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Bill Hagan

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Everything posted by Bill Hagan

  1. What Guzzirider said. I have a Ballabio with added Ohlins on rear. Have ridden Ballabio 16K with standard suspension. Diff, even w/o front, is extraordinary, and I have tweaked standard stuff to distraction. That said, depends on pavement. Many places, doesn't matter. NYC? Ohlins, Sir, Ohlins.
  2. Jaap, Try again. While it does "offer" that option to encourage, I think, registration, I specifically nonselected "require your friends to register" option. So, just try lighting up the album first pic (guys putting up pavilion) which should display on left. Let me know if still a no go, but I tried that just now and it worked from here. Bill
  3. It was fine; very fine. LeMans.com regular Bshpilot (Don Rumsey) was a star. Rode in from Houston (c.800 miles) in a day, then--seeing we were not going to pull it off without help--rolled up his sleeves and turned defeat into victory. All the pics with beer in his hand are hard to explain, because everytime I saw him, he was working! I am serious, tho; Don and a few other LD Guzzisti guests were great help and made the event a success ... and fun. Oh, yes. On the morning after the long night before, Don was wheels up at 0530 ... headed to northern Virginia. http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...0b&x=0&y=m1dxwb
  4. Just a last bump and reminder. Hope to see some of this forum's readers there, tho I haven't heard from any directly. Is looking to be a great time. Quite a few local and out-of-town Guzzis, Ducatis, at least one Futura, and other Euros, plus a stray HD or two will be parked out front. Lots of Italian food, wine, beer, etc. I'll post some photos next week.
  5. Here's how I did it. Ride an EV for 3 years and buy a Ballabio. Listen politely to the dealer as he explains the controls, etc. "Yeah, yeah. Got it. Gotta get this thing on the street." Start. Turn trottle. Release clutch. My, my, isn't the sky blue! After I calmed down, and realized the geometry, engine, weight, body position, etc., etc., weren't same as EV ... duh ... and the dealer stopped laughing, I made it two miles to a traffic signal without incident. Idle. Idle. Idle. Bubba pulls along side in the turn lane and, when light turns green, goes straight. My testosteronic and juvenile (and lotsa fun) response was to repeat--unintentionally--my dealer wheelie. Have only done one since, and that just to see if I could do one on purpose. Bill
  6. As likely do all of us who have visited the McAdam family, I know exactly what you mean about the "funk." Glad to see you have a great attitude, especially under these painful to the body, mind, soul, and checkbook circumstances. Best wishes on a full recovery, a process that, I suspect, is helped by visits and posts here. Regards from Atlanta, Bill P.S. OBTW, one could do worse than Sig. Kalal as a b-i-l, tho that may smack of damning with faint praise. Seriously, really appreciate his detailed trip reports on wildguzzi.
  7. Bill & Kathi Hagan invite you to join them in an Italian festival of gratitude and celebration, from noon ‘til 4 p.m., on Saturday, 17 September 2005, at the GarageMahalo, 785 Edgewood Avenue, NE, (Inman Park), Atlanta, Georgia 30307 USA. Please reply before 10 September. [Note: Special parking provided for Italian two- and four-wheeled vehicles] *************************** The BLUF is I need to know who is/might be coming so we can prepare properly, i.e., it’s dangerous to run out of beer and it’s expensive to have more food leftover than one can freeze (and, anyway, I don’t fancy eating leftover sausage and polenta until 2007! ). Seriously, I would be grateful if those of you who are interested would let me know here or by email if you will be coming. This isn't binding, but the closest I can get to a count, the better this will be. This should be a fun event with only Italian food and beverages. Planning to grill sausage and polenta and possibly, have some mini-panini, with Peroni beer, Italian wine TBD, soda (some issues here), and San Pelligrino H2O. Guzzis will, of course, get preferential parking! Hope to see many of you there. If not, count on many pics here. For those who remain mystified about the fuss, see, e.g., http://wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewtopic....ght=motorimessa Bill 404.808.8486 (mobile) P.S. Yes, I've changed the name (yet) again. "Garage Mahal" was used all over the place. "Motorimessa" was unpronounceable and unspellable. "GarageMahalo" sounds Italian (but isn't), and blends the idea of "garage" with the Hawaiian "Mahalo," i.e. "Thank you." We lived in Hawaii for 3 years and grateful is exactly how I feel about this garage and my Guzzis and life in general. _________________
  8. Antonio, Please send me email off-line with this person's location. I am a lawyer (I'm a fed, so I'm NOT looking for business!), so I may be able to give you some tips on making this a bit easier. If he's in Georgia, could be especially useful. As a practical matter, however, what the others suggested may ultimately be best course(s), but let me know. Bill
  9. Am working at the National Scout Jamboree for a few weeks near Richmond, Virginia, and got together for a brief ride last Sunday, 24 July, with locals Tom Farley, Joe Sokohl, and Bob Morrison. Posted a quick summary of that ride on wildguzzi, but managed to give out bad info on the roads we took. http://wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=3818 Anyway, as I said there, "this was a very nice ride, made even nicer by seeing a green V 11 Sport heading south. I gave chase, but had no chance, of course.” Joe later posted that we actually took this route: “From Mechanicsville, 360 East to I-295 South to 64East to SR294 East at Bottom's Bridge to US 33 East through West Point to the wonderful SR 14 North through Stephens Church to SR 721 to Bowling Green.” I THINK we saw the green Sport on SR 14 (which was as Joe billed it, i.e., “wonderful"). So, any of you aboard that machine? Bill 404.808.8486 (M)
