Steve G.

Geez Jim, You should put the beast on the Dyno that's there every year. The sound it would make would bring tears of pride to anyone with a love of the internal combustion engine! Ciao, Steve G.

I've been one of the concours judges there for 5 years now. I end up with a bloody headache after each show. It's quite stressfull with the bikes owners hovering around while you look for correct and incorrect, and balance absolute restored perfection vs very clean totally original vs trailer queens with no engine oil vs very clean everyday runners. It's been too busy for me, doing the judging and helping my brother at his overloaded swap meet tables, running back and forth. As a result I've missed out on much of the 'show' outside. I'm just helping out at his table this year, thinking about putting a bike into the concours this time. Friend and fellow club member Todd has had his show there for over 20 yrs now. This years show's special marque is AJS, including a very rare prototype [only one made] 1000 twin cam v-twin from 1932's Earl's Court Show. Here's to hoping the weather turns out ok. Ciao, Steve G.

Being a novice at analizing Moto Guzzi noises compared to say, Pete Roper, I'd have to say it sounds like your bike is starting to loosen up Chris. Ciao, Steve G.

I must admit, I easily noticed the grand "sponsorship" that Charlie & Ewan enjoyed, and was jealous of it. But I understand why they would get such sponsorship, and why I would not. And I'm ok with this fact. I have large respect for them simply because of the route that they took, that god forsaken route through Kasikstan, Mongolia and the Road of Bones. This is NOT a route around the world I would take! Anyone with a hint of adventure smoldering in their bones would surely be inspired in some manner to do something similar like that. It has inspired myself and 8 others in my riding group, who are confirmed in a 3 week Baha California Sur run next February. Some have gotten new duel purpose machines, totally against character and habit. Small by comparison, but certainly a taste of what there is to see out in the world. Heck, it's inspired me to go to night school to clean up my Spanish basics! Ciao, Steve G.

Beauty indeed, is in the eye of the beholder. Ciao, Steve G.

If your brother is looking for 'character', there's only one choice among the bikes listed above, and it's the Ducati. If he's looking for something that can be 'used', there's only one choice, the Big-Bus. There is an argument for a bike that will paint a black line out of every corner having character. The big Suzuki will take your breath away if you have a loose and easy right wrist. Simply "Hand of God" power. It will have him grunting in his helmet trying to hold on. Ciao, Steve G.

It'd be kind of cool to watch a Harley twin pop trying to keep up with the Japper 600's. Sorry, I know there's Buell guys here. I just wish they would admit they've maybe got to look at a different engine if they want to play with the Japanese on the track. Heck, they're being given twice the capacity. Ciao, Steve G. It's sooo cool that the MGS has triumphed over a 999R. I was at a bike club meet tonight and it was mentioned to me, I didn't know. I'll be laying this on my Ducati riding buddies real thick! Again mentioned to me tonight, I think this is the perfect opportunity for MG to make a few of these in street version. Like they say, Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. A perfect time. Ciao, Steve G.

Any money says if your neighbour hadn't been involved, he'd have taken off sure as shite. Too bad you've got to park it outside. I'd have up the stairs. Ciao, Steve G.

Good read Pete. So, do you mean to say that when you turn the key on, the little info screen actually tells you that you are on a Griso? Giosh, a bike that introduces itself, what manners Like you, I'm not turned off by the size of the muffler, just the crude casting on the end, for all the world to see. Ciao, Steve G.

Charlie ran in the Dakar this year. On the fifth day, on his works BMW 650, he crashed, breaking both wrists. He's ok besides that. Ciao, Steve G.

Ahh, but you don't understand. Mr. Beauchemin will end up redoing it anyways. There is always a lineup for bike which he loses interest in, such are his restoration skills. He is an incredible savior of old abused machines! Ciao, Steve G.

For the uncut version [and it REALLY good] get it at amazon.ca, 14.95 cdn. It's been running on OLN Network for a few months now, very inspiriational if you have that desire to take off for a year [as I do]. Ciao, Steve G.

