Bill Hagan

Well, my ex-Carabinieri friend's mom knows the head guy where she lives near Modena and got me some large, nifty "radio-dispatched" decals. She visited recently and delivered them. So, as I decided not to buy the Nuovo Falcone, I am back on track with the pickup project. Wayne Orwig wants to build a temp paint shed inside my garage and tackle this ourselves. I am more inclined to go to a local auto paint place. Bottom line? Soon, I hope. Come visit; I'll let you drive it around. OK, OK, you can ride the Ballabio; we could stage a traffic stop. Bill

Great pic. Been a long time since I saw a LAPES in real life. Remember one at Fort Bragg that didn't work quite right. The M-551 Sheridan (not a tank, but everyone thinks it is) came out fine, and the chutes deployed. Unfortunately, as a result of ... uhm ... error, they also detached as soon as the Sheridan hit the ground ... and the vehicle started a VERY fast run to the woodline at the end of the DZ. Oh my. c.100 mph was a bit higher than its normal groundspeed. Pretty exciting. As we saw it plow into the woods, assumed it was totalled. Nope. After replacing batteries (which did not survive the run intact), started it up and drove it out! OBTW, Frenchbob, love that wine color, too. Beautiful. Wish Guzzi did a better job in coordinating the porkchop panels with the m/c main color, tho.

"Butt wonder" does that to folks.

Not licensed in Oz, huh?

Just saw this on wildguzzi, http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSE...76&topic=1595.0 ***************************** Announcing a one of a kind Meet and Greet World renowned Moto Guzzi Historian, accomplished writer and an all around good guy, Ivar de Gier is travelling to America. He will be presenting a slide show based, in part, on the history of the V8, Carcano's legacy and various other one of a kind information that only someone like Ivar can share. If you are interested, here is the information: Sunday, February 12 at 9:00 AM The Central House Family Restaurant 4253 Rt. 98 North Java, NY (Buffalo/Rochester area) For more information, or to confirm your attendance, please contact me directly at Guzziman@wxs.nl Space is limited and seating will be on a first come first serve basis! Thanks for your time, Amy de Gier ********************* Buffalo? In February? I think I'll invite him to thaw in Atlanta for awhile. In the meantime, I'm going out to ride the Ballabio for awhile. 70F here this afternoon. So fine.

Oh oh. I'm thinking this means you have malpractice claim against your doc in that recent procedure? Actually, I know of at least two other Guzzi avvocati: Joe Martin, late of Baton Rouge, a family-law practitioner now living in--I'm serious--Grassy Creek, N.C., and Sean Dunstan, who is a wills, estates, and tax lawyer in a firm in Alexandria, Va. Joe rides an EV, and Sean a Coppa Italia. I think there are more, but they may not wish to be "outted." Bill

Michael, Shelby is at Union Cycle in Charlotte, N.C. Yaniv Adir has his EV's tranny there now (ATD sent it) for Shelby to fix. Sorry about your plight. You should have been at the Georgia Guzzi meeting at the Vortex last night. Same subject as you raise was beaten to death. OBTW, you also missed this by our bikes when we left: http://urlsnip.com/586988 A comely waitress -- must be new; no (visible) piercings or tattoos -- said wasn't hers. Should reach 70, and I'm going to take the Ballabio out and play at lunchtime. Bill

Damn. He's on to me. In my early years, I sought out wenches; now, it's wrenches.

Well, Phil, I wish I'd been riding, but was visiting in- and out-laws in n. Virginia. Did commute in this a.m. on the EV (50F on launch, warming to upper 60's; yee ha! , and was able to spend yesterday in the GarageMahalo getting reacquainted with my Guzzis. And, while away, looked at (but did not buy) a Nuovo Falcone (a story I'll recount with pics on w/g sometime soon). Also spent a day and night with Joe Martin, an EV owner newly settled in NW N.C., north of Jefferson and just over the Va. line south of Mouth of Wilson. Gorgeous country. I mention that last, Al, cuz Joe is planning a gaggle for the second weekend in October, 13-15. Hope you can make it. In the meantime, if you get to Atlanta, mounted, flying, or caged, let us know, and we'll give you a Guzzi tour. If sans yours, you are always welcome to borrow my Ballabio or EV if you are near. Bill

