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I got about 5 minutes into it, and decided the bloke is too much of a tosser.

I’m on the verge of soon attending the local 250th anniversary celebration of the Marine Corps at the annual birthday ball, a deeply meaningful event that also marks my 30-year retirement from active duty. It’s hard to believe how special this occasion has become for me. In preparation, I've been working and dieting hard to fit into my Marine Corps dress blues, the very uniform I received while on recruiting duty as a young married staff sergeant back in 1980. As I pull out my well-worn cap, I can’t help but notice the cracks that time has left behind, a reflection of the years I’ve spent serving. I’ll also take a moment to dust off my chest full of ribbons, each one a reminder of cherished memories, though I admit I may not recall all of them. I know I’ll need to shave off my facial hair to meet uniform regulations, but I’m at peace with that. Every time I think of the comrades who have faded away, it stirs a mix of emotions, yet I am grateful to still be standing, even if for just a little longer. I’ll be attending with my girlfriend, who, while not very familiar with military traditions, has excitedly chosen a beautiful ball gown for the evening. I’ve also invited my golf and poker playing friend who's a retired Army Sergeant Major in the Army Reserve, and I know we will all have a great time together. It's going to be an expensive outing but that is OK, I never did buy myself that 18 year old scotch for my 50th anniversary of graduating boot camp. It’s a poignant realization that I retired before many of the active-duty attendees weren't even born. As I prepare for the cake-cutting ceremony, it strikes me that I might be one of the oldest Marines present. This thought fills me with humility and gratitude for the journey I’ve had and the experiences that have shaped me.

Tail of the Dragon isn't the craziest road in the country, it just lends itself to hooliganery better than most, and surrounded by great roads and scenery. The riding is comparable to California but wetter. Craziest road I've ever been on is CA 130 between the Lick observatory and San Jose. Handstanding in neutral to make the turns down, the air full of burned brake smell from the cars, what few dared. More like a hiking trail that got paved. https://www.google.com/maps/search/observatory/@37.3371791,-121.6615309,3558m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTEwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

I'd like to do some west coast rides. Chuck posts quite a few N of LA. I'l like to do all of them and PCH up the coast. I've done a good portion of the PCH in a rented Mini Turbo Stick, but would love to ride it all. So far as the Dragon. I think what makes it so special are the sight lines. And I'm guessing that is an enticement to the hooligans: The riders have good vision rounding those tight corners.

