Damn you Neil
Spalding and your excellent book-
MotoGp Technology. Because of all your incredibly detailed, close-up photos of the state- of- the- art
MotoGp machines being worked on in immaculate garages I now strive for the same perfection when working on my lowly 999. The fact that I'm "rather" compulsive with my mechanical abilities makes it even worse. Heck, sometimes I think I take more time organizing my tools, putting them away before I'm actually finished and vacuuming the rugs around the bike stand than I do actually turning wrenches on the damn thing.
Here is a prime example of my obsession. In LT Snyder's Ducati repair manual he recommends putting silicone sealant in strategic spots on the valve covers, which is all well and good until it comes time to remove that sealant, because it gets everywhere, and being white it shows up on my nice black rugs so....... out comes the vacuum cleaner before I can finish the process. YIKES!!!
The comment I get the most during track days is not- "Wow! You're fast out there for an old guy (which, I'm not---fast (old, yes)) or "You're really smooth in the corners." It's more like- "Are you really gonna take that machine on the track?" "That thing's too pretty." Yeah, I know......
Well, I'm working on it, really I am! My first true test---this year I'm going with used, rattle-can painted, black bodywork instead of my glossy Ducati anniversary red stuff!! Any bets on how long that's going to last?
Now where's the Brakleen? I think I see a spot of grease under the crankcase......