Recent Posts

91

General Discussion / Re: Early Tonti Fork Springs?

« Last post by Antietam Classic Cycle on July 09, 2026, 02:38:30 PM »

As for the dampers, I don't think they're stock - I've got a feeling they're FACs.

Easy to identify. The top of FAC dampers is machined from alloy, two flats opposite one another and an air fitting in the center.

92

General Discussion / Re: When Twin cylinders are not enough?

« Last post by tommy2cyl on July 09, 2026, 02:04:20 PM »

If I had to have a car engine in a motorcycle, this would be the route I’d go.

MOTUS:

Absolutely yes.  I spoke to one of the founders, Lee Conn, at Daytona Bike Week when they had 2 bikes there.  1650 cc's.  Described as one half of a V8.
Engineering input from Pratt & Miller.  Lee started one up and it was glorious.  I spent about and hour talking to him about his creation.  He couldn't of been
nicer.  Damn shame his funding went away and they shut down in 2018.  If I was a collector and had silly money, this would have been one of the few toys
I would have acquired.  First rate components and looked very well put together.  This could have been a unique American built motorcycle brand if they survived.

93

General Discussion / Re: 11k miles across the US and back

« Last post by azccj on July 09, 2026, 12:31:12 PM »

Did you do the shim replacements?

Yes. Suzuki uses a common size valve shim. I bought a complete set of after market shims for less than $75, before I did the first valve inspection.

94

General Discussion / Re: Early Tonti Fork Springs?

« Last post by wirespokes on July 09, 2026, 12:13:41 PM »

I put it all back together a couple days ago, so measuring spring rate will have to wait till next time. Even so, I don't have a chart to know what is stiff or soft.

As for the dampers, I don't think they're stock - I've got a feeling they're FACs. I didn't take a length measurement, but they do seem to be damping properly. The PO built this bike from a rolling basket case and put a lot of new parts on it. No record of anything...

And, yes, they're progressively wound springs.

I haven't ridden it yet since the work, but they do seem to be more supple. I'll measure sag today, which should tell me whether the springs are too stiff or not.

95

General Discussion / Re: Iowa Rally Jul 10 - Jul 12 2026

« Last post by Tkelly on July 09, 2026, 12:04:19 PM »

Is that burger cart still in business downtown?

96

General Discussion / Re: V100 Mandello Special Review

« Last post by PeteS on July 09, 2026, 11:48:30 AM »

My Mandello S is still running strong with absolutely no problems at 2500 miles.

The aspect of this bike that I do not hear enough about in owner reviews is the acceleration performance it offers.  The thing gets up and GOES.  It pulls hard in every gear.  Even in 6th, a roll-on at 55mph is greeted by a noticeable surge forward with no hesitation or struggle. It's a very fun bike to ride and I have enjoyed it a lot.  It also definitely has the Guzzi DNA from past machines that everyone loves.

I still haven’t tried a WFO standing start acceleration test using the quick shifter but rolling it on from below 5K RPMs it seems to pull like a two stroke. Pulls when you twist the throttle but then winds up to redline in a second or two.
If you aren’t ready for that in first gear it hits the rev limiter and cuts out for a second or two.

Pete

97

General Discussion / Re: V100 Mandello Special - Review

« Last post by Rons on July 09, 2026, 11:20:58 AM »

I don’t see any luggage on the bike. How did you carry your stuff for the trip? Or are you the lightest packer ever?

My local dealer took one of these on trade, and it has hard bags installed. Looks like a proper sport touring bike. Asking $10K. If I hadn’t bought my V7 sport last year, the Mandello would be tempting at that price.

98

General Discussion / Re: When Twin cylinders are not enough?

« Last post by Motormike on July 09, 2026, 10:44:31 AM »

I owned a K1600b for a couple of years.  The engine was fantastic. 133 ftlbs. torque at 5000 rpm and smooth as silk.  Too bad the rest of the bike wasn't as good as the engine. 

99

General Discussion / Re: When Twin cylinders are not enough?

« Last post by Frulk on July 09, 2026, 10:30:36 AM »

If I had to have a car engine in a motorcycle, this would be the route I’d go.

MOTUS:

100

General Discussion / 1400 Police Highway Bars

« Last post by TN Mark on July 09, 2026, 10:16:47 AM »

Has anyone ever installed the California 1400 Police front highway bars on their 1400? They’re beefier, extend out farther and they have a welded in ‘shelf’ to mount a siren etc. The item numbers are: 2B003538 and 2B003539.

I could be wrong but the OEM California 1400, as well as the Hepco-Becker front highway bars, look tucked in so much as to be more decorative than functional.