  10. Did you see my response to this question on w/g? http://wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewtopic....highlight=cruso Bill 404.808.8486 (M)
  11. I thought I read here or elsewhere--and this possible recollection is not to be confused with understanding what I am talking about! --that this is the result of parking the bike in neutral rather than in gear. That causes, as I recall, a pin to stay or in (or not), thus sticking and preventing the light from coming on. It is entirely possible that I am making this up, as mine seems to come on when it feels like it, and how I park seems to have little or no effect. OK, after that helpful comment, I'm going back to packing for a trip that I am unready for and the hours grow short. Yikes! Bill
  12. It would be nifty to meet Al (and others) there, as I am not sure I believe there really is a California, anyway. I'll be passing thru there and will stop (probably on Sat) on my way back from my month-long stay in Virginia. Will be on EV, as Ballabio is having a new rear shock installed and needs tires anyway. May have two friends (one on an ST1300 & the other on a Shadow 600!) along, too; they need a Guzzi indoctrination besides what they'll get from me on the ride up and back! Not a rally guy, but have enjoyed this one when I dropped in in for a few minutes. Tho not among the "lot of energetic sport riders, [or] even some young riders," have done that now several times now and usually arrive after most are on the road in little ride groups. Guzzis ruling the Blue Ridge makes for some great sights and sounds. Bill
  13. Thanks, I deserved that ... and have almost been waiting for some wise___ to say so here or on wildguzzi. Anyway, yes, btw, to all three questions and more, tho I fully expect to learn yet another thing about one of the Guzzis (not sure if I'll be on EV or Ballabio, tho probably the latter) before I get back. Would prefer the Ballabio, but the rear shock leaks, and dealer is trying to get MGNA to respond to claim. I am inclined to upgrade to Ohlins, but jury (and wife! ) is still out on that. The EV is, after Wayne Orwig's check-out after the ignition-switch fiasco, road-ready (I fervently believe and pray!). FWIW--and that would be little, and with apologies for hijacking thread, tho I blame you --here is what I sent to some folks locally and along route to see if they were interested in tagging along for all or part ... or, as sort of advance warning , to ready a spare room and get U-Haul phone numbers ready. ##################### Must report to Fort A.P. Hill (FAPH) any time on Sunday, 17 July. I am legal advisor to military joint task force there to support the National Scout Jamboree. That event actually starts on 24 July and runs thru 3 August, but if it's like last one, riding time from arrival 'til departure is likely quite limited. Three of us plan to take this trip on m/c. George is on a ST1300; have ridden with him before; he'll do fine, but like all of us "aged" types, is concerned about back pain (he has a genuine med condition, and is not merely whining). OBTW, when George got the ST two years ago, he talked a lot of trash about Guzzis. So ... invited him along for a ride to the hills with Wayne Orwig. He loved the slab on the way up, but Wayne and, heck, even I, left him in our wakes once we got to the mountains. Great fun; he remains appropriately respectful to this day! Mario (what a great name; too bad he's on a Honda!) is riding a 600+ cc Honda Shadow, which, tho smaller, is a nice-looking ride and should be fine among larger brethren, especially given no-hurry pace. Will be launching at about 9 a.m. on Friday, 15 July -- tho, to complete our casual approach to things, may depart on Thursday, 14 July. :-) More on that option, below. Will take our time on this general axis of advance: I-85 to vic. Clemson (hate the slab, but it does get us out of town in a hurry); meet with Cam and Jan, who may join us for a few hundred miles); US 178 to US 64, for a quick jog over to N.C. SR 215 up to BRP; BRP to just north of Asheville; I-40 for 15 miles over to Old Fort, then US 70 to Marion, N.C.; US 221 for many wonderful miles to at least Independence (with a wiggling deviation on SR 194) just north of Boone; with rest dependent on day we started. That flexibility is because we may ride to Davis, W.V., and spend night in my daughter's cabin. She, other daughters, and Kathi (who will already be in D.C. area) will arive on Sunday, and we wish to overlap only long enough for hugs and coffee. :-) We will then wander down to FAPH via Seneca Rocks, US 33, Charlottesville, SR 20, etc. If we do not do the "extra day" option, we will likely do a general Independence, Roanoke, Charlottesville route via BRP and local roads. So ... there, with far greater detail than you asked for ... is the plan. Hope we might be able to link up for some of this or meet at some rally-point restaurant. We have not--and will not--pick night stops yet, as we want to be driven by the ride, not nightly destinations. My guess, tho, is first night vic. Boone; after that ... heck, who knows? We, will, btw, likely begin return ride on Friday, 5 August. But today's plans are not for either to or from routes, but to play some in new garage, putting away things I ddn't remember I had and general putzing while sipping whatever and listening to the same. :-) Let me know if any of this works for (any of) you. Bill 404.808.8486 ################### Anyway, thanks for the reminder! I am sending ahead a tolbox (and even know now how to use some) and spare parts, as I will have time during jamboree to clean and tinker a bit. Stay tuned.
