docc

Planning on traveling this weekend around 150 miles and up to around 1700 feet in elevation (the Cumberland Plateau of Middle Tennessee). The temperatures are projected in the black ice range (freezing to just above). Is it effective to lower tire pressures a bit to maintain traction? Other techniques? Stay home? Take the Jeep?

From the gearbox back ( and the gearbox forward) I've had no driveline issues whatsoever. I had an early 6speed which I kept telling Guzzi, "It doesn't shift right" and 'It's getting worse' and so on until they replaced my gearbox (80 emails and bless my dealer: Ben Curlin of Jackson, TN). The Great Gearbox Recall of the early V11 followed. I try to keep the shaft lubed, but I'm pretty sure I've only ever got the grease gun on the front zerk once. I say this because the force to remove the grease gun took enough flesh off my hand I can still feel it. I've done two or three wheel bearings and tried to keep the outer needle cage greased up every other tire change. (My rear tires go maybe 4000 miles; hard on women and downrange targets as well). I keep looking at other bikes. Especially the Adventure-Tour variety. The new Stelvio in TT trim looks enticing, but heavy. Triumph has much to offer these days. Yet the Sport continues to carry me ever onward. And (to paraphrase another member), like my Italian wife, she stabs me now and then for no reason at all . . .

There's a topic?? Oh, yes, I voted for Guzzi Final Drive Oil with the moly mixed in for the first many miles. When it became less available, I tried to source it from the supplier, but no good (I forget now who was makig it for gUZZI). I did mix my own, like a bomb in the basement, from left over gear oils of all sorts and Cal-gard moly additive. It was a scary looking mess, but I always reassured myself that it's lubricity was at least equal to Aussie Yak FAt. I'm a RLSP Heavy devotee now. Still using lightweight in the gearbox (cause I like the color). 100,000 Km on the old girl now and running better than ever! Ride well, docc

This is easy, really: Unbolt the license plate and back a J**P Cherokee up to it . . . At least here in the States there is a raucous rivalry between the well-healed Rover owners (JEEP recovery vehicles) and the Jeepsters who pride themselves on maintaining their vehicles with parts scrounged from nearby ditches and streams. I do love my Cherokee; it is reliable, simple and as luxurious as a galvanized bucket. It even has *pushrods*, making it a strange bedfellow for the Guzzi Sport. Curious, though, that Guzzis are largely exempt from bike rivalries. Many of the true HD bikers know them from back in the day, and their handling and specification endears them to the sportbike crowd. I've had mine called a "work of art" and enjoyed its rarity and honest lineage. It has been a bit awkward, at times, to explain that, "No, it really isn't a 'crotch rocket'."

Joe, I'm having trouble feeling sorry for you having to go to Key West and all. In fact, I'm thinking, "Hey, Key West is, like 'south' - we could do the Raid there . . ." No, really, the $1000 and drinking allowances (food is optional) should work out pretty well and your wife's gonna love us. No. really . . . Trouble is, Joe's Ballabio represents 33.3% of the spine frames at last year's (non) event. I know they're becoming collector's items and all, but come on - some of you guys could have your garage queens trailered in. You know, with umbrella girls and all. Ping me in advance - I'll bring the umbrellas. As Bill said, I'm concerned the Tapoco is a bit constrained and even a little remote for our purposes. From the beginning, I wanted this to be something a guy could decide at the last minute to pop in, get a room and have some good times looking over the Guzzis in the parking lot. I'm looking at some places along the I75 corridor in Tennessee and may return us to some prior venue. I don't think we should go back to the Super8 in Athens as the warrants may still be outstanding . . . Ride well, change your oil and charge you battery, docc

My Sport ran about four feet on the tank of diesel I offered it. A friend was nice enough to provide me with a nice, big orange "GASOLINE ONLY" sticker. I keep it on my forehead.

F=MA Force (which does the damage) = mass (which remains constant) multiplied by acceleration (the change in velocity). So. it is not the velocity of itself which multiplies the force, but the rate of change. Sharp downshifts, especially without matching throttle speed, or even abrupt chopped throttle increase force in higher magnitudes because the change of acceleration (deceleration is a negative change in velocity) in the driveline is greater than that change when engine torque is applied to propel the motorcycle forward. Remember, we're not talking changes in the speed of the motorcycle itself, but change in the rotational velocity of the driveline. The difference in force is analogous to pulling a nail from a board (even briskly) and striking with a hammer to drive it in. The greater force occurs when the hammer head changes velocity so abruptly upon impact. Physics is a wonderful, yet arguable, body of thinking. Yet, certain facts remain inarguable: 1)the Guzzi is parked today, 2) it's the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

That's good to know. In that case, you should plan on riding the Sport down to Columbia Thursday night and accompany us on a spirited ride east. It looks to be about 230 miles to the lodge, then we'll do a loop around the Appalachians Saturday.

The banjos always show up somewhere on the way to the squealing pigs. B.Y.O.P, I ain't roomin' wit choo . . .

As a shameless cross post from the "Meetings, Clubs & Events" forum, I propose to check rotor temperatures in the same sloppy, unscientific manner we checked rear drive temperatures last year. The infrared device seems accurate enough; it's just all the other variables that are impossible to sort (pads, fluid, maintenance, braking habits . . .). The venue is the Fif' South'n Spine Raid In Newport, Tennessee, near the VA/NC borders. Dust off those Spine Frame "collector's items" and bring them out for the celebration!

