Steve G.

Owing to my lack of technical know how to get any pictures on the list, I will refer another personal favourite, my Laverda Jota, found right now in the August issue of Road Runner Magazine, page 100. Ciao, Steve G.

I'm 6'4", and I did have issues with the small seat to footpeg distance. I've got bad knees from decades of hockey. I bought the Evoluzione peg lowering kit, but I think the only option [and probably better one] is to get the Buell footrests. Ciao, Steve G.

You want cheap? Do what I did. Go get some used wheel balance weights from the local bike shop, melt them down [make sure it's down wind of yourself, it's not good at all for you], and pour it down the end of each bar. Then I put Napolean Beren bar end mirrors, themselves a vibration reducer, and now, I have no, NO vibration. Ciao, Steve G.

I've spent days upon days in north central to north east Oregon. It is a place made for bikes. Those town names locked in my head, Fossil, Condon, John Day, Shaniko, Enterprise. The street riding is astounding! Really, you could draw a series of lines, from The Dallas to the Idaho border, and 125 miles south, ride anywhere in this rectangle. I recognise all the pictures taken above, and bring back good memories. I do have a question though Mark. Where is this hot spring you went to? I've been to Challis Hot Springs in central Idaho, a more or less natural spring, fantastic. This one interests me very much. Ciao, Steve G.

As a Canadian, from English stock, I too find the English Public House extremely appealing. I've been over 3 times, to visit family [mostly around the St. Ives, Camb. area] , ride to the I.O.M TT fortnight, and to visit noteworthy pubs throughout England. I'm not a particulary spiritual person, so this occurance at my favourite public house in England really had me gobsmacked. In the village of Holywell, Camb., [where my family name is all over the place] sits the Ferry Boat Inn. It was not until I got back home after this occurance, did I find out how bloody old the place is. I should have noted it right away, with the 5 ft high door, and roof beams that I was hitting my head on. Anyways, This is the place my grampa hung out at before the war. I sat down in the "rats nest", the lowered section where it seems the respected locals sat. My family estate owned a huge tract of land then that even encompassed two villages, Oldhurst, and my families ground zero, Woodhurst. I booked a room for 3 days at the pub back in '94. And no shitting around, I got a visit. From my grampa. He's been dead 50 yrs, 3 yrs before I was born. I'm very skeptical of things like this. There's some serious power going on in the old country! Anyways, the last time I visited, the Ferry Boat was a free house, which to those who don't know, means a pub in the UK that is without contract, partnership, or ownership with any of the big breweries. Meaning a free house can offer grog of origin from many different origin, including true real ale, and, scrumpy! I've had many a ladled scrumpy at the Ferry Boat Inn. As to my best serving of drink in the UK, this is a tough call. But one night, while staying at Theakston's own King's Inn, in Masham, Yorkshire, I was served a pint of their 'Best Bitter', which blew me away. Big words from someone who's lucky to live in the craft brewing capital of North America, the Pacific North West. Getting back to the topic of this thread, I've been lucky to take in many bike nights at houses around the old country, and they are great as you say! Ciao, Steve G.

Of course, alot of this good information will be not needed on 'stretch bolts', seen with much higher occasion on automotive applications. I just helped a buddy put his head on his car, with specific instructions to torque to 50ib, then 1/4 turn, on new un-used bolts only. Ciao, Steve G.

I agree with your comments regarding blends. I have found I must have these available just the same, as I find myself grinding 1/8" off of my teeth when someone wants to put anything but cold water with their single malt. As for the peaty malts, I now tend to shy away from them, for an odd reason. 7 yrs ago, my sister/brother-in-laws house was damaged by fire, and through wks of restoration, the smell, and in turn taste of anything 'smoky' got to me. I had to give my Laphroig away. My tastes have now turned to the Speyside region. Ciao, Steve G.

Ahh, this is a subject I can get my teeth into, as a former member of the now defunct Scotch conneseurs assoc of Canada. Just looking through my selection presently, for the uneducated palate, Grants, Teachers and Famous Grouse. For visitors who wish to learn single malt, Aberlour 10, Singleton 10, and Auchentoshan 12. For visitors wishing a special time, I offer Macallan 20, and my current favourite, Balvenie Doublewood 20. While not a scotch, I must offer a strong recommendation, a must in anyones selection. Red Breast single pot malt whiskey from Ireland. Absolutely Brilliant!! Ciao, Steve G.