  14. I note that all the posts in this thread are from the UK, a comment, I suppose, on your weather. OTOH, if the rain keeps up here in "the Sunny South" much longer, I may have to listen more closely to you ... or build an Ark. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php?...ate=GA&site=FFC Seriously, launching next week on 800-miler to n. Virginia via all the twisties I can find, and (rather sulkily) got out my rain gear last night. Have some new Hein-Gericke rain gloves that I haven't tried in the weather yet. Last rain gloves I had kept my hands dry from rain, but sweat from rubber inners was as wet (and stank more) than rain soaking thru. Oh well, 800 miles in the rain (and under overpasses ) is better than no ride at all ... I think.
  15. Phil, I only know two three Alabama riders (Grant Borden--MGNOC rep; Nelson Thatcher, and Sanford Hardy). All live in or near Birmingham. All three ride Calis, tho Grant also has a Daytona and Sanford races a vintage LeMans, and Nelson is handy with tools and, as he rode Brit bikes 'back in the day,' he also has painful experience in electrics, esp. Anyway, suspect any of these guys has forgotten more about wrenching than I'll ever know, and all are easy to get to know and, I'm sure, would be pleased to help. Hope to see you all at Vortex. Bill
  16. Sorry to hear of this. Where are you in Alabama? While we don't need to go public on positive rants or negative raves, I am surprised if Atlanta Triumph Ducati failed you. Call me at 404.808.8486 (mobile) over weekend or email me about them and some other wrenching options in this area. If getting to Atlanta is doable next Wednesday evening, you might consider attending Georgia Guzzi meeting. At Vortex in Little Five Points at 7 p.m. (ET). If those folks are stumped by problem, may still find a buyer. Hope to see you there. Best wishes in any event. Bill
  17. Condolences to you, the machine ... and your bruised feelings. All will be fine in short order. Many years ago in a universe far away, i.e., when I was young--a state I try to remember when I see young people doing stupid things!--I was happily riding my bright-yellow Yamaha Trail 80 on a dirt road in a remote area of Ohio County, in western Kentucky (tho "remote" and Ohio County is redundant!). I had been in a wooded area, then entered a large meadow that sloped gently down to my left, and a steep, large earthen bank started out on my right and extended for several hundred yards. The latter was covered in bright green grass. Hmmmm, I thought, as I came near midpoint. What a neat hill climb. So ..... I turned left into the grassy field, went down a few hundred feet, and turned around. The Yamaha had little power, but was geared to climb telephone poles. I took what was intended as an acceleration run, and was actually making pretty good speed. I could tell I would get to the top of the steep bank and even clear it with some exciting "air" time at the end. By now, you know what happened. I did clear the top. It was a dam!!!! There was a small path at the top and I sailed over it and .... It pains me even now to write more. Lordy, I do love motorcycles.
