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A couple of notable open tune faves of mine. Stills used DADGAD I think that was referred to as Celtic tuning. can't recall what Jimmy used. Joni Mitchell had hand problems from Polio and used pure open tuning to make easy bar chords. Ritchie Havens was another. One of the real greats is Leo Kottke. He was all over the place. Different song, different tuning.

Boys with toys. Ok, I'm just jealous.

Freed up another small chunk of time for Greenie today… so wandered out and popped the Stucchi fly screen on. ”Popped” is a stretch of a term, because what I figured would be an easy afternoon in the shop with a game on in the background and messing with the fly screen and then other stuff, turned into a few hours of me getting some good curse-word practice. Not hard, just a bigger production than I had figured. Fuel tank + body bits next. valves are done, so decent tune-up with the laptop magic will follow after that. The pic with the speedo shows the poor cosmetic condition of triple tree area, which I need to work on, somehow.

I carried out a few updates to my lathe I've had for 20 years or so. European style QC tool holder, a high accuracy chuck and a 2 axis DRO. The QC tool holder and DRO will make using the lathe a whole lot nicer. Phil

I've done it on all brand's with these tank bubbles..ie: Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Ducati's..As you mentioned..I use a larger sized needle ( as in leather sewing) pierce the bubbles and then lightly heat with a gun and hold the spot down with my thumb, sometimes you may have to pierce in more than one spot if a big bubble....usually works very well. I had a black Aprilia tank which had 0ver 25 bubbles..when I finished you could barely tell. The thing is..whenever I have done this I also removed the tank for at least a few weeks, ( couple months if possible in thhe off season) washed it out with hot water and dish soap and let it dry out real well..then sometimes In the winter I stuck a hair drier in the top and let it run on low all day. I also usually caswell treat the tank after before installing . The results are very good..the tank is back to original size and the bubbles dont show..I have had some for a couple years after and they never returned. Worth all the trouble imo if its an otherwise nicely painted original tank.

For 2024, Moto Guzzi introduces a new variable distribution on the 850, with new cylinder heads design; Power goes from 76 hp @7500 rpm to 80 hp @7750 rpm and torque from 82 Newton.metre @5000 to 83 N.m @5100 A new entry too with the Moto Guzzi V85 Strada; This model is aimed at those who will never venture off the asphalt. Non spoked wheels same dimensions though 19" front 17" rear, smaller windshield, 4 kg less than the V85 TT. 11,000 Euros and available in April 2024. Also, for 2024, Moto Guzzi has revamped the dashboard and incorporated a six axis IMU. I am starting to think that I should rather consider a V85 rather than chase this illusory Quota. Here's an article you can consult: https://ridermagazine.com/2023/11/10/2024-moto-guzzi-v85-range-review-first-look/

Rizoma mirrors. I have a set of knock off the same in matt black on my Enfield but they are disappointing in that the ball adjusters are so tight they are unuseable. If you knock them out of adjustment you need to loosen the mounts to re align. Just buy Rizomas, expensive but quality. The top nut came from Stein Dinse. Phil

Flight line, LFAB

Pull it off and spray can silver it, preferably 2 pack spray can silver. This is why I don't use key fobs or crap dangling off the ignition key as well as it's not great having a bunch of comparatively weighty stuff flapping around under the influence of forces tugging on the switch assembly. Phil

Very nice. I like open tunings a lot. And Willie Nelsons guitar, yes, it has "character".

That's what I have always thought.

I am guessing you have not, because I sent him another email now that I am back in H'town, and I got an "email box full" automatic message from Craig's list email relay system. I cannot make sense of it; usually, the relay server pushes every email to the recipient, so they keep internal storage to a minimum. However, I don't really know how Craigslist email server works. Unless, you need to log in into your Craigslist account in order to reply using your unmarked Craigslist email. The guy is currently offline then. Updated: I found the same Quota on Facebook Marketplace with the seller's name. He has a car for sale too.

Just introduced to Hawaiian slack key guitar and this artist, Makana. His guitar made me think of Willie Nelson's "Trigger" growing its own secondary sound hole . . .

Confirmed my alaska buddy is driving down in a van, as he’s moving to lower 48, in retirement. He bought a Stornello, i think in Washington, and I’m assuming he’ll trailer that to John Day. He’s then driving to New York. Retirement life. Back to the AK route briefly, the Alcan and the Cassiar are both good, but are different. I’d want additional time to peel off over to Prince Rupert area, and side trips like that, if I were to do the Cassiar again. Alcan is just a matter of trying to do it when its not too busy. For P6x thoughts on variation…. I’m in process of buying a V85tt out in Denver. Looking at where I’ll try and store it till the weather brakes (spring). But for John Day it would be the V11 for sure… a perfect trip for me on Red, about a 5hr run, via several nice route options. I was surprised at how comfortable i was on the V11 when going from Texas to oregon a few years ago, but i still prefer an ADV type bike with larger windscreen for long treks, and prefer the V11’s for the weekend/shorter trips. And my Multistrada Enduro is getting nervous in the corner of the shop, sensing that I’m looking at the new Stelvio as a possible replacement.

MMMMMMmmmmmm. You will just have to go back and look at everything printed on the subject and see .

I always kept the tanks 1/2 full and never had an issue. My bikes were modernish bikes with controlled tank venting though. I'm quite interested in phycological "models" and keeping a bike in the house is somewhat a phycological model as mentioned. Google Ames room to see a demonstration of the power of the models people have in their minds. Applies to many thing including relationships. Phil

Another 150 miles today on the Norge! Hopefully tomorrow out on the Scura!

Whale oil beef hooked.....

I have mySport because myWife said I should. One should not quibble with these sorts of directives . . .

Fair enough. Zero question that all such things are simply in the eye of the beholder. For me, the stock signals have always been somewhat of an eye sore, looking a bit hokey and out of place, from the first day years ago when I saw my friends otherwise beautiful V11. But I also don’t like the look of most obvious mods. It’s mostly a “who cares” thing, but i happen to need to repair the signals on greenie anyway, so I’m wading in to trying to figure out what I actually like, which is something that isn’t the stock setup, but also which blends/fits in. Those little black ones on back are probably a bit too small for my preference, and maybe too “brit-bike”…

Congratulations, @droydx !

@Speedfrog Bingo! the guy answered; it has 31,000 miles, one owner. The actual seller bought it from the owner's estate, so he does not know anything about the bike but he said it looked in good condition. I believe that he is some kind of liquidator? his wording led me to believe the owner passed away. I am planning to go to Arizona to check it out the first week of January. If I like it, I will drive it back to Houston.