Scud

Yup, ride more, wrench less. This weekend I will be chasing some excellent riders through the Anza Borrego Desert. It's sad how few miles my Husky got used in the last year. Probably about 350 miles of dirt this weekend.

Next batch of springs arrived. First glance says they are better. But I'm loading dirt bikes for the desert right now. Measurement, test-install, and other details next week.

Wheels off the ground on a Ural sidecar rig counts as an adventure.

I'm fortunate that I enjoy my work. And working with Michael Maccoby is a real treat. He's written many books on leadership and has a knack for making new ideas seem familiar and comfortable right away - like the networking leaders that LowRyter mentioned (that was Micheal's idea). His earlier book Narcissistic Leaders, Who Succeeds and Who Fails, is excellent.

Thanks Bill - They'll ship as soon as they restock. I run a train the trainer course at least once a year for the Army Management Staff College in Fort Leavenworth. They use some of my work in two of their leadership development programs. Most authors don't see nearly as much royalty as most people assume. But I did manage to buy a 2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro. Only the third time I have ever bought a new motorcycle. 1986, 2006, and now.

^ That looks like the perfect solution.

I have a spare 2004 (black) tranny in Southern CA. PM sent with details.

Not sure if owners/mods are cool with this or not, but my new book, The Leaders We Need and What Makes Us Follow, Second Edition, is available for pre-order on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193262712X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I thought some of you might be interested, and if you decide to buy a copy, I'd appreciate it if you could leave a review. Warning, there is absolutely nothing in the book about motorcycles. And if this shameless plug for my own book is against the rules, feel free to delete this topic.

I knew it was all in jest, and it's been fun having the Greenie Attitude for a while. It's gonna be my daily driver till it sells. I think it is my duty to wear out the tires. Gratuitous Husqvarna Video Warning:

I could meet you in Denver and you could ride it home from there. The price can go down with a different shock, and/or some other fancy bits removed. But there's nothing wrong with a Honda Interceptor. Or you could probably find a Ducati ST2, 4, or 3 for similar price.

Traitor X2 now... you guys are funny. The Scura is not going anywhere. The ride/wrench comment was intended as self-criticism. All the bikes I've brought home recently have turned into more work than I thought - and what's the common theme there? It's me... thinking... that seems to get me into trouble. My Moto Guzzi V11 love-sickness started with the Scura and all the "known" issues. Then a crashed 2002 LeMans parts bike. Then a 2003 LeMans that needed just about everything, then another 2002 LeMans (the Champagne project which is still sitting the in the corner awaiting time and decisions), then the Greenie that could not be refused. Will there be another V11 through here one day? It would not surprise anyone. I should block myself from looking at Craigslist. Meanwhile, I brought home three K75s BMWs. The first was supposed to be a commuter/beater... but "you know who" couldn't leave well enough alone and started restoring it... so I needed a parts bike, and another fix-and-flip bike to swipe the Ohlins shock from.... and I still have a shed-load of K75 parts... along with some R1100RT parts... which is another story. And the ST3 (traded for the red LeMans) needed a bit of love... and I'm trying hard not to "improve" her. And while we're at it... my 1997 Ford F250 needed a lot more work than I thought it would. So yeah, the condition of too-much-wrenching is largely self-inflicted. Therefore the ride-more cure needs to be self-administered. There is a serious risk of becoming a hoarder. There are parts stashed everywhere, including my camping trailer. Gonna be doing some more pre-spring cleaning too.

Someone else can enjoy it next, but not more. It would be nice if it went to a member, or if the new owner joins so I can "visit" her every now and then. The new bike is a 2017 Husqvarna 701 Enduro - I put a picture in the "Adventure Bikes" thread. I'm thinking that 2 street bikes and 2 dirt bikes might be a good limit for me. I'm trying to get my ride/wrench ratio to be even more heavily biased to riding.

EDIT: Bike has sold. Well boys, it's a bittersweet decision, but I have too many treasures in the garage... Here she is as of today: And if you don't recall (or are new here) here's a link to a thread about the bike: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19887 And here's the ad I'm going to put on Craigslist, asking $5,500: --------------------------- A little history of the bike… I am this bike’s second family. I bought it from the original owner’s son. It had sat for quite a while and was running poorly. I’ve brought it back and replaced/repaired the stuff that went bad from sitting. Here’s a list of the recent work I did (although I'm sure I left some stuff off): Fuel system – all new fuel lines, new filter, new fuel pump, stainless clamps, cleaned throttle bodies and injectors. Transmission – completely disassembled, inspected (no cracks), resealed, and some re-paint. I also installed the supplemental transmission brace, which was omitted on many of these bikes (leading to cracked transmission cases). New Rubber – new tires (now with about 2,000 miles on them), new throttle body boots, various other new bits. General Clean-up and service – repainted many parts, such as final drive and alternator cover, because some of the original was peeling. Anything that came off got cleaned, painted, lubed, new spark plugs, etc. Fluids – all hydraulics (3), engine oil, transmission oil, and final drive oil. I would do the next service at 10,000 miles. Small parts – several small parts powdercoated, lots of new fasteners. New rear brake pads. Fronts were in great shape. I guess the previous owner was a big rear-brake user. I rarely touch the rear brake. New AGM battery. What I have not done – I have not serviced the front suspension or steering bearings. It would probably be a good idea for the new owner to have the suspension set up for his/her weight and riding style anyway. Extras on the bike: Ohlins shock with reservoir and re-mote preload adjuster Carbon fiber rear fender by Ghezzi-Brian (from Italy) Mistral Exhaust (note that one band on right is scraped, but I think replacements and rivets are available from Mistral) All relays upgraded to high-quality Omrons LED Headlight (much brighter than original) Color matching flyscreen by Stucci (original dealer option) Joe Kenny billet headguards Pazzo shorty levers (great feel and adjustment) Napoleon bar-end mirrors Tail-tidy – I shortened the rear fender, added small LED signals, and a custom-made LED panel inside the stock taillight 6,919 miles as of placing the ad – but I’m going to keep riding it until it sells. Reason for selling is that I just bought a new bike and am keeping another Moto Guzzi V11 Sport. This is a massively fun motorcycle. The sound, feel, and look, are “just-right.” If you like talking about your bike, this is the bike for you. It’s a head-turner and conversation starter. And it may be collectible at some point, as potentially the last Moto Guzzi sport bike, and the only one of the V11 series with the color theme of the iconic green 1970s V7 sport. Asking price is $5,500. I’m negotiable and can replace aftermarket parts with originals to accommodate someone whose budget is a bit lower. Original parts (and original tool-roll) included in asking price. I can include a “Roper Plate” with a full-price offer (and can explain what it is if you don’t know). Clear title in my name, registered in CA until January 2019. Here’s a video I made of the bike when I took it Phoenix recently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV9nLH3HNf8&t=193s And more pics as of today:

