Frenchbob

Presumably you ride in one, then, Jaap?

G, now you've got me going: I'm going to take Serge swimming first chance I get!

Sorry you're having problems. Been there. Front tyre pressure should be 2.2 bar solo. I run my 2002 Sport front end with damper set undamped, lower adjusting nut [on top of forks] set at 5 turns out [out of possible 15] from fully screwed in; upper adjusting nuts [smaller ones] 3 turns out [possible 6] from fully scewed in. I weigh 85kg. Set up like this, I can "feel" the bike, but it's stable. On the top nut, the factory setting as standard according to my 2005 handbook is 3 turns out, on the bottom nut 7.5 turns out. The bottom nut is for hydraulic damping and the top nut for spring pre-load. If you want to tighten the steering up, screw the steering damper clockwise, to loosen it screw anti-clockwise.

Looks like you haven't had enough yet! I had a gay cock once [not in the Biblical sense]. Women put down anything mystical/violent/drunken/warped-but-somehow-rewarding that goes on between blokes [you know the sort of stuff] as "a man thing". To do so is very much a "woman thing". I'm confused most of the time, apparently. That must be a "man thing" too.

That was BFG in his excellent posts on replacing the pawl spring and modifying the plate. I was looking at it this morning.

We've bred no elephants, yet, but we did have one chick last year who grew into something resembling a cross with a duck. Nice story Ryan: don't call the Disney studios - they'll call you. Serge is pretty bright: he NEVER attacks from in front, and he's learned how to run fast backwards.

Despite all the piss-taking re green paint, funny suspension etc, that I've contributed to, I would actually love a Tenni. Fernando, I would buy your bike if a] I were on your side of the Atlantic b] I had any money. Actually, b] maybe wouldn't stop me! Don't sell it; you know you shouldn't! All the best, whatever, Bob

Martin, it must be short journeys at low temperatures. I would nonetheless use oil change intervals of max 3000m, though. Also, I'm no expert on oils, but I think European winter temperatures might require a something like a 5/40 fully synthetic. Both the interval and the grade I mentioned are the latest recommendations for the V11 from MG [2005 handbook].

Congratulations: you're in elite company, of course!

Cars: American money, British heritage. [two makes only, no cheap stuff] Bikes: Italian - soul, character, beauty. [brits if you must, out of sheer cussedness] Cameras: the Japanese used to be good at these. Microwave ovens and domestic appliances generally: Taiwan. Women: any that come along and seem cheap/willing [for a more specific guide, see the "Hooters" forum] Listen to yer Uncle Frenchbob, Ben! He might be old and grizzled but he knows a few things.

That's lovely, Nige. Well done.

Hatchetrack is the man to tweak those.

Short of space, time, energy and money; others will go too. Edit: no they won't; renewed energy, subsidence of blind, financial panic brought on by a slew of end-of-year financial crap and damning bank statements, and good old blind optimism means that you've had your chance. Sorry! What was I thinking of?

I had a discourse with Serge today, as a matter of fact. He has large, sharp spurs and a wicked beak, and I had my trusty stick. It was a stand-off. I'll be firmer about how much of the rose garden he is to eat tomorrow.....maybe.

Interesting fact: they deny all knowledge of him in Gainsborough. His girlfriend was Jane Birkin. Known ever since as Barkin' Birkin. His first name, and that of my cock, is pronounced "Sairjuh" over here [say the first syllable as though you have something terminally nasty in your mouth]. That's three interesting facts. You do get value on this thread.

Something to do with Tex, surely.

Er, you could say that any 1950s BSA 350 or 500 single didn't have a head gasket.....but that would be nit-picking!

I had cafe days, too....but I never came this low. Knackered BSA 250s were cool when a Fantic Chopper turned up. [in my dreams]

Now I can see it properly - MV: a twin, clearly - did they make a 500 twin for the road?

"Almost" is the key word, here, I think!

That was a Fantic and it was/is if any have survived the taste police obscene

They'd better not! I love the "pared-down" look of your Triton: from its racing days, I would guess. Did you race it? Do you know Dave Degens well? Quite a lot of Tritons are registered "Tritons" in the UK. Mine is registered in France, now, as a Norton, but I brought it with me from England, where it was rebuilt by a Norton specialist who is a good friend of mine, in 2000. It was originally a 1960 slimline Dominator, but has been a Triton since 1966, though not with its present engine. The engine is a modified 6T [one-piece crank, T110 head, high comp pistons, E3134 cams, etc] and the box is AMC with needle-roller bearings and close-ratio gears by RGM. The front brake is a Triumph TLS at the moment, but I have a Grimeca 4LS in an alloy rim to match the rear, ready to go in. I'm waiting to find some Atlas yokes so I don't have to take metal off the drum or the forks to fit it. I don't suppose you have any spare to sell......? Tanks and rear hub are original Dunstall; other bits came from Unity Equipe, or from what was available in my stock and my friend's. As you can see, I'm running a straight handlebar on it for this year: my back is bad at the moment, and I can't ride it with clip-ons! Cheers!

Alex, we must compare notes about Slimline, pre-unit Thunderbird-engined Tritons.............!

Nige, your Scura has just said more than all this blather [no offence meant, Pete: I include my own!] could ever do. I looked at it and got goosebumps. Now, I'm off to ride my V11...

I agree substantially with Roadholder and Jaap. I would add that my V11, more or less in standard trim, is the nearest bike I have owned [including my 750S3] to replicating the sheer, intoxicating pleasure I used to get from my modified, bevel-drive Ducati. What I don't get from the V11 is the fear of mechanical Armageddon, the plank-like ride and the unforgiving handling if you get it wrong in a corner. I, too, tried a few modern bikes before I got the V11, and I owned a Hinckley Triumph for ten years: It was undoubtedly quicker, but I reckon I've got the best blend of character, practicality, style and value-for-money in the Guzzi. I would love a modern Ducati if I could afford one too for occasional, high-speed, committed riding, but I couldn't replace the V11 with one.