po18guy

So many compromises were made. Aprilia did well with their improvements, but the bike strikes me as the motorcycle version of a "resto-mod" vintage V8 car, by upgrading to modern suspension, tires, brakes and electronics. The final version works quite well, but the design, for all of its lovability, was shall we say, very mature. It is difficult to explain, but I think that Aprilia's thinking (technologically) was looking down on Guzzi hoping to raise it while Piaggio's is looking from below and not exactly certain of what to do. Suffice it to say there will never be another V11.

Sadly, the increasingly popular centerstand license frame is incongruous.

Well, at 120-130K one-handed, it is rather peaceful. Downside: Every kid in a slammed Civic or Jetta wants to race.

Nice! Almost exactly the mileage on my '04 when I bought it. As to desireability, a "homeless" young woman holding a cardboard sign at the freeway off-ramp stopped begging for a moment and said "Nice bike." I'll grant you that I have the red version.

Oh yeah. Wrestled with that bit on my '04. It is a combo rim attachment/anti-crush device that is apparently installed at the factory with the light pointing vertically.

If I can buy fresh Mikuni VM24 carb tops for my 1966 Yamaha, then someone will certainly step up in the case of Guzzi. And, higher grade materials would likely be used, if one is going to all that trouble.

Sparkly is my once per year favorite. Have a bottle of Dom Pérignon standing by.

Any discernible difference in offset? It's meant to clamp 54mm tubes. Are the early V11 fork tubes that size?

Guzzis are quite idiosyncratic. It's just that they idioSYNCH perfectly with a select few humanoids.

This video is a hoot to watch. Hilarious Aussie take (oh, I'll hear about that...) on Italian engineering and craftsmanship. Was laughing out loud. Even though Jay confused the bevel drive with the Desmo system.

Friends don't let friends have Guzzi-less dreams. Guzzi-loss?

Get a better friend.

Nope. I'm in a monoGuzzimous relationship.

And how is it supposed to buzz the tower?

...

Two reason for hope: 1. I'll probably be dead by then and 2. The world may end. Does it occur to no one at Airbus that man may create that which is possibly equal to himself (but not self-repairing!) but certainly not greater? Sounds rather arrogant. I am reminded of ED209 in Robocop: I'm sure it's only a glitch"

Autopilot is a doubled-edged sword. It helps alleviate pilot fatigue, but it in some way relegates the pilot to "aircraft attendant." When it comes time to do some emergency seat of the pants flying, we see some spectacular and tragic results. Similar things happen in cars and trucks, but planes make the news.

Has it changed since the Air France flight that stalled into the Atlantic?

Rarest SBF heads(?) the "ill-fated" '68 tunnel port 302 - just before the Boss 302 hit the scene. Mighta worked for Trans-Am, but bad for the street. Lots more known about the SBF than a few years ago. What I do remember is to get a billet oil pump drive shaft. I have seen the OEM hex shafts spun like a barber pole.

At least it wasn't on an Airbus where each pilot hides his controls from the other.

I thought you flew a Stearman over and back??? They're really fun over the Rockies.

OK, cross-plane V8 raised here. Pretty decent audio of a deTomaso Pantera having some fun and excitement at Monza.

Nah. None of those features do much for me. But dude... IT'S GOT A HEMI!!!

Cast manifolds probably work without cracking because in-line 6s and V12 engine have 'perfect' balance. And Matra probably owned a foundry.

Could it be the angle of the clipons? I know that some wrists and hands are not compatible with certain angles of drop and sweep. Woodcraft clipons for fixed position Kawasakis, for instance, have a sweep adjustment. A test: Go for a low RPM ride and see if it is vibes or wrist angle.