Steve G.

Beauty's only skin deep, but ugly goes right to the bone! Ciao, Steve G.

Ryans' Ducati is just soooo right on! You've really cleaned this thing up well buddy, since the last time I saw it. The new Triumph Thruxtons are ok, as are these cafe renditions. But, I have to tell you, these things are no where close to what a real one looks like. I've been trying to figure out what it is with these Hinckley twins I have trouble with, and I've come down to the engine. It just looks too plain. The Meriden Triumphs engines were one of the sweetest looking mechanical devises made, but these new twins don't have it visually. Ciao, Steve G.

If you put both of these lights on, you will exede the output of the charging system. Ciao, Steve G.

Do not attempt to get the filter out/off from the spin out access cover, unless you have the proper flute filter wrench/socket. The threads for this cover are very fragile, and if damaged, you will have much trouble spinning the cover back on. Take the pan off, take the factory one off with a scewdriver or pump pliers. Ciao, Steve G.

Try Goodson aluminum last blast, part #alb-1. It's non smudge, heat proof, non clear coat, and most importantly, is a very close color match. You really don't want to spend all that money on a new tappet cover because of a little scratch do you? Actually, the silver is going to be a piece of cake. It's retaining the red lettering that will be tricky. Golly Docc, 40,000 miles! This is a good thing. Ciao, Steve G.

Having ridden one of these big vessels quite a few times, I can confirm there's enough grunt to lift the front on these. Having a considerable measure of mechanical sympathy in my bones, I would never consider doing this to any of my bikes, but plead guilty when it comes to demo bikes, which I think these squids are using. Ciao, Steve G.

You do good work Mike. That looks like something you'd buy. Ciao, Steve G.

We won't go there! I've ridden the island. You've got to be on the edge, and hot one of it's lovely bone crushing bumps at speed. Ciao, Steve G.

We won't go there! I've ridden the island. You've got to be on the edge, and hot one of it's lovely bone crushing bumps at speed. Ciao, Steve G.

Make sure you tape up your bodywork well. This stuff eats paint just about as well as braided stainless steel lines. Not just RKA, any throw over stuff. Ciao, Steve G.

I get to work on these things. They're a @$box. @#*%box Chevy pickup. Ciao, Steve G.

Yeah you're right, it is a bit sad. Actually I check it out during TT forthnight, watching all the knuckle draggers doing crazy things at 3:00am, which is 9:00pm here. Ciao, Steve G.

I sometimes check the I.O.M. web cam which is located [i think I remember] at the southern roundabout of the promonade. I just checked it a minute ago [11:10am pacific time, Saturday] which is 19:10 hrs, 7:10pm Saturday, and it's raining like crazy. It always seems to be raining, or foggy. Is there a dryer section of the island? How do you guys who live there get a chance to ride? Or do you just put the rain gear on? When I rode to the TT in 1994, it rained but once, the rest of the time the weather was glorious, if cool. I thought it rained alot where I lived, but we at least get our summer drought fo 4 1/2 months during riding season. Ciao, Steve G.

It's got nothing to do with age. It's strictly confidence in your tires, and, just like Freddie Spencer says in his schools, "smooth application of operation input". While it helps to know the road where you might do such 'damage', most of the 'damage' done to my bike was soon after I bought it, where I used it to go down to an AMA race at Sears Point in 2003. I was riding with fellows who had a distinct advantage in power output, so I was basically forced to make time in the corners through speed preservation, something I'm used to doing as most of my bikes are of the low hp output. I should note that this kind of damage to my bikes bothers me, as I tend to keep my machines cosmetically quite neat and tidy. I wish it didn't happen, and I wish I'd thought of the great idea of cutting the sidestand stopper rubber down, this would have maybe prevented my side stand getting all buggered up. BTW, I'm 47, been riding since I was 4, and had my bike license at 16, before my car license. I'm not going through the change of life as some non motorcycle versed people think, it's just that I've never grown up. Never will, dammit! Ciao, Steve G.

You sure you didn't sneak pictures of my bike somehow? Honestly, this is the same stuff that's happening to mine. I kind of wish the footpegs would grind first, they move, the muffler doesn't!! Ciao, Steve G.

