Bill Hagan

I share v50's positive view of ATD. I treat them well (Kathi is worried too well, and possibly soon, again; that new gray Breva 1100 calls to me ). Also, Robert Lockhart (owns an all-yellow Cali Special, which, I think, is the only Cali that eclipses my HDM EV in beauty ) and I had a long talk with Jason there, and he pretty much said what v50 posted. They've cancelled all orders this year and stopped all Guzzi warranty work (except for "special cases," read v50 ). I can't blame 'em, but regret it. They have been straight-up with me, and I presume they have been reputable and business-like with Piaggio. Heck, I still hope to buy a (red) Norge from 'em. If not, I'm flying to Seattle or Houston.

Wow. Can't say anything else. Well, except thanks. Bill

This started off as a comment on raingear in the thread http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8956, but, as is my wont, I digressed into more of a ride report ... abbreviated by my wordy standards, but enough off the rain-riding-gear thread to put it separately. I may get around to a longer version of this, as there were details worth telling, just so I don't get too nostalgic about this miserable, messy trip, but, in the meantime, at least, this will do. ********************* I rode from Atlanta to Erie, Pennsylvania, over a stretched Labor Day weekend, 31 Aug - 5 Sep. When I finally dry out, I hope to do a little ride report. That may not be soon. This is--usually--a delightful, c. 2000 mile round-tip ride up the twisting Appalachian spine. I've done it several times, and always have a fine time, as there are an infinite number of routes, all nice. Not quite so this trip. Many memories here, but even I was questioning my judgment; my funmeter rarely got over "better than pain" settings for 4+ days. I danced with the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto all the way to Erie. A tropical depression may not have the punch of a Cat 3 storm, but it'll get your attention. And, on the way back, the frontal system Ernesto had stalled while it deluged the east, pushed through, dumping even more rain. All in all, at least 2/3 of the trip was in rain, occasionally horizontal from driving wind. I was drenched and still feel sodden. I will say that the waterfalls are spectacular when it's rained lots. The Ballabio is, of course, not the ideal all-weather mount. On the bright side, I did have my Triumph (very yellow) rainsuit. Englishmen, of all folks, ought to know something about rain protection, and this suit works great. But nothing protects completely under such conditions, and especially not when--lured by a break in the rain--one takes off said suit before one should and gets dumped on. Yikes! I also had Oxtar Matrix "waterproof" boots and wore gaiters over those. The best raingear I had were the H-G raingloves. Superb. I varied on the cuff-in and -out approaches, and vote for "in," but the cinches and other closures made wet hands the least of my worries. Here are a few pics, but there weren't many for obvious reasons. If you see a photo, it means it was dry or relatively so. http://snipurl.com/wumx You can also see my fatman-in-a-rainsuit pics as I rode thru Deals Gap here: http://snipurl.com/wun0 The Guzzi gathering is the Ohio rally, held near Toronto (Ohio!). http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=6596.0 The beemeristo is an Erie friend who rode back with me a bit. The CL gets tepid reviews, but he could ride it darn well. Next time I make the run to Eire, I'll take my red Norge. Bill

What have I wrought?

Thank you both. Given the "hep" I got in the missing-fastener post http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?...ic=8923&hl= >, I was a bit nervous reading through your replies. Had to read 'em twice to ensure no hidden tricks. Really, thanks. I'll get to both of those tasks and some more on Sunday, and hope I can get the fractured pipes welded in time to ride the Ballabio again before Atlanta freezes over.

Thanks for all of the sage counsel. It's good to have friends.

Having posted here twice today [http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8543 & http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8923 ], I'm back with one more ... and, I promise, my last. So, there I was, trying to install my new speedo cable. [FWIW, I eventually gave up, and will try again a few beers from now. ] The first went out at c. 900 miles; the 2d at c. 22,000 (actually, exactly 21813.8, but since that didn't include about a K before I got a replacement, I suppose "c." will do). At least this time, I can get the actual unclocked miles down to pretty close to right as it happened at the end of the ride up to Erie. Anyway ... the second one broke about 3 inches up from the low end. I also noted it had rust on it. And -- see pic -- quite a bit of corrosion on the mount. Is that normal? Am I supposed to be lubing this thing (cable, etc.)? If so, how? Note that I will automatically ignore any pointers on using special woodpecker beak oil submitted by belfastguzzi. Hmmmmm. Since I said I wouldn't post again (at least in a topic-starting mode), I better two-fer this and ask if anyone knows whether the "long threaded" end or the "short threaded" end of a head stud goes into the head, with the corresponding other end left for the acorn-nut fastener? It's a long (and painful-for-me-to-relate) story of why I need to know.

