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Thanks for bringing up this topic; UTAC used to based in Monthlery France, where I happened to do my High School. UTAC stands for Union Technique de l'Automobile et du Cycle. Monthlery has a racing track where Grand-Prix F1 and Motorcycle took place when I was a kid. While in Monthlery, we used to go to the track to watch cars while they were being tested, and spoke with the UTAC technicians. UTAC has grown and has an international footprint today. However, the headquarters are still based at the Monthlery racing track like they were in the 60's when I was there. The track is no longer certified for racing, but it is used for numerous events of all kinds for cars and motorcycles. UTAC is the company you would use to do all your testing including certification. They can be trusted for impartiality, even if the test was paid for by Bridgestone; UTAC is a private for profit company. Glossary: the report mentions "on the ring"; the "RING" is an oval with banked curves. The Monthlery circuit is not where they did the test in the report. The test was conducted at Bridgestone Italian tracks. As you can see in this very old diagram made by UTAC (look at the telephone numbers with only two and three digits), initially the track was long; 7.765 miles when you include what is described as "boucles des Biscornes (Biscornes Loop). Look at the two videos herewith: the one on motorbike is done on the Biscornes Loop. The second video is shot on the oval. As pointed out in the second video, during tests, they run the oval counterclockwise. For races, clockwise, and they omit the Biscornes loop. They take the short cut turn at "The two bridges". I have driven on the Biscornes loop, not with a motorcycle though. The track is very representative of all you find on road. The oval is also very bumpy, because with time, it has degraded. This is the reason why they have added so many chicanes to prevent drivers to go too fast.

True! you have no idea how many there are, some bitter or sweet, including non alcoholic ones, some made of improbable ingredients. One of them being Cynar...made from Artichokes! I drank my Crodino every day on rigs while in Italy. And of course, I discovered Amaro Averna in Sicily; but there are so many different of those. I think everyone knows Fernet-Branca because it is used in cocktails. But it is one of those "Amaro" drinks so popular in Italy.

Hi Bill; I think I had that "Grappa" discussion with you sometimes last year? For those who have not been formally educated, Grappa, and other derivatives such as Marc égrappé, are preferably consumed early in the morning with your coffee. My father was from Burgundy, and I got my initiation at an early age. There is a variation to "Marc" though. It is named "Calvados", shortened to "Calva". Often mistaken but all original to Normandy: https://drinkcalvados.com/en/ As with Marc, Café Calva was popular until year 2000 I guess? the new generations no longer.... Anyhow Bill, very nice setup that you have there! Having your workshop in your living room gave me an idea.... Nice food and as far as the wine is concerned I am now completely versed into Spumanti or Prosecco types. Ci vediamo doppo...

I like my motorbikes to look like they came out of the assembly line yesterday. Independently of their millesime. I am not so much on time erosion. My V11 exhibits plenty of signs it has been here and there, and some of them make me cringe and unhappy. My right hand side initially immaculate exhaust has a small scratch, after I dropped the bike. Each time I wash the Le Mans, I try to ignore that it is there, but I can't, and it brings pain. I considered replacing that exhaust just for that, but Stay in Tune did not Stay in business. When I was young, a friend of mine had her nose broken playing sport. The patina rationale did not hold water. The nose job did.... There is also a great debate on artificially aged guitars. All my guitars look like new. I take great care of them. If you follow a little bit the guitar market, you will find out that people are willing to pay more to purchase a guitar that looks like it was used and abused for several years. So, I guess Patina makes sense. Not to me though. I like my glaciers to remain as they were before...

Could it be a bushing used as the axle around which you can pivot the headlight up and down? you should have one on the other side too?

I think the Guzzi Euro 2 muzzled should breath better in freezing temperatures. It certainly complains a lot in this terrible humid environment here. To be perfectly honest, I don't mind the heat or the cold, but humidity I can't stand. Earlier this month, in Houston, we experienced thermal shocks that I had never witnessed before; e.g. more than 20 degF change in temperature in a short span of time. Crazy!

81 degF here in H'town today....

The journalists of Moto.it have made a nice comparison of the Michelin Road 5 with the Michelin Road 6. Unfortunately, the video has no translation; just subtitles. Here's the written article; They did a back to back test between the 5 and the 6, including on the wet. Some nice Sicilian landscapes by the way. These tires are suited for the V11; I installed a set of Road 5 last year, and wanted to check the Road 6 now, but had to fall back on the Road 5 since the 6 is in back order. The road 6 has a dual compound, center compound is harder than the sides. I have been impressed by the Road 5 when I installed it last year. Like day and night. Corner entry was so easy, including small radius turns like the Twisted Sisters. A lot of feed-back. I also got to ride under the Texas tropical thunderstorm, and they felt safe. Now I know that each one of us here has his tire of choice, and the Michelin are a lot more expensive than other brands. Are they worthwhile?

