MotoGuzzi T3 California. Opinions anyone?

[Bren]

There are not many bikes that make say "Do ya feel horny baby!", but this must be one of those...I noticed it earlier today on tardme and am real interested in it, though I cannot get much in the way of reviews of that particular model.
The last time I was in the Guzzi shop here in CHCH they had a California Vintage on display that was sexy, but this IS the real deal....anyway I want to know of anyones opinion of these models, especially those who have ridden the T3...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=179357480

[martybabe]

I rode one many many moons ago. If I remember right it was very rough and agricultural. Basic running was ok but a bit breathless. The engine and gearbox are sturdy things, quite quirky.

The two main downfalls with Guzzis of that era are Electrics (not good at all) and the finish, chrome, awful, paint very poor. I think they've got cast iron discs? which look rusty all the time.

This particular one looks in good nick but your looking at a fair few none standard items. Do check for serious rust everywhere and check the electrics as best you can.

The good news is, if you fall in love with them, they have tonnes of character, the engine will prolly out last you,Whilst they are a bit odd to ride, that's not a bad thing, they're very involving and enjoyable to cruise around on.

That's about all I can remember, if you get it, you'll prolly love it for it's diferentness.

Have a really good test ride and see if it's pros are better than it's cons.

Proper bike but, I'd like it. :done:

[T.W.R]

Have a nosey around here, there should be something worth reading.

Squadra Guzzista

www.guzzista.com

They're a seasoned campaigner and a good old mile eater

[James Deuce]

You need to know how to rebuild gearboxes, valve-trains, and drive-shafts/hubs.

You'll need to build up a toolkit, and most of all remember that it is a "classic" that will empty your wallet at annoyingly regular intervals. Things will break that are not being made anymore.

Yes, it is romantic. Yes it is stunning. Except for the bloody awful fishtails.

Buy the California Vintage instead. There's a Wellington dealer now and I know one of the guys who works there and he's a good dude.

If you go ahead and buy it anyway there are a few Guzzisti in the Kapiti region who can help you, but you approach them at your own risk, and I won't be held responsible for the rough treatment you'll receive at their hands.

[Bren]

Yes, it is romantic. Yes it is stunning. Except for the bloody awful fishtails.


those fistails i think are the best feature...although i dont think they are stock

[gsp0702]

Sorry for the slight Highjack, but who's the Guzzi dealer in Welly? I had heard there was going to be one but nothing more than that.

[James Deuce]

Scooterazzi (http://www.scooterazzi.co.nz/).

Spotted that on Saturday whilst out doing things in the c.a.r. I hope they do well.

[laRIKin]

You need to know how to rebuild gearboxes, valve-trains, and drive-shafts/hubs.

Have had 3 old Moto Guzzi for years and have never done FA to them in that time.
In total I have done one maybe two uni's in the drive shaft (different bike and wheel stands do that to them) and get the rotor re wound once.
The rest was normal wear and tear.
Normally you just check adjust and look after them and they will go and go.

Red Neck pop around (with a drink of course) and I have books and books on them to read.

And take our old MKIII for a ride to see if you like that sort of thing.
But not for a short blat as the saying goes.

Ride a Guzzi for ten minutes, and you'll never ride another, ride one for one hour and you'll never ride anything else.

I did a test ride with a guy who wanted a Guzzi and was asked to ride with him from the shop. As I know the owners.
He said he hated the first 15 minutes on it, but thought what the neck it's a ride I'll bear it out.
After about a hour he was having fun.
And after the ride, his hand went into his pocket and bought it.
Weeks later he said "the more I ride it the more I love it"
When I sold one of my Guzzi's, the guy who bought it kept sending my TXT's saying, "I have a Guzzi, I have a Guzzi"

Guzzis of that era and any other the electrics are left wanting.
The good thing about them is they have been around for soooo long every rider learns and knows what they do and are likely to do.
And as said they are a bit rough and agricultural to modern bike.
But then again a lot of bikes of that era were.

I have just started riding my MKIII Le Mans again.
It still goes well and will get me from A to B.
And just did a good trip to Geraldine and back using the back roads and came home in the dark.:cold:
I still after all these years I still look at the Amp gauge and still get scared.
It has never let me down, I should just remove the bloody thing.:laugh:

[James Deuce]

You're biased.

[laRIKin]

You're biased.
Maybe maybe not.

As I have owned 5 Guzzi's and some up to 15 years and still have two in the shed I do under stand them and know them.

You?

[doc]

You need to know how to rebuild gearboxes, valve-trains, and drive-shafts/hubs.

You'll need to build up a toolkit, and most of all remember that it is a "classic" that will empty your wallet at annoyingly regular intervals. Things will break that are not being made anymore.


It's called "Character" Guzzie's are about passion :love: and dumbfuckin Loyality. And being a bikerider surely you must have a toolkit.

[T.W.R]

Ride a Guzzi for ten minutes, and you'll never ride another, ride one for one hour and you'll never ride anything else.

Depends which models though:shifty:

V35 Monza are just funny wee things
650 lario with a race kit is a ball of fun
1000s are back breakers for tall folk
1100 California a big lazy boy recliner with a shaky turbine for an engine
Nero Corsa smooth for a Guzzi




When I sold one of my Guzzi's, the guy who bought it kept sending my TXT's saying, "I have a Guzzi, I have a Guzzi"

What'd you reply :eek:



I have just started riding my MKIII Le Mans again.


