Chuck

Thanks, Bill.. you've outdone yourself this time. Give Kathi a hug from Indiana.

Higher. The little Monza The Kid took over will just sing. I would say it is the sweetest running Guzzi engine I've ever operated. Maybe the best handling Guzzi, too. There is something very special about that bike that doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you look at the sum of it's parts, but it is definitely there. To get the same engine without the 10 years long search for a Monza, (!) look for a Mark III. FWIW, when I asked The Kid if he wanted me to save the Mighty Scura for him, he said, "No, but don't sell the Monza."

My understanding is the original owner was a Dr. from New Hampshire. Pete might know..

^^^^ That was always my plan, Colt. Of course, being a big valve Guzzi, she'll need valve guides done sooner or later.. but that's an easy enough job. Garage Queen isn't in her nature. Punch the button and go.

Not really. When I discovered the titanium pushrods, I called Mike Rich. When I told him what history I knew of it, he said, "Oh, I remember that bike." (!) He keeps records of the heads he does, and looked it up. Said they were some of the best Guzzi heads he had ever done, but he didn't build the engine. That was FBF, and he knew nothing about that. He told me what they did on the flow bench, but needless to say, I don't remember.

Yeah, the Ohlins reservoir has to be carefully located to keep from interfering with the throttle linkage.

I have a more worthy one.

I was on a trip out east somewhere on the red Norge. I was filling up at a gas station when a beautiful *very* well dressed, uh..older.. lady came up to me and said, "I don't drive motorcycles, but if I did, that is the one I would have." She definitely would have been worthy..

From Pete, several years ago.. One thing that rarely gets mentioned is the bearing in the right hand outer part of the bevelbox. It's there to allow for movement in the reactive drive so the box can rock slightly on the wheel spindle. Thing is Guzzi thoughtfully didn't put in a seal to keep the water out and even more bizarrely use a bearing with a hole in the inner race that would seem to almost be designed to allow the ingress of water! Throw in the famous 'Mandello Grease Phobia' and you have a recipe for failure! Now it's not an immediate, life threatening, problem but if the bearing wears or collapses it can lead to problems with other, more important, bearings in the box. The main trick is preventative maintenance. First, next time it needs a tyre check the bearing while the spindle is out. Remove the washer outboard of it and pull out the inner race. If the bearing needs replacing, (And if it's been neglected it may well do so.) it needs an expanding puller to get it out of the box. Best idea is to just unhook the box from the reactive rod and take it to the bench. Incidentally one of the gearbox bearing pullers for the old five speed gearbox fits this bearing too. The bearing itself is a 'Free Grandfather Clock With Every Half Dozen' one available from any bearing factor. Get one without the water ingress hole! file:///tmp/lu826549re2kxs.tmp/lu826549re2ky9_tmp_71e6c1a972543bfd.gif Press it in and grease it well before reinstalling it on the reaction arm. DON'T FORGET TO ALIGN THE DRIVESHAFT WHEN YOU RECONNECT IT! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Once the bearing is well greased, (I use a 'Waterproof' marine grease.) it can simply be re-greased thoroughly at every tyre change and it'll last pretty much forever. Pete

I'm fairly bionic my ownself.. and really glad for it.

Welcome, Colt. Yes, there may have been a tear. Or two. Life is good, though.. and I'm glad she's found a good home. Wrenchin and riding.. what's not to like?

There *is* a resemblance, isn't there? Yeah.. she's found a good home.

May the chook treat him well..

I realized that my time with the old girl was over at the Kentucky rally this year. I had Dorcia on the back, and my steadily lessening strength was becoming an issue at low speeds. I even dabbed a time or two.. I never do that.. leaving a stop. (sigh) Time continues on, though, and I'm a realist if nothing else. I asked a couple of guys if they wanted to take over, and my first choice did. It's certainly a sad moment for me. I've had 10 years with the old girl, and she taught me to dance. My favorite bike of all time, but as some wise person once said, "A guy's gotta know his limitations." Colt..good guy, enthusiast, and aircraft mechanic, will be the Mighty Scura's new keeper. Give him a warm welcome when he shows up.

^^^^ Guzzi Bob was my riding buddy for years. We have been all over southern and central California on some epic rides. The first thing I'd do when we went out to SoCal is prep the bike, give him a call, and we'd meet up. Going to Redondo Beach just isn't the same any more.. Ride on, brother..

It takes a certain amount of experience to "get it" in my experience. The Kid was a Duck guy (I raised him right) and always said he wasn't old enough for Guzzis. I sent him out on the Centauro many years ago now. I was beginning to worry. I'd just given it a full service. Did I forget to tighten something? Is he laying in the ditch somewhere??? It was entirely too long when I heard him roaring back in. "This thing will outrun my Duck!" He's been a Guzzi Guy ever since.. Yeah, he's a gearhead and he "gets it."

Humph. Sounds like a warranty issue to me..

Now, *thats* a good looking scooter.

Yeah, I saw Lowell, too.

Just give me weed, whites, and wine.. best truckin song ever, and one of my favorites. LF was never the same after George died.

I've done that. I've been everywhere, man. Wrote a song about it..

Yeah, the cutter should have had a radius. Luigi must have been promoted to manufacturing processes.

Nice post, Docc..

Bill, I see you are Indiana. The Indiana Guzzi bunch meets on the first Sunday of the month at some brewpub. If you are interested, Austin will put you on the email list.

I have several, from inch lbs. to 200 ft. lbs. FWIW, Ed the Rocket Scientist (RIP) said NASA did a study and found the most repeatable torque was applied by the hand of a skilled mechanic. Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger..