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Every February for the past several years, I have invited Guzzisti — and, now and then, even a worthy Other Brander — to “Moto Grappa Tech Days” here at the top of Virginia. [If bored beyond the telling, you may find pix of previous events somewhere in the bowels of this forum.] This year’s event was last weekend, tho the run-up started before that, and shooting the wounded extended it until Tuesday. Kathi (who escaped during the time to one set of our grands in N.C.) would say that recovery operations are still ongoing! In many respects, MGTD are way more about beer, bourbon, food, & BS than any real "tech" work, but the gatherings are great fun. As I usually do, I have these on Smugmug in “landscape collage” form. That way, they all open in collected thumbnails first. You can then hover your cursor over the individual pix to read, if desired, the captions. You can make the pix bigger and see (again, if you wish) all of captions in larger text size if you select the slideshow option and let it roll. Here they are: MGTD 2023 Bill

Many thanks, again, to @p6x for sharing these finely embroidered patches ! It is even nicer in hand!

I understand your point, and there is for sure the more official definition of "patina" perhaps as related to something like oxidation on metal, but I would also consider and have seen honest wear on even plastics referred as "patina" as a more subjective descriptor in the context of showing the age and life of a motorcycle, automobile, etc. One even often hears patina used to describe the wear, finish and wood oxidation for example on original antique furniture. And of course paint definitely can have a patina as it ages, wears, and oxidizes. And many consider that as a positive thing, preferring that patinaed paint to a new repaint, whether that paint is on metal or plastic. One sees this appreciation of "original patina and condition" on collectible automobiles, motorcycles, etc... more frequently discussed in recent years, especially those that are exceptionally rare or special such as original racing examples. Considering that perhaps more broad use of the term, I can definitely see the V11 Sport models acquiring patina over time, and that patina being considered valuable especially for all-original or age/time-appropriate modified examples.

Two or three years back after I’d just installed a cyclops led bulb - I noticed a screw ‘thingy’ on the floor As a precaution I took it all apart & tried to figure out where it might’ve dropped from Worked out eventually it was from the side for setting the up/down tilt angle on the headlight… glad I didn’t succumb to the temptation to just kick it across the floor

Twelve weeks out, I have taken to calling this raduno the KSR (Kentucky SpineRaid). Still hoping to attend and help make sure @gstallons will come. Been "writing him notes" for years.

A place of honor on the gun safe for now. Thanks Again!

Meh. Give me a stock V11S. The older I gets the better the originals look. (shrug)

Ha ha Weegie, you're right about the grog in Scandinavia though... I seem to recall 5 pound pints when they were 85 pence in the UK! Needless to say didn't drink much there! But I do recall bumping into a group of mad Swedes travelling through Norway somewhere north of Oslo and their WICKED moonshine... They also couldn't afford to drink so brought their own with them and invited me and my mate to have a drink with them! Heh he wicked shit that was....! Cheers Guzzler

Since my body has been exhibiting "patina" for quite a few years, I don't seem to mind it on my motorcycles....

"The best cars wear their stories, dents and all." Reading this love(er)ly article by James Mills for Hagerty really spoke to me. It reminded me of so many, er, "nuances" that I have allowed, tolerated, ignored, or surrendered to, on mySport. And the place we are arriving with 20+ year old motorbikes that are, if not "rare", at least vastly uncommon. And if not "peculiar", at least > full of character < (like that uncle who liked to fire off his Napoleonic six-pounder and made his own whisky). Sure, I battled with the finish on the alternator cover time after time. It was becoming a line item in the scheduled maintenance. Then, it made up it's own mind about what it wanted to be . . . A couple weeks ago, at our local gather-up for coffee and Reubens, a fellow cocked his head and said, "Yo, docc, does that say 'nope' on your bike ?" I had to admit to the "patina" and said, "There are at least three stories behind that. But we're out of beer. Catch you at the "South'n SpineRaid !" Pretty sure we are beyond, "That is not the correct vacuum tap for the 2003 V11." Or, "This V11 LeMans would be more correct with the proper and original _____________ " (fill in the blank). I'm betting your V11 "patina" could tell some stories "if it could speak" . . .

