belfastguzzi

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?

It'll soon be like that favourite old spade that you'd never want to change, that's had 6 replacement handles and 4 new blades.

Well, I'm pretty sure that you won't be satisfied unless you get to use a special tool. So I found this: It is an enclosed electromechanical device that delivers discrete impacts to dislodge dry material from the sides of hoppers, bins, and bunkers. It runs on 110 volts ac and includes a controller. The operator can set the intensity of a strike from 1 to 25 lbs.-ft., as well as set duration and operating intervals. It is timed to give three raps per second. I believe that it could be adapted for your purpose.

Hey hold on! I only wanted to see your contortions with the brake caliper – not that other stuff!! Phew!

The 'secret' probably is that it needs to be tapped out from behind, rather than pulled out from the 'front'. It's really too difficult to pull it out with pliers. Unless you're a dentist. It may help to depress the 'spring' at the same time. I can't remember if that is necessary or not. I doubt it, but it could help.

Ok, but just because I post this, doesn't mean that I still don't want to see the video. It sounds like the pin just needs some persuassion. It's possibly stuck with dirt and maybe a bit of corrossion, though I think that you are probably just being 'too careful'. Try tapping everything with a hammer to break the pin free. Well, not everything: tap the pin and the metal lugs of the pads and the caliper body. Give it a good wash and brush. If it's still stuck, carefully apply some solvent / penetrating fluid / lubricant whatever comes to hand. Tap again. Pry carefully against the brake pad lugs with a screwdriver to get some movement. Get a bigger hammer. Use a piece of steel rod, a blunt 4" or 6" nail, or something like that, to target your delicate but increasingly desperate hammer blows. You could try shooting it out?

Oh Bill, how embarrassing! I don't think that an answer should be given until you have posted a video of youself struggling manfully with the devilish device, using every implement and utensil available in Garage Maholo and in your kitchen drawers.

I looked at the Permatex website. Grief: what-a-lotta-sticky stuff!

But there's no such thing. Only typical Tennistas.

have you got a footpump that you could bring with you?

Desperate to see that you have more expensive V.11 trouble John. Here, cheer yourself up and listen to the bikes on the radio. Big J, Guzzirider... if you want to listen to Saturday's UGP roadraces, you can get it through the BBC Radio Player HERE. It'll probably be available until Friday/Saturday. On the Saturday Sportsound page, click on 'listen again'. Knock it forwards to about 5mins for some introductory talk. The main Superbike race is at 12 minutes and after that, knock it on to 1 hour 15 for the Supersport 600, which sounds even more thrilling than the Superbike. The final Superbike is after 2 hours. If you've got the time, I think you'll enjoy it. Whets the appetite for the moving pictures next Monday.

Well you could buy Ghostrider's bike. Wasn't it for sale a short while ago, maybe still is – as he has decided to be a bit more careful and responsible and mindful of mortality?

Their hangers could be a better solution for Guzzi's Ti cans than the lash-up that MG supply with the Ti kit. ? A bit pricey though.

It could very well be a split valve stem (rather than a faulty valve). If you search the forum you will find that this has caused slow leaks for a number of people here. It's not clear if all V.11s wheels were produced with rubbish valve stem metal or if different materials were used at different times or for different countries. If you don't have stainless steel valves then change to them for a long-term fix. I had this problem on a Ducati, which uses the same light-weight valve stems that inevitably split and leak. The V.11 suffered a more dramatic failure when the nut (same light material) that secures the valve to the rim split. The rear tyre lost pressure as air leaked past the valve and then it dramatically lost air, shape, steerability etc when the valve dropped from the rim into the tyre. Be careful about just fitting a new inner valve, if the problem actually is that you need to get 'proper steel' valve stems.

Wot, no big hammer, like wot I had to use on the V.11 Quat? Go on, bash it one. You know you want to.

I should have said, 'internet'. You could have heard the radio there. Local radio probably doesn't go that far on tv? And guy Martin did get a fourth. Anyhow, hope you got your cat-flap fixed.