Possible 1st Guzzi

[drburt]

First post. Sorry I haven't had time to introduce myself yet, but I'm a Guzzi owner wannabe.
I live in no Guzzi land and have been wanting for a year or so now.
Any Guzzi I get will be hundreds of miles away (I live in Amarillo, Texas).
Here's what I'm looking at -
2001 EV - at the dealer they want $4500. Base Blue Book retail is $3325. It's been up for sale for a month or so.
It's been on eBay a couple of times with no sale.
It's there again.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-California-EV-1100-Touring-with-bags-and-fairing-/162120038575
I will not have a chance to see it in person if I bid and win.
Do I need to be talked out of this?
Thanks,
Brent

[fotoguzzi]

Price at $4500 too high, but looks like a nice bike.

[rocker59]

First of all, NADA and KBB are rarely close on Guzzi market prices because the market is so small and most of the transactions are private party/no reported.

So, basically you're going to have to take a leap of faith and jump in the deep end.

Those '01 Cal EVs are nice, reliable bikes.  This one has a color-matched H&H fairing that would be expensive to add.  They work well and are a nice upgrade if you spend lots of time on the highway.

The seat has been worked on, which is a good thing for the EVs.  Looks like it's been raised and recovered with basketweave top.  Sort of looks like something Ned's in Iowa would do, but could be from another builder.  More $$$ you won't have to spend, if you buy this bike.

I see that is has the Hepco + Becker pannier mounts.  That's also something nice that would cost you $$$ to add.  You can pick up used H+B Junior bags on Ebay.  They're great kit.  I've been using them for over a decade.

Not knowing what their reserve is, I'd probably bid up to around $4,000 for the bike. 

[davedel44]

I saw that bike or one very similar at the GRIT Guzzi Riders of Texas rally several years ago.  It was in impeccable condition and running well.  I can see the dealer paying at most 3K.  I don't think you'd go wrong bidding a coservative $3500.00.

Wrong forum to be asking if you should NOT buy a Guzzi

Good Luck

Dave
Galveston

[Buckturgidson]

Or you could check out my 1200 Sport on Reno CL. You could have a great ride home 

[Dave Swanson]

Drburt,  more research on your end is needed on Craigslist and Cycletrader.  There have been some nice EV's selling for 1500 to 4000. 

And Buck is right you are in ~2008 Breva or 1200 Sport territory at $4500. 

Use http://www.searchtempest.com/   to cover all the CL ads nationwide. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I would be suspicious of the mileage, notice how the pointer on the tach is quite faded, the speedo should be the same, I suspect the speedo failed and was replaced by a new one. More like 50,000 I think.
Of course it could be the tach that failed and was replaced by an old one.

Has the nice tubeless rims.

$3,500 would be a good price IMHO

[fotoguzzi]

Or you could check out my 1200 Sport on Reno CL. You could have a great ride home 

http://reno.craigslist.org/mcy/5662404291.html
NICE!
and then theres this one in reno too,

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/5664161431.html

[drburt]

fotoguzzi: yeah, no way I was going to pay that much - Thanks

rocker59: it even has the bags (latches look a bit funky, but oh well), so there's more value. Thanks for the price advice.

davedel44: thanks for the price advice...see last part of my message below

Buckturgidson: not my style yet, but thanks for the heads up. I have Guzzi fever real bad and if it weren't for lack of money I would have many.

Dave Swanson: thanks for the searchtempest link. I've been using it for quite a while now, several times a day, and I love it.

Kiwi_roy: Good eye! I was suspicious of the mileage also. I've been researching Guzzis for quite some time on this site and I figured the speedo had been replaced due to failure. The eBay seller disclosed that the mileage was exempt on the title. Thanks for the price advice...see last part of my message below.


Well, got into a bidding war with myself to reach the reserve of $3500. Nobody outbid me (or even tried) so I got it for $3500.
I'll have to pay sales tax since I'm buying from a dealer so I figure it'll cost about $3850 including title and license.
Seems reasonable.
Now I get to use my Southwest Airline Rapid reward miles to pick it up in Austin and ride it 600 miles home. Would be 500 miles but I need to make a detour to my Harley riding in-laws and show them my new bike.
(Do I need to detour a little more and ride the 3 Sisters? Nah, probably need to make sure I can make it home first!)
Thank you for your advice and support!

[Lannis]

You done good.

Take your time riding it home, get used to it.   Take a tire pressure gauge in your carry-on bag, and rain gear, maybe a crescent wrench and a phillips screwdriver.

It'll be new to you.   If something seems wrong, just sit and think about it for a minute.  Could be you're trying to start it with the sidestand down, or kill switch off, or it's out of gas and you forgot to check.   I've done a couple of fly-n-rides (well, Greyhound and ride), and it's easy to panic with a new-to-you bike that won't go, and you forget easy things.

I predict a lot of fun and a beaucoup of miles.   Regardless of the actual mileage on the bike right now, if it's running smooth and quiet, it will likely continue to do that for many years!!

Lannis

[Kiwi_Roy]

Hey, Lannis is back, where have you been?

I did a fly and ride from Denver to Vancouver on a similar EV only in much worse looking shape, turned out to be a great bike once I worked a few bugs out of it.

[Lannis]

I did a fly and ride from Denver to Vancouver on a similar EV only in much worse looking shape, turned out to be a great bike once I worked a few bugs out of it.

Yep, I was there and I watched you very patiently and very skillfully working on the duff electrics in a Ouray, CO campground half-a-continent away from home in a way I would never have had the patience to do.    Matter of fact, VERY few people have the ability to do that without either panicking or getting frustrated, hence the advice.

