Guzzirider

TWO magazine gave a reasonably favourable test of the Breva 1100 this month. They dynoed it too- peak power was not too bad at 76.6bhp but torque was a lowly 55.6 ft lbs which is about 10 ft lbs down on your average V11. The curves were all over the place too- looking more like a set of hairpin bends than a smooth line. Probably not worth getting too excited about one dyno test but it seems as though Guzzi engines are going backwards in progress- probably down to the struggle to meet tougher emissions laws. Sounds like the Breva and the Griso could do with some breathing mods to smooth things out properly. Guy

Yes I believe so. If you are in Lancs please feel welcome to come along to the local Pennine Branch of the MGCGB meeting at the Brown Cow in Chatburn on 13th Feb. www.penninebranch.co.uk Regards Guy

Sorry to hear of your loss Michael- I hope the thieving bastards are caught and hung by their balls. Guy

I've done about 12500 miles on my Ohlins forks without new seals- I think they are different spec to the Scura forks. Mine need an oil change now. Guy

Feckin cold here http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?id=2099

I have ridden several V11s with 40mm Marzocchis, one with 43mm Marzocchis and my own Ohlins shod Rosso Corsa. The Ohlins sprung bike is the best for sure- it is worth having for the road even if you do not do trackdays because you get that solid floaty feeling over bumps when your riding companions are wobbling and shaking. Saying that I am sure you will be happy with a 43mm Marzocchis for the road- they have better adjustibilty over the 40mm but if you don't thrash it you may be satisfied with the 40mms. You pays yer money and takes yer choice. Take some test rides and make up your own mind. Guy

I owned an Elise for 5 years- sold it last August. The guys that designed it were both Ducati fans and wanted it to be the closest thing to a bike on 4 wheels. Probabaly the most fun you can have on 4 wheels other than a Caterham 7. I had the priviledge of spending a day thrashing around the Lotus test track at Hethel- there is a nice right hander which I managed to take at 80 mph- I felt quite smug until they told me that Senna took it at 160mph in his Lotus F1 car! Don't like the new style Elises they have designed to sell in the States- they are much heavier with electric windows, airbags, servo assisted brakes and aircon which is completely missing the point- Colin Chapman would turn in his grave if he knew. Guy

Thanks for all your kind replies!

France is a nice country actually- they probably get a bad press in the USA for not towing the line but I have been many times and always found the people (outside of Paris) to be friendly, plus the roads are ace and the scenery often beautiful. If you are ever there, visit the cemeteries in Verdun. There is one field there with 80,000 dead Frenchman who died fighting the Germans, so the humour about them being cowards is not true- they just are not afraid to say no. Guy

Cliffy I see the intelligent wit of Oscar Wild is still alive and well Please read the forum guidelines before making any more posts- you will notice a section on politeness and personal attacks. Guy

I had a pretty crap 2005- I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January and had 6 weeks of radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy, then major surgery to my abdomen, followed by 6 months more chemo after lab results showed it had spread to my lymphatic system. The real bummer was that it mucked up my riding season and I only managed Scottish Rally and Boxmeer (rode up to Scotland with a burnt arse after a radio session!). But today I have had my scan results, and I am all clear- so it means I can get out on my bike this year and do some serious riding rather than spend half my life in hospital! Apologies for the self-indulgence but I am over the moon and can't keep my gob shut! Roll on 2006. Guy

Sorry to hear of your spill Alex. I always carry spare pattern brake and clutch levers- I bought them from Agostinis for about a third of the price of genuine Brembo levers. Guy

Cover the exposed parts in some Scottoiler anti- corrosive spray before you depart. I use this on my V11 and it keeps it looking good even after regular winter salt baths. If you need to stop for a cuppa on the way back you are welcome to stop off here in 'Uddersfield. Guy

The Saxons were Germanic tribes- I believe some share similar DNA to Vikings but on the whole they were a seperate race. I think some of the earliest Saxon visitors came from Fresia in the Netherlands and it was them who started the English language. Guy

Actually the Normans were descended from Vikings who settled in France. We are a mixed bunch in Britain made up from Celts, Saxons, Normans and Vikings (mainly from Denmark but some from Norway). Forgot to mention West Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshi, Indians plus now in Huddersfield there is a growing Eastern European community. There was an interesting nationwide DNA study a couple of years back- basically most people in England and Scotland have Saxon DNA (even if the Scots may regard themselves as Celts), Ireland, Wales and Cornwall Celtic DNA, and on the Scottish Islands, Isle Of Man and Northern England many with Viking DNA. Don't think the Romans left many behind- they ran away fast when the Saxons came!! Guy

Y'all torquing gibberish!

Sunny today with dryish roads but only 2 degrees c. I went out for a ride with Helen- I was on my HD and she was on her V11, and we rode to a pub near Ogden water to check out a possible camp site for the Pennine Guzzisti. Was H's first ride since breaking her leg but she coped fine, although she was a bit sore after. Here is a pic of the HD just for all you Harley haters!

That email address works but unfortunately Amadeo is not doing any work on Guzzis anymore- he is snowed under by his work on Ford kit car engines. Guy

Maybe it would be easier to mention the model of Brembo caliper rather than Moto Guzzi when searching, because many other bigger manufacturers use Brembo including Ducati. Sorry I can't think of any non-sintered pads- I just use the EBC or Ferodo sintered on both V11s, and never have any moaning or groaning but they wear out bloody quick. Guy

I have used Punctureseal (similar to Ultraseal I believe) before. It was put into my tyres before my lap of Ireland because I did not want to get a puncture in the middle of nowhere. The salesman told me that I would not notice any change at all in the way the bike felt, but he was wrong because I felt it spinning in the front all the time which was offputting. To be fair I had no punctures but when I got new tyres I did not bother to get it reinstalled. Instead I now carry an aerosol spray of goo from Halfords in my panniers, and I had to use once it after getting a big hole in the rear and it worked allowing me to ride home. Guy P.S, Martin when you next get new tyres, don't forget to mention to the tyrefitter that you have ultraseal in the old ones or he will get covered in green goo!

I am up for any dates except the May ones- clash with the Scottish rally. Guy

Ahh I see- you must be a big fan of the smurfs!

Had to post this pic of Cyril Despres going airborne!

The badgers actually seem to enjoy it- I prefer a large spoon to a tea spoon because they bite if you forget the KY kelly. Cheers for the pic Martin- now added to my signature. Guy

Is that the same as wetting the lettuce????