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PJPR01

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Posts posted by PJPR01

  1. The only item missing in this chaotic race was when Alex Marquez went down, he didn't take out Marc.  That would have been even more unlucky. 

    Even Marc admitted that they got very lucky...he didn't claim credit for a 3rd place finish as if it were a standard 3rd place...he got a mulligan and was lucky to extend his points lead.  But luck has a place in all sports.

    I truly felt bad for Fabio...the distress at having a mechanical malfunction when he was in great position must have really ticked him off...and as always, Gentleman Zarco got to have a bit more fun...I like his post race interviews the best of all of them...thoughtful, pragmatic, enjoyable.

    The one catastrophe that keeps occurring with too much regularity is Bagnaia's bad luck/performance...it's now mental even more than mechanical I fear...and that could be a worse curse than a physical injury.

    Onwards to the next one!

  2. 2 hours ago, docc said:

    Image shows wire grooming, @sp838's 3D printed medallion, as well as zip-tie fluid and very special Cable® GuzziStuff toolbox . . .

    IMG_7546.jpg

    I hope that the Guinness is not what was leaking from the front alternator cover, although it looks suspiciously like an oil change was overdue based on the colour!

    • Haha 2
  3. How interesting...Single Throttle body with Dual throttle intakes..so there are still then essentially the same issue of balancing the cylinders throttle activity/ignition/combustion, but how do you balance the single throttle body then to compare to what, is there some other mechanical device on the bike that you hook up the manometer to that is not the throttle body itself?

     

    Thanks!

    • Like 2
  4. 8 hours ago, p6x said:

    I rode for the Motorcycle Tour of Texas yesterday.

    447 miles loop in South East of Texas.

    I refueled twice the V11, and both times, no Premium fuel available. Only regular gas at pumps that are clearly showing their age. This is something I have started to notice in the more rural parts of Texas. The small towns with populations inferior to 1000 individuals.

    Many closed down gas stations; the surviving one being completely run down. As soon as you leave the most traveled paths, using the back roads, gas stations look decrepit and for many, only two choices, Diesel or Regular.

    TopTier fuel is not even in play.

    In these areas, they don't have premium fuel because the cars used there don't require it.

    As before, there wasn't any noticeable difference burning 87 Octane gas in my Le Mans.

    Funny...I'm not having those issues riding the same roads.  There are very good gas stations all along the route...Palestine, Rusk, Huntsville...everyone has Premium, and some of the ones also have Top Tier Gas...in particular the one at the corner right before the Rusk KOA on the main highway at Kim's, which I have found also going towards Tyler and north.  I can't recall the last time I was forced to put 87 or 89 into the Guzzi inside Texas.

  5. 12 hours ago, Steve Swan said:

    I had to get moved into my new office to be ready for Monday and the high today was a cloudy, moist 61' so i snapped a pic of the old gal in the shop.  Next tiome i go out for ride, will take more pics.  I'm planning a 4 day trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, early July. Considering what she was like when i got her, she cleaned up well, but still carries the numerous small scars of neglect.

    1000019445.jpg

    That's a nice area to ride...I'll be riding thru there from Telluride and surrounding areas the 3rd week of June.  Black Canyon is one of my favorite National Parks....great twisty roads on the north side!

    • Like 1
  6. I find that Top Tier gasoline does make the Guzzis run smoother...it's more notable on the Norge and Griso...haven't "felt" it as much on the Scura.

    Occasionally I'll run some Marvel mystery oil thru it or some LiquiMoly valve cleaner...but to be honest, I don't notice anything materially different.

    I have had my injectors reconditioned on the Scura and that was well worth it, they had a degraded spray pattern, and afterwards were perfect again.  I recall Gstallons recommended it, so I did it and also bought a set of cheaper Ebay sourced injectors which also work just fine on my Norge.

    Are you noticing some degradation in "smoothness" or performance lately that causes you to want to open this up, or just looking for a fun project.

