Random post - wll be working on my cafe sport

[Guest NotRight]

I'm quiting my career. I was attracted to the Norge because the places and people I want to see are easiest to get to with a slab burning portion where the Norge seems better for comfort. Plus I like a)the headlights ABS brakes (no intentions of starting that discussion - I want them)

 

However, I guess I'll be sticking around on this forum and especially this thread because the rational thing to do would be to do the modifications to the 04 sport to make me more satisified with it as a commuter/tourer. I like spirited riding but for me that equates to others as "old man on Cialis and Flowmax spirited driving". I.E. I know I'm too inexperienced to go to hard. I learned that by craping my pants a few times.

 

So, just a random post and I'll probably be asking redundant questions. If I get to rediculous slap me around a bit because I've become crotchety enough to decide I need to risk being a bit of an asshole because frankly forums aren't good archives of knowledge and the searching sometimes helps but often not to find my answer. I thought I'd start coming out of the closet and be honest that I give a search a try half heartedly.

 

Maybe with my new unemployment time I could help create documents of knowledge. Motorcycles are a source of enjoyment for me. Thought of applying for jobs around dealerships for some fun.

 

Here are some of the highlights on mods I plan:

 

1) need to sort out the suspension. Especially the rear and determine if spring is too soft or not.

2) Come up with a fairing and one that doesn't buffet my nogin so bad. Original was removed after I wrecked it.

3) Improve brakes. Maybe try to get pulsating/warped front rotors replaced on warantee (ha ha ha ha ahhhh ha ha)

4) extend front fender and add thingy to rear to keep the shower of dirt down on components

5) mongo horns

6) Improved headlight

7) risk buthering seat myself to improve comfort. money is tight.

 

ride as much as I can instead of being stressed out in a cubicle as the economy implodes around me.

[docc]

Any progress? I'll bet the weather in Toledo is perfect for taking your tank off and running light and horn wiring.

[Skeeve]

Here are some of the highlights on mods I plan:

 

1) need to sort out the suspension. Especially the rear and determine if spring is too soft or not.

2) Come up with a fairing and one that doesn't buffet my nogin so bad. Original was removed after I wrecked it.

3) Improve brakes. Maybe try to get pulsating/warped front rotors replaced on warantee (ha ha ha ha ahhhh ha ha)

4) extend front fender and add thingy to rear to keep the shower of dirt down on components

5) mongo horns

6) Improved headlight

7) risk buthering seat myself to improve comfort. money is tight.

 

ride as much as I can instead of being stressed out in a cubicle as the economy implodes around me.

 

1) How much do you weigh? If you're over about 80kg (175#), the rear spring is likely to be too soft for you. It kinda depends upon your riding, how much gear you wear, whether you regularly ride 2 up, etc.

 

2) Look into the aftermarket knockoffs of the old BMW R90s bikini fairing. I've seen several pics of Guzzis w/ variations on this theme, & they all look tasty!

 

3) Not my area. Change the fluid, see if someone can turn'em down for you but stay w/in spec, find some "will fits" on eBay...

 

4) Still working on this m'self. Noodle around the board; I think we got a recent confirmation that the correct "alternate fitment" is a '93? KZ500 or something...

 

5) Fiamms.Cheap at most auto parts stores. Just use one of your retired Siemens relays for power supply. You did replace the cr@ppy stock relays, right?

 

6) There's some good seat mod instructions lurking on the web. My best tip [under the cheap & easy category] is to focus on the seat pan. I've mod'd the stock seats on my SV650 [notorious torture rack! 45 minute max driver, 30 minute pillion] just by peeling off the cover & foam, & smooth the pan w/ body filler. Button everything back up the way it was. Basically doubled my time to pain on the stock seats....

[Ryland3210]

Here are some of the highlights on mods I plan:

 

1) need to sort out the suspension. Especially the rear and determine if spring is too soft or not.

2) Come up with a fairing and one that doesn't buffet my nogin so bad. Original was removed after I wrecked it.

