guzzler

G'day mate We missed it thankfully but believe the storm was an inch of rain and the hail all in a crazy 10 minute burst then settled to a normal rain storm..... We got home Wed arvo missing this, but it hit Casterton Wed/Thurs and Melbourne city later when the whole state of Victoria copped similar multiple freak storm fronts. I just drove through some of it yesterday ( Friday am ) when I had to go and visit my Father in hospital in Frankston. When I picked up my brother in Langwarrin the stormwater drain close to the house was within inches of overflowing and moving like a category rated raft able river!! Then when we got outa the hospital only drizzle and blue sky...w t f ? I got home about 3pm and my wife got a message on her phone to say be prepared for power outages for some time due to the next feral front but thankfully ( again ) this front parted like Moses and the red sea when it got to Drouin! So far this morning still have power and all seems ok. I really felt sorry for the few bikes I saw heading for Phillip Island and the GP this weekend too! Once again the weather looks like ruining the weekend? Even ole mate Dave tells me he was supposed to go down but has pulled the pin and will be watching it on TV. Ha ha, as will I !! Cheers

Thanks Mick. Bloody glad we missed that eh!

G'day Mick Just back on Wed. No, we avoided the city of churches but skirted round it...Mannum, Hahndorf, Goolwa and Victor Harbour then Portland on the way back managing to get home before the statewide storms! We missed the 25mm of rain in 10 minutes and cricket ball sized hail in Casterton by a day but it's now just hitting Melbourne and heading for us in Gippsland. I wish I was able to post the TV news footage from Casterton but beyond my abilities I'm afraid. Anyways we had a great time over there. Only Hahndorf and Victor Harbour were crowded but this is due to small streets limited parking and most of Adelaide flocks to these places on weekends when the weathers good. Absolutely nothing like the congestion of Europe and Nth America though! I remember when I first left NZ back in 1980 and feeling claustrophobia for the first time of my life in the small, overcrowded streets of London! And that was then so hate to think what it's like now...! Gotta love the wide- open spaces and small populations down under eh! Now, I have a week left before returning to the grindstone...bugger they go quick don't they. Cheers

Only two....? Cheers and away we go to SA...

Ps Bloody hell how did I ever manage with just a tank bag and throwovers back in the day or just a tank bag now with the boys on a long weekend....? Too late to tell her now that she's only got one bag..., I think discretion is the better part of valour here, lest we make contributions to the divorce lawyers benevolent fund (s)! Cheers

Timely topic regarding holidays as we're just loading up the car for a trip to South Australia, and I believe it's school hols over there.... Don't expect anywhere near the crowds of elsewhere though! Geez, it even looks like the weather might come to the party too! Anyways folk's stay safe and catch you all in a week or so. Cheers Guzzler

Ha ha Yep, I did Europe in the early 80's too and no dramas with crowds...well saying that, to a Kiwi fresh outa NZ ( ChCh even ) everywhere was a crowd compared to home, but I don't think I could handle it these days... The only overseas travel we'll do now will be a trip back to NZ in the next few years as my wife's only seen Auckland. Cheers

Never do the Great Ocean Road on a weekend......Full stop! Cheers

To all in it's path ...good luck and stay safe! We've also had our share of crazy weather down here but luckily not as extreme as other parts of the country or world. It's heartbreaking seeing the devastation that this causes to people's lives...

Mate And now Aussie housing prices are outa control, with some of the most expensive around! I'd hate to be a kid trying to get into one these days.

Ha ha I came to Australia for my sister's wedding nearly 40 years ago and guess what.... I'm still here!

Thanks Phil. No, my Hyperpro shock is standard length 280mm, I've not done anything about having it lengthened. Thought I'd try popping the forks up a bit more and see how this goes as it's less of a hassle. Looks like you're really enjoying your trip mate! I can tell you you're not missing anything weather wise back home! Cheers

Actually, as it's $300 plus post of shock to /from SA to have it lengthened, I'm thinking about just raising the forks in triples by another 4mm to make them 12mm in total and see how this goes as should achieve much the same result.... She's bloody good in the twisties as is but I did like that really planted front feel with the tankbag on.... More to come on this later....

Hoping to exercise my greenie a bit more as spring is officially here, but also hoping someone tells the weather it's time to start acting a bit more like it....

Footgoose, Condolences on the loss of your mate Bill. Very sad to hear. Guzzler

Yep Thanks for taking us other southerners along for the ride Bill! Always a pleasure seeing the evidence of the good times had by you all. Cheers

Reckon the last time mine looked like that was 107.000 kilometres ago....

Not read the book but have the movie....which was bloody good! Must read it if get the chance. Cheers

Mate I've taken to wearing a Bavarian Alpen hat that I bought in Hahndorf (Sth Oz) about 10 years ago otherwise I'd probably wear one of these too! Gotta keep the sun off the hole in the back o the head....( aka the bald or thinning spot...) Cheers

G'day mate. Carillo con rods are tougher stronger than stock. Early V11's are 9.5 to 1 and later longer frames 10 to 1 I believe, so the 10.25 to 1 pistons are bit higher compression. The windage plate is a Roper plate also known as a baffle plate too I think. The cam is different to stock. Sounds like it 's got timing gears having replaced the chain. Also head work by Mike Rich ie gas flowed heads, inlet tract reworked etc and bigger valves. Sounds like quite a brute of a motor and could possibly give Chucks ( ex ) Mighty Scura a bit of a run for it's money....? Cheers

Geez, be interesting to have a ride on that to see the difference the Mike Rich mods make eh....

I use Mr Sheen on my helmet visor and it works a treat....

Actually did something I've been meaning to do for bloody ages...... Degreased the motor and gave her a good clean and wax/polish! Now she gleams like a Greenie should! She was filthy after riding in the storm the other week and a heavy drizzle yesterday. Cheers

Ha ha To each our own mate as it's what we're used to eh. In my case well used to it but retirement isn't far away though. I couldn't cope with starting at 2.30pm though... Cheers

Mate, I'd doubt my Greenie would be in the same league as the mighty Scura with her High comp pistons and Mike Rich headwork plus Stucchi and breathing mods if I remember correctly.... but I'm not too fussed about the actual numbers these days, just happy she's running well and strong. I've been more focused on the suspension and handling to tell the truth! This is the first Guzzi I've owned so don't have much experience to compare but can say that after owning her for 14 or so years I still love it .... Jeezuz they get under your skin! Cheers