Amazed the LeMans still has the funny cartridge dampers. Thought that was just the small bikes. Good to see this all coming together. Grand roll out next Spring will be excellent. Reminds me, need to go and drain the ethanol petrol from my Guzz.
Standard is to use one fork seal, however a lot of people just use two because they're using the wrong size fork seals: while it's often called a 35mm fork, the stanchions actually are 34,74mm in diameter. So when using a 35mm fork seal, of course the forks are always leaking a bit, hence people are using two. Get the proper size, then you only need to use one, as intended. Same problem when using aftermarket clip-on handlebars; 35mm handlebars are often overtightened in a desperate attempt to stop them from moving on the 34,74mm stanchions.
I fitted forks from a 2005 Yamaha R1. They are the exact same length as the originals so that if you make the fork yokes to the correct dimensions the steering geometry need not change. That alone is the best chassis upgrade you can do to these Tontis. These Guzzi forks were never good, not even in 1983. These bikes handled well due to the frame, not the suspension components. Also, if you retain the R1's 'Blue Spot' (or Gold Spot) calipers you can also retain the linked brakes with the original master cylinder. Oh, that and the sidestand from the Lemans mk4. Just my 2 cents that no-one asked for.
Always like your videos thanks for the update 👍
Great stuff as usual Mark, thanks Mate!
Amazed the LeMans still has the funny cartridge dampers. Thought that was just the small bikes. Good to see this all coming together. Grand roll out next Spring will be excellent. Reminds me, need to go and drain the ethanol petrol from my Guzz.
A wise choice on double fork seals. I did the same. Keep up the good work!
Standard is to use one fork seal, however a lot of people just use two because they're using the wrong size fork seals: while it's often called a 35mm fork, the stanchions actually are 34,74mm in diameter. So when using a 35mm fork seal, of course the forks are always leaking a bit, hence people are using two. Get the proper size, then you only need to use one, as intended.
Same problem when using aftermarket clip-on handlebars; 35mm handlebars are often overtightened in a desperate attempt to stop them from moving on the 34,74mm stanchions.
Curse you 2017 Mark!!
I fitted forks from a 2005 Yamaha R1. They are the exact same length as the originals so that if you make the fork yokes to the correct dimensions the steering geometry need not change. That alone is the best chassis upgrade you can do to these Tontis. These Guzzi forks were never good, not even in 1983. These bikes handled well due to the frame, not the suspension components.
Also, if you retain the R1's 'Blue Spot' (or Gold Spot) calipers you can also retain the linked brakes with the original master cylinder. Oh, that and the sidestand from the Lemans mk4.
Just my 2 cents that no-one asked for.
All comments/feedback are welcomed 🙂
Can I find any pictures on-line of your bike front end?
Also, why the LM4 side stand?
Cheers