Lucky Phil

The issue with tank sealers is getting them to stick to the Nylon used in motorcycle tanks. The PPG product isn't rated for ad hearing to Nylon and I believe I have used this for years in the Aviation industry as a coating over the main tank sealant we used. Nylon certainly isn't a substrate in aviation fuel tanks. As for the others the same applies, apart from the first one which just says "plastic" tanks, which seems a bit of an off the cuff mention with no detailed product sheet. For those that don't know its not actually the fuel that causes the swelling issue but the water that's held in suspension that causes the Nylon tanks to swell and Ethonol fuels carry higher concentrations of water in suspension and also attract water more readily. Emptying the tanks and drying it out for a month or two in the dry climates seems to recover them it appears. Prevention is better though, obviously. BTW the reason the tank you have bought has the paint in that condition is because its had something heavy dropped on it and flexed enough for the paint to crack and peel. Make sure you have a very good look inside it for damage before you use it and or spend money on it. I have one the same in the workshop from an accident damaged bike. Ciao

Measured my RAM clutch and flywheel today. Older style brand new 10lbs 4oz Ciao

Any thoughts on inflatable vests? Yep......harden the f**k up . Ciao

Of course the problem with all of these solid ( non clear) tank grips and scratch pads is that the paint fades around them and when replacement time comes you need an identical one in the exact same position to replace it. I amazes me that people fit solid or carbon or carbon look pads to stop the scratches and trade that for a fade outline. Go the clear option. Ciao

The Ram clutch kits are the same for the non flywheel sensor 5 and 6 speed bikes with the exception of the actual gearbox drive spline assy and the clutch push rod. You can even use the flywheel sensor Ram flywheel and clutch in the non flywheel sensor bikes if you like. The later Ram units with the 1mm thicker clutch plate may well need a longer push rod, possible the one from the 5 speeder. Either way its not a big deal. Ciao

Imagine what England will be like when the Scots cut you loose. Never mind Boris has all the answers for you. Ciao

Nice one. Ciao

I thought the linked brakes had been assigned to the scrap bin years ago. I need to get out more. Ciao

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about I'm afraid. Ciao

The other point I forgot to mention with regard to linked brakes was that at the time I think the manufacturers were also responding to the fact that a lot of riders under used the front brake due to inexperience or poor technique or learning to drive a car then converting to a bike and it was seen as a safety related move. If their primary response was the rear brake then we will ensure they get at least some front to stop the thing. I think riding skills are generally better these days and a lot of those linked systems were mechanically complicated, plus anti skid systems make them redundant now anyway. Ciao

Neither the original K100 (of which I've owned 2) or the V11 Sport have linked brakes. Naturally the the rear braking is more effective on the Eldo and Cali as they are both effectively cruisers ( in modern terms for the sake of the argument) and carry their C of G much lower and further rearward than a sports bike. As I pointed out earlier with these type of bikes the rear brake is a genuine aid to stopping as they transfer much less weight to the front wheel under heavy braking. For this reason they will also generally skid the front tire in a panic brake scenario even on grippy tarmac without any steering or lean inputs. On the other hand a modern sports bike under the same conditions the front wheel will simply stop dead and it will throw you over the bars. It wont skid or slide under extreme braking because the higher C of G is the limiting factor not the ultimate grip from the front tire. So push it to the max and the front wheel will simply stop dead, rotate around the front contact patch and you're on your way to a painful encounter. Don't think this is only at low speed either its the same deal at very fast speeds also as many track accidents have shown using road legal and slick tires. In my view linked brakes were a "fashion trend" with theoretical advantages that weren't born out in practice, like forks with anti dive. They were actually counter productive to braking because they reduced the transfer of weight to the front wheel and reduced fork dive which actually helped stop the rear wheel from leaving the ground due to lowered C of G. Lasted a couple of years on the track and riders realised it was useless. That's why I mentioned earlier that if your wearing out rear pads on your V11 and the braking system is in good shape then you have a riding style issue you need to address because you are either unconsciously dragging the rear brake or over using it. Ciao

How does "chatter" relate to an engine issue? The term "chatter" in the motorcycle world relates to suspension related performance issues, generally more on race bikes. Ciao

Here's the wildguzzi link. If I could re post it here I would, probably should have in the first place but I had a brain explosion. If you're going to do nothing else do the shift lever arm lengthening mod. Its easy and very effective. http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=80481.msg1275500#msg1275500

If you follow my gearbox selector rework you wont have anymore issues with non returning gear lever or the "tap on the toe" issue. It was posted a while back on wildguzzi and I posted the link here. Ciao

