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Yep I often see on car forums guys that remove stuff from cars because "they aren't needed". The fact is every car and bike is designed down to the last cent and unless there is a big customer appeal issue then it either doesn't get incorporated OR it's just enough to do the task. My FIL worked at the GM test ground here for over 40 years testing and developing new cars and prototypes and I meet owners all the time that modify production stuff that they spent many many hours developing and think some backyard business that's R$D consists of a few hundred miles driving on public roads has it all covered. The Supra has a 5 pound weight bolted to the chassis cross member near the diff. It's called a chassis damper. Whats it do? not sure but I could have an educated guess. Clowns remove them because it's useless and saves weight! My advice is that unless you know precisely what it does and have the knowledge of a chassis engineer then better to leave it installed because the bean counters at BMW won't have it there unless it's necessary. A five dollar saving on a chassis damper not fitted translates to probably a million dollars on the bottom line to BMW/Toyota. They wouldn't fit it unless it was necessary. Phil

Our air cooled, V-twin big block Guzzi are a good example of design based upon maintenance and reliability goals. The whole spineframe chassis, as well. The ease of wheel removal, brake service, and battery access is admirable, IMCO. Sure, there is that "tank off" thing for the air and fuel filters, but I've seen worse.

Well the Germans were way in front of everyone. Part of the reason they used inverted V12 engines was ease of maintenance. On a ME109 for instance the crews could do most of the engine work from the ground without stands by simply opening the bottom engine cowls to access the engine top end where most of the maintenance items were. On a Merlin you were working from a stand 6 feet off the ground on top of the engine cowls. Phil

@p6x I would have to estimate something like 15 gallons lol? If you think the pain job looks bad you should see the sad state of the ceramic liner lol

The interwebs can be amazing. I am amazed that this song was ever performed live. And more amazed it was captured on video. Sure, it is a cacophony of sound and video, but, hey: " Blood Makes Noise !"

Yeah, we agree on this. My introduction to this concept was discovering the true purpose of the "Phillip's Head Screw." Then came Torx . . .

Legs all the way up to her arse.

You need to pull down a modern car engine docc to properly understand how much of the design is about production line speed and ease of assembly and minimising machining. Terrible. Phil

Pilgrims gather at the factory gates Guzzi assembly line While outside, Guzzis of all styles cruise the festivities Some nicely modified Guzzis were spotted An interloper Nice juxtaposition between engineering styles

That people who do things like this should be castrated and choked with their own testicles That is all.

Thanks @docc I'll take a look. Surprisingly the plastics on the bags are in pretty good shape still

@fastaussie, I do not know if you are still looking for a "Champagne" V11, but I found one on Facebook Marketplace that looks like new! It is a 2002 millesime, 18k miles, 7500 USD or best offer. Personally, the 7500 USD are justified when you look how spotless the bike is. It is located in Dresden. No Audiomick, not there, but in Ohio... I know, it is confusing. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/322860094160717/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ae4b418ba-97fe-45ea-a027-9ef4825d5572

Yes, indeed. The JIS "cross head screw" is not a "Phillip's Head." I have re-cut all of my "cross-head" screw drivers to limit/eliminate "cam-out."

I met a Man at a UAW local meeting once, about 1985. He was an engineer for Cadillac; salary somewhere in the mid-80,000's as I recall. His job? Find the shortest route for the fuel, cooling, and vacuum hoses. Co-ordinate that with the assembly line engineers to balance material costs with production costs.

As I understand it, the first wind tunnel used by a motorcycle manufacturer. Correct me if I am wrong, anyone who knows better. Indeed. You never know when it might be too late.

Google can be avoided. There are Wiki articles that mention them. For instance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screw They are uncommon here and in Australia, in fact I don't recall ever having seen one, but the idea sounds good. What was that thing with having to leave town?

OOOOH , you need to Google Robertson screws . You will never use another style of woodscrew again .

I like Torx. 10 or 15 years ago they were a bit of a pain in the arse, because one didn't necessarily have the appropriate bit on hand. In the meantime, they have become so common here that the bit is available more or less as a matter of course. The adavantage over a Phillips screw is that the driver is less likely to jump out of the screw head if you don't put enough pressure on it to stay in. When using a battery drill to screw in the screws, this is a major advantage. On the stages in theatres here, where set pieces are commonly screwed to the stage floor, and generally where things made of wood are screwed together, you nearly always see Torx here. As I said, I like them.

I have long been fond of saying that consumer products, perhaps all the way from toasters to airliners, are designed with two purposes: build and sell.

Not sure about this. I've done a lot of work on McDonald Douglas A4G Skyhawks. Not much consideration for maintenance on that thing. Phil

Did somebody say staged? Still a beautiful bike though. I don't understand why her fingers and arm look so weird in that shot...almost AI like. https://images.app.goo.gl/FAWP6snjM7wapNNc6

The valve clearance check procedure is essentially the same as all other twin cam Aprilias. Removing the cams isnt really a big deal but it could of been made so much easier by just having a plug in the front wall of the timing chest to allow insertion of the locking pin without removing the radiator and timing chest cover. I agree with you though. The chances of high mileage V100's being rebuilt are very slim. That just doesn't happen with modern machines nowadays.

