Speedfrog

After reading through all of 12 pages of this thread, I found myself left hanging with nothing to retain from all this search and no conclusion to the problem that started it. Was a viable solution ever found to replace or rebuild the now NLA clutch slave cylinder? What was causing the clutch to remain dis-engaged and how was it remedied? I’m sure there might be a sequel (or two) to this somewhere... @docc ? Ps: not trying to solve a current problem, only inquiring mind wondering.

You can add wine to that now!

Same here, I'm no wine snob and I tend to stick with Southern France, where I was born and raised. Cotes du Rhone, Languedoc, the cheaper the better (Guzzi content). Trader Joe's has the best selection at the best price, here is one of my favorites: https://www.reversewinesnob.com/tenebres-gsm/ And if I feel like splurging on an exotic bottle, I never stray too far from what I know... Cheers!

I do like that definition Phil, and the very astute introduction of the concept of design as opposed to Art when it comes to objects with a physical functionality. The trouble with definitions is that sometimes the line gets blurry, for example with that painting you hang on the wall to cover a hole, it’s not Art to you because you have given it a physical function, but a person looking at that same painting not knowing about the hole in the wall could still see it as Art. Again all very dependent on the audience / the eye of the beholder. And I don’t think you could call that “wall patch” design either... By the same token, the “motorcycle” that I posted a picture of earlier, it is obvious that its physical functionality is so very limited that if you were to attribute it with the “design” epithet it would have to be preceded by “bad”. So, could it be Art? Blurry lines indeed. Like Tom would say, its double IPA time.

That's useful!

Hard NO! Got more than enough technological evolution in my life as it is...

Whose buttons would they be pushing if they didn't have an audience? Like the rest of the people, there are all kind of artists and not all "creative folks" set out to "push other peoples' buttons". In fact I believe that some of the best Art comes from folks with only a need for self-expression, a need to create and realize their vision through their skills. If that creation finds an audience, it might be considered Art. It's when that audience grows exponentially that egos can get over bloated. Human nature I guess, or as we say in French "Chase (human) nature and it will come back galloping".

Nice Greenie for sale in LA. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/mcy/d/la-habra-2001-moto-guzzi-v11-sport/7650086689.html

No need to look any further than the very pages of this forum to see pictures of one's accomplishment proudly posted for everyone's attention and debate. It might not be Art but the process is the same. We are social creatures and we value our peers opinion and revel in their approval. It's also a good way to open up one's own limited view to a broader perspective.

I heard a Public Art artist once said "If your mom likes it, it's not Art"...

Just for clarification - Ethylene and Ethanol(Ethyl Alcohol) are two different things. The former being an hydrocarbon gas and the latter an organic compound liquid. Only Ethanol is used in gasoline.

Well... It's not a motorcycle. No engineering involved here, except maybe for how it's holding upright. And just because it is a stone-throw away from the MG factory, doesn't increase its status even if we all know what it represent. Modern sculpture maybe... or Mechanical Art.

One might see a car... One might see a people transporting device riddled with engineering flaws and practical inadequacy... This 20th century boy sees an artful mechanical creation. I could look at this thing all day and feel the weight of the world being lifted, if I could drive it, that feeling would be 100 fold. Don't even think about owning it...

When the people of Lascaux started to ornament the walls of their caves with depictions of the fauna surrounding them, I don’t think the notion of art existed. It was first and foremost a mode of expression and the realization that one’s self expression could not only satisfy the artist but bring pleasure to the people exposed to it. The same could be said about sculpture, music or any other art form. Art only exists within an audience.

@audiomick I actually never heard or read the creator(Max Hazan) of the bike pictured above label his creation as Art. I chose it because it is an extreme example, far removed from any aspect of practicality and function and only the result of its creator's vision to tip the triad(thanks @docc) balance heavily in favor of the design, it is still a motorcycle. In fact, I don't think I ever read or heard any custom bike builder worth their salt calling their creation Art. It is only from a consensus of observers that some of these creations are deemed worthy to be labelled Art - or not. And this rather simplistic notion that if I dip a piece of dung in liquid gold and call it art >> IT IS ART!! Sorry, but it's ludicrous. You can make all the noise you want and call it music, but you better enjoy the sound of your own noise because I doubt you'd have an audience. I think it's pretty clear that not everyone is moved by the same forms but we are not discussing tasteless and worthless attempts at bike building by neckbearded Joe Threefinger out of Swampland here, but rather tastefully crafted machines showcasing unique creativity and impeccable fabrication. You seem to be of the function over form squad, I respect that, just another mix of the balance, you like "titanium fasteners and well finished machining", knock yourself out - whatever makes you happy... BTW, I saw Le Pont Neuf in Paris wrapped by Christo in '85, I was there during the 2 weeks installation and it was a fantastic sight when done. I wish I could have seen his Running Fence in situ here in Sonoma and Marin County but that was before my time here. I like Christo's work. @Frenchfrog I don't have any personal affinity for Choppers, Bobers, Cruisers and most so called custom builds. But being a lifelong ébéniste I respect and admire engineering skills and craftsmanship wherever they may lay. The Guzzi trike, I posted as a joke, as a vile counterpoint to a beautiful bike. I'm sure the dude that built it is pretty happy with it but I doubt anyone in their right mind would call it Art. Art is universal but it's not for everyone...

Even if maybe I don't fully agree, I think I can understand not considering any production vehicle, as beautiful as they can be, to be art, particularly for someone with a lifelong career as an engineer in the aviation industry, with its stringent safety and regulations requirements. I imagine that the engineering element would be revered, overshadowing all other aspects of the machine. I respect (even admire) that. All the vehicles you are referencing are the products of a manufacturer created "as a transportation device" for the specific purpose of "transporting people". Although the design briefs couldn't have been farther apart in terms of people transport between the Spitfire, a single seater fighter aircraft, and the Concorde, a luxury supersonic airliner capable of carrying 100+ passengers... I must confess that I've always thought the Supermarine Spitfire (along with the Jaguar E-Type) to be the sexiest machine(s) to ever come out of British manufacturing. But, I digress... Motorcycles in general, as a mode of transportation, are a rather individualistic affair, being only able to only carry two people at best, maybe three with a side car, but in the case of the bikes discussed here, mostly one. I would add that in this era, in the US in particular, a majority of motorcycle owners see their bikes as an object of leisure and not so much as a mode of transport. Although, what is the saying again, "a Honda transport the body but a guzzi transport the soul". Transportation either way... But I digress again. So what of custom built bikes? This inherent individuality, and the fact that they are relatively simple machine, lends itself to personalize, transform and create entirely new and unique machines. Unchained from the constraints of mass production, an individual becomes free to favor any one aspect of the trio design/engineering/fabrication over the others. The lines can be blurry but when this endeavor gives birth to a single unique specimen at the hands of a skilled artisan, a visionary creator, what I see is Art... Rolling Art.

I take it that the OD of the lock nuts doesn’t allow the original back cover to slip over them. Would it be possible to trim the lock nuts by shaving those protruding ribs to allow the back cover (cups?) to slip all the way up and come in contact with the back of the dash?

There is this notion floating around of the motorcycle as a single entity. Comparing production bikes to full custom build seems a bit unfair when considering the amount of resources and budget of a manufacturer and those of (often) a single individual. On the balance, the manufacturer’s engineering & design teams have to adhere to a strict specification bill where the individual builder is freed of all constraints, allowing a full expression of his/her creativity. Another aspect is motorcycle racing, where a production bike is being transformed by an individual or a small team into a racing machine, engineering becomes primordial in achieving the best performance possible and aesthetics are only a result of functionality. Another form of creativity. If you think of the motorcycle as a blend of this trio of design/engineering/fabrication, it’s fair to say that different people value different ratios of these elements for what represents their ideal motorcycle.

I tend to go for a good deal price wise (guzzi content) on a proven tire. I don’t ride enough to try different brand/type within a short period to really compare and the new ones always feel better than the worn ones they replace. Bridgestones at the moment.

Ok, I may have been a bit *off the mark* when singling out Pete for his delivery. It seemed a little harsh when I first read it, late at night and perhaps lacking clarity. There is a lot of wisdom in that post. The thing is, when I’m looking at a nice bike - read unique, different & appealing to my sense of taste - an object of desire - it is for entertainment purposes only and the dreamer in me doesn’t want to be reminded of all the mechanical shortcomings, engineering oversight or design impracticality that comes with it. A left brain / right brain kind of thing. I’d like to think that if I were to build it myself - or buy it if I could - I’d have a more pragmatic approach in considering all aspects, but I don’t have the skills nor the tools-time-space-money-knowledge or fortitude to undertake a *build* like that, so yeah, I respect anyone that tries, even if the result is far from perfect...

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/pml/mcy/d/port-moody-moto-guzzi-v11/7648410706.html

People just wanna have some fun Pete! You've made your point very clear and I think most everyone here will agree with your assertion of all things mechanical related to the Guzzi engine. You've been around these a long time and a lot of folks heed your advice like the gospel, me included, but I bet that three quarter of the motorcyclist population at large doesn't have a clue nor do they give a hoot about what's going on in their engine. As Guzzi legacy riders, your audience, we are an aging bunch and as such we tend to care for and try to understand our machine, but we are not all mechanics, we started as riders, young and careless - Insouciant - with a sparkle in the eye and unattainable dreams... With time, that insouciance has all but eroded and been traded for bad knees and insomnia but the sight of a beautiful bike can bring the sparkle back and the dream is still alive. Surely Pete, you were young and careless once... You like to present yourself as an old drunken bastard and you have a way with words that is rather unique and entertaining but frankly those angry people-bashing rants of yours are tiresome. Of course, like everyone else, you are entitled to your opinion and free to express it in any way you'd like, I just find it sad that in the context of a community such as this, where I'd like to think we're all getting along, you couldn't be a bit more tolerant and light hearted. IMHO... Not cool!

Right on point @footgoose ^^^^^^ The critic is easy, I think anyone's efforts to modify, embellish or otherwise improve a vehicle to satisfy their own vision and desire is highly commendable and should be respected, be it a motorcycle, a car, a bicycle or an airplane... As beautiful and satisfying as production designs can be, there is always room for improvement and personalization, one just has to look at how extensive the farkle market is. The result might not be to everyone's taste but, as I said before, if we all had the same taste, life would be rather dull. And isn't that the essence of customization in the first place -"a modification made to something to suit a particular individual". Of course there are times where some efforts might seem misguided >>>