windchill

Already asked this on another thread, but where can I quickly get hold of a Racecraft spring so that my dealer and I can campare it with the original, and possible get a professional engineers' assesment too. Maybe we should have a poll along the lines of what is/is not acceptable to us as "character", or what constitutes a true "defect"? I think it may be interesting, as I am feeling progressively less isolated on this one.

If/when she comes home, there's a gorgeous, disgustingly expensive set of MG Titanium straight throughs and a new ECU waitnig for her!!

Now THAT I can agree with!! As I say, I'd love the bike back, soon too, but Mr Guzzi needs his arse kicked in the process!! All in the name of progress of course. If Id wanted a Sackakacci I'd have bought one!!

Where can I get hold of a Racecraft spring quickly?

I suppose its all a matter of perspective: to me, paint flaking, throttle bodies falling off, and the tacho misting are niggles. Being gearless, three times in 2000 miles is NOT a niggle. Particularly when Mr Guzzi states "As these parts are the modified ones, it is unlikely that any problems will arise" and the damn thing fails again - 750 miles after he wrote that!!!! All things mechanical are prone to problems, its just how they are dealt with as much as anything. My car went in today to have a sensor checked out. That was after I rang the dealer on Saturday, and he arranged a loan car for today. Tomorrow they will ring to ensure that I am happy. We must not loose sight of the fact that Moto Guzzi are definitely NOT a quaint cottage industry working out of some tiny shed by candle light: they are a bloody big industrial concern, who have been doing the job long enough to get it right. They have been, and continue to be part of Italy's largest industrial conglomorates. Moto Guzzi are not even independent, like Truimph for example, they are a "brand" withing a huge group. I am obviuosly alone in this view, but hope we can all agree to disagree, if only to keep this very interesting banter going. "I disagree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it" or words to that effect. Hwyl fawr te!!

..and anyway, the older Guzzi's go on forever don't they. I am certainly not aware of any inherent problems with the old gearbox are you?

Have they!!! Stopped making V11's that is? What actually occured to me whilst going over all this is that if, as suggested, I had repaired the bike myself, I would have probably voided my warranty in the process!! I am trying to persuade MG to get their act together. If that makes me a heretic and a sinner, prepare the stake!!! To be honest, the info on this forum was pretty much instrumental in getting MG to acknowledge a general problem in the first place. But if no one shouts, why should they bother doing owt about it.

Each to his own!! I do appear to be very much in the minoruty, but still can't help feeling that such "faithfull" acceptance of "character" traits serves only to perpetuate Guzzi's disinclination to get off their arses and do something about the issues. Ultimately, they do appear to have aspirations to be more "mainstream". Small car and boat manufacturers built reputation on being small enough to take more care, and pay more attention to detail.

On the road is where it should be. And, this is actually a bike I had intended to keep for good. However, if the factory are aware that owners accept shoddy workmanship, poor quality control, and weak back up as "character" why should they bother doing anythin about it? I get the feeling I have uttered the unutterable here - dissing the Guzz!! I love my bike, but there are limits to the amount of carp anyone should expect having paid over £7000 for the privelidge of ownership. If I want ot tinker, I buy something older and accept the consequences. But no on a new machine. Whichever way you look at it, there is simply no excuse.

Gentlemen, you miss the point. Its not that I declined to take up the offer of immediately available parts, or that I am averse to tinkering. That's what my 1994 Daytona is for. However, having paid a reasonable sum for what is , after all, a consumer item: a toy (as opposed to any sort of necessity), with a warranty, from a franchised dealer, I expected them to sort it if/when it broke down. I don't want a bland, characterless Jap bike. I do, however, expect something which will at least give reasonable reliability. We are, after all talking tractor technology here: nothing complex, with no major stress levels, or massive performance. I can live with misting clocks, flaking paint and so on, but not being stranded for want of a tuppeny h'appeny spring. The Daytona has done 36000 miles, and cost me about £2500, so I expect to have to fix it from time to time. A bike bought brand new for something like £7000, breaking down for the third time in less than 2000 miles has got to be unacceptable to anybody. As has a manufacturer unable and or unwilling to sort the problem. I like "character" that's why I bough the Guz, but not at any price.

