belfastguzzi

Yes, absolutely right Remo, I agree. And thanks for the response, in the first place! As has been said quite a lot, the Forum is very quiet because people don't post, so your reply provided a way to start an interesting discussion. At least I thought it could be interesting. The world doesn't always agree. My simple thought is: if we have run short on things to say about V11s, why not post on motorcyling experiences generally - occasionally if there is a reason? I wanted to have a ride to mark the start of the New 2011 Year. I didn't originally intend to post about it here, as there was no V11 motorbike content – but with the lack of other new topic posting, I thought I would....

Guzzi forum.... there's always a problem!

Good topic, Docc. I know that it deserves a poetic reply, however, in the meantime: Brokedown Engine Blues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Ijb6bBljs

As it happens, I came across this, in a forum discussion about using original parts or pattern parts on old, original bikes (Triumph in this case). Yes, I glanced at a Triumph Forum. Perhaps you can see how it relates.

Sensitive, moi?! I do hope so. No, I know that... the pictures were fine – but the post didn't have Guzzis, so what's it doing here in a Guzzi Forum? - was the implication that can be read and as I say in this thread here, I'm just using that post as a reflection of the general topic of Guzzi Myopia, or Guzzi-sightedness, as I have perceived it. i'm not saying that the poster is myopic or attaching any personal significance. It's just a useful way into this topic, which has been in my awareness more and more in the past year. – Also, I'm just trying to create some new conversation here, among the thoughtful faithful!

The Fear of Death by Guzzi Clique I did wonder, when I posted my New Year topic in the Travel forum, if indignation would arise because I wasn't out on a Guzzi? Firstly, I felt that I have posted enough pics of my Guzzis in various places, including in the Travel forum, to be allowed to show a day out that didn't involve an MG. If I'd never posted before, then yes, it would be a bit odd and not 'the right thing'. Secondly, I considered that we should acknowledge there is more to the experience of being out on a bike than the experience of the bike itself: it's about the place and what the machine enables you to experience, as well as what the particular machine itself is – and hence the raison d'etre of the Travel section. Most of the other sections are specifically about the V.11 and its characteristics. The Travel forum allows a healthy view out, a window, an open door, fresh air. I saw this new post as being in a context: as following on from my previous thread that marked the onset of winter, that ride which felt markedly like the first winter ride. Now. I wanted to mark the first ride of the New Year and one of the first days where the sun appeared, in this new, early period of lengthening days. What does it matter which bike it was on? I'm not aware of other posts having been made about the New Year and even if there are some, this is still significant, as it's mine and from my place. I'm using the 'New Year' Travel post, symbolically, or as a tool, to examine this subject. I'm not referring to the person who made the post reply/comment to me as it may have been a very light comment with no Great Guzzi Wrath behind it. So please don't take anything personal from this – it's the general subject, the topic, not the personal comment that I want to air. I've no problems with the poster at all at all at all..... Then my reply: As I said in the first post: 'Sorry, no Guzzi photos – it's about being out on a bike, at the start of the year...' Travel and being out on the road to somewhere, through somewhere, doesn't always have to be on a Guzzi. I think this sub forum is more about the The Place and The Experience, rather than about having taken a Guzzi somewhere. This time I chose not to take the Guzzi, though almost all my other photos and topics here in this sub forum do feature my and others' MGs. There are times when other bikes do the job just as well or better, or just differently. Plus, the theme of my thread is about doing something different, for the New Year. There are also times when other riders provide a refreshing perspective and experience. I've no interest in being buried in a stultifying Guzzi clique. I can see plenty of that and I'll avoid it, or reduce the dose. So, what's the subject? Well, there are only so many photos of your Guzzi bike that you can take and show, before they start to get repetitive. The experience, the response, dulls. Variety is the spice of life, folks – and I don't want to demand that every motorcycling experience that we discuss or illustrate has always to refer back to some metal machine with a V11 badge on it, especially when the topic is the broad experience of 2-wheel travel, roads, places, people, views, thoughts, motivations. In the comment above, it's like: 'oh the experience is ok, but actually it's worthless to consider because there's no Moto Guzzi picture'. Following that, I have to add my own 'huh?'. This topic is bubbling at the top of my head because... I'm wondering, yet again, whether to renew an annual subscription to the Moto Guzzi Club GB, or not. We might like to think that Moto Guzzi owners are among the more enlightened of the two-wheeled fraternity, but I'd suggest that if 'a fellow' were to spend much time on certain and various **Guzzi Club forums, that fellow would come to the conclusion that he was dabbling in the arcane and being drawn into the time-warping tedium of an absurdist clique. ** not including this Forum, of course