Here's a picture of the rear brake setup on my old 888 Corse. The disk and caliper carrier were machined up by me and its effectiveness was minimal, just how I like it. Look at any newish superbike/sportsbike rear brake setup and you will see the priority they put on rear brake power and stopping ability. The question to ask yourself is why....the answer is that they don't really expect you to use it for stopping which leads to the obvious question for those riding sporting motorcycles and wearing out/overheating their rear brakes...does my riding style need reviewing? Current V11 setup Ciao

You know in 45 years of continuous riding and bike ownership, sports riding, track riding,dirt riding and literally dozens of bikes from BMW K100's to RC30 Hondas and the present fleet of 1198 Ducati,V11, GSXR1000 track bike, SS Ducati etc I have never replaced a set of rear brake pads due to wear.The only time I have had to deal with overheating rear brakes was with racers due to unconscious dragging of the brake (they all swear on a stack of bibles they don't do it but that was always the reason) The only use I have for a rear brake is to hold the bike on a slope at the lights and tighten the line if I'm running a little wide in a turn and don't really want to get fully off the throttle. Don't ever recall using one on any of my sports/sports touring bikes for actually stopping or slowing. If you were talking cruisers then I might see the reason but on a sports bike...sorry I cant see the need. BTW 1800' in 4 miles is not a huge gradient 8.5% average or so. About what it takes to get the attention of a serious cyclist. My regular ride used to be 2230' in 7.75 miles or 5.4% and I never even considered brake fade as likely, that's without using the rear. Ciao

If you're boiling the rear brake fluid on your V11 then you have either an issue with the rear brake system maintenance wise or your riding style. The std rear setup is entirely adequate. Ciao

At that mileage you need to pull the front engine cover off and check the oil pump drive input shaft for wear. When worn they take out the aluminum drive gear and all hell breaks loose. Also check the aluminum cam drive gear for wear while you're in there. I suggest you fit a replacement pump from a V11 or the German made aftermarket one I have with a needle bearing on the pump input shaft. I love the Daytona/Centauro engine and have one on the bench rebuilding it for fitment to my V11, but they are a bit prone to wear in the previously mentioned areas as well as cam followers and valve guides. Ciao

An admission here, somewhat embarrassing but there you go. I recently replaced both rear wheel bearings on my V11. The disk side one was totally shagged to the point that it would not have survived another 100klm ride I don't think. I had been having an unusual clattering feel through the l/h foot peg for about 2000klms only on a floating throttle, on the gas and off the gas was ok. First thing I suspected was a wheel bearing so grabbed the wheel and gave it a good push pull laterally and no issues. To cut a long story short it can take more than this to get the movement in the bearing that shows its worn. Try a lever between the top of the wheel and swing arm and look for movement at the rim. The other interesting symptoms I had for worn front wheel bearings on my ST2 was variable front brake lever travel. Pull up to a stop in a straight line and the lever travel was back to normal ride around a few corners and it was long lever travel again. Reason being that cornering with worn bearings allows the wheel to move around and the disks push the pads back into the calipers, next stop a long lever. After the stop the pistons push back out again and the lever feels fine for a few klms and the repeat happens. The front bearings were shagged. Ciao

Yep, that's pretty much it. Hasn't done many miles. Just tow the bikes around with it and Sunday drivesCiao

5.7 Litre Chev, 6 speed owned since new still love it.

It doesn't necessarily mean the odysseys, caused the failures I know, but the fact that Ducati Energia won't guarantee the VR if it is used with an Odyssey does concern me. On the basis of what I've gleaned so far I'm going to replace my battery with something else (probably Yuasa, as this is what Guzzi now specify for the V11) asap - VRs cost more than batteries. Here in Australia the battery costs more than the regulator! Ciao

My bike a little while back was eating Odyssey batteries which I initially put down to a faulty std reg overcharging. After research here and advice from Roy I traced it to the headlight wiring voltage drop issue and wired the headlights direct to the battery via relays and the Reg output voltage went back to the 14.2 volt range. I had already purchased an Electrosport reg ( plug and play version) which I never bothered using as I had solved the issue so cant comment on its performance. Doesn't hurt to carry a spare as it will fit the ST2 as well I think from memory. Ciao

Yes Roy headlight pin 30 has power with the ignition off. Ciao

This I believe is just a small manufacturer covering their arses. AGM and LI batteries are very sensitive to overcharging and they don't want the hassle of warranty claims for bikes with dodgy wiring designs like the Guzzi has or finicky LI batteries that require very tight charging current control. You are far better to under charge an LI battery than leave it on the charger after it has reached %100 charge. Old wet cell lead acid batteries are a lot more tolerant to overcharging. Ciao