A few of you already know including one miscreant around here that egged me on but I picked up a new bike about a week ago. I actually went to see it and put a deposit on it the day before my trip because it seemed like a pretty good deal. I wasn’t really looking but a friend knew a friend that was thinking of selling and my friend knew I had talked about it before and the next thing you know.....





It’s a 2006 with 60000 miles and I picked it up for $6500. I figure if I don’t like it I can at least sell it without a loss and maybe even make a few bucks. I’ve been peeling chrome off of it because the previous owner must have been a jeweler but I’ve got it close to where I want it now. It rides great and handles surprisingly well but I’m still getting used to slow speed maneuvering. And I thought my VTX was a beast.


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I did a mod today that has me liking it much more. It had a heel/toe shifter on it that I hated. It was uncomfortable to use, actually hurt my foot unless I got my toe in the exact right spot. It also made the peg stand out further and a couple of times I felt my toe dragging in a corner.

So I got the parts today from Babbitts and got rid of the heel/toe shifter. Wasn’t all that difficult until I got to the shifter peg rubber. It made rlets look easy. I used some dish soap and with some huffing and puffing a a few choice words it was on.






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There must be some Bmr riders out there. I have a 2000 R1100RT, with a 100k miles, and it still runs great! If this freakin' COVID ever abates, I'd like to take a few longer rides on it. Northern San Diego county has some great roads, and then there's Julian, where you can get your fill of pie. I and some buds sometimes stay in the Julian Lodge and day-ride over a four-day weekend, splitting room costs 4 ways (they have one really big room they put a cot and a twin in with the two queens already there and we draw straws for the bed. The only bummer is there is no pool)

Do any of you folks employ some type purchased or home-made sun shade for your mobile devices mounted on the handle bars? On past trips, I install a Ram Phone mount on my handle bars to hold my iPhone. Problem is the sun overheats it and it auto shut off (with out anything exploding so far).
*
Amazon has something that might work ... don't know: [url=https://www.amazon.com/Sunshade-Compatible-Controller-N-ORANIE-Upgraded/dp/B076Q7YXYD/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=iphone+7+sun+shade&qid=1598118963&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sr=8-13]https://www.amazon.com/Sunshade-Compatib...=1&sr=8-13

I recently had new tires installed on my CB1100 (1st time). The Local dealer labor costs included spin balance, the installation of a 90 degree valve stem and rear brake pads (valve stems and rear brake pads purchased were different line items), and disposal of the old tires. I did not remove the wheels, or anything else, other than pay the bill.
Front wheel labor charge: $59.50
Real wheel labor charge, which included installing new brake pads: $65.00

Please note: as part of my purchased maintenance package, I get “free tires for life”. I refuse to divulge the tires make and model because it would lead to a bunch of BT54 bashing posts

The out the door bill was $187.28, including all the parts and labor mentioned above. That was less than I expected.

I am curious if the labor charges are similar to what you guys pay.

The new tires feel great. Now ready for the rally.

For a number of years I've planned to attend the Guzzi Rally at the Broken Arrow Resort in Gibbonsville, Idaho. About 4 years ago I came close to that goal but work interceded and I was able to make the trip but had to go a week before the rally took place. I did that ride on the CB1100 and posted a post trip report on the forum.

So this year thanks to Covid19 the stars aligned and I was able to get the exact time period required for the rally off from work. I sold my small enclosed trailer too a friend pre Covid meltdown and haven't had the opportunity to go out and buy a replacement. Plan A was to trailer the Guzzi Racer up (due to limited on board bike storage space) and ride it on day trips at the rally.

Racer:



Plan B was easy. I currently have a 2005 Road King with air suspension sitting in the garage. I pulled the top box off the CB and put it on a Harley Quick Release touring mount and presto...had a ton of space to supplement the panniers and dry bags.

CB loaded for the trip 4 years ago:



Road King loaded down for the trip this year:



I left on a Thursday AM and headed straight north on I-15 out of Ogden into Idaho past Malad, Pocatello and Twin Falls. Bug free and cool, minimal traffic, boring and fast slab riding that the 88cc V twin took in stride and pushed through at 80-85 mph without any drama. After approximately 230 miles on the freeway I exited at Sage Junction Idaho. I turned off on the 23 and started heading north-west on Hwy 28, a well maintained two laner with literally zero traffic.

Getting gas after leaving interstate 15. As always these off the beaten path gas stations raise the prices to milk the tourists.



For about 30-40 miles this is undulating, open sage flats that eventually give way to the mouth of a wide mountain valley. The valley begins to constrict gradually as the road climbs to the Summit of Gilmore pass at a little over 7,000 feet.

Gilmore summit looking north:



Gilmore summit looking south west:



Gilmore summit looking south east:



Scenes from the valley floor:





Crossing the 45th Parallel on Highway 28 heading north into Salmon Idaho:



After about 370 miles at 1:30 PM I rolled into the resort, staked claim to a camping spot with a good amount of tall grass and set up camp. To my surprise I was the first bike from the rally to be there.





Some observations about the Road King: I had on a small back pack and some dry bags in front of the top box. As a result I was able to lean back in comfort against the luggage and ride in an extremely comfortable position which provided me with exceptional lower back support. This was also the first time I used the highway pegs since owning the bike. Between the lower back support, highway pegs and large floorboards there were infinite options to move and reposition for comfort. Say what you want about the feet forward riding position, it has its adherents for some very valid reasons. Comfort being more than likely at the top of the list.

