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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on June 05, 2022, 02:49:44 PM

Title: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 05, 2022, 02:49:44 PM
It's hard to believe that is has been almost 3 years since I gave the 1000S it's rejuvenation.   It is overdue for brake fluid flush and a general going over. The bike will also receive a brand new Staintune exhaust system and correct Ariete grips. 

2 years ago I was able to purchase one of the last exhaust systems from the original Staintune folks.  They found all the old 1000S tooling and made a complete new system.  Not long after the exhaust system was shipped they closed the doors.  Staintune is open again under new ownership, but they are not getting involved in one off orders anymore.   I feel very lucky to have had the chance to buy the exhaust from them.  It was expensive but as you will see a bit later - worth it.  The current system is also a Staintune, but has a number of bumps and bruises. 

For those that aren't familiar with the story of the Sparklehorse 1000S, it belonged to Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse until his untimely demise.  Sparklehorse was an indie rock band led by Mark Linkous.  Mark was a big motorcycle fan and in particular Moto Guzzi.  The story goes that Sparklehorse was a play on words for motorcycle that Mark came up with.   I think it is fair to say that Sparklehorse music could be an acquired taste for some, as it was for me.  I am now a big fan. 

Whenever I wrench on Mark's 1000S it is a must to have Sparklehorse playing.  I definitely feel a connection to Mark when I have these wrenching and listening sessions, although I never came close to meeting him.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5NwFpWV2/IMG-1056-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcZBHjTJ)

Mark during happier days on his 1000S

(https://i.postimg.cc/DyxCyVZ3/guzzi1000.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Cam3512 on June 05, 2022, 03:56:46 PM
Very cool Dave.  Clearly motorcycle provenience is important to you.  I can relate. 

Cam
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: HarveyMushman on June 05, 2022, 05:32:15 PM
It's hard to believe that is has been almost 3 years since I gave the 1000S it's rejuvenation.   It is overdue for brake fluid flush and a general going over. The bike will also receive a brand new Staintune exhaust system and correct Ariete grips. 

2 years ago I was able to purchase one of the last exhaust systems from the original Staintune folks.  They found all the old 1000S tooling and made a complete new system.  Not long after the exhaust system was shipped they closed the doors.  Staintune is open again under new ownership, but they are not getting involved in one off orders anymore.   I feel very lucky to have had the chance to buy the exhaust from them.  It was expensive but as you will see a bit later - worth it.  The current system is also a Staintune, but has a number of bumps and bruises. 

For those that aren't familiar with the story of the Sparklehorse 1000S, it belonged to Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse until his untimely demise.  Sparklehorse was an indie rock band led by Mark Linkous.  Mark was a big motorcycle fan and in particular Moto Guzzi.  The story goes that Sparklehorse was a play on words for motorcycle that Mark came up with.   I think it is fair to say that Sparklehorse music could be an acquired taste for some, as it was for me.  I am now a big fan. 

Whenever I wrench on Mark's 1000S it is a must to have Sparklehorse playing.  I definitely feel a connection to Mark when I have these wrenching and listening sessions, although I never came close to meeting him.

(https://i.postimg.cc/5NwFpWV2/IMG-1056-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vcZBHjTJ)

Mark during happier days on his 1000S

(https://i.postimg.cc/DyxCyVZ3/guzzi1000.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)

When I was an undergrad at UGA there was a green-frame 1000S parked at the library in the staff lot often as not.  I would walk out of my way to see if it was parked there.  I recall it having ~80K miles (k's?) on the clock, and it definitely wasn't as pretty as your work, Dave.  It wasn't an old bike at the time--maybe 5 or 6 years old.  I often wonder what happened to it, and who the rider was who enjoyed it so much.  You knowing Mark and the bike's story and being able to incorporate the Sparklehorse music into the ownership experience now must be a treat.   
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: EldoMike on June 05, 2022, 06:10:43 PM
Dave you are the perfect care taker of his bike....
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 05, 2022, 06:55:14 PM
Dave you are the perfect care taker of his bike....

Thanks Mike,  I will always appreciate your part in this. 
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 05, 2022, 06:58:27 PM
And a big thanks to Daan,  (djkid) he went way above and beyond to procure the correct set of Ariete grips for me during a trip to Milano.  He was able to leave Italy with the grips just as the country was shutting down due to the pandemic in 2020.  Amazing. 

(https://i.postimg.cc/28QJFy99/IMG-1059.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BXvMJS02)
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on June 06, 2022, 06:27:09 AM
Attaboy, Dave.. :thumb: :smiley:
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: kidsmoke on June 06, 2022, 01:14:52 PM
 :popcorn:

Looking forward to the shots with new plumbing. Beautiful machine.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 06, 2022, 01:47:12 PM
:popcorn:

Looking forward to the shots with new plumbing. Beautiful machine.

