LowRyter

Similar deal with BMW happened here in OKC about 15 years ago. The local shop, Maxey's Cycles, is a longtime dealer. He sold Honda, Yamaha and BMW since the '60s. Then BMW wanted the boutique stand-alone dealership and Maxey let it go even though Maxey owned several building right next to each other. A new boutique dealer was set up by some out of towners, then after a year they were allowed to expand for Ducati and later Triumph. Actually that shop went broke after 5 years, there were all kinds of rumors about some nefarious stuff. So a year or so later, one of the shop guys from a dealer in Dallas took over all three franchises at the same location but after the place was closed for months. I guess the advantage with expensive bikes is that they appeal to well-healed baby boomers, just about the last refuge of the market now. They are required to keep all the sales space separate like seperate show rooms under one roof. Basically, it's like any other multibrand shop, it's just the bikes are more expensive. I don't know how they finance the inventory there. I've had my Ducati serviced there to keep the warranty up (I purchased the bike in Dallas). I'll likely go for an extended warranty. My brother purchase his 6 cyl Beemer from them too- that's another kettle of fish but he loves the bike.

Several (3 of 4) of my bikes have slow leaks. My EV will go all the way flat. I think culprit is the seals on the rims, after many tire changes and cursory clean ups the build up and scratches add up over time making the seal less and less stable. I'd be interested to see how the liquid product works.

I've known a few folks that have purpose built track bikes and all from totalled Japanese bikes, SV-650, 500 Ninja, GSX-R series. They're cheap, reliable and have lots of aftermarket support and bodywork. Donor bikes are pretty cheap at the auction or Craigslist. The exception I know about is a fellow in the Ducati club and he runs a new $20k Duc 959 Panigale Corse on track that he rides on the street as well. But it's not a dedicated track bike.

I'd contact Harper's or MG Cycles for legacy Guzzi parts. I wouldn't look at any current dealer or Moto Guzzi NA to provide support. Another option might be to contact Brembo. Since it's a bracket, it might be possible to make one with some sheet metal, a vice and a drill.

Being a bit nearsighted, I was changing the rear pads on the Greenie. I thought it was little firm removing the caliper. I'll admit I wasn't looking down when I felt the hex driver connect into the allen bolt. So I gave a strong yank on the ratchet and then all the brake fluid came out. Yep, I disassembled the caliper rather than removed it. DOH!

Seeing this thread, I hope long time Guzzi-file, Carl Allison is doing well on this holiday. He did a lot for the community until he dropped off a few years ago. He was a riding partner and a wealth of info.

That's a nice Christmas present, even down to the Red & Green colors.

I've got that on vinyl somewhere. I need to figure how Audisy works to put on digital......There's Johnny B Goode & Jack Flash on that record too. Any hints would be helpful. I've got the black box hookup.

412 will take you to (somewhere in) middle Tennessee. Then you can hook up with the caravan for breakfast and ride with them the rest of the way. Careful of that Highway Patrolman in Harrison Ark. Don't ask how I know.

This is a great resource. https://www.motorcycleroads.com/

You might mention the lodging in TP, Docc.

Typically it's the first weekend after Labor Day at the Telico Plains Lodge . It's pretty easy for the Lodge to fill up even with a 8 or 10 Guzzi riders. Routes from Vancouver? BC? c'mon, the entire continent?

I thought the ones that were made on the last go round were a few bucks.

wait. $200 for EACH spring? I guess I wasn't paying attention. If true, please scratch me from the list.

If it helps the costs, I can purchase another. I still have the last one in my tankbag.

All this about being run over at a stop light makes me think that we'd be better off to lane split and get between cars. So far as checking mirrors and losing an extra nanosecond's difference to get away by shifting from neutral, well.........huh

I fooled myself thinking it was closed on a couple of occasions and finally figured out I needed pliers to close it. Lots of gas on the floor. Then it started leaking. So, I don't have a pet cock, just an open junction. I have a cork the might fit. I also purchased a quick disconnect but it about 5 inches long and I haven't installed it. IIRC another MG petcock is $75 or so. I think I'll leave well enough alone until I pull the tank off again.

In the case of my 2000 Greenie, I find the fork to be fairly compliant. My big issue was having it set too stiff. I was going to Race Tech for revalve/respring route but I neglected to play with the adjusters. Once I did, it made a huge difference. I wrongly assumed that everything should be stiffer. I found just the opposite. The front end bounces and deflects and when it's too stiff it contributes to weave at speed. I discovered it was much worse when I had a new tire installed and the tech had put 40 lb of air in it. Then it dawned on me that front was just too stiff. Softening the adjusters made a big difference and I discovered there was a lot more adjustability than I guessed. I'd suggest playing around with it first. If I still didn't like it, I'd contract Race Tech. They don't list anything but others here have gotten their products.

wow-- -- wow = =

looks like a great time Scud. I don't see a tag or signals, so I assume the bikes isn't street legal?

Anyone know what headlight is on that Cafe Sport?

My Ducati has a tire and gearing setup menu to it. I only set it once when I changed the gearing. I've done front and rear tires (twice) and never had to run it. All I can say, the old tire must've really been worn down on that V85 for the sensor to pick it up.

Learn to wrench? I am not sure if I've learned much but owning Guzzis have given ample opportunity in that regard.

I figured that gunning the motor and accelerating like heck was one of the reasons I cracked the gearbox case. So I guess I needed the brace so I could continue to gun it like heck.