Magic Carpet Ride Indeed

[Bulldog9]

Took fathers day morning for a ride, up to the MD Guzzi breakfast and back. Took all secondary roads and attempted to follow the C&O Canal.

As I am getting to know the Convert, and wringing out any issues, I've been on mostly gentle curves, sweepers, etc. This ride had more technical curves. Like many of you, I normally use my brakes while riding only to come to a stop or by necessity. While riding in twisties and turns, I use the engine and transmission. Well, that isn't really an option on the Convert, and made for some interesting experiences and forced a general slower speed until I made some new mental pathways. The Tonti frame is amazingly rock solid, but the handlebar and seat position puts me a bit further back than I am used to on my other Guzzi's, so another remapping of the brain is in order.  I would really like to find Highway bars that would work and look good.

I've mostly kept the bike in high gear, but after a bit I put in low, and found the bike to be much livelier and responsive, and other than a bit more vibration from revs, it and I liked low much better at speeds below 65. In high, the bike just lopes along, perfect for the highway and open state roads, but low is much better for most situations. 

On a side note, I found that the Convert has the same thread pitch as the oil filler/dipstick plug on the V7, but with different length dipsticks. I have one of those dipstick thermometers, so I put it in the ATF reservoir.  No matter how hard long or fast I ride, the temps haven't risen above 140. This gives me confidence in the status of the ATF fluid circuit.

Overall, this has been a fun ride, is definitely a keeper and will eventually be a tug for a hack someday. Luigi, had to be thinking about this song when they designed this classic bike....  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPE9a_epmWw

[oldbike54]

   

 Dusty

[kingoffleece]

Might be a good candidate for trail braking this bike.

I have taken quite a few training classes but I gotta say Jon Delviccio's class Cornering Confidence was a huge help.  He got me really understanding the concept and execution on trail braking and it's wonderful at pace.  Surprisingly enough the Jackal responds quite well, as do the V7 and Norge.

[Don G]

My first Guzzi experience was with an early Convert(still have her), linked brakes,best seat in history, fair power, compared to Harley Flat Heads and 60's English bikes that I was into at the time, this was the shite! Never ever looked back!  DonG

[Bert Remington]

KoF -- I went to the Cornering Confidence website at https://streetskills.net/  The combination of book and video materials is intriguing since it's unlikely I'll ever take any motorcycle to the track.  Access to the videos wasn't explained so I asked the Contact link.  If it doesn't require a FB, YT, etc account I'm signing up for both.  Otherwise just the book.  Thanks for reference.

[nick949]

I never notice the lack of engine braking.  The Convert is a different animal and I ride it according to its capabilities, not any preconceived idea of how a bike should perform. The linked brakes work very well for me, even on loose gravel.  As for first gear - I only ever use it in town in heavy traffic. The extra revs keep the charging light from blinding me too much.

Nick

[giusto]

I dearly respect Mr. Slate (76 Convert) as my "go to" around town bike. Just a joy to ride!

I totally agree...best bike seat in history : ) well put!  Freekin comfortable. Linked brakes work fine when I choose(need) to use them, which isn't very often.

I also just leave it in high most of the time with an occasional exercise in low when in town.

Engine braking :) there is a big difference between the stamped fly wheel and the heavy duty cast fly wheel.

Everyone should own a Convert for long enough to understand them...25 to 65 mph is a gas!

[radguzzi]

Great assessment of the Convert Bulldog...  Glad to hear that you are liking it. 

I too am a new comer to the Vert and I am just diggin' it.  I happen to like the looping along in High Gear, effortless if not neck snapping.  Just a great, relaxed ride.  And the V1000 hnadles just like any other Ti=onti I have owned,,, long list asctually.

A keeper for sure.

Oh, I cannot help with the suggestions with bar and riding position situation, mine is just fine as is, box stock. Civilian bars and just the right rise and spread for me.

Cheers,
Rob

[Bulldog9]

Yes, the Convert is all/only braking as there is little in the way of engine braking, but if you are going to be pushing it through the twisties on skinny squared off 8 year old rubber the need to scrub off speed has a higher priority 😆

It really is a matter of riding a bike in a way in which it's designed. My two other current rides are a GRiSO and Stornello, and recently a Norge and MGX.

Mostly it's about 40 Years of riding and just clicking down a gear or two, letting off the throttle to set for the turn, light trail braking if needed and then once passed the Apex back on the throttle. With the convert it's all brakes to prep, light trail braking and then normal accelerating out. As I said, just need to rewire the brain for new manual of arms.

I'm by no means an ultra-fast or unsafe rider, but I do tend to move at a decent clip as the rider on the 9rt found out when I trailed him for about 10 miles. Had I been on any other of my bikes I would have passed him. When I pulled up next to him at a stop sign, he about crapped his pants and said 'how the f did you keep up with me on that old bike?? I just smiled and said Moto Guzzi.... Made a left while waiting with my left hand and went my Merry way.

I really do need to change out the tires. They are Bridgestone 45's. They are in great shape with no cracks or dry rot anywhere especially in the treads or on thesidewalls and decent tread left so the rear is a bit squared off from its prior life. it's been interesting watching how the tires are wearing. normally I have little to no chicken strip on the rear tire and about a pinky on the front. on the convert, my front tire has no chicken strip and the rear has about a Pinky. They've also scrubbed in better than I thought and are perfect for most of the riding I've been doing. I have a set of Pirelli route 66's ready to go for when I change them.

While it is definitely far more pleasant to move along in high gear, keeping it in low gear and running it to higher speeds was also fun, and probably good for the motor.

[Don G]

I liked my Convert so much that I built an Ambo-Vert out of left overs. She was a sadly abused and parted out basket case that had lived under a tarp somewhere for years, badly rusted so I used up all of my blemished parts in one place.



 DonG WD 40, lots of it! and Vinegar worked wonders on the rust.