Leaderboard

I worked with him filming "ON ANY SUNDAY" and had the pleasure of riding with him at Bruce Browns Ranch ...Great guy! RIP https://www.cyclenews.com/2024/11/article/godspeed-malcolm-smith-1941-2024/

Enjoy your holiday and a happy and healthy 2025!

Have a great xmas everyone 👍

We've been at this SSR business for "a while" now. . . . SSR III/ 2007 . . .

I hear ya . You will fall asleep on that gelding . Keep your V 11 for when you come to your senses !

Wow, only just found this thread, and as an owner of a 180 Jota and ex-owner of an RGS (and the similar but tuned SFC1000) I feel the need to comment. It's often said by Laverda buffs that more myths and plain untruths are perpetuated by people who've never ridden them than almost any other make, and this thread sorta fits that view. I thinks it's a product of their rarity, especially in some markets, and their position as one of the most expensive bikes you could buy back then, the two being linked I guess? 180 Jotas WERE the fastest production bike in the world for a time and had the proddy racing success to prove it, mostly in UK and Sweden. Compared to the other powerful bikes at the time (mainly Z900s, everything else was at least 10bhp less) they handled a fair bit better. They were never "terrifying anywhere near their top speed" on the road, and tended to weave predictably on the track at 10/10ths, which was, in fairness, a fair bit faster than most other's 10/10ths. A recent track day on mine (admittedly lighter than stock but otherwise standard frame) never gave me any moments and was a model of stability. I was lapping with Rob North Tridents and hitting 125mph (GPS speedo) on the short straights up to the braking points. On the road compared to my mate's 1000 Multistrada who I ride with, the suspension is woeful (30 years difference so it should be), but the stability in fast (smooth) sweepers is at least comparable. The RGS was a step up from the 180s with the smoother rubber mounted 120 engines as has been said and a lower CofG, but a 1000cc 180 (2 pistons up, one down) vibrates like a 333cc single not "one and a half bonnevilles", and my own experience of my two bonnevilles bears that out. Spares are no worse than any other small production 50 year old bike and actually much better than most. Wolfgang, OCT, Redax, Laverda Scozia, Laverda Paradies etc etc are all great sources of spares and expertise. I would put the spares prices and availability at about the same as, well, Guzzi V11 Sports. Finally the RGS was the original company's swansong and was (and still is amazingly) a superb sports tourer with advanced aerodynamics (only the R100RS could really compare at the time) and like most Laverdas, fabulous build quality (again, for the period) and reliability. A lot of RGSs are still being used for exactly what they were built for. incidentally, the two colours (red and silver) were due to use of specialist (BMW car bumper derived) flexible paint applied to Bayflex flexible plastic mudguards and sidepanels, which could literally be bent in half without leaving a mark. Possibly a solution looking for a problem but a mark of how seriously the Laverda brothers, who ran the company and were both passionate bikers) viewed their products and strove for quality. Fully adjustable eccentric footrests was another example that is yet to be replicated to this day (god knows why?) The filler cap at the front was allegedly a response to threatened crash testing being introduced by DoT in the US, which never happened and cost Laverda money it could ill afford. Advantages are easy filling with a tankbag and elimination of the godawful leaking filler cap that all the Italian manufacturers used back then! If I was asked to ride from here (UK) to say, Sicily on my choice of any 70s or 80s bike I'd choose in order (having owned and toured on all of them):- Laverda RGS BMW R100RS Guzzi Lemans Mk3 (not two up!) The RGS featured in this thread btw, was an "executive" with purpose made panniers and hand extensions on the fairing, very very rare. Sorry, I'll get off my high horse now!

