docc

It should be okay. We'll pair up and room together, share tools and otherwise cohort. No one from North Carolina ever comes anyway. And if they do, we'll stay at their house! EDIT: I booked a room, but would consider taking over the "Economy Rooms" on the top floor of the lodge. Apparently all the cabins are spoken for already by 'another group.' I didn't ask if they could be Triumph riders or other surly sorts. The top floor is four rooms with seven beds and two shared baths. Judging by our past venues, I'm not sure anyone but the Hagans take a bath, and they have their own room outside of the steerage class.

I would call four years old a really old tire for sport riding. Of course, I'm terribly hard on tires and replace every six or eight months. Fresh tires, bleed the brakes and give the pistons and calipers a good cleaning. I'm betting the "world will, once again, be spinning on greased grooves." Beyond that, check the headset for tightness and set up the forks and rear sag for your weight while changing the fork oil to something light and fast acting (generally 5wt, but search the major threads for that. Great info from Peter Verdone Designs). She may just want you to take her out in the garage and pay lots of attention. Who was it that was fond of saying, "Italian women will sometimes stab you for no reason at all." Now that you have our attention, you'll have to report on your 'restoration' and the resulting changes to the ride.

Good advice from GSTALLONS on checking brake temps. Bleeding the brakes and freshening the pads is good maintenance as well. The tire date code is preceded by the letters "DOT" followed by four numbers. They are the week (first two) and year (last two) of manufacture. How old and what kind of tire was it?

Arff . . . no call here either. Perhaps our rep precedes us and we should go back to the Super8 in Athens. Er, I'm pretty sure all 'significant others' will be more, er, "comfortable" elsewhere. No, really, "blue lights and sirens" aren't always part of the party. OK, usually, but not "always."

For info on the 2009 ride click on Fifth South'n Spine Raid

(Posted by Bill Hagan on Dec 4, 2008): Sent email; awaiting call back. Kathi is excited about this, a state I find a bit troubling, actually. wink.gif Hoping to be in Italy at the end of that month, and, even better, on a Guzzi in the Dolomites and Boden See area. The Raid will be a wonderful warm-up ... and practice session for grappa. One cannot be too ready. biggrin.gif The only thing that could be better is if I can get her to see why I really need a new Griso "Tenni." helmet.gif Bill

South'n Spine Raid(ers) Five . . . is shaping up for May 15-17, 2009. Location TBA, probably along the I75 corridor in East Tennessee.

Yes, the true manicotti is not a pasta , but more like a crepe. Delisioso! We did have turkey and dressing this Thanksgiving, but often we will do something different; a pasta pescatore, or ravioli from Aunt Anna's old recipe made like dumplings. It is, after all, a celebration of plenty and the gratitude of recognizing where it comes from. I am lucky to have the lady who is happy in her kitchen, but yet remains 'small.' Our next "Holiday" is her birthday before we enter the Christmas season. Happy Holidays to all of you! (and good eating )

Where are we . . Ah, yes: "The retched refuse of your teeming shore." "Send these: the homeless tempest tossed to me: "I lift my lamp beside a golden door." Who am I? A Scot . . . Irish . . . German. Did YOU send my people here? To this harsh place? And then criticize our intensity? Our determination? What does it have to do with "motoguzzi?" Indeed, I have no one else in the International community to trust. I ride this bike, I lived in Bavaria, once. But, now, I am here. I would take you in to my home, Guzzisto . . . feed you the Mannicotti, share the single malt. In this season of 'coming winter', of 'uncertainty and change', I share a blessing of goodness and kindness with you.

I'm thinking the nominal compression on the V11 (at least the 2000) is 9.3:1. I have gotten up to 40-41 m/USG, but 35-38 is much more typical and as low as 32.5 in the colder temperatures. I thought my recent 100,000 Km tune-up might up it all a bit, but it runs so great and I flog it and cog it so hard, the mileage stays about the same. I'm sure the combustion chambers and all that are contributing, but I believe the cam overlap and lift are to 'blame.' The cam is also probably to blame for the finicky idle, fussy high state of tune and overall lusty brio of the beast.