I posted this in the V85 thread on ADVR and sent it out as email to some friends and family, but repost it here. After all, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere, hope may spring eternal, but daffodils won’t for quite a few months, riding days are almost gone, and motorcycle enthusiasts in said northern climes can at least read about a ride. A few weeks ago, as the reality of the coming Long.Cold.Dark. set in, I decided to carpe some diems on and ride. But where? Decided on a twofer that combined an overnight ride with homage to my 4th-great-grandfather, James Hagan, Jr. (1754 - 1829). That resulted in this “staff ride” to the Brandywine battlefield in Pennsylvania to see where Corporal James stood with the 4th Maryland Regiment in September 1777 and faced the Redcoats and Hessians! Two Guzzisti friends, Steve (Alexandria, Va.) & AJ (Baltimore, Md.), agreed to come along. Another, Kev (PhillyJoisy), planned to meet us at the destination as he once lived there and be our "local guide.” Another “local,” Joe (who actually lives near Brandywine) joined in for the fun. So, after voting — as we departed on Election Day, courtesy of the bravery of my ancestral Corporal and his fellows — it was launch time. For the map nerds — not a perjorative, as I am one of those 😉 — here’s the route we took … OK, planned, but “where are we?” took over now and then, so it’s only close! Three Old Flatulents, with varying needs for fuel, hydration, energy food (as in Little Debbie cakes, the original American “protein bar”), bladder maintenance, fuel, and similar things led to a slightly longer run than Google Maps’ optimistic <5 hours. FWIW, the return, where we all took generally separate ways home, was even longer as I managed — my LANDNAV instructors at Armor Officer Basic 54 years ago (gasp) would not be surprised 🫡 — to get lost several times while getting lured into charming backroads. Without spousal units who tend to be more picky, we stayed at the Comfort Inn that was near the battlefield. As you might suppose, there were quite a number of bourbon toasts to Corporal Hagan and the Maryland Regiment that evening in the Hagan Hospitality Suite. I really had no idea that I could have as much fun in 32 hours — OK, with the exception of a few college weekends, but let’s not go there! — as I had on this short ride. I knew when we launched that the likelihood of seeing or learning much was slim for many reasons. The visitor center was closed. Much of the battlefield is now covered by subdivisions. Etc. Always interested in the Revolutionary War and a SAR, I had read several accounts of the battle, with the best, by far, being this, https://tinyurl.com/Brandywine-1777. One might reasonably think that I would have prepared better for my first visit there as I had last year at Camden, S.C., where Corporal James later fought in 1780, then transferred to the 2nd Maryland Regiment, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Camden. One would be wrong. I revisited Harris’s fine book, relooked at some youtube vids (see, e.g., this … https://youtu.be/fbu_y7jf8g8) I also checked out the relevant websites, and yet managed to muck it up, at least WRT the battlefield visit proper. In some respects, I followed the lead of George Washington who, by some intel failures, did not make what he could have of the situation. Yet, because of boon companions (and, if it must come out, bourbon, etc.), I — and I trust we, all — had a good time. I suspect that James himself may have smiled at our toasts and other references to him and his fellows even if we were not able to stand where he did back on that fateful “first” 9-1-1 day in ’77. Heck, three McMansions probably sit there now. But we did go, and talked lots about James and the bravery that he and his compatriots showed. Moreover, I’ll go back better prepared in finer weather in the next year or so, tho may first visit South Carolina where James was seriously wounded in September 1781, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Eutaw_Springs. So, here are some pix of that little "staff ride” earlier this week. As usual with my Smugmug slideshows, this opens in “landscape collage.” That means you’ll see all the pix at once. You can hover your cursor over any that might interest you and see the captions. All of that is easier to view in full slideshow mode. Or, you can take the easy way out and not look at all! Here they are: Brandywine Battlefield Boys Best, Bill

I had a cup of coffee with her when I was a staff mixer at Group IV recording studios in Hollywood in the late 1980's. Nice lady. Here's me playing the same tune after a long ride at a friends house...

The Bullet survived thank god because of the Indian market. They needed a no frills workhorse not crutch rockets for wannabees. Everything old is new again. The circle of life. India kept it on life support for the day it would "rise again" and RULE THE WORLD. That last part I might have got carried away a bit. Phil

Good catch. Bob Benedetto is a Italian-American luthier that is a master. Benedetto in Italian is indeed "blessing" and it certainly has been one in my career. Since the instruments that Bob built himself are now very valuable, many of his guitars are in collectors possession and don't get played out in public. Mine gets played on every gig.😊 Now if I could just get my Le Mans started...I ordered 5 Picker relays from the link and I hope that cures my non-starting issue.

The ECU is a direct current draw all the time as is a regulator when connected to the battery unswitched. Both are live when the reg is directly connected to the battery and any electronic device live is a current draw. It's enough to bring your battery voltage down to 60% or so of fully charged in the time you mentioned. It's not an insignificant drain. The std battery seems to still start the bike ok even when quite low in charge, probably because of a very low starter gear ratio and modest v11 compression. Also probably the reason you've never noticed starting issues after inactivity for a month. LIPO batteries have a naturally very low unloaded loss compared to a AGM and wet cell but a parasitic draw is a parasitic draw for any of them. In the modern car world with the multitude of ECU's controlling everything when you turn the ignition off it takes around 45 minutes for all of them to eventually power down. If any of them fail to do so owners have trouble with flat batteries when left for weeks at a time, sometimes shorter periods. Pretty common. Phil

The thing about California (in particular, nevermind the rest of the West) is that there is *so much more* territory than in the East. I rode the entire PCH, through the Redwoods, back and forth to Lake Tahoe...days on end of fabulous riding. It's a long term plan to spend a month or so riding the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain roads.

Aren't you a business writer? I bet you know retirement rules.

