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Don't see Rukka mentioned, quality from Finland. My biggest $$$ ever when it comes to riding gear, Rukka Amaros. Another IPA, yes, enjoy life guys. Cheer tom. Sent fra min SM-A505FN via Tapatalk

Here's MotoItaliane narrative about who they are; I am tempted to subscribe to their quarterly magazine, "Bicilindrica", but I will wait to see how the book is. I could ask them why they don't list an author, but I would say it is kind of a concerted effort.

To be fair, it's only hot and humid here in Houston during the summer months, which is why you'll likely need to have gear for summer (lighter weight or mesh) vs. gear that works the rest of the year or can be used with layers. Anywhere else in Texas will be hot, but much less humidity once you get away from the coast a bit. If you're looking for good brands to try, you can find lots of good gear on Ebay also, whether that's Fieldsheer, Kathmandu style jackets, Aerostitch, Joe Rocket, Alpinestar or Klim gear. Best way would be to figure out if you're sticking to a budget. Depending on what size gear you wear or helmet, I have some very lightly used extra boots (I think size 10.5, will check) and practically brand new helmet (Nolan in XL) that a friend of mine no longer uses and they are too big for my use. If those are in your sizes, happy to have you take a look. Occasionally also on Wildguzzi a fellow by the name of Bikelee has very good deals pop up on high quality gear, I've bought a few of his items...impeccable, very lightly used high quality Aerostitch items. You can also look online for gear thru many online motorcycle vendors...tons of gear available at reasonable prices. Depending on where you are in Houston, let me know and can arrange to show you the gear. Once you get your bike in your hands and are comfortable riding again, there are several of us Guzzisti who go out regularly for weekend rides/coffee/lunch. Hopefully in 2021, the rallies will resume as well, there's the GRIT rally (you can also sign up on Facebook for the GRIT - Guzzi Riders in Texas) site, where we post up if we're doing a lunch somewhere around the state. October is when the Texas GRIT rally occurs, also the Oklahoma rally (Talihina state park) and then there's Cedar Vale Kansas in May, Louisiana rally, New Mexico rally etc...) So if you can get your V11 and self into a comfortable touring condition, those are fun events to meet other Guzzisti. Cheers, Paul

Guys, This book is sold by a company named "motoitaliane"; here's a peak inside the book! The book is published in both Italian and English. I have cancelled my order with Amazon.it and ordered directly with "motoitaliane". However, I only paid 5 EUR for shipping, which I know is not correct, so I am going to have to contact them directly. There is no author shown in the pictures, so I am guessing it is a compound effort. Here's what the site says: And by the way, they also publish a quarterly magazine which you can subscribe to for 24 Euros (yearly). However it is written in Italian. I am going to subscribe because a magazine dedicated to Moto Guzzi is rare enough that they deserve support. I am going to contact them and make sure the book is still available for purchase. Once I get feed back, I will share it with the forum, should anyone of you be interested.

It’s best to try stuff on in person, but this is difficult in many locals, and very hard right now with Covid. I think Revzilla and Cycle Gear may be the same company. Revzilla is user friendly with returns which is often necessary to get the right fit. Alpinestars and Dainese make good stuff, but the fit is Euro slim. A good sizing chart will get you close with jackets and pants, but helmets and boots are more particular for matching helmet shells and shoe lasts to your head and feet. I have Daytona boots which are great but it took two times with Helimot to get the fit right. My Shoei helmet I was able to buy at a local store, and I’m glad that I did as all of the helmets I tried fit differently from each other. I have a great vintage Cal Leather horse hide jacket I got cheap on the fedora lounge forum. It predates the use of armor in jackets, but it’s like a suit of armor and is in great shape (I have an extra one if anyone is interested). I have newer Vanson leather pants which are what I like to ride in; they’re a little pricey but very nice. I also have a new Vanson jackets but the fit is not great and I need to send it back. These things are expensive and it takes a while to have them made, but the idea is that you’ll end up with a perfect fit. I dunno. In spite of having the custom Vanson and vintage Cal Leather jackets, the jacket that I use the most is an inexensive Cortech jacket I bought on sale from Revzilla. It fits and works great and has full CE armor. It a combo mesh/leather jacket and is great in hot weather, and with a windproof base layer it works in the cold. For gloves I use the Lee Parks DeerSports, and after a year’s use they’re holding up ok. I think if I was riding a lot in wet weather I’d be looking at an Aerostich suit. I don’t know if they’re open now as Covid has disrupted a lot of operations. Good luck!

I've got a set of the original Scura lollipop mirrors in case anyone wants one or the pair. Small donation to the forum requested and you cover postage and they are yours. Thanks, Paul

That is a kind and thoughtful offer Paul. I once was a member of a now defunct local vintage moto forum in which one thoughtful member started a "pay it forward" thread where members could give away items that were say, not of particularly great value, but too good to throw away. In the vintage scene all sorts of bits and pieces were utilized for all sorts of applications. The only requirement to claim the free item was to, shortly thereafter, continue to "pay it forward" and offer up something else. Value was not relevant. Cool idea. I took advantage of the first offer, a book of the history of Harley D advertising. I then offered up a motocross helmet I had got in a parts purchase, and on, and on it went. That particular forum later started a Facebook page and completely lost all semblance of a moto forum. Too bad.

