Baldini

For years Guzzis have been mostly made of big solid simple bits, simply put together - easy for simpletons to remove, replace & modify. Most models can be other models by swapping parts - parts fit all. So you can easily customise to just what you want - same base Guzzi can be tourer, commuter or sports bike. Basic engineering, design, fabrication is sound, there's no tat or bits that are just there to cover tat...or just for style...very little pressed steel...good honest motorcycles -a pleasure to work on & you feel it's worth making up bits for them. Well this has always been true for Tontis anyhow - things changed a bit with the spineframes...but still you get a bike that isn't quite finished. You gotta sort it to what you want it to be. And the more you do, the more it becomes yours so you keep it. Guess it doesn't fit too well in this built in obsolescence/throw it away buy a new one/consumer culture ... Mid-life crisis Al? KB

...and I thought they were joking about new border controls for Yorkshire ... KB

Dan, Thanks. I'm in UK. Do you have email or phone # for Pro Pilot? - pm me? How would you describe the improvement on bike? KB

Getting an Ohlins shop to sort suspension on my Scura & they are trying to get Ohlins spec cards for the 03 & later bikes (Cafe Sport/Rosso Corsa?). They have spec for Scura. Can anyone confirm later (03/04) Ohlins models are better set up from factory, & show way to go for mine? Anyone know changes made? Looking for less harshness over sharp bumps, think I need less high speed damping. I want handling above other considerations (for fast road/track use). I've asked here before...but.... Anyone? Thanks, KB

When I was looking to buy a new bike I looked at the V11's & I thought the frames didn't look so well thought out. "I'm worried these new ones won't handle as well as mine..." - salesboy looked at my 77 Tonti thru the window & back at me ... just pity the ol sod his eyes said - "bikes have changed a lot since then".... I always thought the feel of a Featherbed very similar to the Tonti - both rock solid, just the shaft making the Tonti a bit more of an aquired art. Keep those skinnies rollin....! KB

Dunno about Trolls but I think it's daft the way people who never ridden them imagine anything made before say 1990 is a slow ol piece of s**t. Give me a tight twisty road or track, a bunch of big rubber multicoloured sport bike riders & me Tonti & I bet I wouldn't be last in the pub. I've always fancied an 850 motor in a featherbed frame, decent suspension & brakes, but still on skinny tyres - If you could survive the vibration I reckon that'd be a contender! Heh, Heh - You ride a what????! - - KB

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take thesleep Martin - you're better off without a motorcycle just now, it's horrible out there... KB

My Scura has smoothed out a lot after around 10K miles - exactly same as LM11 did 20yrs ago...The new bikes ain't so different after you get used to em, a bit less vibes, a bit more everything else! KB

Can you get at the ring gear bolts if you remove the starter? Are they hex head or allen heads? KB

Ring gear bolts or centre (Flywheel to crank) bolts? Thanks, KB

John, I think it was sintered metal ones (for racing use) that wore out real quick on Tontis. Think they were bronze. Lasted no time. If your supplier can't advise, Would Dave Richardson/Moto International be able to tell you? Seems like a lot of work to have to do in another 2K miles if plate is wrong. KB

Belfast, Can't get to it just now but it was from Motomecca who were very good about failure - sent a new one next day before I even returned it (stitching had missed one of the mount tags) - it's probably not a bad bag but as I rarely venture too far from home I couldn't comment. I have a fine collection of rucksacks in various sizes. Hope to see you this year somewhere... Best, KB

JohnK, What plate you putting in? Not all the same. I remember on Tontis there were some plates (for racing) you could get hold of that'd be toast in very low miles. KB

How many need or use more than 90HP in a roadbike ? Seems to me most times 150HP works best parked up outside the pub... KB

Raceco used to run two short reversed cone megaphones under gbox, but had headers kiss just before megas for crossover. Got a photo somewhere - see if I can dig it out. KB

Sounds like the fuel injection is set up badly, seems to happen a lot in the States. Dealer shouldn't have sent it out like that, he may/may not be the man to get it sorted ? Anyone in the area good with FI set up? Welcome, they're great bikes once you get them sorted! KB

Would they still want the MGS-01 if it had the 2 valve (V11/"90"hp) motor? KB

Yeah - was metal flake pink - cut down a bit & made up to ally pan - i can't ally weld so it's all rivetted & weighs too much. KB

Pete, I just learned how to post pics here but it'd take a better man than me to explain it, it probably depends on what programmes are on your PC as to how it's done... Go to Mutha of all V11 forums on forum menu page & see How to post a picture pinned at top. Make sure you compress the file size ( ) so it's not too big... Jaap - I tried to post on the Gallery page but it said wrong user name/password & wouldn't accept my email address either. Help? Anyhow - Here's a pic of me Tonti...

MOtO, Wasn't meaning to denounce you, but a multi-franchise dealership won't focus on Guzzi like the handful of shops that have specialised in Guzzi for years, know them inside out, own, ride & modify them. I bought my V11 from a large multi-franchise & I have found that they could not source spare parts, whereas the specialist shops could, often because they know Guzzi so well, have anticipated a problem & got parts in. I have heard numerous stories of Guzzis sitting in dealers for long periods of time awaiting parts to fix some simple failure. Meanwhile I have had same failure, but have had problem sorted very quickly by recourse to the specialist shops. (eg. 6 speed gbox pawl arm return spring....?). Guzzis have always required more owner input than most. For the first few thousand miles you have to fix the bits that the factory forgot to do - like having an almost assembled Airfix kit with some of the bits out of the wrong box - but if you can get thru that w/o major failure, Guzzis are designed to go for ever. They only start to smooth out about 10,000 miles by which time most other brands will have been traded in by their owners for the latest model. Guzzis require a different attitude, & they don't suit everyone. More than most other makes, they require your committment, a shift in your expectations & habits to get the best out of them. But if you make that commitment they are hugely rewarding, & stay with you for a long time. Bikes do break, sometimes badly. Guzzi QC seems pretty hit or miss, some parts aren't up to much on the bikes as supplied. I can understand that relying on the official importers for parts & fixes whilst having to placate disenchanted punters must be a pain. I agree, Aprilia UK & Guzzi should get their heads out of their arses.... As for MV & Benelli - How many miles have you seen on one of them, it's not the same thing at all. But for coming on this forum. for sticking with Guzzi, esp taking in warranty work on bikes supplied by others. Why does your shop stick with Guzzi - it's gotta be hard work...? KB A Guzzi's for life not just for Christmas!

I dunno Martin, it was kinda lively, & I miss ol Capn Nemo. I think Dumb Ape had it pretty well covered - this is a multi franchise dealer, they have no history with MG - so they just wait in line. Don't think Mr MOtO sees the difference between a Guzzi & a Honda - hey! they're motorcycles aren't they? KB

errr...let's see know ...he said click this ......or was it this one?... Oops... & delete??? Eee by eck i've done it. This is Wales.

Not working is it Dirtybill? KB

Where? KB