3) Improve brakes. Maybe try to get pulsating/warped front rotors replaced on warantee (ha ha ha ha ahhhh ha ha)

4) extend front fender and add thingy to rear to keep the shower of dirt down on components

5) mongo horns

6) Improved headlight

7) risk buthering seat myself to improve comfort. money is tight.

 

ride as much as I can instead of being stressed out in a cubicle as the economy implodes around me.

 

4) I'm looking to add something to shield the rear suspension from road grunge as well. I haven't been able to find a source, so if you do, I'd appreciate knowing about it.

 

5) Mongo horns-I like Fiamm's also. Used them on my Honda 450 straight off the horn button but that was then. If you choose to do that, you may want to replace the light relay with a heavier duty unit. I have lined up a source of these from Omron, made in U.S.A. Send me a personal message for details. It feeds power through the horn button to the horns. If you add a relay for the compressor, the relay you use should be one made for starter solenoids and should have an internal supression resistor across its coil to protect the Guzzi's circuits. If you want a longer relay life, there should be a diode across the Fiamm compressor unless it already has one internally. The diode should be rated for the same current as the compressor draws or more, for a good reliability margin. Its voltage rating should be at least 20 volts, but almost any ordinary diode will have a much higher voltage rating.

 

7) I bought a sheepskin with a deep and dense pile big enough for both of my bikes. I used a piece of cloth to cut out a pattern, then traced this onto the skin, and cut it out with ordinary scissors. It is very comfortable and good in any weather as well. It cost $70, a little more than the run of the mill, but the thickness and density of the pile was worth it. One skin was big enough for both bikes.

 

8) If you are looking for comfort, you haven't mentioned peg relocation. I developed a set for my Cafe Sport to be able to ride long distance in comfort. You can see about this and an oil pressure gauge kit on www.motratech.com Details on the relays aren't on the website yet, but they are available.

 

I haven't delved into the other areas, so no comment on those.

 

Ride On!

[Guest NotRight]

4) I'm looking to add something to shield the rear suspension from road grunge as well. I haven't been able to find a source, so if you do, I'd appreciate knowing about it.

 

5) Mongo horns-I like Fiamm's also. Used them on my Honda 450 straight off the horn button but that was then. If you choose to do that, you may want to replace the light relay with a heavier duty unit. I have lined up a source of these from Omron, made in U.S.A. Send me a personal message for details. It feeds power through the horn button to the horns. If you add a relay for the compressor, the relay you use should be one made for starter solenoids and should have an internal supression resistor across its coil to protect the Guzzi's circuits. If you want a longer relay life, there should be a diode across the Fiamm compressor unless it already has one internally. The diode should be rated for the same current as the compressor draws or more, for a good reliability margin. Its voltage rating should be at least 20 volts, but almost any ordinary diode will have a much higher voltage rating.

 

7) I bought a sheepskin with a deep and dense pile big enough for both of my bikes. I used a piece of cloth to cut out a pattern, then traced this onto the skin, and cut it out with ordinary scissors. It is very comfortable and good in any weather as well. It cost $70, a little more than the run of the mill, but the thickness and density of the pile was worth it. One skin was big enough for both bikes.

 

8) If you are looking for comfort, you haven't mentioned peg relocation. I developed a set for my Cafe Sport to be able to ride long distance in comfort. You can see about this and an oil pressure gauge kit on www.motratech.com Details on the relays aren't on the website yet, but they are available.

 

I haven't delved into the other areas, so no comment on those.

 

Ride On!

 

 

THANKS MAN!!! I'll look at that website!

 

I've been wrestling in my mind with what to do and I've pretty much decided to turn my Cafe Sport into my only bike because I can't afford another Guzzi. I never wanted to sell the Sport. In fact I told myself I want to keep it until I die and be burried with it ---- its only my third motorcycle ever and the first one I really really wanted. I've always wanted a Guzzi. And its true love.

 

I quit my job and got quite a bit of cash to get by with for awhile incase I want to go back to school, etc. But that meant that I had to think how I really use my Sport.... and basically its an all-around ride for me....in fact I might even garage the car this spring with gasoline prices so high.

 

So here is a recap on my ideas to, I guess, make it more of a Sport Tourer.

