Steve G.

We'll be at the factory gates Sept. 8th or 9th. Maybe we'll see you there! Actually, I'm going to Italy on the coat-tails of a moto-journalist buddy, and so far, we have VIP press tours set up with the other factories. Hiopefully the same with Guzzi! Steve

A group of us buddies are leaving on the 23rd of Aug, to among other things, visit 4 bike factories, and visit the legendary Pierro Laverda to view his factory race bikes. We've managed to contact everyone, except Guzzi. Are they asleep at the wheel? Steve

Very interesting news about Agusta and MV Agusta, thanks very much for allowing me to learn the truth. Regarding HD's take over of MV, I understood it was a full takeover, including payout of all debt, and monies to Castiglioni. My wish is that HD will, with it's influence, allow MV's to be made available in Canada!!! And my nightmare is that you will soon see MV and Buell on the same showroom floor, my God! Steve

I didn't realize Piaggio built airplanes?? What kind? I know that MV Agusta still makes helicopters. Steve

These numbers are pretty close from my enquiries. While limited production bikes like the Tenni, and Rosso numbered I think around 300, I've more or less confirmed numbers of the green, red framed early V11's at around 450 a year, so, essentially anything that comes out of Mandello, for decades, is limited production. Comparing these numbers to HD, with over 300,000 bikes a year, gives you the impression that Guzzi is tiny. Compare Guzzi production with Laverdas best years, with annual production of the Jota at 100 bikes a yr, and it looks much bigger. Laverda did step up production when the started making the RGS though, to 120 bikes a yr for each model!! Steve

Very sad. I have watch this accident and, golly it doesn't seem to have been that bad. Did he get run over by one of the other guys when he lay on the track? Steve

I'm reading this thread with much interest. In 2 wks, I'm heading off to Europe, spending 4 days in Munich where among other things we'll be taking in the newly redone BMW museum, then, riding bikes through 6 countries playing in the Alps & Dolomites. After 14 days of this bliss, the group of 4 guys are heading at high speed back into Italia, for back door tours of Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Ducati, Benelli, Piaggio, Aprilia, as well as stopping by Arturo Magni's shop, and stopping by Mr. Laverda's estate to visit, and see his collection of Laverda Corse machinery including the fantastic V6. To say I'm pumped would be an understatement. Steve

Hi Van, Life throws some pretty weird shite at us sometimes, and all I can say is, I wish your son all the courage he can muster, and with yourself, other family & friends backing him, he's going to be back to his 'ol self. I know you've heard this before, but I have been where you are, , and it's no fun. I lost my brother to a bike crash a year ago, and I'm still waiting for him to ride up my road with a big grin, to go for a ride. To lose a brother and your best friend all in one, well, I'll never be the same really, a small bit of me is gone as well. So, grab your son, hug him, go do stuff with him, ride with him, anything, just treat time with your family as cherished time, because it is, very much. Steve

He is special isn't he. I remember a few yrs ago I spotted him [or should I say I spotted his bike, perfect for those color blind] at the Vashon TT, resplendently parked at a corner so everyone could see him. He was sitting there revving his bike up, without his helmet on, just revving it up and looking at everyone, a real attention whore we all thought. Didn't know he would be stupid enough to steal from the only Guzzi shop worth visiting in the PNW. That's ok, my opinion of him can't get any lower. Steve

IMHO, this event is currently the single greatest motorsport event in the world today. I'm extremely envious of my English cousins who can easily take in this event every year, as I would if I lived in England. As I get older and cross off my "list of must do events", this event is one I simply must attend. Steve

There is a fish, native to the Fraser River here in BC, a bottom dwelling scrap eating fish. They call it the Bullhead, and it looks exactly like this new Buell. My god, it's uglier than a mud fence!! Steve

So, which guy is James May on the show, the guy who drove the Veyron Bugatti on the VW test track? Steve

The latest Motorcyclist magazine [August] has just done a test on this bike. They like it, but they basically summed up the test by saying "call us back when you put a big block engine in it". Pretty well summs up my thoughts as well. Steve

We better stop talking about it, or something deemed nasty will kill the thread like the other one. Wouldn't want to submit nastyness to the uneducated flock. Steve

http://www.moto-spezial.de/homepage/index.html Steve

I agree. I own a Laverda, gone since 1988. There will always be small groups which will have, and in Laverda's case, start reproducing small quantity parts of those needed. Steve

It sounds like a heat related fuel vapour lock to me. At least eliminate this as a possibility, as some of the other sugestions will cost you money. You will have to be carefull draining off the pressure right at the petcock, if done while the engine is hot. But this is probably it. It will have to be done maybe once a yr. Steve

You have to look at the machine and decide if it is to become a parts bike for it's replacement, without emotion deciding. Italian bikes are especially expensive to repair cosmetic damage. I've been where you are, in the same position, and it's tough to think that way now, but the correct decision will be easier to make after the event sinks in a while. Steve

Stumbles at low revs you say? Are your tappets adjusted to European specs, or the quiter, smaller, and problematic North American specs? Steve

There were less dealers with MG back then, only 6 or 7 in entire country. Think British Italian was the biggest selling dealer in sales, and I think 10 spine frames went through each yr average. Depending on which bolts you may need? There are metric fastener places in most major cities [Vancouver has Fuller Metric] where you can literally get anything you need. Or you can go to the dealer and help Luigi keep his job back in Mandello. Steve

I think the ECU is reacting negatively to the flat green paint. Ohhh, sorry! Steve

I would have pulled mine off years ago, mainly as it was leaking oil. But now that it's empty of it damping oil, I don't even know it's there. Taking it off would be the same as spinning it to minimum damping. Steve

Are these an issue with pre 2002 V11's? Is this one time when the early V11's get away with this? Steve

I'm the Imelda Marcos of the motorcycle jacket/pants world. At least 10 jackets, 5 different makes, Motoport, Belstaff, Hein Gerike, First Gear, BMW. The best by far is my BMW Savana 2. They don't make that model anymore, it's been superceded by the Santiago, again, the venting king, WITHOUT sacrificing armour protection. Second is the Motoport, good stuff, best price. Belstaff is rubbish. Steve

Mine's been doing the exact same thing for 2 yrs now, without complications. I'm not sure what is causing it. I've put a voltage tester on the battery leads before, during, and after and the flickering light does not seem to coincide with a low or high charge. My battery is strong. Steve