Steve G.

Won't be over there till Sept., but the memory of supping rough cider with my uncle at his local, down in Wells 10 yrs ago has me missing this rather Saxon drink. I've basically got free accomodation in northwest Essex, [steeple Bumpstead] , and will be hanging out with family in and around St. Ives, Camb.. We'll also be hanging out checking for ghosts at my gramp's, great gramp's, great great gramp's local, etc, the Old Ferry Boat in Holywell. The Ferry Boat doesn't have scrumpy either. So, can you guys give me an idea of an above average public house, of above average vintage, and a free house, that you could rate as possible for this littlwe mission of mine? Cheers! Ciao, Steve

Of course the final call on mileage is how far your wrist turns. The mileage will definitely get better once the mileage gets up. I've got another bike that has a non operating fuel warning light, since new! I've had my bike on fumes out in the middle of nowhere-land Oregon, and had the trip meter at 297 kms, thats about 200 miles! And, I do not have that trick little fuel hose thing to get that last remaining fuel on the right side of the tank. Also, I have the '01 tank, with the pad, reducing the fuel capacity a bit more. And, anyone who knows me knows I don't have a lite hand on the throttle. Come to think of it, it's pretty surprising I got that mileage. One thing that could have helped is that I've installed a 160/60 rear tire, which has made the whole rear tire taller, which means slightly taller gearing. Ciao, Steve

In some respects, I would consider any Moto Guzzi made from about 1980 on to be old technology when sold new. Lets just say that they fit into the current retro mold very well, because they are in fact the real thing. Ciao, Steve

I've got a pair, and they do a great job on the more vibratory V11 Sport. Ciao, Steve

Yup, I'm with you guys. Uglier than a mud fence. I recently priced out a complete wheel/hub for another make of bike, and I have to tell you, this price is not that bad. I would not ever go for that ugly red anodization. It would have to be silver gloss. Ciao, Steve

I'm sorry John, I was thinking in the future when the bike becomes 15yrs old. You can aquire a collector plate earlier than the usual 25 yrs, if, 1500 units or less are made for that year, or the company has been closed down for at least 5 yrs. I managed to confirm my Laverda Jota production of 100 from Massimo Laverda, with a letter to ICBC. Utimately, actual confirmed production totals would have to be released from Moto Guzzi public relations to take advantage of this. Luckily I have 9 yrs to work on it. Ciao, Steve

these two kids were enthralled by our camping and riding stuff. We motioned for them to get on the bikes. Jim gave them pictures of downtown Vancouver and Canadian flags. I showed them on the map where we came from, they were amazed. Then I let them start my bike and move the throttle. We clearly have manufactured two future motorcyclists in Loreto. When we pulled out, they ran after us waving until we couldn't see them anymore. Hotel Alcatraz in San Carlos, on the Pacific [west] side of the Baja. This is where we saw our first clouds in a week. Downtown strip of San Carlos. Ciao, Steve We saw a bunch of people gathering around an old rec-centre. Dave & I went tro check it out. Regional Sunday afternoon cock fighting. I understand this kind of fighting is illegal. As it was across the street from the police headquarters, I guess it's not a high priority! Ciao, Steve

Sorry Man. 2 hours of cool rain is not fun. And the Interstate 5, my god, what a horrible road!! Greg, when the weather gets better, why don't we guys in the GVA [Greater Vancouver area] meet up with you PSGS [Puget Sound & Greater Seattle ] guys about 1/2 way. Say Mt. Vernon, or somewhere in Everett? The Cranberry tree in Mt. Vernon, great breakfast. Ciao, Steve

My God!!, I'm sure I can see Dlaing's house on that PPP [pretty purple planet]. Now we know the real truth. Ciao, Steve

Yup, this is the one, mine's 4 yrs old now, still strong as ever. The original dies after one year. I learned through this that these jell cell batteries absolutely must not be put on a trickle charger or battery tender. This reduces their life terribly. It says so right in the Odyssey direction package. Ciao, Steve

Frickin' NascarVision, I mean Speed, doesn't let us look at bike roadracing until Tuesday!! Someone start up a new motorsports station in North America, PLEASE! Ciao, Steve

Another classic old Mission at Mulege. The food during the trip, simply outstanding, and outstandingly simple. Here at the roundabout entrance to Mulege, like most other places like this, when you ask for fresh squeezed orange juice, you get it fresh! A front shot of the mission at Mulege. Loreto old downtown, and of course of high importance in Mexico, the Catholic Missions at the heart of any town. Ciao, Steve

