Steve G.

I check things out over there, the odd entry. To be honest, I never thought there was a problem, I guess because the heated threads were eliminated very quickly. I don't react well to broad spectrum threats of mass discipline just because of a few bad eggs. Glad it's riding season here, much nicer than reading about other peoples mis-adventures. Steve

Ahhhh, the stories I could tell. Well, just one for starters. Back in 2004, I was in Eureka, California, I was running an IPA tour [india Pale Ale] for our club, basically sampling/judging IPA's in the U.S. western states. We were waiting for one to open up, so were browzing across the street at a funky antique shop. An old fellow, seeing our leathers, comes up to me, and asks in thick Irish slang "You lads ever heard of the Isle of Man TT?", I said, "Yeah, I went there for TT-94". "aye", he says, " you must of heard of my neighbour, young Phil McCallen?". " What a lovely young lad, he quit racing you know, much too dangerous he says". We bought he and his wife a round, and could not help but think how small this world really is. Steve

What else is there to say,,,,V. Rossi is the greatest rider of all time, and is still the greatest!! Steve

For sure the Ulysses. And I think all the other models except the Rotax powered models. Steve

I've ridden non stop from Laguna Seca raceway to Vancouver 4 times. I've done an Iron Butt run, 1550 miles/28hrs non stop, on an Airhead GS, no worries, went to work the next day. Comfort?? Yes my friend. If there's one engine out there that can last as long as a Moto Guzzi twin, it's an airhead. Steve

Buell uses the same supplier, and other than the actual lens color/light bulb color changes, retrofit straight across. Oh,,,,and the Buell ones are 1/6th the price! Steve

It's too bad they don't bring the NTX into North America. Stelvio's in red do not make sense. A bike like this needs to be olive green or camo, there's no sense in making a dual sport pretty, it's not possible. Every one made from every manufacturer is ugly, the way it should be. Steve

Cruisers are comfortable,,,,for about 15 minutes. Your tailbone will hate you. Your body becomes a human kite at speeds over 50mph. Cruisers are friggin' stupid. Sorry, I had to tell you. The most comfortable sitting position in motorcycling today is found on most large dual sport machines. Steve

When you take the pan off, if you are carefull, you can reuse the gasket a few times, as I have. I bought one, but ended up breaking the bloody thing riding home from British Italian. Don't use any gasket sealer, use thick oil or greae only. Mine still doesn't leak after 10 yrs and 10 oil changes. Like the other lads, I've given up on removing the filter port hole. One caution when removing the pan. The rear oil line connected to the back of the pan, be carefull with that, the end connection has been known to crack if overtightened or tightened crooked. Steve

I make mine tight enough that my special furl oil filter wrench cannot get it to turn if I try to remove it through the port hole. Why do they come loose?? These engine shake. Steve

Hi Roy, There's no tool accessory in the factory tool kit to remove the oil filter access port, unless the previous owner has thrown one in. Steve

I'm sure the manual petcock will improve things dramatically. Steve

I've experienced ALL the problems you've gone through, and more. Do yourself a favour and replace the electric fuel petcock for a manual one. My theory, yes, fuel heats up in the line from the petcock to the fuel pump. The heat can be vastly reduced with heat shield, but not eliminated. The problem is, the electric petcock closes shut when you shut the thing off, thereby trapping that pocket of vapourised and pressureized fuel. The manual petcock allows the vapourised fuel to harmlessly vent up into the tank at it's own leisure. I know you are frustrated, close to getting rid of it. Just one more step is needed to eliminate this problem. Whomever decided on this electric petcock at Moto Guzzi, needs a kick in the sack! Steve

Any good u-joint grease will do. Regarding the front u-joint, you don't have to remove the swingarm, I've done it twice without doing so. But it sure helps if you have a swivel head grease gun head, which you can bend to get access to the grease nipple on the joint. I have a Lubrimatic mini grease gun with optional variable swing head, and flexible hose, does the job super easy!! http://www.plews-edelmann.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1921&location_id=2723 http://www.plews-edelmann.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=2241&location_id=2726 If you want, stop by my place and have a look at the thing, I'm in Surrey. Steve

Correct,,, that spacer should be between 112.9mm-113.2mm thick, to prevent side loading on the wheel bearing. Steve

The sheer arrogance is easy to spot. Steve

I agree. I put a 160mm rear on my early V11, and everything improved handling wise. The tire sits properly on the rim now, it is not cupped in tight as a 170 is. Installing a wider rim off a 2003/and later Spine Frame to properly accept a 170mm rear tire will definitely let the tire sit properly on it's radius to the ground, whether this improves handling over a 160mm tire on a stock wheel, I can't say. If it's a cosmetic appeal you are going for, then go for it. Steve

I'll be waiting as well, for their kit resembling their Super-twin, by far their best looking G-B. Steve

I really like chocolate, dark chocolate! Steve

There's gotta be something askew with the 1/4 mile times of the Ballabio. There are no stock 2 valve Guzzi's capable of 10.3 in the 1/4 mile. Can't happen. Steve

I've done 210km/hr speedo indicated, out by Elko, Nevada. The GPS told me actual was 125mph. I guess it had a bit more left, but side winds made the thing a tad unsettling. I have other bikes which will easily eclipse that in utter stable happiness. But on a Guzzi, it seems special, there's more happening. Steve

I bought my V11 in late '01. I'm just about to install battery #3 this weekend. The original Sparko lasted 3 1/2 yrs. The Odyssey 545 just started frigging leaking fluid, so it's done after 5 1/2 yrs. I don't understand, the voltage regulator always gave it a perfect 13.4 volt run charge. I'm disapointed in modern battery technology. Steve

Too bad your here during the dreary winter. Oh well, like Monkey has mentioned, great food & drink. Best pub is clearly DIX in Yaletown. Go Thursdays night, open keg night, if you like IPA, this is it! I'm one of the nuts that show up @ Cafe Calabria on Commercial Drive at 1st Ave. Last Tuesday of every month. During the crappy weather, you won't find bikes show up, summer's different though. They serve a mean authentic panini and coffee as good as Italia, I know. Ask for 'Frank's Special' and a double 'cappi', grab a seat at the window, and watch the entertainment walk by. BTW, Jim's MGS-01 is about 55 miles due east of downtown. Steve

Why don't you follow your own advice for everyone, and just let it go? Or are you a self imposed 'higher purpose person' who has special rights over us 'pee ons'? Steve

I agree totally. It is difficult to see how a small minority of,,,,,,,individuals can set about a cancer that effects us all. I do hope egos and attitudes are 'checked' at the door of this forum from now on. Think happy thoughts. Steve