LowRyter

.....a variation of the musical relay game. Next time remember to dance around the bike rattling chicken bones. Good MoJo.

Yeah, that was my thinking, someone needs a freaking tire and no help. Admittedly, I sort of anticipated the whole deal. I wanted to use the tire up on this trip. But I was considering staying another day or two when one the riders told me about the Honda shop in the next town. I was just going to ride over there but he told me I should to call the Honda shop first. After that I called the other two places. Perhaps if I'd have shown up, they'd made an exception?

That's my point. Now I was in rural Ark, Russellville had a Honda and Suzuki shop. Neither would touch my bike for tire change. All they needed to do was put it on shop stand. I had the "special" socket. The Honda dealer would only work on Hondas. The Suzuki dealer said they don't work on Ducatis. I found a shop in the hills that would do it but he didn't have a tire (the most common 180/55 size). Now I didn't go to Fayetteville where I likely would've had better luck. My only point, is that traveling by bike, especially something unusual, like a Guzzi, a rider might not get the service expected or needed in an emergency. The shops are busy and don't need any new business. Now I had enough tire to get home and then some, if I'd had a severely worn tire, don't know. I've been on several trips where someone's tires were down to the cords (mine on several occasions).

My old Slime air pump gave up the ghost. The new one I purchased has a clamp on chuck, rather than the screw on type.

Docc, the V11 looks better, sounds better and won't melt you in traffic. The V11 has great HB Jr bags that are more secure than the factory Ducati semi-rigid saddlebags and I've broken fastening bolts on the Duc (Givi) mounting rack. Otherwise the Duc is 100lbs lighter, 50% more power, more comfortable ergonomics, better seat, handles, feels and brakes on a dime, much more agile and stable on the road, gets better fuel mileage, easier but not perfect shifting, slightly better wind protection, seamless electronics, ABS and multiuse gauges. OTOH, no way I'd do a valve adjustment on the Duc and the rear cylinder/catalytic converter puts out heat when you're not moving. Changing the rear tire, adjusting chain, and changing oil is a snap with the right tools, so routine maintenance is easier but those tools aren't portable on the bike. The Duc is sweet riding but it doesn't have superbike power as it might look; 20 more horses would be nice provided there weren't wider tires and heavier or stiffer ride. The Duc engine is 11 degree testastretta, meaning that is mild tune with 11 degrees of valve timing overlap. The engine is torque-y, picks up at 3k, hits stride at 6k and peak power at 9k and levels thereafter, redlines at 10k. The bike is slightly over geared given the close ratio transmission, so shedding a tooth on the front sprocket wakes the bike up for the lower gears. Roll-on is strong with seldom a downshift needed on the highway. The mirrors are buzzy and not real wide, since they're also turnsignals, not any simple change out; I've had good success with some vibration material and made the mirrors serviceable if not great. The Duc has been stone reliable. Driven hard it can use a quart top off in about 3500-5k miles; that might be concerning since the oil change interval is 9k miles and checking the site glass (for me) is a two person job (or mount it on the rear stand). Finally, the Pirelli Rosso iii/iv tires can wear pretty fast, I've changed over to Dunlop Roadsmarts, same as the V11. I guess that's 19k miles in a nutshell.

GMC, just the cost of doing a ride. I will say that I knew my rear tire was due when I took off on the trip. deleted

It's the best bike I've ever owned or ridden. It's the most comfortable bike I own. Handling, braking, light feel, styling are superb. It has everything except outright speed (with "only" 113 HP) and electric cruise. It even has factory saddlebags. I smoked the rest of the riders through the twisty roads and switchbacks, although I was smoked by the GSXR on very fast Push Mtn. I just didnt want to go that fast and I head already gone 150+ miles on tight twisties whereas the GSXR guy took the interstate and was chomping at the bit. I did 700 miles in two days going to and in the Ark Ozarks, only 20 miles were interstate (which was going out my way to find my way out of the dry county but still failed ). Just completed 18k desmo service. Offending nut is visible here.

arya serious? Y'knaw, I wazn't.

I guess I should've mentioned that I was riding my Ducati 939 SS. It has a single sided swingarm and racecar-like nut on the rear wheel. I brought the dual sided socket but no one would entertain replacing a pretty standard 180/55 rear tire. Anyway, just a note about riding an oddball bike on the road.

Heck, when I was in Ark a few weeks ago, I called several shops there for a new rear tire. I even had the special socket to change it. No one would touch it. In fact, the Honda shop said they only work on Hondas. I'm sure some if it has to do with Covid, many shops are busy and over worked that they can send business away now. Not a huge deal really. I was planning to ride home anyway. But it was a concern for a little safety for the ride home or the option to stay another day. That might be food for thought for any Guzzi cross country travelers that might not even get a worn tire replaced on the road. Crazy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/arts/music/byron-berline-dead.htmlLocal Blue Grass and three Time National Champion Fiddler Byron Berline passed away. He owned the Double Stop Fiddle Shop in Guthrie OK and hosted a Blue Grass Fest here in the Fall. Double Stop was his technique playing two strings at a time. One of his most famous tunes was playing with the Stone's on "Country Honk" an album version of "Honkytonk Women". He was also a member of the Flying Burrito Bros. I was fortunate to see him perform "Honkytonk Women" at the Guthrie Fest. He said that was the first time he played it in a show. The article mentions that he sang chorus on Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and performed much on the "Billy the Kid" soundtrack

I didn't know they sold relays by the pound. I'll take the well marbled ribeye , take the cannoli and leave the relay.

I saw about 20 seconds. Clean your headers with a toothbrush? It's still stainless? Right? Man, I'm 67 years old. My time ain't his time.

Dang, that Roper can put into words what I can barely conceptualize. Nailed it.

You might get it repaired. It is rebuildable. At least the one on my '01 model was.

Best to you Bob.

Just curious about blistered paint. Is it possible to do a reasonably good job of repainting the engine without disassembling the bike? For example, when I thoroughly repainted my house (close to 20yeas ago), I rented a high pressure sprayer with chemicals to treat and remove peeling paint and then painted with high quality paint. It's held up with minor touch ups. Could a chemical treatment with careful masking accomplish the same?

Yes, get the same 5 prong relays replacement for all of them. Swapping relays is an essential practice and long standing pastime and hobby in the Guzzi world. BTW- I'd wager that some of the other dash functions weren't working but I can't think off the top of my head what other functions that relay controls.

My Guzzi makes 77 hp at the rear wheel. It's an 1100, not a 900 Sportster. But it doesn't have new cams, intake, exhaust & valves jobs. Buell was able to get those engines to go.

that's why this pushrod revs

funny, I just did a google today MOPAR (gen 1 & 2, not the new ones) 55 degree valve angle and Guzzi 56 degrees. well said

The Veglia on my EV has the counter weight come loose. I was able to take it apart and glue it back on, it's worked ever since. If it rattles, you'll know that's the issue. Not an easy job getting that bezel off and back on. Otherwise, send it to Joel.

Harleys rev to 5k and Guzzis go to 7k+. Wanna make a 500cc engine make power like 1000cc? Double the revs. Looks at those F1 motors in the '90s that revved to 18k.

I mostly agree. I did some research checking Motul 5100, 7100 and 300 motorcycle brands. The 5100 is a synth blend, 7100 is full synth, and the 300 is racing synth. The first two can be combined with any weight and any type of synth or dino oil. But the 300 is not recommended to mix with other types and weights. Good info to know if you are traveling and need a top up and know that 15-50 or 10-60 isn't available. Some guys want "racing" oil but it may not be a good option.

My EV's front inside pads wear out before the outside pads. Always have. Bike stops well.