Bill Hagan

Lordy, it's as if you've been talking to a lawyer. T'wasn't I. Good morning from the frozen solid top of Virginia, where it's about the same temp as much of Lower Pa., in other words, WAY too cold. Will try (again) to make the SSR (without failing as last year) ... even tho that is the same weekend as the anniversary of the Battle of Eutaw Springs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Eutaw_Springs. My fifth great grandfather, James Hagan, Jr., was grievously wounded there. Born in 1754 not 10 miles from where I sit sipping coffee and pecking out this wandering post, he served in the Maryland Regiment of the Continental Army from 1776 to 1783. Yes, I digress -- you are surprised? -- but I knew you'd want to know. Happy New Year and best to all from (Iron) Cross Junction (where, thankfully, four visiting grandkids from Carlisle Barracks are only now just stirring; pandemonium begins anew in minutes! ), Bill

^^^^^^ I love art. Viva l'Italia! Bill

Just an update. Rachael called me a few days ago and said tank was in. She wanted me to come in right away -- Christmas may be a busier time on the sales side of the house than in service -- but The She in my life made it clear that it was even busier in our life so I made an appointment after Christmas. All in all, pretty amazing service support. Bill

So, I had been concerned about my Stornello's "dandruff" problem, i.e., some flaking of paint, or primer, or overspray, or something just inside the fuel tank under the cap. I decided to follow that up with an inquiry to a dealer. Underwhelmed by the (unrelated) post-sale responsiveness of the dealer where I bought my Stornello last summer, I contacted the Richmond dealer where my brother had bought a new V7 III Special this past August; Scoot (&/or Moto) Richmond, https://www.motorichmond.com. Richmond is only three hours way, and, as all Guzzisti know, a "nearby" dealer means one within a day's ride. I asked in an email about their thoughts on a local fix or warranty claim or whatever. I worried that I was concerned about nothing; wouldn't be the first time. FWIW, I am not one of those folks who complain when one instrument needle fades to a different shade from another in the sun! [Was there when a Bassa owner raised that to Zen Moto in Atlanta.] I was, however, concerned lest flaking paint might lead potentially to more serious problems, e.g., fouling fuel and filter if particles get into fuel or if the flaking “migrated” upward and implicated actual paint. I sent my email inquiry at about 9:30 a.m. last Wednesday. Before 4:30 p.m. that same day, Moto Richmond / Scoot Richmond’s Service Advisor, “Rachael,” sent me this: "Hi Bill, Your gas tank replacement has been approved! I will contact you when we receive it. Moto Guzzi will send it to us with in a week or two. I'll be in touch soon. Have a great day.” Wow! I’ve been around Guzzis for awhile and seen lots of dealers that spanned the spectrum from dismal to great, but I have never seen a one-day turnaround on a warranty inquiry. Cynics might (understandably) think that it ain’t over ’til the corpulent woman in Mandello actually sends the tank, but I am still impressed. My obvious (and overlong) point is that if you need Guzzi warranty or other work, don't overlook Moto Richmond. Bill

∆∆∆∆ I need more than a hug, but none of you is n my hugger list! ;-) The details of my OP Have to wait a bit longer. Up at 0320. Drove to BWI. Sitting at gate now. Got cheap seats to Moline via DTW, so last to board and I have already spotted the two corpulent in sweatsuits I am likely doomed to sit between. Ciao! Bill

Wish I knew. No time for Guzzi stuff. Am enslaved by The Head Elf. So, having my allowed coffee ration before going outside again to curse Christmas lights, extension cords, and related challenges. Am sure there are colder places on this planet just now, but this is cold enough for me. For anyone puzzled by the "set to" temp, that is for the auxiliary forced-air heat in the event the closed-system-water radiant heat embedded in the floor fails. And, yes, while I usually dote on my Polish Princess, her DNA and growing up in Erie, Pa., mean that she thinks a house at 63 is subtropical and a shameful sop to the weak ... like me. Anyway, aside from thinking 63F is too warm for the house, she is also frugal. We ended up with some extra sugar packets at McDonalds last week when we took coffee to Mom at the nursing home. What does my Perfect Polish Pillion do with those? See pic. So, hope to know answer to what those hoses are -- but very sure they are as described by responders here. The "missing" fastener seems to be "how they all are." Bill

