Scud

In case you also missed it... Bruce Brown also made "Endless Summer." The guy made two of the most iconic action sports movies of all time, about surfing and motorcycling. I think he is my hero. I love those old Huskies that Malcolm Smith and Steve McQueen were riding. I saw McQueen's bike once at the motorcycle museum in San Diego's Balboa Park. Malcolm really leveraged his exposure from the movie. His dealership in Riverside still sells Husqvarna. I've heard that his Husky from the movie is (was?) on display there. The final scene, I believe, was shot on Camp Pendleton, in San Diego. Steve McQueen used his fame and influence to get onto base with the film crew. Every dirt biker in San Diego dreams of being able to replicate that.

Today I circumnavigated and summited the island of Maui on a Honda Africa Twin that I rented from Riders-Share.com. About 225 miles in total, including the famous "Road to Hana" and some less-travelled, twisty, one-lane, two-way roads on magnificent cliffs. Haleakala, the summit in the National Park, is over 10,000 feet elevation, While some of the road is at sea level - and by sea level, I men including wet pavement from wave spray. Some pics... At end of the ride, I checked my MPG: Mango Pineapple Guava Shave Ice. So I can report excellent MPG for this ride. I've been curious about the Honda Africa Twin for a long time. This was a DCT model. It was comfortable and I had a great day. But I don't think the DCT is for me. I'd like to try one with a manual transmission. While I applaud Honda for trying something new, I got really frustrated with the DCT. It would upshift automatically when I was trying to pass uphill... and upshift when I let off the gas to corner (meaning I was constantly either bogging the engine to exit, or hitting the manual downshift button with my left thumb. Sometimes it would downshift mid corner, which I found unsettling (especially in the dirt road sections). The DCT was kind of nice on straight and level, and small grades with easy curves - like a giant scooter. On the rough pavement and dirt, when I stood up, I kept doing "phantom shifts" with my left foot... but of course, there was no shifter. I suppose we will all have to get used to stuff like this as we move toward electric motorcycles. But I still like manual shifting. I think it's part of the fun of riding.

I used Rust Oleum brand Aircraft Remover to get the textured paint off a 2002 engine, tranny, and final drive. Stubborn spots still took a few applications. Incidentally, I have an epoxy painted garage floor, and this is the only thing I have spilled on it that did immediate damage to that floor - including brake fluid and other paint strippers. A decent paint job should last a while. If you DIY and save some paint, you can spot-paint over damage later.

Blockage could be in any line as it makes a big loop: Petcock to Pump, to filter, to LH Injector, to RH Injector, to Pressure Regulator. When I had my problem, I took off the pump and it tested fine. Then I reconnected it to the blocked fuel lines... it drove me crazy for a long time till I finally solved it.

I have a new theory for you, based on my experience with a Greenie. FWIW, I bought it for cheap, because the PO gave up on getting it to run. It had symptoms similar as you describe, and eventually.... I found it. The fuel lines had started to decompose from the inside, most importantly, the main line from petcock to pump. Bits of rubber had partially blocked the inlet to the pump. Sort of like having a slow drain in the bathroom sink, which drains eventually, but not as fast as it should. In my Greenie's case, it would sputter at about 2500 RPM because the pump couldn't push the fuel through fast enough. New fuel lines... bam, perfect runner. I have heard that decomposing fuel lines can also create internal flaps that will act like valves to restrict fluid flow. Not seen that myself, but worth considering. Bottom line... if you have never done so, consider replacing all the rubber fuel lines.

As luck would have it. My Mistral pipe and Mistral "spoofer" were delivered today. Of course, I immediately put the pipe on, which added about a bazillion mental horsepower, because is sounds glorious. Took it for a quick spin and could definitely feel the difference (but that could due to the mental HP). It popped on deceleration, and was a little more shaky at idle. Then I plugged in the "spoofer" and took it for the same little spin. Popping was far less, but not gone, and the idle was improved. I did some "post-purchase" research and it seems the "Beetle" maps are the way to go. So I will try GuzziDiag at some point soon. FWIW, I figured I could trust Mistral to sell a viable plug-and-play solution with their pipe. If the Beetle map is better, than I invested a little money in first-hand experience. Like the saying goes: "In my life I spent a lot of money on beer and motorcycles. The rest, I just wasted." So... to keep this on point for this topic... Doesn't the electronic engine management have a lot to do with getting the most power out of an engine? I mean, if Harley is actually trying for low-end torque, I assume they would also optimize the ECU for that - vs a midrange motor.