 

1)Rear Wheel Mudgard: I'm thinking of cutting up an old tractor tyre inner tube and fixing it in there somehow.

 

Front Fender: I'm going to look into the Fenda-extenda or whatever its called. Also I think there is an Aprilia fender that fits and protects the USD forks better.

 

2)Horn AND Headlight: I'm going to take your advice, run relays for FIAMM horns and also one for the headlight since posts on the forum indicate that can make a big difference in headlight brightness.

 

3) Seat: Now that I have some cash from liquidating an investment this I may have done for me. But I do LOVE sheepskin seat covers and will make that part of the plan.

 

4) Footpegs: Will look into your advice. I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam. I don't find the stock position too painful but after some miles I admit I feel like moving my legs around.

 

5) Brakes: I may investigate going to full floating rotors and even some of the other brake upgrades available on GuzziTech. I think a cause of the pulsation is grit binding up the semi-floating stock rotors. I've cured it once with careful cleaning but it came back in less the 300 miles. Its a pain to clean them and I need more confidence in my brakes.

 

6) Get this, I'm thinking of finding a 1970's Police Buffalo fairing and see what that looks like. Actually I don't care so much what others think I look like, I just want a non-buffeting fairing and not too much of a fitment problem.

 

The fairing could bolt to the frame through the same position the Cafe Sport bikini job did. Do the wise men of the forum have any other concerns about nasty effects on handling, or anything else I'm not thinking of?

 

I wish the Sport had a bit larger fuel capacity, but I can always just bungee a milk jug of spare fuel to the passenger seat.

[Ryland3210]

THANKS MAN!!! I'll look at that website!

 

1)Rear Wheel Mudgard: I'm thinking of cutting up an old tractor tyre inner tube and fixing it in there somehow.

 

Front Fender: I'm going to look into the Fenda-extenda or whatever its called. Also I think there is an Aprilia fender that fits and protects the USD forks better.

 

2)Horn AND Headlight: I'm going to take your advice, run relays for FIAMM horns and also one for the headlight since posts on the forum indicate that can make a big difference in headlight brightness.

 

3) Seat: Now that I have some cash from liquidating an investment this I may have done for me. But I do LOVE sheepskin seat covers and will make that part of the plan.

 

4) Footpegs: Will look into your advice. I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam. I don't find the stock position too painful but after some miles I admit I feel like moving my legs around.

 

5) Brakes: I may investigate going to full floating rotors and even some of the other brake upgrades available on GuzziTech. I think a cause of the pulsation is grit binding up the semi-floating stock rotors. I've cured it once with careful cleaning but it came back in less the 300 miles. Its a pain to clean them and I need more confidence in my brakes.

 

6) Get this, I'm thinking of finding a 1970's Police Buffalo fairing and see what that looks like. Actually I don't care so much what others think I look like, I just want a non-buffeting fairing and not too much of a fitment problem.

 

The fairing could bolt to the frame through the same position the Cafe Sport bikini job did. Do the wise men of the forum have any other concerns about nasty effects on handling, or anything else I'm not thinking of?

 

I wish the Sport had a bit larger fuel capacity, but I can always just bungee a milk jug of spare fuel to the passenger seat.

 

1) Here's some info. on mudguards. I think inner tubes may be too flexible:

 

December 2, 2005 post #60 "Fabricated Rear-shock Mud Guard'

"Compared to the Edge Guard, this thing is more of a "Bodge Guard". It was cut out of an 18-wheeler mud flap from NAPA Auto Parts and zip-tied in place. But she works like a Champ. It's tougher than nails, and it keeps everything nice and clean - shock, trans, and crossover, too"

 

High tech alternative from "edge" is shown as Part A on top, B on bottom

Post 54 November 18, 2005 He is from Watertown, NY. Unfortunately, Edge has been out of communication for a while. I have been unable to buy one from him, so let me know how you make out. I want to do this as well.

