Bill Hagan

[Apologies to those who have already seen this email or posts on other sites, but I became confused — more than my usual state! — in remembering whether I had sent this to some here by email, and also managed to delete my sent files. Doh. That led to the present barrage of the same thing. As I said, sorry.] Good morning from the top of Virginia. MGTD2 in the subject line is what Kathi (somewhat insensitively) calls the just-concluded Moto Grappa Tech Days 2, a four-day, guy-only conclave of Moto Guzzi nuts enthusiasts at our home. Kathi wisely escaped to Erie to avoid this event! Anyway, if still reading, aside from locals, we had a number of fellow Guzzisti from Md., N.Y., N.J., Fla., Penna., visit and spend a night or three in an Old Flatulent Slumber Party. During the days, they all worked on my Guzzis, à la Tom Sawyer, and another one — a vintage ’67 Guzzi that was voted “Best in Show." So, I just finished culling about 700 pix — no, really! — and got them down to a more manageable (but no doubt still, for some, daunting) number. Be that as it may, the pix come up in what Smugmug calls “collage landscape,” which means you do not have to plow through all — or, FTM, if you leave now, any — to wander among the few that you might find worthy. Use your cursor to hover for captions that, with the pix, tell the MGTD2 story. You'll have to “open” the pix in preview mode to read the longer captions. Still reading? Go here: https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/MGTD2-February-2019/n-78RTZt/ “Preview” is also the only way to watch and listen to the four very short vids I embedded there. I think those are fun to watch and hear, but YMMV. Just light up the first, https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/MGTD2-February-2019/n-78RTZt/i-bd2Pxqb/A, then go to the next three. Kathi got back from Erie after the MGTD2 closing ceremony, and — somewhat to my surprise — the house passed her cursory inspection. Bill P.S. If you found that worthy, and/or are terminally bored, here are pix from the 2018 event: https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Moto-Grappa-Tech-Days-Feb-2018/n-tRCvsm/ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Bill Hagan

Thanks for responses; keep the guesses coming. The side cover made me think it is was a 850T. Are not many valve covers interchangeable within certain series? Bill

Dennis -- "Der Kanzler" -- a SSR alum, sent this from Thailand. Any ideas which model/year, etc.? Grazie ... or, under the circumstances, vielen Dank u. ขอบคุณ. Bilhelm

Or even Australia. Bilhelm

1. Take twice as long as you need to. 2. Stay twice as long as you thought you would. 3. Stop for more pictures than I did. 4. Consider installing the INNOV K2 cameras. I still haven't put together all the segments, because...well I didn't have enough discovery before I left and have to stitch together a bunch of short clips. The camera isn't terribly expensive nor hard to install, and if you give yourself a week with it around home to tune the settings- and remember to clean the lens every time you ride through something you're sure you want to keep- you'll have some outstanding video of the ride with zero effort while riding. Thanks. Great points, sometimes forgotten, especially when one realizes there are more miles ahead than hours on the clock. I have an older vid cam, but went to product's website to see about the INNOV K2: https://www.innovv.com/innovv-k2 Looks like a great system and is obviously several digital generations beyond my present one. I especially like the "no hands" piece as I almost (rather literally ) killed myself on a W.V, twisty fumbling with that cam to get a still pic! Gave up on-board pic taking moments after I realized I had survived that experience and changed my underwear! That said, fortunately (but unfortunately for moto-purchases) we are in the middle of some major home renovation$, so that cam may be too dear just now. Oh, and I forgot , I'm up-gunning the Stornello's suspension front and rear, adding bash plate and crash bars (and rim tape for tubeless tires!), all with Kathi's smiling approval ​ ... but a new cam just now might be buck too far. Anyway, your "practice time" suggestion for it is duly noted, and I am months away from launch, so have time to build up the fiscal (and marital ) wherewithal for that system. Thanks again. Bill

It's a delight! Dave told me he has them made by Dennis Stubbelfield Tools in L.A., CA, USA. No "index lines" were needed. The tool has a a nice *feel*. I am an Imelda Marcos of tools. Pity I don't know how to use them. OTOH, it does make life easier on my more skilled visitors when I look pitiful and wring my hands. So, naturally, I just bought one of those. Bill

Still working on the route and timing. As of now -- but I am wishy-washy -- will take Griso and Kathi will drive (but not in a convoy; nothing good could come of that ). We'll bunk together at overnights, but otherwise let our tummies, bladders, and other draws determine other stops. Here's the tentative plan now, but needs tweaks to ensure we get in super roads, especially in the west. Thanks to Pressureangle and Chuck for ideas. https://goo.gl/maps/Ho2UdHenH3P2 We are losing some mooching opps with friends in QC and Vermillion, but they and we will get over that. Bill

Are you possibly suggesting that when Raiders arrive, the yahoo count goes up? Bill

I recall that Tim Hayes and his wife, Bonnie, from Spruce Pine, N.C., came to two SSR's -- Vonore and Newport. Bill

"Fifeenth," huh? From Tennessee, aren't ya, boy?

