Steve G.

I happened to be at the local Guzzi dealer on July 5th, [checking out parts prices from my crash] and they had just taken delivery of the first Moto Guzzi product in over 2 yrs. 10 big boxes, and I watched as a red Breva and a black Griso saw Vancouver sunshine for the first time. The local guys commented on the better quality of the shipping crates, and the fact the bikes didn't come out with any damage, an improvement right away on previous Mandello machines. I scored a slab of the outer cardboard sheet with Moto Guzzi emblem. Not sure what I'll do with it, but if something is free, you grab it and think about it later. So,,, welcome to Western Canada M.G. Glad you're back. Ciao, Steve G.

No you read it correctly. I guess you could call it either a 6 foot deep pothole, or a section of road that was literally not there, gone. Ciao, Steve G.

Thanks Zoltan, These are the guys I see on Speed sometimes. I shall talk to them, as I shall possibly look to advice from Mr. Hagan. The one thing that I can't help thinking may cause an issue is that I an a non-American, and that this may cause issues with the lawyers. Got a basic quote on just parts today, $5500. Shite!! Thanks for the info and support guys. Ciao, Steve

Just got back home from a motorcycle holiday, 6 days too short. Monday, riding the Lost Coast Highway in Northern California, a tricky little road and given due respect, I hit a pothole in the middle of the straight road. The bike did a forward flip, twice, with me getting body slamed. I've got cracked ribs, torn calf muscle, and my bike is seriouslt hurt. The pot hole had no road signs or warnings, which I thought might be a good idea as this hole was 6ft deep, and 10 by 60 ft long. As my partners and I attempted to make the bike servicable again, a few locals drove by, all mentioning how the Saturday before, 5 guys all together went into this hole in the middle of the road, and all had to be medivac'd to hospital. I'm very lucky I was only doing 25 mph. I would have thought since this incident, steps would have been taken to avoid another crash. Should I contact a U.S. lawyer? Ciao, Steve G.

Your "choke" is nothing but a fast idle. It does nothing to the mixture. The temperature sensors may be adjusting a bit to the ambient temperature. Thanks for mentioning the temperature there. I'll be riding around there Friday, spending our first night in "Cal" in Yreka. Ciao, Steve G.

Lucky dog you! I won't make it. Thursday afternoon you will find me ATVing on the dunes at Florence Oregon. I leave my place @ 3:30am. a group of up to 10 of us will be on the road for 1 1/2 wks, doing Northern California and over to eastern Oregon. I will be sampling many IPA's in these regions. I will toast one with you Greg, just 300miles south. Ciao, Steve G.

You want my honest opinion do you? Frickin' ugly, huge ugly, laughable, unwanted, not understood, useless. HUGE ugly. There's a reason you can buy these cheap. Nobody wants them. People bought them after seeing it in a certain movie, and now can't understand why they got it. Ciao, Steve G.

I have the solution Zoltan. I have fiddled around for a couple of years, using orthodox and unorthodox soltions to the dreaded "vibe". First, it is very true that these engines' vibes mellow with mileage. But here's what I did. I wanted Naoplean Beren bar ends, which negated the bar end weights. So I got some old lead weights from the bike shop, melted them with a propane torch [outside and downwind of course, this is mercury based] , then poured lead into the end of each bar, enough so I could get the bar end fastener. I have very sensitive hands with respect to vibes, a result of using a now banned cutting tool at work for years. These mods have prevented me selling the V11 because of the vibes when new. Ciao, Steve G.

Unless you a true motorhead. Ever tried to stuggle through a Formula 1 car race in the last say,,, 10 yrs? While I would agree that the possibility of an American win has increased, there should be an asterisk as to why this is about to happen. John Hopkins has had years of utter hell on his Suzuki. I think it's his turn. Ciao, Steve G.

My buddy just got his deposit back last week. I honestly don't know how he was going to get it DOT'd [department of transport certification] in this country, but it was a sweet looking thing. I must admit to longing for a chance to buy some of Kenny Dreer's body work, which will fit on the old orginial Norton Commando's. A couple years ago Cycle World editor David Edwards showed up at a fairly large vintage bike rally in Seattle [Vashon TT] with Kenny. Edwards was riding a standard Commando with Dreer bodywork. It was a show stopper!! Ciao, Steve G.

I have to agree with you Zoltan. I've never sampled a palatable beer out of Quebec. Only thing they're good at is collecting welfare cheques. It's just weird tasting stuff to my taste. The wired shut cork does not mean a good beer, just as a good tv commercial doesn't as well. I used to love the old Kokanee lager commercials with the sasquatch running around the ski slopes peeking at sun bathing bikinis. The beer was and still is pitifull swill. My mom likes it though, so I keep 1/2 dozen on hand for when she wants to garden in my back yard. Ciao, Steve G.

Piaggio inherited the rights to Laverda when they took over Aprilia, who purchased right beforehand. The picture above showing the last prototype by Aprilia before they went under, was made before they took over Moto Guzzi. Basically a repainted Mille, complete with Rotax v-twin. IMO, as I am a serious Laverdisti, I would welcome a resurgence of Laverda as a purchasable machine. But, just as I call a new Triumph a Hinckley Triumph, and a new Norton [if they ever show up] as a Dreer Norton, any Laverda would have a new confirmation of non-original origin, like the upstart Zane Laverdas of the early to mid '90's. As for the picture above and it's technical specifications, I consider it a complete thumb in the eye to anyone remotely interested in Laverdas. Just as Moto Guzzi has over the years used several engine layouts, most with success, they have however been typecast [good and bad] as a shaft drive inline v-twin. With this in mind, Laverda also employed many different engine layouts, but is most noteworthy for the inline 3 cylinder, in 120 and 180 degree firing order. Any resurgence in the Laverda name would have to use this layout, or risk virtually zero sales to current Laverdisti. The v-twin would not be accepted, but might attract new Laverda owners. Ciao, Steve G.

