LowRyter

I don't carry big cameras to concerts. I like to watch the show and not lug around a big camera. Also don't want to bother other concertgoers. But, I have a Lumix ZS100. It's a little bigger than a cigarette pack. With that little one inch sensor, the reach is full frame equivalent of 250mm. It's got 20 odd megapixels but is a little hit and miss in the results. It works OK in automode, not so much in the others (although I found some tweak settings on forum that helps). The key is to have a ready exposure compensation control which I've programmed to the lens ring. It's usually best to under expose those shots because the background is dark and subject is brightly lit, sometimes in the spot light. Not only so you get the right exposure, it also shortens the shutter speed and reduces blur. You're Fuji is a fixed lens APS-C? Much bigger sensor for higher quality photos suited for more close up and portrait stuff. It might be a challenge unless you have great seats. The little Lumix is a good travel camera that I took for a month long trip to Europe. OK, I'll look for any excuse to post photos and talk photography

I'm quite embarrassed to ask and to explain the circumstances for this inquiry but here goes. I had my Ducati on the rearstand and tried to push it a foot or so to get the stand off the cellar doors built in my garage floor. Well, the sidestand folded, the bike fell over, chaos ensued. Luckily (or not) the rear stand protected all the under bits and the only obvious damage was a severely bent clutch lever and functionally, the clutch safety microswitch. I was able to pick up a new lever from the dealer but the microswitch is being ordered (too bad there's no Harper's Ducati). Anyway, here's the rub. The dang switch doesn't have connect to the microswitch, it's hard wired in one piece with the connector at the end of the pigtail, where it connects buried somewhere into the bike. On my Ducati board, I was informed that the connection is under the headlight and requires removing the mirrors, windshield brackets and front cowl body work to gain access. My idea is just to cut the wires and splice them together from the new microswitch to the existing wiring. I'd guess these are two 20-22 gauge wires connecting the switch. Would it be best to splice them with crimps and sleeves or install snap automotive connectors to both sides? Or don't do either and spend hours taking the front of the bike apart and hope I don't ham-handedly break something else? Obviously I need to make sure the connection is durable and weather proof. The whole idea that Ducati would make a one piece switch and pigtail is so infuriating to me that my language would likely make Lucky Phil blush and Pete Roper join the clergy! I'm glad I got all of this out of my system.

roll another one, don't bogart that.....

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Phil, I knew you were a kind soul. (but I had to read between the lines to think that)

You're right about the camera. COTA has restrictions too. Luckily my Tamron 70-300 (450 APS-c equiv), sneaks through when it folds down. I suppose they think it's a portrait or short focal lens? OTOH, the best vantage is the south bridge where the goons will run you out on Friday morning. So I got about 5 minutes for the entire weekend to get my photos. I have to confess, I really don't like the management team at COTA.

Phil needs an electric bike. But by all means, keep laying into Pete. He can take it.

It's not the ticket prices, it's the rip off when you're there. No food or drink allowed, no general seating on practice days, etc. I'm used to Indy and road courses where you bring a picnic and cooler or even camp on the grounds. Sorry but COTA sucks. The track and racing is great and almost worth it. When they take a 5 year old's PBJ when daddy took him from California to get there, well screw 'em. So far as Austin, it's not the same since they closed the Armadillo. I think I already posted that.

My sister bought the Stones' DFW tix, she's inline to go, provided they don't want the paper, 'cause she ain't been vax'd and her daughter got it and her granddaughter got it bad with the delta. So there's that. I've seen the Stones on 3 occasions, the last one in a 10k arena..."Moonlight Mile". You know that COTA got $25M a year from the State for many years? (Enough to cover the F-1 fee, true) I'll admit that some Lockhart BEEF DINO RIBS might get me there but likely on my way to Port A and the beach. I just can't get brave enough to go in crowds. Mentioning bands, I'd like to go to the Dead & Co at DFW and those guys will see your papers. Still not sure I'll make it.

Paul, I think; therefore, I am. No way, I'd front those jackals at COTA a freaking dime. If I decide to go, I'll pay when I get there. Don't tell me you gave those guys your money already- other than your Texas tax dollars.

Best to you and your neighbors. It looks like the storm might cause some flooding.

Makes me wonder if they'll cancel the MotoGP race in Austin? My attendance probability has gone down to fractions. Probably not going to Dusty's campout in Kansas next week. The last campout there was in early May and it seemed so much more safer then.

I guess that settles it.

On Wild there was a lot of histrionics and folks getting the vapors over the pressed cranks on the new Guzzi small blocks. I wasn't aware of the timing layout. Apparently, the crank layout is typical of Aprilia architecture. I always thought built cranks were the exotic stuff of Porsches and Harleys XR. Apparently not. Little do I know.

There's another photo on Wild. It does look like bastard child of a Guzzi and Honda. I hope I'm wrong about that.

Pete, I don't know about rear suspension but my '98 EV works fine in the corners. Maybe it's because of the relative (low) power of the engine, the length or stiffness of the drive shaft, but it handles pretty well.

My Bandit and Sport weigh about the same. The Bandit has about 25 more horsepower but does not handle as sure as the Guzzi. The Guzzi has a shorter power range and tops out 7k vs 10k rpm. And of course 170 vs 180 rear tire. IIRC the Michelin front didn't last that long either (or perhaps I never installed a Michelin front?). Anyway, the Dunlops costs less, handle as good or better and last at least as long. In fact I have a half used Dunlop in my garage taken on because I was traveling and didn't want to get caught out, I still haven't put it on as the replacement Dunlop is still going. I put the same tires on my Ducati because I was tired of replacing Pirellis$$$ and they seem the handle as well too.

The photo doesn't seem to match the beauty of any of the spineframe bikes. Hopefully, we'll be pleasantly surprised when the bike is revealed. For me it's late to the party since I purchased my Ducati. But I hope to get a test ride.

My point is that my Sport ate up Michelins nearly twice as fast as my Bandit. That really seems odd but the Guzzi has 170 rear vs 180 but it's still hard to explain. Given that, I see no reason to pay a fortune for Michelins when I can pay 2/3 a fortune for Dunlops. I think the Dunlop might handle a little better and are quicker to warm up. They grip well enough that I put them on my Ducati was well.

Reading this thread, it looks like the V11 just eats up tires.

As I said, my Greenie just ate up Pilot Roads. No way I'll spend that much again. The Dunlops cost much less, last longer and handle better IMO.

regarding Charlie Watts

I have '17 SS 939, it came with Pirelli Diablo Rosso III. The original tires lasted about 1000 miles more than the non-Ducati branded Rosso III. They handled very nicely but the replacements didn't last as long (4500 vs 3500 miles rear). Getting the Ducati branded tires are only a few dollars more but need to be special ordered. I finally went to Dunlop RS III/IV which handle as well and are much cheaper. I have been running RS's on my V11 for several years prior. BTW- the Owner's Manual calls for 36/36 lb air pressure. This is the only bike that I know that carried the same pressure front and rear. I guess we're on two boards, this and the 939SS board.

I prefer the 170 Dunlop Roadsmarts. They cost less than Pirellis, last longer and grip equally well. I even run them on my Ducati 939 Supersport. My V11 Sport just ate up a 170 size Michelin Pilot Road. After that, no way I'll spend for a Pirelli or Michelin. My Ducati had Diablo Rosso III, they were great but didn't last. Dunlops are great, last longer and cheaper <Guzzi content>.

I've never heard anything good about RTV or gasket sealer regarding Guzzi pan gaskets. The lore is to only use grease to paste the gasket in place. jus' sayin'