Kane

Hi folks, I am getting ready to revive an old garage to be put back to use as an actual garage / workshop. I would love to hear about and see pics of similar projects and garages. Any thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated! The garage is 18’x11’, detached from our 1928 Spanish style house in Southern California. When we moved in 10 years ago the garage was put to horticultural use, mostly for mushroom production. It’s no longer needed for that, and I am really looking forward to having a dedicated workspace for wrenching and whatever else. It should be enough space to have a decent workbench and the Guzzi inside with room to get around. My tools have been spread out between two sheds and a spare bedroom, and the best workspace space that I’ve had since moving here has been under a carport, not an ideal situation, so this is an exciting project for me. This morning I got the last of the old ag junk out, and I am about to vacuum the walls and scrub the floor. I am leaning toward the idea of painting the walls to cleanup and brighten the space, but am not sure if I would leave it as exposed studs or install some sort of paneling.

Aha sounds like we have a new convert! Lovely scenery and a nice road. Looks like a great day!

Here’s the 1999-2001 parts catalog, courtesy of AF1racing.com. The OEM number here is the plain crush washer. The old one previously installed on my bike has the rubber seal, and I had heard that seal washers are sort of a Guzzi thing. I don’t recall what my old 850T had.

Well I found this: https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=52 That must have been what was there before, rather than the current OEM as mentioned. I guess either will work, but the rubberized one at MG Cycle is less expensive if nothing else.

I think a 180 / 55 rear tyre was stock. I have a 170 / 60 on mine and it works well. I have read that some people enjoy a 160 instead of a 170 for improved handling. I might try a 160 next tyre change.

Changing my oil today, I noticed that the new OEM crush washer for the 17mm drain plug, P/N GU10528900, does not have the nifty little rubber gasket in the center of the washer like the one coming off of the bike. I guess Piaggio is saving money by omitting the rubber center (while charging $5.25 for the washer ). That rubber center gasket is such a good idea! Hmmmmm. What’s up with that?!? I gave it a few good tugs with a 6” socket wrench to seal it. Hopefully it will be as leak-free is the cool rubberized old style. old style is on the left, new style is on the right:

Awesome. Thank you for your detailed explanation and images. I did not understand this scavenging system. I hope the interior of my spine is free of rust, insect carcasses, and the like! I suppose the oil drizzling through there helps keep it clean. Triumph used the large down tube frame member as an oil tank on bikes in the 1970’s, so I guess the appropriation of frames as oil vessels is not uncommon.

Damn you’re good. Thanks, docc! What are those oil lines for, exactly? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestigiality

Looking at the back of my oil sump pan, there is a large plug screw to the right of the drain plug. The parts catalog shows only the drain plug and the oil line, but not this extra plug. What is this plug for?

That is say that you have gotten 6+ years from it?

Hey docc! Happy New Year, Brother! Is not Yuasa considered the solid standard brand for motorcycle batteries? That’s my impression, hence my enquiry on a Yuasa to replace the BikeMaster that was in the bike (and vanished, without a trace, while leaving behind an empty husk of itself behind!) Is there a good source for the Hawker Odyssey? On Amazon Hawker Odyssey batteries come up, but models other then the PC545, and they are pricey. I don’t know if I would buy a battery from Amazon as I only own a battery tender and don’t want to have buy a proper charger right now to deal with charging/prepping it. I’d prefer to get it from a local dealer, ready to go, and I think the Yuasa brand is pretty common.

Went to start her up yesterday after a week of not riding, and the “BikeMaster” battery is completely gone. Measures 1.3v on my multimeter. It was working fine before I put her away, so it seems kind of weird, but I have no idea how old this battery is. I’m looking to replace it with a Yuasa. Their site shows a YTX15L. The battery mounts laying on its side, so I’m not sure if I need the YTX15L or the YTX15L-BS. I had always thought that “BS” means “battery sealed”, so as not to leak if mounted on its side, but I read that for Yuasa batteries it means “bottle supplied”, i.e., a battery that comes with bottles of acid solution to prep the battery. If that’s the case, then it will probably not work well being on its side. So, does anyone know for sure what the “BS” means for a Yuasa brand battery? In addition to the battery going south, I checked my fuses and the 30A battery fuse has the dreaded melted plastic. I am not sure how long it’s been like that, and I guess I should check my regulator, etc. I am a bit of an electro-phobe, so I’m hoping that a new battery and fresh fuses will get me by until I can sort the electrical system out. Thank you!

An excellent way to begin the new year! Congrats, and welcome aboard!

That’s interesting. From first glance, the top frame tubes on those different bikes had me wondering if there is yet another Guzzi frame family, e.g., the loop frame, Tonti frame, Spine frame.

I saw a Stelvio recently, and I noticed the same wrap around upper frame tubes as with the Griso. At least to my limited experience they looked similar. Do these bikes share the same frame? And what do we call this frame? I’d be interested in hearing about this type of frame, its design and merits. I used to think the Griso was an ugly bike, but I’ve grown to like the look (have not had the pleasure of riding one). The motor is intriguing, as is the frame.

That looks like a great and delicious start to a new year! The snow scene is lovely. Very atmospheric. Do you put the bike away for the season or are you able get some rides in?

......and a Happy New Year!

Cool! Is this a domestic only product or will they be shipped to us across the pond? Green and cream.....an Italian delicacy!

Very nice! The fairing reminds me of a Bimota. Did you make that?

What a badass! Your jacket really goes great with you silver V11. Very cool!

Mark Etheridge of Moto Guzzi classics has done a few California to 1000S style conversions. They may not be round fin motors, but I think these are Tonti frames? Maybe that’s too new of a base for what you have in mind, but it may be a viable way to go that will yield a solid bike.

Maybe get all your protective gear first. I’ve dodged a few coffee cups in my day. A full face helmet would have come in handy.

Looks like Big Sky Country! And a road-ready Griso.