Thanks all. Incredibly, I have been back from Atlanta for a day and have not been able to break away from Simone Legree doppelganger Kathi and her Perpetual Task List long enough to escape to the garage. Lordy, yesterday and today, it's Christmas decorating. If she wasn't such a sweet Polish Princess and Perfect Pillion 99% ... uhm ... 95% of the time, I'd mutiny. Anyway, I appreciate (almost ) all of the comments. I did get a response elsewhere on the "AWOL fastener" and gratuitous companion hole. For whatever comfort it is, at least mine is not the only Stornello with the same set-up. Back to "Ho Ho Ho!" Bill

Good morning. I posted similar query on Guzzitech, but no one has responded, so, while hardly a spine, thought that someone in this august body -- -- might take a swag. So, despite my staring at exploded parts catalog -- http://www.motointernational.com/uploads/pdf/moto-guzzi/2016v7iistornellopartscatalog.pdf, I cannot ID the two hoses, more or less visible on right side of this pic from looking up my V7 II Stornello's skirt. Yes, I assume vents from tank or battery, but not sure if so or which is which. Front to right; rear to left. More interestingly, after taking that pic, I noticed the hole with a filled twin at rear (left)! More unsuccessful staring at exploded parts. I'm in Atlanta and thus can't walk 604 miles down to the Moto Grappa to get a better look. Any ideas what that is about? Grazie, Bill P.S. I do love this little beast.

Ah, this thread brings back some nostalgic memories of the Ballabio. Lordy, I did love that beast, but my first encounter with this issue cost me $600+ when I was stranded in BFE, Missouri. Not wanting to ride to Atlanta in 2d gear, I tried to rent a small truck. U-Haul said, nope, can't put a m/c inside a truck -- I have since wondered if honesty is always the best policy -- and made me rent a trailer, too. Anyway, it's been "fun" reliving that adventure through this and the related threads. Wait ... perhaps time for a class-action lawsuit? Don't spend the settlement just yet. Seriously, good luck with your fascinating research and skunkworks fixes. You'll break the code; too bad Mandello didn't. Bill P.S. Weather is looking mighty fine this week for late November at the top of Virginia. Now to decide which member of my moto-harem gets the nod. Choices, choices, but, if still there, this thread would mean I'd saddle up the Ballabio ... with spare spring.

Gorgeous machine. But I don't think Speedos are quite in the spirit of ATGATT. Sure regret we could not make this one, tho we'd only have seen your taillight on the ride ... and that only in the parking lot. Bill

Kathi and I cannot -- very regrettably -- join you all this year, but send all of you raiders our best wishes for fun times. If you have too much fun, call if you need bail money or legal services, tho the former is usually followed by the latter. Best, B&K

... or whatever it's close-to-that new name is these days for that iconic moto-gathering place is in north Georgia at Suches. So, on hearing that I'd be in Atlanta this week, JRD here -- who (lucky guy) has a place in Hiawassee -- wondered if we might meet up that way. Hmmmm. Not sure about that. Great roads, new Guzzi, AWOL spousal supervisor? No, I am very sure. I'll be there. So, we did. More pix later -- after I get back from the Apple $tore to see about my dropped and dead MBP -- but here are few. Left Cross Junction early on Saturday a.m. [Kathi the Bastille Day flags after I pulled away] Thirteen-plus hours later -- during which I was the Toyota Toad in the Road for 600+ miles -- I made it to Atlanta. Next day, rode the Stornello to Dahlonega, had a breakfast that would have appalled Kathi ... ... wandered up and over Woody Gap to T.W.O ... ... and found JRD with friends. [JRD is on the right ] Thanks for coming down, Jerry. More soon ... if Apple can fix my laptop. Bill

Ha! My mom had colon cancer, so I am "due" for these fairly often. Have to say that they have gotten easier, especially in the prep phase. The slime one once had to take is now supplanted by Gatorade and a tasteless powder. The effect is the same, i.e., it's better to stay near porcelain. I wanted a lighter motorcycle for all sorts of reasons; so far, albeit with admittedly limited data, the Stornello fits the bill ... and this Bill. Unfortunately, not much. It spends most of its time as shown in the first two pix, below, tho I did get in a quick 40-miler on, among a few others, this road that begins almost out of my driveway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KmAMfpq8eE We are at Fort Bragg now. Our Army s-i-l just relinquished brigade command and we are grandbabysitting while the dad & mom celebrate. Kathi is near giddy with joy; I am pining for the Stornello. So, I am driving back to Virginia tomorrow while she stays until Monday. Will get some Stornello miles in. Bill

