New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
Hey, he stole my bike!
He's (winner) DEAD to me!
Whether a Stone or a Special, a V7 III is coming to CA!
As Luap, Dusty and some others know, I'm Robert Calland.My Moto Guzzi life has been...different.About two years ago I sent my Royal Enfield Classic 500 engine to be hot-rodded by Scooter Bob in Minnesota. Bob's workshop wasn't heated so I wasn't expecting the engine back until springtime.But I got itchy for a motorcycle. My drag race friend whom I rent my workshop from said his cousin was looking at Moto Guzzis. So I looked too. I saw the 2012 Norge on Cycle Trader and it was drop-dead Italian gorgeous. I bought it the next day.It had all the wonderfulness and all the less-than-wonderfullness of Norges. It was much improved after a major service by GP Motorcycles in San Diego.But several life changes occurred. We took in a friend of four decades last November after she was fitted with an infusion pump and continuous O2 for pulmonary arterial hypertension. And then we had the pandemic. My friends and I would no longer be taking out-of-town trips for antiquing, etc much less my solo trips on the Norge.I decided to downsize to one car (Windstar) and one motorcycle (Royal Enfield). I gave the track Mustang to a niece and the track Integra to a nephew. While the Norge is a great freeway cruiser, it really isn't fun like the Royal Enfield. For instance, there's this 17 mile 55mph road between Descanso and Alpine. With the Royal Enfield, I go 55mph while practicing my braking, turn-in and acceleration points keeping the neighbors and the Sheriff happy. With the Norge, I go 70mph without trying and can't brake or accelerate because there's so much power on tap. The neighbors wave at the RE but not at the Norge. Might as well take the freeway. So I'm giving the Norge to a nephew. And a neighbor is looking at buying the BMW.So I was looking to become a WG lurker rather than a member.But remember I said my MG life was different? I won last year's Cedar Vale raffle. This doesn't happen to me -- I'm a raffle donor not a raffle winner. I didn't need a fourth motorcycle and Luap needed funding to upgrade the forum's security so a Cedar Vale attendee bought the motorcycle with the money going to Luap. Smiles all around.When I saw a post on this year's CC raffle, I bought some tickets and so did my PAH friend. You know, let's pretend and we love animals too.Then while I was drinking my coffee this morning, I received the call from Tim.I was shocked. This doesn't happen to me, especially twice.I wrong-footed myself and CC by exploring options to get a V9.Enzo was busy selling an MG to a customer so tomorrow I hope to ask him if I can upgrade the Stone to one of his old-school-look Specials to pair with the Royal Enfield. Whether a Stone or a Special, a V7 III is coming to CA! And I'm remaining a member rather than a lurker.Because I screwed up with CC and, patting myself on the back, because I enjoyed such good fortune I made a direct donation to the League in Cadre's name. There, I feel better.And this year's Cedar Vale raffle of that lovely Breva? Yeah I bought tickets. Lots of tickets. So you better buy more. My MG luck can't last forever.
After my shock from winning the Cadre Cycle/League for Animal Welfare raffle turned into excitement, I wondered how to integrate the V7 III Stone into my one-car (Windstar), one-motorcycle (Royal Enfield) plans. I realized it was an excellent, low maintenance, urban assault vehicle so my plans changed. But the circumstances of its acquisition needed celebration so I decided to Embrace-the-Rosso to bring out the Rovente.This embrace begins with the Carbon Dark's brake caliper and cylinder head covers from Cadre; the Stone S's shock springs from Cadre; Pazzo levers from GTM; and angled valve stems from Bridgeport/Ariete.Nice touches but they lacked front-to-back flow. Here's where Kev m's Photoshop artwork came to the rescue: https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=96990.msg1533793#msg1533793 I'm going Full Monty of course! Work will be done by a local painter. Thanks big time Kev.All of which will be topped off with the Brown & Beige Saddle from Cadre.For the urban part, I am using Givi E22N Monokey Top-Loading Side Cases mounted via H&B C-Bow Carriers; and a Givi E300N2 Helmet-Size Top Case (shared with the Royal Enfield) mounted on a Givi SR8201 Top Rack. No tank bag -- it would walk away. Lighting upgrades include Inertia's RY10W turn signal LEDs; GTM's License Plate Surround and Tail-Tidy Kit with the Amber LED tied to a brake flasher; Rigid Industries Fog Lights on the lower fork tree bracket (like the H&B Twinlight Lamp Set); and hopefully I can fit my extra Philips H4 headlamp LED. A Helmet Hook holds my helmet and gloves while gearing up; I will see if there's a way it can hold the gas cap.For the assault part, I am adding Grip Puppies and Koso Apollo Heated Grips for hand comfort; my Aerostich controller with Kanetsu heated vest to keep my old bones warm; and mounts for my Garmin zumo 660 navigator and VIRB Elite action camera to find and record hopefully happy memories.I have negative feelings about a windscreen on this style motorcycle. Don't and won't have one on the Royal Enfield. Had and liked them on the Norge and R1100RT but those motorcycles are going away along with multi-hour rides. Descanso gets cold but I can still last an hour in warm clothing. So no windscreen. Even in Rosso Rovente.For the vehicle part, I'm adding an H&B center stand; a Badass Large Motorcycle Cover; and engine, chassis and parts manuals for reference. GP Motocycles will perform maintenance services.Cadre Cycle titles the motorcycle in Ohio; then Wolverine Cycle Logistics brings it to its new Forever Home; and I retitle it in California. I expect to receive Rosso Rovente mid-to-late July. I'll post before and after Embrace-the-Rosso pictures for your admiration and suggestions.All the parts are ordered and the payments made. Now it's just patience. See ya in July!
Congrats! I hope you enjoy it, Enzo is a class act!