A great thread Jim. And here I am without the technical ability to put a picture up on the thread post. My thoughts of course, as are the ones after mine. Hopefully a nice lad with greater ability than I can post one for me. It has to be a late MV Agusta, late seventies, with my all time 'sell everything but the farm' bike being the 850 America. Simply gobsmacking georgous!! In typical Italian tradition, Count Agusta built a bike for sale that cost twice as much to build as he sold them for! Is there any wonder that this model of MV regularly vows for top price status at any bike auction around the world with the J.A.P. powered Brough Superior. Ciao, Steve G.

From my experience here, I'd have to agree with Greg. They've treated a local dealer like shit recently, and took their dealer status away after spitting on them. Not sure if this decision is from Piaggio direct, or the idiots at Scooter Canada, the new importer, but it's happening. Ciao, Steve G.

Sorry if this post is a bit 'out of place', as I've been off on a bike tour of the desert states of the U.S. I've always been of the frame of mind that over-reving a pushrod engine would at first damage the valves, through valve float, and that damage to the main bearings and big ends would happen at a much loftier rpm, unattainable because of valve damage. It's long been known that even early internal combustion engines had rev liminters, and that was valve float! Chris Beauchemin and I talked about his big end bearing issue on his '02-03. This machine had probably the most carefull owner in existence, no lugging, and no over-revving. I think this is a supply quality issue, rather than a mechanical design issue. 40 yrs of using 1 basic engine layout gives even a tiny concern like M.G. a chance to find out and recify those weak design issues all engines have in their early days. I think the engine in question on this dyno test falls into the same catagory as Chris's old bike. Ciao, Steve G.

I really feel bad about the Tenni. I've had bikes like that and it probably the best thing you could do in this case. I do question the H.D. I'm sorry, I've ridden these things many many times, had some for weekends, both Sporties and big ones. I just don't get it. Count me as weird, but I really think there's better options out there, unless looking for the reflection of a plate glass storefront is a main priority. Ciao, Steve G.

You are correct Ken. I must tell you a quick one about MV Agusta. My buddy went to the Seattle Cycle World Show 1 1/2 yrs ago, and plain fell in love with the MV Brutale, on display by the local dealer in the North West, Beaudry MotorSports, in Coer-D-Lane, Idaho [sorry for the spelling] . He was[as were around 20 others] able to bring in differing MV models under the Cagiva umbrella, as in his case, Husqvarna Brutale!!. Soon after this, the door was sumarily closed for MV under any umbrella. Which goes to show you how silly this R.I.V. inclusion list is. These machines have to pass very stringent tests for European worthiness. Ciao, Steve G.

If you knew how easy it is Zoltan, you would say to yourself, "the USA is on sale!" I bought a bike 3 wks ago from Portland. Landed in my garage, I saved at least %40 by doing this. My buddy has just ordered a new ST3 Ducati from Skagit Powersports, and is saving $6000cdn, landed in his driveway legal. Of all the steps that have to be taken, the biggest of all is going to the Registrar of Motor vehicle 'allowd' list, to see if the bike you are interested in is ok to enter Canada. This will elininate any question of bike entry. While most all of the big 7 [Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Harley, Ducati, BMW] are on this inclusion list, Moto Guzzi's list of inclusion, as well as Aprilia's, warrants some close study. There are some specific models, in specific years that are not included. No reason is given. So, avaiod an expensive mistake, and don't go and buy a machine that's not on the list, as you will have to take it back, or they will destroy it for you. To the question of how easy is it, well, 1 1/2 wks after I transported it across the border, I'm riding around on my new bike. Very easy! Ciao, Steve G.

Here's some useless info. My neighbour was born/raised right besise the track [the old section], used to watch from here fence as a kid. As for the Harley, Zoltan nailed it. The Harley mentality in North America is embarrasing. They are [most anyways] a hazard to themselves, and on bikes that are best left to wallow along on a highway at near top speed [about 70mph fully loaded]. Ciao, Steve G.

Ok, I understand now. I shall continue to call it balance or 'harmonic balance' instead of 'sinusoudally varying output'. Ciao, Steve G.

Sounds like you were taken advantage of with the towing. You should consider joining AAA, free towing. I think you could have saved the bike if solid parts had not touched down. Hard parts are touching down regularly on my machine, left and right, yet there is still at least 1/2" chicken strips on my tires, still lots of usable rubber. Ciao, Steve G.

