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« Last post by GuzziNZ on January 17, 2026, 11:31:08 PM »
Thanks for reply Acogoff, that's exactly what I'm going to do.
As clearance never seems to change I think it is what it is.
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Any other specific tips on dealing with the powder coater? They have done quite a few bikes so they know their way around - but sometimes overconfidence gets in the way (or unfamiliarity with Guzzis) and things that shouldn't be coated get buried. I kinda don't want to take the steering head lock out (I do have the key), maybe that's a fools errand it should come out anyway?
The steering lock comes out easily, so for me it's a "no brainer" on removing it. You either use a thin blade of some sort to pry under the cover near the rivet, or sometimes tap it loose with a long drift (it you can find a good angle). Then use the key to remove the lock. I ask the powdercoater to tape over where the lock cover, steering head and swingarm pivot bearings go, the front and rear of the driveshaft tunnel and point out where all of the threaded holes are in hopes that they'll plug them. Personally, I would never consider to strip a fully functional final drive unless you A) want to learn how they go together or B) want to be absolutely certain it is well within spec. Or both. I have never considered either A or B as the risk of doing something wrong is too great for comfort. For me. Plus, should one fail, they can be found cheap secondhand.
Rear drives aren't rocket science if you're just going in to replace the seals. It's always nice for gear lube to stay inside, fresh seals are a way of helping to insure that. As long as one uses the same number of gaskets (normally 2 - one on either side of the large shim), there not much of a chance of messing things up. There's no seals in the pinion carrier assembly, so no need to disassemble that. "Cheap secondhand"  Maybe for Hondas and Yamahas, but not a good one for an 850-T - expect to pay $400 and up.
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« Last post by SIR REAL ED on January 17, 2026, 07:02:54 PM »
Nice.
I like the license plate wall.
I remember when it was fairly common for people to do that with their barns.
I always enjoyed looking at the various styles, sizes, and colors.
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« Last post by Steph on January 17, 2026, 06:51:23 PM »
I bought a set of Ikon Basic shock for my Cali Stone about 10 years ago, and as they came, I found the springs too hard, harder than stock, even on the lowest preload setting.
I’ve had two LeMans V in the 90s with Koni shock that were quite compliant and had hope for the same, unfortunately I think the Ikon are much stiffer than Koni, and have ‘put up’ with the Ikon since. My new to me LM3 has Koni 7610 with much more compliant springs…
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« Last post by kballowe on January 17, 2026, 06:49:34 PM »
I picked up this 2024 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 today. It has 657 miles showing. I also have a 2022 Meteor 350 to keep it company. It's all cleaned up and parked until the weather warms up a bit.  
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« Last post by Dirk_S on January 17, 2026, 05:55:00 PM »
I get that plastic has its benefits, but I was fond of walking all over ON TOP of my Ural when I had it—and that included all three steel mudguards. Can’t do that on plastic (or aluminum)
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« Last post by Kev m on January 17, 2026, 05:43:39 PM »
Seriously, for non-structural parts like fenders and sidecovers and seat pans etc., I see no benefit of using metal over plastic. Plastic will not rust, will not corrode, will not easily dent and usually weighs less than metal parts. Which is why BMW used plastic fenders and side covers and more from the late 60s on their motorcycles.
Though I agree with you intellectually, there's something emotionally satisfying about metal on a bike. Call it a nod to the past, I dunno. It gives me warm and fuzzies. That said it's arguably ridiculous as you point out. So what's dumber, metal bodywork on these bikes or the carbon fiber on my Carbon Dark to save all that weight over plastic.  
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« Last post by faffi on January 17, 2026, 05:15:52 PM »
Gas stations are some of the last places I want to be, and the fewer visits I must make, the better. A long range allow me to stop when I want to, instead of when I must in order to get fuel on board, be that car or bike. My family car can go up to 700 miles on a tank of gas, while my Roamer has an average range of 220 miles. More often than not, I have stopped by the side of the road to pee before I have exhausted the range even of the Guzzi.
But those are just my personal preferences and is not a general rule that apply for everybody. I would love to have a range of 600 miles on my motorcycle, but no stock bike I am aware of deliver that. At least none that I would like to own.
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« Last post by cmice on January 17, 2026, 05:11:49 PM »
Personally, I would never consider to strip a fully functional final drive[...]
I've set pinion depths before on a Hewland mk9 - but it's not something I'm eager to do again. Life is simply too short for that kindof nonsense.
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« Last post by rudyr on January 17, 2026, 05:08:14 PM »
If people don’t want steep mt. Ride, come up the south side, off Hi. Between Perry & Ola. I think around Casa & Odona. If want a curves and no bluffs come up from centerville on west side. If want to fly in airport just across the lake from the park. I will come pick you up. Come one come all. Feed Friday nite Sat. Breakfast & Sat. supper. Coffee water & tea.Rudy
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