Tis nice in the flesh too :niceone:

[laRIKin]

Depends which models though:shifty:

V35 Monza are just funny wee things
650 lario with a race kit is a ball of fun
1000s are back breakers for tall folk
1100 California a big lazy boy recliner with a shaky turbine for an engine
Nero Corsa smooth for a Guzzi




What'd you reply :eek:




Tis nice in the flesh too :niceone:

If I was going to buy a small Guzzi I would go for a V50 Monza.
I do not like or would buy a Lario. (sorry to you Lario owners)
I like the 1000S and maybe buy one if it had spoked wheels.
I do like California's, Stones and Jackel's and not sure if I would buy one unless at a good price.
I would buy an older round barrel one like the talked about and would buy a old Eldorado/Ambassador type.
Nero Corsa's are so over ranted aren't they D:Pokey: (had to say that)

No reply just smiled and knew it went to a good home and a new owner that love's it.
Would have sold it cheaper to make sure a good guy like him got it.
Unlike a w***er that tried to buy it and his money was not good enough to buy it at any price.

And thank you I owe you a test ride.:scooter:

If you want to ride something that turn's like a super tanker, wooden brakes heavy throttle and clutch, compeared to your new bike.:Oops::lol::corn:

[Hitcher]

Buy it. Ride it. Love it. Hate it? Sell it.

[T.W.R]

Nero Corsa's are so over ranted aren't they D:Pokey: (had to say that)

:shutup: It's pretty good for a Guzzi, actually didn't feel like a Guzzi of what I'd been used too after a quick strop around the block, prior to that the last one was my mates 1000s which was a Green frame with spoked wheels :cool:




And thank you I owe you a test ride.:scooter:

If you want to ride something that turn's like a super tanker, wooden brakes heavy throttle and clutch, compeared to your new bike.:Oops::lol::corn:

:lol: sounds like a quick comparo to a Laverda 1200 Mirage :banana:

[Hitcher]

Scooterazzi (http://www.scooterazzi.co.nz/).

Spotted that on Saturday whilst out doing things in the c.a.r. I hope they do well.

[laRIKin]

:lol: sounds like a quick comparo to a Laverda 1200 Mirage :banana:

Your on, I'v all ways want a 1996 Jota.:scooter:
I nearly bought a Mirage in bit's from John Boote.

[T.W.R]

Your on, I'v all ways want a 1996 Jota.:scooter:
I nearly bought a Mirage in bit's from John Boote.

96 Jota :scratch: a SFC1000 :drool::love::love:

They're a hell project to put together from bits especially sourcing replacement parts :o
John Boote :rolleyes: now he had some great wee gems stashed around his yard, a CB1100RB caught my attention; heart went :banana: pocket went :weep:

[laRIKin]

96 Jota :scratch: a SFC1000 :drool::love::love:

They're a hell project to put together from bits especially sourcing replacement parts :o
John Boote :rolleyes: now he had some great wee gems stashed around his yard, a CB1100RB caught my attention; heart went :banana: pocket went :weep:

Fat fingers I meant 76:Oops:

John does have a few jem's there.
Th question was, are all the parts there and would he supply the missing parts?:laugh:

[nudemetalz]

Maybe maybe not.

As I have owned 5 Guzzi's and some up to 15 years and still have two in the shed I do under stand them and know them.

You?

Mr James Deuce took my V11 Sport for a ride for a day many moons ago and despite a wee tyre problem suffered, he absolutely loved it !!!

So, he does like Guzzis :) (doncha Jim !!)


BTW, what's just in from the rear pillion footrest on the California for sale?

[martybabe]

BTW, what's just in from the rear pillion footrest on the California for sale?

I think it's a tool kit box? :confused:

[laRIKin]

BTW, what's just in from the rear pillion footrest on the California for sale?


I think it's a tool kit box? :confused:

As far as I know it's not a standard part.
I have not seen one before so tool box is as good a guess as any.
Normally under the seat in a tray as far as I know.
Most people loss the tool tray when they put the wrong shaped battery in and the tray no longer fits.:corn:

[Dodgyiti]

Most people loss the tool tray when they put the wrong shaped battery in and the tray no longer fits.:corn:

Ha! Yeah it took me ages to get one second hand, I have had 7 different roundbarrels and not one came into my hands with a tool tray!<_<


As for that pretty bike on TM:

I would have bought it, price was fair.

Commute every day on my T-3, no worries- just goes and goes to all those who doubt reliability of the older bikes, 'don't blame the tools' keep them fettled and they will reward for years.

[Bren]

bugger...it's sold anyway...i was hoping it would be relisted,..then i woulda had a chance...

[laRIKin]

Commute every day on my T-3, no worries- just goes and goes to all those who doubt reliability of the older bikes, 'don't blame the tools' keep them fettled and they will reward for years.

Yeap I have always got home on my bikes.

I think as long as you change the oil (and use the right oils in the diff and gearbox) and check the bike over (tune) every 4-5 thousand K's you have no problems.
Because they can and will run in an unloved condition for a long time.
In the end it can cost you.
Some mates of mine have bought them like this and with a good tune up and a good once or twice over and after a weekend or two of good shake down test rides.
They then have a great bike that can and will take them anywhere.:ride:

You just have to learn their quirks.:love:

[nudemetalz]

"Moto Guzzi" is Italian for "quirks" :laugh:

Once you get a Guzzi, you'll never look back.
That one is sold, so keep looking and don't stop 'til you find one, The Redneck :)

[laRIKin]

Here is another nice cheap Guzzi for you Redneck.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Cruiser/auction-181235729.htm

I know of another guy that missed out on the T3 California in the first post as well.
Made a time to view it and then went to check it was OK to come around to view to be told, sorry it has now been sold.:doh:

He has seen it on the road and said it was a goody.:doh::doh:
He is still kicking himself.:crybaby: