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https://www.visordown.com/features/top-10s/much-appreciated-top-10-motorcycles-yesterday-are-classics-today

Oddly, they seem to aim the reader at the later V11 models, but feature a greenie with an aftermarket fairing. There are a few other desirable (to me) models on the list. I look at the old Honda VFRs sometimes, as well as the slab-side Ducati 900SS. I damn near bought an older imported Africa Twin once, the originals were never sold in the US. I've never really tried to make a profit on motorcycles - just try to enjoy them and maybe break even when I sell the ones I've improved. For Moto Guzzi, I think the Sport and LeMans badges will start to generate more of a premium and the newer models' (late 1980s to early 2000's) values will get pulled up by people who are priced out of the 1970s-early 80s models. For example, my 1989 LeMans 1000 was a fraction of the cost of an early 850 LeMans. If it goes up in value, great. But if it goes down or stays the same, that's fine too, I can still ride it. I suppose if anyone on this forum has an investment-grade portfolio of V11s it would be Twin AH. @Twin AH maybe we could get some pics of that collection of pristine and unmolested examples? You know, the results of all those "wanted" topics you've posted?

We are all in luck. Tellico Plains, Tennessee, features the Trout Mountain Coffee House (and Inn)! And also the Telliico Grains Bakery. Expect good coffee, and some great food. More great food in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, for the South'n Spine Raid at the (long running) Tellicafe. Otherwise, we'll huddle in the garage and scrape burnt toast into hot water. And rejoice!

At risk of confirming effetist tendencies some have long suspected, I am annoyed just now as FedEx has lost my shipment of Illy, due yesterday when we ran out. "No delivery date scheduled; pending" the website says. I suppose I will survive on some blackish swill from Martin's. After all, my mom made "erzatz coffee" in Germany during WWII. There were various "recipes," but her "favorite" was to burn toast and scrape the black stuff into hot water. We are blessed people today. Now, as for SSR 2022, Kathi and I look forward to it. Bill

@PJPR01 let's not jump the gun here... fresh coffee, not "good" coffee. If you ride a Guzzi, your favorite coffee will always be Italian.... What I like of Buc-ee's is as with the bathroom, they seem to have people continuously brewing fresh. I don't think they brew Illy, but it is better than the burned up that you find past morning in other gas stations. True, I sometimes sit on the deer corn bags, but I like to sit on the Guzzi and watch the people around, see what they do, observe... you know, like the old people. The Guzzi draws attention inevitably. It is funny sometimes. I mean I get that a lot at traffic lights. Guys lowering their window to tell me how cool the bike looks. I wish it was the girls, but it seems a guy thing, unfortunately... Since we have Buckle Bunnies, we should have Guzzy Bunnies too, no?

I have several, from inch lbs. to 200 ft. lbs. FWIW, Ed the Rocket Scientist (RIP) said NASA did a study and found the most repeatable torque was applied by the hand of a skilled mechanic. Don't shoot me, I'm just the messenger..

What! No pic?

For those of you who don't understand the difference between Illy and Lavazza; This is Illy:

Sorry for messing up your thread.... but you know.... coffee!!!

Your Tenni should have the same washer. It's an uncommon size. I didn't mail your shift springs yet, so if I have a spare washer, I'll toss it in.

Bill, I see you are Indiana. The Indiana Guzzi bunch meets on the first Sunday of the month at some brewpub. If you are interested, Austin will put you on the email list.

The washer is there so the shoulder of the bolt tightens down on a flat steel face and not the alloy pork chop and also as a surface for the brake pivot bush and housing to bear against. Cant remember off hand but 3mm sounds about right. Ciao

Ha ha! I stand corrected…fresh coffee, with a little hazelnut creamer mixed in for flavor! I do prefer Lavazza but Illy is quite delicious as well and something I discovered lately called Zenbunni… Coffee like Motos is a very particular taste…although I do frequent an Exxon not far from work that has delicious fresh brew Texas Pecan coffee and Kilimanjaro too!

I remember references to that NASA study! An experienced operator suffered a session of "teaching" me to machine a critically dimensional part on a "knee mill" this weekend. A great experience for me! And, I'm pretty sure he'll fully recover from the frustration. There were Vernier calipers and reference dimensions involved. But also a lot of "feel" and "eye" . . . . .

Thank you for your kind words. Dennis was one of those unforgettable characters. I went down to the gate to take in the flags there — Germany and Thailand, with mourning streamers — and raise the U.S. to full staff. Life goes on, as it always does, but Dennis will be a missed companion on rides and more. Bill

All of them . . . If I launch one more sketchy winter thread, I expect a contingent of SpineRaiders to show up and give me and the Sport a push down the driveway like it has training wheels . . .

Well, it’s “Ground Hog Day” here in The States and everyone knows what that means. 💨 Halfway through winter and time to think about riding !

Thanks, @footgoose! I'm going to book my room this far in advance, as well. The original innkeeper was not willing to give us this kind of consideration. It will be great to see you guys again!!

I almost bought a beautiful low mileage Ducati 900 SS desmo before I saw my V-11. It only had the 1/2 fairing which I could have dealt with, but I couldn't come to terms with the yellow paint. I don't know how much people are actually getting for the v-11 variants I've seen listed but the asking prices seem to have gone up some since I've been paying attention. When I start to add up how much it has cost me to un-customize my V-11 to my satisfaction in addition to regular maintenance and upkeep, the prospect of a profit at the end is highly unlikely. I better keep my day job.

"LA BELLEZZA HA UN GUSTO" See, there? The thread is headed right back on track . . .

Ok, you get points for using Illy, however do you purchase it ground or in beans? If beans, do you use burr or blades to grind them? What coffee maker do you use? do you have a Bialetti in the house? or even better, do you have an M21? if you do, I am in awe. I considered installing one myself, however you need a direct water feed, and it involved breaking the entire kitchen to route it. The M21 is extremely expensive, but worth it. You can also get it used, still outrageously expensive. Here in Texas, we can purchase Illy ground or beans off the shelf from HEB, Central Market, and some other specialized stores. Not cheap either since imported. I have always been fascinated that in Italy, no matter how small the village, how remote, you always get good coffee. Not something that holds true anywhere else in the world.

1962-'72 (12 volt) Volvos (PV544, 122, 1800, 140s Nostalgia card played.

I used ThreeBond 1194 on 2 trans shift plates and it worked well.

Thanks. I wasn’t sure if this operation required a specific sealant . So Yamabond 4 would work just as well

I used black RTV on mine, but as Chuck suggested, permatex is good too. A new seal on the shifter shaft is cheap insurance.

Pretty sure it is the fault of my "last technician" as my watchmaker and BMW dealer referred to my errant efforts, rather with minimally restrained askance . . .

I never gave it a thought.. just used Permatex because that was what I had. Hasn't leaked.

I’m getting the supplies in to do just that overdue job

+1 what Scud said ^^ about grooming the fasteners and de-stressing the entire assembly. There is a very similar procedure to "settle" the exhaust system. Well, plus one more on how nice those frame side plates look on the champagne!

Before and after pics: U-joint greased and reinstalled with cover. I had to scrape off the grime with a plastic putty knife.

Lots of good things in Russia, including motorcycle passionate guys... I know a couple of Russian ladies that would make my Le Mans look.... better?

I see you rate the topic as meaningfull and respectfull. I didn't weigh each post, but reading accoss it I did see the old gun debate, and the rest looked to me like nothing new to the theme. And closing it, was to close it before it got out the lines. Not because of one special post.

I disagree. Paul gave a reason: I read that to mean we can talk about the election. So, how about that McCain and his dirty shmear campaign backfiring on him. Do you think the selection of Palin as his running mate was a mistake? I am so happy the color barrier got dented, but I am even happier to have a non-Republican in the White House! Yeeeehooooo! Happy Days are here again! (Maybe we can outlaw torture, reduce the outrageous percentage of blacks in prison, resist the temptation of war, separate church and state, balance the budget, have election reform, and have welfare for the needy(people), not the greedy (corporations)) Sharing the often mis-quoted words of Michelle Obama, for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. I'll bet she is even prouder now that Barack has won! "What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something--for the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud."