Baldini

Fitting Stucchi xover to Ti kitted bike: I need to bend either the connector pipe or xover exit pipe to get a decent run for the silencer. If I heat w/gas torch enough to get it to bend will stainless become prone to fracture? ...and ... how can I keep pipe section round & stop it kinking whilst bending it? Thanks, KB

....see what you mean.. just fitting stucchi xover to Ti kitted bike - left side exit kicks silencer way out .... gonna read voluminous threads on this but ... i would have thought the best solution would be to put more of a bend into the connector pipe (pipe between xover & can) or less of a kick out in the left xover exit. KB

Martin, You're welcome to stay here. Keith

best bet's a "if only you knew" smile... KB

Just done same. Man that's thick sticky stuff. Their tech dept said not to bother with adding moly to bevel box as it is used to give normal EP90 oil extra EP rating. Says Shockproof Heavy has EP rating of 250 - already way higher than conventional 90W w/ moly added. Any comments? I'm also hoping, being so thick may alleviate the gearbox weep... KB

Motor should be as ever. I suspect the gearbox isn't as strong as the Tonti 5 speed. The V11 spine frame isn't as strong as the Tonti either. But then nuthin's built to last these days. Once I had similar big smoke happen on Tonti. Flat out several miles trying to hang on to a big Kawasaki up the mountain on the IOM suddenly noticed oil all over the place. I stopped. When the cloud of smoke & steam had cleared I looked for the big hole in the cases...but couldn't find anything wrong. Back of bike & my lower body were covered in oil. But it started up & ran great, & continues to. Lost the Kawasaki tho. It must have blown the oil out the breather pipe - in my case that was too short(!) & to atmosphere. But if it finds it's way via the airbox into combustion chambers presumably it'll exit from the exhausts. KB

...and after everything he's read here - you just can't put some people off can you? Darryl - hope it works out for you . KB

Guzzirider - you're just not trying hard enough!! KB

My old Tonti regularly shakes it's head & settles. I don't find it a problem & I don't have a steering damper fitted. Headshakes are pretty normal if your pushing hard on a bumpy road, & if bike settles that's good. A tankslapper will shake bars repeatedly, very fast from lock to lock, so hard it's difficult to hold on to them. There's a huge difference between a real tankslapper & a bike just shaking it's head, wobbling or weaving. But often a rider has a tankslapper cos that's more dramatic... In 12K miles on the V11 no serious headshakes. One end to end weave riding it very hard on a dipping road frightened me. These are heavy bikes. They are not marketed as supersports. If you're going to push very hard on bumpy roads, accept it'll be hard work or get a bike for the job. Riding style & weight affect bike's behaviour, so if you fit high bars & sit upright back end of the saddle expect the front end to feel a bit vague. Bad bearings/adjustments, luggage, incorrect suspension set up or tyres (type, wear, pressures) can cause shakes, weaves & wobbles. If you have experienced a bad headshake there may be sometrhing wrong that's causing it, but ultimately you're riding a very heavy, rear biased shaft drive motorcycle, inadequately framed for flat out sports riding on bumpy roads. Given the spec I remain amazed that they can be pushed as fast as they can. KB

Ballacraine, What knowledge do you have of this? Have you seen both types? I heard the same, but don't know it for fact. KB

Ballacraine, I put a RAM unit in my Tonti (had a LM11 dp unit in before ). Pick up is much quicker & action, very much lighter. But I think the modern dp units are already lighter than old roundhead ones, so difference may not be comparable. Have you considered replacing with a genuine RAM sp unit? This is my thought if mine shows any problems or if failure is shown to be inevitable (which I don't believe it has been). Last time I enquired, Motorworks were doing them for what seemed very reasonable money. I have not heard of anyone having problems with those. I notice Goffredo has not come back with any more info after his assertions about the sp on another thread. KB

Edwards was racing for the win. Why should he give it to Rossi? When Rossi came by, Edwards didn't make it hard for him.Gave him loads of room, so much that Gibernau came in too. I don't think he knew Gibernau was so close. KB

Have a good one Jaap! Keith

In Spain, Rossi took the corner cos he was allowed the space. Gibernau must have seen him but he couldn't adapt. He just carried on regardless & ended up in the gravel. He had other options. When things go a bit wild Rossi has a willingness to improvise & the riding ability to see it thru, stay upright & be fast (most times). Gibernau's not so imaginative, things can only be done one way & when they aren't in the plan he gets a bit lost. I'm with Steve G. Rossi may or may not be arrogant. But don't let that confuse the issue. I don't see how we can say he's the best of all time etc....but he's the best out there today - by a long way. I was glad Edwards got something out of the race. He's a good rider, he seems happy - wonder what riding with Rossi will bring out of him? KB

You use Shockproof heavy in both gearbox & rear drive box? Is that not a bit tight? What do others set gap to? I set .22mm on Tonti... KB

"...Scura flywheel is Aluminium, EV single plate flywheel is steel..." ....another question for the cognosenti I think Goffredo... KB So I wonder if the Scura clutch would take a lightened EV (steel) flywheel ....

After years of ill fitting German Para boots I've now got flat feet & a pair of Alpinestars SMX. Work great, well made, comfortable, vented but I don't know if vents work - this is Wales....don't really get that hot, looks like good protection....and really, really comfortable. And they're comfortable too - I mean you can walk about in them...all day. KB

Coz1100, I have a new spring you can have FOC if it'll help. Give me a post address if you want it. KB

Good god Ted! who woke father Jack... KB

Coz 1100, I have a spare spring I can send FOC if you can't source one locally quicker. If you want it let's have an address. KB

Goffredo, Thanks for following up on this. Was your Scura clutch changed to a twin plate under warranty? What symptoms did it show? It may be common practice some places dealers to change out Scuras to twin plates but certainly not UK. I would really like to know if & in which territories single plates were changed as a matter of course, out of Scuras/ Tennis under warranty. Re the Calis: I posted the question on Wildguzzi forum. mechanic at dealer confirmed there that single plates were fitted to late Calis. The tech man I spoke with finished with importers around 2000 so wouldn't've had experience of later bikes. Sorry for adding to the confusion. KB

Spoke today with man who used to be tech at UK importers thru 90's told me Single plate clutches were never fitted to Calis. Also that twin plates have been known to pull their centres out & unit was modified to have stronger centre. Half truths & misunderstandings repeated, embellished & mis-applied - Isn't the internet a wonderful thing... Guess the moral is - don't go looking for trouble... KB

I have the same information as Al & Dan. Again from various Guzzi dealers & this board & others. That is: Cali single plate is different unit to RM/Scura. Cali single plate problem was prematurely worn friction plate. Scura have had cracking (leading to disintegration) of flywheel. I have not heard of premature wear of friction plates on RM/Scuras, nor of disintegration of flywheel on Calis.... Goffredo - thank you for checking back on your information. You have no personal experience of either failure? KB

Lex, It wasn't clear in the article what he was comparing it too. He kept saying "all previous Guzzis". But it would be in keeping with the way Guzzis have been going to make it more top end at the expense of bottom/mid. It seems to be what people want, least that's what looks good in a magazine stats column. I'd agree with you. But like anything, best ride it for yourself & see. It's very interesting that Paul says they've completely changed the box. Maybe it is just cost but it makes me wonder. Although it works well it has been the source of a few problems... KB

From who/where? Thanks. KB