It should be okay. We'll pair up and room together, share tools and otherwise cohort. No one from North Carolina ever comes anyway. And if they do, we'll stay at their house! EDIT: I booked a room, but would consider taking over the "Economy Rooms" on the top floor of the lodge. Apparently all the cabins are spoken for already by 'another group.' I didn't ask if they could be Triumph riders or other surly sorts. The top floor is four rooms with seven beds and two shared baths. Judging by our past venues, I'm not sure anyone but the Hagans take a bath, and they have their own room outside of the steerage class.

I would call four years old a really old tire for sport riding. Of course, I'm terribly hard on tires and replace every six or eight months. Fresh tires, bleed the brakes and give the pistons and calipers a good cleaning. I'm betting the "world will, once again, be spinning on greased grooves." Beyond that, check the headset for tightness and set up the forks and rear sag for your weight while changing the fork oil to something light and fast acting (generally 5wt, but search the major threads for that. Great info from Peter Verdone Designs). She may just want you to take her out in the garage and pay lots of attention. Who was it that was fond of saying, "Italian women will sometimes stab you for no reason at all." Now that you have our attention, you'll have to report on your 'restoration' and the resulting changes to the ride.

Good advice from GSTALLONS on checking brake temps. Bleeding the brakes and freshening the pads is good maintenance as well. The tire date code is preceded by the letters "DOT" followed by four numbers. They are the week (first two) and year (last two) of manufacture. How old and what kind of tire was it?

Arff . . . no call here either. Perhaps our rep precedes us and we should go back to the Super8 in Athens. Er, I'm pretty sure all 'significant others' will be more, er, "comfortable" elsewhere. No, really, "blue lights and sirens" aren't always part of the party. OK, usually, but not "always."

For info on the 2009 ride click on Fifth South'n Spine Raid

(Posted by Bill Hagan on Dec 4, 2008): Sent email; awaiting call back. Kathi is excited about this, a state I find a bit troubling, actually. wink.gif Hoping to be in Italy at the end of that month, and, even better, on a Guzzi in the Dolomites and Boden See area. The Raid will be a wonderful warm-up ... and practice session for grappa. One cannot be too ready. biggrin.gif The only thing that could be better is if I can get her to see why I really need a new Griso "Tenni." helmet.gif Bill

South'n Spine Raid(ers) Five . . . is shaping up for May 15-17, 2009. Location TBA, probably along the I75 corridor in East Tennessee.

Yes, the true manicotti is not a pasta , but more like a crepe. Delisioso! We did have turkey and dressing this Thanksgiving, but often we will do something different; a pasta pescatore, or ravioli from Aunt Anna's old recipe made like dumplings. It is, after all, a celebration of plenty and the gratitude of recognizing where it comes from. I am lucky to have the lady who is happy in her kitchen, but yet remains 'small.' Our next "Holiday" is her birthday before we enter the Christmas season. Happy Holidays to all of you! (and good eating )

Where are we . . Ah, yes: "The retched refuse of your teeming shore." "Send these: the homeless tempest tossed to me: "I lift my lamp beside a golden door." Who am I? A Scot . . . Irish . . . German. Did YOU send my people here? To this harsh place? And then criticize our intensity? Our determination? What does it have to do with "motoguzzi?" Indeed, I have no one else in the International community to trust. I ride this bike, I lived in Bavaria, once. But, now, I am here. I would take you in to my home, Guzzisto . . . feed you the Mannicotti, share the single malt. In this season of 'coming winter', of 'uncertainty and change', I share a blessing of goodness and kindness with you.

I'm thinking the nominal compression on the V11 (at least the 2000) is 9.3:1. I have gotten up to 40-41 m/USG, but 35-38 is much more typical and as low as 32.5 in the colder temperatures. I thought my recent 100,000 Km tune-up might up it all a bit, but it runs so great and I flog it and cog it so hard, the mileage stays about the same. I'm sure the combustion chambers and all that are contributing, but I believe the cam overlap and lift are to 'blame.' The cam is also probably to blame for the finicky idle, fussy high state of tune and overall lusty brio of the beast.

Probably not. I'm just getting them off the rack at the local AutoBonanza. I didn't know there was a motorcycle specific version. Where did you get it?

Pesky Transmision Leak thread. One of several threads on this leak/ crack.

Well, the PIAA Extreme White High-Zoot $50 job went 11,000 miles. I've run five Sylvania Silver Stars(25 USD) now and they have averaged 4700 miles. I've just installed a Wagner H4 "Auxiliary Off-Road" (8 USD). It's certainly not as white, but still pretty bright. We'll see how long she lasts.

So, you are happy to be back on the Tenni? (Not trading . . .?)

Yes, I would be most suspicious of the relays. Do a search for OMRON relays. A link to a picture of the Centauro would allay all our suspicions that you are trolling here with a BMW GS or even a FIAT. The Centauro is, in fact, very similar to the early (pre-Aprilia) V11 of 1999-2001. I wonder if Carl Allison has a wiring schematic for your Centauro?