belfastguzzi

Oh aye – and a kindly Police Constable visited me tonight to enquire about the Aprilia theft on 2nd May. He wanted a statement. I had to tell him that the bike was recovered, by the constabulary, two and a half days after it was stolen. The Officer is going off to check for any CCTV pics now. Nice to know that the lads are on top of the job.

Well, that's good timing. So you've seen the Chinese items and what's more, used them – and passed them fit for service. That's the info I need: I'll get a pair ordered, thanks. I've glued up the indicator lens and number plate with an industrial superglue. It's impressive stuff. Haven't tackled the side panel yet. We've observed before how the plastic side and tail unit breaks under the seat at the front end when the bike falls over. A big chunk went this time. Priced the Aprilia Dorsoduro ignition/steering lock today. It's over £300! there's less to it than the Griso unit so I thought it would be under £200. I'll fix it myself anyway with marine grade stainless steel. The stock unit is a weak casting.

Great! That's a big help, to have those pictures. Gary – I am talking about the levers with the fitting on the end. Is that what you mean? I need the end fitting as that's what's broken. I enquired about the Guzzi parts today. Price inc vat is now over £90 each. The dealer also told me that the plastic indicator lens is £20 (plus vat probably) – and that I'd have to pay a big delivery surcharge as it's under £50!! What!?£!???!!£££

Has anyone seen or used the cheap Chinese versions? Do they have all the bits necessary for Moto Guzzi fitment? (I was sold equivalent Aprilia levers by a dealer before and they weren't exactly right.)

Pazzo / ASV £169 to £175 approx for a pair Motomarts billet levers £40 pair. Hmmm

LOL. Bloomin' Good-Luck Guzzi - Came home to find the beast on it's side. I had filled the tank with petrol of course, so it was at max weight. Usual sort of damage done. I wish I could find some pattern brake & clutch levers for the thing, rather than paying £70+ each when they snap (as they do).

And it came to pass, that after the lights, a sign appeared in the heavens. And lo: it had pedals!

Well... racing? It didn't work out like that. Not much point in posting yesterday's photos and commentary, even the humorous version, as it won't mean much without local knowledge. I'll just post these particular pics, which I've posted elsewhere. At least Orson can see see them when he eventually gets back. 'Farquhara' refers to top racer, Ryan Farquhar. ___________________________________________________ Farquhara Borealis – the NorthWestern Lights The natural light display was visible in the northern latitudes today. Accompanied by astral winds and the sounds of Tannoy Dafty Incomprehensibilis, this sweeping visual phenomena astounded tourists and experts alike.

Popping and mis-firing on over-run only, or in what conditions? With the rev range that you give, I don't think this is what you're talking about, but as you mention throttle bodies: another common cause of popping is air getting into the exhaust side, through gaps or cracks in exhaust joints or pipes. At least that's easily fixed.

V7 in Portrush outside Orson's hotel A red Daytona passed by a few minutes later Those were the natural preliminaries tomorrow, men and machines race

Familiar sights to some of you, well, the at least ones that weren't obscured by cloud and rain on your visit

Citizen of the World, Orson, arrives of the ferry in our wee country, on his English bike with 150 or so fellow travellers A road trip requires road food Citizen of the World & Local Man and yes, Belfastguzzi was there too

Paul, as you are in Ireland, you could send me your contact details and I'll add you to an occasional email list. There are a few bikes around here, but you seldom see them – and there is no support. I'm aiming to arrange a meeting South of the Border at some stage over the summer, so if you want to meet up, let me know. See www.belfastguzzi.com and the forlorn, abandoned, NIguzzi.yuku.com – no harm in trying! Slante

Look out for a PM with phone number. Such a shame that the weather has turned bad.

I see they call it a sports-tourer. It's got a few special features: '...a well-padded seat and lots of space for a pillion (under the removable seat cover) add practicality, making the 1200 Sport an exceptional sports tourer.' Love that practical feature: space for a pillion passenger under the seat! At last, proper, practical storage space.

Hi Orson I don't have any plans yet. I'm aiming to take Friday off work, so that could be a meet-up opportunity. I could meet you at Larne and then head up the coast to Portrush. There is a programme on BBC1 Northern Ireland, if you can get it – Guzzirider has the technology, whatever it is – on the history of the NW200 from its beginnings in the 1920s to today. How The North West Was One, BBC1 NI 10.35pm, Monday 16th.

That could be where the knocky, rattly noise is coming from?

Nothing's as good as Fireball XL5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XMrLr44JDI&feature=related though Supercar came close http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL2vaSNbPbo&feature=related

Great euphemism, J.

Hi Euan are you going to keep in touch here? I don't know if you're keeping your Scura or not. No 496 has just turned up! I'm 497 and you're 498. The owner has recently acquired the bike and guess what: the spring's broken – so he has emailed me. That's 2 in the last 2 days. The other's in California. The road goes ever on – and those springs just keep on snapping. In my opinion, it would be best to keep the latest version of the list in the very first post. Could that be done? Best David

All I can say is don't let it put you off. While Dave was unfortunate enough to be caught up in the early tappet failure fiasco the VAST majority of his problems were inflicted by the cro-magnon who was the Guzzi agent/dealer in Belfast at the time. Yep, correct. Get a newer one 2009/10 or an earlier one that's been sorted.

There's a nice looking one of those for sale here! Many years too late for me. There's also a track modded pre 97 cbr 600, which would be tempting: but again, probably foolishness as I've only done 1 track day and am not in my 20s.

Those performance mods are a tad ugly, and anyway I fear that a beaky front won't add sizzling *zip* nor a pointy tail, startling *snap*. I wonder what sort of effect the kit ECU has?