    It occurs to me it would be good for us to have a small Spine Raid in Navasota and compare the LeMans to the Scura in terms of engine smoothness to see if they are any different...yours should be better being a 2004 vs. my 2002 ancient Scura that I took out for a fun 150 mile sunset romp today.

    • Like 2
  7. 7 hours ago, Pressureangle said:

    First time I saw a Hare, though American at the Grand Canyon, from the car a hundred feet in front I thought it was a small deer.

    That might have been a Jackalope...those were fairly common in Arizona when I lived there a while ago.  

    • Like 1
    • Confused 1
  8. What has happened to Bagnaia...he's acting like a first year rookie all of a sudden...timid, unsure, happy with a 3rd place finish...I don't get it. 

    I mean I enjoy seeing Marquez win, but some variety would be nice too...it's like the rest of the folks showing up are being paid NOT to race almost.

    Fabio...well, Fabio is in a slump now...from World Champ to has been in just a few seasons.   Zarco...another no show.  

    At this rate it would be almost fun to bring back Takagami to see some more bumping and grinding....

  9. 3 hours ago, audiomick said:

    A more serious attempt at that question.

    I haven't ridden a 4-V big-block (your Griso, for instance) or a V85, but...

    The 4-valve head is the "modern" iteration of the old big block motor. From what I've heard and read, it is very good. The V85 is the latest generation of the motor in my V35 and my Breva. By all accounts, also very good.

    The motor in the V11 is more or less the ultimate developement of the 2-valve big block motors. As far as I understand it, the motor in the 2-valve Griso, 1100 Breva and 1100 Norge was not much different, but they were all CARC models and a bit more refined than a "classic" Guzzi. The V11 has the spine frame, so not a classic Tonti frame and therefore not quite a classic Guzzi anymore, but also not that far away from it because of the motor.

    What you have is a big, classic Guzzi twin tuned to within an inch of it's life wrapped up in a pretty good frame and suspension. In its time, very good. All the character of the old Guzzi V-twin combined with pretty snappy motor response, and very useful handling and brakes. It is a combination I like.

    The difference to the other two you have? Barely concealed brute force. A bit like a bouncer in a dinner suit. B)

    Almost true...the 2V 1200 Norge engine is significantly better than the 2V 1100 in the V11 series.

    However...having said that, owning and enjoying a 2002 V11 Scura, a 2008 2V Norge and a 2015 4V Griso...all I can say is: 

    N+1 is the correct # of motorcycles you should have, with N being the current number!

    By all means delve into the V11 series...worst case scenario, you could sell it, but I doubt that would happen.  The V11 series of bikes are extremely intuitive to ride, love the twisties and are very easy to work on, with the exception of some oddly placed zerk fittings...but to be fair, all of the Guzzi bikes have something unique about them.  I have yet to find a reason to sell any one after having acquired another one.

    • Like 4
  10. It's been several years since I've stopped into Mike's place in Hempstead...we had a few guys drop in one time for a little rendezvous.  He's not too far off the route we do from time to time from Hempstead to Belleville, we swing right by the road to his house.

    Agreed, it's a bit of a stretch to get there, and logistics are a bit more of a challenge.  I'm lucky to have a motorcycle trailer stored at a friend's place so I could drop off a bike there if needed.  Let me know if that becomes an issue for you...easy enough to arrange it.

    Perhaps he can only do so many jobs...did you get the idea that Mike would be doing the work or Davey from time to time?

    • Like 2
  11. Interesting...that same cold day, we had received news that the Guzzi Demo day had been cancelled...so sounds like a mixup in communication.

    If he's planning to discount some of the newer Guzzi's maybe we'll see a few more on the road.  I'd be tempted to get a Blue Mandello, but honestly I don't have any more room with 4 bikes already and I'm afraid that would mean I'd have to give up one of the other bikes...none of which I'm ready to part with just yet!

    I may stop in there in June...there's a fantastic Table Tennis Club off Mason road that I go to from time to time, not far from WWM, so I may drop in the next time I'm down in that area.

