Baldini

Dunno if this is globally accessable, but if you have a passing interest in people, society, economics, technology, politics, or LIFE it's worth a look. Apart from Barcelona's Champions League Final perfomance, I haven't seen anything better on TV for a long, long time. KB http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011k45f/All_Watched_Over_by_Machines_of_Loving_Grace_Love_and_Power/

You have a real eye for a good, evocative image, David. A real sense of the time & place. Cheers. KB

Shame for all about what happened. Hope you had a good time anyhow - pix great, as usual. Lovely country. I'll get over there one day! Orson - citizen of the world indeed! Seems very strange to one as bound by home & family as me. Good luck to you . http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011g605/North_West_200_2011_Highlights/ KB

All fine by me, I'm just happy Jaap takes the trouble to keep things running . New logo in top left of banner pic I ain't so keen on - old logo was classier - tho pic is fine - missed breakfast that morning Jaap? But - small beer PS: How did Morocco go ScuRoo or did I miss a thread? KB

It's also been very common for timing cover gasket to let go in that place. KB

Thanks for that stuff eas1rider. I had similar conversation with Agostinis. Unfortunately my kit didn't come with relevant socket head bolts - & I wasn't aware that it should have - so I had to dismantle it to access hex heads - which meant I had to centre it too. Agostinis wouldn't send me bolts seperately. But the issue with the clutch centre button would have existed either way. I solved problem myself by swapping over buttons: Agostinis did not accept there was an issue with parts, & appeared to believe problem was caused by my fitting. It is a simple assembly which I checked over & over, I'm quite sure problem was incompatable parts. You had same problem? KB

In your photos head looks out of parallel with shaft, irespective of 'bulge' - probably just the camera, but have you checked it using a straight edge? If cost reasonable, think I'd be looking to replace axle. Forcing it isn't going to do fork lowers any good & your going to have problems everytime you take it out. I always grease axles liberally. Hope you get it sorted. KB

centre each of them in the spaces they sit in there's loads of stuff here: http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1633 KB

Hi Paulo. Welcome to Guzzis! Dunno about the gauges, Docc, but short frame, single plate clutch & smaller rim are right for RM. KB

My RAM clutch is on 6,500 miles ...still working. I can't comment on ultimate longevity. RAM clutches have been around a long time & I have not heard of this problem occurring with them. I have had one in my Tonti for years - but it doesn't really do much mileage. I do not know why original flywheel fails - but it always seems to fail at the same point: around the edge of the centre washer & radial cracks outward. The edge of the washer is a stress raiser. RAM instructions specify side of washer to face flywheel. Incorrectly torqued bolts would be an issue. Was your clutch noisy compared with other single plates? As I said, John O'Sullivan's (wherefore art thou John?) flwheel also tore it's centre out, & was very noisy compared with mine & BFG's - I remember waiting at lights & you could hear it over the noise of both our bikes. As you pointed out some parts of the OME clutch are RAM & stamped as such - but there are dimensional differences between the OME flywheel & the RAM flywheel. It is my understanding that the flywheel is not a RAM part. It has been said to me that the flywheel was sourced elsewhere (why?). But wether it's an assembly issue, materials or manufacture - I dunno. Why the differences between the centre buttons? I dunno either. The issue was the length of the pushrod not the width. For anyone interested, this is RAM contact details: R.A.M. di Dell'Oro Adriana Ricerca Accessori Motori sede operativa Via Vignazza 2 23851 Galbiate (Lc) Tel +39 0341 241210 +39 0341 241210 Fax +39 0341 542642 Web www.rammotor.it KB

Flywheel 1 was original, what was flywheel 2 - a Guzzi replacement part? KB

If you peep through the timing inspection hole in the bell housing you will be able to see the flywheel & what it is made of. This is a known problem with the OME Scura flywheels & there is a ton of stuff relating to it on this site. It would be v interesting to know what Guzzi supplied as replacement Tenni flywheel, & if it differed from the original. Some components (but not, as I understand, the flywheel) of Scura (& presumably Tenni) clutch were sourced from a company called RAM. I replaced my Scura clutch assembly with a complete RAM unit inc alu flywheel. I guess it is possible that any replacement could be sourced by Guzzi from RAM rather than OME that is known to be problematic? As Docc suggested, did Mecca have part #'s - on invoice perhaps? When I fitted RAM unit I had a mismatch between dimensions of clutch pushrod & clutch centre button resolved by using OME button in RAM clutch. Was this the problem your mechanic had? Was whole clutch assy replaced or just flywheel? The flywheel in your photos appears to be the original alu one. KB

