'ey up, loads to answer here :f:

First off, Norm on a Space Hopper. Made 'oi laff, that did :lolup:

Quote:
Although, in my defence, I'd done 950 miles in the previous 17 hours and went on to do another 300 in the next 5 and it's amazing how little difference it did make on a motorway!


Two things there, Norm. One as you pointed out, straight lining doesn't tend to show these things up. Second, when you think about it later, it's a bit scary just how much one's concentration goes after a long spell in the saddle, don't you think? I did a 13hrs riding day on my way home in Aug, about 700 miles with very little motorway/dual carriageway stuff, and I knew that for the last couple of hours I was really behind the drag curve. Only that realisation - which made me keep my speed well down - and the desire to make it home that night made me decide to press on. I won't be making a habit of it in future, though ...

For Ad about the Ivanisation. It's like Nisbeam said. It doesn't turn the motor into a fire-breathing monster but it does make it fitter, stronger and more ready to pull and rev throughout the range. With a less restrictive end can, expect 6-8bhp gains around 9k rpm, plus a couple of lbs/ft torque throughout the range. If yours is feeling a bit 'woolly' right now, it could be that it's set up on the lean side (most are as stock) and the cooler winter air (= more dense/more oxygen) is making it moreso. Either way, come April "she'll be roight, mate" ...;)

For HM ("Lord, will he ever stop", I hear you say!:) ), I understand your reservations about going to max preload and compression at the back, but trust me on this one. If you sit on the bike and get someone to measure the amount of rear sag with you aboard, I guarantee that with anything less than full preload, you will have more than the required sag (30% of max wheel travel ie, 135mm/100 x 30 = 40.5mm). I've done this on so many Fazers over the last couple of years that I'm confident of the outcome. The damping is more of a personal preference thing, but give it a try. As for the effect on seat height, I'm 5' 7" with a 29.5" inside leg. Hasn't caused me any problems yet .... the seat height, that is :killme:

Tyre pressures have been a matter of experimentation to find what I like best. I think the manufacturer's recommendation is actually 42psi rear (or is that the MEZ4s?) and 36psi front. But those figures will be making allowance for heavier riders, and probably pillions/luggage as well. How many of us head straight for air pumps when we take a pillion aboard?

I 'feel' the slightly lower pressures - and it is 'feel' rather than 'fact' - warm up and stick a bit better, and they contribute to a slightly more comfortable ride.

All in my head or in my arse ...? Hard to say, as the two are frequently confused :f:

Hasta luego, :)

Mike