As I said in the first post: 'Sorry, no Guzzi photos – it's about being out on a bike, at the start of the year...' Travel and being out on the road to somewhere, through somewhere, doesn't always have to be on a Guzzi. I think this sub forum is more about the The Place and The Experience, rather than about having taken a Guzzi somewhere. This time I chose not to take the Guzzi, though almost all my other photos and topics here in this sub forum do feature my and others' MGs. There are times when other bikes do the job just as well or better, or just differently. Plus, the theme of my thread is about doing something different, for the New Year. There are also times when other riders provide a refreshing perspective and experience. I've no interest in being buried in a stultifying Guzzi clique. I can see plenty of that and I'll avoid it, or reduce the dose.

I'm thinking of the local track, Kirkistown, on the Ards peninsula near to where we stayed at Portaferry. Possibly March. If the bike stays upright, then your notion of an Anglesey meet would be attractive. July would be the best time for me. Soon after that, I am due to become a grandfather (oldest boy) and then the father of the bride (oldest girl). Has anyone tried Metzler Racetecs? Someone is selling a new pair for £125, K0 and K1 compounds.

Great. I'd have one.

Thanks for the reply and the info. Certainly given me something to think about. Andy. and the Racer X version is still upside down, from what I remember, isn't it? It's not needed in the UK, eh??? Maybe for descending a 10 mile 1 in 3 gradient. The V11 calliper is like so much else of the V11 design. You just gotta live with it – and replace the burnt out calliper every now and again.

Yes, that's pretty much my point. I wouldn't compare the BM stressed engine to the V11 stressed engine. My original point is only, or mainly, in relation to the V11 engine casing weakness, rather than any and every un-cradled engine. I think that I said somewhere above, that the new 1200 Guzzi motor is (appears to be) much more robust. It should survive a knock that could break a V11 case. ScuRoo, when you talk about stiffening the weak frame... it was more the engine/transmission block that I was talking about. The frame is not the strongest: it is recognised as 'not crashing well', but I wouldn't want to add more bracing that would only transfer more shock and stress away from the frame to the engine. So it's back to the original subject, where I'm proposing you use the non-aggressive tyres as a safety limiter, to protect the engine and frame. There's nothing that you can do to strengthen the engine. But of course non of this should deter you from going anywhere or doing anything on your V11. Well, let some moderate reason prevail. It's just a great subject for discussion, new discussion, on the V11 design and usage. It's great that it arose and Baldini highlighted it. JRT, yes - i would take that bike to the desert. Ahem.. no better place for it.

I'm thinking of taking the Griso for a track day tryout this year. I've never ever been on the track before. I'm thinking that I've left it too late, like 25 - 30 years too late. Is there room for a granda on the track? Can the Griso shovel up some fun and come out unscathed? 2011 could be the year to find out. So what will I have to do? First job is to get the wooden Griso brakes sharpened up. Hopefully good pads will do that. I'll be keeping the Pirelli Angel sport touring tyres on, though come to think of it, they've had a couple of puncture repairs. Is that a concern for track abuse?

Huh, and I thought Ducati were being innovative, fitting skis to their new bikes.

