belfastguzzi

Some findings from the next service. I dropped the sump again as I wanted to replace the gauze filter. The debris in the oil sump was lumpy enough, though not such a mystifying mixture as last time. What do you think, does it look normal/acceptable? I have some more comments on the dreadful spark plug system, where Guzzi seems to have decided that it's alright to have an expensive boot that becomes 'welded' into the engine and so is difficult to remove (in one piece). I was glad to see that the tappet gaps were still as I had set them last time. This was a marked change from the results of the official service agent's adjustments. Both times that he did them and I later checked, the gaps were all over the place, with some completely closed tight and others gaping open. Was it another problem with the engine, or was it dreadfully bad technical sevrice? Now I can say that it was careless, useless setting by 'The Hammer'. I changed all the various fluids. I had completely flushed the front brake fluid before, but mustn't have done the clutch, as it was black. Though I did bleed the clutch before: I'm a bit surprised if I didn't flush it clean. There's not much fluid in the clutch reservoir, so perhaps it does get contaminated pretty quickly. I think it's wise to check it every so often. The V11 was the same: clutch fluid became very black. I must attend to the bad neutral sensor, as per other thread. Otherwise the bike is going well. I just wish that I didn't always have the niggle that the previous problems have caused premature wear and damage that hasn't surfaced yet and that other associated issues weren't there, like the broken and now glued-in fuel pump outlet etc etc etc. Pics to come next

I don't even know whats wrong with me That's another 20 page topic, lurking in the wings. Is there a doctor in the house? Docc, stand by!

As you are staying in Portrush, Metropole must be at the start of the list. It's always a favourite.

More opinions >> Paddock 2 G/stand >> parking is easy from the the 3 main car parks (free) in Portstewart 20/30 min walk. >> Best place to park bike High rd beside The York pub, leave when you want. Imo the sea side grandstand is best (Start line) Have watched the Nw from every vantage point over far too many years and find this is the best. You could park at Station Corner inside the course – from there you can get to a number of places around the course >> if you park the bike within the course you're stuck there for the day basically. Moving around the outside of the course can be difficult too given the shear numbers of people and parking etc. Best to park somewhere on the outside and walk to different points during the races. Or pick a good spot and stay put all day. >> Used to park in Portrush and then walk the coast road during the day. Turn around at pits and head back. Juniper is good. Also metropole. Think they charge for sitting on the railway bank - which is a joke. But often for the last couple of races you can just mozzy in. >> i went to the new chicane at Mather's last year on the Thursday day practise and back again on the Saturday and it was an excellent day, there is a chip van and toilets within 50 yds plus you can use the back roads to move about if you want, and i made it back to Ballymoney in about 15 mins after the racing >> Metropole is good >> I went to Metropole for Practice Days last year and the Embankment across from Metropole on race day all of which were good. Easy parking, toilets and food/drink close by, what more do u need?

Thanks! I'll hafta try to find those places on a map the NW200 website has touristy links to info on the various areas

Ben, BelfastGuzzi has got one of those & seems to really like it. It's a very nice, enjoyable bike. Well made, with no bother so far. It's tall for me, off the guzzi, but soon get used to it and it will be fine for Ben. I have the 750, which goes well and is quite agile (compared to MG). If I didn't have anything else, I'd look at the 1200 Dorso. I'd probably have it instead of a Guzzi 1200. You'll be wanting the new Tuono. I wanted to like the new Tuono but, it is quite expensive and soooooo fugly. I also want a 750 over the 1200 for better agility, less heat, and better mpg's (AFAIK no 1200's in America as of yet or maybe ever) I agree with those advantages of the 750. If it was the only bike, I'd consider the 1200 for distance – but then, I never do get away touring. 750 is good for back roads etc

First advice: So it could make sense to get a ticket http://www.northwest200.org/grandstands.aspx

Ben, BelfastGuzzi has got one of those & seems to really like it. It's a very nice, enjoyable bike. Well made, with no bother so far. It's tall for me, off the guzzi, but soon get used to it and it will be fine for Ben. I have the 750, which goes well and is quite agile (compared to MG). If I didn't have anything else, I'd look at the 1200 Dorso. I'd probably have it instead of a Guzzi 1200. You'll be wanting the new Tuono.

