belfastguzzi

It's just the obvious, in relation to the other threads about Guzzi's current output and possible future direction: i.e. is there a sunny silver lining in the clouds of guzzi-doom? Should we look past the tragic customer service and clutching-at-straws new product delivery? Darn: see what you made me do! That was sneaky. Right, start again. Should we all just enjoy the past and think on the heritage high points and close our eyes to the present, just like Piaggio Guzzi themselves do. Argh – you made me say that, with your tricky question. You're bad, bad, naughty. To use a modern football analogy: Guzzi is 'a game of two halves'. Should we just play in the half where the sun is shining and ignore the way that the wind is blowing?

Have a look on Youtube and you'll probably find info on ways to finish, both mat and gloss. There are certainly videos on making parts from CF; covering parts in CF; and giving those parts both types of finish.

This bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gh1rzHktMU

I've posted some of this movie before, some years back. Not this bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErRgBfuvDFk

So, now I have to say, 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'. When it first appeared, the shock of the Diavel made it look like a ballon modeller's best effort at depicting a pot-bellied pig. According to first ride reports, actually – it works! Ducati has moved forwards and produced something new, innovative, in keeping with contemporary performance and delivered the proof of the pudding: it rides, it performs. Everyone will be aware of the Diavel. In keeping with Guzzi's abysmal marketing, no-one much will know about Guzzi's version of a 'cruiser', appearing on the stage at the same time. Us Guzzi buyers know about it though, and really, I don't think that it's Ducati that should be laughed at any more.

Just reading the first full review of Ducati's Diavel. I'll post rest of review in the old Diavel thread. Gotta admit I scoffed at the pumped up look of the beast when first revealed, but the superlative report, plus in particular the comparison with Guzzi's new '1200 cruiser' delivery at the same time, demands a reappraisal. Historic Moto Guzzi, the guys who made MG what it was, must be turning in their grave over what has become of their legacy. Ducati and Aprilia are knocking nail after nail in Moto Guzzi's coffin. MG better come up with something proper by 2013, or R.I.P. Eh, what?

What does that mean? A backtrack on using them as a base for the new engines and models that have talked about? The Cali cruiser is really the only 'new' idea that they can actually produce... or what? The future is cancelled? Better buy MCN to find out.

Possibly Guy... I'm not keen to commit to too much – my brother is extremely ill. It was more that I'm wondering about the V.11 event as that would be the priority. I want to see what to arrange here locally around May time so it would be good to know what the V11.com plan is first. As I understand it, the two things are: a meeting organised by Soren and possibly something in the UK (England or Scotland). I'm not sure though.

Somebody is going to have to decide something sometime I should think

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmNmSkxg2bE

The music in the Ferrari factory conservatoire is more sophisticated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdcoVurVY30

Looks pretty easy really. Don't know why there isn't a spring and a couple of bolts left at the end though. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMhqTR6-Ku8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3mpDjFTLdw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yjIJ8ibOs8

I need to do this on the Griso head too, as the Service Agent stripped one of the rocker bolt threads. What do you mean by PO and spare parts? As I understand it, the problem about fitting Helicoils is the expense of the fitting tool: so you need to find someone else who can do it, or pay a high cost to buy a tool for one or two uses.

March meet will be at new venue, see first post. A new person was there on Tuesday - new owner of SP 1000 – after seeing info on web. Anyone else? Come on along.

and you saw the state of the tyre that came off Stirling Moss' car? Like a really bad shag pile rug.

