LowRyter

When Colin Chapman went to Indy with the Small Block Ford V8 (and later "cammer") he made a remark about the "ancient" Offy being a "vibrator". I'd imagine it was a tough go running 500 miles all out. The Ford (later FOYT engine) won it's last race in '77 and Offy won last in '76. After that the Turbo Cosworth was king for the next 10 years.

Not really. Offys were over 4 liters, 256 ci unblown (400+ HP). They also ran up to 700hp w/turbo @ 8500 rpms and 160 ci.

My goodness Phil, you're so cool. Anyone mechanically inclined amazes me. On top of that, you're fun and have a great sense of humor. Your tolerance to the mechanically challenged, well, I'm still here. Pretty cool Offy.

Phil, Bardahl was always better than STP, even though STP was the "Racer's Edge".

Bobby's car (top photo) had a 4 cyl Offy as well. It was turbocharged to the moon, an advantage since there is no head gasket. Bobby won the '68 "500", the first turbo of many turbos to win there. Some say it might have made 1000hp in qualification trim. Offys raced at Indy until the late '70's. The engine was designed by Harry Miller in the '20's, versions of his engines raced at Indy for better than 50 years. Miller's most famous were 1.5 liter supercharged DOHC straight 8's in the '20's, some were front wheel drive for a low profile. Miller's designs also inspired Ettore Bugatti's racers. Miller was a designing savant. He imagined how a component would operate and sometime he would size it with his fingers, a draftsman would measure his open fingers with calipers and use that as base spec. I have a book about him.

Bardahl brand was a big racing sponsor in the '50's and '60's on all levels and also internationally. One of the local Supermodified guys here (dirt 1/2mile) drove the "Bardahl Special". I can guess there were many local "Specials" not only in the US but in many countries. They were big brand at Indy, even before STP. I remember the famous Hydroplane, "Miss Bardahl". I can remember seeing photos of sponsorship signs at some of the big races in Europe as well. I think you might see a Bardahl sign or sponsored car at any racetrack and any level back then.

So long as bringing up the subject, the Sachs shock is rebuildable, multi adjustable and configurable. You might also consider that as alternative.

back to my point, are these parts going to be unobtainable?

Bottomline, I was told to stock up on these. That sound a little bit extreme. But I'm asking.

I don't there's anything wrong with the Guzzi longitudinal Vtwin design, particularly for shaft drive motorcycles. I think it has advantages to the Beemer Boxer. I have a transverse Ducati Vtiwn, and I think it's great but it does have efficient chain drive. Both are 90 degree twins. I can understand why one works best for shaft and the other for chains. I can only hope that Guzzi gets it's act together regarding reliability, styling and performance. I do think both Italian brands have a better feel vs the Beemer and Japanese bikes. Whenever I think of a Guzzi, I think of longitudinal Vtwin shaft drive motorcycles. It's a great unique and practical design. Having said all that. It looks like the future is parallel twins with balance shafts and various firing intervals to mimic 90 and 70 degree Vtwins. That doesn't make traditional designs obsolete.

https://www.af1racing.com/OEM-Moto-Guzzi-Intake-Manifold-Hose-GU03114370 https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=94 so?

Any truth to the rumors that these are hard to find? I checked on a couple of sites and saw the original part number was superseded a couple of times but the replacements seem to be available for o/s delivery although not on hand.

This bike appears to be a Moto Guzzi version of my Ducati Supersport. I would imagine the Guzzi has the advantage of cruise control. I'd like to test ride. Doubtful I'd get one.

So when does this show start and is there more Guzzi stuff than the V100?

Well Pete at least "clan" is spelled with a "c". But to answer your question, yeah.

Damn Kin, you beat me to it. We got the CD delivered yesterday and then saw them on Colbert. I like this record, it doesn't quite grab like their first record but grows on me. David Hildalgo plays on several cuts. I saw them during their first tour a dozen years ago. Interesting enough, the Bob Weir record, Blue Mountain, has similar vibe.

WSBK is OK. We don't get great TV coverage, it's hit or miss. There also isn't great competition among riders or brands. I keep up with MotoAmerica stuff a little more since the Ducati team is fielded down the road about an hour from me. And it looks like the Daytona 200 is going to be open for additional entries including 900cc+ Vtwins against the 600s.

What happened? Mud? Should not be. Hard accident! Or?

I like the racing and competition in MotoGP. I'll continue to watch it. The last year(s), no Americans, Rossi hasn't done better since I saw him run 2nd in Austin, I know few of the newer riders, despite that, I still watch it.

Rossi was ripped off in 2015. Dorna allowed Marquez to screw up Rossi's contention for the championship. One of the biggest screw jobs in sports IMO.

That's obviously his "stage name".

Neat stuff. So who is the real artist? Nicolas Draeger? Lorenzo Eroticolor?

Chris, I think you got my point about "having fun and games from the guys with tools and lathes figured this stuff out." But I'm not in either camp. I'd rather ride than wrench. And I may not be good at either one. So give me a bike that I like to ride and don't worry about it to keep going. Two of my four bikes have been the shop for weeks. I'd be happy to get rid of both now, maybe the Greenie too.

I'm just not into any bike I don't have confidence in or a company that doesn't stand by their bikes. Look at any bike they've sold in the last ten years and tell me differently? Roller Rockers, Demand Sensors, Fuel Pumps, Dash Boards, electronics, greased bearings, timing chain adjusters, oil pumps, fuel pumps. And then consider the parts availability if you find a competent dealer to work on it. I'm yacking about reliability and dealer support and I ride a Ducati (one of the least reliable brands) (but knock wood, been OK). I suppose it was a fun game when the guys with tools and lathes figured this stuff out. Perhaps feeling like mechanical aptitude was the cool part of it. But now you need to have a computer degree and a smuggler to China to get it worked out.

I agree with your calculus.