LowRyter

it seems like most here use full synth, except tightwad me. I use synth blend.

I've ridden the older Beemers Twins and was never impressed with the power. I wouldn't consider an older brick K bike since my buddy had so many problems and the cost to fix one is prohibitive. The old K1200LT seemed pretty gutless too and the was the only two-up K tourer for me. The new 1200RT was really impressive (other than the road feel) but it's $$. My brother purchased the 1600 Exclusive for $30k. Seems a little big and too much $$$ by quite a bit.. Then I have the sinking worry about reliability and even more $$$.

Speaking of Beemers, I was kinda looking for a two-up tourer. So I was checking out the Boxer Twins. I am still partial to the Cal 1400 but don't like the feet-forward riding position and it doesn't have radios and some of the top rig luxuries (that I could probably live without). I rode the new R1200RT, water cooled and telelever, etc. Pretty impressive bike, easy to control (but no road feel), agile/light feel, perky engine, comfortable, just about the right size and loaded with radio, cruise and electronic. Of course the list was about $22-24k. So I thought I'd check out a used model like a 2006. It was too tall and the engine a little gutless. Wasn't that impressed. A nice one is about $6-10k.

A buddy on mine had a blue one just about like the one in the photo. Perhaps 1994 model? He had to rebuild the ABS system. But the transmission did him in. Not sure how he got rid of it but it was toast trying to replace the tranny. He purchased a 2006 K1200S ESA (white with the blue stripes)- sorta German Hayabusa with conventional 4 cyl transverse engine. He must really love water cooled 4 cyl Beemers. I was a little surprised that he he got another one after all he did on the last one.

lost mine from the EV starter cover. I cleaned off the adhesive and with WD40 and eliminated performance robbing weight.

reminds me that I still have the LED H4 plug in that didn't fit in the Guzzi Headlight bucket. I need to install it in my poor Bandit. That 100wt H4 is really burning the lens after 15 years.

The tach has a counterweight that typically comes loose. If you can get the bezel off, you can epoxy the weight back into place. You should hear the counterweight rattling around. If you don't hear rattling, it might be a broken winding- pretty difficult to fix but either way you've got nothing to lose but time and frustration. There is a step by step with photos in the Wild Guzzi forum. first remove the tach from the bike. The short of it: 1 use a hose clamp to grab the tach; 2 pry the bezel with a sharpened paint can opener by slowly prying around the edge all the way around; 3 if you break the glass (I did) you can go to glass shop and have a new one cut out; 4 examine the metal winding, if they've come apart you might have a slight chance to solder it; 5 hopefully the counterweight is the only problem and the can be epoxied back on (easiest part of the job); 6 use liquid soap or vaseline to get the bezel back on over the rubber seal (hardest part of the job). Good luck. It's possible since I did it on my EV.

I just drop the pan. The first time, I was able to replace the filter through than manhole but couldn't thread it back on. I think once I was able to compete the filter change. Last time 2 times, I just dropped the pan and secured it with a hose clamp.

wow I wanna go

Tomato Lady Saw 'em with Lowell George in 1978. A few times after that. We lost Ritchie last year. From top to bottom, songwriting and chops, best band ever.

maybe you should've tired the Speed Triple ???

Scud, F-E-A-T..........Let's hear it for Little Feat.

The Doctor lowered the hammer on me. I need to cut cals and carbs. I hate Bud Light, Miller 64 is awful, Coor Light is like water Anyone recommend a good light beer ? Or is that an oxymoron?

yeah, the chrome bores need to be replaced before you ride it. If it is regularly ridden, you might inquire if it was already done. Otherwise, what you see is what you get.

I'll have to check yours out Mike. The greenie speedo has never been quite right. It stopped altogether on a trip recently and my watched stopped too. I got a battery for my watch and the speedo started working again in its jumpy intermittent way. Weird. I am actually planning to camp at Luckenbach at the Harvest Classic in a couple of weeks. You're welcome to visit my trailer and have dinner or whatever. I was planning to take my Cal EV too but I have to get the TPS sorted first. I'll get my plans in place when the trip gets closer.

Some photos from OKC. We raised $6500. YT some bikes Piper TV Capital

I think it's even worse. I am told that when one wears underwear, it's no longer a kilt, it's a skirt.

For sure I'm not wearing a Don Draper suit. In fact I plan to wear my regular gear. Maybe a tie (if it ain't too hot), half helmet and a cigar. We have a couple of Triumph riders that plan to wear kilts. I never understood why kilts were the fashion statements for Okies riding English bikes. We'll have some dudes with cowboy duds riding Harleys too.

well thanks Tim

welcome to the board. The Guzzi shifting is a bit balkier than your other bikes. Blip the throttle. It's actually smoother than the Guzzi 5 speed but that is all some of the "Guzzi Feel". They do handle really well for something that's big lump to push around the garage.

Scud, you can make a "practice" donation here. (Just to test if it works) http://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/lowryter

sorry to hear it

mine did too. Had to epoxy a new one. Got to be careful, no ratchet in case you twist it backwards.

I'm game. Include Sports as well as Spiney LeMans...........

The first thing is that Tonti California Moto Guzzis are NOT cruisers. They have standard riding positions and are a variation on the sport Tontis. They handle and brake pretty well and If not particularly powerful they still rev. Don't lug the engine and don't shift to 5th gear until an indicated 80 mph. I have a '98 EV (it's photo was actually in an issue of Motorcyclist). The EV has floor boards, linked brakes, passenger backrest and tubeless wheels. Before you decide to take off the boards and delink the brakes (as I intended), ride it, it all works well together. I like up-shifting with my heel. The draw back is an uncomfortable seat due to a big computer under it. Mine has HB Junior bag set up and I have matching rack on the Sport so I can swap the bags among bikes. It's basically the same short block and electronics as the Spineys but a little less finicky. Although the TPS swap is giving me fits now. Every motorcyclist should have a Cali IMO.