stockport claret

I would always use new gaskets as they won't cost much and it's good practice. You can also find that the old ones become stuck to the engine parts they are on so you have to tear them off anyway. Just use a smeering of clean engine oil on the gasket faces.

Cheers Jaap

Wish I was going, but as i'm still on sick leave best not.

Had Conti Road Attacks which lasted around 6k and have now got Bridgestone BT023 http://www.bridgestone.eu/press/press-releases/all/2009/new-battlax-bt-023-a-%E2%80%9Cfull-spec%E2%80%9D-sport-touring-tyre which have so far been great and if anything steer a bit quicker than the Contis and hold the road so much better in both wet and dry.

Hi Buzzard, Great looking picture. I've been using a rebranded Oxford Products heated grips for a while and they give a really good heat I prefer the control like this over the newer push button ones as it is a bit easier for me to use with gloves on. Mine is wired direct to the battery but I would prefer to have it wired through the ignition so that it switches off when you turn off the key.

I know what you mean about trying to fill a grease gun so in the end I went to a marine chandlers and got some marine grease gun refil cartridges and slotted them inside the grease gun. When you pump new grease into the grease nipple it will force the old grease out around the u-joint, stop when you see fresh new grease. As for cleaning the u-joint try using motorcycle chain cleaner and a used toothbrush.

Getting better all the time from my opp at the start of July so crossing my fingers that I may feel OK to come over, not ridden yet but a couple of weeks time and i'll have a go.

Hi Nano, Yep i've got maxton forks and rear shock. I followed Richards advice and just fitted them and not adjusted them. The difference between stock and the maxton is night and day. No more jarring ride, it seams to float over rough roads now

The hardest pipe to remove I find is the braided steel covevered one that goes to the manual fuel tap. If you lift the back of the tank up by about an inch/ inch and a half you will find you can get at it slightly better. I've also used a flat blade screw driver to gentle tease the fuel pipe away from the alloy of the fuel tap.

Hi Nano, My Mandello is fitted with a manual fuel tap and all you have to do is close it before you remove the fuel lines Closing it is turning it clock wise. Some fuel will drain from the disconnected pipes but not a great deal. Starting from chassis no. KR 113816, a manual type fuel tap has been fitted in the place of the solenoid valve this is from the workshop manual

Hi Nano, congrats on getting Maxton it will make the bike so much better to ride. To change the rear shock you will need to remove the tank, side panels and air box. you will also need some way of supporting the bike from underneath. I used a couple of car scissor jacks under the tie rod that runs from one side of the bike to the other. The tank is not to difficult and the directions in the workshop manual are straight forward. Just remember to pull off the breather pipe which is underneath the middle of the tank. take the side panels off, then remove battery tray and airbox. then it's the easy task of taking the old shock and remote off and putting on your new one. All told it took about 1 1/2hrs to do.

http://www.advrider....=114680&page=11

+1 for Redline Heavy Shockproof

the pannier bags on the SMT in the pics are just little 11ltr ones that clip onto the exhaust heat shields. you can get bigger ones either the throughover type or ones that fit on a frame.

Took the SMT and the 990 Adventure out on Monday. Both are fantastic bikes but found that I prefered the Adventure. The Adventure has a relaxed side whereas the SMT requires more focus all of the time. Both bikes are very quick and are light to handle on the move, Adv has a lighter feeling front end. SMT is able to change direction with very little imput but for me did not feel as stable as the Adv. My normal day to day ride is a BMW 1200GS. SMT was not as comfortable over time (it's a hard seat). Adv seemed to have a better fairing but that may be beacause you don't sit as close to it as on the SMT. Both bikes have very light throttles and seemed a bit snatchy at low speeds. The Adv more so than the SMT. Think that it's more a case of being very fine with your throttle control. Dealer also advised to stay in a higher gear at low speeds which also helped smooth the snatchiness out. I would not mind either bike but for me the Adv has the edge. Find a dealer and get a test ride. The sales guy at the dealership I went to told me that KTM like you to take the bikes out for long test rides as it's a lot of money for a bike and they want you to be satisfied that it's going to be right for you.

bit ahead of yourself there or does the Aprilia come with a time travel switch very nice pics though

Many thanks to David for organising yet another great weekend and for helping me out in getting new tyres on the Friday . Very nice to meet everyone and both myself and Louise had a great time.

A link to some pictures I took at this years Ulster rally http://s283.photobuc...2%20May%202010/

If we can get the Guzzis to go that fast then I think it should be ok Leaving all our rain here in Manchester this year, and crossing my fingers for a nice week next week as me and Lou are off to Scotland for a tour before heading over. Guzzi now back in one piece. Having been treated to new fork internals and a new rear shock from Maxtons.

in bits in the shed if it's like mine

2 weeks to go

Hi Jaap, the strap does have a recessed area for the tanks top pad. I also put some anti slip type padding between the tank and the pad as otherwise the stitching on the straps underside rubs on the tank. 2guzziDave have a look at these http://www.windingroads.co.uk/shop/product.php/70/famsa_fa246_19_moto_guzzi_v11_sbk_big_tank_bag if you don't manage to get a Guzzi bag

Hi Andy have a look at this as it gives a good explanation of setting the sag http://www.moto-raci...ensionSetup.htm getting my forks back from Maxtons next week along with a new rear shock, once i've fitted them i'll be taking the bike back to them just to make sure everything is A OK

now you know you have to show restraint here

hi Andy, I rang Maxtons myself last week and the gentleman I spoke with said they are having a six to eight week turnaround at the moment due to the start of the racing season. He said if i could wait till after May that they could most likely get them done within the same week. If I can get mine off in the next week then that's where mine will be heading so that I have them back intime for the Northern Ireland Guzzi meet.