belfastguzzi

Your new spring looks like the standard spring. The broken one is the odd one, with that big curve. Was that shape used by Guzzi at some stage, anyone know? Immediate edit after second look: Hang on – is that curve not the coil part of the wire? The hook has broken off and is possibly still in your gearbox! Do you think so? Another edit: I think I misunderstood you because of th eway that the parts are positioned in the photo. Looks like the final bend / hook is still there, facing up at the camera. So what do you mean by a larger radius bend? You mean that the long wire section is slightly bent?? 17mm inside is ok, as long as boss is 15mm.

Any replacement parts from the factory should be 15mm. Somehow there was a supply of oversized parts that went into the circa 2002 bikes. Then they eventually realised and even later, it seems, had to admit to it. It's a regular part for the V.11 6-speed boxes. The part number is in various threads and can probably be easiest found in the F.A.Q. forum. The boss is not a separate part. It's part of the pawl arm. So it's a simple replacement of the pawl arm. Again, pictures and parts diagrams are elswhere in Tech Topics and FAQ. (Ok: here are photos.) Part in top left corner: You can see the spring and the coil that binds on the oversize boss, which stresses the hook end and causes it to break.

Are you related to Bendy?

Two Wheel Only have a similar line-up for a run to the Bol d'Or: the GT1000, ZRX1200, Griso and the other is a CB1300 this time. They had wanted a V.11 for the comparison trip, but then found out that thems ould bikes is dead. So the Griso is a bit of an odd-one-out, as it's not a retro. Of course it's a lot of an odd-one-out, for the usual reasons. Again the Griso comes out more than quite well. Praised for good handling (through bends), ace suspension and brakes – as well as the styling. Performance let down, not by handling but by engine-transmission struggle when things get frantic – slow gearchange. Same problem as the other report when it comes to motorway riding. They made a bit of a story about the Griso catching and eventually passing a couple of Frenchies on R.1s. Honda was best performer, but came last in the evaluation because it failed to engage / excite. Wonder how a V.11 would have fared?

No, I think it comes out well from the report. The 'vibration' comment-thing we understand and the seating position and set-up is again clear to see and judge against personal 'build' and needs. The interesting thing is how well the 1200 comes out in the other report.

Oh, right. I knew that something must be happening Down There. (You mean to refresh the page, when it is open, to see additional posts.)

Ha ha. Short snippet of the Clarkson interview on the Bike homepage. Catch it soon, as it must be about to change for this month's issue. Well, at least the new page should have a couple of Guzzis on it. Clarkson's on the phone

The report in Bike gives the 1200s a 'It's built for real roads', despite fast name and race-track launch. (In various reports there seems to have been consensus that Guzzi launched the bike in the wrong place. It shouldn't have been a race-track: which also had the delights of being beside a clanking quarry and an up-wind pig farm. "At home on the road. Gutsy and characterful. Comfy 100mph cruising. Glides over poor surfaces. Broad spread of power. A superb road bike." It's described as not a sports bike, as in GSX-R sense: it's a Breva in a well-tailored tracksuit. Sounds like a good job. I just wish it had the style of the Griso, not the Breva.

It's out now – and the Griso is ridden over the 500 mile test route through England and Wales ( that includes Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground for performance) with Ducati GT1000, Kawasaki ZRX1200R, Triumph Bonneville T100. In short, it comes out in the middle, with recognition that this bike is bought for 'different' reasons than most other bikes. First it's uncomfortable (very, for some) with low seat and wide bars and comes last for motorway use (rider becomes a big wind-catcher; vibration; harsh). Two-wheeled torture. Truly bad. Crippling. Harsh. Cramped legs. Odd and awkward. Suspension is hard/harsh as if supplied from stock for the track (and has those semi-slick tyres), rather than the road. And it's last for pillion. It's top for build quality. On the performance graphs it comes out very similar to the Ducati, but the big Kwak runs away. Guzzi low rev limit brings in 80bhp (77.3 @7400rpm). 59.5lb.ft @6300 129mph Braking graph is good: better than bike feels, as lowdown weight and sportsbike brakes lock the front tyre easily. Good on big sweepers (not tight stuff) and impressive roll-on, where it's graph is as good, pretty much, as the big 1200 Kwak. This test was kept down to 80mph top (from 40) rather the usual 120, given the machinery. Quality build in a world of tack and 'unique appeal'. [There's also a report on the 1200s]

It's been a bit too quiet the last couple of days – what can they be up to, down there?

oh right it's time for a competition: what's the BIGGGEST picture that you can post on here?

It's an illusion there's no such thing as 'free time' We have a saying here: 'if you want something done, ask a busy man to do it' well, that's not strictly true either Anyway – someone has to make up for all the holiday time that John O Sullivan is taking The world of productivity has to be kept in balance or else...

A lady Properus! Take heed – stay out of the water!

Good old John. Off having fun with his new aussie mates – and he still finds time to send some news home. John's holiday blog

The internet is deceptive. In all this time I haven't realised that you Dutchies are so teenie-tiny small. Even the Japanese are giants by comparison! I now understand why Jaap has so much difficulty controlling his motorbike.

heehee – and we luv ejukatin you –

! Now you tell me! I immediately started preparing an expedition to 'discover' the hidden Mountains of Dutchland. Now, the training has been for nothing adventurers train for first assault on the Mountains of Dutchland

I see that P.Ropey has persuaded John to get rid of the sandals and put some decent shoes on. Wonder what they're all eating now? Down at the Beach Hut. Not that I'm jealous.

Was he this big?

You could watch Nicky go supermoto. Seems a bit spirited here.

What part of Holland are those mountains in?

Yep, just like there's no dispute over who became the 'Merikan President. The best guy, steady chap: the facts speak for themselves – he must be the best 'cause he got the most points... oh...errrmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

So, Ratchet, that's the process you go through when deciding what oil filter to buy. What's it like when you have to make a really important decision, like, maybe, 'what direction to flick the turn-signal switch in?'

C'mon Nog. I suppose you haven't even found this drop-down yet? I knew there had to be some reason for the Tenni Forum. Then, I found it. It's there, as a place where no-one goes – to house a secret control panel!

The indicator lines will certainly wear off, but aren't there dimples? (Though visual alignment of the joints will always be the essential tell-tale.)