dbdicker

It's in the latest 'Robb Reports Motorcycling', has a picture of the new Goldammer boardtracker on the cover Give me a fax number off-list and i'll be happy to fax anyone a copy of the article, if you're interested. Dan

It should be mentioned that it's rare to see the Robb report say anything but good things about every bike they ride. Still, it's true -- that report of the Coppa was glowing. It was written by the head editor, too. He seemed to "get it" about the Guzzi, the sound, feelings and idea of riding them. So few of the reviewers of these bikes seem to see the things that owners see. This guy did. Good for him. He's more of a motorcyclist, as most people ride bikes, than the majority of racerep writers penning reviews for the major motorcycle mags, in my opinion. I really enjoyed the review too. Dan

Just head up to the Marcus dairy on the first Sunday the temps are over 50degrees F. Park right in front.........that's where all the Guzzis park. And wait. Instant rally.

no black.. NO BLACK! Don't you read all the warnings on black helmets?

Just today received a letter from MGNA, congratulating me on my 2 year complimentary membership in the roadside assistance program. Effective date: April 4th, 200 and FOUR! Well, isn't that special. I bought the bike on that date, but haven't received my membership card til TODAY. (Coulda used it too, on one very noteworthy occasion) Well, at least i got another year to go. Expiration date: April 4th, 2006. Here's hoping I never need it, but that shows you the level of competency at MGNA. Dan

Carl, It's an unbelievable expression of your resolve, to stick through with this project to the end. (provided that your actually reaching the end! Even with the supposedly 'simple' design of our V-twin, so much has to be accounted for. Now, at the very least, you can be known as the guru of the V11, for certainly you've experienced firsthand every inch of that bike. Remind me never NEVER EVER to get involved with a rebuild project like you've just tackled. Ah forget it. You won't have to remind me. Congratulations. Nice job. Enjoy that ride. Dan

I'm with ya. the first guy that markets a real live good looking and FUNCTIONAL set of mirrors for any of these sportbikes has got my money, no matter what the cost. Looking good is fine, seeing good is better Dan

hmmm, just from a personal POV, I think I'd be much less likely to hit the sofa in the car, all other things being equal. I'd be more apt to give the correct, radical input to the vehicle in the car. On the bike, I'd be scared to yank the bike over for fear of lowside, afraid of what was in the next lane over, etc...... In the car, I'd just instinctively yank on the wheel and take my lumps. That's just me, however. Dan

Hey guys, thanks for all the great input/discussion. Found a '98 R1100RT-P police bike that was retired early with 20K on the clock. I know that these can be reconverted to 2-up machines with ease and I couldn't see myself on a GoldWing boat. I considered the Cali, and saw the advantage of many interchangable parts, but also couldn't really get my head around the idea of having a 2nd Guzzi. I bought the BMW for very small $. Actually looking forward to having an alternative with heated grips and electric windsheild and full fairing on those sub-50 degree days. For long range 2up roaming, I don't think I could have done much better. Characterless? You're surely right. I owned a 95 R1100R, so I'm intimately aware of the downsides of the motor. When the temperature is over 50degrees, I'm alone or if I'm only traveling for a weekend or so, the Scura will be the obvious first choice. When any of those conditions are otherwise, looks like the BMW will get the work. Dan

Ok, don't worry...will never sell my guzzi. BUT......... Need a mount to take me and the missus along to wherever. She's not particularily bike friendly; that means, she needs a bike that feels super safe, smooth and (dare I say it) s-l-o-w. Comfort a big plus (to me as well) and need as reliable as i can get. Not willing to buy new, so I've seem to come down to only one choice: BMW R1100/1150RT I figure with luggage and a top rack, i can get it done for between $5-8K, have great space to pack us up for a few weeks at a time and reassure my wife (and myself) with German reliability. Any of you have thoughts, suggestions, recommendations? Dan

Couldn't have said it better. I'd add a change of underwear, toothbrush, extra pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. You're good to go.

