Chuck

Grand son Max, 19, is visiting on Spring break from Iowa State. He was looking at our ancient stereo stuff, and asked if it still worked. He has heard that vinyl is the best.. We had a flood many years ago, and literally hundreds of my LPs were involved. The bottom 2 inches are stuck to the sleeve, or have residue on them. He said he would try cleaning and see if it would do any good. It didn't. However, I had a virgin vinyl Steely Dan that was in a plastic sleeve that was undamaged. Put it on the B&O, and he was enthralled. "It sounds like they are in the room. If you've never heard it, you won't understand.." Probably created a monster..

Pretty sure the Mille is a small valve engine. I had a Strada, which is similar, has the great medium valve engine, and when naked and unafraid looked very much like my LM5 in the same condition.

Many. The deal breaker for me was the heat rolling out of the fairing. I liked the bike, though..but not enough to pull the trigger.

These bearings had the special unobtainium solid gold races and 99.9% silver balls?? Seriously, I don't know.. but that sounds crazy to me. (?)

When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro.

From memory.. there was a New Hampshire sticker on the fork leg.

Un freakin believable, David. I'd never seen him.. Thanks!

(sigh..)

No, a good story.. but the news makes us sick, too.

Thanks, Bill.. you've outdone yourself this time. Give Kathi a hug from Indiana.

Higher. The little Monza The Kid took over will just sing. I would say it is the sweetest running Guzzi engine I've ever operated. Maybe the best handling Guzzi, too. There is something very special about that bike that doesn't make a whole lot of sense if you look at the sum of it's parts, but it is definitely there. To get the same engine without the 10 years long search for a Monza, (!) look for a Mark III. FWIW, when I asked The Kid if he wanted me to save the Mighty Scura for him, he said, "No, but don't sell the Monza."

My understanding is the original owner was a Dr. from New Hampshire. Pete might know..

^^^^ That was always my plan, Colt. Of course, being a big valve Guzzi, she'll need valve guides done sooner or later.. but that's an easy enough job. Garage Queen isn't in her nature. Punch the button and go.

Not really. When I discovered the titanium pushrods, I called Mike Rich. When I told him what history I knew of it, he said, "Oh, I remember that bike." (!) He keeps records of the heads he does, and looked it up. Said they were some of the best Guzzi heads he had ever done, but he didn't build the engine. That was FBF, and he knew nothing about that. He told me what they did on the flow bench, but needless to say, I don't remember.

Yeah, the Ohlins reservoir has to be carefully located to keep from interfering with the throttle linkage.

I have a more worthy one.

I was on a trip out east somewhere on the red Norge. I was filling up at a gas station when a beautiful *very* well dressed, uh..older.. lady came up to me and said, "I don't drive motorcycles, but if I did, that is the one I would have." She definitely would have been worthy..

From Pete, several years ago.. One thing that rarely gets mentioned is the bearing in the right hand outer part of the bevelbox. It's there to allow for movement in the reactive drive so the box can rock slightly on the wheel spindle. Thing is Guzzi thoughtfully didn't put in a seal to keep the water out and even more bizarrely use a bearing with a hole in the inner race that would seem to almost be designed to allow the ingress of water! Throw in the famous 'Mandello Grease Phobia' and you have a recipe for failure! Now it's not an immediate, life threatening, problem but if the bearing wears or collapses it can lead to problems with other, more important, bearings in the box. The main trick is preventative maintenance. First, next time it needs a tyre check the bearing while the spindle is out. Remove the washer outboard of it and pull out the inner race. If the bearing needs replacing, (And if it's been neglected it may well do so.) it needs an expanding puller to get it out of the box. Best idea is to just unhook the box from the reactive rod and take it to the bench. Incidentally one of the gearbox bearing pullers for the old five speed gearbox fits this bearing too. The bearing itself is a 'Free Grandfather Clock With Every Half Dozen' one available from any bearing factor. Get one without the water ingress hole! file:///tmp/lu826549re2kxs.tmp/lu826549re2ky9_tmp_71e6c1a972543bfd.gif Press it in and grease it well before reinstalling it on the reaction arm. DON'T FORGET TO ALIGN THE DRIVESHAFT WHEN YOU RECONNECT IT! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! Once the bearing is well greased, (I use a 'Waterproof' marine grease.) it can simply be re-greased thoroughly at every tyre change and it'll last pretty much forever. Pete

I'm fairly bionic my ownself.. and really glad for it.

Welcome, Colt. Yes, there may have been a tear. Or two. Life is good, though.. and I'm glad she's found a good home. Wrenchin and riding.. what's not to like?

There *is* a resemblance, isn't there? Yeah.. she's found a good home.

May the chook treat him well..

I realized that my time with the old girl was over at the Kentucky rally this year. I had Dorcia on the back, and my steadily lessening strength was becoming an issue at low speeds. I even dabbed a time or two.. I never do that.. leaving a stop. (sigh) Time continues on, though, and I'm a realist if nothing else. I asked a couple of guys if they wanted to take over, and my first choice did. It's certainly a sad moment for me. I've had 10 years with the old girl, and she taught me to dance. My favorite bike of all time, but as some wise person once said, "A guy's gotta know his limitations." Colt..good guy, enthusiast, and aircraft mechanic, will be the Mighty Scura's new keeper. Give him a warm welcome when he shows up.