savagehenry

Just a word of warning on the wrinkle finish paints. I had a '78 HD Lowrider that came stock with wrinkle paint on the cases. It is almost impossible to keep it clean and black because all the dust and roadgrime gets in EVERY wrinkle, and is very hard to get ALL of it clean. Luckily, I care to ride WAY more than if my bike is spotless on the sidestand! This paint is not a problem mind you, just annoying to the riders dedicated to a CLEAN bike, Ride on! And at 75 mph, in the rain, nobody will see it anyway! S.H.

Hi thommo, welcome to the site, you will find it indispensible, no doubt! Ride on! Later, S.H.

...and I was one of the views, was about to reply, and the kids needed tendin', had to run... So, Welcome to the MOSTLY Boy's Club, by raw numbers only, NOT design! Definately just go through the old Technical, How to's and 24/7 posts, there was alot of the exact research you are looking for, if you haven't yet. VERY helpful with my search for my this, my first Guzzi. Rode old Harleys and Beemers for 20+ before buying my Nero over the internet , sight unseen and never rode a Guzzi before. If it is as nice as it sounds, your motorcycle soul will not be disappointed, I'm guessing. You can ALMOST assume with that mileage, the list of "usual inconveniences" have been sorted out. You seem to have done enough communication/homework to feel that this is a serious possibility. Around the Chicago area that seems to be neither high or low on price. And the price, once paid in simple cash, will be well worth it when you realize, as many riding this bike seem to, that you smile everytime you take it out... , Ride hard enough to scare yourself, and still ride home, Later, S.H. And show a little love (Read: a little money) to Jaap if you can, and feel you've benefitted from this very cool site.

As long as you check and compensate for changes in your air/fuel ratio, if needed, I say it sounds good to me. And of course, post photos when you finish. More power is good, and I fail to see how it could not move those who would be even remotely inclined... ...Ride fast enough to scare the shite out of yourself, and still RIDE home, Later, S.H.

...Outstanding Photos, my Man...Continue Riding, and Shooting for our pleasure, thanks, S.H.

...Health, and Happiness to to you and yours, on this, our new year, Best Wishes, S.H.

Doe's anyone need more proof than this? "...with a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick, more rapid than EAGLES, his ROSSA CORSA'S they came..." I rest my case! Merry Christmas, and a Healthy And Happy New Year! Hope we all Ride alot! Later, S.H.

I was thinking a roll or two of "saran wrap" all around the bike Would't tend to flap if tight, and the finishing wrap goes from the rear to front with some overlap. Costs all of a few bucks, and you just cut it off when done... , Welcome to the forum, Good Luck, S.H.

This is my first gel battery, and mine appears to be the stock battery, making it possibly 4 years old. Found no markings to indicate it's actual age, haven't found much info on the equivalent of the specific gravity tests to check the "life" of my wet batteries. And it's snowy, I'm bored and wanted to start a new thread . Any thoughts/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance, S.H.

One of the esthetics of the model that "bothers" me is the very PLASTIC master cylinder resevoirs for the clutch and front brake on the LeMans. Any experiences with some sort of modifacations/upgrades? Any reasons, beyond looks, why I should be happy with the cheesy stock looking but good working set up? A set of nice Vortex caps would make them look nicer, Buuttt...Thought about the Brembo m/c for the brake, but the clutch doesn't seem to have an easily found change, mucho SEARCHES found nothing so far, Thanks, S.H. P.S. 27 degrees Farenheit today, STILL Riding, pretty much daily ... ...This FIRST MG season has been a REAL TRIP...

"...I just need to find machinists that will work for beer..." DLAING...sorry, cant makke tis cumputr thig work fer kwotes ...Send PM, and /or prints,...and beer...Love, S.H.

After 23 years of several Harleys, followed by old BMW's, I've found a PERFECT bike for me. The blending of the rowdy American V Twin, with the precision of the German flat twin, exudes SUCH a real motorcycle experiance....S.H.

