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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: 89MilleGt on October 03, 2015, 10:01:30 AM

Title: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: 89MilleGt on October 03, 2015, 10:01:30 AM
A black 1989 Mille GT is for sale on eBay (and locally in NH).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201438826940?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I no longer have any affiliation with this bike (and none with the seller). But it was my first Moto Guzzi and was the origin for my login name.

In 2012 I traded it in for the 2011 Griso SE I have now. It seems to have been sold once since by the same dealer and up for sale again.
She does get around as I was at least the 4th owner. And apparently it will again be sold for more than I got in the trade-in.

If someone here buys it, I can tell you what I know of this Mille GT.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: GuzziChris on October 03, 2015, 01:14:43 PM
Friggin gorgeous.  :bow:
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: mentalfloss on October 03, 2015, 01:23:19 PM
That is a cool Mille and a nice thing to give its history to anyone here interested in buying it. That is one of the things I like about this place.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: analog kid on October 03, 2015, 02:03:25 PM

 I can tell you what I know of this Mille GT.

Did you install the Breva mirrors? What did you think of them?
I'm considering buying a pair for my Mille.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: 89MilleGt on October 03, 2015, 07:23:29 PM
Did you install the Breva mirrors? What did you think of them?
I'm considering buying a pair for my Mille.

Yes, replaced the stock mirrors for those in 2010. The Breva (actually on a lot of newer models) are great. So good that I sold the originals. The big reason I got them was that they stuck out much wider (several inches) than the stock mirrors. Could see around my shoulders with the new mirrors. Not much if any blur in them either. And they are inexpensive!

Some of the additions I can think of that were on the bike when I sold it:
Relays in the headlight bucket to improve lighting
- Eastern Beaver 3 circuit solution to drive heated grips, extra lights (not on bike now) and headlight
- Euro headlight switch so headlight can be turned off (pilot light still on)
- LSL handlebars ( I think I still have the slightly bent originals)
- lots of stainless steel allen head bolts
- Odyssey 925 battery (overkill but helpful with the relatively weak charging of the stock alternator)
- NOS rear tail section (Harpers had it in their stash). $$$

Looks like the seat was redone and new rear shocks replacing the original Koni's when I had it.



Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: grebmrof on October 03, 2015, 07:51:56 PM
I sold my red '89 Mille a couple of months ago for $4,500 - a fair price I guess, but what a lot of bike for the money - essentially an updated T, T3, T5 etc.  Think of the price of a new Royal Enfield costs and what it would take to get a new SR400 - neither of them as good as most used Guzzis. 
I hope the seller of this black one does even better than I did.  The Mille's are wonderful machines with a lot of soul - like all Guzzis have. 
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: analog kid on October 04, 2015, 01:05:51 AM
..... they stuck out much wider (several inches) than the stock mirrors. Could see around my shoulders with the new mirrors.

That's exactly what I need. Thanks.
I have Aprilia Caponord mirrors on it now and while they look good, they don't stick out quite far enough.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: jumpmaster on October 05, 2015, 12:52:03 AM
Since this thread has several current &/or former Mille GT owners, does anybody know how many of these bikes were imported to the US?  What years?  I've seen 89s & 90s listed occasionally, but I don't remember ever seeing a 92....

I'm the 7th owner of mine & inherited a pretty complete owner & service history, but I'm trying to fill in the last few gaps.

I really like mine.  It doesn't handle as well as my Norton or have as much guts, but it is still a lot of fun to ride, has minor mechanical & electrical gremlins that keep you alert (just like the Norton), & gets as much interest as the Norton at gas stops, etc.  One nice thing is that I don't get nearly as many people coming up & saying "I used to own one of these..." when I'm riding the Mille
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Daleroso on October 05, 2015, 09:19:34 AM
FYI-My '90 red Mille, beautiful & well farkled before picking it up from the importer @ that time, Fran Contaldi in Lillington, N.C.- gas leaking @ delivery; I pointed out loose clamp to mech. 1800 miles, crank shaft replaced w/ crack. 2200 miles, rear ring gear & drive gear replaced with 3 teeth-2 teeth broken off. Sent the rear drive to Lillington. They returned it without the stud for the lower shock eye. I found a bolt CLOSE to the stud size. 2700 miles, chrome peeling off fork sliders. 1800 miles of the 2700 ridden back & forth for these & other minor warranty issues. Under my wife's threat of writing to each moto mag informing them of our experience (I got a few each mo then), Fran agreed to buy back the bike but not replace it with another Guzi as I requested. Riding the 260 miles to Lillington to turn it in we stopped every exit to tap the bolt in tight as possible w/a rubber mallet, then approxiimately 100 miles from Lillington I had my 1st flat in 20 years.  Called Lillington, they declined to come get me & informed me they closed @ 5 pm. I removed the rear wheel, my wife took it back to the small town just passed & found a shop that fixed it. We arrived in Lillington 20 minutes before they "closed." Fran greeted my stating " Wow Dale, you've had the worst luck w/that bike than anybody I've ever known. You sure don't know how to ride a Moto Guzzi."  Really? Unfortunate because this Mille was one of the prettiest & best sounding (LaFranconi Comp's) bikes I've ever had. (59 as of now) I ride sensibly & am NOT hard on my bikes. That bike was probably my thirtieth bike having had CBX's, a Zundapp, & a wide variety of others up to that time. I've had a Jackal since & currently have a yellow Centauro. Both good, fun rides. Sumthin bout a Guzzi though & ultimately, just another bike story. Thought I'd add my 2 cents.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Nic in Western NYS on October 05, 2015, 11:27:23 AM
Sweet looking bike and great photography by the seller.  Plus getting the real story from listers - can't beat it.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 02:20:12 PM
I sold my red '89 Mille a couple of months ago for $4,500 - a fair price I guess, but what a lot of bike for the money - essentially an updated T, T3, T5 etc.  Think of the price of a new Royal Enfield costs and what it would take to get a new SR400 - neither of them as good as most used Guzzis. 
I hope the seller of this black one does even better than I did.  The Mille's are wonderful machines with a lot of soul - like all Guzzis have.


