Greg Field

Rebuilld kits are readily available. I rebuilt a pair of F09 calipers on Monday. At my shop, we almost always have F09 aluminum pistons and seals in stock. It's the new calipers that are hard to find. They were used on some BMWs, too.

He said it was similar to the VA-10. We shall see. You know, Guzzi has been in bankruptcy ever since the transverse-V engine debuted. Now when Guzzi stands poised to enter the water-cooled era, they stick with the architecture that has resulted in continued non-success and which makes no sense if you do not need to expose the cylinders to the cooling of the wind? Yep. That's what they'll do.

The term "transverse-V" specifies that it is the V of the engine that is transverse. It is a term that exists outside the pedantic "normal" usage that "transverse" alwasy refers to the crank. All the current Guzzis are transverse-V twins, as opposed to transverse V-twins (watch the hyphen).

Doc: You prob'ly know the guy who told me. It was described as a transverse-V engine, so not Mille based. In my opinion, it'd be retarded to use a transverse-V and make it water-cooled. That means it's prob'ly foremost in pigaggio's mind . . .

Doc: You prob'ly know the guy who told me. It was described as a transverse-V engine, so not Mille based. In my opinion, it'd be retarded to use a transverse-V and make it water-cooled. That means it's prob'ly foremost in pigaggio's mind . . .

I have two of them in stock at Moto International. They're made of fiberglass, and lok great once installed, but they are unpainted.

Interestingly, we heards some rumors of a water-cooled Guzzi sportbike with chain drive seen at the factory last week . . .

I have the steel shims in the crossover, and do not like them. There's always a little leak I have tried to but have not been able to cure. Soon, I will get the stock gaskets and install them by the method developed by our (Moto Intl.) shop manager, Micha. Install the new gaskets but leave the crossover clamps and nuts at the cylinder head slightly loose. Then, use an ancra-type tiedown around the two headers, and cinch it tight, to clamp the crossover and gaskets between the two headers. Then, tighten the clamps and header nuts. That method has resulted in zero cracks and zero leaks for our customers for over two years. I rarely disagree with Todd Eagan, but I do about there being some benefit to the front crossover. Reasonable people sometimes disagree. It's not one bit a slam aimed at Todd, whom I respect copmpletely.

I bought a new '85 LM 1000 in 1985 and had it until it was destroyed in an accident 3 years later, whereupon I replaced it with a used 1986 LM 1000, which I still have. If you're looking for collectibility, the LM III would be a better choice, as others have pointed out. As a rider, thouigh, the LM 1000 is a good bike. All the major running parts are still available through several shops, including Moto International, the shop at which I toil. The tupperware is getting harder to find by the day, though, as are nice upgrades such as the European turn signals, Forcella Italia forks, wheels, brake rotors, etc. This is the one case where I'd recommend the owner either decide to change the looks of the bike or fix any cosmetic defects first because I doubt much of the bodywork will ever be re-popped. Get it while it's available.

Usually the later bikes like your Coppa run fin if the cans're all you change. Where in WA are you? (I'm in Seattle and work at Moto Intl.)

I work with Dave every day. He does know his Guzzis. If Guzzi would just start listening to what he says, they'd be a lot better off.

I have a centerstand, which makes checking the oil level easy and accurate. Then again, I have a pressure gauge, so I rarely bother to check the oil level. I have never had to add oil between changes anyway.

Yes, very exciting. Good hunting!

Yes. Sorry for using the wrong initials.

Pasotibbs: Those look great! Have you also coated your headers? And who makes that rack for the tailpiece?

Brian: I have no data, unfortunately. TM: We care for several bikes with the Stucchi and Ti kit. The Stucchi gives a noticable performance increase. Consider modifying your airbox, too, for even more of an increase.

Yes, that's a better way to do it. Might even then put it on the sidestand and add a mark to allow checking with the bike on the stand?

Anyone who looks to make sense of what pigaggio does with Guzzi, or looks for sensible decisions from them, is on a fool's errand. Aprilia nad then pigaggio are just the latest vultures to pick at the dessicated bones of this once-great company. It'll remain "going out of business" until an Italian Vaughn Beals comes along to revive it.

It is extremely common to find that the very guys who will not fix the holes in your radials will pull them out of the bone pile and run them on their own bikes after they have fitted new radials to your bike. At our shop, we will plug the tires. Still, many people opt to change to new tires, so there's always a decent supply of once-plugged tires for all the shop guys's bikes.

Start with the valves and the rest of a good tuneup. I'd check the valves before you ride it much more.

Diablo Stradas

On an Ambo that's sat for 20 years, it's the cylinders you need to be concerned about.

On a V11, IMO, you will get a higher (safer) oil level if you check the oil with the bike upright but with the dipstick threaded on just one thread (and the only reason to thread it on even one thread is just to ensure that the dipstick is not canted). Fill it to the full mark. This will help you avoid exposing the oil pickup under hard acceleration.

Watch as you pull out the old bulb. Those receptacles will accept the bulbs in two ways: correctly, and 90 degrees off correctly. One way, they will work. The other way, they will blow the fuse. You need not ask how I discovered this.

Yes, that front cover is substantially reinforced compared to that of the V11. The reinforcements are internal and were part of making that cover a stiff one on which to mount the alternator. It is still a hanging arrangement on the Griso and B1100/1200/norge. The Stelvio has yet to come to the US, so I haven't seen one yet.