I am quite serious that the brand image that Moto Guzzi have been projecting in recent years (through its product delivery, its service, its customer relations and its general communications) – as much by default as by intention – has been out-of-touch, out-of-date and more trashy than it should be. I believe, though others do not agree, that such an image is not attracting customers, nor creating any great excitement among the loyal previous customers. I have tested this on various Guzzi forums over the past year and more – and the feedback and comment confirms it, to me. Perhaps the REALLY enthusiastic people are just keeping quiet for some reason, or they don't visit forums; and they are out there, buying new bikes in secret. I understand what you are saying about why Guzzi thinks it's good to produce below-par offerings and stop-gap products. I'm just saying that I (as a customer, committed supporter, observer) don't think that it is good enough: and it's a short-termism that ultimately may just be confirming the hopelessness of the brand rather than turning things around and acting as a crucial step to ensure its survival. Let's face it: nothing HAS to go on for ever. There comes a time when it's better to finish on a high note, rather than slump into decline and keep whimpering along ignoring the circumstances (customers). For sure, Moto Guzzi are not good at the communications business (major understatement) – so maybe they actually have a cunning masterplan and maybe they will surprise and delight in 2013. Looks like we'll have to wait until then to see.

I previously put an article that I found onto a web page > Development of Road Racing in Ulster – Between the Hedges Here is some old Pathé news reel film of the Ulster TT, on the web Mike Hawthorn, Stirling Moss > http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39722 Ulster International Trophy Race video newsreel film. Stirling Moss, Mike Hawthorn, Fangio, Ferrari - silent > http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=62032 This 1950s Ulster promo Includes Ulster TT, mentions Ards, shows some Antrim Coast Road, has motorbikes at the end 7mins 40 Dundrod again, 250s & 350s > http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=78594 And, for a bit of Italian: Car Racing in Italy, Nuvolari at Naples > http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=82921

Ulster International Tourist Trophy Not sure if I posted about the Ards TT races before? Don't see anything on a quick search. The last race was in 1936, when the road course was abandoned after 8 spectators were killed and 40 injured in a crash. Map of Ards TT Course After the Ards races ended because of the tragedy, the Ulster Tourist Trophy races moved to Dundrod, in the 50s. Dundrod road course was 7 miles 732 yards long and undulating between 500 and 1000 feet above sea level and was reckoned to be one of the best road courses in Europe. The race was run under Formula two rules - 500cc supercharged and 2000cc unsupercharged and it was compulsory for all drivers to wear a crash helmet with goggles or a visor and to have reached a high level of physical fitness. The new Dundrod circuit was used for the first time in 1950, won by Peter Whitehead in a Ferrari at an average speed of 84.32 mph; the 1951 race was attended by the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret and was won by Farina in an Alfa Romeo (91.46mph). In 1952 the race was the last to be run under Formula 1 rules with two BRMs driven by Moss and Fangio (neither finished): the winner was Taruffi in a Ferrari (81.43mph). The '53 race was won by Mike Hawthorn in a Ferrari with Ken Wharton second in a Cooper Bristol. I came across some old film: next post >

Indeed: it totally did & totally does. It's very refreshing. That's why Guzzi's output and the message that they are giving to the world about Moto Guzzi is so very disappointing. Guzzi don't stand alone in the world: they are in competition and everyone has a lot of alternatives to compare the brand and the product with. Other brands have moved forward and are producing great products. Guzzi, in so many crucial ways, is giving the message that it is content to be a dumbed down parody (taking these two bikes as the current example). I still don't see how this is attracting hordes of customers. As I have said so many times: it is us, the long-term owners and 'enthusiasts' who are effectively doing the work of promoting the brand, galvanising enthusiasm and trying to create custom for the product. is just not giving us much to work with, either with product, or with service, or with vision for the future. Sure. my enthusiasm for the current brand is running thin. I'll still do my bit and do more than the wretched company system deserves. That 'loyalty' is not likely to stretch to buying another new bike from them though.

It doesn't have a lot: it has an eXceSS – and this is not the early 60s – This is half a century on from then. It has a lot of Disney Dumbo

Those rocker covers must be a styling exercise as it's the same motor as all the rest now. The inlet is styled too. As the whole bike is a Tonka toy pastiche, i'd say it's just done to make the engine look BIGger. I think the clue is in the name: Califiornia Like it or loathe it, Ducati's styling and tech in the Diavel at least had commitment.

That is an amazing list Congratulations. Looks like it will be a fantastic day. There is no possibility of even starting a list like that over in this faraway outpost of Europe.