Quote Originally Posted by Loud View Post
For those of you who don't feel like reading a back-story, my question is simply this:

Am I going to see much in the way of a performance gain by simply upgrading to a 34mm Carburettor on an otherwise stock engine?

For those with more time on their hands I'll try and make it worth your while to read on:

I'm a fan of Italian machinery and have been for 15 years. My friends think I'm laughable for this and, having had a lot of mileage with "Fix It Again Tony" jokes now take delight in pointing out that I have a glorified blowervac / lawnmower / chainsaw etc. To the stage where I can now arrive helmet-in-hand and be asked if I've been out doing the gardening...

For the most part I would consider myself a sensible person, it just so happens that I very occasionally find myself with both an idea and some money at the same time and a downright ridiculous decision often results. Such a time is now, partially thanks to a situation which has my friends laughing all the more...

My bike blew over.

Turns out that a cover acts as a sail and when you add an uneven grass surface (rookie, I know) it results in fairing damage. Fortunately for this ex-Financial Planner with a well-researched insurance policy (as well as mechanical and eBay skills) this may not cost me anything but time... and possibly a few friends if they keep this up.

Now to tie my ramblings in to my opening question.

I like improving things. Not that I want to turn this bike into something it's not designed to be but as a sensible person I upgraded the headlights to Phillips CrystalVisions (difference is like...night and day ) and less sensibly decided it 'needs' the tail tidy (despite the associated implications). I've done some questionable things like matching the jacket and helmet - although I reason that drivers will be impressed with my fashion sense and so are less likely to hit me - but also stooped as low as putting Marchesini stickers on the rims.

But should I touch the engine and will it make me feel better when I tell the next naive soul that it's not a 600 or even a 250?

I've read that the earlier bikes run the 34mm carburettor as they didn't need to comply with the later, stricter emissions requirements that necessitated the 28mm Dellorto on mine. So can I glue one of these on for an instant marginal hp increase or will the "poor thing drown" as a vintage GS1000 rider put it (after failing to keep up with me around a few corners)? Should I go ahead would much head-work be required to get a worthwhile result and, if so, is a dentist going to be more useful than a mechanic? I’d rather leave all else as it is, at least until it’s first major rebuild in another 7,000km. Apart from maybe some tent-pegs to keep it parked upright...

Thoughts?
Bloddy funny intro, mate you should take up writing for a living. I posted a like, kept on going to a facebook link, never used it personaly. But give yourself a like, you are obviously good entertainment for your mates, bastards. Mind you, a half decent rider around the streets on your bike would silence a few critic's, and down right embarrass most modern 250 4's. Your bike, looks awesome, goes awesome, handles awesome, hence is awesome. And remember it is, was it is, and arguably the best ( on par with the aprilia ) in its class, with very few elite members.