docc

The CARC Raiders were not to be outdone . . .

The Coppa Italia started to remind of that pretty girl at the party that kept getting herself into all the pictures . . .

Since that clutch sat between a V10 Hi-cam and a 5Speed gearbox, will that go between a V11 motor and its 6speeder?

Thanks, @HRC_V4 ! That is too funny! Check my work, are there others I should add?

Mighty impressive group of bikes on top of the excellence and effort put forth by those who came . . . SpineFrame Raiders: 1996 SPOrT 1100, silver 1997 1100 Sport-i, yellow 2000 V11 Sport, silver 2001 Rosso Mandello, rosso speciale 2002 Le Mans. champagne 2003 Coppa Italia 2003 Ballabio, red LoopFrame Raiders: 1971 750 Ambassador, burgundy 1973 850 Eldorado, white CARC Raiders: 2007 Norge, molto molto rosso 2008 1200 Sport, tuxedo black&white Honorable SpineRaiders: 1993 Ducati 900 SS, arrest-me-red 2000 Moto Guzzi Quota 1100 ES, red Guests: Honda ST 1300 Yamaha TDM Kawasaki KLR BMW "The / " California 1400, black with champagne

What a terrific group of SpineRaiders and fine human beings. The riding was fabulous, TechSessions stellar, and the camaraderie second to none. Welldone, all-y'all! I'll post a roll call later today . . .

@Randy is a good Sport. He deserves some lovin" . . .

I don't know who brought the fake oil spill, but Randy slept in Sunday, so he was last one to get it. The guy with the Honda seemed a little ruffled when he found under his ST1300 . . . Fair warning, Randy has it now and can mess with whomever he thinks will "enjoy" it the most. (Notice how docc knows precisely where an oil spill is most likely to occur under a V11. )

One must be careful what one asks for . . .

The rewards of a bit of undying inquisitiveness.

@MartyNZ shared this with me to link for those interested in this beautiful piece. I know @VtwinStorm recently expressed interest . . http://www.magni.it/v11_fairing.htm

You veteran SpineRaiders are such an encouragement to those taking a chance on this. I mean, how sketchy can a plan get: "Not a rally, not an event, no organization, no affiliation, no T-shirt, no plan. Just an *idea* - Yer on yer own, bud." Yet, the enthusiasm and camaraderie are second-to-none!

So, even with as many commonalities we can name between the Moto Guzzi "Big Block" and the beloved American V8, the Guzzi motor is a thing of its own, purposefully designed, and elegantly executed. " . . . with the presence of a Norman horse . . . "

@Kostarika posted this pic in his Gallery, but a lot of members don't pay attention or comment there. This stunning image deserves front page news, IMO . . .

"Hopefully" the jelly mold bodywork is just a ruse and they are going to stun us with something distinctly Italian, even if it is polarizing. Who could love the era of auto styling likened to a month-old bar of soap?

Alright, alright, I apologize about about the whimsy of that last one especially after such genuine, quality, and refined musical posts. I probably posted this before, but on the eve of heading to the Seventeenth South'n SpineRaid, and to acknowledge those SpineRaiders who have tried, but could not arrive, I am reminded of this ballad of The Last Chance Texaco. A place we have all been to. I still hear the forlorn whine of the trucks flying by . . .

For those with the time, inclination, and good supply of libations to carry them through: And also, regarding the motorcycle.com article originally posted above, written on 2002, no one really understood why the V11 was styled like this until the 2002 Anima Guzzista interview with the designer, Luciano Marabese, came to light. Then the design makes complete and cohesive sense :

So, there is not total radio silence! Welcome, Randy! Cannot wait to see you guys! a domani

Word is, there is a Coppa Italia onsite this evening . . . Along with a pristine champagne LeMans and her sweet older sister, a restored white Eldorado. I'm not naming any names, but his initials are @Tom in Virginia.

Peter Verdone produced a conversion chart of numerous popular fork oils showing the more accurate and reliable cSt unit. http://www.peterverdone.com/archive/lowspeed.htm

Well, the "failed car project" is closer to the truth than the blasphemous "Tractor engine" crap. While true that Fiat passed on adopting the Carcano (and Todero) designed V-twin for their car project, Carcano had actually developed it for his personal, sleeper "Topolino" Fiat. I only recently learned that car has the engine mounted ahead of the front axle like a Morgan trike. A big block Guzzi makes perfect sense there! I'm guessing the earliest EFI on a Moto Guzzi was the original Daytona 1000?

Wait, wait . . . I thought that was a genuine Chuck-chicken. You are saying this was part and parcel of the P.Roper Mighty Scura upon your acquisition?

Sheesh, Bill, that band of rain really lingered over your intended path of travel today. Looks like it has broken up enough now to be tolerable. Ride well! See you tomorrow!