Show us your Guzzi

**98tls** · 19th January 2009, 19:19

Originally Posted by dangerous

Its a bloody concocksion, thats what that is... to tell ya the truth its got me doing over time actually, Wire wheels Mille GT is all I can think off Mk1 had the leading front calipers, Tanks a odd one and the tail and fairing are after market, side covers aint no Lemans???

Still,a great looker eh.

**martybabe** · 19th January 2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by Ghost_Bullet

But way better bikes to ride!!!!!!!!

I've always liked Guzzis but never been brave enough to take the plunge, I think I was put off by their bad rep re electrics and their undeniably poor finish in the 70s.Bubbling chrome, flaky paint and rusty discs and that was brand new in the showroom.

I still think the one bellow is as close as I've ever seen to what a proper bike should look like, I've had a quiet crush for 30 odd years.

I notice, since being on here, that they have a small but fiercely passionate and loyal following.Comments like the one above always make me think I've missed out somehow.

So are they really good to ride, they sure look better finished than yesteryear and they've gotta be reliable, their longevity is beyond question....I think I'm asking, should I take one for a spin, or is that how love affairs start?

**Molly** · 19th January 2009, 19:35

Thanks for the pics chaps. Didn't get the kneecaps reference either. Can't think that they'd be any more vulnerable on a Guzzi than any other bike (if anything the cylinders might well offer a measure of protection - but I'm not keen to find out).

Re. ownership. Each to their own at the end of the day so it'd be silly to say riding a Guzzi is 'better' than some other bike but I just love mine. I love the way it handles, that the motor has so much character, and that it's just such a good looking machine. If you get the chance spend at least an hour on one and get it out into the twisties.

**98tls** · 19th January 2009, 19:42

I have a bad Guzzi memory,many years ago i worked in a bike shop in Dunners,as i say it was years ago but anyway there was a ?..Spada? cant quite remember out in the workshop that had just had its freshly repainted tank put back on,i had to go somewhere so chucked on a helmet and jumped on the thing,when i got to were i was heading the only place to park was on a very slight grade,very slight,up onto the center stand all good,when i returned the fu%kin thing had rolled off and lay down on a low concrete fence,on its tank

Went back to work very red faced.

**dangerous** · 20th January 2009, 03:02

Originally Posted by martybabe

So are they really good to ride, they sure look better finished than yesteryear and they've gotta be reliable, their longevity is beyond question....I think I'm asking, should I take one for a spin, or is that how love affairs start?

haha, your screwed man.
na look, if you were to take one for a spin then it needs to be a decent spin and out of town where the funny vib, the pull to the left and the tall gear boxs wont have you thinking WTF.

Todays bikes have actually lost a lot of the Guzzi feel with lighter engines and SS swingarms etc.
My 1st MG was brought over the net. The 1100 sport was always like a dream bike so when it arived I was so keen to ride it I tore off down the road instead of returning to work.
I really thought WTF have I done it was terrible ie: nothing like any other bike Id ridden.
But 5000k's klater it was starting to make sence, 10k and I was loving it 20k and it still just got beter every day.

Sold it for a new VTR1000 had that for 2yrs and found myself thinking I was missing something, seen a rare V11 in the shop and brought it on the spot... when I picked it up and left the 1st set of lights I knew what I had been missing, it was noisie, shook, pulled to the left... ahhh this will only make sence to a Guzzisti

As far as finish goes, yeah quality control often let them down but was a easy fix. Electrics well again simple fix when ya know how and thats were the Guzzi people come into it.

Originally Posted by Molly

Thanks for the pics chaps. Didn't get the kneecaps reference either.

Na and the poster that mentioned it (bet ya hes a young twat with no brains) didnt get my reply judging by the thoughtless red rep he left

**Taz** · 20th January 2009, 05:26

V95cr........

**sondela** · 20th January 2009, 09:09

I don't have my Guzzi anymore, gone Ducati, but this was my Le Mans mk11baby..

**martybabe** · 20th January 2009, 09:21

Originally Posted by dangerous

ahhh this will only make sense to a Guzzisti

No mate, that makes a lot of sense, even to a none Guzzisti, It's character that makes a certain bike more than just a machine, It's it's peculiarities that make it seem to have a personality. A dishwashers a machine but it's the same as all the others, one that whistles and dances across the floor as it cleans would be the one that gets my attention and adoration. Well said mate

**Dazza** · 20th January 2009, 10:16

Well, it was mine, & she wasn't that old, bought her new in 1997 & did 43000k's before I sold her for an Aprilia.Blardy awesome machine, wish I had my camera last weekend as stayed @ my mates place in Rotovagas & in his shed was 3 Guzzi's, his 95 1100 Sport & 2007 1200 Sport & Bruce Saunders old MK1 race bike. Also there was a 2006 RSVR , 2006 749S , 2003 999,2005 S4R & my 2007 KTM.Being boys there was the odd joke about coming out in the morning & seeing my Austrain slut jumping all the Italian beauties, yeah right

**SDU** · 20th January 2009, 14:12

Originally Posted by Dazza

Well, it was mine, & she wasn't that old, bought her new in 1997 & did 43000k's before I sold her for an Aprilia.Blardy awesome machine, wish I had my camera last weekend as stayed @ my mates place in Rotovagas & in his shed was 3 Guzzi's, his 95 1100 Sport & 2007 1200 Sport & Bruce Saunders old MK1 race bike. Also there was a 2006 RSVR , 2006 749S , 2003 999,2005 S4R & my 2007 KTM.Being boys there was the odd joke about coming out in the morning & seeing my Austrain slut jumping all the Italian beauties, yeah right

Don't tease us! where's the picture

**SDU** · 20th January 2009, 14:34

ok here are mine.

**Dazza** · 20th January 2009, 15:02

Like I said,no camera, it's all in my head

& I'm having trouble uploading attahments bugger it !!!!

**Eurodave** · 20th January 2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by 98tls

Whats the one in the second pic (top) Dave? very nice looker.

That was my 850 T3 California conversion....since sold
LM1 tank & rear guard, my own make {Euroglass} solo seat ,rearsets,& sidecovers,Laverda SFC h/bars,Agostini full fairing,36mm Dellortos, Dunstall mufflers & an MV Agusta styled paintjob