Bill Hagan

One more thing ... Re the Beemer rally, are we "attending" or just in the neighborhood? I ask cuz of the $67 entry fee! http://www.bmwra.org/rally. Not that I wouldn't mind riding the Norge thru that always-ever-so-correctly attired crowd (heck, they make me, an unrepentent stiffneck, feel relaxed ), but that's a bit steep (times 2 in my case) for the thrill.

Docc, Just left v/m on your c/p to the following effect. Am a go on the Norge, but thought I'd better confirm that this was not a "NO GURLZ ALLOWED" event. Seriously, Kathi surprised me by saying she wanted to come along, and I said sure ... then went ... hmmmmmm. So, we have reservations at the BW, and will see you there (unless you say NGA!) sometime that afternoon. Kathi also said she wanted to ride Deals Gap (I'm starting to worry a bit about her), so, as it's a Friday and not quite the real weekend yet, we'll probably run up US 129 from the n. Ga. mountains up thru Andrews, over the Gap, then pick up SR 72 at Tallassee, then US 411 south to old SR 68 west to Sweetwater. No guess as ETA, but don't wait BBQ for us. Oh, as I remembered that SweetH2O is dry, I'll bring some sipping stuff of the corn and grappa varieties, along with some vino for my stemware spousal unit. Gotta love that Norge topcase. Bill 404.808.8486(M)

I'll be there. Looking forward to it. Frantically (my normal approach to) packing for trip out to wildguzzi rally ... getting some Italian beer and grappa ready for pre-ride party tonight. That (party) will likely slow launch in a.m. See you in Sweetwater. Bill

This will be my third trip out there. Took Ballabio in 2004 (tho it made much of the return trip in a U-Haul trailer on account of the infamous pawl spring. Rode the EV out last year, and had a fine time. This year, taking the Norge. See more about the event here: http://www.wildguzzi.com/Rallies/wildgoose_campout_2007.htm And, as several of us head out this Thursday, here is some specific info in case anyone (docc, Andy, David C, Josh, et al) may want to ride escort a few miles with the Atlantans to ensure, if nothing else, we leave your jurisdictions. http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSE...p;topic=11235.0 Bill

I'll be there, on Norge, not Ballabio, as I'm trying to keep its Pilot Powers at a virginal 800 miles in case I get off my dead rear and try to sell it. Anyway, am not entirely sure where "there" is, i.e., same hotel in Sweetwater> And, duh, if so, which one was it? Getting ready to head out on 10 May to the wildguzzi rally in SW Missouri. Hope to some who read here there. Bill

In addition to r'back's reply, you may also want to look at this: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...amp;hl=fracture I am in line for a pair of those ... tho explaining to Kathi how I am really selling the Ballabio and buying the new headers is a bit of a challenge.

Well, hrrmmppff. Actually, what I find interesting just now is that my EV, the daily commuter for me, has integrated brakes, the Ballabio "non-dumbed-down" brakes, and the Norge ABS (with lock-out for those who are smarter than their motorcycles). Switching between the three leads to a few minutes of sorting the differences out. I usually get that settled quickly enough ... well, except for tooting the Ballabio's horn when I make turns. Bill

You gotta love those understandable grins. I love my Ballabio ... always will. But just did 1700-mile trip on back roads to Virginia, and the Norge is a joy. If anyone knows those Canadian Norge folks, please steer 'em to the Norge registry and board here: http://www.phpbbforfree.com/forums/mggriso...;mforum=mggriso Thanks. Bill

Hey, Carl, you "used" ABS yet? Granted, if I have done so, I sure wouldn't be looking at the instruments to see if the light flashed! And, also think any such event would have enough other markers--e.g., filled underwear!--to know, and I've had nothing "memorable" in that regard. So ... you seen, heard, felt, etc., it engage? I know on the Ballabio, I've had several instances where, thru the miracle of gyroscopic stability, not my skill, I've stayed upright despite inept braking in the wet, and assume similar instance on Norge would be more manageable and less memorable. Bill

Thanks, Greg. [Note to self: Plan visit to Seattle soon or hire someone to slap Greg into next county. Hmmmmmm. Door 2 might be safer; messing with black-powder guys can be risky. ]

I replied to Todd elsewhere on this, and am eager to swap out the @#$% stock for his, as I am sick of the bleating exhaust leak up front and fractured header pipes diminishing what is otherwise a great joy of a motorcycle. Besides, I even convinced Kathi that I need to put these on to help sell the Ballabio--something I don't really want to do, but said I would when I bought the Norge. Todd's helping by giving me another, "But, dear, I have so much $ invested, it would be unwise to let it go now" routine.

I have a Ballabio with a rear Ohlins added when the stock failed. Hmmmmm. Possibly cuz I am a wee bit heavier than 170? Anyway, the difference, even without same up front is amazing. Bill

If only other corporations handled trade-dress "infringement" so sensibly.

Ouch. Been there, etc. Painful to body, bike, and soul. Best wishes for a fast recovery all three, as they will all heal. Bill

You are right, Carl. Probably the most remarkable difference between my EV and Ballabio. It certainly doesn't make me want to ride at night, but I sure am less scared to do it. The light out front is impressive enough, but it lights up out to the side in a stunnning way. Deer are always a menace, but I see them way off and way top the left and right. Only down side is having drivers flash when I only have "dim" on ... and they are properly adjusted. Bill

It's inked in (how 20th century, huh? ) on my calendar. Looking forward to it. [Note to self: Bring whisky as docc always bases these things in dry counties. ] Here, btw, are my pics from the 2006 raid: http://snipurl.com/tscg This time I'll be on the Norge.

Always fun to reread those stell and darwin, etc., award lists, dlaing, but trust you know those are bogus: http://www.snopes.com/legal/lawsuits.asp Bill

I suppose I am in the "mostly unsuccessful group." Had the typical problems that started this all off with the blown gaskets. Tried various "fixes" without success. Went the SS shim route and those certainly worked, at least to the extent that they fit, stay in place, don't leak, and keep the pipe from flopping. That said, I am convinced--doesn't mean I'm right, just convinced --that cinching 'em down with the shims led to a too-rigid exhaust structure leading eventually to header-pipe fracture near the head exhaust flange. I have thought about putting the shims back in, but only tightening one side, allowing other side to "float" a bit, hopefully allowing some ogf the fracture-inducing vibes to dissipate that way. So, am mystified--a state I inhabit frequently--how your friend's LM has had 'em welded without fractures. That would be inconvenient as it might mean I'm wrong. Bill

I would think that, especially on some "slow news' night, your local TV news folks or newspaper might find that story worth reporting. Bill

You may not have the dealer support you might want, but my, oh my, you will have fine roads. Let us know when you arrive and some area Guzzisti will use it as an excuse to head up there ourselves. What's the town (if one!) you'll be living in?

The logistics here confuse me. Could you not ... erm ... just to check fit ... put your LeMans pipes on the new Guzzi when you have to discuss titling, etc.? I also thought that the Guzzi Ti's were street legal. Oh well, back to chores ... yes, dear, be right there.

Hmmmm. You flatter me, Antonio, but tort liability is not my area of legal expertise [a lifetime journey it's been, too, trying to figure out what is ... no, actually, it's Renaissance military law ... a boutique niche ... but I digress ... no matter ... I bill by the hour ] Seriously, a sad story (and mysterious from my perspective ... HOW did that cause death?). In the U.S., such issues are matters for the states--here, California--not the federal government, and certainly not international anything, except to the extent the state may have adopted, as a matter of convenience, some world standard on something. Moreover, it is a different thing, too, when the "villain" is the government, not a private party. In that former instance, as here, the doctrine of sovereign immunity ordinarily bars a claim unless--as is usually the case--the government has waived the doctrine with a claims process. Have no clue about how California law treats such things, but, in the absence of the school having maintained some known dangerous condition (and, dlaing's understandable-under-the-circumstances-but-still-IMHO-misplaced guilt notwithstanding, this barrier chain probably doesn't meet that test), doubt if there is liability here. But, I'd be interested in how this all turns out. One last--almost Guzzi-related--tale. So there I was, living in Italy some years ago. Decided to visit Soave. After a wine-tasting, toured the small town. Interesting castle. Just did a Google image search and found this: http://www.murielanderson.com/newPhotos2/FromtopofSoaveC.jpg Anyway, I was astonished at the lack of barriers to keep folks from falling. Then, I realized it's all about balance ... and I don't mean not falling! No, the balance between a cradle-to-grave protective approach and anarchy. Not sure the Italians had that right, but somewhere between that and short of signage that blocks all views and barriers everywhere lies that elusive happy point. Regards from Inman Park, Bill P.S. The Norge is too good to be true. A wonderful motorcycle.

FWIW, I had minor crate damage to large front fairing of Norge I bought from MPH in Houston on 2 January. It arrived last night, astonishing me. Bear in mind this is for a red Norge, which wasn't even supposed to be here, so no inventory. OTOH, other parts ordered same time are still MIA, but I am thinking it's more than the moon at work here. 'Course, am sure that MPH (who must have 8x10 glossies of the Piaggio leadership doing things they shouldn't have! ) had a hand in this beyond the ordinary, but mebbe it's a sign of good things not just to come, but here. Bill

I've sat here several minutes now, trying to visualize that. Finally did. It's even harder to erase the image. Bill

I am hardly in Todd's league as a rider, but everything I heard him say corresponds well with my own impressions. I have over 1700 miles on my Norge. Picked it up last week from MPH in Houston (a shop I cannot say enough good about, btw). Rode it 500 miles or so two-up in the Texas Hill Country, then returned it for first service. Then took two days to ride it backto Atlanta. Went back roads, so a 850 miler became 1150! I did a pic report -- http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...=0&y=vpylx7 -- and have been trying to find time to do a ride report focusing on my impressions. Now, after seeing Todd's vid (albeit in a jarring, not complete way; my dsl must need vitamins), why bother? I have dragged both sides on the centerstand. This happened both two up and solo. The former riding was in the challenging hills and twists, so (epecially given my rather embarrassing swim weight , may not be worrisome. But did same solo in much less spirited riding on the generally straight (darn it) roads on return. As I have a lift, not sure why I need a centerstand, tho I'll not take it off right away. Peter at Agostini's tells me that Euro versions--which, of course, can mean the occasional US one!--that have bags, as all US models do, have a smaller (1/2 inch) centerstand rubber stop than do the unbagged ones (1 in.) cuz the pipes are higher on the latter. Checked mine and it looks as if (darn it again) I have the right size, but did notice that my stop had come loose and thus would not have helped the centerstand-clearance issue. Aside from that, laughed when I heard the "looking for 7th" comment as that what I did the whole way back. Surprised at that, too. I rarely ride interstates, but presume part of Norge market wants to. For me 6th pulled mighty fine but for slab folks may be way too low. Anyway, love the Norge. Have Ballabio on the market (and getting phishing crap from these classifieds) but my heart's not in it. May sell the EV, tho, too, as the Norge is a mighty fine replacement for both and room is a premium in the GarageMahalo.