Essential documents for the Imp

There are simply a few documents every Imp owner MUST have.

The WSM-141 factory service manual (>50MB PDF)

The Imp factory parts book (>80MB PDF)

Imp photographs on Flickr

Various Imp photographs on Flickr

United 2008

The TE/AE United was held at the Bolger Center in Potomac, MD

United 2008 Gallery

Moto Guzzi California

2003 - Moto Guzzi California Aluminum

I had to replace the Vulcan 1500 I sold to a workmate with something worthy.  Its hard to beat watercooled, shaftdrive, comfortable like an easy-chair, and cool.
Sacrifice watercooled for exotic, and upgrade to GREAT handling and I discovered the Moto Guzzi California.

74 pound-feet of torque and 70 hp.

This machine attracts more attention than most bikes which cost many times more.
Got the Clutch Warranty done and the Camshaft Recall.  The hydraulic lifters seem to be behaving themselves (for the moment).  It ticks a little more than I like, but its running strong.

The sucessful warranty work is no thanks to Motor-Vation of Mechanicsburg.  They are complete and total idiots.  NEVER buy a motorcycle from them, and NEVER take anything there for service.  They kept it for 3 months arsing around, while they screwed up the camshaft re-work, set the lifters for a non-hydraulic bike.  It sounded like a bucket of bolts going thru a thrashing machine.  The left half the vacuum lines off so the engine wouldn't run right.  They forgot to tighten the clutch adjustment locknut, which almost made me crash when I lost the clutch.  Then as the ultimate sin they put the OLD oil BACK in the engine instead of replacing it.  I'm glad they aren't a Guzzi dealer any longer.
I had to fix it myself with the help of other dealers.

Thanks to Jason of Speaker Cycles of Ohio for tech support;
and to Harper's Moto Guzzi for the "Outsider" external oil filter kit.

Yamaha XS650

1979 - Yamaha XS650 Special
The most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.  This machine is totally bulletproof.
I purchased it from some kid in Perry County for a few hundred bucks.  It needed new main bearings, new rings, all new seals.
This is how it looked when I got it.


The photo taken after the Friends of Nature 2007 tour to Bennezette, PA.
Here it is shown with new seat upholstery, fork gaitors, drag bars with 4" risers, an XS750 sissy bar, Neutronics optically triggered electronic ignition, 32-tooth rear sprocket.


Here's the XS650 in the final form in 2008.
The confused cruiser/chopper look was getting old.
CAFE is RETRO

"The Mighty One" has over 32,000 miles now and still going strong!
55mpg makes it perfect for commuting to work.
XS650 supporters

Mikes XS
650 Central
650rider
Speed and Sport Inc
Black Widow Choppers

Our Imps

How small is an Imp?  Only 13 feet long and 1500 pounds.
39hp stock.

Here are our two Sunbeam Imps in the backyard.

Originally tagged as "LIL IMP", this 1967 MK2 Imp was Val's first car when she turned 16.

In 2005 we bought this 1966 Mk2 Imp, which we call Eduardo, after his original owner.
Here he is on the trailer just back from picking him up in Maryland.
Eduardo was plagued by low oil pressure problems and no brakes.

Here we are at the Meeting of the Marques at Allenberry Resort in 2006.

Whoa... Which one is the IMP?  They all look so similar whizzing past you on the road.

Hydraulic Guzzi

These are the fiddly bits that are involved with the Hydraulic Engine Guzzi.





I had to make sure the adjusters were set right after the "dealer" morons screwed it up.  The had set it for a solid lifter arrangement, which caused quite a bit of clatter.

It seems OK now at +7000mi.  Its not the most quiet engine I've ever had, but I suppose there's nothing to complain about.  I think I'm just paranoid every time I hear a little noise out of it.