Martin Barrett

Ryan, I was just looking for 2nd SOS and them going to PM Jim But Austria is Germany the same way Canada is America* Martin *That should liven the board up

Tutle made up some shims I had loads of fun with mine do a search on "balance pipe"

You've just bought it?

Day off today, I had planned on sneaking out and trying my new tyres but I got summonsed from my bed this morning - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4517962.stm was tempted to take the bike but the car won as still a little icy. But tomorrow I'm back on early- late shifts (1200-2200) so the ice should have all gone and hopefully not be too bad at home time. Either the airborne particles will plunge Hertfordshire in to a nuclear winter or might keep some of the warmth in and create smog. Luckily the dust cloud is just passing south of where we live, but is a concern if heads our way with the youngest lads lung condition. He has a bit of a cold anyway so are considering his supplementary oxygen anyway. We're better off than the people whose windows and doors were blown out, and they're infinatley better off than the residents of Bhopal. The risks of modern living

The wild Guzzi site recently crashed so isn't doing bad getting back to 800 members so quick. Whilst I rejoined up on the intrim I've not done so yet on the current incarnation. It is so very American and more general Guzzi. I dip in occasionaly but find there is more for me here. But as the cabin fever sets in I may find myself there more often. I'm not sure the English/European/My perspective is relevent to most but they're friendly enough unlike one UK forum I dip into. It's like newspapers you have your favorites for style and content and then there are those who just watch the TV

Despite being disillusioned with the bike press, winter is not a good time to break the habit. I might have been able to skip one issue but have been suckered back in. In the Jan 06 issue of BIKE not only do they mention the Norge amongst the highlights of the Millan show but have a 6 page travelogue, written by a journalist from the Times, along the Adriatic Highway. He's riding his 2001 California Stone. I couldn't believe it as I thumbed through, there was a picture of this California, thinking whats that doing there? In the article he mentions an overnight oil leak (the first time he has experienced it) which he attributes to oil in the airbox following a days high speed blast, but no other mechanical mishaps. The article is mainly about the places visited but he makes an observation: "...a huge number of German couples in campervans and on BMWs. They don't acknowledge me and I begin to realise why. For them, motorcycling is not about romance or freedom or camaraderie - it is simply the most efficient way for two people to travel." They do have a side bar "WHY A GUZZI CALIFORNIA" in which they extole its virtues. I'm starting to think that perhaps the tide has started to turn. But towards the end of the magazine there is an article in the BIKE CHOOSER series on ITALIAN EXOTICA. " From learner-legal GP bikes to full on superbike racers, here are the Italian jobs made for dream garages. Some are super rare most are not" It features: MV Agusta F4 750; Gagiva Mito; Benelli TNT; Bimota SB8; Aprilia RSV; Ducati 888; Cagiva Xtra-Raptor (Forrest will be happy at that); Ducati 996R; Mondial Piega (did they actually sell any of these?) and the Aprilia Tuono. No Guzzi, they could have grouped together either the pair of Ducatis or Aprilias and put in the V11 or even Sporti/Daytona. Okay they don't have the performance of the others but there again neither does a Mito, it's only a performance bike if you're 17, once you've a licence the RS250 would be more valid. But shouldn't complain, as only nice things were said earlier

Tank should be bare metal - fairing either red or green but tank bare Why didn't one of the tennisti spot that But a nice stable neather the less

Mac, 1)- the red/blue is his brake and the grey was a spur to a second set bulb when he had twin LED's. 2)-Are you saying his earth and brake are connected the wrong way around? To the wrong terminals. I'll brave the fog and look at mine. Edit - Quick look is no good, will need to take it apart a bit. Can't do it now as home alone with the 3 youngest, so can't disappear outside. I'll have a look tomorrow in daylight if the rain stays off. Bike is still living outside

As hinted to in previous thread I did indeed chicken out from doing my rear tyre myself and took it my local workshop. He had difficulty in getting a BT020* from his supplier so I told him just fit a pair of anything. So I've now got AVON Azaro 45/46 ST. I can't comment on them as only done the 3 miles across town in the damp just off freezing. Obviously they're still likely to have traces of release agent etc on them. With my big feet and fat arse I'm not sure I'll be best to comment on their characteristics, so far they meet my top two: 1- Black; 2- Round ( I'm not sure I've prioritised these correctly) * They were on back order. He advised that if I could get them from elsewhere he would fit them. I had a look on the net. Do you know how many different BT020 there are?At least 10!! It seems that each OEM version has a subtle difference. I doubt it makes that much difference.

My efforts fell into this camp. It would be an acquired taste I tired lagers, stouts and even cider. Some were better than others. It might be the hardness of the water in my area. But there are breweries locally so that's not a good excuse. I had mixed results with pressure barrels. You can spend a small fortune on all the paraphernalia. I would start of with the simple kits and then add more. Like tinkering with your Guzzi its a mostly harmless hobby if you can avoid alcoholism and not brew ethanol. You can get satisfaction from it and acceptable results, or you can leave it to profesionals or a bit of both. It's something I no doubt will revisit but I'll have to start from scratch. The brewing buckets made handy containers when cleaning out my fish tanks.

Not even with a 500cc supercharged engine?