Dealer is Colwyn Bay Motorcycles. They just had enough!! Number is the one needed to access MG Assistance/Recovery if your bike is an "aprillia" and under warranty. It was changed some time ago, but nobody , as far as I can tell, advised the owners. Not sure if its UK only, but it connects in Italy.

Well, I was going to start a new thread, but trhis one seems as appropriate!! 1950 miles: only 900 ish and less than 12 months since my gearbox was last repaired underwarranty (second time). A "comprehensive fix" according to Mr Guzzi. Bull****!!! It just went again, about 20 miles from home, leaving the bike with only second gear. Aha, if you recall, the bike is still under warranty, and I got an extra extension too. I'll ring the recovery number I used on the last two occasions. Mr Guzzi has changed it and not told me!! All the way home at 35!! Ring the dealer only to find that he has given up his Guzzi franchise because of all the hassle he 's had. Nobidy told me did they. Anyway, my dealer was actually very helpful, and found a new number - 00800 33 22 88 77. yes 00800. Make a note of it if you have an "aprilia" Guzzi still under warranty. Monday will bring Trading Standards and my lawyer to Mr Guzzi's door this time. Probably some media involvement too: the timing couldn't be better: just before the NEC show, and with a new model. There you go guys, now I feel (a bit) better!!! Will let you know what unfolds.

I would actually love to clothe mine in a full fairing with twin headlights. Has anyone seen anything like this for the recent lemons?

Thanks for the responses guys. So no one has gone for the Rossopuro rearsets, or those shown in the Gambalugna mag?

I am about 6'2 with long legs to boot!! Whilst the upper body position on my 2003 LeMans is great (apart from the skinny grips that is) I always feel that my legs are squashed! I think my feet feel too far forwards if that makes sense? I've seen rearsets on the Rossopuro site, and in the MGOC mag here in the Uk, but never actually sat on a bike fitted with them. Suggestions, comments, experiences?

They really are supposed to rattle!! Remember that the technology hasn't really changed since the 60s. Pushrods and tappets operate your vales, and do a damn noisy job of it too!! Not clever, but pretty much unburstable. As "Bike" describe them "a rolling history lesson".

Excellent!!

Looks good, far better tyhan my modified feed bucket. BUT, I would still like to see the design extended upwards around the shock mount.

http://i22.ebayimg.com/02/i/03/fc/71/6f_1_b.JPG try this for the picture, sorreeeeeeeee

Does this add anything to the equation? Seems to have the standard footrest supports/can hangers reversed!

My bikes all have black engine cases, and all look dull after a wash, especially the smooth finish on the Speed Triple. ScotOil's FS365 spray seems to bring them back to showroom look in no time.

What you need is a bike bubble like this: My three have got one each!! Have a look at www.carcoon.co.uk (or it might be .com) Simple, brilliant, DRY - using the zip went you can even dry the bike off using warmth from the engine. Very very "AR" but simply superb IMHO

Aha!! It was too big!! Never suffered THAT problem before

Somewhat late, but here, hopefully, is a picture of the "mark1" feed bucket hugger!! The "mark2" extends upwards the same with as the top of the one shown, for another 2" with a cut out for the shock mounting. I also extended the bottom "flap" just to stop anything being thrwon forwards. Note: you are lookig at this from the FRONT of the bike ie shaft is left of shot. ***** won't take the picture!! I must be a bit tik. Will e-mail it to the man who can!!

Even simpler: I used a heavy duty feed bucket (for horses) made out of ribbed black PVC. The curvature (axis vertical) gives added strength, and, being PVc, it can be cut easily. Basically the same sort of trapezium shape, but wider and higher at the top, notched to go up around the point where the shock attaches to the swing arm assembly. Taking a lead from the hugger on my Triumph S3, I also carried it down between the main swing arm beams, this time with a cut out for the shaft. this gives a bit of protection further forwards. The whole thing is tie wrapped in place, and almost invisible once fitted. I might mod it further by trying to get a degree of wrpa around the sides, just to close off as many gaps as possible. If I can get as picture that shos the ting, I will post it later, but someone will need to tell me how. Alternatively, I could e-mail the picture to "a man that can". Any offers?