Lucky Phil

I owned a VFR750 for a few years. very nice competent and comfortable bike. Ciao

I just re read that whole thread docc and at the end of the day there seems to be no conclusive evidence that the clamps were changed apart from some numbers which at the time I couldn't identify on my bike. I'll have another look today. I only ask as I want to fit the later top clamp to my bike. I'd be surprised if Guzzi actually went to the trouble of producing a set of triple clamps with fork bores not aligned with the steering stem axis to the tune of 1/2 degree. I've had bikes with this set up from the factory ( My RC30 Honda had it from memory) but it's a bit unusual esp as an afterthought attempt to solve a handling issue. You generally change the offset to correct a problem. My 1198 has Dan Kyle 30mm offset triple clamps as opposed to the std 36mm offset to improve the steering. If anyone has a set of the later clamps or even the upper clamp like shown below I'd be interested. I can also then do a forensic measurement and put this to bed once and for all, maybe:) Same as this but without the holes open holes. Ciao

How do you identify these docc? Do all the later trees have the same geometry until the end of the V11's? Ciao

I tell you what, if you're that anal about a bar end weight/cap how on earth do you manage to actually ride the bike? I mean the soles of your boots on the foot pegs would have you sweating bullets. What if you owned my 1198 with these on it? You'd never sleep

If you want to see the ugliest new bike ever take a look at the latest Suzuki Hyabusa. I followed one a few weeks ago and then passed it. It's got an ass 3 pick handles across and a pair of muffler twice the size of my cars. A truly pointless and grotesque piece of horrible garbage. Ciao

Really, you don't want to ride mine as it's only got 2/3 of a std bike. Ciao

Reality check, there're bar ends for gods sake. Hit them with a quality rattle can paint. Might need to do them every year but so what. If you're really keen you could use $20 2 pack rattle can paint. Ciao

Steady big fella. Ciao

If you'd ever spent any time over there you'd know. Ciao

Seems obvious to me, it's a Sports tourer same category as a Honda VFR750/800 was. Exposed exhaust pipes! Seriously? More exposed than the cylinder heads on a Daytona engine? The side exit pipes are the best protective device Guzzi's ever come up with for the head. Ciao

A complete Alchemy what? Roll out the door ready to ride bike without a donor bike/engine to start with? Not in a million years. I've known people that have used his services from 35 years ago. and up to the present day. The parts alone for a complete bevel engine rebuild/renewal for what I know you would almost definitely need is around $9650 off their site and if I had an old bevel and sent it to Brook for a complete rebuild I'd be expecting the cost to be twice that. I actually know someone that had him rebuild/restore a GT about a year ago but he wouldn't disclose what it had cost him. Even he didn't want to reflect on the cost. In truth if you wanted a completely new engine ground up crankcases etc I reckon I'd be close to the mark with my original estimate. Then you've got the all the cycle parts and frame and labour. You need to compare apples to apples. I mean a set of PVM front and rear wheels alone for a V11 is $4000 landed here new. Ciao

You don't know the cost yet. "Not bloody bad" can quickly become, "bloody hell how much did you say" The engines alone are around $35-40,000 from memory. Ciao

Really? A 3.5kw split system here is the biggest you can plug into a 10amp power point but will easily heat and cool a 6MX6M workshop garage, even much bigger in reality. They come pre gassed and all you need is some piping and a simple vacuum pump for $50 and do it yourself. Piece of cake. Ciao

I don't get it they are totally different incomparable bikes. Ciao

Now I'm confused docc. Non-startus interruptious would mean it doesn't suffer from any starting issues. Where a bike that suffers has Startus interruptious. Ciao

They aren't as nice in the flesh docc. One of those bikes that looks better in images than in real life. Looks a bit "weird" in the showroom. The headlight and front fairing style will be a transient thing I think. Triumph have copied it I see. Ciao

I've ridden one. Ciao

Ok red frame is the supposed less stable one. My bike has a slightly longer Wilbers shock and the forks dropped through the triple clamps 8mm and is ok as far as I'm concerned. Ciao

Compared to the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 it has a 120cc larger engine for the same HP, beyond retro 19" front wheel, 27kg extra weight, no slipper clutch, 5 speed gearbox not 6 speed, Japanese bike spare parts costs and it's $3000 dearer on the road. You'd have to be crazy to buy one of these over the Interceptor. Ciao

The "850" on the tank decal of the V7 Special looks pox. The rest of the bike looks nice but having "850" emblazoned on the tank decal is a styling mistake in my mind. It makes it look like the graphics were designed by a scooter stylist. Leave the capacity moniker for the side cover. Maybe it was styled by the moron at Guzzi that did the 1400 tank cutouts. Ciao

They are pretty docc. Ciao

Hence docc my attitude that if the oil manufacturer doesn't have a PDS listing all the additive details then I'm not going to buy their product. The information provided on the container and in a lot of PDS is like a star rating on food or white goods these days. Designed for consumers that don't want to go to the effort of educating themselves on "the details". A marketing persons paradise. Ciao