Guzzirider

Yes Dimitris it is the Rosso Corsa I am thinking of selling. Thanks for your thoughts guys- still not sure what to do- no rush I guess! With regards to turning it into a track bike, I was thinking of doing nothing more than stripping lights, indicators, number plate hanger etc. Have a great Xmas yourself Keith!

Are we safe to go ahead and book ferries in the New Year BFG? Cheers Guy

Actually Pete you may have a good idea there- I often hanker riding a bike when I visit my Dad in France- I could keep it in his garage for when we fly over.

..about selling my V11. Trouble is I am not riding her very often- she just gets the odd track day and trip out. My Stelvio has taken over touring duties and after riding her round Europe this summer, I would never go back to the V11. Now that my cafe racer is getting closer to completion it will only get worse, so do I: 1/ Put the fairing back on, put her back to standard spec, clean and polish her up and sell her? 2/ Just keep her for the occasional trip, and use her for spares to keep Helen's bike on the road whenever anything breaks? 3/ Strip all the road gear off and make her into a (slow) dedicated trackday bike? What do you reckon? Guy

Bad news although it sounds like it could have been worse! Get well soon Orson!

No only really weird people buy a Griso!

Nice one Jaap! Will Helen be the only person on a V11 in Ulster next May? Guy

A very talented guy! I have seen Sammy Miller in action at the Talmag Trophy about 12 years ago- just awesome on his Ariel, effortless where others were struggling. He must have been in his sixties then His museum in New Milton is also worth a visit- normally has some Italian exotica in there.

John is ready to build my tank and cycle parts! Going up there tomorrow with my rolling chassis in a van!

Nice bike though- swift too!

Thanks Dave! For some reason a lot of Rosso Corsas ended up in Yorkshire!

Still looks cleaner than new- I always wash her after a run out on salty roads. Finish on new Guzzis seems much improved- only exception was plastic belly pan- have had a new one on warranty after paint wore off original.

Nice one Droyd- she looks very shiny!

Had a nice ride to Dent in Cumbria yesterday and met up with the lads and lasses from Huddersfield MAG. Was really icy on the descent from Barbon down into Dent, and it must have got to about minus 10 degrees C last night, but I knew it would be a bit chilly so packed my cold weather gear. Whenever my head knocked the ceiling of the tent, I got covered in ice because it was frozen even inside. Was very icy this morning too- had a very careful ride home via Ribblehead and the A65. Stelvio was ace in these conditions- there is a lot of feel from the tyres and brakes which makes it less stressful on icy wet roads.

Well it will be 2 degrees c tomorrow but that wont stop me going out on my bike and having fun!

Hope our American friends all enjoyed their turkey dinner- I know my relatives in Pennsylvania were stuffing their faces!

You can download a manual here

Thanks Dimitris! I will be taking her on a camping trip this weekend- wont be as sunny as these pictures looking at the forecast!

Will do John!

I just don't think the modern Guzzi chassi with single sided swinging arm, CARC and monoshock lends itself to a cafe racer styled bike. It is just wrong. If Guzzi wanted to make a cafe racer (don't think they do) they would be better off using a Tonti frame. I bought a 1000S when they came out and regret selling it. A more modern version, with 1200cc motor, quality suspension, wire wheels and decent brakes while keeping classic styling would look much better IMHO. Not sure if there is a real demand from buyers though- probably just hardened Guzzisti. Found this on Google images as I have no digital images of my old steed- if you have red blood in your veins you'll want to swing a leg over her and take her for a back road thrashing.

If someone is happy to lend me a rally prepped Subaru I'd be more than happy to take part in that as well!

Classic Bike magazine built their own Wes Cooley replica recently- it was serialised in a couple of issues I think- may be worth getting hold of them.

Sure Antonio! We will be travelling to Ireland probably on the Thursday or Friday- maybe the Holyhead to Dublin crossing, then riding up to Ulster. Alternative is riding to Stranraer and taking the crossing to Belfast and riding down. Will decide in the New Year- you are of course welcome to stop over at our place.

Just one quick thought- do you run your bike on the highest octane fuel that is available? Even a standard V11 will ping (we say pink!) if it is run on cheapo fuel.