2001 oil cooler quard. Cheers Tom. Sent fra min SM-S906B via Tapatalk

That's it. Another couple of things: mp3: no. Sounds like shit. The sound is going to be added to a video, and then (probably) up-loaded to youtube or something like that . Every step along that path brings a degradation of sound quality with it. Therefore, the initial source should be as good as possible. This is not mp3. Automatic gain control: this process adjusts gain according to some algorithm that some programmer wrote according to what he reckons might work. There is a limiter involved that does things to the level that are almost never good. Far better is to work out what is a good, safe level for the recording situation, and set that manually. Better to be on the safe side, and boost the level in post-production. Digital audio workstations almost always have a "normalise" function that is intended for exactly that. Incidentally, the sound quality of the bloke's voice in the video is very poor. One on the problems is that it is repeatedly slightly distorted. The automatic gain control is not keeping it under control. The other thing is, that the automatic gain control is compressing it to death. The result here would also be much better if he were to work out (by trial and error, if nothing else) what would be the ideal manual setting, and use that, and adjust the level in post-production as neccessary.

Thanks Bill What a hoot! Everyone looked to be well fed and watered! Cheers Guzzler

Take and post plenty of photo's fella's... Love seeing these Guzzi get togethers eh! Cheers Ps just enjoyed Bill's Moto Grappa shin dig....Brilliant

Just an update, we will have quite a few people stopping by or staying at the spring KSR. So far Bill, Kale, my father(78) and myself are in the cabin. We will try to accommodate almost anyone and will have a garage space for the "tech Sessions" and maybe a fire pit in the back yard. If everyone arrives I anticipate 15+ for the rides and kicking tires, as I have quite of few riding buddies(Triumph/Moto Guzzi V85's) that will be attending the Euro Rally in Burkesville and plan on dropping by Saturday to kick tires and tip Bourbon. John Barnes and company are going to be riding down to Barber Motorsports Park on Friday and plan on stopping by also. All joking aside, we probably won't be fishing at all, (sorry Bill ) but you could if you like. Most likely my dad will trailer down his V7 850 Special, I will make sure we bring extra coolers for ice, and maybe try to cook brats or something on the grill. If everyone arrives I anticipate 15+ for the rides and kicking tires, which according to Docc is a successful SpineRaid. If you haven't made final plans its not too late to call and make reservations in the lodge or sleep on the couch. https://parks.ky.gov/burkesville/parks/resort/dale-hollow-lake-state-resort-park

Wow, you have an amazing place Bill, really beautiful. And I envy those multiple finished garages! Where in Virginia are you located BTW... curious how from from Sanford, NC you are in case I consider coming up for one of these one day. And as an aside, that motorcycle carrier on the rear of the truck is really a cool gadget!

I'm comin' !

Interesting observation. And astute, as usual, Chuck. I have various items and belongings I thought I had expertly improved in the past only to learn, too late, that I would have been better leaving them alone. And keeping their original boxes . . .

Hmmm, that's not what fender amps were made for. Never mind, if it works....

Well, primarily vocals, but some "Mississippi Saxophone " . . . * "blues harp" . . .

you guys are awesome Maybe once we are allowed in your country I can participate. Ciao

Ha, well spotted @ScuRoo Both horses are fitted with a type of martingale. Also called a "tiedown" or a "head check". It's used to discourage head raising, which changes the angle of the pressure of the bit. If a horse is spooked or ornery, it might charge off with head raised, becoming dangerous and difficult to stop. Also stops the horse’s head from smacking the rider in the face. I imagine that the big knot has enough weight to warn the horse that the limit is approaching. See a pic of the Delaware police using another variation.

Playing cards attached to the seat-stays of our bicycles with clothespins =>=> "Braap-Braap"... that's how it all starded!!

I just knew I could find some of our references to the "VRROOM" motor in our archives . . . From @footgoose ("batteries not included !" : And @paulnaz coming clean on his e-motor thing . . .

Think of the possibilities! A high revving 2stroke sounding e-car with slightly burnt oil incense piped in through the air conditioning! 😂

I love this plan!

BTDT That's the late, great Dennis Kristof admiring -- as was quite appropriate -- my Griso. FWIW, the river was not narrow that day after some late spring rains. Bill

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I like frogs. Leave em on the frog..