Sign me up!!! Ciao, Steve G.

Hi Greg, So,, do you have one for a 2001 V11? I'm interested. I'd like to ride down and bolt it on at your shop. Or do you think it would be a pain in the ass to do it that way? I've heard they are a.............tight fit!!! Ciao, Steve G.

I agree and will go with you on this one Pete. I honestly was not aware that the journals on the big v-twin M.G. were short, and easy to clean out. From Greg's info, the occurance of big end failure seems to be on the increase with the post 2001 models, not the pre 2001 models. Buddy Chris got a late '02 model from Moto International, and after minimal mileage the big end shells went bad. Chris is a person with the ultimate in mechanical sympathy, and a windage tray on any of his bikes would be a total waste of money. His bikes are universally mint, and given the respect of a member of the family. His bike is not a candidate for this happening. Yet it did. So, a bad batch of big end shells seems the likely candidate for me right now. Ciao, Steve G.

The Saga indeed. Are you trying to convince us of something? I definitely give you 100% for effort Captain Nemo. But I think you should check to see if you may be color blind in some manner. Ciao, Steve G.

It's not oil level Greg. It's Luigi not blasting the machining crap/swarf out of the oil journals well enough! Ciao, Steve G.

I would agree after spending alot of time on my buddies '76 Lemans. If the modern Japanese motorcycles have the benchmark on anything, it is the near perfection of their gearbox action. No other get close. And I would put modern BMW's at the back of the pack, modern bikes speaking. Ciao, Steve G.

It was great Jim. In fact, it seems to be getting too big. The park was so full, the Lamborghini's were almost falling off the edge of the cliff into the ocean. A Ferrari Marinello had to leave early, and the fellow had to use a blowhorn to ask for bikes to be moved so he could get his car out. V11 based bikes consisted of my green V11, Van's Lemans Tenni, a recent trade in grey V11 Sport brought in by British Italian's salesman Mike, and a nice red/black Lemans. I think I saw Zoltan's green V11 parked out with the non Italian bikes out on the lane. Perhaps 12 Tonti based M.G., a couple Californias, and my favourite of the entire show, a majestic Falcone, just lovely! I think maybe 25 Ducatis of various model, 2 MV Agusta Brutales, [ my buddies 750, and Van's brother's 910]. There were 6 Laverdas [the featured bike marque], including an SFC, 750SF, Mirage, and including mine, 3 Jota's. Fritz brought along his usual collection of jewelery quality Parillias and Ducatis, and Al brought along his Moto Morini 500 Sport. There may have been more, but the senses got overloaded by all the hardware. I would guess bikes numbers about 45. Cars, well perhaps 125, Lamborhini's featured at the car marque meant they came out of the woodwork like I've never seen. At least 10 Guillardo's [excuse the spelling, you know the V10 ones] and 3 Mucillego's, and several older ones like a Diablo, and I think a Uracco and other big sport coupes with V12's and V8's. At least 25 Ferarri's, old and new, Mazzerati's old and new, and a huge gaggle of Alfa Romeo's, Fiat's, including full race Abarth's. As this is also a French car/bike display, there were many big Citroen saloons, a lovely old Bugatti, and a couple of old things I've never seen before. I've got some pictures, but to be honest, I'm pretty basic on the computer, and will have difficulty getting those pictures out of my camera [now in a file] and onto this forum. I've tried before with little success. I'm not sure if Van or Zoltan took pictures. Ciao, Steve G.

Yup, bring that .45 along with you to the border crossing, and guess what? You get a free hotel accomodation at the local police station. Ciao, Steve G.

Get a AAA membership with the added option of motorcycle tow and free maps everywhere, a good tire repair kit, made for tubeless tires of course, extra earplugs, mini first aid kit, credit cards, cash, camelback for hydration, set of spark plugs, spare tail light bulb and headlight bulb. You can spoil yourself as I have and get a GPS, tank bag, and a mini compressor [you can get them very small these days]. Ciao, Steve G.

Well done Greg. I agree 100% with your views on the fairing being pulled into the bike, looks much better. What are you talking about with the temperature sensor? Brass vs plastic? Are you talking about the blue plastic thing on the cylinder? Ciao, Steve G.

Finally!!! Pete Roper is using synthetic! It's in print here first. Actually Pete, you're just being a frugal ex-pat. Everyone knows that synthetic engine oil is much cheaper than that frickin' yak fat. People following you think your one a solid diet of garbonzo beans as well. Ciao, Steve G.

It's the least we can all do for ourselves. Just as some are quite happy with hamburger, I think we all owe it to ourselves to substute that for tenderloin on those occasions when a hankering for beef happens. Ciao, Steve G.

You're right Greg, DK IPA is very nice. I've got two growlers, one for when I'm in Bellingham, Wash. [boundary Bay Brewery], and one that rock/blues guy Colin James has here @ Central City Brewing. The samplings at Boundary Bay are ten fold better I'm afraid. It is true that most delicate beers don't travel well, or don't have a long [best time]. Ironically, this is how India Pale Ale became a form of beer in it's own right. During the conquest of India, the 'old country' sent ale overseas by ship to feed the lads, and found the addition of large quantities of hops, [a natural preservative], the ale was much more palatable, and the hops were able to hide some of the flavour variances of ship life across the seas. As growlers are filled up from a Co2 tap, English Beer Engine, or otherwise, it is subjected to the atmosphere, and components in the atmosphere lend themselves to very short beer palate quality, as in hours. A growler must be consumed within 24 hrs, or you'd almost be better off buying "Budpiss" instead, almost! Ciao, Steve G.