I think you've done a great job of the remote placement. I would caution you to keep an eye on the bracket though. Aluminum will have a short service life on a Moto Guzzi. Have you ever looked down to the old bracket to see how the original bracket/remote danced around like crazy. I think steel is the only final fix, just like the e.o.m. oil cooler brackets on my V11, the aluminum ones vapourized quickly, but the steel ones are not an issue. Ciao, Steve G.

Have they paved that area fully by Ryder Lake Jim? It is a very tight technical little area, great fun on a supermotard. Ciao, Steve G.

Just got my October issue of Canadian Biker, with a nice article of Jim's 1 of 20 machines made. The test rider's thoughts and comments kind of hit home. He is a test rider and reasonably competant track rider, able to be objective with the best of them. But he was absolutely gobsmacked by the thing, and is his new lust of desire. Well done Jim! Ciao, Steve G. P.S. By the way Jim, which series is your SFC 750? Another very rare machine as you would know.

My fuel warning light has never worked since new. But recently I managed 295kms in one run at an average 75mph. It is true, this thing is getting even better fuel economy with increased mileage. 30,000kms just spun over. Ciao, Steve G.

I saw this thing at Sears Point last year during an AMA race. They started it up a few times during the weekend, sounded like an Audi with a serious exhaust leak. Apparently the fellow riding this thing is former AMA flat track champ Scotty Parker, a rider of superior skill compared to us mortals. Even he could only ride the thing a few yards before the torque of the engine flopped it over. An interesting concept, but a concept just the same. Ciao, Steve G.

It's not an 'every man for himself sentiment' that I'm trying to push. Keeping with sports [why you're bringing in the New Orleans disaster into this I can't figure], take golf for example. Ok, I can't watch it either, but it is the ultimate test, as is singles tennis. It is crystal clear the objective you must achieve. More so than a team sport, because you are fully responsible for your result. Ciao, Steve G.

I agree that they are a better tyre, but not twice as good as the price where I am would dictate. Ciao, Steve G.

Yes, well done. I'm hoping that MGNA, and the factory, are getting feedback about things like this spacer which is too short. Engineers at the factory should be checking these things out dammit!! A buddy of mine had his rear wheel bearings go on his '02 Lemans at less than 500kms! Unfortunately, his nearest dealer is 350 miles away, and he being smarter than the Guzzi engineer who set this thing up, made a new spacer on his lathe, tapped new bearings, and guess what, no problems. Ciao, Steve G.

General opinion is to stick with stock tire sizes in the front. Whether you have an early V11 with 170mm tire, or post '01 V11 and V11 Lemans with 180mm rear, the machine seems to work better with a 10mm skinnier rear, respectively. Tire make has to be a personal choice. Like motorcycle engine oils, you can't really get a bad one these days. But some are slightly better in different ways. Some are cheaper, some, last longer, some are stickier. I have been using the Bridgestone 020 Battlax, originally buying it because next to the Chinese made Maxxis [Ching-Chen] it was the most reasonably priced radial tire in my region of the world. Only later did I find it had superior grip during spirited riding times when I have ground off 1' off the foot on my left side stand, and touched down the right muffler. I could not do this on the original equipement Bridgestone BT57's, as it would seriously push the front, which I really dislike. The rear can do what it wants, but the front for me must follow the line I want. Add to this the fact that these 020's are quite long lasting, having just changed the front with 16,800kms, although it could have been run longer, it was affecting handling and "feel" I get with a fresher tire. Like I say, you should and will pick a tire based on how you feel, not what someone tells you. Ciao, Steve G.

Yeah, yeah. My opinion, and I know you guys could care less. Team sports SUCK!!! There's always at least one ass dragger who doesn't deserve the ring, or the cup or whatever they're handing out for whatever championship. Singular championships are the true test. I know some will say that motorcycle road racing is a team sport in a way. But it comes down to the rider and only the rider once out on the track. If you do good, you do well in life. You do bad, and you'll find yourself working the late shift at Ronald McDonalds. Ciao, Steve G.