JoeGuzzi

I read both forums here and WG. I post once in awhile on both. One thing all Guzzi forums have in common. Get a few hundred Guzzi owners together and it gets to be allot like herding cats. The only threads I have ever seen where almost everyone was in almost agreement are the joke thread on WG and the Hooters thread here. You just cannot put this many "Special" people together and expect civil discourse and kum bye ya singing to last very long. Just my humble observations. Joe in Atlanta 2004 Ballabio 1972 Eldorado Both for sale forced by evil doctors in white coats.

Would not be the first time me and a bunch of drunk friends crashed a wedding. LONG time ago I worked at Dow Corning. A group of us went deep sea fishing. Real bad seas so we did not get much fishing done. We just drank alot and puked alot. We went back to port, got off the boat, saw a wedding at one of those nice sea side hotels. SO we decided it would be OK to invite ourselves. In goes 12 of us, wet, drunk, smelling like beer/puke/fish. We had a great time, not so sure about the invited guests but we enjoyed it. I would check with DeeDee about the SSR detouring thru Macon but I'm older and don't heal as fast as I used to. Joe 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Nah, next weekend is my birthday and plans for travel that weekend have been set for months. Wife and I try to spend that "hidden away" every year. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Well Guys. Looks like I lost the family fight. My mom and wife tag teamed me about attending my niece's wedding. I finally raised the white flag and told them I would cancel a nice ride on some awesome mountain roads with a bunch of great guys so I could put on my black suit and attend another somber event. I had my reservation, vacation scheduled, clothes picked out and dog sitter lined up. Maybe next year, got to run out of nieces sometime. I'll be thinking about ya'll while I'm at the big hen party. Ride Safe, have a great time and hope to join you next year. Married in Atlanta Joe 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Well, looks like no Dragon this year. Closed until July due to rock slides. Thank goodness the Skyway is a nicer ride anyway. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Health issues are forcing me to sell my Ballabio. It is a nice bike, runs well, sounds GREAT. Many upgrades including Olins rear suspension, Stuchi Crossover, Custom Stainless Steel headpipes, Carbon Fiber Mufflers, 40 litre Hepco&Becker Detatchable Hard Luggage, Guzzi Racing off road ECM. Has less than 1,000 miles on new Pirelli Diablo Strada Tires and a new Odyssey PC45 battery in June of this year. Has 35,000 miles but you could not tell it. Bike is in great shape. $6,000 The bike is bright red, the paint is not faded, the sun is making it look different in the photos. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Edorado 2004 Ballabio

OK, my Ballabio enjoys making me look the fool. The plug wire cap on the left bank pops off while riding. Put it back on, ride awhile then "PoP" and there it hangs. Put it back on ride awhile and "Pop" here we go again. This has been happening for months now and I can't seem to stop it. Yes, I have tightened up the contact in the plug wire end to the point it requires a good effort and a twist to push it on and still ride along and "Pop". The right bank wire cap slips on and off easily and never pops off while riding. I'm starting to think I have a hole in the spark plug and it's blowing off the plug cap. Yes it is a given that this is not a problem. So what if I reach down and push a plug wire back on. No harm no foul, but I wonder????? Not enough to buy new wires and caps but enough to give you guys something different to read. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

I use Redline Lubricants in my 2004 Ballabio. Shock Proof Heavy in transmission and final drive and 20w50 motorcycle oil in the engine. Kind of pricey but holds up real well and I only change once a year. I average 5000 miles a year on the Ballabio because it is my primary commuter bike, I share pleasure miles with my Eldorado (or will again when I finish repairs). I have not seem any bad from these lubes, no seeping on the engine and smooth gear changes. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Bill, don't worry about the key, just keep it in your tool box until the next time we get together, no hurry. Neither my wife or I have been to Key West, I headed that way once but got bored driving and turned around before I made it all the way. This May we are taking a trip I won at my employer. We had a contest for the southeast region to see which division could cut their electrical consumption by the largest amount. I won a trip for two. It includes airfare, 4 days at the Weston Key West Resort and Marina, food&drink allowance and $1,000 spending money. If I tell my wife I am canceling this trip to go on the South'N Spine 5th Annual Raid you all will have to keep fresh flowers on my grave, but at least you'll have the Ballabio back after they remove it from my A - - !!!!! Joe

As much as I enjoyed last year I will not be able to make it this year. We will be on Vacation in Key West that week. I will keep an eye on the board to see if the date changes. Ya'll have fun. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Was good to see everyone and meet several new folks. Sorry I had to bail early but still enjoyed the weekend. See ya'll later. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

Not so muh an entourage. More like an escort. I believe that my drivers license will be much happier if I travel with two crusiers. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

