Martin Barrett

We've been a bit windy. But made the most and took the Guzzi to work - I'm currently lift sharing with a colleague, who wasn't at work today so took the Guzzi regardless. Only the third time since new year Went past one heavy on it's side. But okay, eased by home time. I wont mention our new 8 million pound building that we've only been in a month that is losing it's roof panels in the wind as that's a tad embarrassing. Just damp for the return journey.

Fantastic read. A good chuckle aided by a couple of G&T's Carl have you really bought one of these? Best break out the Geiger counter They must have forgot the shielding on the last sub you worked on. Guaranteed never a dull moment.

If I could get away with it I'd sneak a fuel injected one in to my garage. I don't know enough about the carb ones to comment. But I'd go for the i. I'm sure there's a lot of people with that mind set so you'd get a good price on a carb (purchasers view point) I'm sure they can be set up okay. Regardless it's the best looking Guzzi to me, it's the one I really fell in lust with, might change if I actually owned one.

quite apt for a guzzi forum alternative post 96 album cover(clicky link picture)

I was going to post this up earlier, but had second thoughts thinking of the possibility of your battery demise might be due long periods stood whilst you're at sea. But Gary's and Dave's posts have dragged me from my complacency My charge light saga involving burnt out connectors and a duff regulator. A bit chicken/egg in cause and effect, but might give you a heads up. Good luck - electrickery

This is in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. Next town about 6miles north of where I live. Roundabouts much better than ordinary junctions. Can be a problem at certain times due to traffic density and primary routes but these get sorted out with traffic lights. But on a motorcycle a roundabout is your friend this is one is intresting if you don't know what you're doing Charles Kennedy " It's enough to drive you to drink!" but I like going the "wrong" way around it

I was paying £100 TPT&T on my FJ1200, but had over a year off before buying the Guzzi so only gave me 3 years NCB to start with for my first year on the Guzzi, Fully comp £373 and 2nd £293 both with KGM, 3rd a change to Equity Red Star £303 and this year £204 I use Profile Insurance as my broker, I've not tended to shop around, but just after I'd renewed one of the cars the wife found a quote 2/3rds so next year I will. I'm now 42 , full licence since 17, no motorcycle claims or convictions ever (only one of each in the car 93 & 89 respectively) fully comp and include business but not hire or reward, £250 excess. The mileage was initially restricted to 8K a year but I raised that When I was young I used to look at the insurance guide in "What Bike" and look forward to the day I'd turn 25, I now dread April 08, my eldest turns 17 and might need to be put on the car insurance

I think there's not enough impedance(resistance)in the new lights, so is not drawing enough current to cause the flasher unit to flash (heat up and become intermittent) There are some threads on Led blinkers which discuss this. But I'm sure a sparky guru will be along shortly.

Welcome Patrick, Next thing to do is post a picture up on This thread you are allowed to be in the picture complete with Cheshire Cat grin

Hello. I'm fairly local to you - Stevenage. Perhaps might see you at the Herts & Beds Guzzi owners club nights, a friendly bunch of old(ish) duffers, there's a couple of V11s in the mix, Though I'm not back there till April due to clash with shift work.

I used to play cricket, for some unknown reason I even went to after school extra training. I used to end up as scorer, I didn't mind. I once was 11th man, the 10th man was out on the last ball of the over* and I got out to the crease* so quickly the umpire (PE master from the other school) decided could fit one more over in before broke for tea and change of innings*. I scored 2 runs not out Otherwise I would say fielding at cricket - long periods of boredom interspersed with moments of abject terror hoping that the ball would bounce well before it got anywhere near you so wouldn't "drop the catch" When I joined the police my tutor ran the cricket club - a very social organisation - met the first Mrs Barrett at their annual disco - I can't say weather this changed the way I feel about cricket. I now remember why I went to cricket training - the rugby season was over - I used to play tight head prop - ideal with my skill and hand/eye coordination Britain/England a proud tradition of sporting failures. I personally think it's the spirit the game is played that matters. I'd rather play well and try hard and get beaten than win regardless. *Google cricket, I tried to explain but it's so confusing

I'm having to cut down on what I do this year, so will not be going to this one. But will go to Jaap's 5th aniversary bash.

Real person says "YES" So I'll be coming to - also camping. email on its way.

