Steve G.

You know what they say about Quat-D: Beauty's only skin deap, but ugly goes right to the bone! Ciao, Steve G.

Mmmmm, Interesting collection on this one. Fairing if off a 1980 Jota, fuel tank is off a 1980-82 Jota, side covers and tail piece are off a 1200 Mirage, frame color is that of a 120 degree SFC 1000, as is the box section swingarm and brake, body color is pre-1982 180 degree Jota, the engine could be either a 1200 or 1000, but is definitely post 1980, as it has the high output alternator with the ignition pickups on the left, as seen from the left primary cover. The wheels are non-Breganze, either that or they made some with an inner ridge that I've never seen before. The Albert bar end mirror is quite cool, virtually unobtanium now. Ciao, Steve G.

I was at one of the first Sport bike West events years ago at it's previous location. Potentially a world class event, again marred by another special interest group, this one being stunt squids. If it isn't squids, it's Harley equipped chopper whoppers. Those kind of rides of which you talk about, the group rides, always bring to lite the fact that it's most often the rider rather than the bike that negotiate a corner in the most effecient manner. Ciao, Steve G.

Looking at the pictures, there are things I don't care for with the Jota. The big one for me is the fact there's no air filter, just those silly bell-mouths. These engines are just like any other, the ingestion of dust means an early wearing out. Plus, the air box may be expensive to buy a new one. Another thing I don't care for with the Jota is that dent on the frame right side down tube, near the top. I personally would not buy this machine. It has an unkept aura about it. The 3C appears, except for the shagged seat, to be in way nicer shape, and because it hasn't had to carry the distinction of being a Jota, has probably enjoyed owners with greater mechanical sympathy. The 3C would be a much more enjoyable of the two. A true Jota wants high octane as well. Buy a new seat and put on some Jota mufflers and it will make all the right sounds, believe it. With regard to the handling of the Laverda, certainly getting new shocks would be the first order of the day. Laverda parts/supply legend Wolfgang Haerter is the North American rep for the new Koni shacks, re-named Ikon. 'Very' good prices. As well, worn swingarm bearings can send these into the dreaded rear end wobble if you hit a bump mid corner. New ones change this. I would agree Baldini that the Moto Guzzi engine is truly made of granite, very tough, but as has been the case for it seems decades, Guzzi has sourced componentry sometimes based on price rather than quality. I would not consider a Moto Guzzi motorcycle, as a whole, especially a V11 based machine, to be as rugged as a Breganze Laverda. When I mentioned the handling characteristics of these two machines, I think I mentioned the stabilty of a Laverda as much above average, but I did note that it's nimbleness was not on a par with the V11. Ciao, Steve G.

I've owned my '81 Jota since 1994. As well I've had good seat time on the 120 degree engine , as well as 1200cc 180 degree engine, but my majority knowledge is of the 1000cc 180 degree engine. I'll simply list out the positives and negatives, then try to cross-compare to the V11 series Moto Guzzi. Negatives: They really are high effort machines, whether it's clutch, brakes, throttle, or countersteering, it really is true that these are not 'girlie bikes'. If you are a small framed person who rides alot of stop and go traffic, you should consider going to the gym, and moving into the countryside. They are very heavy. The original electronic ignition is very primitive, [it was the first production motorcycle to have elec ignition standard] with a zero degree spark advance until around 2500 rpm, where it would jump to 32 deg advance. If you ride it around the 2500 rpm mark, it will tend to jump from 0 to 32 and back to 0 in quick order, causing something of a surge and slow thing going on. You either have to run it below or above this mark in town. It is chain drive. There are better fuel economy bikes out there. Expect range of around 110 miles [185kms] range before you hit reserve. If your country has emission testing for bikes, the Jota's big pumper Del'Orto's will fail. Laverda engines love to run rich mixtures. A true Jota spec engine with 7c cams offer an in your face,high compression, spitting, loud, anti social, fricking monster. Your neighbors won't like you anymore. I've learned to turn my bike off when coming home at night, and gliding at speed down my little street. Positives: If you are a bigger person, the Laverda is a breath of fresh air. After meeting Pierro Laverda last spring in Los Angeles, I now know why, he is a big guy, and he built it to fit him. The machine is one of the most stable bikes at speed ever made. Banked over on a big sweeper at 110 mph, the things are as smooth as a cruise liner. Very solid. The parts supply situation is perhaps better than when new, with a few very hard core enthusiasts who literally love the bikes, and want them out on the road being used. The bikes very rarely brake. Laverda was a serious agriculture machinery supplier to Europe, and this overbuilt engineering transfered over to the bikes. The engine internals are rediculously overbuilt. Laverda was never steered to country of origin hang-ups when sourcing componentry. They used the best available at the time of manufacture. Early on it was Smiths from England. During the 1000cc 3 cylinder years, it was Bosch, and Nippon Denso. Laverda 3 cylinder achillies heal, the electronic ignition, is easily replaced with the lastest Moto Witt DMC photo-cell ignition, with 18 advance profiles to choose from. The engine is a true joy with this system, increased power, and big torque. It is chain drive. They are very heavy. A Laverda is a very rare machine, hand made in every respect, made in batches of 100 per year per model. It is unlikely you will show up at a bike place and see your bike's double. Ownership of a Laverda will instill in you a very high level pride of ownership, rare in motorcycling. The machines just ooze character, and many people will ask questions about the big imposing monster. And then when you start it, men will smile and nod their heads in approval, women will frown, and kids will duck behind their dads legs. In spite of their origin being from Northern Italy, Laverda 1000 Jota and Moto Guzzi V11 are very different. Engine performance is surprisingly similar, around 80-90hp. The non-Jota spec 1000 [3C, 3CL]runs around 75hp. Bike performance, the V11 is much quicker out of the hole, through the quarter mile, perhaps a 1/2 second quicker. Top speed for both I would call a draw, around 135mph on my GPS, which does not lie like Veglia or Nippon Denso. The Guzzi gets there a bit faster though. The Guzzi is way nicer around town, but the Laverda is really long legged, and is a better handling bike by far at speeds over 80 mph. Because the Laverda is a longer wheelbase, it's steering is slower, at full lean, the Lavvie changes direction slower, so you have to start turning the bike before the turn arrives, and use all the lane. The Guzzi changes direction quite quickly as we V11 owners know. Vibration of the 180 dregree engine does not show up until 4000rpm, around 80 mph, but as the engine revs towards 5500rpm, you know youve got a spinning hulk down there. But at 5900rpm, around 110 mph all goes silky smooth, much like the 1064cc engine Guzzi does at 5000rpm. While the Guzzi gearbox is quite nicer shifting, the Laverda needs a bit more effort to move to the next cog, but with a positive engagement that leaves no mistake. Bike stature is the biggest difference though. The Moto Guzzi V11 series by most measure is a smaller bike shorter, lighter, with lighter easier switchgear and levers. The Laverda is simply big, huge, grand. The engine is huge, the frame, all of it is girth. The Brembo levers are big, 8" long, the throttle is a 1/2 turn, not the 1/4 turn on the Guzzi. Own one knowing you have a greater variety of machinery in the garage, which is very good. It makes you like each bike more. Ciao, Steve G.

