stormsedge

I like my Rosso...despite it's occassional kinkiness. Tell you buddy to buy it if he likes it...motorcycles are about how they make you feel anyway. My is numbered, but the previous owner made off with the certificate...not sure why, as it doesn't go with his purple fat boy and spitoon helmet with mickey mouse painted on it...wierd. Once you smash bugs all over it, no one will notice the crackle paint on the engine and Guzzi will take care of the gearbox. I changed mine to Michelin Roads for a little more tire mileage as I am less inclined to exercise the bike to the point of needing the real hot rod tires. Oh, and it's fast...and it almost always stops people in their tracks until you start up and ride away. k

For those of you who manage to purchase the RP sliders. I had to tighten the bolts that hold the slider mushrooms on after the bike set out for the first cold night (below 40F). Apparently the teflon contracts quite a bit in the cold. Just a tip so you don't shake one off. Keep smiling. k

When using your trickle-charger, do you disconnect the battery to protect the electrics, or are they robust enough to take it? Do not want to fry a bunch of expensive stuff. k

Nige, I'll be interested to hear what your dealer has to say...wrote an email to mine inquiring about this problem and received NO response...maybe I should just bite it and trade to a brand with a dealer in town. k

Was lucky enough to get to Italy a few weeks ago and engaged a friend to track down Rossopuro slider/cylinder protectors (MT1003S) for me. Recv'd them today and I am happy to say that they are very well made and finished. Look like they are machined from solid stock (weight may make it aluminum) with teflon sliders. Very nice replacement for the cast thingie that Mama Guzzi sent out the door. Right side went on in less than five minutes with liberal blue locktite...will put left on over weekend. k

When I contacted Rich to do my seat, I described the areas of discomfort and he worked it over to eliminate the pressure points. In my case, the front was also too high and caused pressure points on the backs of both thighs that made my legs go to sleep. Between his work and the rubber footpeg mod (he also makes the pin bushings for this), I am much more comfortable. k

Yes. Right after I bought mine second hand, I thought "this bike doesn't vibrate nearly as bad as the magazines made out"...only because one motor mount bolt was missing and the other was loose (uppers at the frame downtubes/ears). I check things fairly often now and use blue locktite. k

Tony, if you are certain it is not run-off from anything else, there is a seal in the timing cover around the crankshaft behind the alternator stator/rotor (I never can remember what the right name is) that may be the problem. Have you removed the cover yet? k

A, thanks for your help. This should keep me busy. k

I get to go to Gaeta in Sep...anyone know of any place handling Guzzis or parts/accessories in that area? Thanks. k

LMAO...you guys kill me...did anyone notice I listed vise grips with c-clamps...not as pliers or wrenches? Rob, a small center punch, chisel, and a caliper for measuring those things that were supposed to fit will also come in handy...I think I'll go open another string on oil...or maybe plastic trash can liners! LOL k

Rob, this one has all the potential of billowing into a discussion the size of synthetic oil! I started in...uh, 1969...with a 3/8" drive 12 point socket set, combination wrenchs, two screwdrivers and a pair of pliers...now after...uh, let's see, ten to zero...fourteen minus nine...okay, 35 years---I still have those same tools of indeterminate brand---it has all grown into a three tier roll around chest from years of being a gear head and buying stuff 'cuz it looked neat and I needed it once. I still use the original set alot and have tools of just about every brand...the Craftsman, Snap On, Mac and Proto seem to endure the best, although many reputable parts stores have house brands with lifetime guarantees that are great tools. Any Craftsman set that fits your budget is a good start. If you move around alot, consider staying more compact as moving all this stuff is a real job...you will always fall back to the 3/8 drive set--12 point will often allow your socket into tighter places...metric and std hex key set... a good ball peen hammer of moderate weight (get one that feels right)...a nylon head hammer (for those things you just have to hit, but don't really want to crush or damage)...I have a very large set of channel lock pliers that come in handy for lots of things and have a very small set of wire cutters that I prefer when doing wiring...a couple of vise grips and c clamps of various sizes are handy to have...screwdrivers---1 and 2 blade/phillips short and med length...okay, now you've got me wondering and I'm gonna look at the Craftsman site. Hope this doesn't end up costing me money...LOL. k

Oil...yup, I use it and recommend it. I am using synthetic end to end...brand is a whole 'nuther discussion. k

Antonio...I saw Crosby, Stills, Nash AND Young in...oh, never mind...I can't believe I read the whole thing. So, do I dump the reel to reel at the first available e-bay/garage sale opportunity? k

...and if I get to Rome in Sept...how hard is it to get to Mandello del Lario? k

And a "thumbs-up" to Andy York at Ducati Nashville (my "local" dealer) who did an excellent job on my gearbox recall. k

Thanks, TW. Maybe I can get Santa to deliver them... k

And it would seem simple, but I can't seem to find their website...anyone know the www.? Or the US distributer? Thanks. k

I'm getting 38-40 mpg and have been filling at 130-150 miles without seeing the light (why wait?). k

I use the pressure from the manual as well, with Michelin Pilot Road tires. I have found that the bike handles okay with tire pressure over spec (up to 41 psi), but does not handle well if tire pressure is allowed to drop below the specs from the book. k

Warsaw, try loosening your steering damper to nothing. I've also found my bike to be very particular about tire pressure. If still twitchy, I have seen it recommended in a couple of posts that you raise the fork tubes 3/8-1/2 inch in the triple trees (effectively lowering the front end by that amount), which slows the steering from being so touchy...but have not had to try this yet (although every so slightly slower steering would not be a bad thing for me). I also found in my case, that part of the high speed twitchiness was caused by holding my arms too rigid and/or "stiff arming" the beast.

Whoa Nellie!...DEEFinitely better. When you get it, post pictures! k

It's definitely a hot looking bike...I can see why it stirred her. k

Does your Snap-On guy have Guzzi tools? I hadn't asked mine...

There's a rear brake? Seriously, have you pulled off the rubber boot around the plunger on your rear master cylinder? I seem to remember a post some time back about some of them having water intrusion, which may be the cause of your symptoms. I think our friend Baldini is on with the "tank suck" for your idle problems, but it may be a clogging fuel filter as well. The surge is interesting to me, because mine was doing it too---right after I'd had it in the shop for a period for the gearbox fix (another story)---got it back, hadn't ridden it in quite a while and began experiencing exactly what you described. Funny as it may seem, I found I was stiff-arming it and transmitting every bump into the throttle and controls at speed. It was also quite windy during that period, so that added to the situation. After I had poked and prodded things a bit, deciding it probably wasn't the bike, I started checking what I was doing when I experienced the problem...it was me! So, I try to relax a bit, keep those elbows bent, etc. I also ordered a self-help book about the same time--"Sport Riding Techniques: How to...." by Nick Ienatsch. Reading it helped emphasize where I needed to develop better habits and there's a V11S pictured in it a few times as well...Todd, I think? In any event, does it have the surging symptoms at 4200 rpm in all gears, or only in high gear at +70mph? k