Scud

Maybe get a ride on a Stelvio before you make your final decision. Otherwise, good luck with the search - that's a nice color on the Norge.

Ha - my first thought on that was "Triumph has made it easy for the aftermarket to create tail-tidy kits." I think government regulations require the license plate and lights to be at specific heights. That huge arm accomplishes it with what appears to be nothing more than four bolts and some wires. All the aftermarket suppliers need to do is match the bolt pattern and wiring scheme.

Curiosity got the best of me. I wanted to know what spring was in there, and I wanted to see the weld from the inside. It's a magnificent bit of welding. I also imagined how I would feel if the spring broke in middle of the Mojave Desert. Cover popped off easily, so should be good to go. As you can see above, the "improved" spring is already fatigued. And I have no shortage of truly improved springs. I also picked up a 20-pack of bearings that replace the detent roller. Apparently, these are a common size for skateboards so they were cheap. Next few buyers of shift springs get a free bearing till I run out. An in other news... the Bitubo damper had a bad crunchy spot in the middle of travel. But the Ohlins is butter-smooth the whole way. I have not yet removed a Bitubo that was still operating well - they all have that crunchy, sticky spot.

Here is the remote clutch bleeder, successfully installed. Good thing too, as the bleeder valve was rounded off and would have been a PITA later. This is simply the line from a CARC bike, I noticed it on my 2017 Stelvio, so that's what used to place the order with Harpers. They identify it as "Float Chamber Clutch Pipe" part # 05606630. It was $70 - but next time I flush the fluid I am going to be happy I installed it. It uses the same banjo bolt as the Brembo brake calipers (and two washers). Final routing TBD, but the Stelvio has it up under the seat near the battery. Update: final routing for the clutch bleeder hose is under the frame, then along side the big positive cable from battery to starter. It terminates near the battery tray. Should make for super-simple, one-person clutch fluid flushing.

@MartyNZ did you replace all the rubbers with drilled ones, or did you alternate. And I have a bit of that Staburags - it's like religion with the BMW K-bike guys. That's what used on the transmission output spline a couple days ago. Thanks for the tips on the drive unit. @Lucky Phil I can send the take off from this bike after I verify that the powder-coated spare fits correctly. But working sort of back-to-front on this project, so can't send it immediately. Also, USPS is not shipping to Australia right now (thank-you COVID). I'm holding a spring for another member there.

MartyNZ convinced me on the drilled cush rubbers. He sent me a set just in time for my Scura to have an electrical problem that I ignored for a couple years... I think I'm just gonna replace every other with a drilled one and see how I like it. And Phil - I think your explanation is more likely than cracking it while prying it off. And why it's so important to dry-fit the cover before applying sealing. It's gotta be fully seated before you put a single screw into it.

Oh yeah... I forgot that there were some other attempted shift spring updates. Oil is drained (looked like gear oil with a little RedLine Heavy mixed in). I didn't fill it with fresh oil yet, so I guess that means I am harboring some doubt. And I'm not any hurry right now. Broken cover at roadside would be worst case... but aren't good welds often stronger than the original material?

Those side covers can be stubborn. I can see how you could crack one in a removal attempt, especially if an extra-strong adhesive was used. And somebody who worked on this bike in the past wanted things to stay put. For example, the torx-headed bolts for the frame plates had a ton of loc-tite on them, then they used lock washers AND nylock nuts. What a bitch those were... I reverted to stock fasteners. As for the spring... this bike was owned by at least two previous forum members. And I've sent out a lot of springs to various places so one could have found it's way to this bike. I'm gonna leave it till it breaks (maybe never) since it already shifts well and it's not leaking. I don't feel like tempting fate with a previously cracked cover, and possibly super-adhesive. But I will carry a spare spring, just in case.

And here is some clean up... and installed the powder coated subframe and candy-apple red plates. Popped the tranny vent in the ultrasonic cleaner, removed drive shaft for complete service, etc. etc. etc. Good thing it's been rainy here. More rain tomorrow. More "rainy-day" projects...