Hi Richard, If you can reveal your source, where did this "rumour" come from? what you would consider a"Credible source"?..or hopefully more like "bullshittin' around the fire with a couple roadpops in ya"? Thanks, S.H.

Hi Gerold, Welcome, and it looks like you will be an interesting addition. My childhood included MANY memories named "Hardtail HD choppers". Ride fast enough to truly scare yourself, and still arrive home on two... Later, S.H.

...Sexy, Red, and BIG Jugs, She's a Guzzi alright...

To Quote Polebridge's Post: "I have to agree about the sound of your bike. I was in the FBF dealership for a test ride of a Lemans that they had there. I liked the bike and the sales guy offered to show me a really nice one that was in for service. They took me back into the garage and showed me your bike (it may not have been yours at the time). I thought that it was a beautiful bike. The mechanic offered to start it up just so that I could hear it and wow! It was the sound of that bike that convinced me that I had to get a MG..." And to that I say, "Aw Shucks, THANKS!" , and no, it was not mine at the time, OH how a simple machine can change one's life ...S.H.

Hello All, I purchased my Nero this summer from FBF. All mods were done by FBF, by the previous owner after he purchased the bike new. After 5000 miles he decided it wasn't what he wanted. His outlay and loss were my gain. A quick run-down of the mods: FBF 11:1 piston set Breva cam FBF oversize intake and exhaust valves FBF hand ported and polished heads FBF modified open airbox w/ BMC filter FBF exhaust cross over FBF Carbon fiber slip ons Power Commander (to be removed, for a full ECU remapping this winter) Tuned on the FBF Dyno FBF claimed, on their webpage for this bike, that it dyno'ed at "90 horsepower at the rear wheel." I was also told the total of parts and labor was about $5800.00. I did not recieve the promised dyno report with the bike. It arrived with leaking Ohlins front fork. Basically, the head of their sales department, the "gentleman" who did the deal, front to back, will not return my calls, much less respond to my other attempts to get the aforementioned Dyno report. The front end is fixed, along with some other things, and we move along... I had never rode ANY Moto Guzzi before buying mine. My dealer, an ex racer who has told me "You could have done better..." on at least one other bike, said after his test ride (quite calmly, Relaxed even,) "You bought a REALLY nice bike." I don't have the "4-5K flat spot", she doesn't like holding at 3K (that's where I get the occasional POP), and LOVES the over 6K range. Sounds incredibly deep and rumbly, which ALOT of people, riders and not, comment that it sounds "beautiful" or words to that effect. I ride almost all commuter stuff, daily. Just got back from 450 miles of twisty, and empty, valley and river filled S.W. Wisconsin. I fail too see how I could have enjoyed it more. I have since rode a stock Griso, and my bike, "4:20", back to back. Not to knock the other bike, but I knew as soon as I got back on mine, I bought the right one....and HELL YES, the money HE spent was well worth it, to ME! Life is short, and fun is NOT FREE, but you'll long forget the cash when your'e FLYING down some road, somewhere... Later, S.H.

First thing I noted, also. These things are MADE to run in the upper RPM range, and you/they will LOVE it! Hence, my personal quote at the bottom of my posts, seen below. JAM ON IT, WOO HOO!!! Later, S.H.

Welcome to the site, you'll want to shower Jaap in some coins when you realize how much time you spend here, both entertaining your self, and solving the next inconvience. My Nero was my first new bike too, for the same reasons, but you know what "sorting out a bike is" judging by your resume. I've had issues, but your's is a little older, and a little different. This forum is DEFINATELY worth the 1$ admission, do FAQ's, HOW TO's, TECH, and 24/7. Answers, A- holes and Laughs abound, good luck, S.H.

