Chuck

(snapping suspenders, tamping corncob pipe) Back in the day, our local EAA chapter used to get a night per year at the Dayton Air Force museum. It was after hours, and we could get in anything we wanted, wiggle the controls, yell, CLEAR! etc. I'm not much of a warbird guy.. but it was a hoot. Most of the fighters reminded me of the old adage.. an elephant is a mouse designed by the military. Except the Spit. The cockpit is just right. Everything falls readily to hand, as they say. Good visibility from the cockpit, comfortable. That is one warbird I'd give a go. The wierdest? The ME262. Those Germans.. who else would have rudder pedals that go up and down?

The waterjet guy called and said the blanks were done, along with the exhaust flanges for the little 3 cylinder radial I'm working on, so rode and picked it up on this really nice fall day. So. I have the blanks and when the weather turns bad (probably next week) I'll run them. If you want one, PM me with your mailing address, and you will be in line for the Shirley no doubt last run of the Lucky Phil Extenders.

Same deal with my MZ in a PIle. (tm) Switch gear apart, wires loose everywhere. Sourced a carb because the Distinguished Previous Owner had been in there, too, and broke the float pedestal. DeOxited and hooked everything back up according to the wiring diagram, and it's been good for years.

^^^^ Yep, he gets it.

For me.. who grew up riding singles.. it is a trip in the way back machine. There is just *something* about a long stroke single that gives me a grin. The clincher is that I'm *pretty sure* that I'll never have to work on it, unlike any of the 17 (!) Guzzis I've kept for future keepers. Well, ok.. clean and lube the chain every 4-500 miles or so, and adjust the (2) valves every 3000, although I'll bet they won't need it. OHC don't ya know.. I've been a fan of the small block for many years, now, and I already have one. I had thinned the herd down to the AeroLario, and Dorcia said, "what are you going to ride when you are looking for or having to make an unavailable Lario part?" I liked the way she was thinking. I have known that RE has had it going on for a few years, now..and everyone I know that has one likes it. The 350 Classic styling is spot on in harking back to the late 40s and early 50s. I went and had a look, and the manufacturing is top notch. Rode one and got that long stroke single grin. Oh, and I could have two for the price of a new Guzzi small block that might or might not keep up with the AeroLario on a twisty road. That is *not* the mission of the 350, although it handles quite well. It's mission is to be a back roads looking at the scenery relaxing afternoon ride. And.. going to the store, parts chasing, etc. that will keep the miles off the increasingly rare Lario. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79EuIgioLDc

I've been extolling the virtues of Contis for some time now. I have Road Attacks on the Skorpion in California, and they are awesome..

Gaaa! *You* are the guy. I had called Mike and he said he had a bronze one in stock, but didn't offer test rides. I rode the AeroLario to a Hawg dealer in Lafayette, who did. I liked it a lot, but told the Hawg dealer to stick that $500 "market adjustment" charge where the sun don't shine. Politely, of course. Rummaged through my couch cushions, found enough to buy one of these little Enfields, and he had sold the bronze one the day before. Had the military versions, but they don't do it for me. Said he had a greenie coming in a week or two. The rest is history. The Kid was down from Wisconsin this weekend, and he feels exactly the same as I do. Rode it a long time, I was beginning to wonder if he'd crashed somewhere. "Needs a little more power. The front end is over sprung. The brakes are fabulous considering the price of this thing. Very comfortable, much like an Eldo riding position, but better. I really don't anything bad to say about it, especially considering the price."

The bags are off Etsy. $65 delivered from India. (!) Goat skin. Cow would be better of course.. but that isn't going to happen.

It's Halcyon green. Changes color depending on the lighting. Anywhere from green to blue green to black. I like the bronze ones, too.. but I couldn't get one from the local dealer. They have been selling as soon as they come in, (or before) a good thing for the dealer. He's an old Guzzi Guy that took on Royal Enfield a long time ago. I thought at the time, "don't quit your day job" but he has been a dealer ever since and it is now paying off. Good for him.

Must be something in the Indiana water.. here's mine. I test rode one and was smitten. Nice stampings, castings, paint work, fit and finish. Chassis by Harris. Sweet little ohc long stroke engine. Smooth, comfortable.. what's not to like? Oh. Cheap, too. (Guzzi content)

Let me defend MG Cycle a bit. Rick (Cheesehead) and Gordon are long time Guzzi Guys that started small and have continued to grow. They are probably the most knowledgeable Guzzi parts guys in the country. They used to spend a *lot* of time on the phone explaining what part would work on what bike, etc. This seriously affected their time to pack and ship. Occasionally, when I was in Wisconsin visiting The Kid, I'd stop in and pick up parts.. but tried not to use up their time. They *were* working like one armed paper hangers. I mentioned that they really needed to get a young guy to at least pack and ship one evening when I stopped by with beer after hours. That has morphed into Andrew. They have now gotten so large that they really don't have time for visitors or phones.. They don't come to rallies any more because it was just another day at work. That is the price of success, I guess. On anything questionable, I shoot off an email now. I was trying to find a dog leg brake lever for the AeroLario. Even the stock ones to modify are NLA. I asked if a lever they had could be made to work, and received an email saying "this one can probably be made to do that. " Ordered it, fit it up and told them what mods needed to be made if someone else needed one for the Tron era switch gear/integrated brake master cylinder lever. Got another email saying thanks for that. I get it. That is also why I have never tried to make a living out of my hobbies. They turn into work.

This

I had an airplane job for the water jet guy, so I dropped off the material for the shifter extenders, too. That doesn't mean that I'm working on them.. but.. if you want one, send me a PM with your mailing address, and *when I get enough interest and a round toit* I'll have the blanks ready to machine, form, etc.

Movie references are mostly lost on me..

Looks milled to me.. nicely done, at any rate.

That's a beauty..

You guys are killin me. I have an engine apart, I have wings and tailfeathers to rib stitch.. I have a wing mod to do to Mouser. I *do* have the material.. I can take it to the waterjet shop on a nice day. A ride would be good. Unlike wimmens, though.. I only do one thing at a time. It's in the queue.

Thanks for keeping track, Docc.. I'm up to my ears in projects, but if there is enough interest I'll do one more run.

There was a chopper at a custom bike gathering in Indy that had a frame made of log chain with the links welded together. (holding breath while talking) "Hey, man.. I just had this *great* idea.."

The Kid came upon a cheap but good tire changer. He texted one of the Wisconsin guys that he could come over for free tire changes. The Wisconsin guy texted back, "does that include the tires?" (guzzi content)

I like frogs. Leave em on the frog..

I was a fairly precocious kid, and read "The Grapes of Wrath" when I was entirely too young. (what were my parents thinking?) Maybe 11 or 12. Because of that, I'll never trust money men, used car salesmen, religious folks, glad handers of all kinds. I'll go to my grave with those feelings. Steinbeck certainly could paint a word picture..

$50 plus actual postage. I postage to the Netherlands is around $15.

Yeah, that was the best looking one at the Ky. rally. His Kwakker looked better than new, to boot.

That is my issue with them. It doesn't bother most people, but optical distortion really bothers me for some reason. For instance, I can't do VR.. I'll get nauseous.