Last weekend I have been working on a 500 GTL. Bringing the bike to it’s (almost) orriginal state can be quite a job. Especially if the wiring has been worked on before. I think everyone working on these bikes will have to best intentions to get things right. From time to time the “best intentions” isn’t the right way. On this 500 GTL the electrical wiring has been fiddled with, connectors where in very bad shape and some even so bad I had to cut them out. The Parallel Twins do not have a good reputation for there electrics and if some electrical jobs are done bad it will get worse. On the junctionbox of this GTL the wiring was pretty bad ……  the main pos (+)  wire from the ignition was cut and just twisted together with a way to thin other wire. When the lights were on the connection was getting hot !!

When you are working on the electrics of the Parallel Twins please take care of good wiring and connections. Worse case scenario is your bike catching fire while you are riding !

We have all heard the tails and maybe seen a broken magesium wheel but here is how it actually looks like. On the GTV models you can find the magnesium  5-spoke Speedlines. They might appeal to you but be very aware of what can happen if you actually use them. Last summer I came across some parts and amongst the parts where 1977 magnesium Speedlines. I was exited to find them because I think they look wonderfull. I knew there was a risc in using them. Some Ducati enthousiasts warned me about the deterioration of magesium and discouraged me to use these 35 year old wheels and just use them as decoration. So I did …… sadly to say. Until I came upon a picture handed me from Tony Hannagan from Melbourne Australia. In this picture there is a magnesium Campagnolo from the same time eara which is obviously not in orriginal state. What you see here is what actually can happen !!!! I am convinced now not to use the old magnesium wheels I found.

Please be warned when using old magnesium wheels. Let them be examined, X-rayed or any way that tells you that the wheel is in good condition ……. or just buy new ones, cost a lot but atleast when you apply the brakes the wheel won’t break into pieces.