Hallelujah! It’s certainly an exciting and fantastic time to be alive! Those of us fortunate enough to be alive and healthy! Apologies to the group for my 2024 lack of presence. I’ve been busy renewing my mind - a riveting and competing passion! 🤣 Looking forward to following on from Downunder Bobby Kennedy and his MAHA efforts after January 2025 Happy revolutions and keep the wheels down… In wrapping up - here in Australia the WA government are soon to be implementing the toughest gun laws in the country - Canada facing a similar push - so those of you who enjoy hunting fill your stockings with guns and ammo! Freedoms being whittled away. G’day and Merry Christmas one and all! 🎄 🇦🇺 🍻👍😎

My 2004 Ballabio is in really nice shape and has about 27,800 kms (17,300 Miles) but is 20 years old and was showing a few maintenance needs. My 2012 Stelvio has cut into the amount of Kms I do on the V11 over the last couple years. The bike has never been outside other than when riding it and has only spent maybe 15 to 20 nights away from home where it stayed outside overnight. It is kept in a heated /cooled environment. Earlier this summer I decided it was time to deal with all the items and do a thorough maintenance check to prepare it for the next 20 years. Kind of a 20-year block check (D check in large aircraft words). It had a little bit of oil weeping at the cam case cover, the phase sensor, the rocker oil feed lines at the heads, sometimes some oil dripping out of the air cleaner box, the tires needing replacement, one caliper and one master cylinder showing signs of needing rebuild I created a work scope and have completed it over the last few months. It has never had the TPS or Throttle Bodies touched other than me balancing between them using a balance tube. This Forum with all the Experts and organized information made this a very enjoyable task. I appreciate all the people that have made their expertise and information available to everyone. Included in the work scope was the Decent Tune Up. Bought the suggested cables/box for both Guzzidiag and Voltmeter This was my first time using Guzzidiag, and my computer skills are not what they might have been 10 or 20 years ago. I read all the threads and watched several videos before I attempted to use it. The one item that took me a number of attempts was right at the start where you select Preferences when you enter the program (Language, the Bike Model and Com Port). I didn't realize you had to close that little window prior to being able to Select Connect under File. Workscope: Front and Rear tires Michelin Road 6 Front 120/70 ZR 17 Rear 180/55 ZR 17 (4 rear (one was short life due to tear), 3rd front since new) Rebuilt front and rear brake calipers, front & rear brake master cylinder and clutch master cylinder. Fresh pads all calipers. All flushed and fresh DOT 4. Cleaned from fork seals using the thin film (they were not weeping but as a preventive measure, they were not near as dirty as the ones in my Stelvio) Spark Plugs replaced with same type NGK BPR6ES Valve clearances set to In .006 / Ex .008 Replaced Odyssey AGM Battery with Eliminator AGM battery (third battery including original, first two were Odyssey) Crankcase vent hose – GU30157400 Oil Pressure Switch – GU17768750 Intake Temp Sensor (in airbox) – GU30729331 Phase Sensor/with O-ring – GU01721600 Cylinder Head Temp Sns. – GU29729461 Holder Cyl. Hd. Temp Sns. – GU03163330 Timing Cover Gasket – GU05001231 Timing Cover Crank Seal – 90402840 O-Ring Spacer, Crankshaft (tim. cs) – GU90706178 Crush Washers, Rocker Oil line Feed at Head – GU90706010 (used copper replacement) Roper Plate, Upper sump gaskets (2) GU01003650, Lower sump gasket – GU01003600 Viton O-Rings at oil Cooler Lines and at Breather Return to Sump Line - GU90706010 Exhaust Crossover Gaskets – GU91113230, Exhaust Gaskets at head – GU90718370, and installed a restraint to ensure crossover cannot move in future Air Filter – GU30113600, Oil Filter GU30153000, Dipstick O-Ring GU90706178 Although I had new Rubber sleeves for Airbox to TB and TB to head I did not install them as the originals look like new and are still flexible like the new ones. Oil Motul 7100 15W50 4 L. Transmission & Rear bevel box oil replaced Removed Bevel box to access front u joint, greased 3 fttngs (2 u joints, and spline) Removed Gianelli slip-ons and installed original exhaust. Polished stock exhaust head pipes, front cross pipe / under transmission collector / using 400 thru 3000 grit. Came out very nice. Removed Power Commander 3, measured TPS with TB fully closed (was 300 MV) TPS set to 157 MV using Voltmeter (with everything disconnected), Right Side TB Idle screw backed out TB Idle Air Screws removed, cleaned TB/screws, reset to -1 turn out setting Engine run, Balance tube used to synchronize RH/LH TB at 2500 RPM Guzzidiag used to read CO, check idle compared to Tachometer (it is accurate) CO was at 0, CO Set to +5. Idle set to 1100 RPM using LH idle screw reading on Guzzidiag, correlates to Tach. Also noticed that TB balance is almost equal at idle as well. Cleaned / polished bike. It is now pretty much original (except for heated grips and 2004 Lemans Upper triple tree plate/clip-on handlebars, and speedo cable with the Instruments moved up / forward about 2.5 inches to clear the clip ons. Looking forward to Spring and riding the fresh V11