"I think tyres are ded gud, do you think tyres r gud?" "Yeah, me and my mate got black ones." "I like the way they spin round n round." "Yeah, beezer." then a couple of routes home mostly on a good riding route north west by Banbridge and I went chasing with the 1198, north east on a good ol' route by Downpatrick and Killyleagh, up the west side of Strangford Lough

Part 2) > the sea by Rostrevor > Greencastle / Cranfield the most southerly point of Northern Ireland > Kilkeel > Newcastle

The start of 2011 riding The outcome of a plan for a New Year Destination First fine morning, with brightening sun and drying roads: Part 1) The Temple > Saintfield > Ballynahinch > Castlewellan > Hilltown > Ballyvally Mountain/Carnadranna for a new view beyond Grugganskeagh to the Mourne Mountains (looking west to Rocky Mtn, Hen Mtn etc)

Been rather pre-occupied with some things since Christmas, but wanted to get out before the end of Jan, to mark the start of the New Year. First Part of Jan was Big Snow. That's gone now and on Sunday past, the sun peeked out, slowly, faintly. I had originally hoped to go to the most northerly point in Northern Ireland and then on to the most northerly in Ireland, as a New Year destination. That's what we did on the Guzzi meet last May, Ulster 2: Ballintoy and then Malin Head, Inishowen. Short days and other things were against that. Plan B was to go to the Sperrin Mountains and do some new back roads, as in the Gaps and Passes thread. Organising a few local bikers for the event was as easy as pulling your own teeth. I went for Plan C, which was to go to a new, unfrequented hill track for a new view of the Mourne mountains (remember Spelga etc, Guzzi Ulster 1?). Then on, along the sea coast, to the most southerly point of County Down and Northern Ireland, at Greencastle/Cranfield. Half a dozen people turned up at the meet point and 7 people had a very enjoyable day (as we met 1 more in Newcastle, under the Mournes). Sorry, no Guzzi photos – it's about being out on a bike, at the start of the year, whatever.

All those bikes cradle the engine, don't they? I'd still suggest that the weak engine casing of the V11, where stressed, is its achilles heel for off roading alongside GSs. A sump plate on a V11 would protect against loose stones, for what that's worth, but to use it as a bash plate or skid plate would transfer the stress to the completely wrong places (if it's mounted to the engine casing) and invite catastrophe. That's one reason that I suggest using non-aggressive tyres as a limiting factor to where the rider might be tempted to go in the heat of chasing proper off road bikes. Just my thoughts. Could be wrong. It is indeed an interesting subject for debate and information gathering. There's just not much discussion happening... and I thought that the lack of discussion and posting of any sort was what people were bemoaning in various recent comments. So, chime up and chip in folks. The Americanos must have more experience of V11s doing longer distance off road or semi off road than the Brit based. Any pics?

Plenty of photos. When I was looking for it, I just searched under Davida to find it. Try Davida Guzzi; Zagato Guzzi... and follow around, or go to the source. There's various stuff related to Ben Part.

A quiz point to Guzzirider (again) for the V11-type suspension difference. It made me think, why didn't Guzzi do something a bit different, a bit progressive with their Café copy? It's such a close copy otherwise, that it's hard to think that the famous Part-Zagato badged Guzzi wasn't a major influence on the 'new' styling. What the styling has left out is the innovation, quirkiness, individuality, even oddness that a nice Café can-does-should have. Instead, it's got big number plates. Well of course, in terms of marketing and of manufacturing cheapness, the answers to my question are obvious and predictable. It's a pity though, that Guzzi didn't go that little bit further, by actually doing something special with their 'special'.

The correct name is toe-thingammybubs, btw. Yes, that's good thinking too. What's the story behind this Jason? Just for fun or did the originals break? And here we go. Not how I would want to do it, but gotta empathise with the thrills that the guy has had making all this. Interestingy, despite ALL the mods and the huge weight, he didn't feel the need to fit fat tyres or knobbly tyres.

The Off Roading thread reminded me about this bike, build as one person's unique vision of an overland Guzzi: oh, the Fickr video doesn't embed, you'll need to follow the link