guzzler

It's supposed to be Summer mate but no sign of it yet.. Except for that wee glimpse of it. I don't wanna know about 24 deg F brrrrr

No pictures but a couple of funny town names... Well finally a free weekend and what to do? The green one was sitting forlornly in the carport and the weather was screaming ...Get out there! It's officially Summer but Winters not letting go with week after week of RAIN WIND RAIN and temps of 5 to 17 degrees with the odd good day during the week whilst we're at work of course! But, here we have an Oasis of Summer in a weekend with no chores no where to be and no one to see! A quick call to Dave and he's up for it. So, 9.30am Sunday morning we're togged up and heading for the servo in Warragul to gas up. Bloody hell there's another Green V11 Sport at the pumps. I nearly fall off the damn thing when I see it. A laugh / chat with the owner about common as muck these things/yeah one on every other street corner and we're gassed up and ready to go. Dave's on about heading for the hills but the forecast is for a slight chance of rain about the ranges now with a storm front coming through mid- afternoon and the radar confirms it, so I suggest we head for the coast. Off we drone down the highway to Trafalgar and turn right up into the Strzelecki ranges (no rain about these ones, but don't mention the R word just in case). Once you climb up straight away it's a great twisty rollercoaster of a ride along the top to Thorpdale (Victorias spud capital) and then right to Mirboo Nth. Great wee bakery here so we stop for a pie and water as it's starting to get warm at 10.30. We sit and catch up for a while as it's been a while since we caught up! We then decide to take the back roads down to Meeniyan whereupon we wrong turn and end up in Fish Creek. When we stop I assume Dave wanted to stop for lunch at the Art Deco pub which has great food but no he's on about stopping at the Poowong* pub and mucked up the directions ha ha. * ( I've been meaning to stop in there for years ). So we backtrack to Wonthaggi. It being a great weekend for a change, there's heaps of traffic heading for the Prom (Wilsons Prom = Tramping mecca on Melb's door- step) so good to be heading in the opposite direction. Jeez it's getting warm now, feels like mid 30's or more. Really noticed it sitting at a couple of traffic lights in Wonthaggi! A few minutes later and we're back on open road again but hit more of Chairman Dan's ubiquitous road works! God knows we NEED THEM but do we have to DO THEM ALL AT ONCE so you cannot move ANYWHERE in Victoria without encountering them. It's particularly galling to have to crawl through k after k of 40 kph limit when THERE'S NO ONE WORKING - Arghhhh end of rant! As if in punishment for the criticism it would appear that the great ( ??- cough cough ) Omnipotent socialist dictator directed one of his bugs of monumental proportions into my briefly opened visor (for some air) and straight onto the left lens of my glasses rendering my left eye almost useless! Bugger (literally)! I try to flag down Dave to explain I need to stop and clean my glasses but by this stage he's turned right and heading back up into the ranges and starting to disappear... I should've just stopped and cleaned them but then thought he'd panic and think I'd binned it so pressed on with one and a poofteenth eyes! Of course, it's a tight twisty road in typically crap condition and WINDY as hell up here on the exposed ridgelines.. made all the more fun with said one and a poofteenth eyes! It would be fun with both eyes though! Despite all this I only cocked up two very tight switchbacks when my glasses slid down a bit due to sweat and had to wobble round till I could open the visor and push them back up again! Now which way did he go? Doubt he'd go through Kongwak but then again wouldn't be the first time he's taken a roundabout way but guessed he'd head straight on to Krowera and guessed left again to Loch rather than right to Bena. As it turns out I guessed right (well left actually ha ha ) and there he is at the servo in Loch. I pull up and mention I can't see too well and need to stop and clean my glasses as can't see outa my left eye! He doesn't understand (well an idling Guzzi and Mv both with aftermarket exhaust systems and old fart ears so hardly surprising I suppose) and heads off again! Oh dear, another tight twisty goat track but 5 minutes later we're in the main street of the bustling metropolis of Poowong and the OASIS that is the Poowong Hotel. We walk into a bloody beautiful air-conditioned public bar bubbling away with locals and folk's from the car and hot rod show and shine in our home- town of Drouin stopping off just like us on their way back to their home- town of Wonthaggi. Ha ha as we walked in,their first words were jeez you boys look HOT..this coming from a particularly good looking blonde lady of somewhat lesser vintage than ourselves BUT and I mean BUT she was referring to our ( mostly mine) hot and bothered disheveled appearance.... What a great atmosphere and after a couple of cold drinks (lemonade for me) and a really enjoyable Bruschetta it's back out to the heat and the bikes for the 40 or so kays ride home. Having THROUGHLY CLEANED my glasses the ride from Poowong to home was a Fookin RIPPER...... Home about 3 ish and peeled the leathers off, into the togs (swimming togs this time) and straight into the pool. I'm sure there was steam as I jumped in.... Glass or three of rose at wine o clock finished off a neat wee day out.... Till next time cheers Guzzler

