Bill Hagan

Don't know about that, Pete -- and hope not -- but will say that the "factory door" is -- as @gstallions noted -- a grand enthusiast's touch. I am thinking that the Moto Grappa needs something of that sort. I may even call him and ask who and how they did that. Best, Bill

That is quite possibly the first music of that general genre that I have listened to in 50 years. Quite likely, given my remaining time on the planet, that I won’t hear any of it again. But I do appreciate the sentiment of “whatever you want.” Bill

I felt similarly, Pete, about the V85 line for several years. The Jurassic Park beak and more were first-class "No Fornicating Way" warstoppers for me. I feel very differently now that I own one. It's not that I especially like its looks -- tho I have become fond enough of it to overlook its "defects" of that sort -- but it is, for me, at least, a joy to ride. It does almost nothing (that I have found) better than any other motorcycle, but it does everything in a singularly compliant and pleasant way. Bill

Yes, the blue is great. With some of my stash of various Carabinieri decals on it, it would look even better ... 112! Oh, and @audiomick, there is something fetching about "slightly bored looking" girls ... or, at least for me, that one. Bill

$3530 at today's to $ exchange rate of €3250. Scroll down here for details: https://www.motoguzzi.com/en_EN/experience/corsica-sardinia/ Add airfare -- $1400 in my case, IAD to MPX -- and other trans costs and you are pretty much there. Hard to get that much terror so cheaply. Bill

Later. I am being supervised on a housecleaning mission.

As for cost, do you want the real amount ... or what I told Kathi?

I’ll spare you the “Buon giorno” and similar affectations of many who have just returned from Italy or wherever. 🙄 I got back a few days ago from a motorcycle tour — on Moto Guzzis, of course 😄🇮🇹🏍️ — of France’s Corsica and Italy’s Sardinia. It likely surprises no one who knows me and is reading this to know that I have some pic and vid evidence of that trip. 😄 Actually, all of the “riding” pix and vids were supplied by others, and primarily Retno & Tresno (Indonesian Guzzisti) and Paula, a Brazilian pillion. Thanks to them as, quite frankly, I saw very little scenery as I was just trying to stay alive! 😱 First, a quick word for the TLDR types and anyone else who has interest in but too little time … or simply has the attention span of a gerbil. 😄 Bear in mind that I started with about 1800(!) pix, and culled those to a number you’ll have to open the slideshow to see, but more than 85% fewer! That said, if you have neither time nor inclination to see all the pix, just watch the three brief vids that start very early in the slideshow. They capture so much of the riding experience that was often a tunnel of terror for me at the time. The pix link opens in “collage landscape,” thereby (in theory, at least) permitting you to see all pix at once, and to see all (untruncated) captions by hovering your cursor over individual pix. Open the slideshow to see the larger pix and captions … (tho, maddeningly) Smugmug allows captions to fade after several unless you work at seeing them. Grrrrr. https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Corsica---Sardinia-by-Moto-Guzzi/n-2kjBXg And, here is a link to some vids that I did not include in the slideshow, but you might find interesting. https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Extra-Videos-Corsica-Sardinia-Guzzi-Tour-2024/n-BMsp3R Best, Bill

Just back from that Corsica & Sardinia Guzzi tour. Saw one spine frame, a red beauty. Sadly, no pic. Shame on me. Bill

Yes, finally. My pix of SSR XX. Lots of reasons for my tardiness in gathering, culling, and adding captions, including general sloth and lethargy. These are, if not quite ready for prime time, they are probably "good enough." Even if barely that, consider that I started with 452, and deleted 300+. In other words, could have been worse. As usual with my pix, opens in “collage landscape,” and you can hover your cursor over the individual to see the captions, but those are easier to read in slideshow format. Bill's Pix of SSR XX September 2024 Bill

All good. But I am always mindful that God doesn’t watch Weather Channel. Bill

Finally finished the 12K service on my V85, my mount for the SSR XX. No, it's not that difficult, but I sometimes think that I put the "pro" in procrastination. I did muse about riding the venerable hotdog & mustard EV after a nice local jaunt yesterday with Bob Wegman, Master Guzzi Wrench Bob Wegman who rode down form Rochester to rescue me from myself -- R&R'd the V85's over-long OEM side stand with a shorter one (also OEM, but chopped and re-welded). But the V85 won the toss. Kathi's still out in the PNW, but gets back just in time to drive the support vehicle. AJ brought back a Convert from Tennessee a few days ago ... ... but will, as planned, be on his Guardia, a twin to mine. Bill

Lordy, that was painful to read. The SSR will not be the same without you. You might note that Moto Grappa is way closer than Alaska. Seriously, come visit. Best wishes for a better 2025. Bill