Fair question. Yet, fair warning: long answer . . . My older brother, who got me into motorcycles through his Yamaha SR500 "thumper" (led me to my first bike, at age 35: the Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy), gave me a copy of this book in college. I'm not sure I made it halfway, but put it down and read Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy instead. Later on, I tackled the (challenging) Pirsig philosophy writings for what they were, and discovered a recognition of some of my innate "values." First, that a drive to put things right ( "quality ?") is just, and desirable. And respectable, and important. Also, that not everyone "has it." And, further, that this drive extends to things mechanical. Which bolstered my natural tendency, and lifelong intent, to fix things and push back against entropy with good repair and maintenance practices, adding order to the universe. One of Pirsig's concepts (coming around to the "why" question) delves into what he called the "Gumption Trap ." I have not read his presentation of this concept in quite some time, but we all know it. That project stalled in the shed. That missing part made of unobtanium. The failed repair that failed again. Evidently, the Zen escaped my motorcycle maintenance and the GB was damaged by a mistake I made installing the oil filter. Ten years (!) later, the mistake was revealed and a top end rebuild was made. Two years later, the head bolts pulled out of the cylinder and the head gasket failed. Because of "life", it had to sit leaking oil (very un-Honda-like!) for fourteen months while a Major Gumption Trap set in. For the last three months, I have endeavored to gather parts, and special tools, from the U.S., The Netherlands, and a Japanese gasket set from Germany. I am lucky to have some really supportive and understanding friends that have encouraged me through this Gumption Trap. Revisiting Pirsig's writing, I saw this latest article about The Smithsonian exhibit that includes his SuperHawk. That the author never revealed the motorcycle he rode has always been an enticing mystery. That his motorcycle is now in The Smithsonian is testimony that these machines, these very personal machines, are more than just nuts and bolts and gaskets. They are emblematic of the devotion and care that is the fabric our lives. I feel better about moving forward and making my first motorcycle roadworthy again; ready to bust-out of this gumption trap ! That same brother once drew a cartoon of me in a struggle with this GB500 that really says "Gumption Trap " . . . Pretty revealing that my GB looks EXACTLY like that cartoon on the lift right now . . .

Thank god it is not the same for Italian motorcycles... There is only one....

I call this pic "Fat bottomed girls"

Hell Phil, all King Chas wanted was a convertible that would actually start and go when he wanted to go to the store for a qt of milk and a loaf of bread. He got rid of the Lucas and went all the way

This thread reminds me of a job i did maybe fifteen years ago. Now, i love a Good coffee, have one every morning using a wee Dualit machine with Lavazza espresso beans. Yum. I was on a job plastering this chaps chimney breast and I’m working away, spread spread spread, he’s got a few chums round having a natter, then this smell of coffee wafts through to the room i’m workin in… dear gawd it smells divine, like really really good coffee. So i’m working away there, spread spread spread, and after a while he pops his head in and gives it: “That’s looking really good there Stewart, would you like a brew at all?” “That’d be super, thank you, I’d love a coffee cheers” I says, smackin me lips in anticipation (I can still smell the Good Stuff on the ether). 5 mins later he comes in and hands me a mug of nescafe. Git.

I tasted a Red Bull one time and that is all I needed

Merry Christmas, and God bless! Thankful for this community. …slidin' into 2025!

Merci beaucoup! A vous aussi. Sorry, but she's as Dutch as stroopwafels

Happy Holidays ! I am ready for 95 degrees .

Wishing All the best for you Lovely People 🙂

1995 1100Sport carb edt 28k. 1996 1100Sport inj edt 96km. Only 8k rpm. Whatever they had on the shelves. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

after owning and touring on over 15 V11s I’m having a change to a newer motorcycle and it’s a BMW, my last V11 is up for sale in the UK proving just as difficult to sell as all the others, I still have a few bits and pieces if anyone is looking for something, this site has been useful over the years and I’ve got to know a few of the inmates here in the UK, you meet the nicest people on a Guzzi

You will eventually miss your V11 and shall return to us. We shall be here, waiting for you!