Thanks again mate. I just went out and checked mine... I have 100mm or just over it (wasn't too pedantic about it) with the bike on the side stand so looks like spring rate is correct as I suspected after having the forks upgraded. Cheers Guzzler

Ha ha Mate I've had some work done on the bike and sorted the suspension so she's all ready to go if it ever stops bloody raining down here....! I can't wait to do a few more but will have to wait till after Xmas.Crazy time of the year with weather to match. Actually, some of the high- country roads are washed out and won't be re-opened for some time but like last time we'll figure out a way round it and I'll report in due course! Cheers Guzzler

Yes mate, bloody brilliant resource this place..... Ha ha, I hear you about never completely trusting the front eh but do persist and get it sorted as it does make a BIG difference when you do! Cheers Guzzler

G'day again folk's Well managed to get out for a wee 250 k jaunt Sunday to try latest settings.... I'm quite happy ( bloody rapt actually!) with the Comp on + 2 and rebound on + 4 so think I'll leave it there for the time being. It seems to be a good compromise for our goat tracks! Couldn't agree more about getting spring rate right and now I understand what all those road tests were on about under sprung and overdamped ha ha. My set up now is .95kg straight rate springs ( I'm a kick in the pants off 90 kilos ) and forks as above with them up through the triples by 8mm and a Hyperpro 460 emulsion shock at the rear with a Hyperpro steering damper set at +4 . One particular corner stands out that rams home the difference before /after suspension work. It was a tightish but sweeping downhill right hander taken at 110 kays, road was wet and had a trace of mud / muck on it that was unavoidable. The feel from the front was brilliant and I knew exactly what was going on all the way through it. The old set up was vague through here even in the dry! Thanks again folk's. Ps funny thing happened at the servo filling up before setting out. I pull in and lo and behold there's another Green V11 Sport at the pumps! I nearly fell off the bloody thing in shock and matey was just as stunned! Ha ha we had a laugh about you don't see two of these in the same spot.... Actually you just don't see two of these full stop ha ha ! Geez these things sound good eh! Guzzler

G'day folk's Just a wee update. I've figured out that when the forks were re-installed on the bike, Peter ( the suspension guru ) had set them in the middle of the adjustment range, not for any particular reason but mid-way and for me to adjust as I see fit! So, to that end I've been fiddling around and working things out... Although even with the damping set in the middle it's better than it was but I'm beginning to find that on anything less than a billiard table racetrack LESS Damping is better! I was able to get out for a 300k ride last weekend with Comp on +4 clicks and Rebound on +6 .This is better again on the goat tracks we call roads down here but feel like it could be tweaked a bit more.I've now got them set at Comp +2 / Reb +4 in readiness for another wee jaunt tomorrow to see how that goes! I reckon I may end up with this setting? Gotta say though, what an improvement over the way she was.... GuzziMoto, many thanks mate not only for identifying the issue in the first place finding the solution then when done guiding this clown through setting the forks up... I'm very close to getting her set-up just so...Chuffed. Cheers Guzzler

G'day mate It's the Compression or left side one that needs it... Cheers Guzzler

Many thanks Doc and GuzziMoto. I reckon I'm getting my head round it slowly ha ha and will definitely read that link more intently mate! Cheers Guzzler

Thanks fella's It's kinda hard to know which way is up as no bloody markings on the screws or whatever so no indication other than looking at the screw being above or below the nut! On my compression side the screw is @ 8 clicks or halfway (of16) and screw is about flush with the top... The Rebound is 12 clicks (of 18) from full in and just below the nut. So, I'm assuming Comp is middle of the road and Rebound is approx 3 x clicks from middle of the road.. But the gist of it is screw wound in (below /the nut) is + and more damping whilst screw wound out (above the nut) is - and less damping ? Really appreciate your input! As I mentioned though this is how they came back to me and the difference between old and new is quite incredible, much more FEEL from the front very little dive either and just bloody composed! I think Peter has also backed off the preload of the shock when he serviced it as well and front and back feel more in tune with each other now. As it was the Hyperpro 460 shock had a lot of preload and back end probably too Hard whilst the progressive springs and no compression damping in front meant it was too soft! Add in the fact that the suspension was 45,000 kays old and overdue a service... It's no wonder it feels BETTER ha ha, but it is seriously good now! Rapt Cheers Guzzler