You really have the Sport looking great, @motoguzzikc! Here is a link to a Tekno thread that shows the internal support plate, as well as my outcome using a professional fabric restoration product: SEM Color Coat Flexible Coating Landau Black Interior Paint . . .

I have no problem with it, in fact I encourage it. OEM is by default, a dime a dozen. If someone wants to be creative, why not? It's built for their own preference. Some people follow stick and ball sports when they could follow MotoGP, I'll never understand it, but to each, his own.

Motorcycle parking is taken seriously in Mandello Ultra Top Secret Guzzi wind tunnel All the festivities take place on the banks of Lake Como. The people of Mandello really open their arms and welcome the Guzzisti with even butcher shops and dress shops displaying Guzzi regalia From my hotel window, I can't help but take a shot of a father leading his daughter to the altar on her wedding day Group shot taken amidst of a constant rumble of Guzzis From Mandello, I make my way back to Parma, taking a day to explore the back roads of the Emilia Romagna Tabiano Castle Bardi Castle

I approach the Swiss border with a bit of trepidation as, the last time I entered Switzerland, the Border Guard treated me as if I was some sort of undesirable. Apparently Swiss Border Guards are immune to Guzzi's charms. This time however, I approach a bored looking Border Guard who languidly waves me through. YES! After Bellinzona, the road begins to get progressively more enjoyable as it climbs towards the St. Gothard's Pass, one of the oldest passes in the Alps. After crossing the pass, I get a room and spend the night in Andermatt. The next morning I continue towards Basel via the bumpy Furka Pass followed by the more enjoyable Grimsel Pass With my friend at work, I have all day to get to Basel so, I stay off the main roads as much as possible. My friend recommends the Panoramastrasse which turns out to be a great little motorcycling route. I manage to find my friend's apartment by once again using my smart phone as a GPS. However, the phone can't make calls in Switzerland so, I'm left outside DD's apartment scratching my head wondering how to contact her when by some miracle, my friend arrives home just a few seconds later looking all continental-like on her commuter bicycle. After unpacking and doing some laundry, I enjoy a rest day in Basel as my friend play excellent host. The excellent weather streak continues as I begin my return journey. Sarner See Lake The top of the Susten Pass Descending... Looking back up towards the Susten Pass in glorious sunshine Lake Lugano After crossing back into Italy, I stop for lunch at a nice lakeside restaurant. I enjoy a fantastic meal topped off with some home made Sambuca. When in Rome and all that. It used to irk me how long it took to eat lunch in Italy when I'd rather be riding but now, I just shrug my shoulders and go with the flow The ferry landing at Menaggio is brimming with Guzzis as Guzzisti from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Mandello for the 95th anniversary of the founding of Moto Guzzi A Nico Bakker framed Guzzi arrives at the ferry landing from the Netherlands The streets of Mandello are brimming with Guzzis. It's as if I have been transported to a Bizarro World where Guzzis outnumber Hondas 10 to 1.

It's interesting to watch the pre-race pageantry as teams prepare their cars on the starting line The pit crews and press then vacate the starting line in preparation for the start. Mercedes takes up the front row with the two Ferraris right behind them. Hamilton blows the start allowing Rosberg to grab the lead which he would hold until the end of the race. After the racing stops, the Tifosi are allowed the time-honored tradition of invading the circuit, led by a crew carrying a giant Ferrari flag Pandemonium erupts! And this is with the Ferrari team finishing in third place. I can only imagine what it's like when Ferrari wins. Absolutely fantastic atmosphere with Tifosi, young and old in full Ferrari regalia. F1 is truly shooting themselves in the foot if they remove the Italian GP from the schedule. The weather so far has been spectacular and with more fine weather in the forecast, an executive decision is made to cross the Alps to pay a visit to a friend in Basel, Switzerland. I head north towards the Swiss border, taking the ferry across Lake Como. Bellagio is a popular destination for day trippers from Milan and you'll never know what you will run into at the ferry landing Stopping for a leisurely lunch at Menaggio on the shores of Lake Como It takes a cold heart to turn one's back to Lake Como's beauty

Jenson Button arrives in, natch, a McLaren The Carabinieri arrive in a...Lotus Evora?? Sacriledge! Alonso tries a different tact and attempts to enter the circuit incognito on a scooter however, his ruse is quickly discovered forcing him to bail and continue into the circuit on foot The F1 city is constructed like Lego blocks three-stories high I don't know who it is but, nice Ferrari. Revving the throttle elicits full-throated cheers from the Tifosi The photographer's scrum at the driver's entrance to the circuit Nice Bimmer The drivers are then paraded around the circuit on a flatbed truck