I think for NW200, get a good spot and stay there: partly because there are so many people at the event. It would be possible to move elsewhere if the place you are turns out to not be great. I haven't actually been for a long, long time. I'll ask to get more knowledgable advice. At the Ulster Grand Prix I would move around a bit and there, like other road circuits, you can get around the back roads easily enough. Sunday accommodation location isn't critical as you'll be able to get to Larne easily enough from wherever you go. So it depends what part of the country you want to see. You'll go up the North Antrim Coast Road, from the ferry to Portrush. I recommend the Torr Head detour for spectacular sights if the weather is good, but that's personal: others don't like the small, turning, up and down, hill-side/sea coast hugging road. Depending on time, there are also good loops off the Coast Road, up into the Glens and back again. From Portrush you could into Donegal to see some fine scenery. You could come back by Fermanagh lakeland (Lough Erne etc) stopping on Sunday night and then over to Larne on Monday. Or don't go to Donegal and go by the lakes and back over east to South Down and Strangford Lough. You could stay at the house in Portaferry where I had the first Ulster meet-up a couple of years ago. Others have stayed there just for a night on their way through. However there are plenty of B&Bs etc. There are pics here, probably in the Travel Forum and Meetings Events forum, of Strangford area and Inishowen-Donegal. Also some photos and notes on www.belfastguzzi.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVhs3RnUWDg&feature=related You're welcome to stay at my place just outside Belfast. I'll see if I can get time off over those days. At the moment I'm committed to something on the Monday that I may not be able to change. Keep in touch.

Interesting additional information. As you know, I have the no-start problem and I have wondered if it could have a relation to the neutral switch. I concluded, probably not. The way it works, I think that it's the poor wiring: but it could be both things. My neutral switch has been bad since the start. It only comes on about 50% of the time. This is a nuisance on the road and in traffic and it also means that the engine can't be started and run while the bike is standing with side-stand down. Again the Piaggio Guzzi system has been useless/negligent. Original dealer just said, 'oh'. After he quickly went out of business, The Hammer said that the switches give problems and he under warranty. Of course, like everything else, it never arrived. Piaggio UK importers... don't care. Some day I'll order one myself and fit it, but it's awkward to get at. Shall I say it again? Not good enough aftercare, Piaggio Guzzi. Your idiotic business approach is losing you sales. And that's a fact. For want of a nail – the kingdom is lost. Right, I'm off to change the oil and see what unidentifiable debris I find in the sump, this time. Then tomorrow I'm off to the track (first time ever and 35 years too late) to thrash this monstrous heap of lard (

Hi guys I've been occupied/preoccupied with a close family illness and then bereavement. Also, out of the blue, work has received a devastating and potentially catastrophic blow and I'm having to do a lot of re-planning and thinking about what direction to go and how... The NW200 is certainly the big one, with a week of festivities and attracting 150,000 spectators. It's a big and fast course and would be regarded as a 'must see/must do'. Accommodation should be booked early: most book it a year ahead. You'll always find somewhere at a distance if you're prepared to travel a little. The website gives accommodation options and contact numbers and the Tourist Board will be keen to help. Same goes for the ferry crossings: book early as they are bunged to the gills with bikes crossing for the races. It depends where you're coming from too. Scotland is the main crossing point, but other rotes would be via the South of Ireland ports. The other big one to consider is the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod, just outside Belfast, later in the summer - 7 to 13 August. It's 'the fastest road race in the world' with an important heritage. PM me again if you think you'll go to one or the other or if you need help with anything. If you do come, we must meet-up. Best David Michael Dunlop

ssssssshhhhhhhhhh! You should pm that sort of stuff. Yes.

Outside the garage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4w0bF11RVE Riding September (with the Felice Brothers bonus) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK3BlCvmJKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SkuNM8U9jA

Master visionary-mechanic Shinya Kimura http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx0WNEUm-MY Chabott Engineering soul shed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXSF4rbtw1Y

Master visionary-mechanic Adam Cramer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdNEJAFfFLA What else have you got along these lines, folks?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dTJ25EK5ps http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FmoxvdgJGk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1jDKZUkOb4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ2byb2nVQI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLRvxHpWduY

Is that wise? I mean, any of it? So: when are you joining Facebook?

You would, wouldn't you?

Wow, excellent, JR! Thanks again. I've gotta organise one of these, in my copious free time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVOjeE3SxG0

No. Thanks for the link JR. I was saying yesterday about building a second one, so that we could race them. So I'll be digging into that site when i get a chance.

Important update: 2HP Eco Car first trials It's next week. And next week is road trials time. The 2 hamster-power eco car first road trial was a success: Ozone Layer completely unaffected, until yer man took his shoe off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l197NXCwV4w