VA Sean

You guys keep making fun on that l'il lass and I'll delete the pic and never post here again!

Expensive - I believe they are about $70 - and out of stock. I can't imagine they were built to fit anything other than the OEM UFI filter.

This doesn't quite look like what I expected it to look like (based on the description above) - does anyone know if this works on the manhole cover, or is this simply an oil filter wrench?

Currently 91F and very humid. We had typical afternoon thundershowers a couple hours ago that brought the humidity way up. But it is now clear, so I am ready to throw on the mesh jacket, helmet and jump on the bike.

Yeah... and? Youse guys gots a problem wit dat?

Negative- That was another Coppa, from Georgia (I think). I will be adding a late model California to my stable in the not too distant future - but probably not a Cal Vintage unless they drop the sales price by about 50%. I'm actually looking for a well-sorted EV in the $3,500-$4,500 range. But I may have to wait until winter to get a price like that. Though my wife now has her own bike (V50 III) she still likes riding with me. As we all know, the V11 Sport seat is not exactly the most comfortable for us - and apparently the pillion is much worse. She really liked the comfort of the Cal Vintage seat and the fact that we were on the same "level" when we were seated, as opposed to her being raised up behind me on the V11. So, in order to give her a bit more comfort, I'm going to get an EV. But believe me -- I ain't complaining about it!!!!

Marcelo! Congrats on getting back on the road! I'm gonna be in your neck o' the woods about this time next year - on my Guzzi (or at least, that's the plan). I'm trying to take off 3 weeks for the National in Malibu. I haven't decided which route (north or south) in which direction yet - it'll probably be a last minute decision based on weather forecasts... but I am sure to stop through Santa Fe. hope to see you then! Sean

Congrats on getting them on the bike... now post the sounds please!

You can be really creative like rocker59 and do this:

Sorry for the multi-forum cross post...but for those of you who haven't seen them - here are some pics: If you can't see the pictures by clicking on the link, copy and paste it into your web browser: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=12vg8a...=0&y=z8u64y Not many captions - just a lot of pictures of bikes. If I didn't say it in the other thread - special thanks to Dan Speaker of Speaker's Cycles for making the trip to the Rally with all the test-ride bikes. Talk about a class act! He comes down from Ohio with a truck full of bikes, leaves the keys in them and just lets people ride when they want! Another dealer, from Virginia, was there with several bikes. They sat in the corner of the pavilion - no test rides... they were for "show" only. I really enjoyed the rides on the Cal Vintage. A very competent and comfortable bike. It was my first ride on a bike with floor boards and first for a heel/toe shifter as well. I took it on 2 test rides, one solo and one with Erin - both about 15 miles each... up 60 to the BRP and back. My question when I got back to Dan was, "Do people ever change into 3rd, 4th or 5th gear on these bikes?" Seriously - I was cruising up the hill in 2nd at 4,000 RPM, I looked down and the bike was doing 50 mph. I thought I'd be scraping the floor boards through the turns on 60, but never got close... it just tracks, digs in and carves the corners. I was happily surprised! My only complaint was cosmetic - the windscreen rattled quite a bit... but I am sure that it just needed a few things tightened. Ohh - and several other folks have posted links to pics in this thread: http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=12159.0

Doug- As you know from when you initially posted about this some months back, I am interested. Sean

When you crash (notice I didn't say "if"), try to make sure it isn't quite THIS dramatic:

Absolutely GORGEOUS, Guzzirider!

Thanks again, Jens. Mine arrived in Alexandria just before noon today! top notch!

Don't know. I forget if those bikes had the shorter frame, thus having a different point of attachment with the passenger peg hanger... though these are available through MG: Code: 97.32.60.90.00.14 TITANIUM RACING EXHAUST KIT

The soft bag system is once again listed as an available accessory (under Ballabio) on the Moto Guzzi homepage (at least for UK), but I am guessing the usual suspects (MI, MPH, Speakers, etc.) will be able to order them for folks in the US.

Rich- You just bought this V11, right? You can go ahead and try the new grips as that may help. But I found after riding the V11 for a few months, I had a more relaxed grip on the bike and the numbness in the throttle hand (for me it was the fingertips) just went away.

Okay- One week and a few hundred miles later... I seem to be getting about the same mileage: +/- 32/mpg in mostly urban/suburban setting (no real rides into the twisties yet - that will be next weekend at the VA Rally: I'll be taking Skyline to get there, then a weekend of riding it along the Blue Ridge Parkway!). I have noticed a bit of a pop on occasion at idle on initial throttle... just like she had too much gas and burped, but once that is cleared, no problems. It has only happened a couple of times. There may be a bit of a flat spot between 4,200 and 5,000 but over 5,000 it really cranks up to the rev-limiter! I'm not going to worry about the flat spot for now, nor will I worry about the burping since I have ordered a Mistral X-over from Greg Field at MI. Once I install that (and the center stand), there is a chance that other issues may present themselves, so I'd rather tackle it all at once, than perhaps have to do the troubleshooting twice.

Cool- My wife grew up here too. She went to St. Mary's then to TJ for high School... yeah, she's a brainy li'l bugger. I was born and raised in CA - but been here since 1999. PM - we'll hook up.

Then it would be at about 80% of a stock Gold Wing's power output!

Nope- V11 Sport (Naked) with an after market windscreen. Congrats on a damn sexy bike.

Rich - you are about 60 miles away from me (Alexandria) - but if you want to get together with somebody else (who isn't WAY OLDER than you -- I'm only 36, snicker snicker) who also has a V11, let me know. Riding season is in full swing now - so it should be a good time to ride. Actually, tonight I am heading to Manassas to Tony's Pizza on Mathis off of Liberia, for the monthly Northern Virginia Guzzi Dinner. A week from tomorrow I am headed to Buena Vista, VA for the weekend for the Annual Virginia Guzzi Rally... you are welcome at each and will be received by many fellow Guzzisti with open arms. PM me if you want more info.

If you don't already have it, and you are going to do you oil change, get one of Pete Roper's sloppage sheets. I had Speeds install mine because, I didn't have the time at the time and I also wanted him to check out something else. If you guys are that close (Elkridge and B'more), we should all get together one of these days! I'm in Alexandria. If you are the Rally types, head to Buena Vista, Virginia for the VA Rally 2 Fridays from now. It is going to be an excellent Rally (25th VA Rally) with Rick Fisher, the Mid Atlantic Rep for Piaggio Group America, plus Dan Speaker (Speaker's Cycles) will be there with at least one Norge and one Cal Vintage for demo rides, and probably 2 other dealers there as well. http://www.vaguzzi.com/?a=meets&m=37 The roads are great - BRP is 5 minutes from the Rally site - people are lots of fun... and generally just a great time to be had by all. Sean

Definitely- He knows we are putty in his hands... I just got off the phone with him. Currently out of stock on each item (Mistral X-over and centerstand)... but they are on the way!