Steve G.

Why do you think they got treated badly Greg? I got along well with Todd at the Laverda Rally in LA a few yrs back, great guy! Steve

I've spent much time touring the Dales. I've spent two days in Masham, one day to tour the Black Sheep, and another to tour Theakstons. I was at Theakstons in June 1994, just got off the ferry from the IOM TT, and was present during the celebration of their apprentice 'cooper' , barrel maker, to full journeyman status, which included him being baptized in the beer wort of the beer specially made for him, while he stood in his own giant barrel. All this in town square Masham. It was a grand day!! Theakstons of course, one of only 3 breweries to deliver their ales in oak casks locally, and one of the last to use original slate brewing fermenters. Very historic. Steve

Just as I thought, it was the fuel line off of the petcock. Trimmed it 3", re-routed it above the throttle rocker with no issues. Turned the key, and the characteristic fuel pump humm signalled the first sign that all was good. Pressed the button for almost 5 seconds and she fired. Took it out for 1/2 hr including a spring through the gears up to 180K, all is good! Steve

I've got the pump in the centre of the frame rail. What I did was to install some firesleeve heat protector over the new fuel lines. With this stuff on, it's made things quite crowded down there. I ran the line underneath the throttle rocker assembly to avoid sticking the throttle open, but underneath is really crowded now, causing what I think is a kink in the fuel line off of the petcock. I may have to slightly adjust the petcock angle of output as well as trim down the fuel line and firesleeve. Steve

Hi Pete, I just tried this a couple minutes ago. It doesn't seem to have changed anything. Before and after I changed the relay, when turning the key on, the pump is heard ramping up the pressure. However, it has a distincty different sound since the fuel line change, a laboured kind of whimper. We shall see! Steve

Replacement of the electric petcock with a manual one, new fuel lines, and firesleeve over the petcock lines over the winter. A test ride ended in a non running bike after 5 minutes of running, probably residual fuel burned up in the pump. I'm pretty sure it's a kinked fuel line at the petcock. I sure hope I havn't burned out the external fuel pump!! Steve

What's wrong with a warmer planet anyways? Too warm may be uncomfortable, but too cold stings. I don't have beachfront so I don't care. Bring it on!

I've got this video. I was at the IOM TT in '94 when he brought 2 bikes. It was early in practice week when we were walking through Douglas, beer in hand, when a booming sound was getting closer. It was the rider, a helmetless Nick Jeffries, riding this beast down the middle of this pedestrian only street, with John running behind with a bike stand. they pulled up right beside us, they were setting the bike up at a promnotional demo for the afternoon [i think it was an Addiddas outlet]. We knew well about the bike, as it had been raced/tested for a year on the west coast of Canada, at the old Westwood track, by fellow Kiwi Gary Goodfellow, who lived in Vancouver at the time, and raced Canadian Superbike series. We knew the legend, the man, and we knew we were experiencing history. Even if the IOM turned into a tragedy with the loss of rider Mark Farmer the very next day, it was a fortnight I will never forget!! Steve

I don't get all revved up about any politician, this one's no different, and I don't pay any attention about his skin color, could care less either way. There will very definitely be change headed straight on for the citizens of the USA, and it's got nothing to do with the new president. If there's one thing that over-rides political preference, special interest wishes, or any other partisan leanings, and that's the economy, the great equalizer. And the United States of America has a current debt approaching 11 TRILLION DOLLARS. And it's growing fast. And this is before this giant makework funding project the new president is preaching about. After the honeymoon of a new president is over, the hangover begins, a hangover from 10 yrs of a false boom, spawned from Clinton's wish to give everyone in the USA a chance at home ownership, and the grand plan called the sub prime mortgage initiative. A 10 yr boom means a 10 yr bust. And the USA is but a single yr in. Hope you've been inspired by his speeches, hope you have lots of hope built up. He's probably going to have a full head of white hair after his 8 yr stint. Steve

