OldButNotDead

A important thing to check is the "frequently asked questions" section of this website. A list of things to review on potential purchaes appears here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5692 Fun bikes if you enjoy getting your hands dirty!

I'd be interested to hear of any user experiences with these. Still hoping to find a setup that won't scrape.

Just the smell of this stuff instantly removes me to a hotel room in Oaxaca, back to a scene not likely to be repeated (nor fit to be shared). I favored the El Famoso brand at the time. Raw and nasty has it's place, but the refined stuff from Del Maguey (w/o worm) is interesting too. They offer a story of the worm... http://www.mezcal.com/worms.html And no, I haven't eaten any worms, though did eat (and liked) the smaller version of the chapulines (roasted grasshoppers) sold in the market.

Turns out all my exhaust bits are off the bike at the moment. You know it's winter when you spend the evening putting bike parts on the bathroom scale... 2003 stock system (no front xover) = 32.2 lbs (~14.6 kgs) headers (5.8) + xover (5.6) + mufflers (19.6) + hangers (1.8) Ferracci (carbon) + Stucci system = 24.4 lbs (~11.1 kgs) headers (5.8) + xover (7.2) + mufflers (9.6) + hangers (1.8) Quat-D (2004, minus the cat) = 17.2 lbs (~7.8 kgs) headers (3.2) + muffler (14) Add another 1.6 if you keep the cat Digital Tanita bath scale. Not certified or promised to be accurate. YWMV

Many many previsous discussions regarding this switch; accessible by searching on "neutral switch". Some document success by just cleaning the switch instead of replacing it.

I can hear your cans scraping from here!

It's lucky someone is on the ball . You guys are great and I'm chuffed to be part of such a awesome community. No failure to lubricate here. I too think I might have two "3"s, and was wondering if I should be worrried. Sometimes I hear funny noises or experience an overwhelming desire to have one or both of my "3"s anodized, ceramic coated, or double-plugged. Alternatively, I was wondering if I could just replace my "3"s with an aftermarket "6"? I wuve you guys!

Sound like you're a bit down, but surely not out. My Italian wife endures numerous health problems, but you don't see me hacking her up to sell on Ebay. Sometimes she don't run so good, but she's always good to look at . Unless she's angry. Then life is very very bad. Gary is a standup guy and can be trusted fully with your motor, if not your women. After seeing how both he and Pete jumped right in , I'm thinking there's a lot of heart in some of these ornery old farts .

Yah, that a reasonable suggestion - I'll give it a go when next season rolls around...

The outlet drags:

I found my version of the Quat-D (2nd iteration I think) to be disappointing on the dyno (vs Stucchi + Ferracci cans). I get a similar top end, but lower peak torque. I end up mostly riding about 6k rpm, ~1k higher than I used to. I like the Ferracci sound better, though this thing does make an interesting noise. I think the Ghezzi site shows the first iteration system. I believe these had a left-hand outlet, clamps, and were prone to cracking. Mine has a right-hand outlet, removable cat, and is held together with springs. The current version on the Quat-D site looks a bit different, so it may be a third generation. Riding "performance" integrates more than just engine output. I mainly bought the Quat-D to improve ground clearance, and it does that extremely well in left-handers. Right handers, not as much. Still, it's significantly better than with the Ferracci (low) can. It's the outlet that scrapes, and I have considered whacking it off, though the dyno guy suggested that might affect performance. After individual cylinder mapping, delivery is pretty linear. Despite lower peak torque (which I do miss), I haven't taken it off to date. I have considered a barter for a MG titanium system, but am not sure I can bring myself to do it. It looks so much better to my eye this way and cans would strike me as colostomy bags at this point. Unfortunately, I can also provide feedback on the system's crash durability - we lowsided (on the outlet side) at Mid-Ohio in September. Very short ride on the pavement before sliding into the dirt. Pretty durable, some rash and dents where the header joins the box, but I'm hoping an expander will pop most of these out.

