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A plug for VDSTS

G

GrahamNZ

High Miler
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
618
Location
Wellington New Zealand
For anyone who wants to do their own servicing and intends to keep a modern Guzzi for a fairly long time, IMHO purchasing VDSTS is a really good idea. I have no reason to endorse VDSTS other than I know how useful it is and how easy it makes getting these bikes to run as they should. I note that the latest VDSTS software is aimed at PC computers only, and now can operate on MS Vista as well as earlier operating systems.

Also necessary for use alongside VDSTS is a good vacuum-balancing tool, because these bikes are really fussy about having well-balanced throttles. My preference is for a twin-column tool rather than the gauge type, which can get out of synch. I made my own oil-filled manometer which is extremely sensitive. There is a post here about that. The commercially available Twinmax is also an oil-filled tool as I understand. Mercury-tube types would be my next preference.

While these bikes tend to hold tune well, every time the tappets are reset - at 10,000km intervals - that alters the volumetric efficiency making a re-tune wise. Having your own equipment to do that makes you self reliant, a quality long valued by many Guzzi owners.

VDSTS is great value for money IMHO and can be purchased from RacerX or from Technoresearch.com The cost is mainly in the cabling, which is bike-specific, but the software and updates can be downloaded free from Technoresearch.com

A PC laptop is ideal for running VDSTS because it's easier in most cases to take a computer to a bike than a bike to a computer.
 
Nice write up, Graham. In addition to be self reliant, I have found VDSTS has allowed me to tune my Guzzi far better than the shop did with their Axone. That's mostly due to the fact that I am not in a rush and actually pay attention to engine temps for TB balancing.
 
And, of course, it will pay for itself on the first service. Well, actually I think mine will be paid for in the first half service, knowing the servicing hourly rate in this part of the UK.
I also use a home made U tube manometer, with which I was able to correct a fault with the mechanical balance which was a left over from the last dealer service. This may well be down to the fact that
A. a U tube manometer is far more sensitive and accurate than any other type,
B. it can't go wrong.
 
Hey Graham or anyone else: I have a MACbook which operates as a Mac or purely as a PC once windows ect. is installed. Do you know by chance whether the VDSTS will operates with one of these? I have been considering aquiring this piece of equipment and really don't want to buy another laptop just to use it. Thanks.
FBC
 
FrostBittenCanadian wrote:
Hey Graham or anyone else: I have a MACbook which operates as a Mac or purely as a PC once windows ect. is installed. Do you know by chance whether the VDSTS will operates with one of these? I have been considering aquiring this piece of equipment and really don't want to buy another laptop just to use it. Thanks.
FBC
Click to expand...

Will work on the PC partition - you just need the USB adaptor.... What I am waiting to try is if it will also work in a virtual machine like Parallels or VMWare Fusion.
 
FrostBittenCanadian wrote:
Hey Graham or anyone else: I have a MACbook which operates as a Mac or purely as a PC once windows ect. is installed. Do you know by chance whether the VDSTS will operates with one of these? I have been considering aquiring this piece of equipment and really don't want to buy another laptop just to use it. Thanks.
FBC
Click to expand...

If the MAC has a 9 pin serial connector, I think it is worth a try running the windows OS. If not, just get an inexpensive laptop that has a serial connector. It will make using the software much easier. You won't have to mess with a usb to serial adapter.

This is where I pick up gently used laptops. http://computer-show.com/
 
I had nothing but trouble with the vista version, TR was very helpful, but it was a real hassle. I found an old dell with serial port running xp, now it works perfect and you dont have to find oddball drivers for the usb (i bought the cheapo usb)
 
NeroGuzzi wrote:
Nice write up, Graham. In addition to be self reliant, I have found VDSTS has allowed me to tune my Guzzi far better than the shop did with their Axone. That's mostly due to the fact that I am not in a rush and actually pay attention to engine temps for TB balancing.
Click to expand...

Over the last year or so I have been reading all I can about tuning the Guzzi and this is the first time that I can remember hearing about engine temps and TB balancing. I've always understood it to be to keep the air flowing across the fins to help cooling and don't let it get too hot. Now, I'm thinking that engine temp will affect the TB process adversely in some manner.

I've just ordered a VDSTS From Todd and expect to go through the entire tuning process next weekend.

Will someone please educate me on this temp/TB relationship.

Thanks.

Walt
 
NeroGuzzi wrote:
Nice write up, Graham. In addition to be self reliant, I have found VDSTS has allowed me to tune my Guzzi far better than the shop did with their Axone. That's mostly due to the fact that I am not in a rush and actually pay attention to engine temps for TB balancing.
Click to expand...

Over the last year or so I have been reading all I can about tuning the Guzzi and this is the first time that I can remember hearing about engine temps and TB balancing. I've always understood it to be to keep the air flowing across the fins to help cooling and don't let it get too hot. Now, I'm thinking that engine temp will affect the TB process adversely in some manner.

I've just ordered a VDSTS From Todd and expect to go through the entire tuning process next weekend.

Will someone please educate me on this temp/TB relationship.

Thanks.

Walt
 
WP2 wrote:
NeroGuzzi wrote:
Nice write up, Graham. In addition to be self reliant, I have found VDSTS has allowed me to tune my Guzzi far better than the shop did with their Axone. That's mostly due to the fact that I am not in a rush and actually pay attention to engine temps for TB balancing.
Click to expand...

Over the last year or so I have been reading all I can about tuning the Guzzi and this is the first time that I can remember hearing about engine temps and TB balancing. I've always understood it to be to keep the air flowing across the fins to help cooling and don't let it get too hot. Now, I'm thinking that engine temp will affect the TB process adversely in some manner.

I've just ordered a VDSTS From Todd and expect to go through the entire tuning process next weekend.

Will someone please educate me on this temp/TB relationship.

Thanks.

Walt
Click to expand...

Walt: The B11 Service Manual says the engine needs to reach 60 C (140F) before you balance the TBs. I have adhered to that. I have watched a shop start a cold engine and do the TB balance almost immediately. I ended up redoing it myself with better results.

Also, I get a smoother running engine when I balance between 140-200. I keep an industrial fan on the engine the entire time. When I reach 200F, I shut her down and let the engine cool back down to 140 before I fiddle with the balance again. I can't explain this phenomenon, but the times when I balanced the TBs above 200F, I had poor results. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks Nero - makes better sense to me now.

Walt
 
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