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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: PJPR01 on January 04, 2026, 03:29:17 PM

Title: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: PJPR01 on January 04, 2026, 03:29:17 PM
Nothing like a perfect day to ride the Griso and watch the Gliders do their thing!


(https://i.ibb.co/svZkFtn1/IMG-5577.jpg) (https://ibb.co/svZkFtn1)

(https://i.ibb.co/rGZMHMtn/IMG-5573.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rGZMHMtn)

(https://i.ibb.co/fJzrdjc/IMG-5584.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fJzrdjc)

(https://i.ibb.co/Md7Y7fp/IMG-5603.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Md7Y7fp)

(https://i.ibb.co/d43Lk46Z/IMG-5598.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d43Lk46Z)

(https://i.ibb.co/fdsp6Zm6/IMG-5595.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fdsp6Zm6)
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on January 04, 2026, 05:27:53 PM
Something that I don't get is adorning a Griso with touring clutter (fairing & luggage), when you have more appropriate bikes to use, such as the Bagger and Norge. Just saying.


[Partial pic of a flag is somewhat weird: I don't feel the next need to post a pic of a Saltire on this,or any other forum.] 

(Edit: typo.)
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: PJPR01 on January 04, 2026, 06:25:17 PM
Something that I don't get is adorning a Griso with touring clutter (fairing & luggage), when you have more appropriate bikes to use, such as the Bagger and Norge. Just saying.


[Partial pic of a flag is somewhat weird: I don't feel the next to post a pic of a Saltire on this,or any other forum.] 

Full marks and extra credit for completely missing the point of the post…the picture with the flag was not posted because of the flag but because of the 3 gliders up in the sky…maybe they are too hard to see…it was not a political post or a flag waving post. 

The Griso is setup for touring because I tour on it a lot as well as on the other bikes.  Who cares if you like it or not.  Was your opinion requested on the setup?  Clearly not.



Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Huzo on January 04, 2026, 06:48:43 PM
What a coincidence…
(https://i.ibb.co/RTbcDC2S/IMG-0752.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTbcDC2S)

Did my Instructor rating in 1990…
My second love. Did you take a ride ?
Interestingly, our Pawnee just failed an A.D. on it’s main spar/s, so it’s effectively worth nothing (much), but we have a new tow plane arriving mid February. $$$$$ !
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on January 04, 2026, 07:12:08 PM
Full marks and extra credit for completely missing the point of the post…
..  Who cares if you like it or not.  Was your opinion requested on the setup?  Clearly not.
Yup, totally missed the point of your post.
(Small sailplanes BIG flag: note emphasis. Yes, I had to 'blow up' to full resolution on this 14" laptop screen, to see 'em!)
If my only bike was the Griso, then I'd kit it out very similar to yours. I didn't say that I didn't like it - I got rid of my Street Twin because it rode too similar to the Breva, amongst other reasons. Maybe too subtle for you.)  You do what you do; it's your bike.
You posted on the (near) global internet, expect praise, critique and any other replies.

[BTW: I love gliding - if only I had the wherewithal to indulge in it.] 
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Frulk on January 04, 2026, 08:11:32 PM
I like how that Griso is set up. I basically did the same with my CB1100. Takes just a few minutes to pull all the bags off for around town riding.

Call it a NAKIT Sport Tourer if you will.


(https://i.ibb.co/SkZX77m/IMG-8878.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SkZX77m)


For cross country riding the Road King is still my preferred choice


(https://i.ibb.co/Nnbyjy9t/IMG-5171.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Nnbyjy9t)


Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: guzzisteve on January 04, 2026, 09:08:43 PM
Cool Paul, In 1978 I used to make up Sailplane kits & cut spars out of aluminum I beams with a skill saw on a rail.  Yes, grew up w/EAA guys, my Dad was #13.  Griso's are best, ride safe.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: AirPirate on January 06, 2026, 05:04:24 PM
Cool Paul, In 1978 I used to make up Sailplane kits & cut spars out of aluminum I beams with a skill saw on a rail.  Yes, grew up w/EAA guys, my Dad was #13.  Griso's are best, ride safe.
[/quotae]

Steve, you must have some good aviation stories to share. Your dad must have known the original founders of EAA.  Let's get a coffee this summer.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: guzzisteve on January 06, 2026, 10:05:31 PM
Yes, EAA guys used to sit around dinning room table & drink coffee. Before I started farming I worked for John in S.Elgin,IL
https://www.sonexaircraft.com/sonerai/
Cut spars for these---
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monnett_Monerai
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on January 07, 2026, 08:16:24 AM
Yes, EAA guys used to sit around dinning room table & drink coffee. Before I started farming I worked for John in S.Elgin,IL
https://www.sonexaircraft.com/sonerai/
Cut spars for these---
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monnett_Monerai