Among my small armada of riding boots, I own a pair of boots from Altberg, their Albion Classics. Essentially a carbon copy of the famous English made Gold Tops, and Frank Thomas Cafe Racers, they are well made, not waterproof, comfortable, and offer so-so ankle protection. I love the dual buckles at the ankle, and dual buckles at the top, 18" high. I was riding my Alpine Stars touring boots when I crashed last month. They definitely did their job, as the bike crushed my left foot/ankle. Just the same, I'm still having problems with the ankle, but I may not have had an ankle to worry about had I been wearing low cut boots. From my early days as a poor commuter in the winter rains of south west B.C., I own English made Derry Boots, really just black Wellingtons shaped to look like Gold Tops. 100% waterproof, very warm, very minimal crash protection and minimal support, terrible to walk in. I'm looking for a hybrid motocross/enduro boot right now, something that one can walk in, but lots of strength. Ciao, Steve G.

My buddy had me look at the bike 3 wks ago, as he was thinking of getting it for his wife. Seemed ok, but I told him to shy away from it after taking the advice of one Pete Roper. As for the price, I can't remember ever hearing that bike prices were more expensive here than say, England. Remember that 2700$cdn is about 1200pnd. Do these things go for less than 1300pnd in the old country? Ciao, Steve G.

I'd like to know how to source those Grand Touring grips. I've always liked the large ones on my Norton, but they are the wrong inside diameter. Ciao, Steve G.

I miss the "good Ol' days" when we used to camp out in the rifle range at the gun club. It was much quieter there, and we would partake in the -------festivities-------, over by the pond. Yes, the smoke show contests, the people's bikes rear wheel hooking up, and catapulting into the watching people, or the deck tables. Public sexual activities, huge amounts of alcoholic beverages. It could not go on forever though, and the final straw was member of the Vancouver branch of the Mods & Rockers, and former employee of British Italian Motorcycles [that's right, Canadians party like animals] , who decided riding his bike into the pond might be an upstager. We got the bike out, and him. He was covered in this algea like slime, which when it dried out the next morning smelled like fresh cat shite. Remembering seeing him walking around in the hot sun at the gun club the next day [yup, it gets warm in that little tree surounded area] with this crud baked onto him and his leathers, well, it still gives me face aches from laughing. Good times! Ciao, Steve G.

I can tell you that if I was not wearing my Shoei RF1000 last month during my little shunt in California, I would not have a jaw, left ear, or eye. I may still be hooked up to a machine waiting for my family to unhook me. Anyone who rides open face clearly are uninformed, or frickin' stupid. Ciao, Steve G.

In most cases, [excepting the beenie helmet or Davida/Cromwell pudding bowl] helmets are made to a minimum requirement according to government. After that, helmets are much like oil, tires, and spark plugs. In other words, one man's best helmet is another man's least best. Remember, someones favourite is not nessesarily the best, only his favourite. Ciao, Steve G.

So, does your wife have a sister?

It is widely known that 4 wheel vehicles have a huge advantage over 2 in corners, any corners. The power/weight ratio is the key to bikes, where initial acceleration is almost unmatched with any car. Then again, the bike's 'dirty' aerodynamics are a limiting factor in speed/acceleration with speeds over 200km/125mph. The video in question was done on a decidedly tight little track, hindering the very tall geared Lambo acceleration. This disadvantage I should think more or less evens out the fact that they used a Ducati, instead of a GSXR 1000. Fifth Gear is a very entertaining show. I get it here on the Pacific west coast on Speedvision, @ 4:30am weekends, I tape it on VHS. Ciao, Steve G.

You know what they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder"! Ciao, Steve G.

Fallon, Nevada. Nice small town. Been there. Last week for the first time I heard my bike, with Staintunes, ridden by a buddy go by. Distinctly different to a Ducati. Much more of a baritone brofundo with a Moto Guzzi. Low reving, not frenetic. I liked it alot. My buddy liked it. He wants to buy one now. Ciao, Steve G.

Ducati Superlight. Very nice machine, rare and high collectability!

Man, that's so old! You are making me laugh. At least we don't allow men in black face masks march about the streets like last week in --------- [non disclosed Europe]. Getting back to responsibility, I drive around in a big 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup, with a gun rack in the back window [they don't allow guns in the back window any more here, so I've got my big salt chuck fishing rod] , and the thing burns fuel happily. I've had it on propane [LPG for you non-colonialists] for 15 yrs, you know the stuff you cook your food on in the bbq. I'd say thats pretty responsible!! You've melted more polar ice cap than me with your little FIT, I mean Fiat!! Ciao, Steve G.

Check out Wasaga Beach on the way up, it`s Canadas' California, (white sand beaches and bikinis' galore). Canada's California, in Ontario?? Sorry, it's a west coast/east coast thing. Ciao, Steve G.

Never heard of a Bellagio. Maybe they have them in the states, but not here in Canada. A Moto Guzzi as a touring machine is a minimalist. Lovely lopy engine, with minimal bells & whistles. As it should be! Ciao, Steve G.

Actually, there is one more I could put to the list above: Aerostitch. Ciao, Steve G.

Riding wear is as personal a decision as tires or oil. Me or anyone else telling you that one or another jacket is best, or a favourite, should not be the basis for buying a jacket. Be aware that there are two different "families" of textile jackets. 1: non-polyurathane coated material, and 2: polyurethane coated material. If in a crash where you find yourself sliding along a road, even a short distance, polyurethane coated material will instantly melt to you. Non-poly coated will most definitely not. The number of non-poly coated jacket making companies is very small, and can be listed easily: 1] Rukka 2] Motoport 3] BMW The use of Poly coating makes the outer layer of the jacket more water resistant. Also, most poly coated jackets do not use Cordura 'Dupont' Gortex, but widely and easily found stitch nylon. Joe Rocket is among the very best in price. Most all in this price range however are "one crash jackets", that will disassemble themselves if you go down. The others will not. I crashed bad last month in my Motoport jacket and BMW pants. No scratches, burns or a abrasions. The things were put in the wash [another no-no with poly coated jackets, hand soap and a garden hose only], and hung to dry, ready to go again. Ciao, Steve G.

Thanks for the advice guys. We are going to look at it tonight. The picture I have of it shows that the headers have gotten real hot lately. Ciao, Steve G.

I've had my own strong feelings about Mr. Enzo, or is it Mr. Nemo the World Traveller, shit I'm confused! Early on the guy was like a boil I could not quite reach. Now I look on him with delitefull amuzement, an entertaining little attention whore who, well, is strangely entertaining as he strokes himself in this strange arena I call e-public. And while I'm not in the habit of wanking on anyone elses bike, I can honestly say color coordination is not one of his strong suits. Home decoration is probably not his line of work. The exhaust systems that are being "designed" , very entertaining. All that work, man. Mr. Enzo is very determined. Well, it keeps one less lonely person hanging out in the food court of the local mall. I just find a V11 Sport to be an very nice looking motorcycle all on it's own. Italians are known for making nice looking shapes and colors. Spoiling that with a red, white, and green bike, with a home made BLUE exhaust? Golly! The resale value of that machine has been literally halved. Getting back to the abandonment rant he gave us a while back, where he did really rip into Greg, what exactly happened to his time machine? I thought a tire. Ciao, Steve G.

For you beer lovers out there, this Saturday August 12th, downtown Vancouver, @ Dix Brewhouse, 871 Beatty St, in Yaletown. The annual cask conditioned brew festival. Only cask conditioned ales from at least 20 different breweries from the Pacific North West, served by the brewmaster themselves. Called the Caskival Real Ale festival. Got to be there if you are even remotely interested in tasting "real beer"!!! Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Pete, My buddy wants to buy an old Guzzi, but big blocks around here are excedingly rare [Guzzi was non-existant here from 1982-2000]. He found a V50 and was asking me about it. Is it the V50 or V65 that had the oiling problems? Any other weal links? Thanks Pete. Ciao, Steve G.