Thanks for the info Doug. I've imported two bikes in from the USA, a simple procedure to be sure, but as you say, the paperwork must be in order or it's #@$&@#@. Both times I did the papers myself, no broker is needed. Simple, easy, and when our dollar was more than .90us, cost saving!! The reason I ask, is there was a group of bikes which were not allowed entry into Canada, or at least the acceptance by Transport Canada was spotty. The first group were the early 2002 Lemans, when M.G. upsized the rear tire to 180mm from 170mm. Early in 04 they were again accepted, but again they were taken off the 'inclusion list' because of upgraded front forks of certain Lemans models, including yours. I remember this clearly, as I was ready to trade my V11 Sport in on a Nero Corsa, but they were not brought in. A quick look at the inclusion list as I type this response shows that those models are now atteptable for entry into Canada. That list changes all the time, and they do mention as much on the list. The most difficult task these days is the reluctance of the US suppliers of bikes to give Canadians recall clearance letters, instead forcing buyers/importers to get these letters from the Canadian reps, who in many cases want 500$-1000$ for the letter. I'll have to keep my eyes open on this matter, it's a serious buyers market right now. Steve

How did you get the Nero Corsa past RIV & Transport Canada's 'inclusion list'. Steve

these can only be used effectrively on post '01 models. Steve

I've got the MPH risers. Two things prevent this kit from rising to perfection, 1, they are indeed ugly, 2, the kit does not come with an extended throttle cable, on the pre 2002 V11 Sports, this is much needed. Other than that, it's a great comfort thing for oldsters like me. Steve

I wish they'd offer a bodywork kit for the Supertwin, a much more attractive bike IMO. Steve

Great idea!!

I gotta agree. Guzzi's timing was all wrong, pulling the cafe racer just as Ducati AND Triumph saw the light by bringing out their own cafe racers. An opportunity blown! Steve

Correct views of the early bikes. I have an '01 red frame since new. I have had occasion to operate this machine at 'elevated' speeds, and, instability is probably a incorrect word to describe it. One magazine test described it as 'willowy', kind of just loose feeling, but only if you hit a bump in a corner, it's more like slight frame flex. To me it's a non issue, I prefer the more direct feel of the steeper steering head. There were a number of things that should be made aware, on pre late '02 models, most are just silly little things [poor quality relays, cracking aluminium oil cooler brackets, speedo drives flying away, ignition switch securing security bolts falling out], but there were a small group of machines during these years which had national, should I say world recalls, http://www.webbikeworld.com/Moto-Guzzi-mot...port-recall.htm which in turn helped to sink Aprilia. Most have been fixed, mine has, and the gearbox is better than before, and all the other issues have been fixed under warranty as well. However, there is one thing that should be pointed out that was not covered under recall, the dreaded single plate clutch experiment. Most all Mg>'s have the quite robust dual dry clutch, but starting with the V11 Rosso, later the Tenni, Scura, and perhaps others, single plate clutch with aluminium flywheel , were introduced. Fractures at the securing bolts often caused massive destruction of most surrounding components. Steve

The 'low fuel' warning light on my '01 V11 has not worked once since I bought it new in '01. Several visits to the shop garnered not even a flicker. And I know I've been on extreme fumes at least 4 times. Hey, It's italian electrics, just grin. Steve

I'm still looking for another option, but in the meantime, I've re-installed the original unit, at least I won't get fined by the RCMP [Revenue Collection Mobile Patrol]. Crappy looking thing really, but it works. Also I have to re-modify the Tecno soft pannier rack which I modified for the Ferraci kit. Steve

Consider yourself very lucky there was a note on your seat, and that the numbers were ligitimete. I had a bike backed into, over top of the side stand. Driver took off. Cost me 3,000$. Of course, Moto International is THE shop to take your machine. You should contact the insurance company first. If you send it to a bike shop they don't want, they could refuse payment. Steve