Your dad was #13?? And I thought I had a low number.. :smiley:
Sonerai 2L
(https://static.imgzeit.com/reduced/9db65aeaa4dc594e/IMG_20200527_141802829.jpg)
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Moparnut72 on January 07, 2026, 09:14:14 AM
Man that is one sweet aircraft, a lot sleeker than the biplanes we worked on. Lol. Probably the fastest one we worked on was a Speed Mail owned by Ben Scott of Reno Nevada. A gorgeous plane. I can't find a picture of it.
kk
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: guzzisteve on January 07, 2026, 08:20:45 PM
There is a place in the EAA museum for my Dad, and one of his Swifts hangs in the Smithsonian in DC. Chucks Sonerai is real sweet.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: PJPR01 on January 07, 2026, 08:49:34 PM
What a coincidence…
(https://i.ibb.co/RTbcDC2S/IMG-0752.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTbcDC2S)

Did my Instructor rating in 1990…
My second love. Did you take a ride ?
Interestingly, our Pawnee just failed an A.D. on it’s main spar/s, so it’s effectively worth nothing (much), but we have a new tow plane arriving mid February. $$$$$ !
Hey Peter...I didn't take a ride, but I'll go out again at another date and get some info on going up...looks like fun.

These tow planes look quite small and chunky (one of them), I presume they have some pretty good torque/pulling power.  Interestingly enough, they only seemed to take the gliders up a few thousand feet, I thought they would go higher, but perhaps wind conditions and other items come into play.  It was cool to see them launch and land a few times.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: PJPR01 on January 07, 2026, 08:58:08 PM
Yes, EAA guys used to sit around dinning room table & drink coffee. Before I started farming I worked for John in S.Elgin,IL

Nice coincidence...I have my grandfathers pocket watch from the Elgin Watch Company in Illinois.  Still works too!

Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Huzo on January 08, 2026, 02:57:53 AM
Hey Peter...I didn't take a ride, but I'll go out again at another date and get some info on going up...looks like fun.

These tow planes look quite small and chunky (one of them), I presume they have some pretty good torque/pulling power.  Interestingly enough, they only seemed to take the gliders up a few thousand feet, I thought they would go higher, but perhaps wind conditions and other items come into play.  It was cool to see them launch and land a few times.
Here in Australia, we routinely tow to about 2,000’ agl, but can release earlier if conditions permit.
All of the tow planes I fly are Pawnees or Super Cubs. We are about to take ownership of a new Eurofox.
(https://i.ibb.co/gLk8yWvG/IMG-5118.png) (https://ibb.co/gLk8yWvG)

(https://i.ibb.co/v6RwWgXK/IMG-2192.png) (https://ibb.co/v6RwWgXK)

(https://i.ibb.co/kstfkX7v/IMG-2191.png) (https://ibb.co/kstfkX7v)

It runs a Rotax 915s rated at 140 hp with a MTOW of 530 kg. A climb rate solo of 1,500 fpm and 800 fpm with a two seat glider on the back.
I had to upgrade my licence in this…
(https://i.ibb.co/4RLtwW6H/IMG-5064.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4RLtwW6H)

(https://i.ibb.co/Y7FMpFHX/IMG-5065.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y7FMpFHX)

A very nice little thing it is too…!
If you’re ever out here, I’ll take you up in the power plane and the glider..(but not at the same time…).
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: guzzisteve on January 08, 2026, 06:10:02 AM
Nice coincidence...I have my grandfathers pocket watch from the Elgin Watch Company in Illinois.  Still works too!


I finished HS in Elgin and had a girlfriend that had her dad worked at Elgin Watch.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Moparnut72 on January 08, 2026, 09:03:36 AM
Elgin's were good watches. My dad wore one or a Bulova. I guess that is where I got my love of watches or time pieces actually. I wear a Luminox so I can see the time in the dark. Sorry for the thread drift.
kk
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on January 08, 2026, 10:31:30 AM
Sorry for the thread drift.
Sliding further..
I have in the region of 30 watches of various vintage and perceived values, though no high-end ones. ;) Predominantly mechanical automatics with a Swatch lineup and a few other quartz ones.
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: Scott Carpenter on January 08, 2026, 11:22:55 AM
My days flying Blaniks with Canberra Gliding Club are well behind me - last flight was in 1991 at Bunyan, and finally 1992 I think and it might have been in a Puchacz in the Hunter Valley or a Kookaburra at Harden. Fun times. Our tow plane was a Pawnee IIRC. 
Title: Re: Guzzi, Gliders and Griso
Post by: DoubleGuzzi on January 08, 2026, 08:22:59 PM
I remember to this day, the experience of open top gliding, back when I was around a 16yr old in the ATC. Must have been a Slingsby T21 'cos I remember side-by-side, though I do recall being in what was likely a Kirby Cadet.
On rare subsequent soaring it was enclosed  - excellent but not quite the same; sometimes via tow and others by winch.