G'day folk's I've just had the greenies forks serviced with those pesky bypass holes blocked/ revalved and resprung with .95 straight rate springs.I weigh 90 kg's. Gotta say, it's a bloody huge improvement over the way it was and I'm quite chuffed. However, as the forks and shock had to be removed to be sent to the suspension specialist then re-installed, I'm just trying to figure out the settings and get a base if I want to adjust further! It's bloody confusing (why ??) but from what I can fathom Compression has 16 clicks of adjustment and Rebound has 18 clicks. As they are set now compression is 8 x clicks out from full in ( midway? ) and Rebound is 12 clicks out from full in. ( bit more than halfway?) This is as they came back to me. My question is when the screw is full in, is this negative (or soft/less damping) and screw wound full out positive (or harder/more damping)? I never touched the suspension from when I last had it done. I have to say that this new bloke has done a far better job.... Cheers Guzzler

Very nice... Love the pipes! Cheers Guzzler

Ha ha If I ever get to the States.... I'd like to put Oz on that map with the comment about how far did you travel for Kentucky's best bbq!! Cheers Guzzler Ps might just start fasting Thursday so's to REALLY enjoy Friday lunch

Sounds bloody good.... We're off to Yackandanda next Friday for a long weekend to celebrate our Wedding anniversary. The main pub in town has a smoker and does American style bbq!!! I've wanted to try this for YEARS so I'm gunna be the first in line.... Cheers Guzzler starting to salivate already

My mate had a GT 1275 Mini back when we were kids... Like a go Kart with a 1300 cc motor, what a hoot !! Cheers Guzzler

Couldn't agree more mate.....! Ha ha I have an ANCIENT mobile phone and it's hardly ever used much to the er amusement of friends and family. I only carry it on the bike for an emergency and to let the wife know I'm ok when out and about on it. Cheers Guzzler Ps I also love looking at maps re-living past trips and planning new ones, ha ha definitely an Analogue bloke in a Digital world

G'day from down here.... Hope you're holding up in the heatwave? Cheers Guzzler

G'day mate The Welsh are renowned for their ... Singing in the Valleys. Kinda hard to imagine they don't lubricate their tonsils with an ale or 3 before during and more than likely afterwards.... Cheers Guzzler

Ha ha reckon we'll be hearing from the Valley's about this shortly... Cheers Guzzler

Ha ha I should have known they'd become a big deal in my life when as a kid I'd pedal like buggery on my treadlie ( bicycle ) then stop and enjoy the sensation of speed with no effort ( for a brief moment )! It was a long wait till age 17 and my first motorcycle..... Jeez was it that long ago? Cheers Guzzler Ps wow I'd have loved a bike at 13 mate, my folks were not all that chuffed with the idea of them but thankfully didn't stand in the way of me getting one when I could afford it.

G'day folk's Fiscally I'll never be a wealthy man... Comfortable - oh yeah! But.... Thanks to motorcycling and the memories, plus the ones to come.... I am and will be wealthy beyond any measure! Cheers Ps such is the overwhelming passion we feel the need to share it amongst ourselves.....for no one else understands!! Ride /live/love and be happy Cheers Guzzler Pps maybe I shouldn't post after 4 x glasses of shiraz...

Feel like I should pop down to The Pig and Whistle over here in Rosebud for a pint of Theakstons Old Peculiar.... Cheers Guzzler Ps they do a mean Bangers and Mash too....

Wow Great effort mate! Seems like opposite ends of the weather spectrum on our recent excursions.... I froze and you boiled! We do get temps in the 40's here too but I don't ride in them anymore... Hat's off to you mate Cheers Guzzler Ps I've been stung a few times and always wear a neck sock! It not only keeps you warm but it stops the buggers stinging your neck or getting into your jacket from the collar! In that heat though.....

Phew, finally got it..... #1 Dave sorting electrical connection for his heated gear in Yea #2 Parked up in Yea - in search of warmth and coffee #3 and #4 The cafe in Whitfield #5 looking up the street in Yackandandah - Dave sorting ear plugs #6 looking down the street in Yackandandah after brekky on Monday Bloody hell is it wine o clock yet....? Think I need one after that! Cheers Guzzler