On this occasion no. With the front fairing/leg shield of a scooter that and the front mud guard would be green taking the effect of the dustbin fairings, with a silver engine bay main body with obviously a suede seat. Could look great.

That exactly was my point of bringing up the Trumpet 675. The Daytona and the TT before it whilst hailed as probably the finest handling in the 600 supersports group, weren't able to match the the big 4 in the engine department. So have gone for a 675 triple to give power of a 750 in the package of a 600, with the difference of being a triple. Obviously Triumph are making triples their signature throughout the whole range. There isn't anything particularly new or exciting about it but has brought several things together. On preview launches it appeared to be a "big" step forward in the supersports 600 class, but the big 4 have now revealed next years models and they to have moved on also. It is arguedly the most competative of all classes and requires year on year "improvement" which needs the investment and development funded by sales. They seem to have allowed the 955i (I could be tempted to fly the flag) to have slipped into the sporty sports tourer role and nolonger trying to compete head on in the hypersports class. The RSV was perhaps the latest hot thing affordablity top end and reliablity of the Japanese, the exotica, handling and drive of a Ducati. But the R1 replaced the thunderace, followed by GSX1000,ZX10R and bigger Fireblade and the Ducatis have got uglier but better where the RSV hasn't made the big changes and as you point out been hampered by the other financial aspects. The RSV showed that people would go for something different (60 degree V twin). Where they didn't go for the Laverdas or TRX in numbers. But also shows that the same fickle buyers will quickly move on elsewhere to this years hot thing. The RSV & and the 916 are the only ones that seem to have upset the post 1970's world order. Harley and BMW have their niches. I think BMW are moving out of the cruiser market (good thing too they were especially ugly) The F650 seemed to take a while to get established but has proven to be a success. I did hear that Triumph weren't yet running at a profit but I don't know if this is true or not. I still don't think people will go for the ultra light weight sports bike. Those that are moving away from the sports bike are going dual sports. On track you can argue the lightweight but on the road you (well at least I) can't corner that hard (safely) and can make it up on the straights. You could be right with the Super Scooter idea, would lend itself to Tenni colours

You're barking mad. I think it would be comercial suicide. The public don't seem to be that intrested. Fuelled by the bike press with it's obsessions of latest, lighest etc. Obviously there are the hypersports R1, 999, etc and then the sports 600s. The last attempts to move away from this haven't been great successes The Laverda 650s spring to mind and Yamaha TRX850 though this is well thought of my those in the know. and you've pointed out the last Yamaha sports single. Though they are revisiting with the supermoto varients of the XT. The press do tout the cornering abilities of the sports 400s and the 250 strokers, though I think they are no longer available new as offical imports. It will be intresting to see how Triumph do with the 675 and if they can sustain the year on year development that will be required to keep pace with the other supersport 600s. Obviously Aprilla were able to break into the market with the RSV but haven't been able to sustain it and look where they are now. Your concept might appeal to the more lithe (KB and Antonio) but the more lardy like myself need the space and oomph of a large bike. I found a CBR600 to be quite small, I probably would have got used to it. And a Faser 600 would out perform the Guzzi but was just too revvy The tractor like qualities of the big block Guzzi where part of its apeal to me, providing "real world" performance levels. I think Guzzi have a niche with the across their air cooled V twin and can continue if part of a larger group. It's the only thing that makes them different.

Andy, What have you done to the beast? Looks like FJ1100 fairing upper, The wheels and forks are obviously either later FJ1200 or FZR. I take it's got an XJ1300 engine or did you just take the barrells keeping the cams and carbs

I'll fold against your pair of deep muddy puddles that are so deep that you can't see the bottom

If those links don't work for you, I've got what are probably the same on my wifes hard drive so I can run you off copies, couldn't reply earlier as couldn't get on her machine to check

No it's pulling out of the petrol station and making a turn as you reach through the steering wheel to zero the trip meter, and trying to centre the steering at the same time.

Arkansas

On the Lemans because of the fairing mounted mirrors these are filled with a bung. On one of the few times I used my fast idle lever I managed to catch it with my gloved thumb and knocked it out. Just left it as is. The least of my cosmetic blemishes.

That is/was Richard Britton. I had the picture already from an earlier thread following his death in September. Following engine seizure? could have easily put up Dave Jeffries or countless road racers

Those gold pork chops look nice

What about closed circuit road races: TT; Manx GP; NW200 etc . Whilst they aren't public roads for the duration of the event. Unfortunately they don't have the wide run offs etc of circuits. and despite some safety measures still have trees and walls etc. The traffic is controlled (one hopes) you shouldn't come across any oncoming traffic , but there could be a machine in front having broken down or for whatever reason be on the race track doing something unexpected. There may not always be a marshall to hand. On some public roads you can get a good view that will eliminate the possibility of the JCB over the brow of the ridge scenario and allow some indecent speeds Whilst I wouldn't advocate 174 or even achieve it. I think I've maxed out at 144 on a driving course. I've also had the FJ flat out once also (not on a dual carriageway). I like to think I'm fairly cautious. In this accident we don't know the cause. With road side furniture at 174 it's pretty academic.

Are you sure a real fire is a good idea?