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Ha yes docc had that one for a long time. I often reflect on the tools I've owned for extended periods, a lot for more than 45 years. Then there are tools inherited from my grandfather who was an aircraft engineer also and died in the early 60's when I was around 6 years old. I have images of helping him working on his Triumph Herald ( horrid little car) by handing him some of those very same tools I now own. I got quite upset a year ago or so when I was convinced I had lost my 1/4 drive Snap-on ratchet which I bought as a 2nd year apprentice 43 years ago and cost me half a weeks wage. Wandered around for an hour kicking myself and acting like a death in the family had occurred. Then I found it...........in my side pocket, doh (I so rarely put tools in my pocket). But then I got the chance to rejoice and the stupid feeling subsided. Old tools are like old friends that you have shared times with. Ciao

Go and ask on the Stelvio thread on ADV. it'll take you at least three lifetimes to reach any conclusions and you will probably take your own life after about a day as it will seem like a blessed relief compared to weighing up the options held forth as if pearls before swine by the mighty.

I'll add to that sentiment and know exactly what you mean Phil - my late father was a master carpenter (also in the aircraft industry) - served his apprenticeship in the model shop where back in the day they would make scale models for testing in the wind-tunnel ... so I inherited his wood-working tool chest. Not as useful for mechanical stuff of course, but always brings back fond memories when using some of those old tools ... as I still do fairly regularly. Keep up the good work mate - a lot of us have been following this project with both admiration and yes, anticipation ..!

Having trawled the Internet I have come to the conclusion that opinions on tyres are best described as many and varied! ( the polite version!). I have come to value the opinions of the people on this site - I think that is age related but a too polite to say so openly. Something about the people attracted to Guzzi’s of this particular era. so. Right now Conti TKC 70s at the top of the wish list. one thought was to run the Shinko Big Blocks for say 1,000ks as they are part worn and then decide how much I dislike them before changing over tyres for the rest of the trip. This would likely reinforce my appreciation for smoother tyres for my type of riding 🤯

You can make stainless look like a pewter dollar with a big buffing wheel and rouge. Off the bike, of course. Once you do that, you have to be careful to keep your fingers off.. they have oil on them. That way, they'll turn bronze more evenly.

Ok, my model is a 2003 so I’ll have to dig into this more I suppose. I’m so close too! The bike starts right up and runs great though!

Have not laid eyes on the Mistrals. I cannot imagine a much better build quality than the Staintunes. As I said, they came on the bike and I see no need to swap them out. You're happy. I'm happy. Life is good.

I have Shinko on my DR650, works decently for the street. For the dirt, well, okay for a smooth fire road, but that's as technical a situation as I want to push an overweight, undersuspended pig like a DR650 anyway. As an aging serious trail rider who gave it up a few years back, here's my rant (again?): Any tire that works well in the dirt will get burned up in a thousand miles or less of street riding and then be worthless in the dirt. Any tire that can last a few thousand miles on the street is about worthless in the dirt from the gitgo. Of course, I'm talking serious dirt riding here, not an occasional gravel road, so this contention has somewhat limited application to the big brontosaurs even heavier than my DR and so even less appropriate for real dirt. I think Shinko is likely the best current trade off between price, dirt traction and lifespan. JMHO.

The cans....mmmm . The tank striping as with any mod , you have to stay close to the bank but still be BOLD . this one did it !

Looking at some old images I keep thinking how worth the effort it was painting those side plates. I've also been spending time addressing a lot of cosmetic stuff thats accessible with everything apart. Here's what the side plates used to look like. Ciao

As long as thats the only thing that gets blown when I hit the start button for the first time Ciao

Here's an image from MG cycles. My Mistrals were these ones and my bike was then and still is running the Stucchi cross over. As I said I liked everything about them except the over run sound. Might be ok with the std cross over, didn't think of that, but I'd rather change mufflers than sacrifice the Stucchi cross over. Ciao

Tried Heidenau K60's, didn't like them. Very slippery in the wet, even though it doesn't happen often here. Haven't tried the Mitas, but they do look good. BTW, TKC70 and TKC80 are totally different tires. 70 for more street, 80 is a knobby. Were that my Stelvio, I'd go with TKC70's.

Rather, I like to think that Ducs sound like slightly tinny Guzzis. Here's vote for Staintunes, as they came with the bike but have a really low and mellow sound, even if a bit on the loud side when you wick it. The dB killers kill more than just decibels though, so they are in the box. Staintunes are spendy and the company is on the block, but all else being equal, I should never have to replace them.