Shedding weight from a Cali Jackal

[Calijackalbob]

I'm in the process of doing up my Cali Jackal and considering shedding weight from it, removing unnecessary frame tabs and floorboard mounting tabs from the subframe etc. just wondering,.... there is a square, box shaped bracket on the left side subframe near the swingarm. I have no idea what it is for or whether it might come in useful. Anyone got any ideas?

[190 Octane]

My guess is that it is the bracket used to mount the proportioning valve on the models with linked brakes.

[rodekyll]

My first idea is that you're going to save more weight skipping a meal today than you will by butchering your frame, and frame butchery is forever.

second idea is that you'll lose more weight easier by tossing the unnecessary things like the lower frame rails, fenders and brakes.  Reducing the brake fluid cup size and only half-filling them will equal a tab's weight.  There are also wires you won't be using -- gotta be a few precious ounces.  The seat is large and bulky, too.  replace it with a produce bag full of packing peanuts and you'll gain some comfort along with the weight savings.  A smaller, plastic fuel tank from say -- a lawn mower -- will save you pounds of tank weight and the intermittent weight of all the gas you won't be carrying.  Removing every other spoke from the wheels not only saves weight, but it's UNSPRUNG weight -- the holy grail of heavy.  Luigi of course has already helped you by omitting that unsightly grease from everywhere you'd expect to encounter it.  Since the bearings aren't greased you can toss the seals, too.  And there's the cush rubbers.  Remove half of them.  Which half doesn't matter.  Drill the remainder.  Finally, the turn signals are only for people too stupid to guess that you're planning to turn, and the headlight is larger than it needs to be.  An HID projector is about 10oz.

That bracket is for the anti-jack valve.

[Calijackalbob]

you'll lose more weight easier by tossing the unnecessary things like the lower frame rails, fenders and brakes.  Reducing the brake fluid cup size and only half-filling them will equal a tab's weight.  There are also wires you won't be using -- gotta be a few precious ounces.  The seat is large and bulky, too.  replace it with a produce bag full of packing peanuts and you'll gain some comfort along with the weight savings.  A smaller, plastic fuel tank from say -- a lawn mower -- will save you pounds of tank weight and the intermittent weight of all the gas you won't be carrying.  Removing every other spoke from the wheels not only saves weight, but it's UNSPRUNG weight -- the holy grail of heavy.  Luigi of course has already helped you by omitting that unsightly grease from everywhere you'd expect to encounter it.  Since the bearings aren't greased you can toss the seals, too.  And there's the cush rubbers.  Remove half of them.  Which half doesn't matter.  Drill the remainder.  Finally, the turn signals are only for people too stupid to guess that you're planning to turn, and the headlight is larger than it needs to be.  An HID projector is about 10oz.

That bracket is for the anti-jack valve.

Sounds great. Did you do that to your bike?
I Think you're being a bit of a smart ass.   I only want to remove unsightly and useless, (read meant for another model with different options) fame tabs and stuff for a cleaner look and a few less ounces. 

Seriously though,... what's an anti-jack valve?

[twhitaker]

It is used with the integrated braking system. As the bike pitches over the front brake the swingarm goes down. This valve operates on the proportioning valve to send less pressure to the rear caliper to prevent it from locking up. The Jack all does not have the extra front brake.

[Steph]

By Big block Guzzi standard, the jackal is a light bike. I would consider: removing the optional main stand (if it's got one), replace the battery with an Odyssey or even lighter Lithium Shorey (something..), replace the heavy stock exhaust & crossover wth lighter H pipe and stainless steel exhaust like Keihan. Then source used alloy wheels off a early Cali EV.
With all that you'll have shifted  30lb +
 

[rodekyll]

Perhaps a bit tounge-in-cheek.  My point is that peeling a few ounces off of a 550# touring sled by removing the tabs is pointless, useless, nonproductive, a wasted effort, and reduces the value of the frame to save the weight of a PBJ sandwitch.  Trust me -- nobody is looking your bike over and thinking "gee-- this would be an art-deco streamliner without all those unsightly darn tabs."  You're pounds ahead skipping a meal twice a week or not topping off the gas tank.

[mtiberio]

centerstand if it has one. bullsh*t covers if it has any. put in a Lithium Iron battery

[Calijackalbob]

Thanks for the info guys.
Since I don't have linked brakes, never want them and intend to keep the bike forever -  "frame butchery is forever" I don't care. I'll cut the anti jack bracket and unused frame tabs off. (More for cosmetic reasons than weight saving really.)
I just added a main stand for convenience of servicing and to fit into the too bloody small bike parking lots in Singapore.  Not that concerned with the weight, but every ounce less carried around equates to less fuel used in the long run. A good thing for the environment.
Love the  helium in the tyres idea. 

[Matteo]

Besides fenders, battery, center stand  and wheels my biggest weight savings came from ditching the mufflers for a 2 into 1 Mistral system from MG. May be half the weight of 1 stock muffler.

[Steph]

Thanks for the info guys.
Since I don't have linked brakes, never want them and intend to keep the bike forever -  "frame butchery is forever" I don't care. I'll cut the anti jack bracket and unused frame tabs off. (More for cosmetic reasons than weight saving really.)
I just added a main stand for convenience of servicing and to fit into the too bloody small bike parking lots in Singapore.  Not that concerned with the weight, but every ounce less carried around equates to less fuel used in the long run. A good thing for the environment.
 Love the  helium in the tyres idea. 

+ engine guard and optional second disc, for the environment...

[ridingron]

Not that concerned with the weight, but every ounce less carried around equates to less fuel used in the long run. A good thing for the environment.   

         What a sense of humor!

[normzone]

Some of the racer boys have sealed their frames and put a valve on them, then pumped the interior to a near vacuum. There is debate whether the weight of the sealant exceeds that of the gases removed.

[mtiberio]

Some of the racer boys have sealed their frames and put a valve on them, then pumped the interior to a near vacuum. There is debate whether the weight of the sealant exceeds that of the gases removed.

What? No helium?

[travelingbyguzzi]

A lighter flywheel would shed more weight than all the tabs you could cut off. Plus, it is rotating mass! Do not cut off the tabs. That is a dumbass move that will devalue the bike.