Sorry to hear this. Front row seats to this kind of event is upseting for all but the pathological. Sure, it's possible to avoid the feelings by dissociating, but that's not toughness in my book. Toughness means you're willing to integrate and learn from the experience and feelings. You can get over it and be a better person/rider for it. Drunk drivers suck. Back in the day, I ran over a yield sign after six Jack Daniels + chasers. I am eternally grateful it wasn't a person. There but for the grace of god go I.

I got a later version of this muffer, for the same reason you are considering it. Consider this: leaning towards a Quat-D in a right-hander will leave you with the same problem you're seeking to avoid.

Umh...too much gas sniffing?

Cleaning the switch worked for me; some suggestions: HERE Having a little cloth to plug the hole when the switch come out can be useful.

I dealt with this when removing the cat from mine. The main bit of "wisdom" I can relate is: do NOT bother to reattach this with aluminum rivets, no matter what their diameter; they will loosen with use. It took me ~ 3 tries to figure this out (fecking eejit) . Online vendors of marine hardware can supply SS rivets that will do the job. I bought some "Ultra Seal" gasket HERE , cut it to size and used a punch in my handrill to make holes for the rivets. So far, so good.

Oh you can SO justify it when you're sliding down the track on your back thinking about how your wife was so worried that you wouldn't be coming home from your trackday that she broke down crying. Sadly, my greatest joy comes from the fact that I did NOT have to tell my wife that I'm mangled. In fact, I'm so NOT mangled that I didn't feel the need to share the experience with her at all (nor should any of you). Those with non-riding, supportive, but scared-shitless-of-the-motorcycle spouses may understand. The bike lost a Givi windscreen, both throttle cables, spark plug cap and plug, and the rear brake pedal. Some dents in the bottom of the header, scapes on the valve cover and head, no broken fins. Not so bad, just more expensive than it should be. I think I was careless, drifted too close to an edge and ended up with the rear tire on some crud or actually in the dirt. It lowsided when I pushed it over to move away from the edge. I came off onto the pavement and the bike spun off into the dirt. Thanks to all with plug cap sources!

Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm no angel and ride in jeans if I'm "just out for a toodle". So far I've been lucky. Shattered kneecap doesn't sound like fun, you have my condolences - how was that repaired? I'm grateful for the small mishaps that I get to call "learning experiences". I'm looking to buy a spark plug cap (preferable red) from someone other than Guzzi and searched the archive, but couldn't find a reference. Anyone have the NGK # and a suggested source?

Or even particularly maimed... Here's an encouragement to those of you who don't wear adequate protective gear, or who doubt how much joy it can bring. I had my first get-off at speed two days ago, and need to say to the folks at Vanson, who made the garments I was wearing. After I low sided at ~50 mph, bodyslammed onto my backprotector and helmet, and then slid along on my back, I had time to reflect on how much I was enjoying these items and my perfed leather jacket and pants. Another satified customer.

Amen. I finally came to the same place. The older I get, the more I value my time - I figure I'm worth at least $10 an hour.

Try HERE

STONE

The Grand Quirk is the old guy sitting on it - he can't quit the silly machine, but struggles to explain why. Likewise, "flaws" make my Italian spouse compelling. Chemistry, love, hormones? Definitely NOT boring.

Your memory matches my experience. Moving to the Quat-D from Stucci crossover/Ferracci cans meant significant loss of peak torque, though a similar top end. Both configurations were setup with custom Power Commander maps. Personally, I really like the clean look, but miss the midrange kick. I'm spending a lot more of my time at or above 6krpm as a result. Previously posted dyno appears in this thread: Quat-D vs Ferracci dyno runs

DING DING...give that man a rubber chicken. I'm posting to get this archived in case anyone else is silly enough to do this. I stopped in at Detroit Eurocycles after Keith and Jeff had opened it up - a nice big chunk had separated from one of the friction disks. If I can't find a slipper clutch, I may be forced into learning how to downshift properly .