LowRyter

The last two posts remind me of a couple of things, particularly the photo of the snake in the bottle. My cousin worked for Phillips for most of his career and lived in Mainland China for about 5 years. He used to visit every Christmas and bring gifts. Funny, I would see him more often when he lived half way across the world rather than now where he's three hours up the road. His family brought a Chinese painting one year, they have unique style, lots of color, flat/two dimensional. Anyway, one year he brought me Snake Wine. It was a commemorative gift in an upholstered box. He told me that people did drink it, I declined. I set it out for display for a couple of years but after the novelty wore off, I put it in the pantry. I suppose it's still there. The painting is still hanging on the entry hall. Very cheery. PS6 mentioned trying the various aperitifs in Italy. In fact we did try many. I found many too sweet for my taste, particularly the lemony one. Actually, I was the one out of step for the group preferring the Grappa over the sweet stuff.

Since there was so much traffic about "the Grappa", I thought I might share some of my stories regarding Travel, Guzzis, and Grappa. I first of heard of the drink from Bad Chad (WG) at the National Rally in Iowa a decade ago. A few years later I went to the biggest liquor store in town to procure some for Dusty's Cedar Vale Rally. The closest drink I could find was Grape Brandy, best I could tell it's the same stuff but with some actual grapes in it. Anyway, not many takers at Cedar but at the next rally at the Okla Campout, a few folks (Rudy) got a taste for it and it was gone. Anyway, I'll move forward in time a half dozen years. One thing I can tell you when traveling, if you aren't wearing a nice suit when going to a nice a Italian restaurant, whether in NYC, Rome or Cinque Terre, wear a Moto Guzzi (or Ducati) t-shirt. Someone, usually working on the floor, will appreciate it and get you a nice table or suggest something on the menu (or even show you their motorcycle helmet). I digress, so the story moves to the Rhine Valley where the Mrs and I were taking a tour of Europe. Myself, along with half dozen newly befriended fellow travelers ended up at bar. The local specialty was Riesling wine. I confessed to the group, I had never cared for it since my samplings always had a bad aftertaste. This was confounded that no one of the group liked White wine anyway. As a result of that, the wife and I were presented a challenge of drinking a Flight of Riesling. We were gifted a Flight, while they all drank Red. I must say, the wine was incredibly good and each glass better than the other. This was to the amusement of the group as we raved. I think they were a little jealous. So our traveling group finally made it to Italy. The entire group of 20+ were assembled for a meal in Florence. A couple of things came up there that allowed me to explain to the group about dinner that came from my experiences with the Guzzi crowd. First, our meal of Spaghetti Carbonara was made from bacon and egg sauce. Next, when the aperitifs were offered after the meal, I explained the origins of Grappa. I will say that no one but the Mrs and I had any taste for it. And that turned out to be a good thing, since we both got more than our share of Grappa throughout many subsequent meals. So the moral of the story, going to Guzzi rallies are educational and wearing Guzzi shirts can be social passports. Now, let me share that although Grappa is a Guzzi tradition, we might enhance it. I would guess the national drink of Italy (at least in Venice) is the Aperol Spritz. Aperol is an Orange Liquor that's mixed Prosecco (cheap dry Italian Champagne). So for your next Italian cookout, I'd suggest the Spritz to start with, Carbonara for the meal, followed by Grappa at the end. Not much of a story but I'm snowed in (and the news on the TV makes me sick).

BEiN did great coverage, all the quals and all the races LIVE. I got a cable upgrade to get it. BEiN hasn't carried it for the last three years. After NBC took it over.

The new Honda is supposed to be a rocket and easier to ride. If you have cable in the US, Qatar is on CNBC midday on the raceday Sunday, March 6.

I just found my Chet "Stay Tuned" LP today. Mark's on a couple of cuts. I'm not sure if it's Chet's best, kinda sugary fusion sound to it. It's gotta Geo Benson vibe to it (he's on it too). Are there other records of Chet & Mark?

I've always wonder what these "pork chops" were and what they did. Personally, I prefer "pork steaks". Not quite as dry. I like to grill them with a full hickory smoke box with chips and pellets. Sometimes with BBQ rub but otherwise with garlic powder, onion power, salt & pepper. Juicy but well done. No, I never drill or put holes in my pork steaks.....since pork chops can be dry, perhaps?

now that I have my record player hooked up, I'll have to look for the Atkins-Knopfler record. I know it's somewhere.

I love Moto GP been to maybe 8 or 10 GPs. Anyone interested in COTA in April, I'll likely be there. Gonna miss #46. Saw him get his last 2nd. Lots of photos too. I haven't heard about TV coverage this year.

I think some of you have time on your hands.

I've always used Castrol 20-50 Synth Blend Motorcycle Oil in all my Guzzis. I suppose since it was against factory recommendations that it explains gasket leaks, oil pump failure, fuel pump failure, transmission cracks and voltage regulator issues. Also my broken turn signals on my EV.

"No Castrol Use" according to Mr Google. "Kein Castrol verwenden"

I hope in all those $40k of receipts he has a transmission brace with all that extra HP.

My brain exploded when I saw/heard that vid.

not to my knowledge, Max

I've never done two-up the Sport. Never taken the seat cowl off it. OTOH, I don't think Bev is interested in riding anymore. Too many aches and too long of stretches getting on and off. And I'll admit that these bikes feel a little heavier and my legs seem a little shorter.

Actually, the labor was no more than a 16v 4 cyl. What got me was parts costs and neglecting to shop around. I was heading on a ride that just came together and had to rely on getting the parts from the dealer. I didn't think it would be THAT bad. Well.. they charged $45 for plugs that were less than $20 at NAPA and and $90 for each belt (x 2) that were $60 on the 'net. I already knew what the filter and oil would cost and decided to eat that. So I basically threw $100 away just because I was in a hurry and my bad planning. Dan does warranty work for the dealership but he doesn't get jobber prices. He usually orders from another dealer out of state but there was no time either way. I also paid to change the fluid in the forks which was on the schedule but I think unnecessary. I told him not change the air filter because I knew that was expensive upfront and asked him just to blow it out with air. The plugs and belts piss me off the most of the whole deal.

I believe there is a masochistic streak to own one. But I got into it innocently. I wanted a two up bike with bags on it, I noticed that I could get an EV for about $4k (2007 dollars) vs $6k for a used Japanese cruiser or $10k for a Harley. The local mechanic said they were pretty "sporty" and he could work on it. Bought that bike and really enjoyed the ride and handling despite that it only has 60HP (69K miles on it now). Then I went to the Guzzi National Salida CO and saw a Greenie and wanted one until I got one. Again, I like the feel and handling and the power curve makes up for any HP deficit (48k miles now). Then I got a Ducati (22k miles now). Same deal, I like the feel and handling, there's something about Italian bikes that fit me. Unlike my Guzzis, so far the Duc has been totally reliable although major service at 18k wasn't cheap and I've been through a boat load of tires. Of course the Duc is much newer and doesn't have near the mileage.

I saw one of those Yamahas in Switzerland. I almost missed the tour bus while taking the photo (the bus driver owned a Harley). The fellow travelers had a hoot watching me run for it (the Mrs too) -all good. So far as V11 being a classic? Reminds of 911 Porsches being so good and "reliable" but all the other models with the same mechanicals aren't. I don't think these things are cherished for any utility whatsoever. Not a rational choice. OTOH, I'm sure that Yamaha is as reliable as all of Doc's hammers... I'm not sure I'd want one even if it was green with a red frame. .. anyway......

A dollar for anyone that can find me in the crowd

I got a new AV receiver, that has phono inputs. The receiver has mic set up that does the balance and EQ and it's just marvelous. I bought my front stereo speakers in '74 and supplemented them with a sub about 10 years ago. It's never sounded better. Got the old Philips turntable out and have been enjoying vinyl for the last month. Some of my jazz records never made it too CD and listening to them for the first time in 40 years. Someone did load this one up to the 'net.

yeah, I think might right wrist might've contributed the problem.

How about a bracket for a bracket? I saw the issue with the gentleman that has a Red Frame with no bracket. Bend stock 90 degrees, bolt the horizontal side to the frame and the vertical side to the bracket. Might be dicey drilling some threaded holes through the frame. You guy are smarter than me. It might work. It should be simpler than welding a bracket for the bracket- I'd assume you'd have to disassemble everything for that.

I like to dress up the bike, engine and hoses with Silicone spray. It gives a nice shine to everything and protects from water, good on rubber and plastic. But I ran into a problem the WD 40 Silicone Specialist Lubricant. I'm sure it lubricates but it leaves a flat milky finish. Not good to dress up your engine, car or bike. I recommend Ace Hardware Silicone Lubricant. It leaves a nice shine. I think the key was written in the instructions: recommended for slippery car bumpers. FYI