The Moto-Guzzi Nuovo Falcone VOC

Well it seems the Guzzi is all done, waiting for its return. Bank a bit lighter!

Mot'd and ready to be delivered back. No success trying to drill the old bolt from the swinging arm bushing which meant a new bushing had to be purchased along with extra labour to machine and fit shims to eliminate some side play in the swinging arm.  The other issue was the gallant fight put up by the flywheel refusing to leave the crankshaft to allow me access to the kick start assembly, my mechanic finally won.

Wonder if it will return when the rains come...

Regards

Mark

More news as the Guzzi in care.

My man reports: "...new swinging arm bolt and the main bushing looks reusable now i have cleaned it up providing i can remove the original mounting bolt from the centre, currently waiting for a longer drill bit to do so...."

Small steps.

Hello, again!

I had, in the past, a red (restored by a previous owner) NF....enjoyed some miles on it, loved its loping manner and comfort.

BUT I struggled to start it, because of knee issues and moved to a Guzzi SP100NT (which has morphed into a T3/G5 style, with a riding position a bit more back/leg(knee) friendly.

I am (lucky to say) acquing another Guzzi....yes, another NF!

BUT this time (apparently) with a working dyna/electric start thingy; oh and patina.

It's also not olive green but blue, (possibly from the Rome police a long time ago....).

If all goes well may have it ready for the road in the spring....

A question (or 2):
Is the Two Lamer oil line to the inlet valve worth doing and a 31t rear sprocket? I should recall but have swum round the goldfish bowl since the red NF!

Mark

PS: If I can figure how to post a picture I will, seems a link to one on the phone isn't the right way!

I gather from recent 'letters/posts' in the VMCC that they are 'struggling' - partly because (I think) over stretching on retail side trying to compete in 'the market'...but also I gather as that 'club' seems not to be trying (or maybe some members) to embrace bikes from the 70's/80's unless 'born' with a Union Jack or perhaps not with the 'Rising Sun' as  'parent'.

A lot of riders (I guess in 40's and 50's) will recall bikes of their yoof - the RD's; LC's; CB's; Jotas; Tridents; GS; Z; Dukes etc etc as bikes they aspire too. When I have, over the last few yrs, been at the August Bank Holiday VMCC run from Sammy Millers the number of bikes from the 50's-40's-30's-20's dwindles and their owners/riders get older...the number of bikes aged post 60's increases...and then a set that are allowed to follow the 'run' but not 'take part'.

I am not sure (from local evidence) that the VMCC is as welcoming of these bikes or as much as it should.

I seem to recall Titch's vision was to preserve motorcycling and the enjoyment of riding 'old' bikes..in 'his' day bikes were mostly 'british' because that's where most were made. Its a shame that bikes that are 25-30-40-50 yrs old now are tainted/discouraged/welcomed by their badge. They are, after-all, bikes. A new biker who cut his teeth on a s/h-abused Bantam/Villiers/C Beeser/Fanny B wasn't all that different from a generation or so later who started on a battered CZ/MZ/C50/70/90; CG; CD; RD etc. Rose-tinted specs back to bikes of 'their' yoof.

Although today's modern bikes are 'slick/(generally) reliable/trouble-free - the complexity of some components and how they age/and replacements scarce (modern electrics spring to mind...black boxes; ignition by non-coil/pts and the scarcity of 'bodywork/plastics) may tempt (force?) some riders back to machines that were / are simpler to maintain/repair...so maybe there is some hope...unless the 'classics' become so scarce because of collector prices and where 'grey porridge' becomes'gold'.

It's more worrying, to me, the recent proclamation from 'London' that by 2020 there will be an area where emissions for ALL vehicles (even those new today) will be 'outlawed' or a 'levy' needed to use them because of emissions. Maybe we will all be riding round on off-spring of those ZERO TT bikes that do (thus far) I lap of the TT course if we are to be allowed to ride at all...Or ethanol "knackers" bikes (fuel tanks...a friend with a Royal Enfield GT 250 and another with a Bimota and such like with non metal tanks or the alu tank on a bmw K have probs)  and makes them 'dissolve' or become finicky rubber/brass/carb-wise.....

Me; I hope to enjoy bikes I can for as long as able - whatever their age....It's motorcycling I 'enjoy' - I just happen to prefer older (classic?) bikes. But accept that others who like Fireblades/Harley's*/Cruisers/Scooters and that's 'their' favourite - it's all two (3 - for the Piaggio MP3 the police seem to like them in Londinium) wheels

*Harleys - why the badge "snobbery" ? - I just don't get it. ( http://www.realclassic.co.uk/opinionfiles/riding-a-harley-davidson.html  ).

Regards

Mark

Sadly my time with the NF meant I got to go round Wales on my East-to-West whilst I was still capable of starting the beast; and had visions of heading to Scotland. Sadly that wont happen on the NF; but it's grandson may make the trip and this glorious post gives me some landmarks to head for....thank you.
Does the SCMC Scotia have any lists or recommended places 'to visit before you go....' and any accommodation recommendations for those from way-down-souf?
Brilliant post and just the thing for a foggy/wet/miserable Lincs night to plot and make plans.
M

Was good before.

Now brings back fond memories 

Just got back from an 85mile ride on the Guzzi 1000 SP NT, over a mix of roads and traffic conditions. Not just any 85miles, but the first few!

Initial reaction was the front feels funny; then remembered it was a brand new front tyre. Seemed to get better once I guess the 'newness' rode off.

It's quite rural, so to get used to it, tried some 'B' and unclassified roads, some with grass growing down the middle. Took a few miles to work out or find a comfy position on the saddle; the clutch seemed heavy and the throttle 'stiff'.....seem to recall Guzzi's were renowned for a'stiff' throttle...(by end of ride seemed ok, I expect it will take some miles to get used to that!). The front brake lever is obviously suited to someone with bigger hands too - but ok.

Initially thought the front brakes were poor; then remembered the linked set-up and tried to get used to using the foot and sometimes a little r/h brake sometimes. That's better!

Rode through some urban areas/towns that were a bit busy; surprised I could get in and out of the gears and even find neutral at a standstill (or thereabouts). Had expected a gearbox like the Guzzi NF single; but maybe that was just different and the flywheel effect on that. Once found one false neutral the whole ride! At low speeds and ambling it seems the SP will cope ok and not be a torture. Riding position quite nice (once adjusted to the seat a bit) and seems comfy; can get feet down and manageable in a good way.

The fairing is (surprisingly) really very good; I must be a the right height for it; no buffeting; nothing nasty when going a bit faster....expect on a very hot day (today wasn't bad) it might even be too warm. Still wont have to worry about that for a while.

After escaping a fuel stop, and negotiating the myriad of roundabouts; back into the country on a B road than an A road. Upto and around town I can see (possibly) where the 'agricultural' references in test talk about; not in a bad way just not a modern 'knife-thru-butter' way. Once around 50-55-60-65-70mph (all managed easily and no stress on bike or rider) the bike assumed an amazing smoothness....whereas the K75 was/is smooth everywhere...this  is comparable in that range. Lovely and torquey too. Does seem to take a wee while for the signals from the (stiff) throttle to the road but creamy smooth and 'majestic'. Gather the tourers differed in the 'go dept' from the Le Mans types - at this showing, in a word NICE.

Once bimbling along country A and B roads the bike came into its own, and was a great companion. Suspension fine (not rock hard like some Italian bikes). Less fussy and nowhere near as vibey as the T140 I had a while back; that was the same age; and seems more solid and planted, and far less vibey all round.

Overall a great ride on what I think will be a good companion; once I adjust to the seat, clutch and throttle!



I will (do) miss the NF (& triple K) - but my knee and back doesn't.

As far as I can tell (but hell, I am no expert) the only deviations from std are: Think the burgundy colour non-std (might have been standard on a 850 T4); assume non-std/replica/replacement silencers; a bra!; (PO) Previous owner fitted some fog/spot-lamps on the crash-bars; the seat looks as if it has been lowered (may see if I can alter that a bit...); the lower faring lowers have been 'shortened' to little wings below the tank; assume PO may have banged his knees on them. Seems to be ok to me, quite like it as it is. Not turned into a café-racer as seems the norm!

M

...have a spare pair of 'original' NF shocks lurking in the garage.

I acquired them as spares; as you do!

At some point they may go on that well known auction site; but if anyone has a need or is desperate for a pair, drop me a line. Sure SWMBO would be appreciative if I had a go at some garage clearing!

Regards

Mark