guzziownr

" I would guess the US versions run with indicators on as running lamps and only flash to turn." US bikes are the same as yours, only flash to turn. For British roads I imagine that the headlight would be different with the cut-off to the other side. Renting from Agostini is an option...

I would like to visit Europe and ride around for a while including a visit to Mandello. I would prefer to do it on a Guzzi and have been calculating the economics. If i brought a bike over from the US could I sell it in the EU? What hurdles would the buyer have to overcome? In the US importing older bikes is much easier. TIA DW

No connection with seller: http://nh.craigslist.org/mpo/5559554940.html

Worrrk Rihanna, worrrk!

Former V11 Sport owner and current 8V Griso owner here. My poor Griso has had a rough start to life. I bent both brake levers and the shifter and after un-bunging them I noticed that my left footpeg has a bit of an odd angle to it. Are there any bolt on footpeg choices beyond the stockers? I figure the G11's will fit. TIA DW

For fast read painfully slow, creeping around bends, terrified whenever I can't see far enough ahead. I found my V11 to be very confidence inspiring. I enjoyed following faster riders and copying their lines. I'm not at that point with the Griso but I feel the potential as I did a bit of charging forward when conditions and confidence came together. On the highway ride home I cruised at 75-80, passing slower traffic saw the speedo hit 85. I didn't really notice much buffeting and I wasn't really dressed for the part. I was wearing jeans and a jean jacket instead of my Joe Rocket ensemble. I kept thinking how amazingly comfortable the seat was after hours of riding...

I had an '04 Sport and recently upgraded to a G12. I put on 300 miles yesterday with some super back roads in the Catskill Mountains. The G12 is very easy to ride fast with a stiff suspension as found from the factory. It is also super comfortable with a great seat and riding position. After a full day in the saddle the only thing sore was my quads from weighting the pegs over hill and dale. Greg is right about the brakes, a M/C transplant would go a long way. I disturbed three deer sleeping in the tall grass by the roadside and one jumped into the center of the road. I pinned the brakes and aimed for his ass and he skeedaddled. The G12 tracked beautifully and I felt in complete control, ready for evasive action. I think the sit up riding position really adds confidence as your weight is so well balanced. I think the bike is balanced better on it's upgraded suspension. With the genny on top of the block and the long swingarm our favorite tractor motor is centered in the frame and the too small gas tank battery, ect. are centered as well. This bike is not the same revolutionary change that the spine frames were compared to the Tontis but it is a change... DW

There are three recent Guzzis that do well at auction: V7 Sport, Le Mans I and '75 Eldorado Police. As prices at auction have spiraled up examples appeared out of barns and collections to meet the demand. Cubic dollars were spent on restorations of these "rare" bikes until the cost of restoration exceeded the price at auction. The 1000s is following the same pattern. The auctions you cited look to be original bikes with low miles. The next wave will be garage queens from private collections and then expensive restorations. Anyone with experience with big dollar auctioneering knows that the process is crooked. Ebay is no different that Barret-Jackson or Sothebys. Anyone want a $100K Hemi Cuda? It's an authentic reproduction made of new parts in a hot rod shop... There is a contemporary artist named Cy Twombly who had a better grasp of this than most. He produced very few paintings over the years and set his prices high. When his work came up for auction he would bid for the paintings himself against collectors and museums to ensure that prices stayed high. A large Twombly painting goes for millions today due to his manipulation of the market. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6910377.stm DW

I use these: http://www.ridegear.com/rg/F-497.html?mv_pc=GOO100 Seen at a local show, two Sports: DW

Some may remember my complaint that my rear pads were wearing unevenly, a problem I tracked to the rear caliper being off center. I ordered new pads from MG Cycle and did nothing for a while as I couldn't figure out how to move the caliper closer to the wheel relative to the disk. I was visiting the Erik Green the other day and described my problem. He gave me a pair of Brembo shims and explained (as if to a retarded child) how I should put them between the caliper and the carrier on the two securing bolts. Easy Peasy right? It took a little doing because you have to loosen the rear axle, remove a pin and small block and rotate the carrier to get at the caliper securing bolts. Then, once the shims are in place and the new brake pads are in, you have to secure the carrier to torque the bolts. Then, ah, assembly is the reverse of disassembly. I am happy now, because I have fresh pads in and my caliper is centered. DW

Is the BBC going to stream this one as well? DW

Thanks for posting, I came late and only saw the last race, awesome. My viewing experience was enhanced by this article: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technolog...ricks-ever.html I tweaked my Firefox browser to get a smoother stream. DW

I have a PC III on a totally stock bike. My impression is that the throttle is smoother throughout the rev range and the bike runs cooler, especially on hot days in traffic. As a commuter this is important to me. Stock it was fine, PC III was a noticeable improvement and well worth the money. I purchased from Todd as well. DW

Any one heading to Branchville for the open house on Sunday? Its in Connecticut 50 miles from NYC. Branchville Motors 63 Ethan Allen Hwy (RTE 7&102) 8 Miles south of Marcus Dairy and Danbury Mall Ridgefield CT 06877 Phone: (203) 544-7900 Fax: (203) 544-7904 Sensitive to bad web pages? Do not open this one: http://www.branchville.com/ DW

We will always have Paris... DW

When I was younger I used to try and shave a few minutes off my commute every day. I cut through gas stations to avoid lights, slipped between trucks and routinely ticked mirrors with my bars and got into screaming matches with other stressed out freaks. The same commute I made then in 30 minutes I do now in 40 with little stress and danger. Older and wiser now. Oh, and now I have an '04 V11 Sport. Back then I was playing urban canyon racer on a '72 Eldo with drum (rhymes with none) brakes. Idiot. DW

The rubber battery trays for Seventies Tonti bikes will be with us when the last cockroach has turned toes up. I have one off a '75 that I use as a tool tray. I was at a well known Guzzi mech last week and he had one doing the same duty. 30 years + as well. DW

Ever read Tristram Shandy? "hobby-horses": the narrow and often esoteric pursuits (hobbies, essentially) that interest people--often, to the point of obsession. I had dinner with Racer X and John T. one time in CT. Previous to the meal I was worried that I was becoming an obsessed crank. I'm not even close. DW

I'd like a pair of those. How about a part # or a photo? DW

Keeping a straight face while she told the story was... difficult. DW

I have been riding my V11 to work regularly and enjoying it very much. I lanesplit, cut off cars and use trucks as blockers for my sprints through rush hour. On a good run I can average speeds of up to 20 MPH and am occasionally forced to use third gear during hard acceleration. My wife takes the subway. Yesterday, during the how-was-your-day part of the evening she mentioned that some teenagers were acting up in the subway: A pair of teenaged lesbians making out in the car. Sitting in the seats? No, standing up and hanging on to the pole. They were tongue-kissing and one was feeling the other's leg. Doesn't sound so awful. They were wearing those Catholic schoolgirl outfits with the short plaid skirts. It was really rude! Ah. I considered this to be an isolated incident so I will continue to commute via bike. DW in NYC

Heh, how much! Where do I send the money... DW

Custom seats as well... http://www.ceebaileys.com/motoguzzi/index.html