update on my problems

[Guest Hank]

I picked up my Lemans last week on my way to Elkhart Lake for the Formula USA races. When I go to Wisconsin I unloaded it and took about a 25 mi ride. When I got back oil was coming from the timing cover. I checked it out and all the bolts were finger tight except 2 which were missing. I borrowed a couple of bolts from Blackman's Racing and fixed that problem.

 

I am back home now and decided to check the mechanics work futher. I checked the valves and one side was .002 and .004 inches clearance and the other was .000 and .005 inch. This after about 150 miles riding. I retorqued the heads and set the valves to .005 and .007. I feel that the .004 and .006 are a bit tight.

 

Now my Lemans had developed a clunking sound coming from the transmission or front U joint when I accelerate or decelerate. If I take it to a dealer it will be either Wichita, Kansas City, or Dallas. I won't let the Tulsa mechanic touch it again.

 

Hank

 

http://www.corywest.com/

[Guest vkerrigan]

Hank.......I seem to recall Luap from MGNOC having problems with Tulsa as well. I don't live in the Midwest but have always heard good things about Harper's. Good Luck with getting the bike sorted............VK

[Guest Hank]

Yes, I have talked to Dave at Harpers several time and he seems very helpful, but he is 350miles away. I have also got advice from Stan of Stan's in Gainsville, Fl. We have been friends since the early eighties when we were both tuners of Guzzis in the Battle of the Twins.

 

I have reset the tps, balanced the throttle bodies, and greased my u-joints (no small feat). Now my bike is smoother than even and the clunk seems much less severe. Next I am going to put some Red Line 80-250 gear oil in the tranny. Dave from Harpers recommended it as what they use in all guzzi trannies and I ordered it from them. If that doesn't cure the clunk I guess I will go to KC after some test riding in the Ozarks next weekend.

 

 

Hank

 

http://www.corywest.com/

[Guest Hank]

 

A picture of me standing behind my Guzzi at 1986 Daytona AMA races. Rider is Marvin West, father of Cory West who is currently a National level racer. They are my riding buddies over in the Ozarks. You can imagine our rides are somewhat sprirted.

 

Hank

 

http://www.corywest.com/

[dlaing]

Glad to hear you are getting the bike sorted out.

I just wanted to clear up one thing about the gear oil that you said you used. You described it as 80-140. I went to Redlines website looking for it and found what looks closest to it, Redline Heavy Weight Shockproof Gear Oil. They call it heavy weight instead of 80-250 because it defies conventional classification. From what I understand it protects to the extremes that a 75W250 oil would but flows like 75W140. Sounds like good stuff. http://www.redlineoil.com/products.htm

[Guest vkerrigan]

Hank.........I have been running Redline Shockproof Heavy in my LeMans gearbox and bevel drive for about 1,000 mi. It has never shifted smoother. This is what Dave @ Redline recommended and I've been very happy with it..............Best Regards.................VK