Frenchbob

I'm going to start playing with the suspensions settings on my standard Sachs forks and rear [V11 Sport 2002], in preparation for the summer and two-up, laden running. To save me some grief, can someone who has a record of useful settings let me know what they were? Many thanks, Bob

Thanks, Soren: I wish you could have had a ride out, as well.

Spring arrived today, with sunshine, fresh, but not unbearable air from the mountains, and an opportunity to exercise one of the lads.........joy!

It's a MG 750S/S3 and I claim my point!

Point? I know you're there......... You just don't want me to have another point, do you? You're jealous of the one I've got, aren't you? Go on admit it.

But he did it in a TRUCK!

Jesus, we'll be having f***ing Hairy Potty next. DON'T ANYONE DARE!

It's an MG 750S or S3 and I claim my point......Jaap, I gottanutherpoint!!!! Welcome to the brotherhood of small-big engine lovers. Er, I am right, aren't I? Shit, this could be embarrassing......

What did you get, Belfast? An older Guzzi?

The head - good one! You're right, though, it has to be Harry Dean Stanton in Paris, Texas, both for his role and to be able to act to Ry Cooder's guitar soundtrack.

Now I know where I went wrong. Do I send the photos again with the bribe for April, or just the bribe?

In my case, you leave him out until the silly bugger gets cold: works every time!

Just so that no-one thinks I'm being utterly vulgar, it's the French bird flu regulations which amount to keeping your cocks in if you don't want a huge fine........... How sad is it to reply to your own mails?

Johnny Halliday's part in "l'homme du train" - if the French Cliff Richard can do it anyone can, with the obvious exception of Cliff Richard.

Put nothing out. Put Serge the cock back IN [work it out yourselves, please], had slight feelings of guilt when I saw what the rain had done to the Armstrong through the cracks in the barn door and feelings of deep concern when I saw how little cut wood I have left. Tomorrow: wood foraging in the rain - great.

Here, too. I'm afraid that all such contraptions look to me like the bike is being overtaken by something awful on one wheel. Look closer and it looks as though something alien has grown over the bike. I admit that my sidecar experience is limited to one very bad, misaligned, fortunately underpowered and thoroughly undesirable outfit, thirty years ago.....please God that will remain my only experience. I'm happy on two wheels....or four when I'm feeling poorly/it's snowing/someone else competent is driving. Sorry.

I think we all ought to get out, more.

Quite scuffed, but clearly goes like the clappers. The bike's not bad either. Seriously, this bike epitomises the [i think] healthy approach to originality in elderly machines here in France.

Nice one! Are you selling the wine red job in the background when it's finished: that looks nice, too. I'll be interested to hear which you prefer.

Let's be honest, any Guzzi is a slow old girl by comparison to some other bikes: we don't ride them for outright speed. If I want old-style fireworks, I ride my Triton. I'm too old and set in my ways for modern fireworks! However, I'm very happy with the motor in my S3: it was rebuilt by a close and extremely competent friend, for himself. If your V7 Sport is markedly better, then I want one, now! In fact I've never ridden a V7 Sport, and I would love to try a good one, to make the comparison. I just love the Sport's huge front drum and I do regret that my S3 doesn't have gear timing. There used to be a kit available to convert them. Are they still available, do you know?

I didn't know about the pushrods: interesting. Certainly, it has a discernible power band that begins around 4,500rpm. Cruising at 90mph is very relaxed and it is smoother than any 850 I've ridden. However, it loses out to, say, a LM1 on low-down grunt. It's a fantastic performance, really, from 53bhp in a 30 year-old engine, albeit rebuilt, and leaves me wondering where the claimed 91bhp of my Sport goes! Obviously, the V11 is much quicker, but it doesn't feel nearly 40 horses quicker. On real roads [ie not the autoroute] I ride both Guzzis at the same speeds. Bob

Welcome also, Dave. I'm a Triumph man, too.

Vibration? What vibration? Keep all the parts that fit the toolkit under the seat handy. Welcome to the circus....I mean forum.

Car driver, conductor of hermetically sealed, tin box, player of video games on real roads, "sorry mate I didn't see you" merchant, in the UK exemplified by pensioners in hats driving Austin Metros, prats on cellphones driving German, 4X4 armoured cars and women doing something to their children, driving anything to school.

It looks to have Italian headlamp, fuel tank and carbs, but Jap-style brake calipers. Something 70s Benelli, surely? Benelli 125 2C?