Probably not. I'm just getting them off the rack at the local AutoBonanza. I didn't know there was a motorcycle specific version. Where did you get it?

Pesky Transmision Leak thread. One of several threads on this leak/ crack.

Well, the PIAA Extreme White High-Zoot $50 job went 11,000 miles. I've run five Sylvania Silver Stars(25 USD) now and they have averaged 4700 miles. I've just installed a Wagner H4 "Auxiliary Off-Road" (8 USD). It's certainly not as white, but still pretty bright. We'll see how long she lasts.

So, you are happy to be back on the Tenni? (Not trading . . .?)

Yes, I would be most suspicious of the relays. Do a search for OMRON relays. A link to a picture of the Centauro would allay all our suspicions that you are trolling here with a BMW GS or even a FIAT. The Centauro is, in fact, very similar to the early (pre-Aprilia) V11 of 1999-2001. I wonder if Carl Allison has a wiring schematic for your Centauro?

So beautiful! Inspiring! So what of the Tenni? Some simple connector? Or. no? And the Stelvio . . . what do you feel about it (next to the Tenni)? (It's OK for you to say . . .we won't tell her . . .)

These Veglia clocks . . . they're beautiful (I think), but worrisome, like my Italian woman. I have replaced both my speedo and tach (under warranty), but it worries me what will happen next (100,000 kM). Arbi, where in the world are you??

+1 on what Tom said!

I don't suppose Scotch has ever been prohibited in Scotland? (Kilts, dirks, bagpipes and tartans, yes, but surely not Scotch?)

On the 2000 Sport, which has different bars than yours(Garmin ZUMO with the included mount):

Here we seem to have speed limits to raise money. Most policemen give a good margin above, but they are always very busy writing these tickets. I have heard that there are limits in places on the Autobahn now; Or maybe there have been for a long time(?)

I do love the Hooters thread, yet, also, I wonder about what is really going on in Europe and Australia (and Bavaria and Canada and New Zealand) . If you think you must know me because I am an American, or this, or that, I think you should come by and let me change your plugs, my wife make manicotti' and we will have single malt together. I think we are not so different after all!

What was, do you think, the "controversial issue central in the minds of the voters?" It has surprised me the number of forum members from other countries interested in discussing these US developments. I do agree this thread should be moved to "banter" and I think we're riding on thin tires. For instance, in the closed thread a poster suggests the (US) Constitution "is just a fudge you guys need to face up to things can't be sorted at the end of a gun barrel." And that, allow me to paraphrase, American have " never heard of debate." Historically, it is notable that we were subjects of the British crown for some 180 years. Only after King George refused to address the repeated entreaties and petitions for redress did the King and his General Gage decide they had better gather up the colonists' arms. It then got worse before it got better. Frankly, I had avoided this thread and missed all the back-and-froth on gun ownership on the preceding pages. But, it's notable that the statement I referenced above was made AFTER both he and the moderator had stated that the discussion of guns should be avoided or the thread closed. Isn't that a bit like waiting for your marriage counselor to say,"Well, time is up and haven't we had a very nice session today." To which you reply, "Yeah, and she's a bitch, too."

Did Tata (sp?) ever buy Rover and Jag? I thought that a profound irony for Britain's proud imperial heritage. I would like the Benelli better if it weren't Chinese (although I haven't seen a Tornado or Tre-K in the Wal-Mart toy section yet . . .

And now our government is moving to take ownership of banks and, perhaps, some manufacturing. I suspect this is not the "change" many would find solvent and responsible in the long run. Sure, our local GM plant is laying off, but will they learn to build something of good quality that is right for the times? They, instead, closed a plant (building small, decent cars) for nearly two years to refit it building SUV-Crossovers that nobody wants. Now, We The People are going to bankroll their inept business? If I were Italian, and it were Moto Guzzi, I would want the plant saved. But I ain't, and it isn't, so I don't.