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Ok, I've had the Flaco just over a week, and so far I've already had to remove the petrol cap drain nipple thing that bolts into the bottom of the tank. Watched in horror as water disappeared into the tank when I first filled up on a wet morning ! No wonder compressed air wouldn't shift it - I had to work a welding rod through the daft ali nipple it was so solid with muck. This evening spent a couple of delightful hours cleaning & loosening the brake disc bobbin thingies - some of them took a fair bit of brake cleaner & sore fingers to get shifting. I'm hoping now I don't get a pulsing lever at slow brake speeds (It's fine with more hefty braking so I'm hoping this it the problem, and not a bent disc!!)
Wonder what I'll get on my to-do list later this week
Still, all part of the Italian bike ownership thing isn't it. I'd forgotten how involving they are, having gone Japanese since my 2 Guzzi Le Mans' & a gorgeous silver 900SS back in the 80's. Actually, the Guzzi's were surprisingly reliable I seem to recall. And yes, I'm an idiot for having sold the Ducati

Sounds as though you're living up to your username!

Bit harsh to blame the bike though for what just seems to be the failings in maintenance of the former owner. Once you've got it right, it'll reward you.

Renevator wrote:And yes, I'm an idiot for having sold the Ducati

Nah - you're not .... though it may take a while longer to appreciate it ....

Likewise, can't blame the bike for neglect previously.
Had mine since Sept.'09, done 4K miles, can't say I been let down other than a dodgie battery, which was old anyway so....
Clean, polish & love, unless you bought a lemon, should work well me thinks.

D-Rider wrote: Bit harsh to blame the bike though for what just seems to be the failings in maintenance of the former owner.

Yes, I agree. Was being a bit tongue in cheek so probably shouldn't have titled it like that. I suppose I probably should have looked over the bike more thoroughly, but it was a matter of heart over head I'm afraid. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a bit of tinkering, and I'm finding with the Falco that I'm much more interested in studying suspension set up more thoroughly. It feels like a bike that will reward my efforts, riding, maintenance & all.
Will defo be doing more of the clean, polish & love thing old git

It is difficult to make general comments unless you have had the bike from new and know all the history.
In my case I have had 20 odd or more bikes over 40 odd years and the Falco is by far the most reliable, best starting, (and best full stop) bike I have ever had.
I bought at 3 years old with 6K on the clock, have had it almost 6 years and it is now almost 30K.
I ride all year round so it has seen 6 winters and has been brilliant.


Perhaps I am just lucky, but I don't really think so!
Will never sell it is long as I can still ride it.

i got mine at 13000miles now done 23000miles i think , only problems iv had was a goosed battery , leaky slave , and new starter solinoied , but shes always managed to get me home , easy fixes , iv not even thought about changing her, love the looks , handling, power, comfy too, for me and im not to tall , im on my tip toes at lights thats when i usually drop the bike when my foot goes down a pot hole

Hey Renevator thats almost spookey...

The bike before the falco was a red Lemans, the bike before that a daytona Orange R90S. Hey I even had a Ducati once. (a 160)

Even though I now have clutch trouble the Falco's been more reliable than both of them.