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1767 I personaly use Photobucket, though I exceeded the free space. and now have a paid for account. Their recent software upgrade automaticly adds the url to your clip board so you just have to paste to the post, it will also resize your pictures to the size you want when you up load them.

:!: There's two one in the book depository and another on the grassy knoll Welcome

Norge the choice of retired servicemen How's that for a strap line (not bourbon) toast to congratulate you on your new ride to be

I didn't reconise here, not being a great CSI watcher - Mrs B is*, but I wasn't going to ask her " Who's this topless actress" So a quick look on IMDB at Body Shots shows the first listed blonde actress as Tara Reid, follow her link - shes born in WackOff (sic) New Jersey - I'm thinking appropriate - but no CIS history - obviously not her then. Engaging my detective prowess I eventually determine it to be Emily Proctor. I'm still none the wiser really. FWIW I like Abby out of NCIS * I'm given to understand I've bought her some box sets for christmas

The Grumblemonger dropped on the mat this morning. Quick thumb through to find out about the Erin (Irish rally) It's had it's status dropped no longer an official rally, there is no organised camping, just the suggestion that B&B locally and centre around Creedon's Hotel. This years was blighted by the toilets blocking and some unpleasantness in the middle of the night in the camp ground. The toilet issue could be prevented by ensuring that the stop cock is turned on and just not feeding from the water tank I missed the unpleasantness as in my drunken stupor down the far end of the site Despite the heavy rain on Saturday from lunch time onwards, I've enjoyed this rally over the last two years. Given the opportunity to meet up with you fine fellows we've had a rally within a rally. With the German V11 the following weekend and Jaap's 5th Anniversary bash later in the year, I'm in a quandary which ones to do. I can't do the V11 & Buell Highland Fling due to jury service, this has a knock on to the viability of doing the RBR, as this would be the sole reason to go all that way I've still have to secure the time off work for Jaap's, assuming I can get it. It looks like I'll drop the Erin in favour of Germany and Holland. Which should leave me brownie points for some waltzing around Wales, though the format could well be different as Orson's Tenni is back in Italy (though he does have a Thruxton over here also). So in a bit of a quandary at this time, working through alternatives.

Shouldn't that have read " I took the opportunity to investigate the viability of alternative routes" I take it that you've not got your compass yet Shame about the minor niggles but all seem to be sortable easily(lcd screen brightness excepted) to make it truly yours . Enjoy

Stelvio - the rumoured modern Quota to go head to head against the BMW GS a mythical beast

I've been on night shift over the weekend. I put my leave request in last night. The computer says "No" But I'll have to see what a real person says when I'm back in on Thursday, with 9 months notice I should be able to wrangle it. ( I hope, always the optimist)

When Antonio & Denis came to the inaugural event I think they landed at Newcastle. From there to the rally should be do able easily in a days ride. Landing at Hull would be a bit more than that, Harwich or channel ports you would need an extra day to overnight in north of England or Scottish borders and still spend a lot of time on motorways To get to the German V11 Treffen this year I opted for the Tunnel/Calais as opposed to Ferry/Hook just because the ferry got in too late in the day to comfortably make the rally by early evening. It's just the trade off with road/sea millage/time and costings. If you do come in through the south you're welcome to overnight with me. I'm just over an hour from Harwich and Folkestone/Dover - Stevenage 30 miles north of London on the A1M . It's a shame that I won't be able to make it or you could have joined me on doing the RBR on the way

This years results have been published. I achived a 100% all rounder as did 20 others 9 other people visited all locations but dropped points - Most common mistake seems to photo the wrong bridge at one location and the wrong set of standing stones at another. 159 people submitted their results for marking out of 240 entrants. 11 Guzzis used in the event my self and Wambiker - we allready know about and two Scuras - Richard and David are you here? There was also a Griso, I suspect he may be the one we met at Haywards when Carl was over, as from a village I used to live in, could there be two in the same town? Only a 113 days to next years event starts But have prize giving dinner in February to look forward to first and the clues come out a fortninght before the event starts.

Just about see the top of the gauges - 60-100mph at a stretch the fuel light and a peep around the side if need to check in 30 & 40 limits. It breaks down into two smaller bags and only normally use a single bag for day trips. The worse problem is that the engine kill switch can just brush against the bag on full lock if the bag shifts slightly forward. I dropped her on a ferry doing a feet up s turn because of this on the way to Ireland last year