Cleaning up and inspecting... and a few more "discoveries" to report: Most things are in good order, and it already had Omron relays in all 5 positions. The bolt for the top shock mount was difficult to remove - put it against a straightedge, and sure enough, it was bent. I tested the CARC-style remote clutch bleeder on a spare clutch slave cylinder and it is going to work. It uses the same banjo bolt as the brake calipers. And I found a rather unpleasant scar on the side of the transmission. I was going to open it up and do the whole shift improvement thing, but it was shifting find and the PO said an improved spring had already been installed. So I am going to leave it in place and just change the oil. I also got a good look at the flywheel. It appears to be the same aluminum disc as came stock with Rosso Mandello and Scura. But since it did not come stock with this bike, I wonder if it is safe to assume it was not part of the "bad batch" of flywheels. I have no idea when it was installed, but it's got quite a few miles on it already. Hmmmm.....

...so it actually has ONE red Moto Guzzi eagle valve stem cap. And in other news, it blew a 15 amp fuse twice, so that means it's ready for the lift and some attention to the electrical system along with all the other fun. I've been collecting bits from various stashes in the garage, and some shiny new things like Rizoma tanks and Pazzo levers. My favorites are the forum-made bits like Chuck and Phil's shift extender, and the drilled-out cush drive rubbers. Of course, I'll be popping in a new unbreakable spring when I do the shift improvement stuff. I also dug out a bunch of previously powdercoated bits from my aborted Champagne LeMans project. The candy-apple red frame plates and covers look great with the Glossy Black Nero. Speedhut says my gauges will ship next week. I got the remote clutch-bleeder line that comes on CARC bikes. Gonna try to fit that while I'm in there. '

Maybe I missed something. Where is this being built if not Mandello? And a model called Mandello not built there... the irony!!!

Sounds like it's time to install an oil pressure gauge.

What makes Moto Guzzi quirky? How about distinctive, unique, different, etc? I think it's because they generally do their own thing and are not trying to copy anybody. Historically, at least, they seem to be designed and built by real-world riders and enthusiasts. And I think location matters a bit too. With the factory nestled in the Italian Alps, they make bikes suited to endless twisty roads, and aren't overly concerned with peak horsepower or 0-60mph times. They build bikes for the real world.

I ordered a Ford Bronco over a year ago, threw down my $100 deposit when they started taking reservations. Still don't have it due to various shortages. I assume it will be my last new ICE 4-wheeler. At this point, the only likely candidate for a new ICE motorcycle is a Husqvarna FE350S. But I kind of like the new Honda Trail 125. But gosh - that's pretty close to the price of an electric bicycle. And I assume large countries, like the US, Canada, and Australia will be slower to ban ICE vehicles, just due to the distances people want to drive. It's gonna take a lot of infrastructure to support long drives. All that said, I am toying with the idea of a plug-in hybrid vehicle for all the boring driving. But so far, that seems about as exciting as buying a refrigerator.

Great video. My LeMans V has Caruso's gears (installed by previous owner). I noticed an improvement on my Scura when I went to the valtek chain tensioner from the stock bit. I put my name on the list a while back for a set of Gears for the Scura.

If the spring is broken, the only way to get the shifter to "return" is to decelerate, which causes the internal shift arm to flop back into place, which will give you one shift. If you're saying the lever "returns" and you can shift more than once, then it's not the spring (yet). It's most likely the linkage (per Docc's post above).

It does sound like a broken pawl spring. I had a bunch of the re-engineered "unbreakable" springs made. Still selling them for $10 each plus shipping. Sending you a private message now. It's a good time to polish up the contact surfaces as detailed in Phil's thread above. There were also a few batches of extended shift arms made - but not sure if any are currently available. That arm is easy to replace - you can fix the spring now, and do the arm whenever it suits you.

