Questions after my first 100 miles. Some Guzzi content, some general.

[homebrew]

Went through you earlier posts and see the picture of you sitting on the bike and I'm guessing those are the original Lasertecs that came on it.  Did the bike sit in one particular position all of those years?  You might have a flat spot in the front.

Tires are brand new, which is why I stupidly didn't bother to check the pressure.  The front was low; we'll see what that does next time I'm on the highway, which is gonna be tomorrow if the rain holds off.

While the tires are new, the wheels are not.  Could the wheels themselves have got out of round while sitting?

I do appreciate everyone's concern. I completed the Harley new rider course in March.  That was a good one because they train you on their new low-end bike, which is only a 500cc but still weighs 500 pounds.  The main deficit of that course?  No highway riding!  So yeah, I'm asking in part because that's an area where I'm really all by my lonesome. 

One of my instructors for the Harley course also co-owns a motorcycle skills company not too far from here; after a few hundred more miles I'll be looking to take one of his advanced rider courses.  I want to be a motorcyclist, not a guy with "was stupid, but he signed the donor card" on his death certificate.

Riding at night is not something I aspire to do a lot of, but rather a skill I know I need to develop to become a more complete rider.

I suspect a 3/4 helmet is in my near future, too.  I know I'm supposed to go with the full-face but I think I've tried a hundred of them on and haven't found one I'm comfortable in.  But this half helmet isn't going to do it.  Locally, I'll check out Ellicott City Motorsports, Used Bike Emporium and that Honda/Suzuki place up by Furnace Branch Road in Glen Burnie.  Any other recommendations?  I don't think I could buy a helmet on line any more than I could shoes I haven't tried.

Bill, Winchester and the dealership out there is going to be among my first longer rides; I'm eager to see that dealership and meet the people there.  I'll let you know when I'm out there and I'll buy you a beer or an iced tea in exchange for some advice. 

[Sasquatch Jim]

  What? You've gone a hundred miles and your still alive?  Phenomenal!  You must be a natural rider.
 Yes get any professional training you can.  It wasn't around in my day and we went by the crash and learn technique.
 By the end of my first day I had done my first wheelie and had my first crash.
 Yes, the two were related.

[homebrew]

So just updating after a few hundred more miles.  My instability issue had four causes, three of which are resolved.  Yes, the tire pressures were low.  And of course that was the biggest issue.  The second thing is also the reason for the whine -- I was lugging it.  This bike doesn't want to be in 5th at 60 unless it's accelerating to 70.  It wants to be in fourth.  So we compromised and it goes in 4th. Jesus this is a speedy bike!  Third was the inexperienced rider and his stupid half-helmet.  A switch to a Scorpion 3/4 face with full face shield did wonders.

So now both the bike and rider feel confident up to around 80 and I'm pretty sure the bike would be confident at speeds faster than that.

The fourth reason?  Route 100.  It's not a terrible road by any means but it must just be on a resonance frequency with my bike or something.  Rt. 29, 32, 295, 97, even 95 are all more comfortable at speed.

Thanks for all your imput.

[pyoungbl]

So just updating after a few hundred more miles. .... The second thing is also the reason for the whine -- I was lugging it.  This bike doesn't want to be in 5th at 60 unless it's accelerating to 70.  It wants to be in fourth.  So we compromised and it goes in 4th. Jesus this is a speedy bike! 

You have discovered one of the hidden secrets of the Guzzi big block engines, they look enough like other slow turning motorcycle engines that riders think anything over 3,000 rpm is harmful.  The fact is that life really begins at 3,500 and you can ride all day long at 4,500.  The key is to get a feel for where the engine seems to be smoothest and you can still roll on throttle as needed.  Forget about riding in the highest gear, just ride in the most appropriate gear for the conditions.  My Stelvio is quite happy in 5th up to about 70, then 6th comes into play.  My old EV was similar in that 5th was usually reserved for the Interstate.  On each bike I frequently found myself forgetting that there was one higher gear available.

Peter Y.

[davedel44]

04 Stone

Fifth is for the interstate mine has a sweet spot between 80 and 90.  Legal speed in a Texas Interstate highways in rural areas 75 mph.  85 on some tollroads.
Dave
Galveston

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

INterstate riding is sketchy until you have had a fair amount of practice. I rode for years, but always on dirt bike or my dad's Road King around town before I got my own moto...  The first rides on the interstate were unnerving to say the least.  It may be a matter of putting on a few more hundered miles.  I also wouldn't discount sticking to the 'scenic route' on slower secondary roads until you get more comfortable.

I agree with Rocker, do you have a death-grip on the bars? The buffeting is real, but at spead the bike should and will WANT to track straight if you are relaxed.

One thing to check may be head steerer bearings for adjustment...  To you feel any 'chatter' in the bars/front wheel when you apply the front brake only when coming to a stop?  Or if the bike is on center stand with front wheel unweighted, can you turn the bars smoothly with no binding?

[pyoungbl]

Hey guys, OP's bike only has a couple hundred miles on the odo...it has been in storage since '01.  Steering head bearings should be like new.

Peter Y.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Hey guys, OP's bike only has a couple hundred miles on the odo...it has been in storage since '01.  Steering head bearings should be like new.

Peter Y.

Yes, because every Guzzi leaves the factory with adequate grease, torque, preload, and a through QC check by Luigi! 

[Zoom Zoom]

I think that Roy hit it. 

You need to pull the pump out of the fuel tank and replace the filter with a metal one AND the hoses with a fully submersible variety.  Make sure you use FI hose clamps when re-assembling.

I think Harper's or MG Cycle sell a kit.

G

The '01 has both an external pump, located under the left side cover, and an external metal fuel filter, located on the frame under the tank.

John Henry