Hi Everyone, I started riding dirt bikes in the 1970's when I was 12. In high school I rode an RM 250 and later a Husqvarna 390. When I was 18 I bought my first street bike, a Honda CB750F. I hadn't owned a motorcycle for the past 20 years until about 18 months ago when I purchased a 2017 V9 Bobber. I then found Great Deal after Great Deal (6 Moto Guzzi's at an estate sale, a 2016 V7 from a friend, 3 Harley Davidsons at crazy low prices from a guy dumping them for a land deal, and a showroom condition 2015 Triumph Thunderbird Storm from the original owner with 220 miles on it) so that I now have 14 motorcycles! The idea is that I'll sort them all out and keep what I like for the long term and sell the rest to cover the costs. For now it appears the Keepers are: 1970 Ambassador, 1980 V50II, 1989 LeMans, 2002 LeMans, 2016 V7 and 2017 V9. I'm unsure about the Harleys, as they are not yet road worthy due to sorting out a few odds and ends. I'd eventually like to add a Griso and Audace after selling off the non-keepers. I have 2 boys, ages 29 and 30, and a 7 year old daughter. All are enthusiasts! My wife is obviously a very understanding individual, and started this whole thing a few years ago when she innocently stated that she'd like to learn how to ride a motorcycle, unaware of my past and the passion for the hobby that has been reignited.

"Heh - pretty sure we're all outliers here . . . " Sorry , I guess I am the real "outlier" here ( I guess I am here?)....I love my 2025 e-5+. V-85 I did around 3k miles on my friends 2020 V-85 with full bags in about 14 days this summer mostly in the Alps, , Stelvio, Timmelsjoch, and all over the Dolomites, Switzerland, Austria..St Moritz to Mandello and back down to Milano, to and then down to Rimini ..The days in the Alps I was riding with with a couple of guys from Rome , long time riders who who can ride their Ass off..one on a new 2024 1300 BMW and the other on a new 2024 1300 Ducati...Sure they could blast away from me on long straights..but in the Alps switchbacks they had nothing on the V-85. Milano to Rimini we rode 145-150 kph most of the way on the expressway in 35+ C heat and it never missed a beat..and was comfortable..400 km per tank. All you gotta do is stay busy with the shifter and keep it in the 4000..5500 rpm range. No complaints from me.

Touche. The 1st gen V85tt's had issues that caused concern for some. They've improved a bit since, but ultimately what they've improved likely won't matter much if it's not the style a guy likes. I've noted before on this forum in a couple postings here and there how I had little if any interest in the V85tt, till i was "forced" to rent it when Agostini's sent out the V100 I had set up to demo just before i got there, despite saying they'd hold it... cheeky. Anyway, ended up on a truly ugly v85 (well, its my least favorite color, but to each his own) for a few days, riding the great roads to the north and east of Mandello. Perhaps in part because I figured i'd hate it, and I can be a bit of annoying contrarian, I ended up really liking it. so I bought one. Oh, and didn't hurt that a guy was desparate to unload one in my preferred coloring and with almost no miles when i checked last winter. From my angle its not a bike that I can break down into why I like it, I just do. My oldest guzzi friends, the ones deep into guzzi for decades, they both have a V85 as their go-to bike. It's probably a little bit of laziness. for instance, I'll admit that I was looking forward to riding one of the V11's to John Day this year, but as the day got closer I gradually gave in to the dark side, yielding to my laziness: the V85 has big hard cases, great wind screen, great fuel econ + long range, and despite some pretty mediocre (at best) suspension it handles surprisingly well, and i'll say "enjoyably"... whatever that means in the way of suspension. Felt guilty leaving the V11's at home, but damn that V85 is nice for touring, with the bonus being that it also allows for some gravel/dirt road touring.

Here's a thought. Modern CEO's and boards are focused on value to the shareholder and fight the employees over every 2 cents and benefits to reduce costs. When times and business gets tough as it inevitable will for long term companies the first group to jump ship and leave are the shareholders and who's needed the most in those times? The Employees that's who. There's zero loyalty from 99% of shareholders. Value your people for it's them the business will need in the long term to ride out the peaks and troughs should be the mantra for modern executive management.

