Bill Hagan

Meant to post a slideshow of pix of installation, etc., but forgot. Here they are. Moto Grappa & Moto Gomme Open the link to see in "collage;" hover cursor over pix for captions. All best viewed in slideshow mode. Peter Youngblood is a Guzzista saint. Bill

This is about tires and changers. I have had a slow leak in my EV’s front tire. “Slow” as in flat in a week. I failed in finding a nail, etc., and, after consulting my texting brain trust, pulled the wheel, and gave it a bubble bath in the utility sink. Found a stretch of several inches of faint air going AWOL. I then watched a bunch of youtube vids and, again, consulted my virtual enablers, all of whom said “go for it, Bill.” Well, I did, but now think they just wanted the post-disaster entertainment. So, after thinking about Dirty Harry’s admonition, I gave up. This is the rest of the story of (what Kathi calls) “Bill’s Dramatic Tire-Changer Saga.” I would be more offended, but she is so indulgent, and goes uncomplainingly along with my Guzzi disease. Besides, she’s right about my seemingly endless agonizing, so what can I say? OTOH, her smiling and amiable reaction to my various harebrained schemes and purchases is somewhat troubling, but I try not to think about that! But, finally, to cut to the chase, I pulled the trigger on a No-Mar tire changer and a few doodads. I declined to go for the wheel balancer, as it seemed a bit gold-plated, and will, instead, get a Harbor Freight model, no doubt manufactured from melted down U.S. Army tanks from the Korean War! As with Kathi, I try not to think about that, either. Here’s what I ordered: https://www.nomartirechanger.com/tc-ch100hd-plus.html Here’s the WB I didn’t buy! https://www.nomartirechanger.com/motorcycle-wheel-balancer.html Here’s the HF I did: https://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-balancing-stand-98488.html I know that the tire-changer makes no real fiscal sense when I run the numbers of tires ahead in my riding life. But, that is, IMO, irrelevant as we are, after all, talking about motorcycles. As another Guzzista said to me, "Bill, if you try to make economic sense out of motorcycle stuff … you are on a fool's errand.” I look forward to learning how to use this gizmo. If in the neighborhood, using it might cost you a bottle of better bourbon or lesser grappa … and letting me watch so I learn. The EV will be first in the chute, but then the Stornello. The Griso will just kibitz this season. 1921 - 2021 Bill

On the road -- in a cage, not Guzzi --in Erie, and just catching up with the forum. As for this thread, BTDT with my Norge. I did NOT stop in time. Paid the price. Well, Guzzi did as it was still under warranty. Only extended, tho, because of "settlement" following oil-pump failure. Yes, it was rocky beginning. What a great example of "for want of a nail," etc. Bill

I meant to post this yesterday, but let’s just say celebrating got away from me. In fact, I’m glad Kathi’s in Alexandria with some of the grands, as some of the “rest, residue, & remainder” are still painfully with me this afternoon. Anyway, here’s a tailored version of how I spent most of yesterday in an Moto Guzzi centenary celebration … by improving the Moto Grappa. For years, I have wanted to have a concrete pad at the front. I often made fun of visiting Guzzisti who fretted about the gravel approach. But, if the truth must be known from time to time, I, too, screamed in my helmet on short final into the bay when the too-plush gravel made touchdown a bit squirrelly. So, I eventually found a local contractor willing to a small job, tho it sure isn't $mall to me! Anyway, he came today and got it all done. What a grand way to mark Moto Guzzi's 100th. Here are a few pix of that process. Before … During ... "After" Naturally, that deserved christening [you begin to see when my present condition started.]. For those who care — a small and somewhat strange lot — I’ll cobble together and post some pix of the whole interesting-to-me-anyway process for a slideshow. Oh, FWIW, while it still appears as if there is plenty of gravel leading up to that concrete apron, the remainder is about one stone thick above hardpan. I then lifted a few-too-many glasses of grappa and bourbon with folks all over the planet. Buon Anniversario! Bill

Things are in a high hover here as we ready for The Centenary. More later … Felice anniversario, Guzzisti! Bill