    When do you pick up the "new" old Stelvio?  Maybe WW would let you store your Quota with them for a while or put it on consignment for sale as well while you're advertising it.  I'd also suggest putting a For Sale on WildGuzzi or on Facebook...both have a few dedicated Quota owners...you might get a bite there.

  12. Instead of loctite, you could use a very very small amount of Blue Hylomar on the thread, would provide enough "stickiness" w/o creating a locking situation.  I couldn't imagine how it would spin off by itself unless it was well enough loose, or the Quota is like a paint shaker and vibrates like hell.  Seems unlikely though.

    • Like 2
  13. Exactly why do they put springs on those exhaust headers.  I mean, how likely is it that both exhaust nuts or bolts are going to come undone, and the spring is the only thing holding it on.  Surely there must be a good explanation, other than aesthetics.

    Any ideas?

  14. I am a fan of Marquez...but he screwed up big time.

    To quote an old friend..."He snatched Defeat out of the Jaws of Victory".

    Very disappointing to have a self inflicted disaster like this...but hats off to the rest of the racers.

    It was still a fun day to ride up to COTA and enjoy the environment at the races, always a treat to go to the track and enjoy the festivities...visiting Ducati Island, seeing the Demo Bikes (no Guzzi tent for demos but every other brand was there) and lots of Guzzis in the parking lot..saw 2 V85's, 1 Griso, 1 California, my Norge, 1 V7 Special and I'm sure there were more.

    Onwards to the next race...and hopefully more prudent racing and decision making as well!  I'm guessing the race stewards will be re-evaluating their rule book...again!

    As much as I would have liked to visit with other V11 members, managing the family, their timing and activities made it impossible to meet anyone and still see the race on time.   Maybe next time!

    • Like 2
  15. It's always a fun event at the Texas Sidecar....will miss it this year however due to other family commitments.  Nice to see the tour of their factory, quite a bit bigger than the older one.  He does have a custom painter who does excellent work...I may have to consider him for a paint job in the future on the Norge.

    A few years ago, an older fellow had a Norge with a TSC that he was selling...but I never had a chance to see how it all bolted up...hopefully not putting any stress on the CARC itself.

    At this point, still planning on getting to COTA for Moto GP on Sunday...

  16. Excellent plan John...hope you can make it!  Riding the Greenie?

    Was just thru Lockhart a few weeks ago on the Tour of Texas coming back from Bandera of course, had to stop at Blacks!  Mandatory stop in Lockhart as one of the stops was the Grand Courthouse just a few blocks away.

     

     

    IMG_0569.JPEG

    • Thanks 1
  17. 6 hours ago, activpop said:

    My daughter lives in Austin and I always wanted to time a visit for a race, either F1 or MotoGP. Do you need to book in advance or can one just show up and get a GA ticket?  Do they sell out all spots?

    I've been lucky over the years I've gone 5 or 6 times, I just show up and buy a ticket at the box office when I get there.  If you ride a motorcycle, parking is also free!  In prior years I've had seats in the Grandstand, Turn 1, Turn 15/16 and general admission.  Very rarely does it sell out completely so it's more how much you want to spend.  Although it's a hike to get to the top of the hill ( you get your cardio activity in), Turn 1 is fantastic to see the long stretch and then tight bunching around the almost 140 degree turn.  Turn 15/16 is great to see the backstretch at full speed, full braking and lots of turns with the bikes fully inclined over.  One year I went with my wife and son and bought tickets in advance on Turn 15/16, so we could guarantee a seat since it was their first time.

    If you go by all means pay a few bucks and ride to the top of the Red Tower...it's an amazing view from the top!

      

    • Like 4
  18. I'm planning to go to COTA on Sunday morning for the race...my annual tradition to ride up on the bike early morning and enjoy the day.  Nice easy 2.5 hour ride, see some great racing, look at demo bikes and ride home.  As long as the weather holds as it is now, it should be a spectacular day to be at the races again.

    I think there will be some bumping and grinding, maybe a crash or two...but no doubt the King of Cota is favored again!

    • Like 1
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