belfastguzzi

The luggage arrangement is REALLY handy: I like it a lot It's great to have a few pockets to put things into, without having big bags sitting on top of the bike. The Dorso looks good and sounds good, especially with the Arrow cans. It goes good. It funs good. It starts when you push the button (hooray!) and stops when you squeeze the lever. The riding position is, of course, very different to the Scura and the Griso. I like the Scura with low clip-ons very much. However I have now come to like the wider, higher bars of the Griso and the Dorsoduro, for the extra control that they give (despite the downside of the extra windage). I've been in situations on both those bikes where I reckon the bars have probably saved the day, e.g. front wheel or both wheels skiting out when hitting unseen patches of mud or loose gravel on bends. Don't know for sure. V11 might haver been fine, but if I had clip-ons on the heavy Griso, chances are that it would have been down. The Dorso is a very enjoyable bike to ride. The 750 engine has as much power as the V11, but the bike is lighter and more nimble. Brake is very good, much sharper than the Griso, but then the V11 front brake is also sharper than the Griso. The Griso runs like a freight train, which is nice (I suppose the V11 is similar) – it's also the same weight as a freight train. The Doso runs like... hmmmmm... a clarinet?

It has been the dullest, darkest 'summer' – so what a surprise this was! I was wearing winter jacket and leggings.

Great! A storyline, iconic imagery, poetic escapism, unexpected plot, drama, tension, dumb animal expressing anthropomorphic sensitivity to mechanical object, creative resolution – that's a nice movie. Bullocks?

I came across another video by Foto. He has taken his techique a step further with this one. Seems to be extra-overly long though: I'm still watching and the finish hasn't come yet. To watch, click on video below –––>

That makes two of us Anthro. If Aprilia stuck that Dorsoduro 1200 twin in a.... A half-faired version like the V11 LeMans with state of the art suspension would really get me excited as long as they didn't go too far with the Tuono sci-fi styling. I've read that the Tuono is going to get the Aprilia V4 engine next year so giving the twin cylinder road bike market to Guzzi might work for them. It can only make sense. Chances are that Guzzi will do the opposite, taking the worst of both: slap sci-fi styling on an ancient lumbering beast of a drivetrain. What's going to attract and hold the much-needed new customers (not necessarily new to biking but looking for a new bike / changing from another make) – one of the Guzzi 1200s (even if further tarted-up) or the snappy Dorso 1200? I reckon that, side by side, the big Aprilia twin will shift from the showroom while the Guzzi is still sitting there a year later. Certainly I'll not be swapping the 750 Dorso for a V7 'Classic'.

I wonder why they thought there was a need to introduce this extra part? Could there be any connection with the bad shifting that some have experienced, with the box inexplicably sticking in gear and refusing to change? Reports of this often linked the sticking box to it being hot. Back when this was discussed, no reason could be seen or found: I don't know if there has been any more about this in recent times. I had such bad trouble with this phenomenon, with the bike sticking resolutely in 2nd gear, that on a trip I disassembled the cover and change mech, thinking that the spring must have broken - but it was fine. What was the problem that led Luigi Guzzi to add the plate / brace... or did it just happen one day, with neither reason nor logic?

There are at least three different versions of the 'inside bits', which is why I was interested to see Gary's interesting find. Some of us have got the racing box Gary has the heavy duty, reinforced, touring & ploughing box.

If only you knew how many times ive expressed that very sentiment. I'll take a guess: 6,525 times

Don't make it all confusing: Bendy's poised, all ready to sign-up

It wouldn't be safe. Straw would get sucked into those carbs and then you'd be sorry. Stick with sensible.

Wow, no mudguards. That poor critter's gonna get all wet when it rains. That's no way to treat a dumb brute.

Hey Foto, now I know that my secret filming vid of the old Guzzi Sport's tech innovations has monumental merit! Thank You! Do you have a movie of your motorcycle parked overnight? Baldini, for one, would appreciate that. Here's a video on how to flatten a stone. I'm sure that you'll really enjoy it. Sorry it's so short.

Looks like that (Dorsoduro) 1200 V twin is nearing the sales floor http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2010/08/aprilia-dorsoduro-1200-the-worst-kept-secret/

(In my imagination) and if JR doesn't want it, I'll have it

Never know what bike you really want? Transform from a 'cafe sport' to a 'cruiser' at the flick of a switch

At least in theory... and some are more right than others in more ways than one anyway, whatever happened to macguzzi?

Whatever happened to macguzzi – that's what I want to know ?

Good man. It beats watching Moto GP, by a long shot. I see the programme information says that the sport's top names reach speeds of over 130mph as they cover the 7 mile circuit. Of course what that should say is that the lap speed is over 130. Last year the average lap speed hit 133mph. However this year Bruce Ansty was recording 197 through the speed trap – which is significantly more than a top speed of 130! The NW200 road circuit sees speeds of over 200mph (204) but the UGP has fastest lap speeds, making it the fastest road race in the world. When you see the camera shots of the suspension working, it helps appreciate what sustained lap speeds of 130+ mean. The wheels/suspension can be seen constantly, furiously working up & down over the bumpy road surface. And of course the tyres have to cope with 'farming roads'. Phew.

This was a good year. 10.25 tonight (Sunday). More Tuesday: 10.35pm

Fastest Road Race In The World A real rider's circuit. No flat bits anywhere. Watch here >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8682944.stm Watch UGP live today. If you've seen the BBC's coverage of the NW200, you know the camera coverage is fantastic these days. Now they are doing a similar job on the Ulster. And this year the sun is shining! They've just shown old film of Agostini at the Ulster, back in World Championship days: nearly 3 minutes in the lead(!) and still looking like he's out for a casual afternoon's sight-seeing. For those who can get BBC NI, catch it again on Monday and Tuesday nights. *They're saying that people are watching around the world, yet website says 'available to UK users only' I don't know, you can only try it. Highlights of the Dundrod 150 > http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8913459.stm

Mmmm. This water and gunk is what was in the spine breather. Are these the sort of flecks that you're seeing in the sump, Greg?

Gary where is the photo of this part that you posted? I've been searching and can't see it. D

Rust in the system, gosh, yes. Condensation is a particular problem here where the atmosphere is (damp and cold) and a lot of journeys are short. I've posted pictures before of the permanent pool of water that sits in the V.11 frame just at/below the outlet. Here's one: Every time I take pipes or valve covers off the Guzzis they are thick with emulsion and dripping water. I'm bothered about the heavy mayonnaise emulsion in the Griso 8V heads. Unfortunately there is really nothing that can be done about this, given the reality of short journeys (and damp climate?).

what does that mean... you go naked, from the belly button down? Even in the Parts Dept: if you know what I mean?

Hi Ferg can you give me some details? What time is the Cherbourg ferry that you are taking and when are you coming back and by what route? I'm in a dilemma as to what to do.I have all sorts of difficult situations with work including major things that HAVE to be done at the beginning of September. At the moment I am so exhausted that I can hardly stand up. While I want to get to the continent, the problem is the extra time that it takes to get there from Northern Ireland and to get back. Energy-wise, it might be more bearable to travel with someone else. I need to go to Leipzig the following week and had wondered about staying on and riding there, but really it's not going to work because of the extra time away from work. D