Roger to all of that. BTW, took my Stornello out yesterday for my first ride of 2021. As TR was wont to say, "Deeeeeeligghtful." A (few) more pix here if inclined (and bored ) ... Stornello's First Ride of 2021! Bill

We still have that 209 Honda Fit ... with 254K miles! It's a C-130 of automobiles. All go, not show. OK, it doesn't go fast, but is astonishingly practical. We like it so much that we just bought a 2020. No longer on NA market, but still sold in Europe and Asia. We'll spend the "leftover" transportation money on motos. Off now on Griso on a cross-border breakfast raid into Pennsylvania. Ciao ... and chow! Bill

Don't disagree about no EDP, and I'm not overly fond of all new Guzzis these days, but some of the V7 and V85 line are, IMO, mighty fine machines. My Stornello (a II) and III are delights to ride ... and way easier on my aging body when doing the Rubik's Cube routine in the Moto Grappa! 1921 - 2021! Bill

Buon Giorno, Guzzisti! When Kathi starts a conversation with “Bill, I’ve been thinking,” I get nervous. The reverse is likely true, too. So, I’ve been thinking. For lots of reasons, only a few lucky among us will be going to Mandello for the big party in September, or, FTM, the one in Genoa next week that marks the actual 100th anniversary of Moto Guzzi. Sadly, I won’t be among those. And, quite frankly, I am not ready to take the body-art plunge that The Great Nick of N.J. did … My present plan to celebrate includes flying our large Italian flag on the big pole; putting my Moto Guzzi flag at the gate; adding some green, white, and red bunting to our fence; and placing my Guzzis at our driveway entrance. We live too close to West Virginia to leave them out there unsecured for long , but, if I can get them all out there, I’ll take some pix to capture the moment. But, as I said, "I’ve been thinking.” What if, aside from our individual nods to the 100th, we all did something at (more or less) the same time, even if only a token? "I’ve been thinking” that we could all lift a glass of something — it’ll be grappa, of course, for me! — at, 9 p.m. (ET) on the 15th with a toast to the three whose vision made it happen: Carlo Guzzi, Giorgio Parodi, and Giovanni Ravelli? That’ll be after the Retreat gun sounds even in Seattle, so even sticklers for not rushing cocktails are safe. Figuring out time zones here v., e.g., Oz is too tricky for me, but precision and exactitude aren’t the point. After all, we ride Guzzis. So, here’s a suggestion for the libretto to accompany the liquid of your choice: Stavo pensando. Propongo così un brindisi a Moto Guzzi e ai suoi fondatori, Carlo Guzzi, Giorgio Parodi e Giovanni Ravelli. Che i prossimi 100 anni portino tanto piacere ai motociclisti quanto i primi 100 anni! [Which, I think(!), means "I've been thinking. I thus propose a toast to Moto Guzzi and its founders, Carlo Guzzi, Giorgio Parodi, and Giovanni Ravelli. May the next 100 years bring as much pleasure to riders as the first 100 years!”] Let me and others know if, when, and how you celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 100th. And, yes, of course, we’ll reprise this or even better it come September! 1921 - 2021! Bill Proud Member of Moto Guzzi's Envy-of-the-Industry Post-Sale R&D Program!

Just made our reservations. Same cabin as before. Nice talking to Walt just now, too. And, ah, yes, the memories. Here are few quick grabs from the past: 1921 - 2021! Bill & Kathi

We haven't watched TV for years, either. Have one, but only use it for "rolling" pix when we have company. Do occasionally -- as in twice a year, mebbe -- watch DVD or stream movies on our laptops, but that's about it. Now, as for pix, above. What's with the "50" on the side panel? And, yes, I saw the woman ... and approve.