Just entered the Guzzi Fold this summer, with years on all older Harleys and BMW's. I bought mine on line, from a "reputable" dealer and well known to our site here, Fast by Ferracci. I saw only pictures, and in the end, asked for a man's word that the bike was above all, safe, and also reliable. He was emphatic on both accounts, to the point of "No bargaining, and no new tires, it's that nice!" The first thing we did when the hauler arrived, at my Guzzi dealer, was check the state of it's tie downs, to see if it was too tight, loose, rubbing, whatever. It's fine. Roll it off the trailer, and see spots on the front of the exhaust pipes, both wet, and burned. My new 5000 mile Ohlins front end leaks. After "the run around" over weeks, and MY dealers involvement, FBF offers to pay for parts ONLY. Turned out to be First night on the bike, at 100 miles or so, the "sidestand safety switch" thing starts, FIRST real ride...WTF, sold my Harleys BECAUSE of this shite... Got home, next day cleaned and die electric greased all in site. No gremlins of spark since... Speedo cable went at 1500 miles to me, took the better part of two weeks to get the new one, with the new part number and design. So I'm missing 3-400 miles on the clock. I will buy a spare this winter... 2000 miles to me, 7k on clock, new Diablo strada's. SERVICE THE CUSHDRIVE! (Just a reminder, Mine WAS DRY) Man, I love the Ohlins/New tire/ Csh.Dr. s/u!!! Walk out and fuel is leaking. Somebody forced a screw into the fuel pump gasket, it tore. Another ten days. Easy fix, got to look in the tank, cool... Someone at work comes to me and says my new bike pissed in the parking lot. I have just spent alot of time and money doing the 6000 mile service myself, which my wife STILL doesn't understand, (It's NEW, WHY do you need to FIX it?) I have over filled it. NOTE TO OIL/TRANS. FLuid Threads, A MG seems to seek it's own level,... done.... I see three choices. 1.Sell Now...The $ loss will be a sore subject, for a long time, maybe, I don't know you... 2.The "Lemon" thing, Lawyers, The LAW, MORE of your $, your time, your mind,...OOOOhhh, that's gonna leave a mark , long term, I don't care who you are... 3. Bite the Bullit, fix it as it comes, grow to love the bike, tell tales of the trouble and how you put 'er right, as it gets better and GIVES BACK...and IT WILL. This is MY Bike. There are others like it, but this one is mine!!!.... eHmm, sorry bout that... The forum is REALLY helpful, and attentive. As you well know, these are things which can be fixed, and you've met Ratch...the hard part is over and it's all uphill from here, which is GREAT FUN, on a properly sorted out MG Good luck, no matter how it goes,S.H. P.S. My FBF built motor and parts I love, it's the sales staff I had MY misgivings about in the long run.

Anyone aware of a "Front and Rear wheel mounting procedures/ tips" thread, I've searched to no avail. Plenty on removal, but not much in the way of mounting. My owners manual feels a bit short on detail and is short on CLEAR pics. I would just like to double check this important area of maintenence. Doing tires, want bearings loaded properly, S.H.

When I was skydiving, some jumpers would see my various bikes at the dropzone and tell me, "YOU must be crazy! Motorcycles, especially choppers, are dangerous!" or words to that effect I feel the linear nature of both the bike and plane's path of travel, and the rider/pilot position right on top of it is why they vary so much from a wider ride. Think "sleeping in a hammock" for your car, and "sleeping on the top fence rail" Bike/plane. Life IS short, Live it! MAKE yourself a great day, S.H.

Hey All, Looks like I've got a slow fuel leak, with a little rust, on the forward most screw in the bottom plate of the fuel pump. Looked for threads, found none. Any thoughts/ experiences with this. I tried torquing a touch, seemed tight as the others, Thanks in Advance, S.H.

Performance aside, I've seen mice eat through paper filters and set up nests in the motor , never with a K+N, they don't chew on the wire, S.H.

"QUOTE" I plan to sell the HD locally (done with'em - buyer pending) and pick up another Guzzi, preferably a Nero or Rossa Corsa with full luggage, very soon I hope! If I can find the Corsa at the right price I will leave it stock as my main ride and play with customizing the the 02 LeMans. Thanks for your hospitality. Best regards, Jeff. You are on the right track, both in joining the forum, and your Corsa plan, see post above for what sounds like a nice bike right in line with your terms+/- , I LOVE my Nero, and it's such an unbelievable feel of my previous Harleys and BMW's. Welcome aboard! S.H.