Throughout the years, I found that Lagavulin was my preferred Islay. I used to be partial to Glenmorangie, but that was before the Lagavulin. When you think that back in the 90's we paid the equivalent of 40 dollars for a bottle; today the cheapest one is at 90 dollars....

gobsmacked.... lol.... Scottish accented included! No Guzzi? Interesting the collegial communication system. No lassies? only blokes? Everyone is impressed by the GS handling; no surprise there. But the Stelvio? Loved it!

We too, called them "Silent Blocks" and they are standards parts. Obviously, the one used by Guzzi have metric threads. But you can find them in the USA. McMaster-Carr has a lot of metric fasteners and sundry. However, my Newton Meter torque wrench, I had to get from Europe. I did not want to be converting; I use the Guzzi recommended torques directly.

So yesterday, February 19th 2023, I was at a Mardi Gras parade. A staple of my youth in my native country. It was primarily a kid's celebration. We, not the adults, would wear costumes. As the years passed by, the Mardi Gras' festivities shrank and died down. I was surprised to find it again, here, in the United States. Although, it was much more a grown up act, an interpretation of a foreign tradition brought to Louisiana. As I was looking for a spot, I witnessed the pre-job meeting of a selection of law and order riders from different agencies. The local police used Harley Davidson motorcycles. The State Troopers used BMW motorcycles. Some unmarked officers had a selection ranging from Honda Goldwing and full fairings Kawasaki. Not sure if they were SWAT, as I don't know if SWAT has a motorcycle team. I my country of origin, the Police used to be exclusively equipped with BMW. Then some Yamaha were also introduced. More recently, they created some urban fast intervention teams, riding on more agile motorcycles, such as Enduro bikes. Those are labeled: BRAV-POL. On Yamaha bikes. But traditionally, BMW has been a major provider of police motorbikes. When I was in Italy, the Carabinieri used Moto Guzzi. I don't think they do anymore. What brand does your Police use in terms of motorcycle?

We are done! Don't hesitate to show your adorned V11 Le Mans jacket.... mine is out to be sewed on.

I thought it had/has a certain charm, just because of its lack of appeal. It reminds me of one of my early colleague with whom we rode to Grand-Prix. He had an MZ, possibly one of the least aesthetically pleasing motorcycle of these times, and an engine sound that went very well with it... He would never bother putting an anti-theft while parked, since as he said, absolutely nobody in their right mind would want an MZ. His did not look as "good" as this one, but sounded very similar. It was the cheapest bike you could purchase at that cube size. However difficult to look at, we grew accustomed to have it around, and it never ever left him down. Now, I have to say that not many feminine candidates were compelled to ask for a pillion ride. I suppose you cannot have it all...

I was also miffed about that. I felt bad when they discovered mice nests in the intakes. It felt a bit careless of them attempting to start it. They may have checked the oil before though, but did not show it on camera.

2 left.

I found this video interesting in many aspects. Is this a project bike for someone? can't you redo the chrome on the tubes? I understand they need to turn a profit, but I think there is some potential.

3 left as 16-Feb-2023 19:37 Tejas time.

5 left as 16-Feb-2023 18:05 Tejas time.

There always one non aesthetic factor in the "love" for a specific motorcycle; and just as perfume (those of you who have been on races in the 70's know the smell of "huile de Ricin" or Castor oil in English), it was the sound of the engine. This is the reason, from as long as I can remember, we tried to swap our exhaust systems to enhance the sound. As I was a two stroke engine guy, I installed an expansion chamber on my Gitane Testi equipped with a 50cc Motori Minarelli. For good measure, I upgraded the dell'orto carburetor too. Later on, the Kawasaki triple hit the market, and the sound of a three cylinder is so melodious... none of the CB750 owners I knew kept the decibel killers in these four exhaust pipes. This is when 4 in 1 exhausts started to pop up. The sound of your motorcycle would define you. Then the Benelli sei, CBX 1000, and KZ1300 completely redefined the field. So, even today, many of us have installed after market exhaust systems on our beloved V11, or whatever Vx you roll with. Are we really that much more cool because of them?

In Italy, when a lady goes out with a red mini-skirt, a red clutch handbag, she will wear red stilettos too.... not grey ones... I urge all who like grey to go to Italy pronto!!!!

I replied to you directly.

6 left.

Ha! I was expecting a PM. Will mail it to you tomorrow.