My highest standard in most things is probably a pretty low bar. In this instance, it was a pretty cheap bar, too, as ATD swapped those gratis and only charged me labor. Again, the improvement was noticeable, but I understand and appreciate the suspension wisdom from you and others as I am in this and many other moto-things clueless. Bill

I meant to chime in a few days ago, but have been in Erie and thus outlaws (of the in-laws sort ) kept me from responding sooner. Just as well as GuzziMoto "answered the mail" about the piggyback v. remote-reservoir distinction with more clarity than I would have provided. . The latter, an Ohlins, came OEM in the Cafe Sport and the Scura, the Ballabio's snooty cousins. Someone in Atlanta had the then-dealer -- Atlanta Triumph Ducati (and in silenzio, Moto Guzzi ); long gone, of course -- install something even fancier on their Scura. I got that (and the Scura's ECU) transferred to my Ballabio. See pic. I am hardly a suspension guru -- with the exception of sag, a topic that, at my age and fighting weight I am an expert, at least in providing lots of data points -- but my obviously unsophisticated buttometer thought that the Ohlins was noticeably superior to the stock (Sachs WP, I think) one. Bill

Just got this in an email from Motorcycle Classics: "How to Set Up Your Motorcycle Workshop" Bill

All the Way, Sir! Airborne! A master parachutist ... but vintage 1976, i.e., in the days we leaped from biplanes. Inexplicably to me, too, that sweatshirt has shrunk in astonishing ways since I ran down Ardennes in it.

Yes and no. It's a Carl Allison work for the Norge. Naturally, I have there for folks who help me as it is gibberish to me. Oh, I meant to add to my most recent post a comment about the sound system you and others have mentioned as critical to a shop. Well, yes, nice, I suppose. But nothing much in this forum's music thread gets played on the hand-me-down radio (with broken CD player) I have in the Moto Grappa. Instead, I have that old radio set to WETA Classical Washington 90.9 FM 24/7. My Guzzis prefer it. Bill

It is bigger than I need -- as if anyone really needs a motorcycle-specific shop -- but the uninsulated, cinder-block building came with our house. The size of the improved space for the shop within that structure was more the result of (too) hasty "thinking" than a deliberate plan. Details provided if desired, but only in person and fueled with bourbon. All of that said, it's been a great place all around. The mini-split handles the heating and cooling more effectively and less expensively than I expected. I usually keep two Guzzis in the "Moto" side, with one on the lift, and the other three share the "Grappa" wing with our Mini Cooper 'vert, an old Toy pickup, and the Cub Cadet garden tractor. Bill

When we moved here to the top of Virginia, I left behind my beloved GarageMahalo in Atlanta. Our new home included a detached -- code for "built-in early warning of spousal-unit visits" -- outbuilding, c.48'x28'. Closed off c.40% for shop. Since added a mini-split (and a Guzzi or two ). Here's a slideshow/collage of the construction followed by more recent pix of it in use, including two of my able assistant at work and play. Think those show more or less 360º. Among the "lessons learned" from the GarageMahalo were that, as with artillery, you can never have enough lights and power outlets. GarageMahalo to Moto Grappa Happy to answer any questions. Off now to errands ... if I can out of our snowy driveway! Bill

What?! VIGILI URBANI? Real Guzzisti emulate the Carabinieri. OTOH ... I am willing to entertain other views. Bill That said, there are comely lasses in the Carabinieri, too. I am thus (almost) willing to forgive them for riding beemers now. Sigh. Oh ... welcome, Picasso Bull. Bill

Sent this as an email to some UnGuzzisti friends -- mostly because I enjoy annoying them -- and others, and posted on another forum, but thought (despite no spine-frame content) I'd post it here, too, especially as ride reports are getting scarce above the Mason-Dixon line until spring. So, a Guzzi buddy in Rochester, N.Y., has a wife who is as indulgent as my Kathi. She and their daughters surprised Bob 10 years ago on his 60th birthday with a new Guzzi. They recently reprised that gift with another on Bob’s latest. Guzzista and N.J. friend, Nick, and I saw this as an opportunity and excuse for a road trip. After all, a new Moto Guzzi must be blessed with Grappa! Nick and I rode from here at the top of Virginia to Rochester this past Sunday, spent Monday in area, and came home on Tuesday. We were blessed ourselves with some incredibly fine weather on all three days, but were sure glad we got home before yesterday’s drenching rain. But, of course, you ache for the pix. The link opens in what Smugmug calls “collage landscape,” which means you can see all of the pix at once. And, if you care, hover your cursor over a pic to see the captions. Some captions are truncated in the wee pix, so — again, if you care — open the guilty photo to see the full comment. Blessings, Guzzis, & Grappa! 1921! Bill P.S. For the nervous “Kovid Keepers” out there, know that, with occasional exceptions, Nick, I, and the others followed the rules in public. Well, OK, with the possible exception of our actual invasion of New York State without a C-test!