 

4) Foot Forward Controls. I'm 5'9 also with 31" inseam. The 5.5" forward extension and 1.6" down relocation made the difference between discomfort after 30 minutes and riding all day with no problem for me. I can now stand up over a big bump easily and my crotch no longer gets jammed up against the tank after a while. Transferring weight farther forward on the feet provides more leverage and takes pressure off the hands as well. The original footpegs are used, so they will fold if necessary on a hard corner, rather than bend or break.

 

5) How about integrated brakes? Not too expensive as a DIY project.

 

6) No doubt about the advantages of a fairing for foul weather. I have a Yamaha Venture for that, but if I had only one bike, I would install a fairing too. Harper's sells a $495 fairing for California's, but their recent ad says they are working on other models. It looks like you would still get wet shins, but protection for the hands and upper body looks OK.

 

When my low fuel sensor quit and my speedo cable was broken, I ran out of gas at the wrong time and the wrong place. At the time, warrantee service in my area was suspended, so I bought a tank bag and kept a gallon of gasonline in an antifreeze jug in it. I also installed a bike speedometer until I got the sensor and speedo cable taken care of months later. Beware of the flimsier milk jugs and pop-tops. The TPS and synch procedure in the How To section boosted my range and MPG's by a little over ten percent. It went from 38 to 42 MPG. Every little bit helps. I am on the third speedo cable. The latest one is the new improved version, but I'm not confident because from day one, I saw the needle oscillations which normally indicate some friction somewhere in the cable. I like having the bike speedo anyway. It's accurate, whereas the original speedo reads high by 8%. Tells me average speed, distance, trip odo, highest speed and more, for under $30. I think I posted a thread on this somewhere. The Sigma brand has a higher max speed rating than you will ever need. Some other brands are limited to 80 something.

 

Cheers,

John

[Guest ratchethack]

Say NotRight.

 

Here's an idea that might be right up y'er alley. Mine's been in faithful service for about 3 years now, and I highly recommend it for effectively keeping the usual accumulation of road grunge off the trans, swingarm, chassis, shock, crossover, etc.

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...amp;#entry69420

[Ryland3210]

Say NotRight.

 

Here's an idea that might be right up y'er alley. Mine's been in faithful service for about 3 years now, and I highly recommend it for effectively keeping the usual accumulation of road grunge off the rear trans, swingarm, chassis, shock, crossover, etc.

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...amp;#entry69420

 

Thanks for giving us the link. I didn't have that handy in my reply. All I had in my file was the date, topic, and post number.

 

Do you have a link to the post that shows a sketch and dimensions?

 

Cheers,

John

[Guest ratchethack]

Do you have a link to the post that shows a sketch and dimensions?

John, being more of a true "bodgery", there were no sketches or dimensions taken, nor used. It was one of those things that came together relatively quickly in the semi-regular state of "creative bliss" at the Hatchracket home shop, where hand-eye fit-n-refit fabrication occured in an atmosphere properly enhanced with a beer and a cigar one Saturday afternoon when I had the rear wheel out for a tire change. May I highly recommend Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Montecristo double corona for optimum results.

[Guest NotRight]

John, being more of a true "bodgery", there were no sketches or dimensions taken, nor used. It was one of those things that came together relatively quickly in the semi-regular state of "creative bliss" at the Hatchracket home shop, where hand-eye fit-n-refit home shop fabrication occurs in an atmosphere properly enhanced with a beer and a cigar one Saturday afternoon when I had the rear wheel out for a tire change. May I highly recommend Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Montecristo double corona for optimum results.

Thanks will look into that mod. You need to remove the rear wheel or is it the difference between mellow bodgery and gnashing of teeth and wailing knuckles?

 

I tend to Hamm's but love a good dry I.P.A. of any make.

[Guest ratchethack]

NotRight, I can see that you have your priorites properly sorted! I usually go for a decent IPA given the choice every time, but that's just me. Yes the rear wheel has to be out to do this, but with it out, there was nothing approaching wailing and gnashing of teeth. To some degree, it turns out you have to actually enjoy this sorta thing to work up the motivation of getting down on the floor and fiddling with things to make it fit. . . But then, the satisfaction of achieving 100% design objectives in long-term operation on the road with a home shop bodgery is tough to beat (with no redesign -- or even as much as a minor adjustment required, no less!)

