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Maggie’s SH Motorcycle Thread

Not necessarily reliable difference, just maintenance differences and shorter intervals because of the Ducati Desmo valve system. They cling on to it as they have lots of history, it was invented because metallurgy years ago hadn’t caught up to the demands conventional valve springs required racing on the razor’s edge. The Desmo valve system actuates both the opening and closing of the valve to maintain higher RPMs racing demand without valve float.
Along with the benefit of having no valve float, a lot less horsepower is needed to run a Desmodronic valve train vs a conventional valve spring arrangement.
 
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Note the elaborate tie down system, LOL. They started in Brooklyn NY and went to Lansing Michigan. If you don't know Jack Pine was an 800 mile 3 day event thru the woods, rivers and sand. Think about taking a 650cc machine with basically no suspension off road and thru rivers for 3 days. Jack Pine has a good website if you want to see more. Dad finished second one year and I have his Jack Pine cowbell here somewhere.
That bike was a 1950 Thunderbird and he also rode it from NY to California and back in the early 50's.
I literally have thousands of photos from this time period of bikes and racing if you guys are interested. I also have Dads notes on bike set up and letters from Triumph of England to him for set up suggestions. Also paperwork for meets showing results, he raced several times a month.
 
Helmet comm and audio are a gamechanger for all rides. I started with a Nolan N-Com system in my older Nolan N104 which was really nice, but 1 speaker went out and there's no replacement available unless I wanna spend $$ on their stuff that's not exactly available in the US.

I'm looking at a Cardo PackTalk Pro and a newer helmet (still deciding on helmet.) Yeah it's pricey, but it has JBL speakers and apparently really good noise canceling tech for the microphone. Connectivity seems to be a non-issue as it connects via Bluetooth or mesh networks with other riders.

I don't ride in packs, so I'm just more interested in listening to music, audiobooks, and making phone calls LOL. We'll see. I'm 97.3% sure I'm gonna upgrade my 2013 BMW ReichBike to something more up to date with the current computer doo-dads touring motorcycles have. Stay tuned for that 🤣
Ordered said, will update on after some miles.

R
 
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Bought a couple of weeks ago, hardly ridden. 2002 XR400R. Third one I own. Check out the forks, Emig triple clamps CRF250R forks. Bike is like me: a little heavy and kinda slow. 🤣🤣👍
Scott Summers dominated the GNCC racing series back in the 1990s on an XR600R. He was a beast back then.

 
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Bought a couple of weeks ago, hardly ridden. 2002 XR400R. Third one I own. Check out the forks, Emig triple clamps CRF250R forks. Bike is like me: a little heavy and kinda slow. 🤣🤣👍
Nice score. Not sure if they're still around, but A Loop used to make a seat/tank conversion to get modern ergos on these bikes.
 
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I just bought the 2023 Harley FXLRS
I've owned the 2014 Concourse a couple of years
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What made you go from a sports tourer to the HD?
I still own both. There's not many curves to hit around St. Louis.

I turn 50 in two years so thought I'd get a jump on things.
I started collecting 1911's bought a Harley
Next year I'll need to pick up a Corvette and some New Balance shoes
 
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In the middle of changing sprockets, chain, and tires.
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Got it partly put back together after the pic. Service manual calls for riveted chain and bought a cheap chain breaker/ riveter that gave up the ghost after one rivet. Waiting on the good chain riveter now.

Bike is a 2002 Honda Magna with 16k on it. Tires were too old. 2011 front 2010 rear. Putting commander 2 on front (they don't make a 3 in front size) and commander 3 on rear.
 
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Recommendations for a company to ceramic coat an exhaust? Decided I’m gonna splurge and buy the exhaust I really want. Cashed in a few vacation days to make up the cost difference and cut down on my family guilt. 😅

Unfortunately, Carpenter Racing no longer offers their Rocket III system with a polished finish, and I don’t want the raw stainless look.

Sent a quote request to JetHot, but looking for other recommendations to get quotes.
 
Recommendations for a company to ceramic coat an exhaust? Decided I’m gonna splurge and buy the exhaust I really want. Cashed in a few vacation days to make up the cost difference and cut down on my family guilt. 😅

Unfortunately, Carpenter Racing no longer offers their Rocket III system with a polished finish, and I don’t want the raw stainless look.

Sent a quote request to JetHot, but looking for other recommendations to get quotes.

Watch ceramic coating. After a lot of heat
Cycles, the ceramic can start
To crack and flake off. And it’s a mess trying to strip it.

Jet Hot your best bet. Non-ceramic coating that has some elastic properties. They actually do a coating that is exactly the same as cast
Iron in appearance that is great For show vehicles.

Sirhr
 
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Have had the Quota since I bought it new 2001.
Just bought the V11S 2001 used with only 6K miles. Much more sporty!
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Those are gorgeous!

One of the bikes I really regret 'not' buying was a California in sort of a low, long cafe style. What a gorgeous machine. It was at Motorcycles of Manchester in NH used and really cheap. Low miles. Almost brand new. I ended up with a 750SS Duc which I loved. But the Guzzi would have been a way better bike.

I didn't know Guzzi made an 'adventure' bike. That is stunning!!! What a cool machine!

Cheers,

Sirhr
 
While I am thinking about it...

Any of you Colorado guys know when Rt 34 I think its called in Colorado opens? It runs between Ft. Collins and then sort of South towards Denver and Pikes Peak. It's a bucket list road for me and I am going to be out that way soon and want to ride it. But shows closed on my map apps. I have heard 'usually' by Memorial Day. But any first hand knowledge?

Cheers,

Sirhr
 
While I am thinking about it...

Any of you Colorado guys know when Rt 34 I think its called in Colorado opens? It runs between Ft. Collins and then sort of South towards Denver and Pikes Peak. It's a bucket list road for me and I am going to be out that way soon and want to ride it. But shows closed on my map apps. I have heard 'usually' by Memorial Day. But any first hand knowledge?

Cheers,

Sirhr
You are thinking of Trail Ridge Road, which heads west from the east entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park to the west entrance, at Grand Lake. Head out as early as possible to avoid the traffic - there are losts if gapers on the road. Also, if you hit the road after 0800 or 0900 you need a reservation. Definately a worthwhile ride and quite vertiginous, if that's a word. And yes, the opening target is Memorial Day weekend, but sometimes earlier or later depending on the snowpack depth.

Shoot me a PM if you'd like some company on your ride. I could also show you some other mountian roads around here - it's a true playground for riding.
 
Those are gorgeous!

One of the bikes I really regret 'not' buying was a California in sort of a low, long cafe style. What a gorgeous machine. It was at Motorcycles of Manchester in NH used and really cheap. Low miles. Almost brand new. I ended up with a 750SS Duc which I loved. But the Guzzi would have been a way better bike.

I didn't know Guzzi made an 'adventure' bike. That is stunning!!! What a cool machine!

Cheers,

Sirhr
I had heard that only 100 or so Quotas made it to the USA back in the day. In any case they are rare. Obviously a competitor to the BMW 1100-1200GS bikes, which dominated the ADV category then, as now.
 
I had heard that only 100 or so Quotas made it to the USA back in the day. In any case they are rare. Obviously a competitor to the BMW 1100-1200GS bikes, which dominated the ADV category then, as now.
It's a unicorn for sure. Probably also pretty much free of electronics and gee-gaws like ABS and FI....

Incredible machine!