Well, here we go again ... As you may recall, had the right-side crack fixed. On way back from 2K-miler over Labor Day weekend, noted the classic "you've got an exhaust leak" backfiring. Weighed down with some "eldercare" issues, finally had time this past weekend to look more closely. & The whole set-up must be too rigid. In fact, as grateful I was for the shim "fix" (and it certainly did fix the "flop") I cannot help but wonder if putting up with flopping around a bit would not be preferable. 'Course, that may not be the real culprit, but rigidity somewhere seems to be the issue. If the gaskets are available, I might buy a case. Also noted that the forward end of the left side of crossover is up agains the engine case and its leading edge is gouging it. Wonder if--assuming as is, I think, the case, the crossover can't be nudged a bit to the left--it might be possible to slip some flat metal barrier in there. Hmmmmm. And, OBTW, check out the pic of my Pilot Power, with only 2K miles on it. Sigh. Not sure when I picked those up, but I'm starting to feel paranoid about nails.

Whew. And thanks for not taking advantage of me. I'd have believed one of those, "OMG, Bill, don't ride it!" tall tales. Getting ready to post pics of more cracked pipes, too.

See hole on right side (as you face it) in triple tree. Was AWOL bolt holding something else I haven't noticed is missing yet, either?

Can't believe I am actually replying to a "how to" post, but you get what you pay for. Seriously, if I can do this, anyone can. BION, I just looked up the owner's manual instructions on removing the rear wheel (as I was replacing a rear tire, anyway). About the only tricky parts were being ready to grab that shim (or whatever it's called) before it fell out of the drive housing, and (this is even more important) ensuring I had the drive shaft strapped and secured so it didn't drop and do damage to itself ... and my wallet. I even found all the grease points readily enough, tho all were full of clean grease (which surprised me). Bill

For a wonderful discussion of the "better # than #" question, see http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/guilty.htm

Buy an extra while you are at it. That too-angled bend seems to make breaks inevitable. Mine went out at about 900 miles. The replacement lasted about 20K, dying just about halfway on my 2K-miler up to Erie last weekend. Dancing with Ernesto the whole way might not have helped, but I did notice the needle starting to twitch about 200 miles before it clocked out permanently. To my surprise, Joe Eish didn't have one, but he did come up with the exhaust stud, another casualty of the trip, and a few other odds and ends that fell off or otherwise quit. Was even more surprised thyat my local dealer had one. If he had two, I'd buy 'em both. Bill

See http://snipurl.com/w0sc Now, if could only wrench as well as most folks here ... sigh.

OBTW, the Ducati "it ain't Guzzi, but work great and are much easier to find" part # is 037084005

The "Triumph" ones are made in Italy, too. OBTW, got the Ballabio back together after disassembling it (Lord knows why) and I found a home for (most of) the fastners. Riding it to Erie, Pa., on Thursday; back Tuesday night. About 2k miles as I'm going entirely by backroards. Rode it today to see what might fall off (or worse! ) before trip. Smells a bit from the all the various petro-chems burning, but ran great and everything still seems attached. Bill

That's $32 to the better than the Triumph's, i.e., several beers, and a point (and pint! ) worth considering. The Buells here were twice that, but still, obviously, cheaper than the Triumphs. Again, tho, the Buells looked nothing like the Ballabio's t/s, and required mods to mount. These were identical, thus slipped on. Bill

