belfastguzzi

It's time to consider the wobbliness of things. I reckon there's too much of it about the place. Same goes for sag. We could all be better off without it. That's not a firm conclusion.

and also, did you note how many jellied eel pies had you eaten before riding those poor bikes? Too many, I'll warrant. Besides, you can't keep a Jackal upright

You're just saying that cos you want him to put handcuffs on you. Have you bought a Tenni?

If you can't find the Griso version, there's always the standard V11 Tenni bodysuit and handbag

Yes. That's what I mean – Guzzi should allow some other competent mechanic, or me as owner, to do the work. I'm just talking about the Moto Guzzi 'system' as this has to be a warranty matter. So far no response at all (as before) from the only dealer/agent left here, nor from the UK importer. Plus, if the damage was done during the recall work (which is how it looks) then it doesn't inspire confidence in even more work (lifting top half off) to put original work right.

Unfortunately Pete, all of this seems to be a moot point, as there isn't anybody in the country who understands any of it. The only solution would seem to be for Guzzi to abandon its dealer-warranty system and instead just let anybody do the work. The end result couldn't be any worse than the present situation and there is every chance that it would be much better. But that's not going to happen. So I'm at a loss...

This seems to be the situation that MG is facing. It was interesting to also see Joe M's comment on the S.G. site. As someone else who has personally invested in promoting the marque and galvanising the enthusiasm of owners, he says that he will never buy a new Moto Guzzi. He adds, "It strikes me that at a time when Guzzi is in danger of disappearing for good, after 80-odd years, they have still not grasped the basic fact that you need two things for a succesful business... [a] you need to find new customers and you need to keep existing customers happy. One doesn't work without the other..." In my small experience, Guzzi isn't doing either of things. Due to the past year's experience, still ongoing, I've previously said that I would never buy another new Guzzi while things are like this. It's diabolical in this day and age when a customer pays a premium price for a premium product and then there is nothing but continuing absence of customer service. So it's not just the models that Guzzi are (not) putting out: in the UK anyway, the other fundamental that they aren't providing is the necessary dealer/importer care and back-up service. I might conceivably buy another old model. I won't buy another new one from Guzzi. "Once a Guzzisti – always an old-time Guzzisti"???

sorry to ask another question that I should probably know the answer to without asking, by thinking about it, or by looking at a parts diagram... when doing the cam replacement recall work, would the head bolts be loosened? Do the nuts that hold the cam 'cages' also hold the head on and so tighten down the head and barrel? Thanks.

Yes, it's a bit of a double-post as I mentioned this in the CARC forum. I'm looking for advice as once again I haven't had a response from either the only Moto Guzzi dealer left in the Province, nor Moto Guzzi UK's agent – even though this must be a warranty issue. What is normal practice with metal gaskets? Can a gasket be re-used or should it be replaced once the joint is loosened? As far as I can see, the Griso's 1200 8V is leaking from the barrel base joint. The heads were off to replace cams at (eventual) recall. Do the bolts run right through the barrels to the main engine block and so when the head is removed the barrel is loosened at the base joint too? It has been said that re-torquing won't help as the metal gasket is incompressible, but even if it won't compress any more, could further tightening simply seal the joint again? Apart from the oily mess, how problematic is a leaking base gasket?

As far as I can see, it is leaking from the barrel base joint. Even if the gaskets are incompressible, could it be that it's just not tight enough to make a complete seal and does need tightened more? What is the normal practice with these steel gaskets? Are they meant to be use-once only and so should they be replaced once a joint is loosened?

That would have been before the price increase. I just got the rear but for a pair, the new Pirelli Angel would be just under £190 (fitted and disposal charge) at the moment.

It's only the speed sensor (as far as I know), Tom. The tyre man wasn't very happy about Dunlop, not because they aren't good tyres, but because they are expensive and Dunlop put their prices up by 20% overnight, without any warning.

Pirelli press release - www.motorcycle-usa.com Pirelli Angel ST Sets World Duration Record Pirelli and international journalists recorded a new 24-hour World Duration Record at the Nardò Technical Center aboard a 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa, covering a distance of 5135.071 km (3190.8 mi) at an average speed of 213.96 km/h (132.9 mph) using only one set of Pirelli’s new Angel ST sport-touring tyre, a road tour simulation equal to 12,000 km (7,500 mi) at normal speeds of 80-100 km/h (50-65 mph).

Gary, the numbers are here definitely somewhere. I forget where and don't see them on having a quick look. If no-one else posts I 'll look again later. It would be a good idea to then post them clearly. However I would think that the part numbers which dealers have now must be for the correct (large coil) parts and it would be safe to just order?