I have a "theory" on this sort of thing. The original manufacturer contracts to Chinese/Indian/south east Asian company to make X amount of product and they supply X amount of items then keep the production line rolling and make some for "mother" and sell them themselves. You know 10 for you and 1 for us. Either that or they don't discard the "seconds and out of spec items" and do the same. Zero proof of this just something "I feel in my water" so to speak. An educated person would refer to it as Intuition I think. Phil

I bought my baby brother a 75 model CR125 w/2nd gear broken . Fixed it , added a DG up pipe , different swingarm , etc... After riding European dirt bikes , this thing looked like a toy ! Performance? if you have ever knocked the head off an oxygen bottle , this was the performance + you could ride it and steer it ! The CR125 came a year after the CR350 and the MX world was changed forever . Until Yamaha put a single shock suspension under a 250 YZ and put Pierre Karsmakers ( I can spell it w/o looking it up) as the first MX astronaut. Hmmm Roger DeCoster , the list can go on. You had to buy a new bike EVERY model year because what you were sitting on had just become obsolete !

You know when I started my aviation career the managers were all people that worked their way up in the organisation, knew the detail of everything and when they got to management level they managed to avoid chaos and catastrophes. Then came along "professional manager" you know people with MBA's and business degrees and it all went to hell as they made short term decisions aimed at looking good on their resume. They often had a "throw the deck of cards into the air and see what lands" philosophy because then they could all get together in their MBA club and "crisis manage" the situation they had in fact created. It was truly pathetic to observe. My original managers managed to AVOID a crisis and the new ones managed to help create them so they could look like the guy that rides in and takes charge and "sorts it out". KTM is a classic example of modern management. Covid hits and the market goes on a buying spree and instead of pausing and thinking "this is a blip" lets make hay while the sun shines but not lose sight it's short term, no they react like a "blue sky thinking" muppet and go gang busters ramping up everything on a a short term "bubble" The Aussie wine industry did the same with the Chinese market. They all got on the Chinese gravy train as it pulled out of the station and neglected the other markets because the Chinese market was "going to last forever" but it didn't for political reasons and then they all fell on their arses and wanted the government to help bail them out. It's a very old story and if you want to see a classic version of it read "on a clear day you can see General motors" by John De Loreon. GM used to do similar to their smaller suppliers then swallow them up. I read that book 40 years ago and the lessons are still valid today. Phil

hmmm.... that's a very strong statement; let me retort!

As always, I am thankful for this community. Without you, my Sport would be a shambles. I'm sure I wouldn't be as well . . .

Back about '99 I got to tune and test drive a kitted '53 XK 120 with the triple Weber carburetors. I put about a hundred miles on it, and would have liked to put a hundred thousand. The only car I've ever driven that was a more rapt experience was a '72 Ferarri Dino GT.

What it could'a, should'a, been without the forerunners of the green weenies stepping on it's neck. This with a 6 speed TT sequential gearbox, blackout coating, Heads-up FLIR and active LIDAR jamming.

I think this advertisement would have gone over better...

As a general comment on society these days which relates to this topic in a high level kind of way is that we are all now prisoners of loony fringe dwellers. The LFD's have always been out there of course but modern instant communications technology has enabled them to all connect in real time and manufacture "influence" with the political establishment. There's a reason that in the past LFD's were LFD's and not politically or socially influential and that was because letting them have influence would drive society down the "Alice in Wonderland" loony rabbit hole. Now they are all interconnected via modern communications tech and have "influence" that's where we are heading. Strap in for the ride it's going to get worse before it gets better. As a student of 20th century history I was always fascinated how propaganda on a mass scale was used to influence the masses to follow seriously unhinged paths and often imagined the process. Well now I don't need to use my imagination because I'm living it every day more and more. The LFD's, political and social influence and propaganda are all connected by the same thread. Phil

