footgoose

I had a look for your original thread on the idea and mfg of the very first one Phil. Would have posted the link if I'd found it, to show the thought process behind it as well as a guide for those who missed out on one this time and may want to make their own. Thanks for coming up with the idea and sharing.

This could be a "Ted Talk" at the 16th Southern Spine Raid on tech (bourbon) night?

Great synopsis Docc, and good points. My personal experience with a suspension swap shows Ohlins is clearly better "off the shelf" than the stock unit. Regarding Guzzi spec Ohlins, ...idk for sure but when my '03 Ohlins were rebuilt at Ducati Indy by Matt Carr, a Duc and Ohlins certified tech, he said he could tell no differences, when asked directly, and that they took standard Ohlins service parts. I don't know why they would build a cheaper/lower quality piece for MG, but it's possible. I do know that '02 Guzzi spec Ohlins differ from '03 and up.

that oem blunderbuss exhaust is probably 6 or 8kg. swap it out and yer laughin'. a bit longer in wheel base than a v11, and I'll bet it's a smooth sweeper gobbler.

^^^ you should see my attempt at rewire 'to tidy up' my XS650. My basis was remove everything but on, start/run, lights. No knowledge or experience. Somehow the start button still cranks the starter while switched off. I feel lucky and will be leaving that oddity as is. I could do with a lesson or 3 in basic circuitry.

now that is a nice upgrade.

I am soooo tempted

love it G. once again... less is more.

I am a religious changer of all hydraulic fluids. Every 2 years minimum. My first newish BMW got the factory annual treatment for awhile, per service spec, and that's what got me started. That and my vintage bike obsession. With most of the old bikes I acquired, it was apparently a 'thing' to never ever ever ever ever change it. After 20+ years it (and accumulating moisture) turns into something I call mashed potatoes( in the slave). Not pretty. Not safe. I do it the old way... pump - squirt. Some contortion involved, but it gets done. Everything works better with new fluid. Makes me feel better too.

we could do with a battery "health" app like our phones have.

Room booked. Yamaha Bill will return as well!

just a little note here.... the XS will perform better with the earlier 38mm carbs. The ones from the '75 model are set up the best imo

that's hilarious! and Gone With the Wind at the end .... perfect!

BTDT... people... listen to the Doctor

The MJ is a metal jacket around the same battery. It will fit but requires the battery tray/cage to be lowered a bit. The metal is not necessary, just a beefy exoskeleton.

another "playing for change song" --- and one of the very best songs

WoW, beautiful bike. Welcome aboard. And welcome back.

I can not say enough good things about my Aerostitch Roadcrafter 2 piece (zips together as one) The only negative is it's too bulky to remove while riding, and store it on the bike... but you don't need to. First, it's a long ride (weekend) touring kit. Day rides for me take a Vanson leather and a rain shell packed, if required. Under the Stitch is whatever keeps you warm when it's cold. When it's warm weather I wear easy pull on shorts and an Under Armor tee. Good sox and boots. Vents zipped open and you're laughing. You kinda have to see the procedure to get how easy it is when you stop 'for lunch'. Unzip the jacket, unzip the pants - all the way down to the boot, zip down the other leg and step out. 30 seconds. Back on is about a minute and a half. I carry appropriate emergency layers. Easy to keep warm enough. Never been too hot, but for a few times doing the stoplight thing in a Tennessee tourist town on a very hot mid day misfortune. (keep moving=keep cool) Note: it's NOT black. Water resistance.... I got my suit 15 years ago used, on ebay for $400. Barely used and made in 1999. It has never been back to the factory for cleaning and re-waterproofing (a service they provide) and I'm not sure it needs it even now. Three years ago I rode 350 miles in mostly rain, much of it quite heavy. Such a downpour at times I thought the Guzzi might stagger for lack of oxygen, but she didn't (snorkels!?). I got a small amount of water in the crotch, and a bit down the neck, front and back side. Frankly, I was amazed at the protection. If I'd duck taped my neck to the jacket I would have been spared the upper leaks. The pant leakage was due, I think to the massive amount of water I was sitting in. My Alpinestar waterproof boots and gloves were overcome by the onslaught. Boots got a C- , gloves got an FF. I sold all my other crap and will stick with 'Stitch and Vanson. Oh yes... I had a fall-and-slide past autumn. Only had on the jacket. I took a hit on the right arm and shoulder. The arm was good in a few days. The jacket armor and shell worked quite well... the blue jeans and knee skin, not so much.

this frame is inverted, bracket is the smaller one top center right docc edit/ 15 November 2020 to restore image:

40 or 45 a few months ago. I forgot. call him, they're nice folks.

Welcome John! Some of us (me) are legendary vicarious technicians, and interested in everything in your garage. Watching it unfold...

one bike yes, one bike not yet

The world was unprepared for this.