Subject: Re: First Loopframe miles - Whining (me and my transmission)
Author: Darrell Dick
Date: Jun 3, 2002, 11:06 AM
Post ID: 1710366626
Hi Keith,
Well, I'm hoping the whining doesn't indicate I have a problem. I 'll
have to say that I do like the gear spacing on the 4 speed.
Interestingly, the 4 speed covers a wider range of ratios than the 5
speed.
The brake on my Ambo works OK. I really haven't done anything to tune it
yet. To be fair, it probably has close to the same power as the disk did
on the front of my T when I first got it. I have done a lot of work on
the T to get it to stop the way I want. I have found that before I can be
confident riding quickly (especially through the curves) I need to have a
powerful front brake with good feel. Although Ken and some of the other
racer types might disagree, I think I'll ride my T or the Ducati, or the
Laverda when I want to hustle.
I have owned, ridden and rebuilt Guzzis for several years now. When I
bought my first one (my T), the PO told me. "You will be hooked on Guzzis
from now on." He was right. I think I will always have at least one
around (I got 5 right at the moment). I agree with you about the looks of
the Loopframes. They are real eye candy. My T on the other hand was
really pretty homely in its stock state. That's what happens when car
guys (De Tomaso) start styling bikes. Mechanically, though the T works
really well. The Tonti frame is a masterpiece in terms of its sporting
potential.
I'm running Dunstall replica mufflers on the T. They're louder than the
stockers on the Ambo. Both bikes sound great!
Just more evidence why a man needs more than one motorcycle. Probably
even more than 10!
Darrell Dick
Imlay City
On Mon, 3 Jun 2002 17:16:59 +0000 Keith Ruff <klru-@fcc.net> writes:
| Hey Darrell, Glad to hear you are road ready! Looking forward to some pix. As for the 4 speed, whiny? Mine doesn't whine so to speak, it revs. I really love the 4 speed too, the taller gears makes for great pulls through the long RPM range, I like to rev her up through all of the gears. She definitely loves 3rd gear too, I like to use 3rd at 55 mph or so and below, 4th gear drops her way down in RPM's and it seems to lug a bit when cracking the throttle vs immediate response in 3rd at that speed/RPM. As for brakes, I have learned to love the front drum after taking the MSF course. I guess mine is set up perfect because at lower speeds I can grab a fistful and stop on a dime without locking the front wheel, not sure about higher speeds though. As for the clunking, having owned 2 1978 vintage BMW R-bikes (boxers), the clunking during shifts was natural (I kinda like it, nice solid feel and reassurance it's in gear, also adds to the "character"). Even the flywheel kick effect was natural to me, same as the BMW, nice kick to the right while sitting on the bike at a standstill and cracking the throttle. These bikes do ooze character (glad to see yours does too!), but really, they have a ton of character and soul. I have never owned a bike that has such character and personality. I just love staring at it or the pix I have hear at my desk, there's just nothing else out there that has the cool looks of the loopframes, they look like what a motorcycle should look like, masculine, solid, rugged, etc... And they've got an awesome exhaust note to boot! Cam and I had 2 Guzzi gents checking out our bikes during the Italian Bike Night last week, they wanted to hear them run and also wanted to crack the throttle. They smiled and said, "the new ones just don't sound like these old loops do". Keith Ruff 71 Police Ambassador - NJ |