That looks very similar to the damage john's suffered - ripped the centre out. Lucky to get away with that & no collateral damage - we've seen others where whole unit disintegrated & smashed it's way out through casings whilst in use. You replaced it with a stock Scura/Tenni Ali flywheel ? KB

Yes, that's partly what i meant. Guzzis wt is too rear biased for scratching. You can get more wt onto front by lowering triple clamps on forks, jacking up rear & changing body position by fitting dropped bars of some sort - to start (I dunno to what extent any of this is practical on a Griso - clearances & drive angles etc). If you can hit corners harder & hold more speed thru them cos you're more confident that front is planted, you don't need to worry so much about accelerating out. Guzzis have never been point & squirt machines. I don't know how much it's true of Griso as it felt more revy in nature, but one of the advantages of a Tonti or V11 on track is you can put it thru corners on bottom-midrange in a high gear & the fact that because it doesn't make much power ultimately, that you can pretty much use it all, anywhere, w/o the fear of losing the back. Changing gear = drive/time lost, & another process demanding your attention & unsettling the bike. Some perceived disadvantages can be made into advantages if you make the most of what it is, rather than trying to make it into something it can't be. RS250 are lovely. But there's something nice about riding a Guzzi on track amongst more obviously appropriate machines. And anyhow, if you've got the right tool, there's no excuses - a Guzzi has the excuse built in! BFG - have you read Keith Code's book "A twist of the wrist"? It's about track riding but the philosophy has wider applications too. It's excellent & well worth getting hold of! KB

So that's what you need - the hospitality tent! For me, on track there is no substitute for getting weight over the front wheel. Then you don't have to slow down so much, so you don't notice the gearing. Seriously, sort the seating position & stance - I rode your Griso - as you say it's hard to hang on to & front feels fairly remote. Put grippiest tyres on you can & get over the front wheel in corners. Sod the gearing & performance upgrades for now - first off, use what you have - just use it to it's best advantage. Stick between 3 - 5, Griso surely has enough torque to mean you're driving whilst high revving 4's are changing gear & worrying about high siding. KB

David, with the insurance - dunno if you've been thru this before but - my experience with wifes written off car went something like: We'll offer you £900 in settlement. But I can't replace it for that. It's worth far more. Prove it. OK. Here's 3 ads from autotrader for similar vehicles. OK. Here's £1,850. Thanks (twats). Did you notify them of mods? KB

Sorry to hear yet more problems David. Good luck getting it sorted. That is you on a racetrack isn't it? You did the trackday? Keith.

Great photos. Like your style BFG. Have you seen some of the photo threads on wildguzzi - watertowers, falling down barns & stuff? KB

FO8 (P8) were fitted to early Tonti big blocks; T3, LM, G5 etc etc. KB

Blimey, gives you paddock nerves n'all. Must be good.

Sorry for your ongoing problems. Replacing seems a ridiculously elaborate procedure. But have a look before assuming the worst: When you are able to tackle it & if things don't improve, have you considered possible legal redress? I've no idea of appropriate process or if there's any scope to achieve anything without spending a load of cash; Trading Standards - item unfit for purpose - bad shop? Do you have documented record of problems? It's a lot of hassle & sometimes I guess you just have to take the shit cos gettin any resolution in your favour ain't worth the stress. You may be interested in this on Wild Guzzi forum: "I'd settle for replacement parts to fix the botched cam recall on my EV. I replaced the oil pump (used -- couldn't afford another $300 + the following stuff), rod shells, complete gasket and seal set, had the crank polished and bought/redid the recall kit after the shop -- which piaggio refuses to name -- took the money and did not do the recall work completely. This was all out-of-pocket and the powers that be remain silent over what I feel is their responsibility." His experience seems to mirror your own. Poster; "rodekyll", http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=45199.0 Being the purchaser of 3 new Piaggio products you would have thought you might have some leverage, but you have to have the right ear, & at the moment sounds like you're talking to the deaf. Good luck with everything. KB

Thanks HaydR - look forward to seeing the film, looks great. Can't be doing with the daft glasses you wear for 3d tho, & they seem to kill the colour - I'm happy with old fashioned 2D. KB

Hope you have a great time Orson! Hey BFG - is that you on a racetrack???? KB

Short circuit style on public roads - f***** mental! KB