  18. This may belong more in the "events" list, but I'll post it here first. I just posted this on wildguzzi, and wanted Guszzisti here who may not follow that list to know about it, too. My garage is finally ready for occupancy and, of course, that means a party! ************** For those who may be interested and able to attend, the tentative date for the “garage-warming” party for the Motorimessa will be Saturday, 17 September. Yes, that is some time away, but June is full; I am in Virginia (on one of the Guzzis) from just after Independence Day ‘til c. 8 August; in-laws here for week after that; should be a bit cooler by then; gives lots of planning time; and … anyway, think that date has no conflicts with any nearby rallies. Most important message is that anyone reading this is welcome. The party will be for all Guzzisti and my neighbors and neighborhood, so will likely be a large gathering. A longtime friend and priest will bless the Motorimessa, too. The Mandello motif will be self-evident, but count on only Italian beer, wine, and, of course, grappa being served, along with other Italian calories in more solid forms. Our spare bedroom is committed, but if you have any interest in attending and are coming from out of town, please let me know, as we may be able to find something cheap to reasonable. For those who, after celebrating, wish to stumble to something nearby while leaving their Guzzis safe in the Motorimessa, there are several B&B’s in the neighborhood, including one right across the street. http://www.sugarmagnoliabb.com/ Others within walking (and crawling!) distance at http://www.inmanpark.org/bnb.html Here, btw, is how the structure looks as of a few days ago. http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...77&x=0&y=wn5vu5 What you can’t see are the results of my shopping trip with Wayne Orwig and George Dunn, a Porsche restorer and friend. Of course, as Wayne dryly pointed out in his inimitable style, “So, you sure are buying lots of toys just to polish valve covers.” My thinking was that I am equipping his downtown shop. Hog Mountain is just too far for me drive for him to work on my Guzzis! Actually used several of the tools in earnest this past weekend, tho, as I matched parts BB to X, etc., while putting together some cabinets. Also (re)learned the wisdom of reading directions first! Looking forward to seeing many of you in September. "All brands welcome," of course, but only Italian motorcycles will get special parking. Sometime in late August, I'll post again as a reminder and request for "likelies." Bill
  19. Bill Hagan

    luggage

    I did not play in the latest round of advice on this, but a year and more of use confirms what I said last summer about my satisfaction with Tour Master Cortech Sport Tail Bag & Saddlebags. I then said: “I have used the sport version of the Tourmaster Cortech tailbag for one long trip (inconjunction with TMCS saddlebags) on the Ballabio, and use the tailbag everyday for taking in change-of-clothes for my daily commute, whether on B'io or EV. The bag is expandable, tho I find it roomy enough for suit, shoes, etc., that I rarely unzip the extra room ... well, unless Kathi calls with a ‘Would you please pick up...’ Pretty impressed with workmanship and utility. Also looks better than many when mounted. Oh, yes, when I'm not using s/b, i.e., 99% of time, I place directly on pillion cover. And., when used sep from s/b, uses "hidden" bungees to attach. Easily done.” I’ve done 10K since then, many miles of which included the tailbag. I even used the entire set on my EV along with Guzzi leather bags on my recent, abortive, trip to Maryland last week. To extent visible, you can see ‘em in my avatar, which is a photo of the Ballabio while atop Skyline Drive in n. Va. last October. Great trip; easy packing. Here is more info from the website of Newenough.com, a vendor I have found to be very responsive: http://www.newenough.com/tour_master_corte...le_bag_page.htm http://www.newenough.com/tour_master_corte...il_bag_page.htm All of that said, having seen many other products on the road and listened to folks, I think most stuff is pretty darn good. Oh yes, before I (finally) shut up, you might also browse through the RevPak offerings at http://www.revpack.com/motorcycle/main.html I have the RevPack, Jr., and find it VERY versatile and hardy for both Ballabio and EV. Bill
  20. What Dr. Wayne Orwig found in the operating room! http://www.wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewto...4b33a2ad3bbbab5
  21. Well, the EV's now at Wayne Orwig's place at Hog Mountain; Wayne is, as many of you know, a Guzzi wrench and rider extraordinaire. And, I am home, sipping a G&T and being a bachelor slob 'til Kathi flies in tomorrow. Bshpilot met me (and chauffer Kathi) at a gas station in Front Royal, Va., at 5 a.m. today. He already had the EV in his monster pick-up truck, and then drove me to Wayne's place outside Atlanta, then to my house in the middle of that urban blob. 'Mazing. All he wants for repayment is a guided tour of bike night at the Vortex in Little 5 Points Thursday night. Uh ... make that That BFT (that would be Big F Truck) got us to Wayne's by 2 and my house before 3. Pretty impressive given the FOG and gendarmes out and about. Am grateful beyond words (and will do more for him than words) for BP's (and his indulgent wife's) generosity. His unknowing friends and ours were stupefied that anyone would leave a m/c or take it somewhere for another ... yet everyone here understands and would have done the same. BTW, yes, he got a tour of the Motorimessa. And, if BP's VERY lucky, he and I will have a ceremonial Peroni and be the very first to christen the Motorimessa's "facility," HD decal and all.
