Has anyone ever...

[D-Rider]

Basically agree wholeheartedly Nooj .... though I think the greater part of the improvement in breaking is because the callipers and/or pads are a generation on from those fitted to the falco and they are that bit better. I think the mounting assembly of "radial" brakes probably plays a minor part.

(feel free to print this off and show your significant others that you're only thinking of them while doing these mods, they want you to be safe don't they??)

..... mmmmm ..... not sure I'd make that assumption ..... really can't see this being a convincing argument ......
Maybe if I cancel the life insurance and make sure my part of the house is left to some worthy cause, my day to day handyman skills may count for a little ..... but I'd still not risk it ....

[Firestarter]

If you do do it, dont worry about losing bolts and stuff. I have loads left over

Now why doesn't that surprise me!

[robertorolfo]

Speaking of rear shocks... had an interesting experience yesterday I thought I would share (since we are off topic anyway).

So I took my ebay purchased RSV white springer to a suspension guy to have it installed, along with a new chain and sprockets (I have limited tools, so both were beyond me). Things went bad from the very start.

As soon as the guy turned the bars to push the bike into the shop, I was bombarded with the "your steering head bearings are garbage". Now I was well aware of the 'hitch' or notchy feel in my steering. It is on the list of things to get to, but just not at the top. And despite their insistance that this was stupid of me, it really isn't that bad.

Anyway, lets get down to work, no? No. As soon as the guy sees the White Springer he says it wont fit. I say, 'yeah, you may have to grind down the valve a bit...' and he just shakes his head. He is pretty serious about his supsension stuff and thinks it is a terrible idea. He will sort it out with a new valve, but it will take longe.


Ok, whatever, in the meantime lets change the chain and sprockets so I can get back to the office. Oh, and I've purchased two new adjusted screws, since the one of the old ones seem to be a bit rounded. Or so I thought.

So the swap is going well, but when it comes time to remove the adjuster screws, they aren't cooperating. They each give about a half turn, but nothing beyond that. Add a little heat and a lot of leverage and snap... and snap. Both of them broken off inside the swingarm. F--ing brilliant.

Now I was standing there, watching the guy. He wasn't being totally ham fisted about it, but you can never tell unless you are turning the wrench yourslef. I am mad, but not quite as mad as I thought I would be.

They sent me on my way and told me they would hopefully fix things in a couple of days (drill out the old screws...) We shall see.

And just as a manner of opinion, if they charge me extra for the extra work, how should I react? I mean, the screws were obviously messed up (how they were able to turn a little, and not all the way is beyond me... I mean, if they turn at all they are not seized), but it was the mechanic who actually snapped them off. So who's fault is it really?

[Chabby]

My mate runs a one man garage.

If he comes up against anything likely to break and cost the customer more money he contacts them first to let them know the score.
If they aren't happy he doesn't do the job.
Saves hassle as he can spend hours fixing stuff which wasn't apparant at the time and he's got a business to run at the end of the day.

In your case I would say with you standing watching, you had the chance to tell Mr Hamfist not to bother and by not doing so implied that you consented.
That said, it depends whether he tries to charge you extra and if so, how much.

[robertorolfo]

Well, what's done is done.

And yes, I do feel as though I consented in a way... and really, there was no choice. The new chain needed to be adjusted properly, so something had to give.

Picked the bike up yesterday. Original quote was €300 for the new chain and sprokets (installed) and the RSV White Springer installed. With the added fun of the adjuter bolts snapping and a new resessed valve for the white springer (and judging by the current clearance, it definately needed it), the total came up to €450. Im not happy about it, but not that pissed either.

[Aladinsaneuk]

ouch, sorry mate that has to hurt

I think that you may need to find a better or cheaper mechanic though

I take your point about the lack of tools and stuff but Abba stand for 100 quid, chain and sprocket set for 120 ish, swing arm nut removal tool for a tenner and a set of halfords pro series ratchets and spanners for 100 as well

Drilling out the adjusters would be a bugger, but once the swing arm was off it would be cheaper to take it to a workshop and leave it there....

And sorry, but I guess I am a careful red sea pedestrian!

[robertorolfo]

Hey, Aladinsaneuk, that was 450 euros not steerling... probably would be the equivalent of about 300 £, no?

[D-Rider]

Hey, Aladinsaneuk, that was 450 euros not steerling... probably would be the equivalent of about 300 £, no?

Nope - at today's exchange rate, €450 is £391.34

That's how bad things have got for we Brits.

[fastasfcuk]

ouch, sorry mate that has to hurt

I think that you may need to find a better or cheaper mechanic though

I take your point about the lack of tools and stuff but Abba stand for 100 quid, chain and sprocket set for 120 ish, swing arm nut removal tool for a tenner and a set of halfords pro series ratchets and spanners for 100 as well

Drilling out the adjusters would be a bugger, but once the swing arm was off it would be cheaper to take it to a workshop and leave it there....

And sorry, but I guess I am a careful red sea pedestrian!

find yourself a better machanic, he would have felt they were'nt going to come undone and warned you. then it was down to you .

[Aladinsaneuk]

even with a better exchange rate i still think too much - sorry :(

[robertorolfo]

Fuckasfast (just kidding), I was actually standing right there. He told me what the issue was, and I saw him stuggling with it. We agreed to leave them be until the new stuff was fitted, to see how much adjustment we needed. At that point, when it was clear we needed more, I told him to go for it. I would have preferred to do it myself, but whatever.

The only thing I still dont get is how they could turn a quarter turn in either direction, but stop dead at that. I mean, if they are totally seized they are totally seized... but some turning and then nothing? I have no idea.

Aladinseuk... again, Im with you on the investment for the tools and the fun/satisfaction of doing the work, but there are other factors at play. I live on a busy city street, so would have to find a decent work area (and it is getting a bit cold, even here in Rome, to be working on the bike outside for hours). Also, Iam here for work and dont know how permanent the situation is right now... so investments in tools might are tough to justify (especially without space for bigger stuff like stands).

Dont want to come off as a bitch, but it really just wasnt in the cards this time. And Im happy about the new valve fitted to the shock, versus a filed down old one.

[Aladinsaneuk]

very fair points roberto - mea culpa

next time just put the kettle on, arrange some accommodation and announce a falco meet at yours....

[robertorolfo]

Nah, there's no fault here. I actually really miss having a garage to work in. More than I probably should.

And I never thought about living in the UK before, but with all the falco support out there from you guys, it suddenly seems tempting!

[Aladinsaneuk]

no mate, we would not mind popping over for a while....

any young sophia loren look a likes in your street or should i say Via??

[Thumper]

Yep been done.

The old shape mille engine just drops in. The early ones had the same engine - the later ones had bigger valves - but no issues in fitting.

The new shape RSVR engine physically drops in but the issue is the CAN based electrics.
The chap that posted up on here about that mod was Garrywales
He solved it by retaining all the old electrics.

Here's a link to what he posted: https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.ph ... garrywales

It's the same engine but I think it's a little more tricky than just a straight swap the oil cooler is different having a diffrent hose and the oil tank is also. I believe the headers are bigger also. I remember reading about clearance issues but it has been done with some RSV parts.

Funny to get this question at this time .... I'm in the process of buying a set of Ohlins forks off of him!