No intention of crashing you guys party, but a few of us from work are coming together. We plan to leave at 9am on Friday morning from my house in Austell. Looks like 1 Ballabio, 1 1996 Cali I and a 2002 EV (SnowGoose, Mike LaB. old bike) we are holding out hope that Bill Watson will join us on his 1999 Bassa. We are going to Dahlonega take Hwy19 to US129 and follow that the rest of the way. We should meet you guys Friday afternoon at the Hotel. I for one am ready to meet some of you guys. I know Bill and Wayne but those are about the only faces that match names for me. Hoping for decent weather. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

Well after 1000 miles of daily commute, mountian roads, high speed slab I cannot tell any difference in performance with the new head pipes minus front crossover. Bike runs great and no leaks or rattles. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

My 2004 Ballabio will miss every once in a while. This happens at most all engine speeds, while moving down the road or sitting at idle. This usually happens at light throttle positions. I have never noticed this under accelleration just at steady engine speeds. At idle it will miss just a beat and will usually not die but pick right back up to a smooth idle. Sometimes it will miss just as you come to a stop and the engine will die. When this happens it will start right back up and idle fine. I'm not sure why this happens, the idle speed is correct 1100 to 1300 rpm's. Valves set correctly and using premium fuel. Could this be due to the ethenol content in the fuel, plugs, plug wires, bad karma, position of the moon, bad dreams the night before, etc,etc,etc. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I have never set the TPS and not really sure if that would be the problem because it happens at many throttle settings. It's just one miss fire then runs normal again. Not really a show stopper but I would like to figure it out. Thanks in Advance Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

I made my call for a room today. If nothing happens to spoil it I will see you all in May. Bill, just trying to arrange "Visitation" for you with the Ballabio. Tuff job owning the "community" Ballabio. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

Well replaced the head pipes today. Removed the ones with the small crossover and installed the new headpipes. I have only run it for a few minutes to check for leaks. Sounded much better without the rattle and exhaust leaks. Looks pretty good as well. Amazed at how quick and simple the job was. On the lift, four Castle Nuts off, two clamps loosened and moved back an inch. New exhaust gaskets and back together in minutes. The whole job from onto the lift table to back off the table and running in less than 15 minutes. Gotta Love a Guzzi!!!!! Can't ride yet will have to wait another three of four weeks untill the Doc's will let me ride, I'll let you know how it does. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio 2003 Buell Blast hers

Good reading. While I have the nice new headers I think the suggestion to remove the crossover and plug it off for a test is a great idea. May well go that way. First off I am not a "Ricky Racer" (no malace aimed at anyone named Ricky). I am more than happy to ride around grinning, well within sight of the posted speed. I do not do track days, street race, canyon carve or even push it hard enough to get an oil light to flicker. After all I have been quite happy with the performance of my 1972 Eldorado for many years. What I do enjoy with the Bllabio is that it can go SO MUCH further than I am used to. This makes every ride return something new. My concern here is not MAX performance but the best long term solution to a loose leaking exhaust that makes my beauty look "Poorly Maintained" or gasp even unloved!!! I took a pleased note when the discussion turned to engineers. I currently work as a Facilities Manager for an ammonia refrigerated warehouse. I have been an industrial manufactring mechanic my entire life. I have seen the work of too many engineers that were educated way beyond their intelligence. I know that the final product is a mix of many demands. Back to the auto heater core. Not a one designed for replacement but all designed to cost the least to include. While I know there are way more good engineers than bad I still haven't found a way to tell which one designed what I'm working on at the moment. That beinging said I would perfer the advice of the mechanics and riders who use the product daily when considering changes. Thanks for the input, that's why I read and join these types of fourms. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Thanks for the speedy replies. Sounds like I should just take the wrap off the new headers and install them to solve this rattle for good. Thans Again Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

On my 2004 Ballabio there is a small crossover on the front of the exhaust headers. Is this really needed? The crossover is loose and rattles alot. From what I have seen on the fourms this crossover bushings/gaskets are a problem. Now the questions, The bike came with another set of headers that do not have a crossover as well as a set of steel bushings for the stock crossover. Which way to go? If I put in the steel bushings will the head pipes crack? If I replace the stock head pipes with the new ones that have no crossover what effect can I expect? Should I just pay the $75.00 they want for a stock set of crossover gaskets and install them? I am new to this bike and need some advice before I correct this "Rattle". By the way the bike has an aftermarket crossover under the trans, the stock "H" pipe came with th spare parts box. Thanks in Advance for any help or insight any of you can offer. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Thanks for the welcome and yes I'm an old fart. I thought that was required to own a Guzzi. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio

Hi All. I'm new to this group and just wanted to say Glad to be here. I have been a visitor but since I bought my 2004 Ballabio I decided to join. I am a 54 yr old who started riding as a child. I have been riding and loving my 1972 Eldorado for the last few years. I ran across a nice deal on a NICE 2004 Red Ballabio so I grabbed it. Some of you may have known or heard of this Ballabio, it belonged to Bill Hagan here in Atlanta. I love the bike, way more than I thought I would. Anyway from what I've seen so far of this group it will be a pleasure to be a part. Joe in Atlanta 1972 Eldorado 2004 Ballabio