 

FWIW, Another fine bodgery has successfully completed road testing. Mission accomplished here again without need for as much as an adjustment. If you like the above kinda low-budget practical modification, y'er sure to love the following, which is a sort of "natural extension", if you will, to the bodge guard. So far, nary a puncture on that fabulous Z6 rear, and I haven't hardly given it a thought since I installed it. . . which was, of course, the whole idea.

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry120196

 

BAA, TJM, & YMMV

[Ryland3210]

John, being more of a true "bodgery", there were no sketches or dimensions taken, nor used. It was one of those things that came together relatively quickly in the semi-regular state of "creative bliss" at the Hatchracket home shop, where hand-eye fit-n-refit fabrication occured in an atmosphere properly enhanced with a beer and a cigar one Saturday afternoon when I had the rear wheel out for a tire change. May I highly recommend Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and a Montecristo double corona for optimum results.

 

That sounds like my method of making my custom fitted sheepskin seat cover. To help keep my natural inclination towards impatience at bay, I add rock and roll or country music as background to my grunts and groans.

 

I like your personality adjustment selections as well.

 

Say, I'm going to be out in Phoenix during the week of April 21st. Did you see the fantastic travel report on the trip to Baja California? That looks very enticing to me. Any chance you might get time off to ride down that way? I'm not sure I would do that alone. I know zero Spanish. I just sent out a message to a couple of Belizian friends of mine that own a cottage in Rosalita. Might be a good place to visit, if they are willing to time off to meet up with us. These guys are really good people and good company. Do you know of any outfit that will rent me a bike and allow travel into Mexico? If you have any interest in this, we can discuss via PM, or in the Travel section.

[Ryland3210]

Good News, notright! I just received a message from Edge. He is back from Afghanistan, safe and sound. He made some molded plastic guards to protect the rear suspension from the road spray, that received good reports in the past. I put myself on his list some time ago, but he's been busy helping defend our liberties and keeping our citizens out of harm's way for a long time, with only short breaks back home.

 

I'm back on the list for a set this month. He is working on getting some of these made up. I have told him you might be interested. Let him know soon if you want a set so he buys enough plastic.

 

Cheers,

John

[Guest ratchethack]

Say, I'm going to be out in Phoenix during the week of April 21st. Did you see the fantastic travel report on the trip to Baja California? That looks very enticing to me. Any chance you might get time off to ride down that way? I'm not sure I would do that alone. I know zero Spanish. I just sent out a message to a couple of Belizian friends of mine that own a cottage in Rosalita. Might be a good place to visit, if they are willing to time off to meet up with us. These guys are really good people and good company. Do you know of any outfit that will rent me a bike and allow travel into Mexico? If you have any interest in this, we can discuss via PM, or in the Travel section.

John, my personality hasn't changed in more decades than many hereabouts have been sucking air. Yes, I take different positions of engagement depending on topic, of which we evidently now have lots fewer to choose. . . But leave us not open old wounds. . .

 

I've read piles of Baja travel reports in my day and have been down there enough times to separate the reality from the hype a couple o' times over. I think we had this conversation already in September -- and again, I think you mean Rosarito Beach -- not "Rosalita"?

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...mp;#entry129049

 

If an El Norte Mexico road trip tickles y'er fancy, well then -- vaya con Dios, mi compadre! But after as much time as I've spent down there, the best part of each trip for me increasingly turns out to be thanking the good Lord to be back in the USA alive and well as soon as I get back across the border.

 

-- But o' course, that's just me.

[dlaing]

6) Get this, I'm thinking of finding a 1970's Police Buffalo fairing and see what that looks like. Actually I don't care so much what others think I look like, I just want a non-buffeting fairing and not too much of a fitment problem.

I think it would look cool!

But check on the headlight size.

You might have to cut out a big hole for the V11 headlight.

And consider how it will align with handle bars.

You may need bar risers to get it to block the wind at your hands.

Redhook's LongHammer IPA is yum, but not for the faint of heart.