Ray

I came across this on an apparently internal Guzzi document on a fileshare site. Haven't been around here much recently, maybe I'm rehashing old news, given it's an old photo. Streetable MGS-O1, updated Sporti? http://issuu.com/guzzi34/docs/essai-pour-issuu

FYI, Mine has been contacting the forks since about 04. I don't see it as the tank swelling but the two forward tabs of the tank on either side of the headstock distorting outward from age, heat, and and tank sucking. I have aluminum debris rubbed onto the tank and some grinding of the plastic underneath on the mount where it meets the bumper on the frame up front. I assume with time it will rub through and will start leaking. Bike has about 25,000 miles.

First year in a while I did not go. The USCRA events at the old Gunstock track were my favorite, watching the geezers on the old hardware, but that has been suspended indefinitely, from what I hear. I've got my eye on the Moto Giro D'Italia - working on some basket case Aermacchis... Maybe I'[ll drop in at a race day and say Hi.

Set of used bags and mounts on EBay NOW. Cheap at the moment. 35000467068

And here's a link for the windshield for the Airtech Magni from Gustafsson. If you look on the Airtech site, they provide links to Gustafsson and Zero Gravity. http://www.bikescreen.com/products.asp?pg=20

Airtech streamlining is now making them. From Magni they require lower clip ons, etc. but with the cheaper raw fairing @ $175, it might be shoehorned in... http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/vintag...airingshalf.htm page down to Magni.

I think it could be nicer than a Thruxton - with some tweaking. clip-ons, rearsets, ccs. Benchmark are the Ducati Classic and the Trumpet. Bet they come up with a big brother if there's interest.

Hardly boring. One of your pix is the Saguenay ferry... Did you stop in Tadoussac? See the whales there? Have a few Belle Guelles? One of these days I'm going to do it again and head up to the Manicouagan Reservoir. Sounds great, weather looked great too. You should write an extended report - this is one of the great rides in the northeast. The mountain roads shocked my shock, and I pogoed my way back to Maine from one of those inland roads on the way to Forillon. Food isn't too bad either, huh?

Or go down to Van Brunt Street in Red Hook and see if you can pick it up in person... RevIt is in the neighborhood! Worth a try if your heart's set on it. Maybe a sample or something.

I've traveled up there on the way to and from Newfoundland. The jumpoff point to Newfie is North Syndey, NS, which is a nice town in itself. The east coast, Peggy's Cove, Lunenberg, etc., is most heavily touristed, and coming from Maine, it didn't really differ that significantly from the Maine coast, but it is more rustic. The Cat ferry is a real highlight, like being on the starship Enterprise, beautiful titanium fittings and a contemporary design icon. For me, Cape Breton was the spot I would have liked to spend more time, as we were heading back and in a rush already by then. We had traveled up the east coast, then back down the Cabot trail. Up in Cape Breton, there is a Celtic College that teaches Gaelic language and literature, and they have a music school as well. You might check and see if there are any events. It seemed pretty great and utterly authentic, and none of my forebears even remotely honked on a sheep's bladder or hopped a bog. Think the wesxt coast is the spot. Southern NS is fairly remote and unpopulated above Yarmouth through to Halifax. Bypassed Halifax, but heard it's fairly cosmopolitan. Another thought-the town of Shubenacadie hosts vintage motorcycle races in late August or early September, way up in Cape Breton. You might find an event; there are tons of riders who will appreciate idiosyncratic machinery. Canada is the place to ride, but watch out for wildlife and prepare to forsake fresh vegetables and cell service on the remote stretches. Find a way to keep your batteries charged on the bike - I would have liked to have more camera life, but I usually tent-camp. And bring a good rain suit. In Portland, the younger euro bike cafe crowd hangs out at Amigo's, just down the strip from the ferry, tucked in on Dana Street. I will be in Maine next weekend, but not the next when you are there. We should do a NYC meet at some point too. I'm in Cobble Hill around the corner from the movie theater. Best wishes. And don't forget to write up a ride report for us.

Or get some of the southerners to come up to Skowhegan... That Maine riding, lonely two laners newly resurfaced, nary a frost heave in sight. Wasn't Rt 2 just redone? Maybe I can cut class for it.

Last I looked the new Gixxer made 160 hp, but with 50 more pounds: 425... I think it'll be competitive, more than the VR, and that was equally a departure. I think HD is ultimately following BMW and augmenting the lineup and identity.