I have seen a few recent posts on various substitutes for unobtanium or ludicrously priced OEM MG turnsignals (or, if you will, "directionals" or "indicators"), and even mentioned, without details, this option, I think, in one yesterday. Nevertheless, I start a separate one just because ... uhm ... I don't remember. So ... I tried the Buell route and found it "not quite right." Then tried Piaggio and some other scooter options. Still, no joy. Luckily, happened to notice a Triumph at my MG dealer. Eureka! http://tinyurl.com/pg57u So, while this may not be what other V11 Sport folks need, this is much better than original for the B/CS crowd, as these are identical in appearance except for a slight ribbing on stalk, and that is because these are flexible, not rigid plastic as was the one I knocked off in my garage. Oh yeah, they are made in Italy! So, if interested, try Triumph part # T2705315, "Indicator, Front LH/Rear RH." Hmmmmm. Left p/n for other home, but if you care, you can probably sort that out. It's not Italian, so it's probably sequential. [Edited to add other part #. It's T2705320, "Indicator, Front RH/Rear LH." So much for making fun of Italians and sequencing. ] But be very, VERY careful, as these are "Triumph Genuine Part to be Fitted by Trained Mechanic." Bill Aspiring

Sweet Jesus! Kathi doesn't like ... uhm ... aids. But, you will no doubt be pleased to know that with the help of yours and others' posts, I took a punch and beat the crap ... no, gently dislodged the offending pin. 'Course, did manage to learn lots about hydraulics and power of pistons 'cuz I let the wood block drop out while I cursed and tapped. OTOH, all in place and working well, now. Many thanks. I might get it ready in time to take it to Erie over Labor Day. Bill

I have my exhaust system off just now and asked (myself) same question. Didn't see any, and decided answer was "no." Luckily, I knew better than to trust myself, and, while many here think I post all my dumb questions on this site, the reality is I am not ashamed to ask my dealer now and then, too. One of the service guys said to use a light hook and work gently and I'd find a gasket as he'd put one in there! So ... I did and he was right. They had no Guzzi parts (surprise), but gave me a set of Ducati ones that fit like a champ. Bill

Thank you. I'll see if Kathi is willing to video this tonight. I'll make sure the sound is on.

OK, I have avoided posting this. I vainly hoped someone else would chime in and ask the "too dumb to be real" question. Rats. I gotta do it. Here goes. I can't get the #$%^&* pads out of the rear brake assembly. See http://tinyurl.com/hgw7b How do I remove the pads? I had assumed one "merely" depressed what appears to be a tension spring holding the pin in place. Hmmmmm. I need more, smaller, stronger hands and fingers ... or some mystery tool beyond the various delicate devices I've been using, e.g., pliars, hammers, with cursing assists, of course. Help. I wannabe

I started off my grown-up life (assuming I'm there yet, of course. ) sending big bullets downrange from very heavy tracked vehicles. That can be ... uhm ... loud. VFL. That taught me early-on that hearing is a fragile and valuable sense. Cannot imagine riding without earplugs. If anything, I think it enhances, not reduces, the "symphony." Only drawback from my perspective is when, with helmet still on and plugs in, I forget that my wife or the gate guards here can hear me just fine without shouting. Bill

What the others here said. 20K smiles on mine. Well, OK, mebbe 19,999. The pawl spring thing and speedo cable (both mentioned above), took the grins off at the time, but it's the best material purchase I've ever made ... with the possible exception of the EV ... cuz I rode it in to work today. Getting ready to take the Ballabio--or, more accurately, it, me--for a stretched Labor Day weekend Atlanta to Erie, Penna., and back. No slab, all "Guzzi Gulch" kind of roads up and over and through and around the Appalachia spine. Can't wait. Feel free to call if you have questions. Bill 404.808.8486 (M)

I was reminded today of yet another reason to support my local dealer. So, there I was, sulking about my self-inflicted damage to my valve cover. I remembered that when I bought the Ballabio in summer 2003, it had some minor crate damage, including a slight mar to the same valve cover that now is etched with my stupidity. Eventually (and we all know what that means in MGNA time!), it showed up ... as in 2005! I went down to pick it up and discovered my original one actually looked better. So I told Atlanta-Triumph-Ducati (MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Hz, etc.!) http://www.atlantatriumphducati.com/ that I'd just keep the one I had. Called the dealer today (i.e., a year later) and they said, come on down, it's still waiting for you. Gratis. Yeah, I suppose that's "only right," but it still makes me hope that Piaggio and ATD can be friends again so I can get that red Norge from 'em some day soon. Bill