Bike Miles

Many more than most people think. The SV has a solid engine, and if the
scheduled services are performed, the engine should be good for *lots*
of miles before needing an overhaul.

Ditto to that. I lengthened the spacers in the front fork to increase
preload, and I upped the fork oil to 15W, which improved things greatly
for me (15 stone). If I had to do it again I would do a mix of 15W and
10W, as it is a smidgen stiffer than I wanted it. The rear shock is
widely condemned as inadequate, but I have no complaints so far with 22k
miles on my 2001 SV650S.

The engine is utterly delightful, and the whole package is really nicely
done. Aside from the budget suspension, it is a very competent bike.
If 10/10ths handling is the goal there are loads of aftermarket
suspension components available due to the bike's popularity, and with
minor mods (new exhaust & jetting) there are extra ponies easily
obtained. It's not going to outclass an R6 or a CBR600RRRRR in the HP
stakes, but that's not what it's meant to be. In traffic it's a really
fun bike to ride because of the ample low-end torque, light weight, and
narrow bars (S model clipons).

 

Timo Geusch said:

That's my regime on the Pan - oil and filter every 4000 miles. It still
comes out as clean as it looks when it goes in. The old oil gets
recycled in the SOJag. It's better spec than I'd use in a 12 year old
car if I was buying oil for the car.

 

Simon Atkinson wrote

Neat trick.

 

steve auvache said:

<hypocrite>

And good for the environment...

</h>

 

Simon Atkinson was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Isn't 10W40 bike oil a bit on the thin side for a Jag?

 

Timo Geusch said:

Nah - 10W40 is the spec for the 3.2 litre twin cam engine.

 

No doubt Simon drains it from the Jag and uses it for another 6 months in
the chip pan.

Plain old mineral oil is so cheap, why bother re-using it.

 

The Guzzi filter is a PITA, more so as I've got an extended sump (2
gaskets and more lining up, upside down).

The book recommends oil every 2000, filter every 9000. I tend to change
the oil every 1500-2000 and the filter every other time.

 

EP 90 seemed to be the only reliable oil for keeping the oil light out on
mine. Without removing the bulb.

 

Sir had a lot of help from a very helpful bloke who stripped his forks,
cleaned it all up and then put it all back together again. Not the
quickest way, but it did the job.

 

sweller said:

Mine's only done 125,000 miles and still has 4 bar pressure at tickover
when hot. About 6 bar on the move.

 

Hog said:

Cos it's available and probably better spec (even after 4k in the Pan)
than 1.99 a gallon motorfactor mineral oil. Also means 1/2 as many
trips to the tip to dump the old oil.

 

He uses it, I'm reliably informed, to ensure that his 'thatch'
adequately covers his bald patch and to take the shine off the crotch of
his work trews.

 

Mine was a 1973 4.2, whose mileage was, ermm, lots.

 

I've got a 24 year old GS 850 lump here with 120,000 miles on it.
Another one has nearly the same, while the youngster of the bunch
(American import engine) has a mere 30K on it, with all but the first
2000 done by me.

All engines (at least while in my possession) have had regular oil
changes every 2K, using bog standard car oil of a decent grade. The bore
wear on the highest mileage lumps is exactly the same as the lowest -
buggerall.

--

Dave

GS 850 x2 / SE 6a
SbS#6 DIAABTCOD#16 APOSTLE#16? FUB#3
FUB KotL OSOS#12? UKRMMA#19

 

Although not modern... By my reckoning my Guzzi has done 175,000 miles
and is still in, hard, use.

It's not quite as nippy as it once was and both the gearbox and bevel box
have been rebuilt in the last 10,000 miles.

 

said:

I'm not entirely sure that the shine removal is all it's cracked up to
be... I might try boot blacking next time.

 

sweller said:

Jags are (I was once told at Browns Lane), designed to last three years.
Anyone who can afford a new one (before they just tarted up the Mondeo
and called it a Jag for a laugh) wouldn't be seen dead in one older than
3 years, therefore no need for longevity.

 

Alan Clark bought an XK120 new in 1950, and owned it until his death in
1999. Although I accept that this may not be the rule...

--
Platypus - Faster Than Champ
VN800 Drifter, R80RT, Z200
DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19
BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11
BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15

 

Platypus said:

As you say - he doesn't fit the usual Jag owning profile[1] as he was
eccentric, but a decent chap.

[1] **** with more money than sense.