Yesterday was a tragic day for another motorcyclist. I am posting this on several Guzzi sites and sent email to same effect to folks I know: Kathi and I had gone to Lexington, Virginia, on a spur-of-the-moment anniversary getaway. She was in the Mini; I, on the EV. I got a great fall ride in; we both walked the BRP for a few miles. It’s a lovely area at near-peak fall foliage time. It was a very nice overnighter. My return ride became a nightmare. After I left Lexington and did a few miles on SR 39 — a great twisting delight I knew well — I turned north on SR 252. This was a “new road” for me. After a few great miles, I caught up with two cruiser riders. These guys were skilled, and it was fun following them on a road that they clearly knew well. The first guy set a fine pace and his lines through all curves were textbook examples. The second rider did the same. I did not once see a misstep; following them kept me from mistakes, too. Then, just after we had all topped a hill with a right-hand curve, and were through that turn, the second rider inexplicably went off the road into a ditch, was tossed from the motorcycle, became a flailing rag-doll, and hit a telephone pole. He was alive when I got to him, but unconscious. His buddy — they appeared to be in their ’50’s, and had known each other since the third grade — was composed but understandably distraught. The downed rider died before EMS and LEO’s arrived. I should add that all Augusta County first responders — the state trooper (in charge of the scene); deputy sheriffs; and EMS personnel — were at the scene in astonishing times and were all very professional. Yes, the unfortunate rider wore a helmet, but no ATGATT — “All The Gear All The Time” for non-motorcyclists getting this; Kathi and I always wear it, plus Helite airbag vests. That said, I doubt that any amount of protective gear would have saved him. Difficult to “unsee" or forget that afternoon. Here's the brief news story and "not graphic" pix of mine of the aftermath. The second pic shows the hill, curve, ditch, pole, and ruts from the motorcycle’s entry. I can only speculate that he had a medical event or fell into the “target fixation” trap. https://www.whsv.com/video/2020/10/16/man-killed-augusta-county-motorcycle-crash-2/ How quickly an otherwise great day on a motorcycle can become a sad afternoon on a country road. Bill P.S. Yes, of course, I will continue to ride, but add this experience to my reasons to be vigilant.

Doesn't look as if any of us responded directly to your inquiry except by the positive inferences you may have drawn. Still looking? Pull the trigger? I have 82K miles on mine. A grand machine. Romped with it a week or so ago. Bill

Well, rats. Kathi and I will be no-shows at this year's SSR. Not a C19 thing, but a family-events calendar that has us too far away to make it from here, there, and back, etc., in time, even in a Ferrari, much less our Fit, Mini, or any of our moto-harem. Regrets and best wishes to all. We look forward to the pix and tales. B&K P.S. I showed this to Kathi after I launched it, and she said "WHO IS THAT?" ... meaning the Cubanos. Naturally, I lied and said "That's another reason we just could not go, Dear; I was appalled." [Not]

Good morning from the MGGG MMXX battlefield in Cross Junction, Virginia, where the National Park Service is already putting up historical markers. So, a group of Guzzisti friends and I got together for a “Guy-Only Slumber Party, Motorcycle Riding, Eating, Drinking, & Lie-Telling” weekend in the middle of July. It was grand. The CDC would not have approved, but while hardly keeping each other at arms’ length, everyone was mindful and courteous. We’ll know how that part goes within two weeks. Naturally, I took photos. Lots of them. As in nudging 500! But, lucky you, "only" 129 made the final cut. Best, the Smugmug gallery opens in “Landscape Collage” view, meaning you don’t have to look at every pic. You can hover your cursor over pix that interest you — assuming any do, of course! — and the captions should appear. OTOH, if you have the time and inclination to see the whole story, just light up the first photo after the banner pic and run through them in larger sizes. Here they are: MGGG MMXX Pix To those of you seeing this who were part of this, thanks for making my — gasp! — 73d birthday great fun. Bill

All interesting. I do note that no one from the Bundesrepublik Deutschland responded. Bill