Lannis 

[Dilliw]

Big thing to understand is that the EVs make noises.  Sometimes they're strange too!  Best advice I was given was by Shelby when he told me to "just ride the thing."  That was about 60k ago...

[Dave Swanson]

The H&H fairing is well liked and cost $645 unpainted.  That is a plus!

I think you did well.  Enjoy it!!!

[Triple Jim]

[hijack]Nice to see you here, Lannis.  My daughter and I rode up to Charlotte Courthouse and had lunch at the restaurant Saturday.  I thought of phoning you, but it was a spur of the moment thing so I figured you were already wrapped up in something.[/hijack]

[fotoguzzi]

    Take a tire pressure gauge in your carry-on bag, and rain gear, maybe a crescent wrench and a phillips screwdriver.

I'd bring a 13, 17 and 19mm sockets and box end wrenches.. and a mini volt meter, maybe some duct tape and zip ties too..

[Lannis]

[hijack]Nice to see you here, Lannis.  My daughter and I rode up to Charlotte Courthouse and had lunch at the restaurant Saturday.  I thought of phoning you, but it was a spur of the moment thing so I figured you were already wrapped up in something.[/hijack]

[response to hijack] Probably won't be here long, though.   

Be that as it may, Hendersonville to Charlotte Court House is a good little pull for lunch at the little Italian place there.   Nice riding, though!   I rode up US1 to US58, then over to VA92 and VA47 to get home from Eurobike Day at Raleigh last week ...

Thanks for the thought, but you're right, we were gathering at my place to eat too much food, shoot up too much 8mm, 6.5mm, .223, and .357 ammo, and enjoy $600 worth of completely illegal fireworks ...

I LOHV zees countree! [end response to hijack]

Lannis

[Triple Jim]

Henderson!

[Lannis]

Henderson!

I knew that.  Came right through there on the way home ... Sorry!   Like getting Charlotte NC and Charlotte CH mixed up ... !

Lannis

[Triple Jim]

 

[rocker59]

rocker59: it even has the bags (latches look a bit funky, but oh well), so there's more value. Thanks for the price advice.
 

Kiwi_roy: Good eye! I was suspicious of the mileage also. I've been researching Guzzis for quite some time on this site and I figured the speedo had been replaced due to failure. The eBay seller disclosed that the mileage was exempt on the title. Thanks for the price advice...see last part of my message below.


Well, got into a bidding war with myself to reach the reserve of $3500. Nobody outbid me (or even tried) so I got it for $3500.
I'll have to pay sales tax since I'm buying from a dealer so I figure it'll cost about $3850 including title and license.
Seems reasonable.
Now I get to use my Southwest Airline Rapid reward miles to pick it up in Austin and ride it 600 miles home. Would be 500 miles but I need to make a detour to my Harley riding in-laws and show them my new bike.
(Do I need to detour a little more and ride the 3 Sisters? Nah, probably need to make sure I can make it home first!)
Thank you for your advice and support!

Keep in mind that some States mark all titles over ten years old "Odo Exempt".  Not sure on Texas, but it happens in my State. 

With the color-matched shield, the H&B bags, and the upgraded seat, I think you got a helluva bike for $3500.

 

[rocker59]

Take your time riding it home, get used to it.   
Lannis

Good advice.  Ride it.  Get used to it.  Know the bike.  Before making any changes.

[Chuck in Indiana]

If you've never ridden a Guzzi, be forewarned that, like the owners  they are different. Many people have said after riding off on their first Guzzi, "What have I done??" Then, after a few hundred or thousand miles.. "You'll pry my Guzzi from my cold dead fingers.." 

[fotoguzzi]

If you've never ridden a Guzzi, be forewarned that,

they like to rev! don't ride it like a Harley.. shift anywhere between 4 and 6,500 rpm.. ride at 3500 or above..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMQ9LdqzUzI

my epic Colorado trip,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tvRKb2yS70

[Aaron D.]

Allen wrenches. Buy a multi-set at the auto parts store. Stuff falls off and I think that bike is near all Allen wrench.

[davedel44]

  Congrats!

Figured $3500 would do it.

I'm on my third Guzzi you'll love it.

Dave
Galveston

[cloudbase]

That looks like Chris from Tyler's bike.  I've seen it at GRIT rallies and the annual Christmas in July get together.  He takes pretty good care of his stuff, so you should be okay with the purchase. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Congrats!

Figured $3500 would do it.

I'm on my third Guzzi you'll love it.

Dave
Galveston

I'm on my 13th.. 

[Guzzidad]

   I was never a big fan of the California EV's until I bought one. Mine is also an 01, equipped much the same as yours. I bought mine with 70,000 miles for the same price you paid. 5 years ago. The Swanee fairing and Hepco-Becker luggage were just what I was looking for. It took me a while to get to know the bike and sort it out. I had been riding sport bikes and adventure bikes before the EV. My EV now has 107,000 miles and it runs absolutely perfect. Don't take the fairing off because it's hot outside. The fairing helps in hot and cold. I know, I'm in Florida. I've got Wilbur's rear shocks and I have to say they are well worth the money. Check you charging system. If you are over-charging at higher RPMs I have a $5 solution for that. I like my 01 EV so much that I'm considering buying another one with lower mileage just in case mine has a serious breakdown. My personal opinion is the 01 model was the best year for Guzzi EV's.

[Cam3512]

There are cut outs on that fairing.  Could it be an original Swannee?  If so, better and more valuable.