his tyre & his interesting approach to roundabouts - doubly so in Orson's case! ). It was a great day, one of the best. y'all. Take it easy. Keith PS: Thanks for your posting a right entertaining report, Martin! Like the others Man of Steel - thanks for making the effort. KB PPS: It's been chucking it down all day today....

Kev, No recall. They're noisy. I have a single plate in Scura. Works fine (15K miles) just makes a lot of noise from new (clutch engaged/lever out). There have been 4 or 5 Scuras we've heard of here w/disintegrated flywheel. Cause unknown tho there's plenty theories. These failures seem to have been preceded by nasty sounds beyond the normal hellish loud rattle. Do a search. My understanding is V11 single plates are a different unit to the Cali single plate which failed cos of friction plate material. I just drained the Tonti for a tank for the V11. See how it goes tomorrow. I'm hoping some of the quieter stations may still have fuel. Least I can get to Ponderosa & back - but guess we haven't chosen the best time for a tour...too late to call it off now .... KB

Kev, Single plate was fitted to ltd ed versions of V11: Scura (Black w/Ohlins kit), Tenni (Faired, green/white roundel, suede seat), Rosso Mandello (Red valve covers). Other V11's have twin plate. Single plate is hellish noisy clutch engaged (lever out). KB PS: not interested in coming on a run out to Wales tomorrow are you? Ponderosa, 9am.