The Godfather

The creator and founder of the GRiSO ghetto, Steve Daley, Steak, or Steak Daddy to his many motorcycling buddies, passed away tragically and unexpectedly in a rafting accident on September 11, 2022. In the ensuing months, the future of this forum was in question, but the most active members, as well as Steve's family, have rallied around me and supported me in my efforts to pick up where Steak left off. I'm battling a steep learning curve, but Beetle has generously stepped up to help me get over the hump. Thank you, Mark. The forum is here to stay and we have managed to do some housekeeping tasks in the process of making things run smoothly again. Steve was not only the creator and founder, but he was the sole administrator, so we encountered a few hurdles in our efforts to transfer ownership to me, but we have prevailed.

As of this writing, the GRiSO ghetto has over 3,800 members worldwide, a diverse group of folks from all walks of life with myriad interests and special skills, but with a couple of important traits in common – a generosity of spirit and a passion for motorcycles, especially our beloved GRiSO.

The GRiSO ghetto origin story is an interesting tale. In 2010, a couple hundred Guzzisti from across the United States and Canada and from as far away as Bungendore NSW, Australia and Rome, Italy gathered at the Grant County Fairgrounds in John Day, Oregon for the US National MGNOC rally. The Pacific Northwest contingent claimed a prime, grassy plot of land with a few shade trees at one corner of the fairgrounds and set up camp together - Steak Daddy named it: the Ghetto. Set to the Elvis Presley soundtrack, he produced a short video which you can watch on his YouTube channel, 23Porterhouse, portraying our life in the ghetto.

In The Ghetto

A seed of an idea was planted in Steve's brain that weekend and he began to conceive of an internet forum devoted to his favorite motorcycle, the Moto Guzzi GRiSO. He named the forum: the GRiSO ghetto. Launched on May 28, 2013, the site was an immediate success and has become one of the best Moto Guzzi sites on the web, a place where people with this one common interest could gather to exchange ideas, share pictures and stories and most importantly, to find technical support for maintaining and customizing their GRiSOs.

The graphic design work is all Steve's and you will notice some interesting names for the members' rankings which are based on each member's number of posts. The names are those of the characters from his favorite book, The Betrothed (I Promessi Sposi), an Italian historical novel by Alessandro Manzoni, first published in 1827.

The generosity and know-how found here are unparalleled. As a resource, it is invaluable, but it's also a place where many of us have found friends, close to home and across the globe, and we share a lot more than our passion for GRiSOs. Here you will find discussions on food and music, movie reviews, black beer, jokes, geegaws, bike porn and much, much more: gear reviews, camp-outs, road trips and things that make you go “hmm”. We generally steer clear of politics and religion and we're pretty good at policing ourselves and each other so that the ghetto remains an open and welcoming place where everyone is encouraged to participate. We even share technical support of other Guzzi models, especially the Stelvio, or Fat GRiSO, as we call it, because it shares its architectural platform with the GRiSO. And lately, there has been a lot of interest in the next generation to come out of Mandello - the V100. We have a section devoted to the new model, as we're all watching the new developments very closely, but given all of that, this forum is primarily based on GRiSO content for that is our enduring and all-consuming passion.

I want to welcome you all, old members and new alike, and I pledge to do my best to maintain the forum in the spirit and the vision of our friend and founder. I miss him dearly every day; the thousands of miles we rode together, the meals we shared, the concerts we attended, our mutual obsession with crossword puzzles, puns, dogs and whiskey...Those of us who knew and loved him and those who came to know him through this and other forums know what a kind, generous and compassionate man he was and his contribution to the world of motorcycling, and especially Moto Guzzi, is something we can all cherish and appreciate. This forum is his legacy and I will do my best to honor his vision and make him proud.

Pete (Street)

Nicely put

Thank you Street

Thank you Street. Steak would certainly proud of what you do for this community.

thanks Pete - I'm proud to be a member of something that is a passion for all walks of life
we're behind you all the way

Thanks for this post, Pete.  You are doing an incredible job keeping this forum alive & kicking.

 

Thanks pete,well done

Thanks a lot for sharing the historic background of our site with us newcomers Pete, and for continuing the spirit and purpose of the site.
There are not many Grisos around where I live, and since I -after 40 years with different Guzzis- finally discovered and fell in love with the GRiSO, the Ghetto really means a lot. Both as a source of knowledge and experence but also, as you say, a place to find friends with a common passion.

If you one day feel like visiting the cradle of your ancestors here in Norway, I would be honourd to guide you around on one of my Guzzis. I might even lend you my GRiSO
If anybody else on the Ghetto is planning a trip to the top of Europe, please let me know

Best regards Bjørn

My hat is certainly off to you for taking this worthy project on in honor or your old friend. Steak is missed but it is wonderful that his legacy will live on.

Thanks for keeping the group alive.
There is a cost to hosting this site, how can I contribute financially?

Bjørn,

I hope I'll be able to take you up on your offer one day, thank you. I'm sure Norway has changed quite a bit since I spent a year there in 1968/69.

Pete

It sure has, Pete, - at least the roads are better

Thank you so much Pete, what a great way to honor Steve and give us all an understanding of the history of this wonderful site. I love to read all about how you all love your Grisos and the great depths of knowledge found here on this site. I am sorry I just dont get the urge to post about the many Guzzi adventures I have experienced but I enjoy reading all of you guy's posts. I hope this site remains active and you find enjoyment in your efforts to keep it going. it is much apprieciated.  Thank you Pete

Thanks Street for your endeavours to keep the website going. It is an invaluable tool that enables many of us to keep their sometimes character-building Grisos alive and well.

Thx to you and all for all your efforts.

Ciao

Absolutely - thanks so much!

Thanks for this beautiful gift, Grisoghetto lives on!

Pete - hope to meet you this summer, maybe out at Krain Corner. Many thank you's for taking this on!!!

Likewise, Steve. June 3rd is the next one, maybe we'll see you there.

Pete

I did not know this
Humbled and honoured to be here
Steve