That statement is a poetic, and poignant, expression that informs our lives (whatever we have experienced and endured). Semper Fidelis, indeed, @Sempervee1

https://superbike-news.co.uk/the-piaggio-group-takes-centre-stage-at-eicma/

From what I have read, the crankcase was modified to counter the cracking problem. If I recall correctly, there were at least two stages, maybe three. Ribs were added. I don't know for sure whether the 850GT was the second stage or the third, or even if there was really a "third stage". Whatever, one can see clearly on the pictures on these two pages how ribs were added to the crankcase to get the cracking problem under control. https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto guzzi/moto_guzzi_v7.htm https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto guzzi/moto_guzzi_850gt.htm

I'm planning on getting one next year; waiting to turn 59 1/2.

Why not just get the Brembo hose, that would eliminate the guesswork. 10 bucks for 1 meter(3.3ft for the metric challenged) you should have enough to cover a few bikes!

For a few years now I've tried to beat this disease, but the best cope I can come up with is to try to look at them less and ride them more.

Very glad you enjoyed Joe's music. As I mentioned I met him at Group IV. One time the owner of the studio and Joe were smoking cigars on a break and I joined the conversation. I told him I played and he nodded at his Gibson ES 175 and said play something. I did and his comment was "...sounds good keep working on it..." I later studied with Jimmy Bruno in Philly and he is a incredible Jazz player. He was very influenced by Joe Pass.

^^^^^^ Ah, yes, the brown and white food group; a favorite. In this instance, Eggs Benedict with hash browns and scrapple. Unsure of actual "white stuff" over the eggs. Not biscuit gravy; possibly SOS, tho classic EB gets hollandaise sauce. I immodestly view myself as a connoisseur of (white)(sausage)(pepper) gravy, and, especially, of "proper" biscuits. I do not care for SOS and find hollandaise sauce a bit "uptown" and "yankee" for my southern peasant tastes. That said, yes, I'd go back anytime near. Bill

Not always easy to find a favorite among the array, but alas . . .

Docc- V100 Mandello Wind Tunnel looks good

We'll see, haven't told the missus yet!

It's just a shortcut name. Intelligence it's not but as with a lot of things it's given a handle that sticks. I remember when the word "Gay" just meant you were happy. Somewhat removed from the current definition. Phil

I didn't get all the way through, too late at night right now. But the man said "and at the end of the day, if you're not having fun, what the @#&#33;#&#036;# fark are you doing?" He's right.

Mmm... I'll not be havin' any lube near my ladder rungs lol Squeaks be damned.

There's something about the dumpy old rusty iron with big flywheels and small carburetors that has an appeal apart from anything more modern. Something everyone recognizes, but nobody can put into words. Something visceral, far beyond nostalgia. As the one man said, "it has to feel like you're riding a machine".

Well said. Brought to mind a couple things. First, that Odyssey declares the PC545, common to our V11, should be > charged < (not trickled or tendered or floated, but > charged<) when it drops to 85% (12.65v). Any lower and our charging system is excessively taxed, IMO. Also, regarding the sustained electronic activity in modern cars, I learned that keeping the "fob" too close (or inside) the vehicle will not allow the "sleep" mode and will drain the battery. The "fob"/ "access key" has to be separated from the vehicle a proper distance to allow the systems to go into "sleep" mode.

I haven't seen any posts for this gentleman. how about a little extra

It is some super-duper stuff made in Nashville . Expensive? YES. Regular size can..$18. Gallon jug...$140ish Good? The best I've ever found.

The perfect bike for India. Simple, repairable, tough mechanically, gets the job done. The 650 Interceptor reminded me you don't need a lot of HP to have fun on a bike. It's no Bullet but the philosophy is similar. The Indians and the Kiwi's are the DIY people of this world. Phil

agreed on it being used wrong most of the time, while water displacement is the right thing. that said, hadn't occurred to me to do this to inside of a tank... I like it! For now its full of non ethanol gas, and based on how i'm getting more interested in getting this project going than i had planned at first, maybe thats all i'll need. but if I do extend this project longer, like i should (to finish other, more boring stuff...), then the wD40 approach could be the ticket. New "old" rear fender was shipped today. From a good fellow on wild guzzi. the other little pastime has been even more ongoing education on which motor this is and how all the models laid out progression wise. the Engine number indicates by some sources as a 750S, while others say 850T (it has the taller cyclinders, plain to see), and charlie on wild guzzi says 850T so thats where i'm putting my conclusion. But then it has a right side shift 4 speed trans. so its a mix and match setup there... newer motor, older trans. And now I've paid attention to the fact that it has a generator up on top, in the V, unlike what i'm told (reading) most 850T's had with their low/front mounted alt's. still reading/asking/learning on that topic.

