Guzzirider

Change your mind- do not sell it- who needs a dealer anyway? Guy

Go to a Guzzi rally, talk to the owners and look at the mileages- you may see some huge miles. Yes, like any vehicle they are not infallible but if you are the sort to want 100% reliabilty buy a Honda. Although, unlike many Hondas, Guzzis are easy to fix and mine has never left me stranded. I have nothing against BMWs- I quite like the new R1200S but BMWs are not perfect either. In fact, I don't like perfection, I prefer soul. Guy

Sorry to hear of your problems. May be worth giving the local trading standards office a call- their role is to enforce consumer legislation: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Environmental Health & Consumer Protection Division Municipal Buildings Cherryfield Drive Kirkby Knowsley Merseyside L32 1TX t: 0151 443 4711 f: 0151 289 7488 I am not sure what US credit card providers do but over here I believe you can get your card company to recover the money if the goods do not turn up- that may be another option. Guy

Actually it was handy to have a neon lighted Griso parked near the gate to the walled garden because somebody who shall remain nameless, stole the lighted torch that marked the exit so people leaving the beer tent were in pitch black when they drunkenly emerged.

Yeah I have nothing at all against tweaking Guzzis- I can't leave mine alone- I just want it to be the best it can be within reason. Lets face it, how many standard V11s are out there? Not a lot looking at what many forum members post on their pofile. Saying that, if somebody is happy with his standard bike then fair enough- no point in changing it. I am fortunate enough to have a Jap sportsbike in the garage if I want real speed, but I love my V11 more than anything and will never sell it- the first time I have ever felt that way about a bike. Guy

Just checked the prices. Piston kit bought from the USA $298.95 (£162.30) Bought in Italy 390.00 Euros (£267.51) Oversize valves bought in US $69 each (£37.47) Bought in Italy 60 Euros (£41.14) Pistons much cheaper in USA but valves slightly cheaper in Italy. Guy

Its a shame that you are still not happy with the handling of your V11. I know mine is not perfect, but its as good as its going to get and I love riding it on curvy roads. Its never going to be an R6 but its good enough for my riding needs. I did a lot of wet, twisty and muddy single track roads covered in loose stones in Scotland last weekend and I would not have wanted to be on anything else. I prefer stability to superfast turn in. I have ridden with a guy on a Boxer Cup replica and it looked like it handled nicely- but I wonder if it is much better than a V11? Only a test ride will tell I guess. Guy

Out of interest, how much torque did the bike make? Guy

The FBFs are apparently a little lighter than stock- about 0.2lbs less each. Antonio- if you want the FBF bits I just noticed that they have an Italian website now which may be easier than ordering from the USA- I may order the valves from there. Fast By Ferracci Guy

Will probably be a lot cheaper to sort out your V11 suspension than splash out on a BMW.

I am very pleased with the Diablo Corsas- they are miles better than the BT020s I used to have. The profile is more rounded which I think helps the steering and turn in. Guy

So far just the pistons- I will get my brother in law who lives in Pennsylvania to buy me the valves and give them to me next time I see him. I will get them fitted and the head work done over the winter. I have too many plans for the bike this summer to take it off the road for a few weeks. The existing map is not actually too bad but the power curve is not as smooth as it was previously, which I expected. I am therefore getting a new custom map- the bike is booked on the dyno on 22nd May so I can get it tweaked and see how much diiference the pistons make in terms of bhp and torque- I am not expecting big numbers but my arse dyno tells me there is more poke now. Mal fitted his FBFs a few weeks earlier and he has also noticed the same improvements. In terms of the difference the pistons have made, the motor seems to pick up faster in the mid range and there is a noticeable increase in forward motion. If you are at Boxmeer Antonio, you can come out for a ride with me and see what the difference is. Guy

If you whip your fuel tank off you will find the VIN on the frame including year of manufacture. Guy

Ran the FBFs in this weekend. I was half expecting to be underwhelmed but initial impressions are good. Motor definitely spins up faster and I can feel some extra urge. No pinking running it on super unleaded. Next stage dyno and new PC map. Guy

You know me too well

I just got home from Scotland- an excellent bash in lovely surroundings! Nice to meet you Macguzzi- hope you got home ok. A group of us ad a nice ride to St Abbs head on Saturday but we just chilled out yesterday. As usual with the Scottish rally, I got sunburnt, soaked and frostbite all in the same weekend, Plenty of V11s there, plus a sprinkling of Daytonas and 1100 Sports in addition to the usual Tontis and a few Brevas. Need to give my liver some respite now- that Bear Ale went down too well. Guy

I am going up solo- Helen may join me later- she has to work until lunchtime on the Friday so she may set off after me if she can finish in time. Guy Edit- Helen is hoping to finish work early so we can leave together at 10.30am. Happy to meet you on the way David. I guess traffic permitting, we will be over the Erskine Bridge about 2.30ish.

More sea..

Angelsey must be one of the most scenic circuits in the world- like a mini Philip Island but with mountains too.

I had to make something up for MCN- quoting an occupation of international arms dealer and drugs baron may have attracted unwanted attention.

Is it me or does Erin have an Adam's Apple?

Mr BFG I think you should be able to get a room if you book now- I had no problem last weekend and I did not get the impression they were getting full. Guy

Innerleithen weather forecast Nice forecast for Fri and Sat but getting moist on Sunday. Only 2 degrees Friday night- packed my fleece sleeping bag liner. In fact I have packed everything already- I am like a kid 2 days before Xmas! The ales from the Traquair brewery look lethal I think I will stick with the weaker Bear Ale.

I replaced the standard headlight bulb with a 100/80w. Some doom and gloom merchants mentioned at the time that it will drain too much power out of the charging system but that has not happened. Transforms the lighting at night. Guy

That's right- its all about keeping Ducati in WSB when they replace the 999 with the new 1200 which is supposed to be unveiled in June.