Bill Hagan

Great story, Tommy. Glad I asked. Clever title. In my younger, fit days (redundant, huh?), I rode a pedal bike competitively, and Giro D'italia evokes great memories of incredible feats. Anyway, I have an EV and V11S (Ballabio) and they are ,of course, very different m/c. Still, if relaxed riding position (as opposed to storage,pillion comfort, etc.) is the goal, why not simply get raised bars, as on the Ballabio? Available after-market. The difference in ergos between my V11S and a standard is quite remarkable, simply by that little trick. Thanks again. BTW, explaining to my wife why we MUST go to that American-girl-owned pensione at Stelvio without quite saying why will take some doing. Finally, please accept condolences, on behalf of all Americans, at the tragic murder of your PM. Such violence seems such a sad part of daily life. Bill

Thanks to all. Went to Atlanta Triumph Ducati (& Moto Guzzi!) to show them (tho we had talked on phone about this). Michael Long, the head wrench, pulled the Ballabio in to work on it ... a nice and unexpected touch as they are swamped. By loosening flange nuts and having someone bring the two header pipes a bit closer together while he tightened all the fasteners, he was able to reduce the "rock & roll" action of this crossover section. [bTW, as I have confused at least one person, the "crossover" I am talking about here is not the below-the-sump H-pipe, but the new "equalizer" connector just below the headers and in front of the alternator cover.] This fix is, however, a temp one. Michael thinks that this might not have happened with stock pipes, but the after-market carbon-fibre cans (and, more acurately, the H-pipe for those) forced the headers out a bit more than the stock ones. That gave the connector more room to do what it felt like, i.e., vibrate like a clarinet reed. He thinks he may have to send the H-pipe to a muffler shop so that it can induce a bit greater bend in the forward pipes. No doubt it's my always-gullible nature, but it seemed that B'o actually ran better and sounded better on the way home. That, and a 30-YO babe looked at me at a light and gave a thumbs up. Thank God for dark visors and 3/4 length leather jackets. Bill

Buon Viaggio! Joe Martin and I (and wives) are planning a motorcycle tour there next year. As much fun as is the planning, I am already giddy about the actual trip. Have lived there and been back a number of times. I love the US, and am an unabashed American, but I am also a Europhile. And there is nothing like Italy. Sounds as if you feel similarly. Savor every moment, and keep us posted during and after, especially on the moto scene. One last point. Was last there in Spring '02. I am always surprised at the few Guzzis I see. Even the Carabinieri now ride BMW. Sigh.

Glad to see you posting on this side of the fence I am just curious as to how you know that the vibration is caused by the looseness of the clamps? FWIW most of my vibration occurs under accelleration, not backing off on the throttle. You might also check that your throttle bodies are properly seated on the manifolds and are tight and balanced. Best of Luck, Howdy. As for knowing source of vibration, I don't know squat, but think that is what is doing it. I had heard/felt this for a bit. Could not isolate the source while mounted, even when stopped. In fact, I thought it was coming from back. And, as with you, most "vibration" of the classic Guzzi sort happens while heading up the tach, not down. But that is a pleasant thing, and I am quite used to it. This is more a resonating, high sound/sensation, and more like a loose hanger or clamp type thing. So, while letting engine running on sidestand, I crouched and ran throttle up and down to midrange rpm. A Ha! That's when I first saw the crossover pipe doing its dance. It is, as I said earlier, quite loose in the mount and (when cold!) can be moved to right and left, up and down, and all over within a narrow range. It stays in general place (as opposed to falling out) simply because it is too long. It is like an unsprung toilet-paper holder! Now, it may be that something else is vibrating, too, but the noise appears to be from here and it sure isn't supposed be that way. I was most surprised that so little gas even seems to come out, given the "float." Thanks again. Glad to have this forum. have learned lots by browsing. Regards from Atlanta. Bill

Thanks, Al. I posted something recently on wildguzzi, but didn't recall anything else. I regularly follow that, but "tuned out" V11S stuff "until I are one." Anyway, my dealer called me today in response to my fax, and sounded puzzled. Not a good sign. There is--oddly enough to me--very little exhaust leak, notwithstanding the considerable play in the pipe: up, sideways, and around. I'll let you know the outcome. Hopefully John Stoddard or someone else from MGNA will show up at the Ga. Guzzi meeting tomorrow night at the Vortex, and I can (gently) harrass him about it (tho if he lurks here, I've just blown it!). I am a tyro wrench, but surely even I (or dealer) can come up with shim, etc., to fix. Thanks again, Al, as I was a bit concerned at lack of responses. Always makes you worry when you are silhouetted on the ridge! At risk of sounding like a 56 YO adolescent, I LOVE this motorcycle. Yippee! Bill

Asked about this on the wildguzzi board earlier today when I wasn't even sure it was a problem. I have now been told it is, but am now (there's always something) worried that further riding may harm the bike. My dealer hasn't yet returned my call, thus this email. I searched the prior posts, but did not see this same issue. I apologize in advance if this old ground, often plowed. The crossover pipe between the header pipes just below the manifold "floats." I cannot tighten the allen bolts, and this looseness on both sides causes harmonic vibration, most noticeable when backing off throttle. Oddly (to me), does not seem to be leaking much exhaust gas, but am concerned that riding with such a condition might harm engine somehow. So...am I nuts to worry or should I shut it down pending repair? As it's only a month old, I'd prefer dealer did whatever fix (shim, new clamp, whatever) is required. Thanks. Bill

Hello from Atlanta. I was born in Wuerzburg, Germany, in 1947. My mother was German; my father an American soldier. I like to say that I came to the U.S. in 1949 as a non-English-speaking immigrant. Of course, at 2, I couldn't speak anything much! I got into motorcycles early, tho. My mother was from Tuttlingen, in SW Germany, and we would travel there regularly from Wuerzburg—on a BMW motorcycle. I have been told that I rode in a saddlebag. Not sure how apocryphal that is, but I like the story, so there it is. Moved around lots: 13 different schools before graduating from high school. In the mid- to late-60's had four motorcycles: 60, 125, 80cc Yamahas, and a 90cc Honda. Liked 'em, but … well … we all know how "reality" gets in the way of that sort of life. After college and law school, I joined the Army and, to my significant surprise, loved it and stayed in as a career. Started off as a tanker, but transferred to "JAG Corps," i.e., the legal branch. Had a blast. Was primarily with "troops," to the extent that a legal guy can be, i.e., in Army divisions (2d Armored, 82d Airborne, 24th Infantry, and 25th Infantry); taught at West Point, and even worked at the Pentagon. Had to be dragged there kicking and screaming, but learned a lot and enjoyed it. Lived all over the U.S., including Hawaii, and had overseas tours in Italy and Saudi Arabia. Travelled even more. Saw my first Guzzis I can remember in Vicenza. I worked with the Carabinieri, whose offices were next to mine, and, at the time, they rode V7's. I was younger and fitter than I am now (duh), and was consumed by a passion for race bikes of the pedal sort. I continued that for a number of years before scared off of them. I retired from the Army and moved to Atlanta, where I have now lived in the same house for six years, the longest I've ever been in one spot in my life. Love the American South, thus – for reasons rural southerners can understand – do not like Atlanta much. Still, our neighborhood (see www.inmanpark.org ) is a delight. And, speaking of delights, I am married to Kathi, a sweetie from Erie Pennsylvania, the delight and light of my life. Oh my. I am lucky man. She is a saint, which is a burden for me sometimes as I am not! We have four grown children, a son and three daughters, all living in the Washington, D.C. area. Kathi teaches ESOL in middle school. I study and write about military law, history, and current affairs … or, more accurately … I used to do that BG: Before Guzzi. A young friend across the street had a Katana 750. I looked, thought, and remembered. Poof, I'm another over-50 re-entry rider. A serious one. I narrowed my search to a Honda Aero or ACE, but—no kidding—got lost looking for the dealer and found a Guzzi dealer. Next thing I know I own a new 1998 (leftover in 2000) hotdog & mustard EV. I have put 52K miles on it in the past three years. I love it. But I have also wanted more, and knew it had to be a Guzzi. Rode Texas Phil's 02 LeMans at Cheaha (Alabama) during a "gaggle," and liked it. The seating ergos worried me a bit, but loved the power and handling. Recently -- perhaps it was Kathi being out of town for 5 weeks in Boston! – I decided I was going to buy some Sport variant. Narrowed search to Ballabio, Café Sport, & leftover Scura. Was at dealer when a large crate arrived. Seeing the red Ballabio appear, with Mandello dirt still on tires settled it then and there. Put on carbon-fibre pipes, but otherwise bought as is. Kept the EV, of course. Am annoyed by speedo cable that went out at 882 miles, but compared to its other joys, that is trivial. The odometer is always interesting, but speed is … uh … situational … anyway. I'll try to remember that philosophical approach when I am handcuffed and being measured for my orange suit! Look forward to meeting many of you and on the road.