Can't speak for the whole country, but "nookie" was a common word where I grew up in rural western Kentucky in the 1960's. Bill

I sometimes find the knowledge here near annoying. That is especially true with automotive electrics, a subject that I know less about than quantum physics. Well played, @gstallions, tho deep in my adolescent heart, I almost hope you are wrong, if only so I'll feel less stupid. To put this in context, I am happy simply to have found TDC on my V85 yesterday and having it start and run without hemorrhaging oil after installing the fidgety oil filter. Naturally, I had help ... who, BTW, told me she would make me into a castrato if I posted this pic. I'll try still to be a tenor when I get to Tellico Plains for the SSR. Apologies to @vinguzzi, the OP, for hijacking his thread, but no time here ... Kathi is looking through the knife drawer! Bill

Great news about Kathy! Drinking whiskey out of Dixie cups is … well … so Tennessee. Bill

First, great re SSR. Second, re Italy ride, etc., simply wow! Very much look forward to your stories. Don't know Mirto; in fact, have never heard of it. Wikipee told me this: Mirto Thanks to you, I will not sound too rubish -- at least on that account when I ride this next month ... Moto Guzzi Tour of Sardinia & Corsica Bill

@KINDBOY ... just saw your "like." You get up mighty early for PST. Tried PM'ing you but got error message. Coming to SSR this year? Bill

Surprisingly little infield chatter here for this close to the event. Supposing the routes and activities -- -- are so well-known to the regulars that not much is needed. I'll start. AJ and I launch on our Guardias on Thursday, RON in Princeton, W.V., then close on the objective Friday afternoon. Kathi -- who will get back the day before from Seattle following 10 days with our PNW grands -- will cage it with various essentials, e.g., Kentucky bourbon. After all, no gentleman drinks Tennessee corn swill. Oh, and Bob Wegman rides one of his Guzzi harem here to the Moto Grappa from Rochester on Wednesday to join the Guardia gang to Princeton before pulling pitch and returning home. Actually, as I am TDC-challenged, I HOPE to be on the Guardia, which is still on the lift awaiting my completing its 12K service. Kathi is getting annoyed at turning the rear wheel while I give her helpful instructions, all conveyed in a loving way, of course, e.g., "Not that far, [expletives deleted]" ... "Slow down, can't you feel the resistance [expletives deleted]!" ... "Lordy, watch my hand & arm signals [expletives deleted]!" We are going back down today to try it again. Yes, the right jury would acquit her. Seriously, she is an indulgent and almost-suspiciously saintly wife. See all soon. Bill

No, but the right river. https://augustaky.gov/ferry Bill

I suppose I could buy @Tom in Virginia's V11 to bring a Spiner to the XX'th, but, even now with "only" three Guzzis, I can't keep up with DMV bureaucracy and maintenance, etc., much less ride them as much as these sweet beasts deserve. But I can at least get the V85 ready for the run down to Tennessee. And, you'll be seeing double as first-time-Raider @AJ Howard will be on his Oreo Guard, too. He and his on the left in this pic of a ferry ride across the Ohio River in May. We're taking two days, with an RON as usual at Princeton, W.V. Kathi will drive the "support van," which means she'll also get to control my road food. Sigh. Life's full of tradeoffs. In the meantime, my Guardia is on the lift for its conveniently timed 12.4K service. Best, Bill

Your "the looks and feel of that raunchy girl from high school." had me musing on the memories for longer than an old guy should. And, your nice new one seems more like the popular cheerleader. Anyway, good luck with the sale; still miss my Ballabio. Bill

AJ -- in pic, below -- talked me into doing this only two weeks after the SSR XX: Moto Guzzi Tour of Corsica & Sardinia A moto-touring veteran of various companies, AJ did a Balkan event last year in order to get a "serious" demo of the V100. Ended up so impressed by the V85 instead, he bought one! His, mine, and Stave Nicholas had three Guardia d'Onores at the mutton and fried cheese curds run. Two of those will be at SSR XX. Bill

Just sent AJ Howard -- a Guzzista and general gearhead from Baltimore and a veteran of several Mutton Runs and Moto Grappa Tech Days -- info about "The Twentieth." Naturally, I haven't told AJ about the lengthy, onerous, and painful initiation ceremony. I also think that, given the 20th anniversary that this 'Raid is, we should consider adding a tattoo as a final event in the initiation rite. If the group agrees, we'll need a committee to come up with an appropriate design. Bill

Nah, but I did double up my daily Lipitor dose. Check out that Maxwell link at the end of my post for a good description of how it is prepared in Daviess County, Kentucky, at least. Ditto my comment just above, but you are right: it ain't lamb. Bill