Yes it is.** I posted that pic cos I knew someone would post about the rust. I expected that it would be the Spanish Inquisition though. ** This may be the only feature of my Griso that is functioning as it is meant to.

Baldini, it must be the photo perspective. It was wearing flat across the middle. I guess that worn tyres puncture more easily just because there is less rubber and so less resistance. The (deflated) tyre felt really thin and weak across the middle, while the rest still feels robust. I suppose I can't really complain, in a relative way, about getting 4,000m from the M3. Just in a detached, old-fashioned way. I do like the Z6 (fitted on my Scura) and the supplier this morning had the Interact, as well as an original Z6 in stock. He also had the Roadsmart and others. I went for a Pirelli Angel, as he said that it is the replacement for the Diablo Strada. I haven't heard of it. I'll just look it up now...... Telegraph.co.uk test: That's why there's fierce competition to attract riders' attention – and the Angel ST is certainly going to do that. It's a novel detail that makes it memorable: the tread pattern forms a stylised angel, but as the tyre wears, after 600 or 700 miles, it changes to a devil. This is, of course, completely irrelevant to its performance, but I love it for its cleverness and originality. It's a sports-tourer tyre with two distinct personalities. ... I tried the Angel ST on a variety of bikes, including BMW K 1300 GT, Moto Guzzi Sport and Honda CBF600S, and on every one the improvement in straight-line stability at speed was noticeable. At the same time, agility – usually sacrificed at stability's altar – is enhanced and the ride quality is outstanding. The tyres also warmed up very quickly to offer good feel and grip almost from the outset – I was very impressed. Pirelli says tyre life matches the old Diablo Strada, which the Angel ST replaces. This will vary enormously from bike to bike and rider to rider, but 5,000-9,000 miles should be typical for a rear. The gains are in grip and, especially, wet-weather performance, where Pirelli claims to be class leader. And even if you buy them for the novelty tread, you'll still be getting the best sports-touring rubber available. And the marketing's right up there, too... – That looks ok

I liked this tyre. It just doesn't last long enough, going too thin between 3,000 - 4,000 miles. Metzeler M3 Sportec rear is well and truly done at 4,000 miles. (Though, as always, it's the middle of the tyre that is gone, while there is plenty of rubber elsewhere.) Final 'nail in the coffin' is a big hole as shown, but inspection of the tyre in soft state shows that there are tears all around the middle circumference, which feels very thin. The steel cord can be seen when these tears are teased: see blue cable tie pic. Only a sliver of rubber is left over steel cord belts. These can be exposed under the nicks and tears in the tyre. What goes on as replacement will depend upon what is in stock. Something sport-touring of course. Z6 was good on Scura. Diablo Strada, Dunlop Roadsmart...

The maps were from a year ago, but show the same area. This time, direction of travel was reverse. Another time, perhaps. I do want to keep some sort of local meet going, as well as whatever V.11 forum events are organised elsewhere.

Is this the right sort of oil to use here? (Nobody expected another oil discussion...)

and very short Rally Report HERE

I did try to calculate the cost, using the Guzzi's computer. It just said, 'What time is it?'... then the fuse blew.

As far as i can see, it looks like it must be coming from the gasket. I suppose that means a longish trip to the Guzzi dealer to get re-torqued. Do the bolts run from head right down through the barrels to the engine block?

Watch out for chaffed wire. While there are a couple of small rubber 'support' pads, the petrol tank (on my Griso) actually sits against the steel frame, rocker head and presses on various wires and hoses. The underside of the tank is worn where it touches the frame and of course the paint is well worn off the frame. Worst items were a nipped high tension cable – the tank sits on it where it passes over the rocker head and the cable can't take any other route to the spark plug! – and the red insulation on live feed to the starter is completely worn through. The +ve wire terminal on starter was fixed so that the cable was sticking up vertically, against the bottom of the fuel tank – so it wore through. I have turned it round a bit, though now the other wires that are part of the loom there are pulled tight. Guzzi haven't left much slack to play with. Same with the drain hoses that fit to the rear of the tank. Why are they so impossibly short, making them very difficult to attach? They don't pull through any more because of the way that everything is attached to everything else. Mine weren't attached after bike came from dealer, presumably because they are such a pain to fit. An extra 25-30mm would have made all the difference.

Of course we have sea! Look, peer through the cloud – what's that cold, dark, wet stuff??

The photos on Flickr HERE