Fun how this has moved to literature. Steinbeck was amazing - I love East of Eden. The Frogs as currency is funny - and it worked as a social contract with anyone who agreed to exchange frogs. To LowRyter's earlier post: Prices are set in currency, but values reflect human utility. For example, two people may value the same item differently and one be willing to pay the price, while another is not willing to pay the price. If you think something is inexpensive (or a bargain), it means the value to you exceeds the price. Wealth is created by leveraging differences in human value, and money keeps the score. Theoretically, every sale generates profit to the seller (they store more value than they had before the sale), and it creates value to the buyer (they get something that they value in excess of the money they exchanged). Neither money, nor a product need to be tangible. As I mentioned earlier, anyone who uses any form of credit is already using intangible money, and you can use it to buy intangible products or services. Money is whatever people agree it is. If frogs as money had caught on, surely, paper notes promising to deliver frogs would have been next, then the government of Cannery Row would establish a strategic frog reserve. Then, seeing a shortage of actual frogs when compared to the paper notes that could be redeemed for frogs, they would be forced to abandon the frog standard. Then somebody would invent blockchain frogs...

I was a fairly precocious kid, and read "The Grapes of Wrath" when I was entirely too young. (what were my parents thinking?) Maybe 11 or 12. Because of that, I'll never trust money men, used car salesmen, religious folks, glad handers of all kinds. I'll go to my grave with those feelings. Steinbeck certainly could paint a word picture..

I think patina when I see one like this. Surface rust and lovingly sun faded. Beautiful in it's way.

If only for the unfortunate pronunciation of Guzzi, and Motocyclette Certifiée non conforme, this is trulya work of art and dedication!

Perhaps somewhat borderline, but it remembers me of the eighties: 2021 Honda CB1300S Super Bol D'or... unfortunately not EU5 compliant

My recent mistress at "The Memphis Room" I am fortunate to be invited to sit in . . . What a rich, sultry sound she has! (Don't tell my Fender Bassman at home . . .)

I believe the "gold" is more of a lubricant. I know it is thin but I wouldn't expect it to penetrate a pot. Not gonna hurt either. I would first hit the pots (with the contacts exposed aka the back side) with a contact cleaner then a dab'll do ya with the "gold". Not an expert by any means but I have a little experience with potentiometers.

Probably de-oxit is more well known in the audiophile circles then the gnarly, greasy, thoroughbred Italian two wheeled tamer circles.... Yer probably good.

I paid my annual registration. It costs $40 extra per year to have a custom license plate. Worth it.

I can charge a capacitor up and post to you if you like, that'll be fun lol

You're not wrong Docc. There's a lot to be said for old technology, whatever it's applied to. Everything just seems more organic. Modern tech is just too clinical and efficient (for me at least). If you want a lovely instrument, you could do a lot worse than one of Chris Larkin's custom jobbies. I know Chris from the Carpe TDM forum and have toured with him. He's a lovely chap and shares a passion for cake as well as guitars. Beautiful instruments too and all hand made. I'm saving my pennies to buy an ASAD one day.

Thanks Docc. I make the turret boards from scratch using FP4 board and can adapt the boards for different sized components/ requirements for custom builds. It's a shame that most people won't ever get to see the insides of the amps they buy, but at least I'll know. It's getting there. To be fair, I haven't done too much to the V11 loom. The charge circuit has been sorted out properly to go long with the Electrex reg/rec and it doesn't have any of the normal issues they suffer with. Mine also has the three coloured LED charge system light built into the dash. Other than that, if it ain't broke...

I don't make the cabinets, I buy those in built to my spec, but the rest is all my own.

The TT15 has a Celestion Vintage 10 80th Anniversary limited edition and the TT18 has a Celestion G12H 70th Anniversary limited edition. Don't be fooled by the small size of the TT15, it's stupid loud. I've changed the Orange drop capacitors for Mallory 150s in the TT15 which has improved the tone a little.

I think I may resemble that remark! May not be legal in some parts of Tennessee.

Im just catching this. Im a bit of a gear whore. By the way, nice Bassman. My current amps are a Fender 63 Bassman, a Fender HotRod DeVille 212, a Club Classic 30, Vox NT-15 NightTrain and an Orange Crush 35 as a beater. " Cheaper than drugs and hookers" is what I tell the girlfriend. Here's some of my firewood. Guitars and motorcycles... Expensive hobbies...lol

Here's from a show we played last year at Halloween. Marshall JCM800 Bass amp with a 1971 Fender Precision Bass. This years show should be interesting...we're playing White Zombie songs, and I get to be the bass player from that band, which happens to be a girl. Ken

While some 6L6 tubes have that same shape, it's an actual size rectifier tube. Ken