Bogwopit

Hi all, I've just purchased a '99 reg. Centauro Sport. 'cosmetically challenged' was how the vendor accurately described it. The wheels desperately need refurbing and while considering this I thought it might suit the bike to have a set of wire wheels fitted. The first consideration is which ones will fit? The second would be changing the 17" front for a more readily available 18" diameter wheel. Can anyone offer pros and cons regarding handling, if this mod is carried out? Thanks Andy.

Would anyone out there (and I'am thinking more of the Continental European Guzzisti here)know of a non Guzzi supplier of German brand 'BEHR' wheels.This brand of alloy rimmed wheel has been fitted to Cali's since '03. I'am looking for a rear wheel for a Cali., preferably secondhand, but have had no luck in the U.K. Perhaps someone might know of a Cali. that is being broken privately? Reeboot do not have anything. Thanks, Andy S.

I didn't know Charles Bronson was alive and well and living in Moscow? although not for long judging by what I,ve just seen. Obviously the result of a high Vodka diet and very little on the T.V. By the way, how thick is the paint on an R1?

Must be a Guzzi nut.... at the very least just a NUT.

Hi, I wonder if anyone has an Ohlins fork leg or any spare bit for sale. I need a stanchion and an outer sleeve. Anything would be greatly appreciated and am willing to pay a very fair price. Thanks, Andy.

Hi, my 2003 Le Mans has the same battery. I presume it is the original one. Andy.

Hi, I've got a schuberth J1 and a C3 and to be perfectly honest I've not noticed a significant reduction in wind noise over my standard guzzi agv or momo helmets. As for wind noise on my V11, it just depends on what I've been eating recently!! Andy.

Thanks for the reply and the info. Certainly given me something to think about. Andy.

Hi All, I wonder if anyone has had any desire to upgrade the rear brake caliper on the V11, and if so, how? I,ve picked up a four piston caliper off a 2001 Cali.EV and once the weather improves a little will have a look at fitting it. Any useful pointers would be very gratefully received. Andy Roo.

Thanks for sharing a fantastic trip,Team Orson. It makes one feel all warm and sad at the same time; almost regretful about all those trips promised but never made.Ah well, maybe Italy next year.... Andy.

Back again, Deal done, but common sense prevailed and I went for an ex demo bike with 450miles on the clock for £2500 off list price.Red in colour and absolutely gorgeous.Full touring kit,heated grips,alarm and centre stand included.As bland as a curried haggis Gary. Hi James, if you are interested in my 1200sport it's going to Bob Minions, Honda dealer in Derby(01332 342064 ask for Mark) It's in excellent condition,2400miles but no Panniers.The only extra fitted was a rear hugger.I have got a brand new set as well as loads of other extras(rack,tank bag,tail pack,alarm,heated grips and several carbon fibre bits) so if you do get one and are interested, give me a call.By the way it's Black, and I believe they'll be asking aroun £6500 to £6700 for it. Thanks for the info. re. the Triumph,Guzzirider.I did consider it as it's a good looking capable machine but sadly it's got a chain drive so ruled it out. Thanks for everyones input, and sorry you still haven't the old girl home yet Fergus.Can't you get her on a flight as hand luggage?Bit by bit. Still haven't watched Song for Europe episode yet,in fact I think I'll go and watch it now.I let you know if I can identify your laugh. Bye.

Well...........?

Hi all, I,ve been disillusioned/disgruntled with Guzzi for a while now; not regarding the V11 Le Man but rather the modern Guzzi's I own.While the 8v 1200sport is a great bike for a guzzi, I still can't help but feel that at over £9000 list I could have and indeed should have got a lot more.My biggest gripe is regarding Guzzi's complete lack of any meaningful 'customer service''and having to wait literally months for a fuel guage repair under warranty.It still hasn't arrived from Italy. Because of this I started to look at what else I could buy to fulfil my duel sports and tourer requirements.I settled on the vfr1200 and yesterday took one for a ride.Needless to say my 1200sport is going in part ex. and i won't bother again buying a 'modern' bike from Guzzi;not at least until the bikes are 100% better and Guzzi learn how to appreciate customers.In fact I might just have managed to get the insane grin off my face following the test ride.[mind you, thats going to be a very long time indeed]. And before anyone asks, no, the Honda is still not quite as good as the LeMans, at least not in my feeble mind. What does anyone out there think? Andy.

Pete, don't go!!. You'll just leave us sad retards in the sh@t. Apart from posting some of the best,most humourous and informative pieces on any of the Guzzi websites you are also the the only fecker who knows what he,s talking about; especially about the later 4v bikes.My God, I,ve got a 1200sport as well as the v11's and if you go I may as well trade the thing now: I've owned it since April and in that time it's only been in my posession for a week.The rest of the time it,s been back at the dealers. I picked it up today, after it's been there 6 weeks waiting for a new fuel pump sender and to cure a persistant misfire and a flat spot as you blip the throttle. Suprise suprise the fuel guage is still not working, it still doesn't pick up cleanly when you blip the throttle and it still feels nothing like my 4v Griso.I was so pissed I went straight back and got a price against a new MV Agusta f4.[not bad,I'll only lose £1100.Quite a good deal considering I've only covered about 150miles on the sport]The salesman[who has a Griso4v]said why did I want to change from Guzzi.He didn't seem to appreciate my honesty especially regarding the atrocious parts supply and the inability of the dealership to get the thing to run correctly. You know what, the saddest thing is that I really don't want to trade the pile of shit, even for an MV Agusta.I think this is really the root of the problem. If us customers bought our bikes purely on quality of the product,after sales service etc then we would buy with our heads not our hearts and Guzzi would end up where they deserve to be.OUT OF BUSINESS. That feels so much better. It's a shame that no-one really gives a toss, but I have decided to give the 1200sport one last try but if it fails to live up to the expectations of a modern £9000 motorcycle then I will get rid of it for another marque. I will naturally still keep my V11's and Cali.I just won't bother buying a new Guzzi again. Enjoy your time in the U.S. I don't suppose you'd consider moving back to theU.K. Believe me, we really need you. Andy.

Don,t we all feel the urge to tinker? Come on, we,re all natural tinkerers or we wouldn,t ride Guzzi,s.[not often anyway] Andy the Tinkerer.

Speedaway website. Sorry but not able to go to the v-twin.Family commitments you know.[or to put it another way, she says I can't go.} Hope to meet up again soon, Andy.

Hi Gary, I think Petes sold the seat off the bike he was breaking. The no. for the seat is GU01460580 and for the small rear cushion is GU01461580.I,am pretty sure they are still available. How are things in bonny Scotland, and have you met up with James and Harry lately? Andy.

Thanks BFG. A time for some quiet reflection I think.We will certainly never see the like again. Andy.

I'am looking for any Ohlins suspension or parts. I have a damaged set of front forks [one outer sleeve thingy damaged] but would welcome any parts.I'd also like to convert therear to Ohlin. I,am happy to pay a good, reasonable price. Andy.

Now come on, B.F.G., Those rocks are far more animated than I can ever manage these days! Still, they do have the 'strong and silent type' look about them.

Yes, I was thinking myself that B.F.G. does seem to have a thing about rocks. Can't see the attraction myself. Perhaps the fact that they don't move about much reminds him of the 8vGriso? Me, I'am a lump of wood guy myself. Can't get enough of bits of 4"x2",logs etc. Andy.

Hi all, just picked up my newish 8v 1200sport and was very dissapointed.I got off an 8v griso and straight onto the sport and was not expecting any great diff. in the engine/power delivery but it was completely different. The 1200 obviously felt different to the griso in terms of seating pos. suspension set-up but what I did n't expect was the bikes power delivery to be flat.With the griso when you open the throttle you get a decent tug on the arms, and when you feel the need to overtake you just go, with no hesitation.It just goes and goes.The sport felt like i was on an old california again.Anyone had any similiar experiences of the comparison. I suspect something amiss with the bike.[it is a high mileage example, after all; nearly 1500 on the clock!] One thing I did notice was the exhaust seemed to be very noisy.Far noisier than the standard griso can for instance.I queried with the dealer as to wether it had a removable baffle but apparently not.I thought perhaps the previous owner may have removed the baffling from the exhaust to make it louder and this was having a detrimental effect on performance. It's def. noisier than the 3 sports at the recent N.I. meeting and they had Mistral cans on.I believe the new 8v sport is supposed to be better silenced than the older model. The dealer has said to drop it back in for them to have a look at.I do know it was n't roadtested after the parts were refitted following the unsuccesful attempt to fit the stage1 kit. You never know, something may have been missed off or not connected. Ho Hum, never mind, I look forward to your help/suggestions. Andy.

Evening Dave. Yes the ferry i,am coming on is due in at 6.30am. I,ll probably head to a relatives house first for an Ulster Fry, then I,ll head to the hostel mid morning or so for a look around and say hello to bob. See you Friday, Andy.

Hi Paul, I want to fit them to a Rosso Mandello. Don't ask me why, it just seems like a good idea. They are off an RSV I believe.Free length off a bike is 770mm.I also have a correct set for a v11 and these measure 810mm off the bike. Andy