This Staintune system is the highest quality I have ever seen.  The gauge of the header tubing is very heavy.  The material is twice as heavy as anything from Mistral.   It is beautiful.

(https://i.postimg.cc/KYZHbpgD/IMG-1068.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dhxBmB6h)

(https://i.postimg.cc/Z0twMwS3/IMG-E1062.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tnkd1t7C)

(https://i.postimg.cc/VNDHk9qQ/IMG-1065-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/jWnh873Z)

(https://i.postimg.cc/V6hGjYZK/IMG-1067.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/PpmQHkjD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/1tX7ngBg/IMG-1066.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/BLWBRnds)
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: blackcat on June 06, 2022, 03:09:06 PM
Very nice, sorry I didn't buy a set when it was possible.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: JBU on June 06, 2022, 03:27:02 PM
I have been a big fan of his music for years.  I think he also owned a loop.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: kidsmoke on June 06, 2022, 03:27:31 PM
Very nice, sorry I didn't buy I set when it was possible.

Well, they said they wouldn't do 'one offs'. Perhaps we organize a group buy?  :boozing:
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Tom on June 06, 2022, 03:44:42 PM
I have a Staintune on one of 1000S.  Nice and has a nice sounding note.  :thumb:  Your bike look good too.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: blackcat on June 06, 2022, 04:16:49 PM
Well, they said they wouldn't do 'one offs'. Perhaps we organize a group buy?  :boozing:

Can't imagine that an order of 2 would make them too excited. And then there are the shipping costs......
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: HarveyMushman on June 06, 2022, 06:39:41 PM
I have been a big fan of his music for years.  I think he also owned a loop.

https://youtu.be/hKkjdbyIhmM (https://youtu.be/hKkjdbyIhmM)
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Mayor_of_BBQ on June 07, 2022, 11:20:06 AM
I love it everytime you post this thing up Dave. I have long been a fan of his music, grew up with Sparklehorse and Pavement and Silver Jews and SMOG - a whole constellation of depressed young men pining for better days, be they past or future... He was a tragic figure who couldnt get out his own way long enough to get a clear view of how wonderful life actually is... it's awesome to see something that brought him such joy lovingly maintained and restored and cared for.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 07, 2022, 12:16:00 PM
I love it everytime you post this thing up Dave. I have long been a fan of his music, grew up with Sparklehorse and Pavement and Silver Jews and SMOG - a whole constellation of depressed young men pining for better days, be they past and future... He was a tragic figure who couldnt get out his own way long enough to get a clear view of how wonderful life actually is... it's awesome to see something that brought him such joy lovingly maintained and restored and cared for.

Well said.  I would much prefer that Mark was still with us enjoying his 1000S and Eldo, but the best I can do is feel privileged to care for his bike and pay homage from time to time.  He was a genius.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Gmb796VN/IMG-1072-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8jnB0X1B)






Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: kingoffleece on June 07, 2022, 01:01:28 PM
I'm floored.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: ohiorider on June 07, 2022, 02:25:41 PM
Thank you, Dave for posting.  I somehow missed Mark and Sparklehorse. I have a lot of You Tube catching up to do!

Bob
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: kidsmoke on June 24, 2022, 10:46:25 AM
Hey Dave,

Hope you're getting lots of opportunity to hear those new pipes sing!

Can you confirm if these headlight mounts, which are 40mm, are the same as you've seen on your 1000S'? (posting your 1000S' in the plural is really not something you expect to do often!)

Does the depth look proportionally accurate to you?


(https://i.imgur.com/0EkO7wn.png)
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: blackcat on June 24, 2022, 11:20:27 AM
Yes, those are correct. Common on other Guzzi’s of that time period.
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: Dave Swanson on June 24, 2022, 12:02:25 PM
Yes, those are correct. Common on other Guzzi’s of that time period.

+1
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: kidsmoke on June 24, 2022, 12:57:49 PM
Yes, those are correct. Common on other Guzzi’s of that time period.

+1

Thank you gentlemen!
Title: Re: Sparklehorse 1000S Maintenance Day
Post by: redrider90 on June 24, 2022, 10:58:28 PM
When I was an undergrad at UGA there was a green-frame 1000S parked at the library in the staff lot often as not.  I would walk out of my way to see if it was parked there.  I recall it having ~80K miles (k's?) on the clock, and it definitely wasn't as pretty as your work, Dave.  It wasn't an old bike at the time--maybe 5 or 6 years old.  I often wonder what happened to it, and who the rider was who enjoyed it so much.  You knowing Mark and the bike's story and being able to incorporate the Sparklehorse music into the ownership experience now must be a treat.   

I knew a guy from Athens Ga. who road a 1000S that I had met at a few rallies in the 90's. I Don't know if he was affiliated with UGA or not but he only road the green 1000S year around. One other thing I remember about him was a mild lower extremity disability he had in his legs preventing him from having a normal gait. Yet he road year around a put big miles on that bike. I cannot remember his name but he was a good guy.