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Howdy all, we made it to Indiana via a pick up and I got to take the Guzzi for a ride in the rain today. We spent the afternoon getting gear pack on and we should be on the road Wednesday morning. https://www.dropbox.com/s/krxtr1saxxsvxr6/PXL_20220912_165929443.PORTRAIT.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/rss3aen52z76vki/pxl_20220912_164635027.jpg?dl=0

Getting SpineRaiders to line up their bikes for a photo-op is like asking all your friends to bring their cats for a group shot. Formula for a cat fight. Yet, just serendipitously, I find this one image of all five Spineys at this year's XVIII SSR . . .

I want one.

So sorry to hear that. Most grateful no one was hurt.

A testimony to your methods, Sir! I hope you are all unscathed, as well.

Yep, someone draped it across the Coppa. I can be the keeper until next year or mail it over to you. Picture of the Coppa with it will be coming.

I’m impressed that you changed out your tire at home. Your bike lift and shop look good. I’m going to have to step up my game a notch or two after seeing this.

Such a delight to share in that celebration! Our toast from Tennessee, USA, from these two dedicated enthusiasts carrying "The Centenary Torch !"

Word is that you might be the new steward of my Guzzi flag. Couldn't be in better hands! A draped Coppa Italia pic would be nice....😁 Body language is a powerful tell....

Oh, yes. There is clear photographic evidence of the re-badging. Note to Spine Raiders who ask, "Can I ride my (something else)?" Why, sure. Until you show up with your (something else) the third time and it leaves re-badged . . .

I should be able to name that lake, @Joe. Embarassed to ask . . . ?

Yesterday I received the news that Steve 'Steak' Daley, owner/manager/whatever of the Ghetto died in a boating accident in Oregon over the weekend. Apart from obviously being tragic, (I've known Steve a long time. He was one of the good guys.) it does throw the future of the Ghetto up in the air. Hopefully someone will be able to take over the day to day running of the site and keep it up as it is a very useful resource for ALL CARC bike owners and especially 8V's. This is really just a heads up to anybody who references the Ghetto for tech stuff by myself, Beetle and others knowledgeable on the models should perhaps cut and paste any required info for safekeeping in case the board goes tits up.

È stata davvero una gran bella festa, soprattutto perché si respirava un clima unico...erano tutti molto socievoli ed entusiasti. La stampa ha stimato un'affluenza di ben 60.000 persone. It was really a great party, especially because there was a unique atmosphere ... they were all very sociable and enthusiastic. The press estimated a turnout of 60,000 people https://www.insella.it/news/giornate-mondiali-guzzi-2022-affluenza-record-ledizione-del-centenario-166370#:~:text=Organizzate a Mandello dall'8,hanno letteralmente invaso la sponda https://www.motoguzzi.com/it_IT/mondo-moto-guzzi/news-moto-guzzi/gmg-8-11-settembre-2023-recap-finale/

After cranking awhile, pull the plugs and see if they are wet, if dry, then you have a fuel issue, which could be pump, regulator, injector, etc.

Just ordered one in plain matte today. In a chat last week they told me they just got a new batch, but site still say zero in stock. $130,- incl shipping to Norway. The cost of shipping is not what it used to be, but then again..what is

Back when I was a pup, Grandmother said, "The older you get the faster time goes." I thought at the time it was just another of Grandmother's BS stories. She was right again, and I was just young and stupid.

Looks like you’re all set for an epic adventure... Have fun, ride safe!! Gorgeous bike btw

Lake Cumberland, Wolf Creek Dam

I suggest a quick troubleshooting test: take the fuel hose off the pressure regulator, point the hose into a tin, and turn on the ignition. You should hear the pump run for a few seconds, and you should see a few ccs of fuel run into the tin. If not, find out why not.

Fact. I was there.

Looks like it’s still summer there

Not a V11 topic, but whilst I was in the carpark yesterday, a 1964 Mini Cooper S rolled in. A total automotive legend, winner of multiple rallies in the 1960’s; star of the original Italian Job film with Micheal Caine (not the rubbish remake). Would blow cars with 4 times the engine capacity away on a twisty circuit or a mountain stage. Pure class, perfect compliment to my green Guzzi V11

I kept telling myself, "Coulda been (lots) worse." At least the Sport had the courtesy not to completely lock up the front brakes until she and I were at a complete stop and out of the dense fog. Four different Guzzis with brake issues of some type. As I have often said lately, "No reason to plan a TechSession. Somebody's bike already has one planned for us. Just: Get There. Bring Tools."

^^ I am still not aware of a single failure of any V11 that has the "new" spring installed. Not one. And that's how it should be. There are other springs in the shift mechanism, and they never break. Was it really 2017 that we started doing that? Wow... time flies.

Sorry if this was mentioned earlier, but how old is the gas in the tank? Did you try draining it completely, and then put in fresh gas (non ethanol even better if possible). Given that the starter fluid works, but the gas doesn't leads me to believe this gas is not igniting...maybe full of water? Any chance the fuel filter is blocked somehow, the tube is clean and has been inspected?

Kinda lonely around “these here parts” tonight. Just me and the Canadian Harleyists. Bill

I would love this one as a shop poster. . . South'n SpineRaid XVIII / 2022 Cherohala Skyway, Tennessee ,USA

Before that gets out of hand, let me say that overlook was the only one (going or coming) on the Cherohala that was not socked-in with 100 foot visibility drizzling fog. (Came just in time, too) . . . Joe's sweeeeet Rosso Mandello Randy's very fine Coppa Italia (complete with Randy!)

