Recent Posts

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General Discussion / Taking the risk unprotected

« Last post by Huzo on Today at 03:11:17 AM »

I’m starting to fall back in love with my V85 and have had a couple of “nights away” recently…  I reckon the crash protection bars look a bit utilitarian and so I’ve taken them off.






The bike looks “lighter” which I do like, but like most times when you’re lacking protection, I’m gunna’ regret it if I make an error of judgement…

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General Discussion / Re: Offset extension wrench

« Last post by TN Mark on January 18, 2026, 08:11:54 PM »

I can sort of agree with that sentiment. I’d also recommend to not buy a full set of any special wrenches unless it is the only way to get them. I have wrench sets where I used one or maybe 2 out of a whole set for a specific job.  Never found need for the rest.

On more than one occasion I’ve had to buy a 6, 8, or 12 piece ‘set’ to get the 3 items I actually needed.
Often times it’s a sad reality.
Amazon has more tool options than you could imagine from more manufacturers than I knew existed.
Sometimes, small and compact tools like the 711L line work perfectly.

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General Discussion / Re: 2026 V85 or 2026 V7 ?

« Last post by kballowe on January 18, 2026, 07:23:07 PM »

Which ever you choose it's going to need a Maine plate

That's right !

One can never have too many Maine license plates.

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General Discussion / Re: Offset extension wrench

« Last post by Oca Grassa on January 18, 2026, 07:01:19 PM »

I can sort of agree with that sentiment. I’d also recommend to not buy a full set of any special wrenches unless it is the only way to get them. I have wrench sets where I used one or maybe 2 out of a whole set for a specific job.  Never found need for the rest.

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General Discussion / Re: Offset extension wrench

« Last post by drdwb on January 18, 2026, 06:53:09 PM »

      As a life long mechanic with a collection of ASE, Metric, Whitworth, and Brit. Std., I suggest you don't buy any tool 'till you need it. If you buy because of "maybe" future use, you'll end up with tools you'll never use.

I have purchased/ collected most of my non-standard tools due to necessity, ig the thin walled long socket that is used to get into the inner spark plug of my 2007 Norge. I’ve never regretted buying any tool unless it was cheaper quality bought in haste for a particular purpose, ig some Harbor Freight tools.
2 years ago we purchased a Class C motorhome, if you haven’t owned one let me tell you maintenance on these is on going, even more so than the Guzzi’s and other bikes we own.

I’m looking at this tool because some of the maintenance areas on the RV are dam near impossible to get into let alone get a wrench on and have any leverage and are more prone to knuckle cutting than the bikes, lawn mowers, tractors, boat motors and snowmobiles that require servicing.

I do appreciate the sentiment though, but being stuck out in the middle of nowhere waiting for a mobile service guy to show up because I don’t have a tool to fix something is not a pleasant thought. Also I was a Boy Scout.

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General Discussion / Re: 2026 V85 or 2026 V7 ?

« Last post by 1wild1 on January 18, 2026, 06:43:41 PM »

My V85 is not going anywhere, it's all day comfy and carves up the corners.  Maybe the V7 if you are just going to do quick little rides but the V85 crunches miles. What bike are you coming from?

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Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only / Re: 1975 850T Survivor Project

« Last post by Antietam Classic Cycle on January 18, 2026, 06:31:34 PM »

I got the retaining clip out of the carrier bearing, but it won't budge with fairly assertive use of hand-tools.  Do I need to press this out from the back side?  And how best to get the bearing shells out of the swingarm itself?

A blind hole bearing puller set really comes in handy here.




I install one of the collets into the carrier bearing so that I have something to drive against with a long steel bar and hammer from the back side.

The kit slide hammer and largest collet will remove the pivot bearing outer races as well. Some mechanics prefer to run a bead of weld around the inside of the race, which shrinks it when cooled, allowing it to be removed easily.

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General Discussion / Re: Offset extension wrench

« Last post by 73 sport on January 18, 2026, 06:23:46 PM »

      As a life long mechanic with a collection of ASE, Metric, Whitworth, and Brit. Std., I suggest you don't buy any tool 'till you need it. If you buy because of "maybe" future use, you'll end up with tools you'll never use.

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Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only / Re: 1975 850T Survivor Project

« Last post by cmice on January 18, 2026, 05:44:49 PM »

Steering stop repaired - no judgement on my welding skills.



The steering lock came out pretty easy as Charlie pointed out; with the key, it's no problem.

I got the retaining clip out of the carrier bearing, but it won't budge with fairly assertive use of hand-tools.  Do I need to press this out from the back side?  And how best to get the bearing shells out of the swingarm itself?

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General Discussion / Offset extension wrench

« Last post by drdwb on January 18, 2026, 05:44:27 PM »

Anybody seen or used these Offset Extension Wrenches, heard about them on an RV forum, looked like they might be helpful in situations where if you just had the space to turn a ratchet or more leverage you could avoid taking a gas tank off or removing half the Fairring, thinking oil pressure switch on the Norge.
Just asking if anyone used one and could recommend a quality tool. There are a lot of them and prices vary.


https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=Offset+Extension+Wrench&type=274bce20b62c3cdfc4c882462407c279_374298&param4=S_2251632492989070159&hspart=yahoo&hsimp=yhs-mn61a&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9jb250ZXh0dWFsLm1lZGlhLm5ldC8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADXDmSf4weO6UtY04alBRneBqARnTEV4jsRfo3hREZFuFniT-R8nxAQXAW6dA8dN0_poI_Nf1LeU9I-tFj-xSj-VDdsHs8XOs46_QjUG9V_D-Us3RcdKGFi2dE0CJXdnux_Yqhhelt_OwVQ4WKUANAy2pzxmbrFcqnqZWL5EZ9Kn