Bill Hagan

Heck, Todd, even a liberal-arts guy can understand the math. Thanks. I'm happy with my dealer in most things, and spend lotsa $ there. But the tire/rim thing is pretty annoying. I'm going to chat on it before the next time ... which, at rate I go thru tires, won't be long. Too bad about the Amex; love them miles; getting Kathi and me to Milan (& Mandello) in business class next June.

I hope you get an answer to that, cuz I am sick of everytime my dealer changes the tires causing that. Have considered getting a tire-changer, as I can't imagine I would make a bigger mess of that process than they do. I have tried hard to remember these are "only" motorcycles, but it is annoying when you get what I see as avoidable damage. Grrrrr.

Grazie, Antonio. I know that, but, for many reasons, I am fond--indeed, proud--of Carabinieri. The ones I knew and worked with in Vicenza years ago were great guys. Moreover, three years ago, I worked with a Carb security detail and they, too, were super fellows. Even delivered some grappa to me at my hotel 'cuz they saw I liked it the night before. I will also always be mindful of the 13 Nov 03 sacrifice. Besides, as a retired Army guy myself, I am not unfamiliar with insults, both of the light-hearted and mean-spirited variety. And, finally, Georgia (and most states have something similar) prohibits having "Police" lettered on your car or having blue lights, etc. "Polizia" is too close and I never had a warm and fuzzy for the Guardia Finanzia as I do for the La Benemerita. So, thanks for the heads-up, but I am inclined to continue on. A Kiwi friend suggested on Wildguzzi that I paint it in a tricolore pattern, a la the Arai helmet of afew years ago. That is tempting, but I am inclined to be ... well ... dumb, and paint it in honor of the Arma dei Carabinieri. Bill

Think it's been at the Mandello factory since the 1950's, at least. Got these pics from Google images: http://www.motorcyclemisadventures.com/ita...nd_tunnel_1.jpg & http://www.motorcyclemisadventures.com/ita...nd_tunnel_3.jpg

As you might guess, forum folks see lots of these kinds of questions, and are tempted to say, FGS, read the archives! Now, that said, we all also understand lust, and call it what you will, that's what "I'm crazy for this bike and have to have it!!" is, and we have all had it ... and, thankfully, most of us still do. OK, on the merits, here are some quick points in response from my perspective: 1. good deal? Depends. I'm a lawyer and always say that in answer to every question, but, guess what, it does depend. It always depends. In this case, a more helpful response might be that, yes, you can probably find a lower price for a similar motorcycle. Moto-International in Seattle has some specials just now that make my eyes bug out. But, you aren't in Seattle, and you likely want to stay friends with this dealer (even if he won't let you take a test ride). Besides, lust rarely waits. And, of the greatest import to me is that one can usually always find a better deal. But ... in the meantime, another day, week, or month or more slips by, and you've missed those days mounted (an interesting word when coupled with lust) on a machine that makes your heart sing. What's that worth? At my age, 58, it's incalculable. Mebbe you are young enough you don't care My advice on this question? Buy it if you want it and can. FWIW, I paid $11.5 before upgraded cans and tax, etc., for an 04 Ballabio in Aug 03. 2. I'm tall; is there a peg kit to adapt to my 34in inseam? No help; no clue. Mods like that can be expensive and unsat. Good luck. Remember, it's lust and I know lots of tall grooms with short brides. Gotta decide how much you love her. 3. reliability of this machine...any down side? Whoa, you said "a couple" of questions. Again, you gotta read the archives to get a good feel. I've had 2 problems in 18K: broken speedo cable at 880 miles, and broken pawl spring at 6K. First, no big deal; second was, but really only because I was 500+ miles from home or dealer. Thanks to folks on this board, same problem again would not be a trip-buster. 4. dealer won't let me test ride it..whats up? One of those, "some will, some won't." Don't blame dealer necessarily as this is a practice fraught with insurance costs and potential financial peril. At same time, I know it's frustrating not to ride what you'd like to buy. Try to have dealer give you names of local Guzzisti. If he doesn't know any or won't tell, hmmmmmm. Food for thought. Consider, too, posting on wildguzzi or SW Guzzi MGCL topica board as you might get some bites from folks in your area who can help you with dealer advice or even let you take a ride. Heck, fly to Atlanta and I'll let you take mine for a spin (bring DL w/ MC end., helmet, gear, refs, etc. ). 5. Oh, you only had 4. Good luck. I recommend you go slower than your testosterone is begging you to go. Look thru this board's archives, lurk awhile, and, best, try to find a local Guzzista to help you in this. Bill 404.808.8486 (M) if you have questions about Ballabio specifically that I or others don't answer here.