I've always wanted a round fin big bore Guzzi. I've got two v11's and have ridden coast to coast on my 2002 lemans twice now. So I get their quirks and the solidity of the tech. So I'm going to start a GT/cafe project this coming year and want to know what round face n make the best jump off point? Obviously I'm looking for something that accelerates and shift like it was a bike and not a tractor. I rode an old eldorado once and whole charming I can't really see how you could hustle that platform. Is this too much to ask of the round fins? I look at all the old BMW flying bricks and r/75s and know they are really just trucks when you are on them. Thoughts? Inspirations? Critiques? I'm open to it all. thanks and happy holidays all. Ian Also I know the older lemans look great but are they the only path (hate to chop one up)???

No problem Docc....... I've been sending thumb drives all over the country with all kinds of music.

All the roundfin Tonti's are basically the same apart from valve size, combustion chamber and piston dome shape and carburettor and port size. Pretty much everything else is cosmetic. Please don't hack up yet another lovely old T3 or SP. if you want to build some turgid 'Cafe Racer' start off with something shitful that nobody cares about.

The Rukka stuff looks really nice. Their prices seem in line with higher end gear. You should have gear that doesn’t get in the way and that you trust and like to ride in for the years to come. If you’re keen on going the bespoke route, in addition to Vanson Leather in MA, there is Langlitz Leathers in OR, and Bates Leathers in CA.

Bugger docc. The second book "the rest of the stories" is nothing like the "my life in bikes". I wouldn't suggest buying the second book personally unless you are a particular sort of person, its a bit niche. The primary book is to some extent a reference book which I'd like to keep as such so I'd be happy to post it over to you but the postage costs to the US and back would probably be dearer than buying it. I get most of my books from "The book depository" which is free postage world wide. Dont know if this is the best deal though. As pointed out most books these days are to a large extent "recycled". Cathcart books have been like this for 25 years. Ciao

Yer Killin me with this Video....its been 3 years since we rode for 3 weeks from Rome up thru Tuscany and Bologna and on to to and around Mandello and the Swiss Alps...I remember so many of these places and roads, we were supposed to go back this past summer again and ride for 3 weeks and we were really looking fwd to it..but..well..damn Covid. Best times Ive ever had..Hopefully 2022!!

Santa John! I'm still *grateful* for the Grateful Dead you sent me a while back.

Just a quick mention, for Christmas received and gave a few records. The new Springsteen and Dixie Chicks are quite good. The new Dylan was so-so.

One the subject of books with Guzzi content, I recalled Lucky Phil speaking of Dave Richardson's writing of how it was dealing with running a motorcycle shop and working with the Italians. I always liked dealing with Moto International and figured there would be further insights to be gained of my long-term Guzzi ownership experience. Well, to my dismay, I mistakenly ordered his book of stories that did not make the "A" cut book, My Life in Bikes. It seems the "B" cut stories appear in a book with the same cover, same title, but with the subtitle "The Rest of the Stories." If you go looking for Richardson's book, be forewarned. I did work my way through the "memoirs" and some gave me a smile. I mostly made myself finish it out of respect for Dave, then gave the book away. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to order the book I thought I was getting.

Scud on this list.

Makes me tingle in a dirty place.

Two absolute tomes for our passion:

This one hits me harder than Steppenwolf "Born to be Wild". The kinda tune that gets me ticketed riding with it in my head. Has all the food groups: Orange half-stack in a pole barn, slender fingers holding a Shure55, and a bass line that sounds like a V11 Sport hugging a bluff along the river . . .

P6x, let us know how the book is when you get it. Is it in English or Italian? I have just gotten the Falloon book, and it’s pretty nice! Good info and pics of the V11 models.

From the horse's mouth: 1) Worldwide Manufacturer's identification code: Moto Guzzi = ZGU 2) Vehicle type 3) variation in the type 4) version 5) Manufacturing year: Y=2000, 1=2001... 6) Manufacturing plant: M=Mandello del Lario 7) Chassis number (111111 refers to the first ever vehicle manufactured)

"BILT" is the Cycle Gear brand. Their upper end brand is "Sedici". Which is fun to say and maybe a bit "sportier." I know an experienced rider who has relied on their gear for many years, so yes: a good place to start. Especially if a store is accessible for you to lay hands on directly and verify fit. Summers in the southern US see me using my armored, one-piece ventilated Olympia riding suit. Olympia has an affordable range of gear worth looking at, IMO. I tried to get away from AeroStich, but the utility and ruggedness brings me back. In spite of the cost, weight, and some design flaws, the ugly grey one-piece Roadcrafter is a trusted piece of kit for me. I have had good success shopping online with RevZilla for various gear across the brands. They usually have a video review of each product to help with selection.

Aer the windage trays available. Think it is time to put one on, let me know who to contact. Thanks

Thanks Footgoose! Nice history there! Indeed...I just did a major garage overhaul (sealing the floor, painting the walls and installing some overhead racks) and now going thru a few hidden pockets of items, I may even find a few more "goodies" to offer up...although some of them will be for other Guzzis not just V11's. Happy to help these items find a good home for items I am sure I won't use. Cheers and Merry Xmas all!

I've got Falloons new book, it's a bit disappointing. It's basically a coffee table picture book with brief text and there's a couple of howling technical errors which always destroys any confidence I have in a book you may use for reference purposes. Ciao