belfastguzzi

Dear Mr. Rottenburger You must come and work with us. We quite simply can't design the right fit for our tank. As you can see, we can't think 'out of the box' and keep cutting our tank protector in straight lines and little squares. It don't half look a mess. We hear that you're a whacky sort of chap and might be just the sort of johnny who could make this stuff fit our tanks. We're desperate to make 'em transparent, you see, (or not - if you're successful). Do the right job – and there's a medal in this. Yours commandingly General Fotheringay-Beagle

and of course it looks like this before the overcoat and big trousers go back on

I managed to get speaking on the phone to a very experienced MG technician in England. I wasn't actually talking about this bearing, but he happened to mention it and said that IT IS normally real torture to get out. He said that he has to take a dremel to it and it sounded like it's usually a real hack job. • So, be warned. [Nogbad] It may not always be so difficult. Paul made it sound easy (probably because he's skilled) and Big J had no problems (probably because he used a 10lb lump hammer).

Do you do delivery, for special friends? I don't mind waiting a bit.

Hi Antonio "It is not clearly enough to see it here in Amsterdam." England/Wales must be getting in the way of your telescope. it's not a finished alternative for the back end – it's only the bike with the parts removed. The bigger picture is in another thread No complaints, rare fun from last week. The point is that I do like the look of the bike when the emphasis is on the shape (and bulk) of the engine and tank. There is such a big visual shift when the big seat, wide tailpiece, long mudguard, big rearlight, hugger and plastic endcaps go on – oh yes, and the exhaust system. That's why I was seriously considering the Quat-D. For the same reasons I would also prefer not to have the small screen/fairing, but for practicality it's worth keeping. The later models have pushed the screen much too far forwards though. As a small measure I'm changing the rear light/mudguard and painting the tailpiece mostly black. What's it like riding with the hugger off? Is a lot more water & dirt thrown around the rider's legs? I actually agree with (some of) D.L.'s comments (on lawyer's advice, I'll not say which ones). Now, if Paul would expand his range and design & produce another tailpiece: slimmed down, single seat, without the light in the end, and that could easily be swapped off for the stock double seat when required...

Have you been drinking DL? 11 points out of 10 to you for bravery. PS The stock seat is better with the cowl. It is all a bit monstous round the back though. as I said a while ago, it's best without the seat and tailpiece altogether.

I don't know what sort of finish is on the gloss bikes, but the clearcoat on the mat / matte finish Scura seems quite soft to me. I previously posted pictures of the clearcoat peeling off my fuel tank. I'm currently working on the tailpiece and have decided to completely rub it down rather than paint on top of the clearcoat finish. I found that a little solvent, such as in a new coat of paint, made the topcoat soft and rubbery so that it would rub/peel off by hand. The coloured coats underneath are harder. But as I say, perhaps the glossy bikes have a harder finish.

mmmm. Can't understand why he's selling it. I'm sure he's got a 'genuine' reason though. New Sandringham 4-seater forces reluctant sale?

Extraordinarily smooth riding, Mr G Bun, quite extraordinary! May the road continue to always fall downhill and the wind always blow behind you.

Germanic functionality not your thing? Here's a more 'comfortable' approach to a back-end solution. nice sticky-out exhaust pipes, eh?

CD copies of this 2-cd training set are on sale on eBay now, also the workshop manual cd. Could make someone a pretty penny.

I see it's for sale in eBay now. EDIT: oh and Amazon

A question for you GB: what is matt polish – presumably a polish that dries to a matt finish – and where do you get it?

I think you are.

...the very picture that I have torn out of MCN and happen to have sitting on the floor beside me – very nice. How's the insurance quest going? Have you no peeling paint at all? Not even on the bevel box? I have used various high temperature matt black paints for spotting in, including barbecue paint. Seems to be ok but I haven't painted large areas, such as the whole engine.

"And whaddaya hold them in...........?" • contempt "Anyway why did you buy another?" • no chance of that – took it back to the shop and got a nice up-to-date-orange one in exchange: at least B&D's and B&Q's warranty/guarantee is worth something "the vibrations" • they vibrate? didn't notice – Guzzis vibrate

Yes – there are a number of threads about this. \My bike has spent the winter under an Oxford Stormex(?) not sure if that's correct name. It's strong, big and has a soft liner. Only problem with the soft liner is that if it gets wet, it holds the water and also it leaves white fluffy bits sticking to the mirrors, silencers and other sticky-out bits. A search should reveal recommended USA brands.

With what sort of paint?

I did anyway. It was timely for me that you posted your story just when I was musing over the needle roller bearing. Your post prompted me to take out the too tight new bearing I had just put in and have another go. So thanks, but sorry about your experience in the first place. You'll have to let us know how you get on with the R1, after a while.

They're not hand tools – they're POWER tools.

It was obviously some sort of horrible freak accident/fault. The intake leads right to the commutator on the motor. There isn't any attempt to filter or divert stuff. It did suck in paint dust just before the big bang and spark, but surely that didn't do it? These things are meant to create dust. Of course it could be that Guzzi sprayed the bike with whatever happened to be lying around – perhaps gunpowder? With a final coat of nail varnish? It could explain the 'limited edition' Scura run. I'm afraid that I had taken the Mouse to the plastic rear body of the V.11 Pretty brutal, eh? You'll be proud – no room for softy feelings in that approach. Actually it all started in an innocent enough fashion. I peeled off the 'Scura' lettering, but it took the topcoat of clear varnish with it. I'll spare you the various attempts at remedial action. The upshot is that I ended up with one side right back to the plastic last night. I've got another mouse now, so the whole thing is going to get a good seeing to.

Well done Martin. Have another point for spotting that one – Seeing that no one won the tech. quiz, you might as well have it. BTW, how did you get all those other ones? Confiscated? Gone missing from the Evidence store? Backhanders? Or Genius?

Rub it in , why don't you!

I'm going for spray cans and elbow grease and I reckon it'll be alright.

Modern Rubbish!! I've been using sandpaper all my life and it hasn't let me down yet. Some time ago I bought a Black&Decker 'mouse' sander and tonight I plugged it in and put it to work (yes, I'm attacking the V.11). Two minutes later and there's a huge bang with flying sparks and my thumb feels burnt. So that's the end of that. Even quicker built-in obsolescence than a piece of sandpaper! Modern Rubbish!!