One of my Duck- and beemer-riding neighbors has friends in Ellijay, a town at the foot of the n. Georgia mountains--she is certified BMW mechanic and he a certified Duck wrench (what a combo, huh?). They are working on his 748 and sent him an updating email. Included this P.S. -- "do you think that your friend who is the italian bike lover [that would be me! ] would know a good parts source for the MVagusta we're working on? it's a 1957 trl125 and we're going to need some gaskets, carb parts, etc...i've not had a lot of luck tracking down parts for this old girl! just thought he might have some insight." Well, of course, I don't have a clue, but told my neighbor I'd post on two of the "major Guzzi web boards." He doesn't realize how oxymoronic that really is! So, any ideas? Thanks. Bill

As I live almost literally around the block, please let me know if you need anything at all ... 24/7. Bill 404.808.8486 (mobile)

My reaction precisely. I'm figuring this could lead to a new Guzzi book, too: The Ballabio - Best of Breed. If not, I'm also thinking that aftermarket opportunities for Ballabio owners just got lots better. Hey, Greg, try to have any new product lines going by end of January when I drop in and visit you all. Bill

Go for it, cuz after getting it up the ramp and into the house, you can something like this: http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/livingroom.jpg Seriously, the point about "not wider than steps" is a mixed bag. True, a steep ramp is not as positive an engagement and platform for you, but it is higher than the steps and you may find yourself too low to be of use. And be sure not to miss DBG's "yet steep" part. I've been there and do not care to remember. One of those "break your bike or your body" moments. Of course, I chose well ... and have scars on me, not the bike, to prove it.

On a Tenni?! Ever get out of first? Thanks for helping kids, tho. Bill

Welcome, but careful. Last guy that said that -- your quote -- left your coast and moved to N.C. OBTW, 18K on my Ballabio and love it still. Probably always will. Joy. Bill

Beadboard. See http://www.gp.com/build/product.aspx?pname...1686&hierarchy= The architect specified it as, tho our house in new construction, we live in a closely regulated (by fascists, I might add ) historic district, and beadboard appears in many local "contributing structures," including outbuildings. Was surprised to learn from my contractor that beadboard was not much more than ordinary wallboard, and sure does look fine, along with being pretty resistant to damage. Sorry, motomaniac, and others to have started a tangent from a (literally) cool thread. I'm going out at lunch and romp a bit on the local roads. Should be in '50's soon; too good to pass up.

Went out to the GarageMahalo at 6 a.m. to get Kathi's car ready. [she's gotten quite used to it being ready when she walks out the door, i.e., warmed up, coffee in the holder, gate open routine; she's so indulgent of me in Guzzis, it's worth the PITA. ] Brrrrr. It was cold, but warmer than 29, probably even 33 or so. Still, I decided it was too cold to ride the Ballabio in, and, as the much-better-in-cold-weather EV is hors de combat [see, if interested: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=9wgryy...ef&x=0&y=po4naq], the pickup seemed the right option. Launched the Polish Princess [Kathi, not the pickup] and decided I was a wuss; I'd ride in. Atlanta is, sadly, a third-world city in many respects, with one of the most maddening problems being the city's view that broken or leaking water mains are no big deal. Makes domani seems subito. So, one can have the exciting experience of rounding a curve to see ice sheets where the water has covered the road. Luckily, I know where all those are on my commute, and with exception of one long little valley, temps were above freezing, so those were only wet, not icy. There is satisfaction--even smug superiority--in being only motorcycle on road (at least none on my route). Electrics, too, make what might be painful an easy ride, with only the cumbersome chore of getting all "the stuff" on. It's 10 or so miles by straight roads to my office; I take the 14-mile wigglier way. Weather changes tomorrow; wet and colder. Hope to get EV back on road this weekend. Lordy, I do miss that big w/s.