Yes this is the unit I have. It seems to me from feedback that the pattern of LED's inside the unit has made the light too "directional", as in it's great and very bright if you are directly behind the light unit at the right height. But step to one side and it's virtually as if the light unit is off. Vibration has rendered this unit cracked as well, so splitting it open to introduce more LED's at a spread pattern is not going to happen. I'm looking to get a standard light again, and maybe install a single LED bulb light within it. I'm looking at a small one to fit within the smaller compact area the Ferracci kit has for a light. Steve

So, after 3 yrs of my buddies telling me the tail light that comes equipped with the Ferracci tail light kit it virtually impossible to notice in daylight, and just somewhat visible at night, I've finally been given notice by way of warning from the local constabulary that it must go. Why I didn't get a huge fine that is available for them to use here in Metro Vancouver, must be my good manner and using "Sir" alot. Anyways, I still would like to retain the stainless bracketry with the kit, which locates the turn indicators quite close for a nice trim look. But the Schumacher LED light must be replaced by a non-led light, or an LED light which shoots it's beams in a wide spectrum for proper visibility. Any thoughts on options? The light itself is quite small in size, and attempts to locate the original light onto the Ferracci bracket, well, there's just no room. Steve

Actually, Mr. Gammaguzzi, or whatever you like to use to prop yourself up, I think if you study the situation carefully, you will notice that we were having a nice little conversation about a particular bike, a 1000S Suzuki. We were all on track nicely, all positive points, no issues. Then out of nowhere you pipe up about your RG500. Now maybe you have issues following things, and find comfort in telling everyone about the 'mine is better Gamma'. I think most here understand what the deal is here. Fact is, you are painting yourself in our mind's images, and it's really funny and foolish to look at. So, please try not to make yourself look any more silly than you have already. Perhaps you have a great idea on a 1000S? Steve

Very cool!! I'm really interested in your feedback. I really like the looks of this bike. Maybe my ride was too short, and need to spend more time on it. Originally I found the footrests just a bit too far forward for the low bars, I'd like to hear your feedback. Steve

Letting the US car industry fall would not be a good thing. Several million jobs directly, if you include spin off industries more likely 10 million. Those jobs will never return, nothing will replace it. As well, the UAW pensions of all the retired auto workers [the car makers are the prime funders, the main reason the car industry is dieing] will in some form have to be covered by the government, directly! Now, it was only 1 month ago the US government bailed out directly the financial segment of the economy with almost 800 billion$, without any restructure plan submitted, nothing to indicate a change in the #@$&@#@ up system. Yet, when the car industry asks for 25billion, less than 5% of what the banks wanted, they are sent home. Yes, the optics of the arrogence of those guys flying into the capitol in exec jets looks bad, but I think the public's reaction also has alot to do with the bottled up madness from the banks bailout. Living on the west coast of Canada, I'm not going to be directly affected if these guys go under. There is a significant big 3 car industry in Ontario, but it will not affect anything out here. But it's the slippery slope, let these guys go, who's next? I think that US made cars are just as good as imported cars now. I say this as a person who works on all cars for a living. I look around and see all the mid 80's Fords & Chev's running around, and hardly see any old Nissans, Toyotas, or others, because the things just don't last. Resale value? Well, the big 3 are known to have bad resale value, but I talked to my buddy the other day, who is a sales manager for a huge Toyota dealer here, about which makers are the champions of bad resale, and they were exclusively imports, with Audi, Saab, and Infiniti, BMW, and Nissan the champs. Now I just bought a new Ford truck, at the same time two of my work mates bought new Toyotas. Yes, they can expect to see their resale value better than mine, but, full load Ranger 4x4, vs full load Toyota Tacoma [made in Los Angeles BTW], the Toyota was $10K cdn more. So, it better. They have had issues with both of theirs, yet mine has been trouble free. I just sold my old '85 Ford pu, it had 500,000ikms on it, it's still running around the eastern suburbs of Vancouver. Yet, I look around and see no, NONE of the same year Toyotas driving around, they just fall apart. So I don't accept this import better thing. If they can rid themselves of those expensive union workers, and build new lines with non-union workers, they have a good chance. It not, they are done! Steve