Martin Barrett

Screw Hammer - specialy designed hammer for striking the end of bolts- eg spindle removal, without totaly destroying the thread ends so the nut will still go back on. If it's one of these I could do with one Three guesses, one of them might be correct.

Or I'm now thinking of a large hamer that is lifted by worm screw/cam and then drops. Some sort of automated hammering forge thingymajig. Sorry I've not read the book so don't know the context of its usage.

I would think a slide hammer. The rod would screw in to what ever you wanted to remove and then slide a weight along the length hitting a stop at the other end, there by hammering outwards. Sorry if the explanation is stating the obvious but we have a "common" language. I know you've had previous fun at my expense with the "Jubilee"/ Hose clip

That sounds about right. With side stand down will only start in neutral , light needs to be on indicating switch working. When the stand is up will start in any gear provided the clutch is pulled in, neutral switch doesn't effect the starting circuit It sounds like you've a dicky neutral indicator switch, when warm sounds like the heat makes it work when cold it's not working so will only start with the sidestand up.

Yep, thats me at the desk coordinating the deployment of cones, though some of it is done by the Highways Agency now, I just tell them where I want the cones Though in the picture it looks like it could be the Inspector on the phone, but thats just TV for you ( the Inspector does everything)

On Thursday in the west and northwest a mix are out of sun and clouds with some showers and thunderstorms, at the same time thunderstorm good developments possible. In the remaining Germany hardly shower, at the same time in the south sunshine spreads, otherwise a change out of sun and clouds. 20 to 34 degrees. On Friday gives is it in the south extensively dry and predominantly friendly, in the north and the middle it next to in part longer sunshine also thick clouds and single showers and thunderstorm that can walk with strong rain, hail and storm squalls. 19 to 33 degrees. On Saturday in the south and East a change out of sun and clouds with in part violent shower and thunderstorms, otherwise drily and spreads sunshine, only entirely in the north also thicker clouds fields. 18 to 32 degrees. No my German hasn't improved, infact none of it sticks. It looks like we might catch some rain (could be heavy) or we might be lucky and miss it.

It's not just my balls that are tiny, as you've probably guessed from BFG's cloud spotting photos, withered in the shade despite getting frequently watered when riding in the rain. I prefer my balls oval. Or as a football fan collegue says " egg chasing bum sniffers" (Rugby Union - Rugby 15)

In English pubs they all seem to have a television. Even Creadons at the ERIN had a small TV on the wall. I'd have thought there be one there. Whilst not a football fan the lad had it on and I caught some of the Brazil/Croatia match. Touches of briliance in the first half and then just seemed to go off the boil, as if knew they'd done enough, lucky not to be caught out.

Thanks Mike, that's what I was hoping, the cush rubbers etcetera. I was in panic mode. I forgot that free play was there when I adjusted the tappets using the wheel to turn the engine. I now gently use a screwdriver on the flywheel teeth as more controlled. The balance pipe is in the way to get my alternator cover off and I don't wont to disturb it unnecessarily given my history with it.

They did the strapping down with the ratchet strap over the seat. I don't know what went wrong. It was a very big wave.

I'll be there the previous week with the National Rally (Gremlins permitting). It's well worth a visit, especially seeing there was the fire only a few years ago, a true phoniex.

Thank you Pete, http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2384&hl= A bit of a queery thread, no one able to answer your questions. http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2391&hl= The thread with the pictures.

I now know why my suit leaks at the front

How many missing rollers makes disintergrated?

Update: Left bearing had collapsed. Measured up spacer and was coming up at 112.8. Putting it into the wheel seemed to be definatly shorter than the gap between the bearing seats. Couldn't measure that as calipers were too big. Was able to find a suitable sized washer to act as an additional spacer. All back together seems okay on the stand. The needle rollers in the right hand side have seen betterdays. Am I right in thinking that these only move in relation to supporting the bevel box as it rotates slightly as it travels up and down with suspension movemnt. I will need to replace this bearing. Hopefully it will last my trip to Germany, which is still on for the weekend.

Thanks Mike. Just back from the work shop, he recons its purely the wheel bearings. He didn't measure the spacer when he did the last tyre. Didn't want to hammer out the new bearings and damage them. Now they've got to come out will measure it up and shim with a washer if need be (ala BFG) So I'm going to look up the relevent sizes for comparison and the torque figures (thanks Ratchet) Then I'm going to clear the crap out of my garage so I can work on my Guzzi my self. As opposed to bodging in the driveway. And look after her as she deserves

I've done 2000 miles since my left wheel bearing totally failed. I'm getting occasional strange clucks from the rear end. Dreadful noise when rolled her backwards today. I don't think it was the rear brake grind as cleaned out last week but have done 1500miles and some wet weather. I've put her on the shop stand and there is a little roughness and slight play moving the wheel sideways. indicating the bearings. When I rotate the wheel there is almost 1cm of wheel movement at the tyre before all the slack is taken up and the drive shaft starts to move. Is this amount of play normal? I'm considering my options: Do I pull it apart myself sort out all the issues at the same time, have to get a copy of Guzziology does it have a generic idiots guide and does it include the V11 now. Take it down my local workshop, They've done the last three tyre changes, and may have over torqued the spacer which has accelerated the bearing failure. Take it to my supplying multi franchise dealer Take it to a Guzzi dealer - though I wouldn't blame them if they wouldn't touch it. My history of bearing failures/tyre change; 6000m found by supplier on tyre change 1200m local work shop tyre change bearing fine 1800m local work shop tyre change bearing replaced - detected play 22500m bearing failed and replaced by different local workshop as on the road 23000m tyre changed a my normal local work shop 24600 current millage I'm off down to my local workshop, to get them to weld up the broken gear linkage. I'll discuss this with them. If the box is okay and it's just the bearings I'll try and get the spacer adjusted (got one on order) new bearings, if its the bevel box that me not going to Germany this weekend. Any thoughts comments? I'm tempted to pull it apart myself but obviously don't really know what I'm doing or have a manual.

I got Iran in the sweepstake at work. I did ask if I could have my money back if they cease to exist as a country before the end of the competition

As mentioned else where, and will be covered in a bit more depth here (when link added). I did as last year RBR'd Southern Wales on the Thursday before catching the middle of the night ferry. Arrive early in Rosslare and make my way straight to the site. I set up camp casting an eye over the bikes already there. Seeing if I can put a bike to a probable name. I spot Guy's (Guzzirider) and Helen's and takes me a moment to spot them and they're over by a Scura R deduced possibly Jim Fordham? I'm concentrating on getting my tent up and have just about done so when a Cafe Sport arrives, parks up next to me, a Scots accent he recognises my bike and I guess at Grossohc ( Gary). By the time we've set up Guy and Helen have gone out for a ride. Despite feeling guilty that it's such a nice day and not going for a further ride keep to the plan and have a siesta. A further wander around looking at the various bikes including "Californias and other old shite" renew a few acquaintances from the previous year. Speak to Jim it was his R. The rest of the day is filled with anticipation, who will arrive. I'm checking out the green V11's I don't see Gary (Wambiker) one is probably Paul Smart. As the evening draws on news filters in that the BFG is having difficulties but is struggling on ( he can explain). There's now dark and there's a very brief heavy shower and as soon as it's finished John O'Sullivan arrives on his Centaurno. I help him pitch his tent, the site is filling up nicely,and back to the bar. A bit latter the BFG arrives. Back to the bar for a little while. From L-R, Gray (Grossohc)'s Tent, John O'Sullivans Centaurno, I think his tent is next followed by my bike and tent. Saturday one all up and Breakfasted we: me; BFG; Gary (Grossohc) and Gary (Wambiker) who I'd missed arriving the previous evening and hadn't spotted in the pub (too much Guinness) head out for a ride escorted by John. After a short while I notice that the occasion flicker of my instrument back lights which I'd tried to sort before heading to Ireland has got worse and I've now got no indicators except when the bars are fully right. I'm told I've no rear light but my stop is working as is my head light, as we pull off I can't engage first but change up to 2nd, I can go up but not down so I bring the procession to a stop again. The bracket that attaches the change lever to the rod has snapped just like Guy's (Guzzirider) had done in Scotland 3 weeks previously. I'm about to call it a day when John O'Sullivan says we're only 10 miles from his home and we can rob the one off his Scura which is currently on blocks awaiting a fork seal change. We 5 horsemen of the apocalypse descend on the O'Sullivan household. The culprit. Once changed we're back off, conscious that there are rain clouds following our every move. The hero of the weekend. Gary winning hearts and minds of the locals. He was very impressed that it has two exhausts but surprised that wasn't a four cylinder. We'd just done some dirt road and now this recently resurfaced mountain road(track). Were taking in the view not walking the section (trials) A (very) late lunch, when we come out the hotel the rain has arrived. We decide to head straight back. The rain is so heavy Noah would have felt at home. It must be a hours ride back and were all soaked to various degrees. John's Aerostitch did the best and hardly breached. I recommend dump helmets in tents and straight in to the Pub, body heat will help dry out the gear. We get in and able to get in front of the log fire in the lounge. Handily someone has left a copy of the Irish Times there so we can mop up the puddles on the floor. I think we did just under 200 miles. Sunday morning everyone packing up to go. In the end I decide to go for the earlier afternoon ferry so I arrive in Wales in daylight with my dicky lights and can make progress north before it gets dark. I finally get to speak to Paul Smart on the ferry. There's a slight swell and one huge wave which shakes the boat badly. Unfortunately three bikes go down, all returning from the ERIN two Guzzi ( Spada II and a Lemans III (Magnus' Guy's friend)) and a Bandit (also in Guy's group) The ferry company seem to be doing the right thing by them. I make it to Llanberis and can camp there, foot of Snowdon. I exposed too much flesh at the wrong time and was eaten alive by the midges. Didn't get much sleep due to heavy winds and heavy rain so was up at 5, the rain had eased so was off by 6 for a bit more RBRing. Made it home just in time to collect the kids from school.

Not quite as bad as yours. Now a year on best I go and grease it.

If you look at the 250s Dovizioso is heading the table, finished 2nd or third every race this year. It will intresting to see how that pans out over the year. Currently 20 points clear. Any championships which have been won without actually winning a race? I'm saying any of the riders lacks bottle or that cutting edge, just intresting if perhaps some looks at the bigger picture

How else can you consume all those donuts and other fine pastries

Just watched it at work during my lunch break. Quite spectacular. It really brings it into perspective when you contemplate the figures. I think the Irish shorter races make a better TV programme because there is more head to head, not just against the clock and a higher percentage of the circuit covered by camera. But I'm looking forward to Wednesdays coverage same time.

I've not experianced this myself. I do recollect a high degree of frequency with the cables snapping, I thought it was to do with the angle the cable turns at one of the ends, but i'm not sure. I don't think the newer/older ones were interchangeable. I'm sure a search on speado will throw up a collection of threads covering this, the misting up problems - mainly tachos and pictures of TX in his swimwear

Mrs Barrett instructed to record the programme