My Stelvio is very efficient. I got close to 50MPG on a 400 mile ride recently, and I was not being gentle. However, a carbon Mistral slip-on fuel injection trim module are the way. So I will try to be less efficient. Interestingly, the FI Trim Module (from MG Cycle), claims to work with Mistrals on Stelvio, V11, and several other Guzzis. I have the Moto Guzzi Titanium Race exhaust on my Scura, but have not messed with the ECU. I think I will try this plug-and-play module on the Scura. I assume the MG race exhaust is similar to the Mistrals.

Becuase Guzzis are made with red wine and Harleys are made with beer. Wine has a higher alcohol content, so it burns more efficiently. The tannins in the red wine also account for Guzzis having more character. My Scura, for example, has hints of blackberry and chocolate.

I was thinking about that too, Chuck. As far as these springs go, no news is good news. I have not heard of any failures yet either.

I have at least one spare set of oil cooler hoses in good condition. I could get them in the mail today if you want to go with a used part. And per docc's earlier suggestion, I also covered the friction points, but I just split some black automotive heater hose.

My 1989 LeMans 1000 has Caruso's gears. The previous owner said the bike started easier and ran smoother after the gears were installed. Plus, they sound cool. What is a set going for these days? How many more orders does he need?

...and that, ladies and gentlemen, is why aircraft maintenance is even more important than motorcycle maintenance.

I wonder if it could be caused by water in the gas tank. If you can get a small hose into each "lobe" you can siphon a bit out of each side. Then run the bike towards empty closer to home to see if the problem repeats.

I really like the engine color on Beckham's bike. I wonder if it will get ridden? Omissions, such as head guards and fenders, make me think it's mostly a design exercise. Now. we need to know more about this "Toy." That looks like an oversized toy box on a full size custom build. I LOVE the presentation. And it the side of the box accurate? Did they build a 1700cc sport bike? Please "open the box." I would gladly ride this thing...

The Honda Hurricanes. The PC800 (Pacific Coast) was around that time too. Soichiro Honda was an innovator, and company continued his legacy after his retirement in early 1970s.

When I first saw a GB500, I wanted it badly. That was when they were new and I was riding a Yamaha Radian (a pretty sweet little 600 standard). But at that time I also wanted more power, and ended going to a Yamaha FJ1100. So... it's a Honda, which means it will run forever with just a little love. What kind of love does she need?

Is the GB500 going to come out and play?

Picked up the Scura yesterday, after a long wait for a voltage regulator. Finally, it runs again (been sitting for over 2 years, maybe 3). Took it on a romp, and remembered how much fun this bike is. WOT at 6,500 RPM up a long, curvy grade... just lovely.

Unsurprisingly, Harpers has the parts diagram for the MGS01 online. Check out these two links to the frame. The frame is still a spine frame, but it's very different than the V11. There is no separate front subframe; it is welded to the main frame. It has a solid piece that mounts at the front of the transmission, like the bolt-on bracket that was not installed in so many of the red-frame bikes. And the back is totally different, where it connects to transmission rear plate you mentioned. Frame 1 at Harpers Frame 2 at Harpers Transmission at Harpers What a cool bike... is it too much to ask for a next gen Moto Guzzi LeMans or Daytona? A hot rodded version of my Stelvio motor would do just fine in a package like that.

122 HP out of a 1225cc engine running 11.6:1 compression. That's 100HP/Liter. I find that a believable claim for a production race bike that didn't have to comply with any emission standards. For comparison, my 1151cc Stelvio runs 11.0:1 compression and is rated at 103 HP. And it has a boat anchor of an exhaust system.

Somebody just posted this on WildGuzzi, and I thought it would be interesting here too. I didn't know the MGS01 used a 6-speed transmission "modified" from a V11.

Don't outride your eyes. That is my primary speed law. On MANY occasions that mindset has allowed me to avoid surprises around corners and over crests. Surprises I have avoided include... sand, gravel, water, potholes, tar snakes, bicyclists, mattresses, a spilled load of avocados, three bloated elk carcasses, poorly parked cars, delivery trucks with liftgates deployed, dogs, kids playing street hockey... well, you get the point... 1) Depends on the crest. I just rode CA-58 last weekend, which has miles of steep crests and dips. As I approached the crests, I slowed to speed that would allow me to stop on clear pavement that I could see. That never meant walking speed, but it did mean trading fun for safety. 2) From a liability perspective, yes. But from a safety-oriented defensive riding perspective, no. If I were in Jtucker's situation, I'd have two different points of view. For the liability claim, I would focus on the other driver's illegal turn. But for myself, I would ask if there was anything I could have done differently to avoid dropping the bike, and if the answer is "go slower over crests" then the price of the lesson is a few parts and some labor.

That's good in the short run, but it might compromise the title of the bike and show as Salvage, Rebuilt, or whatever term is used in PA. If you are going to fix it yourself, I'm sure we can find whatever parts you need in our respective parts stashes.