Basically, Canadian Scooter Corp., the new Canadian distributorship for Canada, [taking over from Moto Guzzi U.S.A. for Canada] has made the decision to have just one dealer in Greater Vancouver. The reason or reasons why, open up alot of speculation. While we as consumers/enthusiasts may never know for sure, the fact is each of the two dealers in the area had their own core group of customers, for differing reasons. And now one of those core group of customers has been left in the lurch if they want to buy a new bike. I'm pretty sure this core of potential customers will never buy anything from the remaining dealer. I understand why, and I kind of agree. The thing I can't figure out is that Canadian Scooter Corporation is going to lose sales of new bikes, bikes that will be sourced from the two closest dealers in the U.S.A., namely Moto International, and Beaudry Motorsports, from the wholesale network of Moto Guzzi U.S.A. The suits that run Can-Scoot-Corp must truly be as dumb as a sack of hammers. They have no idea about the motorcycle industry. Their retail prices at our remaining dealer are so bizzare that I'm sure they must be worried. Do they not realize that with our dollar now at .90$, and with new 'open borders' with regard to new and near new bikes, that for we Canadians, the U.S.A. is now officially 'ON SALE'! Ciao, Steve G.

Knock on wood, but my machines are going to be tough to get at [i sleep/hang out very near them], at my own home. Cables through all the frames, garage door with 'special' home designed security situation. Seeing these pictures makes me see red. There may be 3 of them, but I'd get 2 real bad for sure. I'm pretty good with my Louisville Slugger, wood screws sticking out. I'm surprised the cops wouldn't have pictures out. Those are very good security pictures. Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Ryan, Yes, I've done this procedure a couple times now. For an old overweight sod like me, it's not easy, mainly because I havn't got a nice bike lift, so must get the hockey beaten knees down on the concrete. Other than that, it's straightforward. I remember entering the post about my thoughts about my nipple being installed wrong. This was when I was of the frame of mind that I could grease the thing through the scatter guard, the shroud that covers the front. This can't be done and now I think it is correct for the nipple to face angled to the back of the bike. I have concluded with my particular bike, and I think yours, that to reach that forward grease nipple, the wheel must come off. You must spin the drivshaft so the nipple is facing up. And finally, you will have to buy one of those mini grease guns from Lubrimatic, found at the local Lordco auto parts store. Now I also got the optional rubber extension, about 8", and the articulated head, the later I had to buy from a Home Hardware in Lynden Washington, because at the time, was not available in Canada. Without this articulated swivvel head, it will be tough. With it, it is a 30 second job. Now, You may be able to access the nipple with the rear transaxle attached, but I don't feel comfortable having anyweight on the u-joints. Unbolt it, and slide the drive shaft apart. It will be easy to get to now. When you slide the drive shaft back together, as Ratchethack mentioned, alignment of the white painted marks are critical for balance. I even went one step further, and got my little punch, offering two little point marks on the two ends for perfect alignment, as I found the paint marks a bit vauge, and worried about future paint removal. You may find it tricky to slide on and off, because of suction, and trapped air sliding back on. Of course take this opportunity to clean and re-apply a bit of grease to the drive splines inside the hub. Also be aware that the spraying of excess grease is an unfortunate byproduct of this greasing procedure after you take the bike out. Ciao, Steve G.

I was worried about this. I also have the Ferracci airbox kit. Continual monitoring of the spark plugs have seen no color change on regular running, and on the odd plug chop. So far so good. If I eliminated the factory crossover, I'm sure I would have to do something with the ECU software. I will retain the factory crossover, as I think the robust overbuilt nature of it will reduce the possibility of header cracks, notable on bikes that have had theirs removed. Ciao, Steve G.

As George would agree, Paul is a genuis. Plus he's the nicest guy around. Formerly of Brodie Mountain Bikes, he's moved onto restoring machines of extreme note for notable people. Ciao, Steve G.

I have noticed I've been setting off the odd car alarm along city streets. S-tunes do come with a bolt in baffler, but it remains in the staintune box. Bbennett gave me the method to get pictures onto this forum. I'll give it a try this weekend. Ciao, Steve G.

If somebody can talk this computer layman through the procedure of getting a picture from my camera and onto this site, I'll send you as many pictures as you want. I've tried before, but just screwed things right up. Better yet, I'll send the pictures to an e-mail. I've done that before with no issues. Ciao, Steve G.

I will concure with Vince that Paul Leclair's MSN forum, indeed Paul Leclair himself, are extremely good sources of info on Laverdas. As for the pricing, I'm not sure about what they're going for in Europe. I do know that pricing in North America has recently caught up quite a bit comparitavely. On a sad note, I just read on the Laverda Forum that Laverda notable Lance Weil has passed away from an accident at his shop in Pennsylvania. North Americans may recognize the name of his former shop in California, 'Rickey Racer'. Ciao, Steve G.