Author Topic: Pre War Guzzi In The House! (Read 3033 times)

Dave Swanson · « **on:** February 24, 2021, 02:52:54 PM »

A friend of mine who knew I was looking around for a Guzzi single pointed me in the direction of this 1935 GTS a few weeks ago that was for sale in California. I had always assumed that if I did find a Single it would be along the lines of a post war Falcone, but this GTS was too cool to pass up. The girder front fork and exposed valve train are certainly eye catching.

I am quite happy with it so far as it seems to be exactly as the seller was representing. The paint looks better in these pictures than it really is. I would give the paint/sheet-metal about a 6, which is exactly what I was expecting, so no disappointments there. The chrome on the rims and tank is very acceptable. I will not be re-chroming them. The bike is certainly nice enough just to ride as is, but I know myself and can see a proper restoration in its future.

Here is a start up video that the seller made just before I purchased it.

https://youtu.be/AATshSzrJms

Tkelly · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2021, 02:57:27 PM »

Work of art!

acguzzi · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2021, 02:58:14 PM »

very nice!

cookiemech · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:05:39 PM »

I think it found exactly the right home!

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:05:39 PM »

lucian · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:26:27 PM »

Beautiful machine , do you know much of its long history? If these things could talk. Congrats on a rare find.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:51:50 PM »

Awesome. I wouldn't do anything cosmetically.

Don G · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:54:01 PM »

Make it shiny on the inside. DonG

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2021, 04:08:57 PM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on February 24, 2021, 03:51:50 PM

Awesome. I wouldn't do anything cosmetically.

The more I look it over the more I am falling in line.

The history of the bike is completely vague. It was exported from Germany to the 2016 Las Vegas Mecum auction which is where the guy that sold it to me purchased it.

I have always assumed the bike was repainted in Germany. Whoever did the pinstripes really knew their stuff.

beardog · « **Reply #8 on:** February 24, 2021, 04:50:30 PM »

fantastic

oldbike54 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 24, 2021, 05:08:23 PM »

Dusty

jumpmaster · « **Reply #10 on:** February 24, 2021, 05:20:11 PM »

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on February 24, 2021, 03:51:50 PM

Awesome. I wouldn't do anything cosmetically.

I agree with Charlie, even though I'm usually a fanatic "keep them polished and shiny" kind of guy.

BillinPA · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2021, 05:40:00 PM »

That is stunning Dave!!!!
I love it

bikeridertim · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2021, 06:05:32 PM »

WOW!! Very nice!!

Congratulations!

chuck peterson · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2021, 06:10:25 PM »

I loved how the guy reached for the throttle....I would have too but, I bet it would have kept going! I’m not used to anything so.....

Agricultural!

Chuggachuggachugga sounds great

Canuck750 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2021, 06:40:29 PM »

Beautiful and it has gone to a good home!

Tom · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2021, 06:41:47 PM »

I think the best restoration you could do is actually get period gear and ride it around.

Cool!🤙🤙🤙

not-fishing · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2021, 06:44:34 PM »

So.....Cannonball in 2025???

90 year rule and in my case I figure I'll have to go to Italy go get a bike

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2021, 07:33:44 PM »

What else can be said.

GliderJohn

Scout63 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2021, 11:03:59 PM »

I think you should put TKC80’s on it and LineX the tank. Maybe weld up a mono shock and graft on a gsxr front end. I just know you can make it handle and stop Dusty.

Scout63 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2021, 11:05:10 PM »

Sorry Dusty - I meant Dave. And in seriousness that bike is simply gorgeous.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2021, 07:27:40 AM »

but.. but.. what can you find to *do* to it?

I would look almost as good as you will on it..

jwinwi · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2021, 07:28:36 AM »

Looks perfect just like it is. Congratulations!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #22 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:03:43 AM »

Thanks for all the great comments.

Since the bike was exported to the USA to be sold at the 2016 Las Vegas Mecum auction I have no history beyond the last owner, who did nothing to it other than ride it a bit.

It must certainly be a repainted restoration. From the looks of things it could have been restored many years ago. A part of my brain is wondering if it could be original paint, but that seems like a very remote possibility. Obviously if there was any chance it was original paint I wouldn't dream of touching it.

All of the eagle decals have the same interesting red tinge to the feathers. I have not seen this before. They were not clearcoated over as is common practice nowadays.

RinkRat II · « **Reply #23 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:24:13 AM »

Congrats Dave! I hope you know you've made us all a little envious. I have to ask for some close ups of the unique tail light. Looks like artwork! Beautiful!

Paul B

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:37:06 AM »

Quote from: RinkRat II on February 25, 2021, 08:24:13 AM

Congrats Dave! I hope you know you've made us all a little envious. I have to ask for some close ups of the unique tail light. Looks like artwork! Beautiful!

Paul B

The tail light is quite interesting and a bit of a puzzle. It was quite professionally riveted in place on the license plate bracket. I have my doubts it is factory equipment at this point though.

dsrdave · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:45:25 AM »

Ironically I was the second place bidder on that bike at mecum in 2016. I fell in love with it then !! Went to the bonhams auction the day before and was second place on two VERY nicely restored guzzi singles. I wasn’t concerned about losing them cuz I knew this one was up the next day at mecum. Wish I would have continued to chase it...

cliffrod · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:51:58 AM »

Very cool. Great looking bike. Congratulations.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:53:38 AM »

Quote from: dsrdave on February 25, 2021, 08:45:25 AM

Ironically I was the second place bidder on that bike at mecum in 2016. I fell in love with it then !! Went to the bonhams auction the day before and was second place on two VERY nicely restored guzzi singles. I wasn’t concerned about losing them cuz I knew this one was up the next day at mecum. Wish I would have continued to chase it...

Sorry to hear that, kind of.

The Guzzi world is truly a small world.

I would love to find out some of the history before it was shipped from Germany to the Mecum auction.

Ncdan · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2021, 08:55:47 AM »

Beautiful! Would that bike have had floorboards originally?

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2021, 09:02:41 AM »

Quote from: Ncdan on February 25, 2021, 08:55:47 AM

Beautiful! Would that bike have had floorboards originally?

No, not that I know of. I have not seen a picture of a GTS from that era with floorboards.

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Author Topic: Pre War Guzzi In The House! (Read 3033 times)

Wildguzzi.com

oldbike54

jwinwi