Recent Posts

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General Discussion / Re: Looking for motorcycle friendly Louisiana roads

« Last post by MikeP996 on Today at 05:49:31 AM »

Sadly, due to all the "great motorcycle road" comments on the internet and the resulting increased traffic, many "great roads" have become "formerly great roads"  Some very well known roads have installed speed bumps and lowered speed limits due to motorcyclists "behavior."  I've been on roads that a few years ago you could ride and hardly see any other vehicles and now you would be in a crowd.  :(

The Texas Hill country would be fine re traffic in the winter though it can get pretty darned cold!  In the summer, (IMO) it's too hot and there is way too much traffic to be enjoyable.

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General Discussion / Re: 1935 GTS

« Last post by Anomaly on Today at 05:40:46 AM »

OK, here you go-- one year older than Dave's and an indication of the value of these beauties:
https://www.subito.it/moto-e-scooter/moto-guzzi-gtv-gts-500-1934-pezzo-unico-prototipo-varese-639771056.htm

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General Discussion / Re: riding skills OMG moment

« Last post by MikeP996 on Today at 05:16:35 AM »

The guy that taught me to ride used to say, "You don't LOSE control of a motorcycle, you GIVE UP control."

Similarly, on one occasion: "That crash could have been avoided by the motorcycle; but the rider insisted on having the crash.""   

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General Discussion / Re: front fender extentions for Norge and Griso

« Last post by theoneandonlymin on Today at 03:28:58 AM »

Pyramid extender on my NorgeGT.
I did a wee bit of filing to move my captive nuts on the mudguard which gave me a bit of clearance. As mentioned elsewhere, the cooler was sitting a bit forward after my rebuild. Loosened the oil lines to move it back. That's the clearance I've had since fitting. Just enough.
I drilled the guard and fitted the studs. You'd hardly see them on a black bike, you could paint them if you've a different colour. Don't worry about drilling holes, you're never going to remove it.
As for cooling.... you should see the amount of crap that was between the fins without the extender.

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General Discussion / Re: Shinko life expectancy?

« Last post by wirespokes on March 19, 2026, 11:02:39 PM »

Thanks Ncdan. That's about the same experience I've had as well.

I ride year-round and have had no issues riding in the rain in Portland Oregon, on old worn out tires - down to the wear bars. In a straight line, it hasn't made much difference through puddles, and in the turns, the grooves are deeper to shed water. My tires wear down in the middle first.

Because they're cheap, guys tend to think they're an inferior tire. They're not. They're actually very good quality. I guess the writing on the sidewalls isn't real classy, but they are very good tires.

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General Discussion / Re: Shinko life expectancy?

« Last post by Ncdan on March 19, 2026, 10:36:46 PM »

I’ve ran the Shinko brand for over 20 years on everything from older goldwings, Harley full dressers, Harley sport bikes and 4 moto Guzzi cruisers.
I average 7k on the rear and 10-12 on the front.
I never run a tire down to the wear bars simply because its not safe in the rain.

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General Discussion / Re: riding skills OMG moment

« Last post by John A on March 19, 2026, 10:02:54 PM »

“ I had to lay her down “ = I screwed up. 

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General Discussion / Re: Shinko life expectancy?

« Last post by wirespokes on March 19, 2026, 09:35:09 PM »

I think I've gotten something like 10K out of the front tires in the past. Rears are less usually.

I've been riding Shinkos ever since Bridgestones doubled in price. What's that - 15 or 20 years? I had a GSPD with a Michelin Anakee that ran 20K miles, about the longest I've ever had a tire last, especially a rear.

This particular front tire gripped just fine up to the end. It did make the steering a little heavy, worn as it was, but it didn't cup and wore smooth and evenly.

Age doesn't necessarily deteriorate tires. There are other factors involved. A durometer (tool to test elasticity) often shows old tires to be as supple as new ones. Just because the tire was 7 years old when I got it was no reason for me to toss it. It looked fairly new and wasn't cracked or hard.

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General Discussion / Re: 1935 GTS

« Last post by wirespokes on March 19, 2026, 09:10:07 PM »

I like that viewpoint, Charlie!

You know, rather than a full restoration, a refresh might be a better option. Fix What's funky. Make things right. Leave the patina - it's gorgeous as is. No need to replace any bearings, bushings or seals, unless needed.

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General Discussion / Re: Mule video

« Last post by TN Mark on March 19, 2026, 09:01:56 PM »

Are you using a VPN? If so, try turning it off. The links work fine for me.