docc

I admit it was not a particularly elegant solution, but more effective that the Dos Equis bottle caps we tried last year. And the situation was more dire since the thing actually did drop off. Like a Honda-seeking depth charge.

The only known treatment: SSR/ Next . . . A genuine nugget of the mild to moderate madness that is the South'n Spine Raid. George should really come back again next year, but bring his Kubota so he can keep up and we don't have to work on that silly Honda of his . . .

This is going to be one good test of JBWeld. Sucky thing is that it could hold for a time, then you find your bike on its side. Pretty challenging TIG job, I would think though, too.

Yes. I'll split Airfare with you, shelter, food, spirits, and a bike to ride! I may even have 3 bikes to choose from soon! Haha! That's a sweet deal! Is it good for ten years to life? It could take me a few months to get there since I'll be darned busy digging up every track and burning every bridge between here and Albuquerque. Seriously, I'm thinking we can walk you through a valve adjustment and tune-up. You will be absolutely jazzed how much better you can make her run!

Yes.

At least on the early V11, that circuit through Fuse 6 lights the low watt bulb in the headlamp (sometimes called "city lamp"), the tail lamp, tag light, and the instrument illumination, but not the "warning" lights (aka "idiot lights" or system indicators) which light through Fuse 5 and the Headlamp Relay.

Motowfo brought this interesting libation to the Spine Raid: a blend of (up to) 23 year old Guatamalan rums aged at altitude in the Guatamalan highlands. It has (had ) a delightful smoothness and complexity that reminded me of the finest single malts I've been lucky to taste. Although with no peat or smoke - more sweet like bourbon. I figgered with the highland connection, I might post it anyway . . . Otherwise, I suppose I should get after a real and proper single malt tomorrow in the spirit of things:

This is the photo I cut out so many years ago, but I'm not sure where it came from. Maybe Motorcyclist magazine. I am only now seeing the small fairing that I do not think is the Stucchi I ended up with from Moto Guzzi.

Whew! That took some scrolling! Found this in the December issue:

You know you're on a Spine Raid when everyone knows which guy has what tools . . .

That is a very nice review I have never seen. I suppose Moto Guzzi may have been too poor to hire pretty Italian models in 1997 and the rest of us were too poor to go to EICMA or perhaps even buy film then. Times change and I need another Pirelli . . .

This year's tech session: How To Replace a Wayward Crossover Pipe

Well, no one who made breakfast at MarcyJo's and rode clear to Fall Creek Falls and back through the Dry Fork Gulf (best motorcycle road in Tennessee) can say they "missed the trip" entirely! The *other* Honda rider really needed you there for moral support. He didn't understand when we pulled up a bucket to sit on and adjust his valves . . .

Sometimes "things Guzzi" are to be very serious: ATTENTION ON DECK! Then the true spirit breaks through:

Haha, yes, I remember liking the Ippogrifo - I guess it went on to become the various V7 we now enjoy. I suppose 1997 was too early for an internet archive. Although, chamberlin, sometimes bike show girls may show some portion of the bikes . . . so that would be ok, too! As for being 15 in 1997, well, that just pisses me off!

My sides hurt from laughing with these guys so hard. Great roads. Zero rain; and some really expert riding. True Raiders of the Lost Spine!

Haha! Man, I've having trouble feeling sorry for you! Great pics - hope we can make you just as envious with the pics of the (coming) weekend!

True, that. The tail light is on fuse 6 with no relay. While the brake light has to get its power like the headlamp (and other circuits) through both the first (starter) relay and the second (headlamp) relays. The copper contacts deep in the taillight assembly are notorious for getting soft and flat and loosing contact with the bulb. Reaching in with an angled probe and giving them both a sharp bend to press well against the bulb contacts may be necessary. Electrical flow for dummies (like me).

Wheels Off Maintenance Checklist Grease the U-joints and sliding splines with each tire change. Choice of grease is vast - as P.Roper might would say (and I paraphrase deeply here): "Yak fat is vastly superior to no grease at all." (Sorry, Pete - love ya , buddy ) Be careful not to pack the shaft while apart and find it will not go back together. Be sure the marks line up (or make fresh marks) if you pull the shaft halves apart.

No one even has some *old* Kodak or Fuji prints they could scan?

Gonna miss waspp and LowRyter both : ( Glad to be seeing Bill Hagan again this year, but will also miss one of the other inaugural Raiders. I even offered to write him a note to get him outta that Atlanta gig. I'm really gonna miss being devoured by the exhaust note of Andy's Gianellis when he (inevitably) wafts by my draggy pace.

I hope this is not a personal question, but what exactly did you wiggle?

Ugh - the only thing worse than math: aftermath . . .

You had me real interested in this O-ring business until the crash part. How does leave you and your own attached parts?

Does anyone remember when the V11 Sport was shown at EICMA in 1997? I cut out a little picture of a black Sport from a cycle mag (probably Cycle World) and hung it on the wall for three years before I found my prize in August 2000. (Pretty typical Moto Guzzi three year delay . . .) I've tried to track down some internet photos from then, but with little success. Anyone have a link from that Dark Age of the Internet of the Moto Guzzi display?