I slept very comfortably for about 2.5 hours during the heat of the day (about 81 degrees) and got up just in time to see the first bikes come into camp. The camp filled up with a few more bikes. Riders set up their sites and held a few conversations here and there after dinner.

Here ends Day 1 of the 19th Annual Broken Arrow Resort Moto-Guzzi Rally in Gibbonsville Idaho.
I slept very well and got up relaxed without any soreness from the previous days ride. After I made a cup of coffee I walked around a little and took some pictures of bikes. throughout the day more bikes rolled in from all over. A Fair amount of them were from the northwest but some bikes came from Arizona and California and points east like Denver.

The following pictures are a composite of the bikes that showed up over the next 1.5 days.

Pearl white 1400 cc MG California Pulling trailer:



Two younger guys came in on this Yamaha and R9T



I was impressed with the R9T riders minimal accommodations. Luckily the weather held because otherwise he may have had a wet night or two.





Unsure of what model MG this is



We had a few non Guzzi riders here besides myself. It was a laid back atmosphere and even BMW riders were allowed into the Circle of Trust.





Two kitted out MG Stelvio's. In the flesh these are imposing bikes.





An Audace...this was probably the best sounding bike of the bunch at the rally..



Two late model California's with a Polaris 3 wheeler in the background. The California's are exceptionally well appointed and just ooze quality workmanship all around.





I'm bumping up against the picture limit so will cut it off here and start another entry.

Hi all - very happy new owner of a NOS 2014 CB1100 (black with alloy wheels).

1. Are fuel tanks interchangeable across the years (e.g., 2013/2014 and 2017)?

2. I've searched the forum, but can't find a string which answers the following:
- What is the difference between the A vs SA vs CA vs NA?
- My 2014 is not a Deluxe, I've heard it referred to as a 'Standard' and as an 'EX.' The CB1100 has a standard seating position - is 'standard' also a sub-model in the CB1100 line?

3. Besides ABS, seat design, and color, what are the differences between the 2014 EX and Deluxe models (include Standard into this question if that is in fact another sub-model).

Please excuse the noob nature of the question. Thanks in advance for all the constructive information!

Does anyone know what is the clutch cover gasket parts number? Can’t find it on the internet. They have only either gasket A or gasket B set.

Anyone have any info?

As we get older every day, we also have to deal with the situation, in which we never wanted to be...
I've just lost a very good friend (61) of mine, and his funeral was in Poland yesterday..

He had nothing to do with the motorcycling, but when I met him a decade ago, we instantly became bonded friends.
Very straight forward, honest, polite, helpful, cheerful, friendly and well mannered, university graduate and the Military Institute educated colonel, who attended and successfully completed the Canadian Forces College in Toronto... and soon to be an army general....

Just a week ago, he emailed me birthday wishes, so I decided to call him back... we talked for about few minutes, and I noticed that our conversation was different and shorter than before....
At the time of our conversation, I had no idea that a couple of months ago, he lost his son of 37, who was living in Germany.
He fainted at home while working behind his desk, due to sudden pulmonary embolism. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead.

Now I know what this dad has been going through, how much pain he's had in his heart, ups and downs for the last few months....
He went for a short walk, came back home while not feeling well, so he said to his wife, he was going to take a short rest...
His wife was checking out on him from time to time....and shortly after she found him dead...
The family sources say, his heart got ruptured, as he couldn't bear any longer with his young son's death.

He was survived by his mother, wife and his daughter.....a wonderful family, stricken by the double tragedy...

This is my tribute to my great friend, who will not be forgotten and our friendship will survive the eternity..
R.I.P. Josef, I know we'll meet again....

No condolences, please.

So now I know where the tail light and mirror designs came from on my 2014 CB!

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-h...gold-wing/

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On my commute today (which is really more of a short ride than it is an actual commute), I was cut off by a guy in a red Cadillac who was talking on his phone. We both were stopped at a stoplight, he in the left lane and me a few cars back, but in the right line waiting to turn right. I was pretty irritated at his lack of attention to driving and was sort of glaring at him from a distance; not that he noticed since he was still on his call.

That's when I felt the bump from being struck from the rear by a young girl in a Kia Soul. Apparently, she was on her way to or from her physical therapist and was doing some stretches at the stoplight and didn't realize that she was rolling forward. The bump was about as forceful as when the CB1100 gets pushed of its center stand. No damage to the bike that I noticed and none to her car and no injuries and I remained upright throughout. She was very upset and apologetic and she reminded me of my daughter. She looked so panicked that I felt my job at that point was to calm her down. I told her that I was fine, explained that we should exchange information in case some damage shows up later, and told her that there was no need to contact the police or her insurance company at this time (that last piece of advice may not be valid in other states or in more serious accidents). The bike seems fine, but I'm having it in for an oil change and whatever service is slated for 36,000 miles so I'll have them look it over.

I find irony in the fact that, had I not been distracted by the guy on the phone, I would have seen the girl doing her in-car stretches and pulled forward out of harm's way. If the guy with the Cadillac had been more attentive, he would not have cut me off. If I had been more attentive, I'd have been watching my mirrors instead of the guy in the Cadillac. If the girl in the Kia had been more attentive, she'd have not allowed her car to roll forward into my bike.

If any good came of this incident, it would be that I believe that 2 of the 3 people that contributed have learned lessons:

Kia Girl: Pay attention to your surroundings, even when stopped at a stoplight.

CB1100 Guy: Lesson #1 - Pay attention. Lesson #2 - Don't let the idiots out there make you forget Lesson #1.