belfastguzzi

I lost you somewhere. Is the gerbil on the V.11 or the other bike?

I don't have all the notes from previous exhaust investigations. I did find this part number for the 'pre-cat' (?) exhaust, the one needed for my 2002 model. The parts difference was described by the addition of the header balance pipe. 'V11 Titanium Exhaust System for models not originally equipped with crossover pipe between headpipes under alternator: all 2000-2002 and also the 2003 V11 Sport Naked with clip-on handlebars and wrinkle-black engine. pt no. 97.32.60.90.009' The price used to be £850, so £350 is some bargain. More info about the different models is on the Forum somewhere.

Talking of fairies, they may hold the explanation for why things have all gone wrong with John O'Sullivan's bike and as I was about to post a note on this, curiously spooky confirmation came on the tv. John made the error of tearing up the natural flora outside his house. Instead of things as they were meant to be and have always been, the ground has been cleared, flattened and turned to lawn. Carelessly, he has displaced the fairies at the bottom of his garden. As is their way, their revenge is to turn his beloved V.11 to plasticene, bit by bit from the inside out. As I say, confirmation appeared on tv. Out of the blue, there has just been a piece about the tragic story of John Z. Delorean. The sudden, drastic downturn in the car-maker's fortune (and that of his factory workers and partners) came soon after a fairy tree was dug out at his factory premises. I wonder, was a Hawthorn felled in Mandello, in 2002?

Very well brought back to base, Martin – Lord Brocket being the other consumate, happy Reed Geez.

Doesn't everyone have fairies at the bottom of their garden?

It's ok. I retract everything. Anyone for a spot of sailing?

'course he didn't. He meant it was stolen

Re. Road Geez: I knew it! Re. Nagbod: I of course meant to post a retraction straight away, but somehow omitted to do so. Oldnag's no fairy cake no way more of a fruit cake oh no I retract that forthwith. The man is a good honest (if slightly spiced) rock cake. He's got a Buell for goddness sakes

Are they scarce now? When I got mine I was told that no more are being produced, but don't know if that is true.

Further to the previous reply: a unique father and son 1 - 2? " Historic 1-2 for Dunlop family Robert Dunlop added the Dundrod 150 125cc win to his earlier North West 200 victory and it was a great day for the family with son Michael coming through to second on his Dundrod debut. Thought to be the first ever 1-2 for a father and son pairing, the race saw a terrific battle between Robert and Darran Lindsay but just when we thought we’d be in for a grandstand finish, the Lisburn man hit problems in the last third of the final lap and limped home in fifth. Robert punched the air with delight when he crossed the line, as did Michael who was one of only three riders to break the 110mph barrier. He was involved in a three-man fight for the final podium position but was able to pull away in the final stages to claim second whilst Davy Lemon got the better of Ian Lougher for third."

...by not getting it too hot. It needs to be kept in a cool airflow.

I thought so. It was the way that you walked, though I wondered if it was something to do with the hours that you spend in the saddle. NHS, or did you go private?

er, you could swap 'post office' for 'police station', over here anyway PS, I suppose that I should admit now that I wasn't really referring to the vehicle tax renewal form

We forgive you

Crikey! First time that anyone has said that! Edit: Actually, Tony Blair did say something to that effect.

I thought it was a fairy. Like Nogbad. This is the type of attractive ornament that most Road Geez' like to have as a focal point in their homes apart from Nogbad, who prefers a nice frosted creation such as

Unfortunately delaying tactics are no good any more. If payments aren't continuous and if you haven't completed a SORN instead, then a high automatic fine will be imposed, even for a month's gap. It's still possible to drag-out MOT dates though. However, don't be a minute late for the actual MOT appointment or they'll not take you and you'll have to pay for another appointment and there's always a huge back-log. (BTW, for 'you', above, read 'one'.) Can we discuss the other matter over a nice cup of tea sometime?

It's that – the tread grooves. The Strada and the the Roadtec are very similar though, aren't they?

Cheers Jim, but I guess that I was referring to the V.11 motor tax renewal reminder form that is sent out to me by the licencing agency. It's pretty handy and more or less ensures (not always, unfortunately) that I get my motor tax paid on time. Licences can be renewed at any of the 8 Local Vehicle Licensing Offices throughout Northern Ireland or by posting direct to : Vehicle Licensing Central Office?County Hall?Coleraine?BT51 3TA They can also be renewed at selected Post Office® Branches in Northern Ireland, using the V11(NI) tax reminder notice and at some selected Post Office® Branches using a V10(NI) form. You can tax your vehicle 15 days before the end of the month and up to 14 days after the beginning of the new month using your V11 (NI) reminder form. It's pretty fair to say that it never lets me down, however, as I hinted above, sometimes I let it down.

Hey Big J – don't try to lift my mood :!:

Is this the right forum for this thread?

Hi John "really disappointed" is an understatement, isn't it? You've got a case (ahem) for being really, really, really, disappointed. It is verging on tragic that there has been such a run of disproportionate problems with a relatively small, uncomplicated package at low mileage (no not you – the bike). What makes it so much worse is, indeed, the poor customer support. My troubles are miniscule in comparison (so far) but it's now a year since I ordered trifling parts, e.g. rear wheel spacer, and still there is no sign of anything arriving with me. Disgraceful. *No one in the Guzzi system seems to care.* Back to your scale of problem and it's the same. Shattering flywheels! Who cares? Baldini has been shouting about it: only Guzzi has a finger in their collective ear. If any of us had a similar approach to health and safety matters in our business/work, we'd be liable to see a courtroom, at the least. It's a rum do, when I can't ride a very low mileage bike from Belfast to Dublin without the gearbox sticking in second. I may be at fault somewhere in the problem, but still – it's a well maintained bike, more carefully fettled than many machines on the road (I would guess). I think of the old XL250 that I had once: it was a comparably simple machine, bought used, with miles of use and abuse on it. It had a much harder life, especially given its size/power, with constant daily riding. It strained up mountains and down valleys, sometimes two-up with camping gear –and it never gave the sort of problems that we're talking about here, never left me stranded (except in a snow blizzard) –––– and I could get parts for it! Today I went out to a small bike shop that took on Guzzi dealership a while ago. I wanted to see a Griso for real. Like many a small shop it's run by a family with enthusiasm. You might remember the son, Gary Dynes, who was doing well in the sport at home and at the IOM TT and who was tragically killed at the Monaghan roadrace only weeks after Joey Dunlop's death. (That was a dark year, with seven killed in the sport, in this small Province). However, they don't know MG and haven't ridden them. I wonder how they can cope – unless there really is a turn-around in the quality of the new models and in the quality of factory support once the new ownership finally gets sorted out. (By contrast, at the other side of the town there is a big modern dealership run by local hero, Philip McCallen. A few years ago he considered taking on MG, or was approached to take a dealership, but not surprisingly, he didn't touch 'em.) If things don't change for the better, Guzzi will remain a small, enthusiasts' brand and as you have expressed, there is a practical limit to enthusiasm. If it weren't for the fact that you are a Celtic Tiger, I would recommend that you get one of those girly bikes that JRT has bought.

For a brief second, I thought you were contemplating a trip to Erin. You're welcome anytime. Glad for your ultimate success, though I was kinda hoping that you would resort to the 'shoot it out' option.

...

True, I would say, 'cause really dirty exhausts seem to boost power by about 50%. Martin Barrett's exhaust is so powerful it keeps blowing apart, leaving bits on the road. PS. I like the sound of that Nigerian deal. Would your cousin let me in on it?