Thanks, Chuck. Cam Lay, who lives in Helena -- and who got air-evaced after a moto-encounter with a mountain sheep out there! -- seconded your motion on those suggestions. Still trying to figure out the ride/drive/tow/ship mix. Bill

Hurtful. Bill

As it's only the Fifth Day of Christmas, feel free to keep the gifts coming. Bill

As it's still Christmas here in the PNW, a very Merry one from Edmonds (Seattle), Washington. We had a Polish Christmas here, so Wesołych Świąt!, too. For a peek into that, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PBkYm-Mpqk Heading home tomorrow with rides planned for Friday and Saturday. Best wishes for a grand 2019! Bill

Just posted an inquiry about a possible ride out to Edmonds & Portland and back TBD in 2019. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20628 WAY slower, shorter, and more modest in all ways than yours ... more a ladle-list item in scope than your bucket or tub!. Anyway, if thoughts beyond your posted great stuff, let me know here or wrhagan AT earthlink DOT net. Grazie mille. Bill

Thanks for the reminder, tho he's a pro whose iron-butt pace is daunting. But, I'll take another look at that. I should have looked before posting, but I'm in my dotage, and forgot.

Here I sit in drizzly but beautiful Edmonds (greater Seattle) visiting disease vectors grandkids, and muse on riding out to the PNW sometime rather than flying. A planned visit by German relatives next year has been postponed, so now thinking about making a month of it sometime next year. I plotted a route that simply took us “straight” from home at the top of Virginia to Seattle (Washington State family), then Portland (Oregon family), then home again with a stop in Daviess County, Kentucky, to say hello to my Hagan aunts and other kin. See https://goo.gl/maps/ZFsp4cesD1k Have to say that I have little interest in crossing Flatistan. Have done that on four wheels a few times and, while not insensitive to the charms of the wildflowers and history of the Great Plains, I am not sure that they are “worth” the time and additional expense. That said, as it’s likely in the too-hard-to-do box to try a mid-trip shipment, may just tough it out. On that note, Kathi is game. She may stay with our grands while I run around out west, but would make the trip as pillion the whole way, or by driving out and doing two-up excursions along the way. Anyway, as the above google map is just pasta on the wall, happy to hear some suggestions on what we Must See & Do that might be along that route or require adjustments. We may stay with friends or visit those along the way in, e.g., Quad Cities, Vermillion, and Helena, so would like to be near those, too. Other moochees will no doubt come to mind as I add up travel co$t$. Finally, not sure of the timing, tho that is hardly irrelevant for weather, family, and other calendar-conflict reasons. I am assuming a full month away from home. So, your thoughts? No hurry. After all, it’s hardly certain that it’ll happen at all. OTOH, interested in coming along for some of the way, if only to ensure we leave your area? Bill

So, I went. Actually, twice. In May and September. But no one here seems to have cared. But, I am over the pain of being ignored. Insensitive lout that I am, I’ll simply punish you by posting the pix of both trips, the first on the Norge; the second, on the Griso, with Kathi driving the Mini as a support vehicle. No need to thank me; it’s what I do. May - https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Mutton-Running-May-2018/n-dHftGV/ Sep - https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/Muttoning-Sept-2018/n-7HZKSL/ Bill Apologies for the emoji blitz; I need another cup of coffee.

After getting soaked on Wednesday and Thursday, I understand completely! We are in Charleston, W.V. now, getting ready to head home.but had a fine time romping in Kentucky. The pic, below, is near Bardstown, where it seems many of my DNA'ers still live. Today may be a bit damp after several of stupendous weather, but the route home should bring a grin or two ... Bill

Missed Chuck & Dorcia -- they were, smartly -- out riding. Saw Pat Cowden. Day started foggily, but turned nice. Very. We rode on to Owensboro and are muddling on as best we can. Bill

In Mayfield for the night. It was a WET day. Should be to rally around noon. Will scratch, spit, grunt, etc., for a bit, then on to mutton land! Hope to see you and Dorcia before we leave for Owensboro. Bill

As are you, Sir. We enjoyed meeting Dorcia, too, and Kathi especially enjoyed having another distaffer around to mock the boys. BTW, think you (and Dorcia?) will be in Kentucky later this week. Kathi and I will make a cameo drive-by on Friday sometime. I'll be on Griso heading to mutton in Daviess County; Kathi in Mini carrying parts. Bill Yep, wouldn't miss the Kentucky rally. It's like a family gathering where you like everybody. Chuck, of course it's like a family gathering: everyone in Kentucky is related. Heck, I grew up in Kentucky, and my first fiancée was my 2d cousin. Really. OTOH, your "where you like everybody" makes the Hatfield-McCoy thing somewhat unapt to the Ky. Guzzi gathering. Hope to see you all there. Bill

^^^^^^^ Great pix. Presume that is the aviation museum in Everett. Spellbinding. We have kids in Edmonds and I "make 'em" set aside time to visit there when we go. This December next time. Note to self: check closed dates! Best wishes for more fun riding and off. Bill

As are you, Sir. We enjoyed meeting Dorcia, too, and Kathi especially enjoyed having another distaffer around to mock the boys. BTW, think you (and Dorcia?) will be in Kentucky later this week. Kathi and I will make a cameo drive-by on Friday sometime. I'll be on Griso heading to mutton in Daviess County; Kathi in Mini carrying parts. Bill

Finally got to cull -- tho it may not seem like it! -- my pix and cobble together a captioned slideshow. Yes, I took some literary license with reality. What a great time. Here's how we remember it: https://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/SSR-2018/n-dqNZCZ/ 1921! Bill