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Hopefully my next bike will be

Loud pipes save lives!

Just listed this on Ebay UK https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V11-Sport-Greenie/254563845478?hash=item3b45300566:g:zyYAAOSwa8NeaPYS

I've always been a fan of automatic bikes and scooters. My first big trip around the USA was on a 1980 Convert in 2004 and I've always liked 'Twist and Go' machines because for some reason they seem to enrage dimwits and shitgibbons who think they are 'Real' motorcyclists and only some sort of inferior people would want to ride autos and scooters. I fart on their heads! In any sort of 'Urban' situation an auto wins hands down but they are also awesome for touring with a pillion as there is none of the lurching when you change gear. I originally bought the Mana simply because I like Autos but I was also fascinated by the E-CVT, the three ride modes and the faux 'Gear' system. I swiftly realised that as a touring machine it is second to none. I have the full boat of 'Touring' gear on mine which is an NA but I also owned a GT in the US and that was even better, the frame mounted fairing is much superior to the screen on my NA. With the Givi bags and top-box plus the storage compartment where the petrol tank would be on a conventional bike it has enormous carrying capacity and even with a full load of gear and Jude and I on it it will happily sit way above the speed limit for as long as you want it to. Unlike the other 'Tri-Map' Aprilias the different ride modes are controlled by the TCU and the engine mapping doesn't seem to change appreciably in the different ride modes. In reality I rarely take mine out of 'Touring' mode. The ability to change 'Down' ratios with the 'Gear lever' or paddles is a great boon on steep descents but I rarely use 'Sport Gear', the faux 'Manual' system as I have 'Manual' bikes for that. The one thing that does let it down in stock trim is the suspension which is poverty pack, bargain basement rubbish. One of my first mods was ro stick Gen 2 Tuono forks and a Hyperpro shock on it and it can now be great fun for giving blokes who reckon they are a bit 'Gun' a hard time in the twisties. With the fork swap came 100mm radial calipers and HH pads so it stops as well as it handles. Its not light or powerful, (Although it is both lighter and more energetic than a V85!) but it is very easy to ride, it's different in a good way and it's fun! Why do I prefer it over the Stelvio? Personal choice, lack of weight and suitability to purpose, it's that simple. It's funny, in 2013 I bought a California 1400 'Touring' in the USA. At that time I still owned my Mana GT there. We did a three month tour on that huge black pig and not a day went by when Jude and I didn't say, "Damn! I wish we were on the Mana!" Live and learn eh?

The NZ government is feeling a tad miffed about Covid19, so they have a plan to fix it. Here is an early draft of a press release: "2020 to be Cancelled. We hope that you have enough toilet paper stored now, so that soon demand will fall to zero, and the tissue manufacturers will have to lay off staff. Then they can join the rest of us in sharing the despair and misery. That happy thought aside, we have given careful consideration to the situation, and we have decided that it is no longer in the best interests of everyone involved to proceed with 2020. While we recognise that a lot of hard work has gone into 2020 already, if we're honest it has turned into a bit of a shitshow. We feel it is best to just call it off. We understand that some of you were looking forward to seeing what cruel and peculiar clusterfuck of a disaster 2020 would throw up next, but on balance we believe it is probably best not to find out. As we wait for 2021 to commence, we will provide some advice on vegetable growing, ark building, and methods of repurposing surplus toilet paper. Our plan is to deliver a more enjoyable year, similar to say 2011, which everyone thought was the absolute worst year of all time but in retrospect was a walk in the park. See you next year" Meanwhile, kiwis are trying to do their bit to save the world.

Looks familiar, though it's my Bellagio, not a V11

Choose, well, your "Social Distancing Tools" . . .

Yep wasn't really commentating on the origin of this thing other than to say that this sort of issue is now just a factor in globalisation. Can't put the genie back in the bottle now, modern world stuff. Ultimately this will be a life changing situation for everyone after the initial actions have passed and into the future. Much like 911 in a way in that day to day life will now have added requirements and obligations. I foresee temperature monitoring machines much like metal detectors popping up everywhere at major populated locations like stadiums and airports etc. temp too high and no entry allowed. Ciao

No doubt, you are the first to do something like this.. I forgot to put the cup in one time.

I’m afraid I think i might know what the problem is, i was looking at the pictures, and i saw the friction plate is asymmetrical, so I took a good look at the new (spare) one, and i’m afraid that I placed it the wrong way around, and that the inner side is pushing the pressure plate all the way in

The seat isn't flat like say a 1970's Tonti. It is after all a *Modern* ish motorbike. Because of the petrol tank being under the seat I suppose they may of raised the arse end a bit more than they would of otherwise of done but another thing we did was get MJM to build us a seat and squab which are much more comfortable than the stocker but the squab is even higher. Luckily Jude being a shortarse this is actually beneficial! If I was married to a Naiomi Campbell type skyscraper model I could see it being an issue but for two ageing fatties it's fine. As for the Stelvio? I asked $13.5k and got it. An awful lot of work went into it as the 1200 and 1400 motors are very, very different despite their seeming similarities. There was an awful lot went into the build and tune of that bike but little of the work was mine. Most of it was the labour of Michael and Mark. Pete PS. That's equivalent to about seven dunny rolls at the current exchange rate I reckon!😂🙄

Forgot to mention: It can be critical to make certain the fairing is not pre-loaded when mounted. If the mount bolts pull it into the mount, that creates surface stress that can lead to cracks. I shimmed mine with rubber washers, so it is not sprung either out or in and has just that much more vibration dampening.

Yes docc, the main issue with the V11 is the frame design. A single spine doesnt leave a lot of options for routing wiring and cramming in things like fuel pumps and filters etc thats why I think the later in tank pump arrangement is a bonus. Gets a couple of large bulky items out of the way and simplifies the plumbing and makes tank removal less messy. The V11 though comes from the same era of design as the 851 Ducati which was literally a frame, engine, swingarm forks and wheels set on a lift and they then built everything around that.Old school ad hock design which makes them messy. The 916 Ducati was a massive leap in this regard as it was CAD designed and fitted together like a watch by comparison. Ciao

I had to look up the introductory years of the Porsche 356 shown above with the V11 Sport: 1948-49. So, right there with the Moto Guzzi Gambalunghino that inspired the V11 design (1949-52). Proof positive, once again, that Luciano Marabese totally nailed the design of the V11!