In the morning I went to the jewelery store to continue negotiations to trade in my company 25 yr Omega quartz for a more expensive Seamaster chronograph. In the afternoon, my pager went off, and was dispatched to re-glaze 2 commercial doors at a business, where, because I arrived before the police finger print guy, I was then fingerprinted myself, to eliminate my prints as potential B&E suspect to the job I repaired. This evening, domestic duties around the house, sipping California Merlot, while listening to Boston 1, loud Ciao, Steve G.

80956[/snapback] Yeah, I know that. I still say it's Bayliss's to lose if you know what I mean. His only potential dowfall will be that he's on an underpowered machine this year. Ciao, Steve G.

Yup, You know anybody who will install titanium edge guards on the outside of boots? I've got 2 pair of riding boots that need repairing. Ciao, Steve G. Sidestand's buggered, ground down 1/2".

Well, I don't have actual production numbers in front of me. But by elimination of other models, and having a basic idea on total bikes made out of Mandello, which is around 5000-7000 bikes. Eliminating the 750's of various model, all the California based models, including the Calfornia, Stone, etc, and the V11 based machines including, the limited edition Rosso, which I think batched out at 300. This leaves the V11 Sport in green, black, and silver. I'll take a generous guess of 600 in each color. Any way you swing the numbers, these bikes out of Mandello are among the smallest production street bikes made in the current era. Smaller numbers than even MV Agusta. Moto Guzzi's production numbers will never be as small and exclusive as Laverda, but then I would say this is a large reason Laverda is no longer making bikes. Ducati's numbers are much bigger than anything else in Italia now. Ciao, Steve G.

Bayliss is the guy! It's his championship to lose!

Hi Zoltan, Yes it could be mine. There is another lad who I think lives in Surrey, and an old riding friend who lives in Walnut Grove who recently sold his green one. So, up until recently [6 months] there were 3 green ones residing within 5 miles of each other. I'm wondering if you are the present owner of that bike? Did you buy yours new or used? Ciao, Steve G.

Pete's great. I love his stuff! Bavarian Money Wasters. I'm stealing this one from you Pete! Ciao, Steve G.

I am thinking this new era of supply to motorcycle, well, any manufacturers, needing bearings will be a sad one. The big problem as I see it is the increase in manufacture, supply, and use of phenolic bearings, basically bearings using plastic or vinyl roller cages instead of metal. They are cheaper, and the purchasing department in most any business these days pulls alot of strength. I predict a future of increased component failures in any system using this type of bearing, with said system being otherwise robust. Ciao, Steve G.

Gosh, it almost sounds like a relay issue. I thought they had that figured out on the newer bikes, but the fact that your lights/tank don't work seems like a relay. On the older ones, the tach and signals are relayed from the same relay. Ciao, Steve G.

I agree Bill. We all understand MacGuzzi's frustrations, but don't understand why bringing it up on a motorcycle board will help things. We have to wait only a couple more yrs and it will be all over, we Guzzi owners, we're patient guys. Ciao, Steve G.

I've seen incredible things from the use of S100. I used to love it, but after seeing it's effects on all things from clear coat removal of parts, factory cadmium plating of nuts/bolts, and deterioration of electrical connections, I avoid it at all costs. It is a very agressive detergent, and even when thorough rinsing of all areas, it's effects are seen. You can't replace good old 'elbow grease' when cleaning a machine. As they say, it's all in the details, and detailing the little areas is what counts. I've won 2 'show & shines' simply by spending an afternoon cleaning the little areas that normally would not be touched. Products from Meguirs help alot, with their Final Inspection product being the easiest to use. Power hoses on bikes of any kind are not advised. Your local wheel bearing supply house will love you though. Even direct shot from a garden hose can compromise a wheel bearing seal. Mist is best. Ciao, Steve G.

Yup, ok Jim, I'll go with you on that one. They do make a lovely sound as well. And the flames!!! Ciao, Steve G.

As much as I love the MGS, it stands little chance in the company of current superbikes. And it's not homologated, meaning, not enough units have been made for sale to the public. Of course an argument could be made for C. Fogarty's Petronas in this regard, but it was a shite box anyways, so no one is concerned. Ciao, Steve G.