Nice video... you mentioned in your title that he "picked the wrong brand" and I assume you mean he missed Moto Guzzi. But just after 5:00 in the video he says "...or my Moto Guzzi Griso which, of course, I love as well - for the same reasons as the Kawasaki." Then he reveals that he loves riding his 400cc Husaberg close to the limit, and admires his friends' 650 and 350 Royal Enfields and how much fun they are. I had a lovely 150 romp on the Stelvio today. Brought back a half case of wine from Doffo in Temecula and about 40 pounds of oranges, grapefruit, and avocado. I rather like the big 1200cc lump in that bike and ability to carry loads of stuff and a passenger, even at extra-legal speeds (aka the flow of traffic). In no way did it make me miss any of my past BMWs (R100CS, K75s, R1100RT). I did wave to a few BMWs today, but the most memorable wave was to the rider of a red Moto Guzzi V85. You got me thinking back to the 1980s... I was on a 1985 Yamaha FJ1100. That was the fastest damn thing I had ever ridden at the time. I went back to look up the specs. It had *only* 125 horsepower. Maybe memories change things, but those must have been some buff ponies.

And they all look like orange Transformers.

So that's what he looks like.... Merry christmas everybody.

I was at MPH (Houston, Tx) today for an unrelated trip, and I came upon a Guzzi Daytona in their workshop. Speaking to MPH's Mike Haven, the owner of this bike wants to sell it, as its just gathering dust in his garage. It is my understanding that it has not run for a while, don't know how long. Nevertheless, Mike said the bike is in top shape, and they are going over everything. As you can see in the photos below, the bike is not tagged, and has only 8698 miles on the odometer. I thought, well, since it is right there up for grabs, I should indulge. That was until I tried the clutch lever. It requires too much effort for my damaged left hand. So if any of you is interested, let me know. I can go back and take a lot more photos, and ask Mike for the owner's contact.

This reminds me of turning 100,000 miles on mySport and thinking it was a big deal (major "round number" ). We used to throw cars away at 100,000 miles because of wear. What was worn? EVERYTHING! Yet, our treasured international (read: metric) community here said, basically, "So you have 160,934 kilometers on your bike and you're throwing a party? Weird. Come back when you have an even 200,000 kays ." Something about the nature of our beings is given to these "round numbers."

I know EXACTLY where I would put that Daytona in our living room. If my wife were not so taken with all this stuff people call "furniture" . . .

the stuff movies are made of

Make sure you modify your new taps John with Viton/fkm seals or they won't last. I did a thread on it a while back. I don't think the float type sender will work in the v11 tank as the float diameter is too large to go through the std sender tank fitting. I may be wrong but if it's that easy then I'm on board as well. Phil EDIT..... I just measured to ID of the sender unit adaptor, 14.3mm

@PJPR01 I received my 2024 "Tour finisher" rocker. On to 2025...

Nothing wrong with the door Bill and as I said it may not be the same bloke. His faith is no concern of mine either, BUT! I am always deeply distrustful though of people who wield their religious beliefs like a cudgel and try to somehow imply they are ‘Better’ or more trustworthy/meritorious than others because of them. I don’t bang on about my beliefs or lack of them because they are of no relevance to anyone but me. I know you are deeply devout and my criticism was not aimed at people of faith, any faith, just those who seek kudos by wearing their proffered belief as a cloak of virtue.

Hope you have a great day celebrating God, Family, and Country. For my friends outside of our great country, I wish you the very best too!

A proper British roadster with cut-down doors that one could dangle his arm over and get fingers run over by the rear tire. I learned this lesson as a youth in my brother's Triumph TR3. Drop-dead gorgeous, these roadsters.

it's weird, and not about cars

Awright! he is excused then.... incidentally, I left the Facebook Moto Guzzi Quota group a few days ago. I don't like the format, the restrictions; I thought I had finally found one possible way to use Facebook, but then navigating the way they want you to post, the contact photos which require the user to flip through them to see them all, the automatically hidden replies chosen arbitrarily, so you have to click to have all the answers, sometimes multiple times. Garbage! I am better off it.

We used to live in a log cabin on the banks of the White river. My friend Lyle (RIP) and I used to put my canoe in there, and float down to Bonge's. Seldom said a word, just enjoyed navigating the river.That was before all the foo foo stuff with Bonge behind that fabulous mahogany bar and his dog curled up in the corner. Drink a couple of beers with Bonge, and head for home. Good times.