Lucky Phil

Yes well done indeed. It all makes perfect sense. I've never experienced the starter button jamming in on any bike, one to put in the memory bank. No wait, better write it down. Ciao

Download the 2 valve Griso parts manual from This old tractor and cross ref or order the parts you need. Thats what I did. Ciao

Its actually a nice design let down by cheaping out on the orings to save around $1. My modified version works perfectly and is now rebuildable if the need ever arises which it shouldn't considering the use it gets. It's nice reaching under the tank and knowing you don't need to fight the fuel tap to simply shut it off. Ciao

+1 Ciao

Nope, I've had 2 taps jam up and I don't use ethanol fuel. Nitrile seals aren't totally unaffected by gasoline. The swelling can be ok in the instance of a confined static seal in a fuel system where the seal swell can actually help sealing but in a dynamic situation they are hopeless. Ciao

How? The only solution I'm aware of is to replace the Nitrile O rings with Viton/FKM seals. That's the reason they seize up and get stiff because the std O rings swell like crazy when exposed to fuel. I covered the modification here a while back. Ciao

Yep good advice, they are what I used. Ciao

Yes docc, wise words indeed. Ciao

Aesthetics mainly but the integrated protectors are a nice thing to have. Ciao

Yes, the cover and the black protector are different pieces. The protector is p/n 06023400 2off. Ciao

Like this Ciao

I fitted Griso covers to my 2 Valve engine. Part number you need for the covers is 06941000 (2off) Std HT leads and caps fit. Ciao

I just use ceiling insulation batt material. Ciao

Yes docc the hole idea would be the best answer. As long as it had some edge margin. Ciao

The idea behind the universal joint cover is to retain the joint in the event of failure or partial failure, just ask docc. By hacking a lubricating window in the cover you have negated this function as the idea is a round smooth ring to contain the failed joint without areas for it to grab on and cause more carnage. Not a great idea. Ciao

Yep Ciao

No docc the additional frame length is fwd of the front subframe mounts. Ciao

+1 Ciao

What I find hopeless docc is when a caption on an image describes something fitted that actually isn't. You dont need to be a Guzzi expert to see when a front brake isn't fitted on an old 1920's motorcycle but the caption goes to great lengths to highlight the fact it has the "optional" front brake, hopeless. I have just genuinely skimmed the text in this book so I'm not looking at it in detail. I also noted an image of a Mk4 lemans described with black rocker covers for the year model. My friend had one which we collected from Agostinis in Mandello in 86 and I can tell you they were a very dark blue, not black. Falloon lives in Melbourne, I should track him down and give him some feedback. Ciao

Bugger docc. The second book "the rest of the stories" is nothing like the "my life in bikes". I wouldn't suggest buying the second book personally unless you are a particular sort of person, its a bit niche. The primary book is to some extent a reference book which I'd like to keep as such so I'd be happy to post it over to you but the postage costs to the US and back would probably be dearer than buying it. I get most of my books from "The book depository" which is free postage world wide. Dont know if this is the best deal though. As pointed out most books these days are to a large extent "recycled". Cathcart books have been like this for 25 years. Ciao

Ok surprising. You can always count on Guzzi to throw you a curve ball. If the stroke and cylinder height is the same as the V11 then it has to be the rods that are longer. Ciao

I've got Falloons new book, it's a bit disappointing. It's basically a coffee table picture book with brief text and there's a couple of howling technical errors which always destroys any confidence I have in a book you may use for reference purposes. Ciao

When you say the piston is "shorter" do you mean the compression height of the piston? I'd be surprised if the Griso has longer rods than a V11. Ciao

Here you go, one of my favourite Aussie road images. Always enjoy seeing this through the screen just before popping up for the braking marker. Turn 1 Phillip Island Bass Straight in the distance. Ciao

That's why its mounted in a spherical ball. I usually put an oring on one side of spherical bearings between the ball and the damper cylinder mount bracket that stops them rattling around but still allows rotational movement in 2 planes. Same with the rod end bearings on my torque rod. Stopping the rod and or damper unwanted movement dramatically keeps the wear down. Ciao