Just posted this on wildguzzi, but the larger international membership here may have ideas I might not get there. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am toying with the (yes, slightly insane) idea of painting my little now-red Toyota pickup in Carabinieri livery, i.e., dark blue with a white top, with "CARABINIERI" in large white lettering! Really. Kathi is not quite as enthusiastic as I am, but she is humoring me. My goal is for it to look something like this url, tho I'll not be able to add the blue lights, darn it: http://www.pubblicasicurezza.org/carabinie.../cc_carina2.jpg As for the "shield" symbol, have been trying to find a high-resolution version of one, and also have a former Carb who now lives in Atlanta, looking thru his stuff and contacting friends in Italy for the "real thing." I may try use the one for "Comandi Regione Carabinieri (Veneto), 'cuz we love that part of Italy so much and I once worked with those guys; see http://www.pubblicasicurezza.org/carabinie..._distintivi.htm, but the resolution might not blow up well. I got all of these these from the basic website at http://www.pubblicasicurezza.org/carabinie..._cc/vei_cc.html A friend who owns a FastSigns shop downtown (Italian, btw) says she can do up the lettering and copy the Carabinieri logo for c. $365. These would be applied with an adhesive to the new paint. After that, I am unsure, thus this post, as I suspect several here know lots about automotive painting. Can I--on my own--simply spray some clear sealant over the applied letters and logos or is there a better answer? Any tips, suggestions, etc., on the basic paint job? Bear in mind that this is a 1993 Toyota p/u, as basic as one can get, i.e., no AC or PS, and has 155K miles. It's perfect, tho, for intown living, and 3 of my neighbors have keys for it so they can run errands without asking. They always bring it back cleaned--occasionally detailed!--and gassed up, so it's a good deal. My point is that I am not trying to get a restoration-quality paint job, but just something reasonably good ... so I can add my fun Carabinieri stuff and confound my neighbors (even more) and embarrass my grown children.

Interesting. Of course, the statistical sample here is pretty small, but aside from what I understand to have been fork-angle changes in later Sports, perhaps the fairings on LeMans and small, but not negligible flyscreens on Ballabios/CS actually affect high-speed stability that might otherwise require damper. I have been to 125+ indicated (I forget what exactly now; I was too scared; I'm sure in a few years, I'll clearly remember it as 150+ ), and did not feel any instability or wobble effect. Glass-smooth long straight helped, of course, but, heck, mebbe the flyscreen actually does something. Thanks for raising the issue.

Just echo from me. I occasionally used the damper on my EV, e.g., on the rather rare miles I spent on the slab with a w/s and loaded, especially if the big trucks were about (as they usually are on the interstates). Came off once for gas, and forgot to reset. Went onto gravel ... quite exciting. Moot now since the damper died miles ago; the stock one is junk. On the Ballabio, I've played with it a few times while rolling up Ga. 400 to the mountains, but the Ballabio is stable enough not to have yet needed it even on the slab. Sure don't want it in town or in the twisties.

I've made the run from Atlanta to vic. Jax a number of times (owned a house in s. Georgia and stayed at a friend's place at Fernandina), thus I am generally familiar with most of the main roads and many of the back one, yet still managed to get lost a few times. I am a map guy, and re GPS (tho, hypocritically, I like riding with folks who have it! ). Anyway, I usually recon the route with a road atlas, a Georgia topo book, and some area maps before a trip. Kathi just rolls her eyes as I take up my half and hers of the bed with spread-out cartography. I then take a few maps with me. Topo maps are of little use in Florida, as the contour lines are almost nonexistent, but middle and south Georgia have more hills and interesting roads (usually following water courses) than you might think. It isn't the Cherohala, but it's nice. In Florida, while riding with the locals, I just played follow-the-leader. On the way down and back, I stuck to my plan ... until I got lost or decided to take the road less-traveled. OBTW, here are some pics of my follow-up on the EV's puzzling mechanical concerns on that trip: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...z&x=0&y=-2oioj2 Bill

Well, it's purportedly in Lecco, virtually a stroll from Mandello. If one were seriously interested (as I am) and had the 60K Euro (which I don't ), verifying authenticity should be doable. Real or replica (and who would go that trouble?), it's a beauty in the pic.

