Baldini

To summarise... Captain Enzo was abroad one day when a Ducati had the nerve to pass him. Harnessing the untold power of his mighty V11 Cobra, Nemo summoned a speed of 128.6mph, with utmost & total stability, to chastise the hapless Ducati, who left at the next exit. Having disposed of his challenger thus, Enzo turned his ire on the forces of the law, some of whom inhabit this site. He regaled us with tales of wanton lawlesness going unpunished, & how the corrupt officers of the state would never take him down. Some disbelieved his stories & questioned his integrity. Mistaken for a policeman, one Canadian, losing site for a moment of his inner equilibrium, pledged $50 to see proof of Enzo's achievements. Enzo poured scorn on the Canadian & his country, & threatened never to visit. This was too much for other Canadians, who joined in the clamour, with their own promises of dollars. Undeterred, & righteous in his indignation, the bold & fearless Enzo offered $1,000 to every Canadian who could prove he lied. At this, the Canadians paled a little & retired to party in a local eatery. That's about it so far. Personally, I doubt the claims of "total stability". KB

I notice the bolts have a washer each. The RAM I put in Tonti came with one large steel washer that sat under all the bolt heads. I presume that flwheel is not original Guzzi - were bolts correctly torqued when fitted? From what we've seen the problem seems to stem from bolts coming loose rather than flaws in flywheel material, although compression of the material itself maybe the reason the bolts come loose? Do you run steel twin plate in your Daytona Paul? KB

No. Rosso Mandello has the single plate clutch, with ali flywheel. There have been some instances of the single plate clutch breaking on Scuras, (but that is not necessarily the same unit as on your bike). The flywheel in Paul's pic appears to be an ali replacement unit for the std Guzzi twin plate clutch. KB

Paul, Do you know what happened with this flywheel? The bolts have sheared? There appears to be no impact damage on the outer edge - did the crank spin in the flywheel? Is it known did the cracks come before the bolts sheared? Thanks. KB

Al, End float? Needs some for clearance, I would think it's OK but like Jim I glow a bit dim. I had a look in the manual couldn't find any tolerances (so it's fine then!!! ). KB

Martin Barrett is a highly trained Professional, sleuthing skills sharpened to a needlepoint. You are boys against a man - He is a Motorcycle Quiz Machine, a giant of the game. His moment is now. Do not ask "why?" or "how?" - Do you question the wind? Gape in awe at his powers & weep openly at your own inadequacy. KB

Enzo, I think your talents truly deserve to find outlet on the racetrack. Let us know how you get on. KB

Brian, You're team made a great victory last week & Little Big Mouth has gone North leaving harmony where once there was discord, yet still you are not at peace. Comtemplate the great forests around you, how still they are.... KB

You're just not trying hard enough.... KB

As Jason says it looks like an 850T w/ a 750S seat & pos bars. (750S is more collectable )"Rare, exotic, bike" = + $$$$ :!: It's a highbar roadbike that's been "sported". I thought by 76 T3 had superceded T. Similar but T3 got twin f discs, r disc, later valve covers. I think it probably did have chrome barrels. Does "only needs battery" = it doesn't run??????? All Tontis are eternally rebuildable and most parts are interchangeable. This bike will have 30mm carbs/small valve heads. Despite what ad says it won't be that fast, & w/only one disc probably just as well. It'd be worth a look, it might be a lovely bike, but I wouldn't touch it unseen for that money - it looks well polished . Later bikes might be a better bet if you're after a sporty Tonti to use- LeMans has bigger valves/36mm carbs, triple discs. T3 is a good bike too. Also 950's - SP, V5 etc. If you never ridden one you might be surprised how usable old Tontis still are. I like 950 kits on 850's, v common. Any well cared for Tonti will be a good bike. If you want an old Tonti to ride, & don't give a sh*t for "originality" get one that's been looked after - you can turn it into any style you want over time, most bits fit one way or another. Look for one w/bits like good shox (Koni etc), 38mm Marzocchi forks, s/s fasteners/lines/exhaust, good discs (feel wear at edge), working brakes (pistons can seize & a corroded bleed nipple will make caliper scrap). Check it's not leaking oil from bell housing. Clutch/UJ/drive box sound? Gbox is slow /long travel & a bit clunky but works OK, if it doesn't or is noisy there's something wrong. As I said, this one may be a great bike - but look /ride. It ain't cheap. There should be a fair few about. Or get a real cheap scrapper & spend some money - unless it's badly bent it's rebuildable, they carved em from solid! Tontis forever! KB

