General Category > General Discussion
1989 Mille inquiry
tobydmv:
Hey guys, I just sold my 2002 lemans and looking to get back on a guzz. What do you know about a '89 Mille? Its the wire wheeled model. I've talked to the owner and he said its a poor shifting bike with a decent oil leak at the sump. Great huh? I'm a bit worried this could mean clutch problems and possibly a leak in the gearbox section. Of course it could just be the sump gasket needs replacing and the clutch cable is loose. Any former owners have an opinion? Any recalls or known issues like shift return springs breaking? I'm looking for a nice comfortable short range touring bike w carbs. I dont know if the mille has a heavier flywheel, diff size wheels, and what all else. The 2002 Lemans was an amazing bike but the FI gave me fits. I enjoy working on bikes so i'm not worried about doing a little work.
Thanks,
Toby
Chuck in Indiana:
It's a small valve big block with small carbs. Big steel fuel tank. Decent brakes and suspension. It'll make you a good scooter.
JoeW:
Has the previous owner driven another Guzzi? If he hasn't, it could be a normal shifting 5 speed. The shift springs can break on any 4 or 5 speed, if it were broken it would barley shift. Leaking sump gasket, maybe, what ever it is, you're rolling the dice. Make an offer on the worse possible issue, rear main seal, clutch and hub, reseal trans, replace shift spring and shim the shift drum. 6 to 8 hours labor 400.00 to 500.00 in parts.
Triple Jim:
I can't tell where you are, since you don't have a location in your profile, but is this the red one in NC? If so, a friend of mine recently looked at it. It looked like a great deal, except the clutch slipped and it leaked oil from that area. I suggested the possibility that the rear main seal could be leaking oil onto the clutch. Not the end of the world by any means, but my friend wasn't ready to start his Guzzi experience with a largish job like that. Someone willing to do the work will end up with a great Guzzi at a decent price.
I have an '89 Mille, and even though I get temped to try to get a LeMans or other "desireable" Guzzi once in a while, I'd hate to lose the 250-300 miles before reserve and great low end torque that I enjoy now. On a long trip last year I actually went about 315 miles without getting to reserve. I was between gas stations out in the country and kept thinking I was going to get stranded, but I pulled up to the pump before having to turn the valve.
The Mille has two 18" wheels, by the way, and standard tires are 110/90-18 and 120/90-18.
tobydmv:
--- Quote from: Triple Jim on April 21, 2015, 02:58:25 PM ---I can't tell where you are, since you don't have a location in your profile, but is this the red one in NC? If so, a friend of mine recently looked at it. It looked like a great deal, except the clutch slipped and it leaked oil from that area. I suggested the possibility that the rear main seal could be leaking oil onto the clutch. Not the end of the world by any means, but my friend wasn't ready to start his Guzzi experience with a largish job like that. Someone willing to do the work will end up with a great Guzzi at a decent price.
I have an '89 Mille, and even though I get temped to try to get a LeMans or other "desireable" Guzzi once in a while, I'd hate to lose the 250-300 miles before reserve and great low end torque that I enjoy now. On a long trip last year I actually went about 315 miles without getting to reserve. I was between gas stations out in the country and kept thinking I was going to get stranded, but I pulled up to the pump before having to turn the valve.
--- End quote ---
Yes it is the very same and that is what I was afraid of. I have never been inside the lower end of a guzzi. Anybody have an idea about how much work that is?
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