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Re: Changing to SST lines



Well, Interesting you should ask just now. I got back yesterday from my first long ride. Bike is up to 6k miles now. You can see my trip data here:
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=11552.0

You can see the bike here:
http://yankeebeemers.yuku.com/topic/439/t/Makin-It-Mine.html

I moved from the gs because it was too tall and top heavy for me. Though it is the right tool for the dirt we did in Alaska, I wanted a more road specific bike. Bought this before the R1200R came out, and they are very similar bikes IMO.

I like the Guzzi, but it is more of a cruiser style than the beemers. It runs better in some ways. Engine electronics are super. The battery can sit for very long times without worrying about it going dead. So I have traded some issues for others. The Beva is a terrific traveling bike, and I'm having a lot of fun with it. Next bike? Who knows. But I suspect lighter will be the trend for me. The new F800 models look good but are way over priced. So maybe an SV650 or something. For now, the Breva is just about the right bike for me.

One of the above posts mentions drive line slop. I just checked it, and would say it measures about the same or less than my beemers did. Don't know what to make of it just yet. Will need some more time and adjustment trials before I think I know all about this issue.

Bob Hadden

Bob Hadden '05R12GS(former), '62R27, '06 Breva


On May 22, 2007, at 2:15 PM, Minor, Bob wrote:

So Robert, what's it like going from a Hexhead to a Breva?

Bob Minor

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-oilheads@xxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Robert B. Hadden
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:59 AM
To: oilheads-digest
Subject: Re: Changing to SST lines

I had changed to Speigler lines on my 98RS.  It made zero difference
in the brake feel.  I suspect your abs removal was the overriding
improvement to lever feel.


Bob Hadden '05R12GS(former), '62R27, '06 Breva


On May 22, 2007, at 9:35 AM, Dancoe, John wrote:

Just to add a data point--

I put (front only) Galfers on my '93 R11RS several years ago. I
think I bought
them from San Jose. The banjo bolt on the master cylinder end was a
bit too
long and I had to stack extra crush washers under it.

I removed the ABS system at the same time. My decision to remove
ABS has had
lots of discussion on this list over the years, which I'm not
intending to
restart now; I only mention it because it's germain to this
discussion.

Previously the brakes always had a spongy feel. That was true from
the factory
and after every fluid change until the modification. From day one I
had always
felt, "I'll bet these are really great brakes, but the ABS and/or
stock lines
are masking their potential."

So true!

Now, I have a firm, progressive feel at the lever and eminently
predictable
braking. It's the best thing I've done to the bike and delights me
literally
every time I ride.

However, I changed two variables at the same time. I don't know
which, if
either, was predominant in the improvement. Possibly the ABS, even
while
passive, inherently contributed to the "sponginess"; or maybe it
was all in
the stock lines. I suspect both were a factor, but that the ABS was
more
significant since on other bikes I'd always been able to achieve a
much firmer
feel, even with rubber lines.

Regards,
John Dancoe