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I find it an absolute honor that you would give so much consideration to coming, @Admin Jaap! Perhaps for the Twenty-first . . . SSR XXI . . . Truly best regards, Jaap, from all of us. And thank you, again, for this delightful and important playground you have created for us!

Unless, of course, someone comes along and points out that the BMW K75 and K100 "flying brick" engines had the clutch and flywheel assembly spinning in the opposite direction of the crankshaft. If someone were to mention that, then this thread might stray further off course.

What Docc said.😌

All we ever leave behind, no matter how revered or unknown we are, is the example of the life we have lead and the good that instills in others that follow..

It was more the packing than the shipping docc. A minor concern was what engine size and configuration the Daytona heads and crank were for. Would have been nice to own some genuine Guzzi royalty history though. You can never be accused of" having no vices" thats for sure. I often look at my tools and reflect on how I've owned and used them since I was 16 and how they have followed me all through my life and career. Same with my grandfathers inherited tools. My kids will probably just take it to the scrap merchant when I'm gone. They have no interest in tools and such Phil

I have just brought home a pair of vises from Dr. John Wittner's estate. R.I.P., our good man. Your legacy is in good hands here. Now, I am trying to figure out what I have, here. And the matter of vises, overall. The larger one (28 pounds!) is called a "utility vise" and has a substantial anvil section and "exposed screw." A Columbian C44, Cleveland, Ohio, that looks like it lived on the back bumper of the Wittner race van. (I wish!) The Craftsman is a more typical "workshop" vise with 3 5/8" jaws and "just" 16 pounds. Yes, the "shipping and handling" of the pieces (49 pounds) from Pennsylvania here to Tennessee was *substantial* !!

Anything in cast iron on the rotor ? And make sure you service that brake caliper . It is not difficult and you will be satisfied with the job.

My advice to Motogp. No aero, no ride height devices, tyre pressures checked "in the legal range" at the start of the race and after that whatever it is it is. That will do for starters to stop it turning into Formular 1 for a while. Phil

Thread drift, an indication of how boring the original topic is getting. Ciao

So, barely had time to ride this summer, what with mountaineering in Iceland and scuba diving in Mexico, among other things. So, I was itching to ride and topped the Tenni's tires off and ready to go, but apparently the battery was not topped off and ready to go. So, I decided to take Bubbles-the-parts-bike out. I had limited time and was on a mission: Army Corps of Engineers site to pick up a National Parks annual pass and Mamie's in Martinsburg (about an hour away) for a Reuben. I wasn't keen on taking Bubbles, because she was down for maintenance. But I really wanted to ride a V11, and I didn't want to wait for the Tenni's battery to take a charge. Tangent: Bubbles was in line for two maintenance items: 1) a new exhaust cross over hanger bracket and 2) a rear brake job. As for item (1), I was too cheap to just buy a new $16 bracket because the cost of shipping was equal to the cost of the part. So, instead I bought a $7 bar of stainless steel and fabricated one myself. I was using a torch with canisters of MAPP gas and oxygen to heat the bar so I could make the two 90-degree bends, working on the second bend when the oxygen ran out. Stupidly, instead of stopping and getting a new canister of oxygen (another damn $10), I tried to bend to bar before it was ready and ended up with a big radius, not a tight 90-degree bend. So, I then had to fire up the gas forge and knock the thing into better shape on the anvil (something I had never done before and learned that it actually takes some skill). After finally getting the bar turned into a bracket (and installed), I had used up my allotted maintenance time, so I didn't get to the brakes. Well, I knew that the brakes needed maintenance, but I figured one more ride wouldn't catch me out. It did. So, I have learned a couple things: first, don't be such a cheap-ass; 2) do preventative maintenance before costly repairs; 3) break pads work better when they actually have friction material on them. Unfortunately, I didn't appreciate these lessons until I came to a stop rather more quickly than I intended, 40 minutes from home. Long story short, I need a new disc and pads for Bubbles. Figure I'll put the new disc on the Tenni and move its serviceable disc to Bubbles; new brake pads around. Not so easy to find a rear disc. It seems they are on back order everywhere. In addition to GU03635700, I looked for EBC MD692 and MD692C (the latter is the contour version). I've had good luck with EBC products. Unfortunately, they aren't so easy to find in stock either. I did find one MD692, but would prefer the MD692C. Does anybody know a good place to pick one up without having to wait for an uncertain many weeks? And, preferably not have to pay $40 or $50 for delivery? Anyway, I've missed following the forum this summer. And I'm envious of all yinz that will be at the Spine Raid. Cheers, Frey

This happens , it will get back on course .