Not that anybody is complaining , but if you have difficulty opening that url on my website, I directly pasted it here: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=502.0

This is a (lengthy) ride report about a short ride. Hey, I'm a lawyer, and can't help myself. Besides, think of it as therapy for the winterbound Guzzisti who crave to get on the road, even if vicariously. Intended for wildguzzi, I thought I might put it here, too, as it includes mention and pics of a Scura and 01 Sport. The report is at http://home.earthlink.net/~wrhagan/mg/ From there, go to "Moto Guzzi Ride Reports;" then select "St. Francis Barracks or Bust: Guzzis and St. Augustine." For those who would do anything to avoid reading that tome, a few pics are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...b&x=0&y=-hb1y7j I set it up so you won’t have to sign in, so just light up the first pic and the slideshow should start. Let me know if that or anything else doesn’t work right. Bill

My "right-hand side airbox fastening screw that secures the airbox to a support bracket" is missing? The "right side side-cover fastener has also gone away?" Sierra Juliet! Are you guys doing a snipe hunt thing on me? Reminds me of my early airborne days when the NCO's would send new, dumb lieutenants (that's redundant, of course) out looking for "canopy lights" for our parachutes. If you are not kidding, I need to get out there and look more closely. First, I didn't even know the Ballabio HAD a right side side-cover; EV, yes, but the Sport? Now, the missing airbox-support-bracket screw sounds more believable, but even that (which is what I think I saw as gone) seems to have a rivet or something. I'll look tonight. So, thanks ... I think. And, Joe, not sure whether Ballabio or EV will be the mount of choice for Florida tomorrow. Kinda like a harem; never know what will please one when the mood strikes. Was planning to ride the Ballabio, as it's not been down that way, but I hate to square off those new Michelin Pilot Powers on piney-woods straight and narrows. There are, however, some nice hills and curves along the way and days for riding without a big screen are fading fast. And, before you think it, no, the missing parts don't scare me. Seriously, rode the EV in this a.m. for the heck of it. I know this is a V11 Sport board, but Calis are so darn good (mebbe not great, but mighty fine) at just about everything motorcycles do, that's it's a joy to ride. So, blonde or redhead tomorrow? Hmmmmmm. Choices, choices.

Hmmmmmmm. What I couldn't see in the garage with my naked eye staring at the real thing is actually clearer in the pics now. Looks as if there ARE fasteners. Rivets? Anyway, would still appreciate knowing what those are/do. Thanks (again). Bill

OK, everytime I ask something like this at a meeting or on a website, I get ready for the hoots of derision. Sometimes I get 'em. Anyway, please take a look at the pics here. http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...db&x=0&y=b01eif My question is whether the holes forward of and to the left and right of the monoshock are supposed to have bolts or the like? Obviously, nothing's there, but maybe that's the way it is supposed to be. Thanks. Bill P.S. Kodak makes it seem as if you must register to see the pics. Not so; just light the first one up and the slideshow will start.

Is not Uncommon Motorcycles in Northeast, Pa. (your side of Erie) in striking distance of Buffalo. http://www.uncommonmotorcycles.com/ I stop in there when I'm in Erie to visit in-laws , and they seem like good folks. No help with your beemer-compo questions. I was born a German, but, aside from my Polish wife, prefer virtually all other Euro things to be Italian [well, OK, mebbe French champagne, and English ... etc.]

I ride year 'round, but that is no challenge in Atlanta compared to your part of the world. I also use electrics on both EV and--if I find the right warmish day--the Ballabio, tho the former, with its barn-door w/s, is my commuting and fun-ride choice from Dec thru Feb. As for electrics, tho, I have worried about stressing the system, but have encountered no evidence of that. I am still running original battery in EV, a 98 I bought new as a leftover in Aug 2000. My wife just stunned me with a "When the Breva 1100 gets ABS, I think you should buy one" statement, but I understand, perhaps incorrectly, that the output will be higher than present Guzzis. Hope so. I can't give up any of my present harem, so I will have a 3-ship battle fleet. Yippee. As for Tenni question, fernando, think spring. What could be sweeter than a knee nearly down mounted on a V11 on back road in New England? Let me answer that ... very little ... mounted that way, at least. Hope you are having a fine ride this day. I am straightening the GarageMahalo after painting the floor, but envy you. OTOH, I should have a few more great riding days left in 2005 and early next year. Savor yours. Bill

As you'll be in Atlanta, you can stay free at my place ... if you don't mind checking out the EV and Ballabio. Heck, you can even measure the latter's pawl-sping boss to your satisfaction. It won't all be thankless work. Do have a bit of leftover Peroni from the GarageMahalo party and can always round up grappa for visiting Guzzist.