Looks like it HL by a landslide. I bought a Handy Lift so I ... uhm ... Wayne Orwig ... could work on my Guzzis. Here's the company site: http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/produc...duct=936&D=0&S= Here's a few "action" shots: http://www.kodakgallery.com/BrowsePhotos.j...rid=0&ownerid=0 Bill

Thanks, Phil. No, I hadn't even thought of Blue Moon until this popped on my companion post on wildguzzi: http://www.bluemooncycle.com/bikes/033_74_...4_mgfalcone.htm They have one! I think I saw this same NF at an Italian car show at Burton Dam two years ago. I am interested, but am also looking at others. had no idea I'd get this much response. I am still working on the bride. Stop by and visit the GarageMahalo sometime; we live here: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formt...HVHpXCtaQ%3d%3d [sorry; tried to shorten that url, but mapquest defeated me] Anyway, Wayne Orwig is coming over on Sat or Sun to help me get the EV tranny back in. I'm looking forward to the education.

Grazie, Antonio! I have gotten several leads here, including one in Atlanta. The site, however, is very interesting in many ways. Wish there were more pics, but the one civilian version listed with a photo looks cherry. Also saw one military one in Lecco. "OK, Kathi, I know I said we came to Mandello to visit the factory, but what a coincidence. A Nuovo Falcone just like I've been wanting, here, in Lecco. It's a miracle, really." She may come to Amsterdam and hunt you down like a dog.

Thanks for the feedback. I googled and found several interesting old Guzzis, but think (especially for your last point, cost ) that if I buy anything of that sort, it'll be a NF. I'd like to use it as a daily commuter, unless I end up with something nicer than I have in mind just now, in which case it'll be a sunny-day display ride around the neighborhood. Got an email from an owner. I'll see if I can't pour Kathi a bit more wine than usual to put her in a mellow mood for casual mentioning of a possible addition to the garageMahalo.

Put this on wildguzzi, but thought I'd ask here as well. Well, as the Norge appears to be a 2007 event--if that--and my Carabinieri truck project is on spousal-unit-sanity hold (more available by email, but not public post ], I am on looking (semi-seriously, as same SU may need "encouragement") for a Nuovo Falcone. I (think I'd) prefer a mil version "in the crate," and understand those are out there somewhere. OTOH, would also consider any police version, a pure "civilian" model; or a Sahara model. Here are pics of the basic military version. http://www.acr-ricambi.it/NOVOFALC.DX.JPG & http://www.motorcities.com/contents/02/197...B233651097.html I have googled for available ones, and found several ... in Europe, but none in USA. As we will be in Italy next June, that is an option, but I'd like to find one here. So, anybody know of one? I know these aren't viewed as "sexy" Guzzis, but the anemic performance and semi-vintage look is fine with me for a neighborhood doodler or a slow run to the local hills. Thanks. Bill

Hadn't posted the original notice here, but thought I'd better publish the CNX from wildguzzi lest someone who posts or lurks on this forum heard about the event, showed up next weekend, and found themselves the only Guzzi within 100 miles : "Based on the somewhat-less-than-resounding response to the earlier post reminder http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=865.0, I'm thinking that few will be disappointed at this announcement that it is being cancelled! Talked with Grant Borden (Southern Guzzi Riders & Friends) and recommended he cancel based on 29 Dreams bumping us for another group, the likely low attendance flowing from that, and because I am a wuss and didn't want to ride the Ballabio in the '20's next Sat a.m. Actually, that last wasn't a reason to cancel, but it did not make me sad, either. Marriott tells me I lose the points I used to get the room; hmmmmmm, that doesn't sound right; think I'll see if I can charm a CSR later today on that. Anyway, hope this doesn't dash anyone's plans, but if so, come over to the GarageMahalo and watch me show Wayne how to put an EV back together." Bill

Ditto docc's "Where..." & raise you re why dealer is not option? Also, how many miles on that jewel or is something else requiring that service now? I don't have my manual here, can't recall service interval for that, had dealer do 6 & 12k, and am at 18K now. Hmmmmm. Mebbe I'd better learn this, too. [Yo, docc, did you see that there is a new Guzzi dealer in Atlanta? I will stick with ATD cuz I like 'em, but having a choice is neat. http://www.atlantamotorworld.com/default.asp]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSE...492&topic=868.0