A thru Z line-up: Ray Alder - vocals Mark Zonder -drums Philip Bynoe - bass Joop Wolters - guitar Vivien Lalu - keys

It is turning out that way. Yet, even if things were balmy and dry here, my middle name is Rainer (pronounced the way Reiner usual is). My German mother had a Weimar-era adolescent crush on Rainer Maria Rilke, so that “boy named Sue” sort of name has been part of me since the beginning. So, it is SpineRainer every time I come here! Bill

Biglangster it sounds to me you’ll be handling challenges with a positive outlook, though visualizing your trip does make me pine for my sheepskin seat topper.

You Know What You Must Do, Grasshopper......................................

Docc, This year going to be the SpineRainer's Rally?

Hi-resolution forecast models are coming into range. I see Saturday, up on the Cherohala, 61-67ºF. With morning fog and rain later. Subtract "wind chill factor" at speed. > What does this mean to me < . . . Leaving Middle Tennessee after three months of record temps and heat indices, it is hard to add "layers" and winter gloves to the load out. But: Been there. Done that. Consider it done . . . Actual temps on the Cherohala can be 10-15º below the Tellico Plains temps. And "Feels Like " temps even lower, especially if we get wet . . .

Toured the bourbon trail this past weekend....

Weather is looking like typical late summer, Tennessee: scattered afternoon thundershowers after 1pm. Otherwise, no "severe" weather. Just be weather aware. Getting caught up on the Cherohala in an afternoon lightning storm with no shelter is bad form . . .

Docc, On Saturday, some buddies from IMRG Chattanooga are going to ride up and see the geese ride. Steve, will probably be on his Indian FTR1200 up to take a spin on the Cherohala Skyway to Deal's Gap behind my Rosso. I think they are intrigued to hear 90 degree Italian opera rumbling out of our bikes.

So, Docc, I haven't gone back through all the posts in this thread, but might you have a close-is-good-enough headcount of who's coming? I plan on leaving the top of Virginia on Thursday morning, then spending that night TBD, and arrive in Tellico Plains late on Friday afternoon. Will spend Sunday in Hiawassee R&R'ing the battery on my brother's Multistrada. I'll depart on Monday early; home Tuesday. Still not sure what I'll be riding. My Griso is, sadly, hors de combat. If I can swap out the rear tire on the V7 III in time, I'll probably ride it as I don't think it's been to an SSR. If not the III, the venerable hotdog & mustard EV -- V11 LeMans Forum pinup of the month back in '03 or so -- will return. Bill

Sounds great @Joe! The Farmhouse "downtown" looks interesting. Let us know how it turns out! So, the Lodge at Tellico is officially full for the Eighteenth South'n SpineRaid? Too cool! Just over four months out. I should take mySport apart again soon . . .

Doc, so my wife and I are going to ride down to Tellico Plains and ride the Cherohala Skyway(on the Indian Chieftain). While the Lodge at a Tellico Plains is booked, but the owner guided me to the Farmhouse Inn B&B in town. Very classy move can’t say how thankful I am. But anyways, while talking about the South N Spine Raid, he told me that one room was still available, so I booked it! It’s official, going to make the rally this year on the Rosso Mandello.

Just talked with Bryan and reserved "our usual" room, 301. Now, to decide which of the moto-harem gets the nod. Bill

The change over point from flat to roller tappets was early to mid 2012 but any plated 13 bike should be a safe bet WRT the tappet issue. The other big bugbear that CARC bikes suffer from is lack of grease in the swingarm and shock linkage bearings and this is exacerbated by the rather odd and poor swingarm bearing design. ANY CARC bike, unless it has previously been documented as done, should have its swingarm pulled and it's linkage bearings and swingarm bearings inspected as a matter of course and there is a very good chance on any bike,(Seeing that they are all at least five years old now.) that both the bearings and the linkages will need replacing. Once done and the bearings thoroughly packed with marine grade grease they can be forgotten about for several years before needing further attention. If the linkage bearings are shot it is generally cheaper to simply buy a new linkage than buy the parts needed to refurbish the buggered one. As for the flat tappet issue I have written a 'Definitive guide to rollerisation' which is published on Griso ghetto. We've performed well over 200 rollerisations now and make no mistake, all the flat tappet top ends will fail. Once rollerised further failures of other componentry is rare but not unknown so if seeking an 8V a post 2012 model is the best bet. It wouldn't put me off an earlier model, providing it wasn't high mileage, but fixing 'em up doesn't worry me as I could rollerise an 8V blindfold and with one hand tied behind my back! For the record my first 8V trashed its first motor after rollerisation but it was by then high mileage, (80+ K km.) and had its powerplant replaced with one from a 2012 'Roller' wreck. My second one is a low mileage 2010 flattie rollerised by someone else who didn't really know what they were doing but it seems to work OK. Yeah, I'm the saddo mentioned above who has two 8V's, one is my 'Spare' in case something happens to my 2008. Oh, and rollerisation kits are still readily available.

I love learning "local" pronunciations! "Ta-PO-ka", then. It is interesting to look at the Native American place-names that are, seemingly, along the same vein: Tellico, Telliquah, Tallulah, Toccoa, Tehachapi to Tonopah . And, yet, "Tapoco" is an "acronym" (portmanteau-style blend? ) attributed to the builders of the adjacent Cheoah Dam, built 1916-1919. Also known as "The Fugitive dam" for its role in the popular Harrison Ford/Tommy Lee Jones movie. Ta-Po-Co = Tallahassee Power Company South'n SpineRaiders first visited the Tapoco (before this latest and most excellent remodel) in 2009, the year before we started staying at The Lodge at Tellico. (In case you are wondering if it's okay to bring your Vincent to a Spine Raid) . . .

If I had a "five-day-four-night" pass for the SSR, I would try to stay at TheTapocoLodge. Even at year-eighteen, SSR XVIII, this remains an >insertion/extraction operation< for me, with my Sport.