I think so too. I figure only specialist Guzzi dealers have knowledge/contacts built up over long time to get problems sorted quickly. Often I heard someone waiting months for a part that if they used Moto Corsa/Mecca/Twiggers/TLM etc they'd have it done. KB

A warning - I managed to flood the garage w/ petrol twice before I figured the manual petcock on my 02 wasn't closing fully. WD40 freed it off & I got it shut. Even then it didn't close fully & continued to dribble a little all the while. Be as sure as u can that the petrol's off before disconnecting hoses cos once they're off & splashing petrol all over the place life gets hectic....Next time I'll try to have an empty tank & do it outside....Anyone replaced that petcock w/ better one? That's a neat job you did w/the filters Al. They tuck in great & you keep the panels. KB

Nuttin wrong with MZ's! welcome to Guzzi!!Sounds like you'll be at home here. KB

I have oval K&N's on the Tonti - suit the available space better but don't know if that shape is available for spines??? I saw pic of Jaap's pods - they look v small? KB

Yeh..."...one day...when I got a bit of time..."KB

Martin - you still ride? I got a 250 Gas Gas few years back - amazing what it'll do. Very occasionally I'll potter around on it aiming only not to be last or fall from a great height... The stuff they get up - I just can't believe what I'm seeing.... KB

Paul, For sure, still in the back of my mind to try & arrange something... hey! it's only 46 weeks til Christmas... KB

Ratchethack, I like Diablos for same reason, probably similar experience. Agree about riding smooth. I also learned to ride on the dirt, best place - you can get away w/ all sorts of stuff you can't on the road, teaches you loads. Years back ME33/99 or Phantoms were tyres to have... Still like riding on skinny tyres on my Tonti...bigger isn't always better What's a "geezer" over there - an old man? KB

Zebulon, Do you mean windage/splash plate. Where do you get this from. I know Pete Roper made one for the Tontis, & Enzo was working on something. Is there one available from stock somewhere? KB

Ratchethack, I've never tried them. Sounds like perhaps I should. Metzeler/Pirelli are same co now & I think Diablos/Metzelers share same carcass, different tread pattern/compound. I've been happy with Diablos but would always like more, esp in conditions you describe. I have used Metzelers years back (crossply) & found they would last longer but offer less grip & feel than equivalent Pirelli, so I carry that thru to now I guess. Another tyre I want to try is the Michelin Pilot (Sport I think?- there's so many different versions of tyres I get mixed up). I believe it is real grippy & appears to have a more triangular profile than the Diablos which would help turn in for my Scura on 5.5" rim. (Do you run a 160 or 170 on the 4.5"?) You tried Michelins? I never used racing tyres outside of a racetrack. What puzzled me was that you should be riding so hard, pushing the tyre, sliding on the power n'all that yet still be getting 50% more tyre life than I can. Every other time I heard someone talk about power sliding on the road then I see them ride it turned out they were just exagerating. It's not something I can do, sure at the limit the tyres'll go away a little but no way do I wanna follow them with the power, even if I could - not on a 500lb bike on the road. I can't see that the V11 makes the power to do this in the dry anyhow. As for sliding under power on the road in the wet, on one of these - well I'd pay to see that. Last time I tried it, after watching Freddie Spencer show how it goes I ended up sliding down the road on me arse with rainwater running down me pushrod tunnels thru the hole in me valve cover... No offence intended. KB .

That's with oil cooler removed? I'm interested in doing same. KB

Martin, I fear this may be somewhat beyond my powers of concentration, understanding & application....but I'll give it a go.... Re the Highland Fling Ting - well I'd like to go...but not booked, depends on other tings. Will probably decide late on & take a tent, it's a long slog for just one night so if I did go I'd like to take couple extra days. Can't be arsed trekking up & down motorways. Thanks, KB

mmm....what bucket? & anyhow...it weren't me...it were a big boy & e ran away... KB

YES. Do I get a QUIZPOINT for that.... KB

errr...you sure??? KB