You’ll notice @SierraTango didn’t say guitar strings nor did he say guitar chords . . .

Assuming you mean long-term like 'empty on the shelf for a couple years' I would empty and blow-dry the tank, or air dry in the sun (which you don't have) then throw in a quart of WD40. Splash it around with the cap on to cover all surfaces, and shelve it. Take it down once or twice a year for another slosh to comfort yourself on how long it's taking. When you fill the tank with gas, what WD remains clinging is insignificant.

Your intelligent replies lend an honorable significance to my snotty rant.

The Moto Guzzi charging system consists of two states : Havin' trouble or fixin' to have trouble !

I get the downside but very few things are 100% bad. As usual you select the decent benign stuff and avoid the rest just like the internet in general. Mass instant communication as we are engaging in right now has brought great benefits but also some very, very serious problems. Light and dark, good and bad, smart and dumb, life affirming and life threatening and we get to chose what we want it to be. Phil

On another note... I've never ridden the Dragon, but I've looked at maps and seen videos. This one is gorgeous with the autumn colors. But dang, they must be counting every minor change in direction as a curve. I was trying to find a similarly short road to compare it to that is local to me. And it turns out the South Grade of Mount Palomar is about the same length. Check out the stats on the two roads.

"battery drain"? I've not experienced this, not even when I was gone on vacation for a month. I run a lithium, so maybe that has something to do with it. Regardless of a direct line to battery positive, what would be drawing down while not running?

The pork chops hold the bike together so act accordingly support wise. Not possible to anodise cast aluminium in Australia or I imagine in NZ either. Rub them back with wet and dry and green Scotchbrite then spray them with 2K paint like I did a few years ago. Phil

Without a doubt...Gulf livery! If you need any more inspiration for this choice...check out Moto GP! I just printed this out last week in high definition on glossy paper and framed it for a wall with Formula 1 race posters. Spectacular!

...aaand the new front tire is flat. Hadn't rolled it around any... thought it was the o-ring at the base of the valve stem but actually turned out to be that the stem itself, these lightweight aluminum marvels of ancient Roman wisdom, had split vertically up the side. Difficult to see, but the bubbles prove. I had a set of 90* valve stems that were too short to fit into the '85 LM rims, but was a nice fit here. Rear rim at next tire change, or first flat.

I think doc is on the money actually A full on tribute Gulf Oil colour scheme would wow the boys that much more and add some historical cache Reminds me i wanted to paint our front door yellow once - it took about 5 or 6 different paint colour attempts before I got the rich golden yellow just right! It was like Goldilocks having her porridge just right

So good to finally find out this here back story… I’ve always been intrigued by pics of this lawn tractor Sure hope it stayed as is! It’sa what happens when some good ol’ boys get on the weed instead of cutting weeds 🤣

Have done 2/3 the way through WV which was fabulous. Will definitely have to check out Moto Grappa!

The issue with non genuine reservoir rubber hose is after a while the brake fluid permeates the rubber and collects in a drip that runs down the hose and in some cases onto bodywork and damages paint. The hoses "sweat" brake fluid esp if the bike sits a while between rides. Genuine rubber hoses don't do this. It happened to my new DB1 Bimota years ago. During shipping the hoses had sweated and the result was brake fluid dripped onto the perfect Bimota paint work and damaged it. Not just my bike but all the bikes in the shipment. Bimota had used the incorrect rubber for the hoses. The importer had to repair paint and source the correct rubber hose. Phil

@docc Would it be this ==> Brembo Reservoir Hose

Are you sure the front brake "seizure" wasn't caused by a mal adjusted aftermarket front brake lever you have fitted to the bike. You need to adjust the master cylinder piston actuating rod length to make sure there is enough free play in the lever or they will jam on when the brakes get warm because of brake drag.