I think the MotoGP thread as derailed...

He was crafty !

well now I'm on Smokey rant. The only reason I thought it would of interest here is because Guzzi riders appreciate the torque tilt when we goose the engine. Smokey raced an Offy at Indy with "reverse torque" to improve handling on the oval. Most modern passenger car engines rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the flywheel. (There’s no critical reason; it’s mainly a convention.) If we could reverse the engine’s torque and thus the torque reaction on the chassis as well, then theoretically we can improve load distribution for the left-hand only turns of American oval tracks. And that was Smokey’s plan with his entry in the 1959 Indianapolis 500. The Reverse Torque Special was a Kurtis-Kraft 500H featuring a special trick. Its Offy engine and drivetrain were modified to rotate in the opposite direction. https://www.macsmotorcitygarage.com/another-look-at-smokey-yunicks-reverse-torque-special/ also note, this is a laydown, the engine deeply canted to put weight distribution to the inside and lower CG rant over, sorry GP-er's

Smokey Yunick. Legend has it that NASCAR said he was running with an illegal fuel tank, couldn't prove it but disqualified him anyway. NASCAR techs removed the tank during the inspection. After being disqualified, the gas tank still laying on the pavement, Smokey started the car and drove back to the pits. This was just one of many stores. Before there were templates to measure stock cars, Smokey built a 7/8 scale car that fooled the eye. He also built a gondola Indycar and put a wing on an Indy Roadster long before outlaw sprint cars. https://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/01/24/the-infamous-and-incredible-1967-smokey-yunick-chevrolet-chevelle.html I'd say the difference is that Mladdin's team broke existing rules. In Smokey's case they had to invent new rules.

I had a little chuckle when the shipper contacted me and said, "These suckers weigh fifty pounds !" It occurred to me that maybe I should have tried harder bidding on the lot of racing number plates, instead. It has been fun learning more about vices. I get the impression a "utility" vise is the kind of thing I see bolted to the bumper of a one ton truck. The condition of this one would be consistent with that sort of duty; "Weathered and well used." I don't suppose I can dishonor Dr. John by cleaning it and lubricating the mechanism. Not sure a repaint is in order, yet probably less than 10% of the original paint is intact. While waiting the three weeks to get eyes on them, I dreamed up a plan to laser engrave the front mandible with some proper homage . . .

I decided to just suck that up. Plus the "buyer's premium" and taxes. I've never done anything like this before. I went out on a limb because of the One-time Dr.John thing. Pretty interesting, now, to learn about "vises" and what I have have bolted to my benches . . .

Now back to our regularly scheduled program: SSR XX I will reach out to the new innkeeper at The Lodge at Tellico in a couple days (five weeks out) to ask about room availability. As always, thank you to those who are watching current, local road issues. Team SSR ! Get There. Bring Tools.

Who was the old Nascar tuner that used to run the legal maximum fuel tank capacity but then ran 2 inch fuel pipe to the engine. There was no actual rule for fuel pipe diameter. Was he a cheater that should have been banned for life or a smart tuner/builder following the letter of the rules not the intent? Not always a simple as it seems.

This may sound unfair . Anyone involved in the assembly of the powerplant , fuel system , whatever system that is not a legal component , the staff is banned for life . I think that might promote a NEW level of honesty . You don't mess with the factory , the rider or anyone else. Just replaceable employees. I don't think people are going to put their careers on the line for others .

I'm not gonna argue with you .

Slight issue with that when they don't make them OEM anymore. Then you source them from a "parts store" who source them from China and triple the price for the same item you cab buy direct. The V11 Sport is an obsolete motorcycle and all new OEM parts are pretty much gone. Phil

We could go live with this! SSR XX is just not that far from Marietta, Georgia, @emry ! Y'all come, now! Ya hear?

My experience with automotive sensors is to go OEM and stay away from franchise store sensors. You can get messed up fast. "But it can't be that , I just put a new one in there" !

Well , he's officially been flushed out !

Where the hell have you been over the years, on the moon Phil

I didn't know this was an actual debate... WOW.

Gear cam drive is good, but aluminum gears for that are not a good idea for a street motor, as said. It just isn't what aluminum is good for. Strange that Guzzi went with some of the gears in aluminum for the high cam motor. But they do screw up occasionally. That said, while I would convert a chain drive cam set up to gears, I would only do so if the gears in question were steel or another suitable material.

A "cut&paste" from 2022, with the dates changed to protect the innocent. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Let's get some housekeeping out of the way so we can have some fun . . . Weekend after US Labor Day (Sept. 6-8, 2024) Tellico Plains ,TN, USA > Get There. Bring Tools. < While many SpineRiders stay at The Lodge at Tellico, there are other places to stay or camp. It is far better to perform TechSessions in the garage at The Lodge rather than a pull-off on the Cherohala or some remote motorcycle shop down in Georgia. Prep well. "Bring Tools" . . . There is the whole "non-event", and "this ain't the rally you thought you were getting a T-shirt for" thing . . . "It's just an idea" To wit: This is not a rally, event, or function of V11LeMans.com. It is an idea about riding, or meeting interested people. It is an idea only. There is no plan, no registration, no stickers, T-shirts, merchandise, door prizes, meals, poker runs, routes, organization, or support. Just discussion and sharing. There is no affiliation or responsibility, expressed or implied, with or by V11Lemans.com, its owner(s), Administrators, moderators, members, pets, pocket mice, or any other entity. If being at The US Appalachian Divide in September feels like a good idea to you, look forward to sharing ideas. The idea of ideas has been around for a while. I do love George Bernard Shaw's take: "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."

Although.....the hand crank starter protruding through the "radiator" is certainly based on experience.

I am not sure I follow the jist of this. The move Marc pulled was uncalled for in a demonstration race, but completely expected from Marc. He would wreck his mother. I would agree that Marc is a hard and determined racer who has already experienced a lot of success due to that. But he has always been the number 1 guy at the team, and never was one to share that status. That may lead to some issues at a team where he is not the number 1 guy, and the other guy on the Italian team is an Italian guy who is the current world champion. I don't think anyone doubts Marcs ability, but many of us see a potential for the team to implode the way Yamaha did with VR and JLo. That may open the door for another team to beat them. Also, that may lead to a high repair bill as they will likely go through more parts then they are used to and it may even lead to injuries that could end their championship hopes. But Ducati made their bed. I will happily watch it pan out. It seems like many people see what is coming, but Ducati seem oblivious. Not sure if it is by choice or they really don't see what could go wrong. Oh, I once spectated at a race next to Mladdin. We were both there racing, and we were both watching other classes run. I was stunned at what a @#&#036;&#036;#&#33; he was, literally laughing at the racers on track in the HD 883 class. I know many people have good things to say about him, but I don't. My other take-away about Mladdin was that many said he called it like it was. But my experience was he called it like he thought it was. That and he was a cheater.

Yeah, I don't want to be "that guy" (again). New tires are on deck.

This is how it looks now. A bit too 'Italian' for my taste. It's for sale btw: https://iconicmotorbikeauctions.com/auction/2002-ghezzi-brian-sport-monza/

I've owned all three and I'd say both the Mistral and the Stucchi are both well built but the Mistral fits the best while the Stucchi needs tweaking. Unfortunately the FBF crossovers tend to crack after a while. I even added bracing to mine when it was new and it still cracked after about 20k miles. I found that all of the aftermarket crossovers were louder than the stock unit. Years ago someone posted cutaway pics of the Mistral, Stucchi, and FBF crossovers, and the Mistral had a relatively small (1 inch diameter?) crossover opening between the two pipes compared to much larger openings in the Stucchi and FBF. There were pics of a cut open stock crossover too and it is really just a baffle box. I think that the Mistral is the loudest of the bunch because the small crossover opening means most of each exhaust pulse will stay in one pipe & muffler instead of splitting more between both mufflers. Stucchi and FBF allow both mufflers to share more of each pulse with their larger crossover openings so they are a little more mellow. I suppose that's why the Stucchi/FBF are a little stronger at high rpms, the exhaust has less restriction beyond the crossover.

Just checked my finances. Sadly not doable anymore In spite of all your incentives, I just can't justify spending the money and taking the time off from work and local politics.