Thanks Roy. One of those just failed on my Ducati - the part was $130.00.

Hey Bill - Adventure is whatever you want it to be. The Stornello (which I think I would call a scrambler if I had to give it a label) looks to be great fun and more than adequate for dirt roads - and probably even some tighter trails if you want to push it. You just gotta know where you will really ride to find the right bike - and it looks like you found the sweet spot for you. As for me, I am absolutely certain that I am going to drop my new Husky in an awkward spot - and I don't want to be crying about denting my gas tank or scratching up my rocker covers. I'd be sad if put that Stornello into a tree - but in my first 150 miles on my Husky I already hit some branches at about 35mph and put the first "scar" on her. I don't do Facebook... but I'm sure that is a cool story. And if you think back 50 years, the "dirt bikes" of that era were probably less competent than your Stornello (and some were probably close in weight) - yet they managed to race those old Bultacos and Maicos and Husqvarnas in the desert. As the saying goes, it's more about the rider than the machine.

That is a lot of bike for a little money. Good luck with the sale. I just send the ad to a friend.

I think it is the same engine as the KTM Duke. I'm going to take it to the Anza Borrego desert next weekend and try it on some more technical terrain (after I put some rugged bar guards on). My Giant Loop Great Basin saddlebag fits on the 701. So I can ride several hundred miles with luggage, set up camp, and have a no-luggage dirt bike to go exploring in places like Joshua Tree, Death Valley, etc. As for the "stable", it needs to get smaller so I can wrench less and ride more. I'm thinking 2 street bikes and 2 (street legal) dirt bikes might be a good self-imposed limit. But I am even thinking about selling the Husky TE450 to get down to 3.

Stupid fun is an understatement. After reading so many glowing reviews, I was prepared to be disappointed by my inflated expectations. I wasn't. I don't know if it's a heavy dirt bike, a lightweight adventure bike, or a tall supermoto... but holy crap it's a way better street bike than it has any right to be. I did 150 miles this morning. All roads I know, but some dirt roads that I haven't been on for a long time. Laughing out loud in my helmet the whole way. As for the stable... The BMW K75s is gone now. Sold to a friend's son who is a new rider. I get to teach him to work on the bike - and I made sure he took a full complement of my leftover riding gear. "And don't let me ever see you on it without boots, gloves, jacket, and helmet." Sad to say, but the Greenie needs a new owner soon.

Tim.......Live The Fantasy ! Good Advice. I took this photo this morning on one of the dirt roads up Mount Palomar.

Mine never drifted. I installed with big O-rings on both sides of the dash. When installed the O-rings were slightly compressed. Maybe they held everything in place?

Thanks for the info. I think my 7.3 would run on butter and bacon grease. Which oilhead did you have? I had a 1996 R1100RT. I am seriously thinking about synthetic diesel for next Moto Guzzi oil change. Makes sense, saves money... what's not to like?

What is a TV-4? I just looked and Google doesn't seem to know. As for a comfortable bike with sportbike performance, my Ducati ST3 fits the bill.

The diesel oil suggestion is interesting. It looks like most synthetic diesel oils are 5w-40 (including the Shell Rotella), which is lower viscosity than recommended in the manual. GMC - Are you running 5w-40 in your bikes? Also, the synthetic diesel oils claim very long service intervals. How many miles are you going between oil changes? And FWIW - I'm running organic diesel oil in my old Ford 7.3 Turbo-Diesel. Close to 3 gallons every oil change... And I run organic car oil in my BMW K75s. But heck, that basically IS a car engine. I've been running motorcycle-specific oil in the Guzzis, but not liking the idea that they are meant for wet-clutch engines.

Yeah Dave, it seems the consensus is to avoid the UFI filter, which has a true O-ring, not a hard flat rubber washer for the sealing surface. After that, there are various remedies and there seem to be equally successful adherents to the various remedies. Personally, I've decided to follow "doctor's orders" and use a Wix filter tightened to 1.25 turns past first contact and no hose clamp. I want to be able to change the filter without dropping the sump every time.

I paid a premium for my low-mileage Scura. I don't regret it, and I still love it, despite (or perhaps in some weird masochistic way, because of) all the above-mentioned challenges.