  22. I'm calling you in about 5 mins! I do NOT wish to have you miss a m/c ride to haul one. Hope to hear that mine will be OK (but hope is not a method), but expecting worst. Am in Marriott in Bethesda just now. Will start back Mon or Tues if EV is ready. If not, and you still offer ride, I am VERY flexible. BTW, garage is ready for guest Guzzis and spare room available for company. Live in Inman Park, downtown. Bill
  23. Wow. Had not checked in here 'cuz it was the EV that ditched me (this time), not the Ballabio. Thanks, J. I am VERY interested in the transportation possibility, Bshpilot, as I spent $450 to get the EV to Winchester! Thought I'd see what was new here while I wait for the (very nervous) groom to dress for the rehearsal (wedding is tomorrow ). Anyway, the EV is at Winchester Moto Sport. They said they'd call me later today, but I am not optimistic. The "low battery" is an interesting thought, as it is 5 YO! As I ride every day, it has stayed charged, but I did mention that fact to WMS. Also know, had just had alternator replaced, tho I did check for usual suspects of loose connections from that. Here is what I sent by email to WMS, and called and asked them to read: From: Bill & Kathi Hagan [Add to Address Book] Flag Message | Mark Unread [This is spam] To: info@winchestermotosports.com Cc: parts@atlantatriumphducati.com, service@atlantatriumphducati.com, wrhagan@earthlink.net, jason@atlantatriumphducati.com, michael@atlantatriumphducati.com, paul@atlantatriumphducati.com Subject: Bill Hagan's 1998 V11 EV Date: May 26, 2005 5:01 PM Hello from Arlington. I know you probably could do without unsolicited "hep" from confused owners, but I did want to share what many Guzzisti have called me, emailed, or posted on the wildguzzi discussion board on this issue based on the symptoms I described. As you have likely discovered by now, my 1998 EV HAS: -turnsignals -taillight -brake light -tach -speedo -MOST dashlights IT DOES NOT HAVE: -fuel pump -starter -oil pressure light -headlight The items that light up get hot from the feed side of the run-stop switch. Stuff I can't get is on the downstream side. The headlight is not fed through the switch, but has connections in the same housing. My friends suggested I take it apart, get rid of the rust, clean the connections and ride until I could get a new assembly. After checking fuses and swapping out relays, I checked under both the handlebar switch and the chrome frame cover to front of gas tank. I did not see visible corrosion. In fact, both were cleaner looking than I expected. That does not mean that there isn't corrosion there, and, based on data, it is that circuit that I believe is the trouble. Hope you do not mind emails such as this, as I simply wish to save you time in your search for the culprit. If you have questions about what my Atlanta dealer did recently, please call and speak to Michael Long or Paul Bunde at 678.904.1414. Thanks again for your support. Bill Hagan 404.808.8486 And, for the "still snowed in late May crowd," even more info is at: http://wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=2750 http://wildguzzi.com/discussion/viewtopic....er=asc&start=45
  24. I share your views, Al, about MGNOC and rallies. I belong to MGNOC, but do wish it would ... err ... come on over to this century. Regrettably, stating that about MGNOC on wildguzzi, even in a temperate way, has gotten me tarred and feathered in nonoseconds. Some folks seemed to view that as heretical as to MGNOC and blaspheme as to Frank Wedge. I meant it that way as to neither. Sigh. Neither am I much for rallies as a way of life, but have attended two or three very briefly and had a good time. And, I am going to drop in on the national rally in (extreme northern) West Virginia later this month http://www.mgnoc.com/rally/national2005.htm on the way to a far, far more important event, daughter # 3's wedding in Maryland. Bill
  25. Ran archives search but saw nothing on this. Noticed recently that the (Sachs WP?) monoshock on my '04 Ballabio has a leak. I must be dull, 'cuz I had not noticed this before, but there was more than a little bit of oil and built-up dirt adhering to it below. Rats. So ... dealer confirmed and then made sad noises about MGNA probably not accepting as warranty work tho still in warranty period. They are checking. That surprises me, but I can't find my @#$%^ manual (we're in a "cleaning" mode at home; if you are married, you understand! ). Maybe such items are not covered, but I wanted to raise here to see (1) if anyone knew/had experience with either such a shock failure or (2) warranty denial or (3) both. If not covered (and possibly even if so, as I can possibly get a credit), I am inclined to upgrade, so I seek your counsel on that, too. Oh yes, is "rebuilding" an option, or is new the only smart way? Thanks. Bill It is gorgeous here just now, and I'm going to take the longest route home I can find, bad shock or not.
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