A "II." Think all Stornellos are. Mebbe "Scramblers" are "III.'s I should probably care more, but don't. Was going to wait to see what, if anything, the Piaggians did with the 9, but thought I might be toe-tagged first, so just carpe diem'ed. Glad I did. Pic is from return home. More, of course -- wanted it or not, tho none of "procedure," swoosh -- later: Now off to take first shot of the colonoscopy cocktail. Blech. Bill

Yup. Stornello. Mine will look like this, tho it should be fledging this morning and ready to roll when I get there this afternoon. Regrettably, will pick it up on trailer as today is C minus 1, i.e., fast day (& more) for quinquennial colonoscopy tomorrow, so I thought riding it back a bit risky. It is, of course, possible that there will be more pix on return. Bill

Bill

[similar post in w/g, tho only a few there and here had much interest. ] ==== Well, as those who care know, the Mutton Run fell apart. Most made alternate plans. Only a few stayed home because of weather, and I cannot blame them. It is also possible that some actually will get to Owensboro. Sure hope so! Anyway, N.J. Nick came by last night to get out of Joisey and make a head-start on a weekend at Willville. My continuing status in the Invalid Corps -- just back from a (very impressive) PA's exam and new drugs -- made it clear I was right not to try to make Kentucky this a.m. Both Kathi and Nick muttered this morning about my coughing incessantly during the night. Actually, that was a nice switch from the usual snoring complaints! Anyway, after a grappa (or two) last evening -- tho I sipped codeine cough syrup instead -- Nick got up early to get in a leisurely run down the Commonwealth via Front Royal, Skyline Drive, and who knows. Wish I could have joined you, Nick, and look forward to being "healed" in time for W.N.Y. in a week or so. Bill

[cross-posted from w/g] BLUF: Cease Fire! I surrender. The weather does not worry me. As I think Ken Hand said, “If everybody watched weather channel, no one would ride!” A sodden run, punctuated by delays of T-storms, would, however, take the fun out of it for Kathi, with whom I was looking forward to making the trip two-up. But, the real warstopper is not rain, but illness. I have been sick (and literally in bed) since last Sunday. Some sort of one-two punch from a 24-hour bug -- complete with [TMI follows] projectile vomiting that missed the porcelain target by yards :shocked: -- with a sinus infection accomplice. I have been out once, to the doc, and that didn’t help. Just one of those wait-it-out things. I am still waiting. If anything, worse today than before. :sad: I cannot tell you how disappointed I am in this result. Have been planning this for months and looking forward to the reunion with Guzzisti and others as the centerpiece of this season’s riding. But, I suppose that even I must now and then exercise good judgment and do the right thing. I may go back in and whine to the docs again today, as their last counsel hasn’t changed anything. Anyway, regrets to all. Hope some go despite rain. You'll have a fine time. Bill P.S. I cancelled first-night's motel in Ashland, but may leave in a small escape valve in case I am miraculously cured. Kathi and I might drive down on Saturday in the Mini, but even that is likely false hope.

Yes, docc, re lodging. And, yes, LowRyter, re sadness in Daviess County. Nice piece here: http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/sports/local/fans-friends-recall-world-champion-as-humble-superstar/article_f01560a8-a8f2-58c8-a22b-0ff0eb0af93d.html I am battling a sinus infection. Off to the doc in a few minutes. Can't let that interfere with muttony! Bill

Both are very nice, BLIGHT. A VFR friend -- who had Guzzis, too -- and I would ride together a bit when I had my Ballabio. He was always faster, but had a sixth sense about LEO's. I had no sense at all, and thus got the blue lights. C'e$t la vie. Welcome, btw. Don't know many older virgins. Bill

It's May! Can you smell the mmmmmutton? On this forum, looks to be Chuck and The Kid. You still a go for this, footgoose? Bill

Uhm. Four months? Would that be Tennessee math?

Nick had just told me that Bruce was coming to join us for the mutton run. While he cannot be with us now, he will appreciate our toasts to him Saturday evening! Bill

A member here http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showuser=10329, a SSR vet, and an all-around super guy. See http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/bruce-lawson-rip-friend.17064/ & http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89630.0 What a loss! Bill

Just a reminding bump for April. Bill