The MGNA RA is, IMO, so limited in $ and distance as to be virtually useless. That said, I should not complain because I did have a (front tire!) flat within 10 miles of dealer, and the response was rapid and good. Of course, metro Atlanta has tow trucks prowling around like hyenas (I won't say "Jackal" out of respect to those models ). One of these days, I need to review my various towing options, as I am likely wasting money, but I am unsure of overlap. Do know that our AAA RV+ will do 100 miles "free," and that's not bad among the choices. Here's to hoping you never need any such service, but I found myself 500+ miles from home and almost as far to any dealer on my B'io once. U-Hauled it home. Bill

Hey, at least he stopped. The soccer moms who do that here on Ga. 400--in SUV's the size of Lithuania!--would just give you the finger.

Yikes. Only experience I've had like that was in an amateur bicycle race in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, c.1980, i.e., when I was actually fit. Anyway, this race had many hundreds of cyclists, all crowded wheel to wheel, and shoulder to shoulder at the start. We were all overlapping each other front to back and side to side so that we could not move at all. I was about 3/4 of the way back. At precisely the scheduled start time, you could literally feel this blob of metal and flesh tense and start to roll, beginning, obviously, at the front, but transmitting the sensation of the movement all the way to the back of the pack. BTW, the smell in the middle of that mass was not charming. Some of these guys--and it was all guys--of all sizes, shapes, and bathing habits stank of last night's everything. Blech. Still, we all felt the joy that comes with being part of something big and fun. And, while I am on this little tangent, I had learned some time before that many fat old (or what I thought was old at the time!) men with bandy legs could outstroke me up mountain switchbacks. As I was then a pretty serious "pedal bike" rider, I never let these locals drop me, but it was a near thing now and then. Sneaky bastards. So, we started to roll. The first few hundred feet of molassas-speed travel were filled with all of us leaning against each other as we started off, getting shoes into clips, and making other adjustments. We were just making the transition from a barely balanced walking pace to what could be called riding speed when, about 500 feet from push-off, something went very wrong about a 1/3 way from the lead riders. Someone or several riders went down. Then, in what I can still vividly hear and feel, the many-domino-line crash began. I now know what a collision of armies sounded like before firearms. Curses, screams, groans, clashing and clattering of metal, and the thud of bodies all made for an unforgettable ride. Through some skill but mostly blind luck, I threaded my way around, through, and even over some of the writhing bodies and machines. I can still see mental snapshots of contorted faces. This may all sound overly dramatic as you read it; after all, big deal: a bicycle crash. But it was darn sure exciting at the time. I suspect that over 100 riders were involved. Many were, along with their mounts, only slightly injured and hopped up and rejoined the disappearing riders who had been ahead of or, as had I, escaped the cycling carnage. But some did get seriously hurt and I saw some beautiful machines completely trashed when we completed the race. Perhaps this all very different than that Moscow collision of motorcycles, but on a bicycle that day in Bassano, there was little to no room for maneuver, and we all obeyed the laws of physics. I have been in or seen many other bicycle crashes, including some far more serious. But that one was the biggest by far and this post reminded me of it. Thanks for indulging my memory. Bill

Last year, I rode my EV out to Stone Mountain HD. A friend had bought a Road King, and wanted company for his ride home. Expected the usual disdain (at best) from the HD crowd. Well, when I rode up, the owner and chief wrench both came running (not an exaggeration, btw) to talk Guzzis. Both had owned Guzzis and still loved 'em. Almost felt sorry for my friend. He had just spent $20K+ for this new HD toy, and the dealer was BS'ing with the Guzzi guy. Anyway, because of their cordiality, a few weeks ago I couldn't bring myself to go there to buy the HD decals for my GarageMahalo urinal.

Very punny.

Adam, What the others said (about searches). While not the Beemer you mentioned, you might get some insight from the Ballabio-Rockster compo of sometime back, too. It's also in the archives. I commute on one of my Guzzis almost every day, but this really isn't about transportation; it's about joy. So, my advice in all of these lovelorn columns is that one of those motorcycles calls to you more than the other. Buy it. Best wishes in your aviation career. Fly well; I may be behind you in coach. Bill

One of the most fun rides in my memory was staying mated with a well-ridden Buell this past spring on a road you likely know well, SR 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Byway). I came up on him just after turning off of SR 180, and he took off to play or escape. I rode better than normal and stayed with him, a few times so close it would have taken a thrown bucket of water to separate us. Anyway, I, too, like Buells, and that one was certainly a quick and nimble machine, ridden by someone who liked to ride with verve. Sounded mighty fine, too, booming out of tight turns and up the mountain. We pulled up at the tee at SR 75A and waved as he headed left to Helen, and I right, and over to Suches via US 129/SR180. I don't have the time, money, or room for another m/c just now, and can't give up my EV or Ballabio for anything, much less a non-Italian. But, I'd be pleased to have a XB12R in the GarageMahalo. Drop by if you get one. Bill Inman Park