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Don't recall what year yours is, but my '03 LeMans allows (barely) for access as shown here (earlier models have the nipple located elsewhere). This photo and explanation appears on one of the greasing the drives driveshaft posts from 3 years ago. I used a standard grease gun fitting. The difficulty was getting your fingers back there in any way to exert enough force to click the fitting down on the nipple. In the end, I pushed it down onto the nipple with plyers.

...Lucas bullet connectors [emoji37] Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I took these photos a couple weeks ago while in Mandello del Lario down the street from the Guzzi factory red gate. I think we can all agree this is art! Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Phil - I think your definition is about as close as you can get to anything ressembling a universal definition. I've been asking people this question all my life, and the truth is there is no perfect answer. That said, there are always exceptions to rules and definitions. Take a look at the attached photo of a decorative pitcher from the Italian Renaissance (probably a repro). It was created for, and used to carry and pour water as it's simple function. It certainly could have been left as unadorned fired clay. But as it is seen and used every day, advanced cultures elevated it with an artistic intervention to be more than a vessel. It is certainly now a piece of art. I feel certain (rare) motorcycles like the MV F4 750 in the hands of people like Tamburini, who live, breath, and dream about every aspect of their design do in fact elevate the Motorcycle to art - perhaps more accurately "performance art". Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I could not agree more LowRyter. As you know from the other forum, I sold my Supersport. I briefly considered selling my 03 Le Mans instead, but soon realized I would regret that far more. I look forward to riding it more than my Thruxton RS or R1200RS. The design has always just seemed right, and very Italian. Still puts the biggest smile on my face when I take it for a long ride. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Not sure if Pete is referring to Chuck or Phil as the airplane builder, but wanted to share this photo of the Cozy Mk III (Burt Rutan design) that my brother built from scratch from a set of blueprints. "Only" 7 years to complete... Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Well-stated Scud. This brings up the heart of the conversation "blending artistry and engineering". The epitome of this pursuit was during the Renaissance, with Leonardo da Vinci likely being the most notable example. The best artists were also engineers and/or architects and vice-versa. And it was not only from their training, but their patrons expected them to have a keen interest and curiosity in both. This is no longer the case. In most cultures today, professions are pigeon-holed to focus on one thing and do it well. Most current engineering programs are devoid of any significant classes in the arts. As an architect for past 40 years, I deal with capable engineers on a daily basis. But try to have a conversation with them about any design intents or theories, and you get "just tell me what depth you need the beam and I'll do the calcs and let you know the options". Most of them couldn't tell you the first thing about the accomplishments of Leonardo, Eiffel, or Wright. The increasingly homely automotive and motorcycle designs of the past two decades are evidence of lack empathy and collaboration between engineering and design departments (I would suggest especially evident in recent design trends from Japan, who had previously produced some outstanding designs). The single exception I've experienced consistently (having completed a few projects there) is the design and engineering culture of Italy. There, engineers are still expected to be well-informed of all arts and history, and are passionate about it. Engineer/Designers such as Tamburini, Zagato, Michelotti, Taglioni, and Magni all had in-depth and integrated knowledge of every aspect of the cars or bikes they were designing and were usually involved in every step. This is true "blending of artistry and engineering", and the reason why Italy has produced, and will continue to produce, the most revered and emulated designs of our age. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

What is your definition of art Phil?

"The truth is motorcycles are not art" is not the truth. One of the greatest museums on the face of the earth (The Guggenheim in New York) in 1998 dedicated its entire premises to an exhibition titled The Art of the Motorcycle. https://www.guggenheim.org/exhibition/the-art-of-the-motorcycle That doesn't mean that all motorcycles are art for sure. But in the hands of someone like Massimo Tamburini, who was trained as an engineer and also had a rare gift for design - the Ducati 996 and MV Agusta F4 most certainly are art. I would argue that they are a higher form of art than a typical sculpture found on a museum floor in that they have to satisfy a far greater list requirements and need to incorporate engineering, aerodynamics, and economics, in addition to theories of art and design. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

...not to mention regarding the mechanical and performance side, 90% of riders today are only capable of extracting MAYBE 75% of what their bikes are capable of, even if "only" 80 hp, and that's fine as long as they're enjoying themselves. So what's the point of spending a hundred hours on internal engine mods to extract another 10 hp, unless you're racing the bike at the track?

Since everyone is still opting for customs and vintage bikes - the Magni Filo Rosso (nero) gets my vote, and is still currently available by special order: Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Since we're all having fun with this, 'would love to hear from the forum members which current bikes you could buy from the showroom today that you think is a more desirable design than this. I will confess that my other bike is a Thruxton RS Showcase, but I'd take this custom build with the aluminum tank and better proportions any day.

I just think you should actually read the article before you go off on another one of your long-winded anti custom cafe racer rants. Besides the engine and suspension upgrades, it's certainly better looking than any equally uncomfortable sportbike you can buy off the showroom floor these days, including any of the recent V7 iterations. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I don't know how you can claim nothing was done to increase performance - did you miss this part? "It now sports a lightened flywheel, a high-torque camshaft, bigger intake valves, a dual ignition, and a pair of 41 mm Dell’Orto carbs. Paul also redesigned the engine ventilation and oil separation systems, and installed an expanded sump and CNC-machined oil pump" Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I know Mr. Roper will lose sleep over a Tonti frame being used for this project, but to each his own. This build is deserving of the Tonti, and so is the engine: https://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-v11-tonti-frame Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Regarding the '95 Sport 1100, I wonder which museum he bought it from. Reading the description, we need to get the seller to join our forum! [emoji6] Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Veramente! Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Lh steer in Italy Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I don't know what your budget is, but I'm with my wife and we decided to splurge a bit. We're staying at the Villa Lario 2km north of the factory. And today we did a 2 hour tour of Lago di Como in a 1958 Riva Tritone. You only live once... Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Almost forgot - best draught tap ever! Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Finally made it here! Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

"Installed" a 2" Formotion analog clock on my '03 Le Mans. It's stuck on with industrial velcro down low out of site from would-be pirates, but still very readable while riding. Clears the steering damper rod by about a 1/4". Quality bit of kit, I must add. Battery is said to last for 3 years, and of course weatherproof. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I believe Ghezzi Brian in Italy still has them available.

p6x - my experience has been different from yours. When I first started doing track days over 15 years ago, they barely had enough riders sign up to make it worth the effort. But 10 years later, just before Covid, you had to sign up for a track day months in advance to secure a spot, and many more providers had come to the game. The percentage of riders in their 20s to early 30s was far higher than any other age group. I found this very encouraging. I'm also noticing recently that a lot of custom builders are guys in their 30s. Motorcyclists have always been in the vast minority, but I do think the torch will continue to be carried forward.

I just finished reading this excellent book by Melissa Holbrook Pierson who is an avid Guzzi enthusiast. I learned about her last year when I received my copy of "Moto Guzzi 100 Years", in which they dedicate the first few pages of the book her - that's no small thing. Her first bike was a V65 Lario which she rides all over the east half of the country. Lots of history of the motorcycle and riders included. She does a good job of explaining what it is about Guzzis that we love. I won't spoil it for you, but it was a really enjoyable read - highly recommend!