When the Black Pumas album came out, I had it on endless repeat for a while. My youngest daughter got me an early Christmas Present: tickets to see them last night at the new YouTube Theatre in Los Angeles (and under the express condition that we go on a motorcycle. Went two-up on the Stelvio. 100 miles up with a lot of lane-splitting. Took Pacific Coast Highway on the way home, all the way from Long Beach to Dana Point, All the beach towns were lit up for Christmas. 44 Degrees through Camp Pendleton. What a fabulous show. Seems it was also the first live-stream concert from the theater. Here it is:

You are more likely to find someone who knows about the 750 Breva on wildguzzi.com You could try posting over there too.

I think a sporting adventure bike is aimed at the "one bike to do it all" rider. The Ducati Multistradas were oft criticized for multi being limited to bad pavement and easy dirt. So here is a Ducati that can be set up to tour, but can take a thrashing (in capable hands). It's probably a pretty good sport-bike too. This is how I felt about my KTM 950 Adventure - it was like riding three different bikes on the same day (semi-technical dirt, twisty backroads, and freeway). It was 90% competent everywhere. (but damn was it thirsty). I should also add the upright seating position on a big adventure bike is very comfortable for the long haul and provides great visibility with the extra height - so it's a good touring mounting as we get older. So yeah, some big adventure bikes are often seen at coffee shops and on the asphalt. And maybe there are a few poseur owners who deserve to be mercilessly ridiculed - because their idea of adventure is having a half-caff latte with whole milk instead of decaf with soy. But If some riders just occasionally take a stretch of graded dirt road and see something they never would have seen on a sport bike or touring rig, then the bike has provided adventure for them. If they stick it nuts deep in mud and have to lasso a water buffalo to extract it, that's an adventure too. Good on Ducati. But I'll pass because it sits between two bikes that I am totally happy with: my Stelvio NTX and Husqvarna 701 Enduro.

Good thing my new Speedo will go up to 160 MPH. This is my final art from Speedhut. BTW they are having a sale this month - so it's a good time to get an order in if you're looking for a rainy day project.

Quick investigation on the rough running yielded loose intake boots that backed off the heads. I pushed them back into the correct position and snugged them up. Also gave it an Italian tune up with some fresh premium fuel. Now's it's running well. And took of the rear rack because of this reason: Further bulletins as events warrant...

As the current caretaker of this Nero Corsa, here's a thread to document her current state and what happens next. She was previously advertised for sale on this forum, and I was able to pick her up near Mount Whitney. Since I did not get to see or ride the bike before committing, there was fun in the discovery.. Starting with the few problems: Running a bit rough Probably tipped on the right (bent front brake lever, rear brake lever replaced) Plastic gauge cup weirdly deformed (like from excess heat) Fuel door housing cracked (never seen that before) Ohlins damper went AWOL, replaced with Bitubo unit A few non-stock items: KM/H speedo (was originally a MPH bike, first sold in Washington) Porkchops and rocker covers repainted (color is brighter than stock, but seems to be a perfect match for the Nero Corsa script on the tail) Arashi front brake rotors Some desirable aftermarket goodies: Roper plate installed Mistral carbon fiber cans Stucchi crossover rear rack Oxford heated grips Carbon rear hugger (but with some damage) Headgaurds (I think Joe Kenny units) Brass temp sensor holder And best for last (IMO) - I was pleasantly surprised to find that the noisy clutch quieted down when I pulled the lever in. And that it was very grabby... which means somebody put in a RAM lightweight high-performance clutch. And I am STOKED. A few more pics:

Very cool. We're coming up on KTM's 20th anniversary of releasing the 950 adventure, which was just a massive dirt bike that was also good everywhere else you rode it. Looks like this Ducati is the same thing... and if they are like every other manufacturer, it will get bigger and heavier with each iteration, which means the first years will be the most off-road capable.