Oh, I'm going to like this. From Global Warming to Glodal Mediocrity!!! Maybe I can help. Before the dam bursts, where oh where should I stick my finger!! Ciao, Steve

Now now Van, it's not warm beer, it cellar temperature, the proper way. Ciao, Steve

Post V11/Lemans production of 10,000 seems consistant to what I have heard from people who are in a position to know. These numbers are up from the V11/Lemans days, where total production including the 750's, and California based models, and all the variations of the basic V11 was around 8500 units. Taking that into consideration, one could surmise non limited edition V11 variants of around 600-800 units. I'm currently trying to get actual numbers for mine, to confirm for reasons of insurance, I will be able to use a special 'collector plate' to get reduced insurance costs. Ciao, Steve

Yes, a Magni Australia. No denying the exclusivity of the Tenni, but the bikes built by Arturo Magni are a step above most everthing else, not just in rarity. The vast majority consider his bikes to be glorious in design beauty, except the latest Sport 1200 based model, which is a bit of an anomoly because of it being based on a 1200 Suzuki Bandit. The racing heritage of the Magni's is not something paramount in it's history, but that the mind and hands of Arturo Magni [the legendary race tuner for MV Agusta] are all over his bikes. Indeed, his MV Agusta Magni replicas are commanding the same prices as originals. Ciao, Steve

Hey, don't throw us here in south west B.C. into the fold of the rest of Canada, weather wise. I went for a nice spin yesterday afternoon, and this Sunday a bunch of us a getting together for a spin, forcasts are for sunny and 13deg C. Ciao, Steve

You're right Pete, it wasn't that bad. Unfortunately a bit of sanctimounious brow beating is all it takes to set off my tummy right now, still suffering from "soft stool syndrum" after 2 weeks in Mexico. A couple days with a bottle of tums, and I'll be able to handle even the worst rants of how someone thinks I should set up and play with my toys. No worries Mate! Ciao, Steve

The lovely old Frances Hotel, built by the French, in Santa Rosalia. This great old town with French mining heritage, copper mine up in the hills. The Mission de Santa Rosalia. This church built and designed by Mr. Eiffel of same name tower in Paris. Ciao, Steve

The street carnage is alarming in Baja. Cows, horses, burros, and in the villages, dogs by the dozen. Maybe there's no one to clean the things up. Turkey vultures do the big clean up. Here, this massive raven was guarding this find, he wouldn't move for me at all. Some animals stay out there for months, like hard cardboard, there's no humidity or moisture, they turn to hard cardboard. The classic roadside eatery. The food was always very good, and fresh. This little place in Bahia de Los Angeles, the breakfast was incredible! Beautiful white sand beach at San Felipe. Ciao, Steve Walking the beach at Bahia de Los Angeles. We have roses & thinks in our back yard, in Baja, whale skeletons!! The mighty sentinal of the desert. No not Jim, or the GSA! The Malecon [waterfront] at San Felipe. Camping on the beach! Ciao, Steve

Taking a break 1/2 way out of Mike's. The famous Coco of Coco's corner, a bit of a Baja legend. Apparently this year with the Baja 1000 running right by his place, Robby Gordon stopped during the race to get one of Coco's Burritos. Baja touring, back road style. Land of the 10 minutes tire repair. Man those mini compressors are business! Ciao, Steve

OK, now that I know how to do this, a bit of commentary. We loaded up all 6 bikes into the trailer one Friday morning @ 6:30am, 28deg F, luckily only 10 miles to Jim's place. The pictures here show our first afternoon heading into Mike's Sky Rancho. Unfortunately, 3 of the six bikes would lose paint on this 28 mile run up into the Sierra de San Pedro National Park. The sand on the gravel roads, in fact all the gravels roads, are simply brutal. Alot of the gravel roads we took had been this years route for the Baja 1000, and those high powered machines just tore it up. Alot of work riding bikes with just basic intentions to offroad capability. Basic repairs at Mike's that night. Ciao, Steve

Thought I'd show you guys some pics of my recent ride into Baja Mexico with 5 buddies. Sorry, very little V11 content. Ciao, Steve

While these batteries in theory do not leak, Moto Guzzi engineering and R&D may enhance this possibility. I speak of course of the fact that over time, in warm weather, the seat pan tends to sag, and this causes solid contact of the seat pan upon the battery. I have a couple 1/4" grooves worn into my battery, so have glued 1/4" rubber strips onto the battery to stop this. However, this may lead to solid weight on the battery, ultimately compromizing the seal areas. Ciao, Steve