I admit to having tried selfchange and abandoned it midway through the first ripped knuckle. Called the local shop and they balanced and disposed of the old for 50 bucks. No better money spent, I figure. Bless all of you who can and must do everything personally to maintain your bikes. "You're a better man than I, Gunga Din" Dan

Don't remember precisely what I paid, but recall something in the neighborhood of $6-800. I considered it cheap. YMMV Dan

KB, he's at www.propilotracing.com Very prompt about emails and will talk suspension endlessly on the phone, if you can get him. the improvement is miles, all what you would expect, taking out the harshness and noncompliance. When you have it done, you'll wonder what the heck you waited for. Dan

KB, Call over at Pro Pilot and ask Jim what he did with mine. He'll give you all the numbers you need. He has everything on computer file. He did a revalve/respring on my rear shock and revalve/different oil on the forks. Past that, I can't provide you with the exact numbers, but he can. Best of luck, Dan

You look, er....ahem..........awesome.. Like a big lemon lollipop. Seriously, the black pants make it better, but if you're wearing a 2-piece suit, what's to stop you from *forgetting* to put on the bottom half and go in your jeans? The only advantage to the 1-piece roadcrafter, as I understand it, is it FORCES you to put the max protection on your body everytime you start up the bike, no decisions required. I got textile overpants and never use 'em. Hot, bulky and nasty. I bought a pair of the IKON jeans to see if they'd make a better alternative to Blues. They fit me awfully, have stretch panels that seem to be in the wrong places and really looked like crap. Other than that, they were G-R-E-A-T YMMV, of course........no recommendation. Dan

Actually, this strikes me as possible and a real hazard, despite the easy jokes. I feel this pressure on my prostate when riding long distances, I think because of the slight forward cant of the bike and seat. I can imagine that this kind of pressure, kept constant for many hours, day after day, cannot be especially good. Whether it has the dire implications that Fernando suggests requires more investigation. Still, you can't argue the indentations in bicycle seats and I've seen the kind of saddle Fernando talks about. They must be there for some reason. I'm really going to look into this.

I've always admired the Aerostich ( and the roadmaster suits), but honestly couldn't get over how super ugly they looked to me. On trips, I always put leather pants on in the morning with the rest of the gear but admit that on some small around-town jaunts that I stay with jeans. You're right, it's easier to put on a good jacket, gloves, helmet etc for every ride and easily ignore the pants. I guess an Aerostich solves this..........um.......yeah..........but you look like such a DORK. I know, i know.....that's a great rationalization as you're admiring your knee scabs, as Chris is now............ Safe is great, gotta go safe. But do I really need to be sweating, uncomfortable and looking like a rolling, 500 pound neon sign from the red light district?? Phooey. Dan

8 ft-lbs. in my manual for the valve cover bolts..........

make that three.......great stuff.

They're Fugly. one man's opinion.

I'm slow as molasses but use clutchless upshifts frequently. Just feels right on this machine. I've got no bias, not looking to make great time. I actually figure I'm just a lazy s**t, if I don't hafta move my left hand for a while, all the better --- and it DOES feel so natural, the bike moves from one gear to the next absolutely seamlessly, without any lurching, noise or nuttin'. Kewl. Try it, I bet you'll like it. Dan

EEK! That musta made a helluva mess. Lookin' for the 5 gallon drum of S100 under the tree this year? (for you, a bar of soap will have to do).

welcome to the club -- but in support, a dry clutch has yet to fail in North America, and never in a Tenni. Whether this is just the luck of the draw or a cultural schism in the way some Europeans use (abuse?) their bikes I don't know --------- I own a Scura and have read all I can about this issue. But, after having spoken to 2 very, very long term, world famous dealers of Guzzis who I trust about this issue, they've reassured me to not worry about it. (and I've never bought a bike from either of them). Even without relying on their opinions, I am convinced that the bike will show very clear symptoms long before the clutch fails, if it ever does........which I now very highly doubt, considering the way I ride. Read the entire thread carefully and you will glean valuable information, about the nature of the riders involved and the symptoms the bikes exhibited before failure. This doesn't mean I'm not still interested in reading all about this. No clutch should ever fail, not this spectacularily, no matter how it's used. Perhaps more will fail and prove their universal inferiority, although most of these bikes have been on the road for 3 years or more already. Additional examples seem unlikely at this point. Perhaps with continued pressure and research, MGNA will own up to whatever engineering fault has caused these few failures and educate us all. But I'm not losing any more sleep over it. IMHO, neither should you, riding in LA. Dan

they fold so that when you touch them down when cornering, they wont impale themselves in the ground and high side you................