I think you did well at $4500 on a Red Mille. I do not see this one going to $4500. It's a nice looking Tonti and looks very clean but prove me wrong. My guess is reserve is $4000 and he'll be lucky to get it. I do not see Mille's as a rare bike.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Lannis on October 05, 2015, 02:24:52 PM

I think you did well at $4500 on a Red Mille. I do not see this one going to $4500. It's a nice looking Tonti and looks very clean but prove me wrong. My guess is reserve is $4000 and he'll be lucky to get it. I do not see Mille's as a rare bike.

Although all-red Mille's are very distinct bikes that I don't see very often. 

I saw a perfect all-red (frame too) Mille at the West Virginia rally a few years back that I'd give $4500 for if it showed up in person ....

Lannis
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 03:19:29 PM
Since this thread has several current &/or former Mille GT owners, does anybody know how many of these bikes were imported to the US?  What years?  I've seen 89s & 90s listed occasionally, but I don't remember ever seeing a 92....

I'm the 7th owner of mine & inherited a pretty complete owner & service history, but I'm trying to fill in the last few gaps.

I really like mine.  It doesn't handle as well as my Norton or have as much guts, but it is still a lot of fun to ride, has minor mechanical & electrical gremlins that keep you alert (just like the Norton), & gets as much interest as the Norton at gas stops, etc.  One nice thing is that I don't get nearly as many people coming up & saying "I used to own one of these..." when I'm riding the Mille

Only 200 in 89-90 in US. I do not believe they imported it in 91.  Europe had Mille from 87-92. In 93 along came the Strada with bigger fork tubes and mid range valves.
This is the Euro 1992 
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/redrider901/image_zpsax5t9zbq.jpeg)
 (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/redrider901/media/image_zpsax5t9zbq.jpeg.html)
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 03:29:52 PM
Although all-red Mille's are very distinct bikes that I don't see very often. 

I saw a perfect all-red (frame too) Mille at the West Virginia rally a few years back that I'd give $4500 for if it showed up in person ....

Lannis


Well mine is all red 1990 and I'd drop over dead if it got $4500 and I have lots of up grades. But with  55k on the clock it sat in the sun at work the paint on the tank is every so slightly pimpled. Even then it shins up nice and red.  I may be able to buff it out. I tried by hand but it needs more force than I could apply with my arms. It's mechanically very sound and well taken care of but it needs a good cleaning. 
BTW it is not for sale so even if you dropped $4500 on me I probably wouldn't take it. I told my wife my in a desperately depressing period  (while hoping this medicine works on the fatigue and brain atrophy caused by mold and Lyme neurotoxins) I was going to sell it. And she keeps telling me no do not sell it cause I'll be sorry when I get better.
I have seen quite a few 90 red Mille but 89 red Mille's are rare.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Triple Jim on October 05, 2015, 03:37:27 PM
Although all-red Mille's are very distinct bikes that I don't see very often. 

I saw a perfect all-red (frame too) Mille at the West Virginia rally a few years back that I'd give $4500 for if it showed up in person ...

As far as I know, all US Milles were either red tank and bodywork with red frames, or black tank and bodywork with black frames.  Not sure how far I know though.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: jumpmaster on October 05, 2015, 04:29:30 PM
Only 200 in 89-90 in US. I do not believe they imported it in 91.  Europe had Mille from 87-92. In 93 along came the Strada with bigger fork tubes and mid range valves.

Thanks for the info.  From this forum, it seems to me that probably at least 25% of them are still on the road.  Not too bad for a bike that was pretty consistently panned by the biker mag "experts" (underpowered, poor attempt at a retro look, an amalgamation of leftover parts from other models, etc.), apparently had a fair amount of issues when new (comments by Daleroso, & my bike's service records showing the bike wasn't really sorted out until about the 20K mile mark), & apparently was a slow seller when new.

Some other trivia that others may or may not know - I have a sales brochure showing 350cc & 650cc models (at least nominally that size) with exactly the same styling.  Apparently MG thought North Americans would like the black model best because that was the only color shown.  My parts manual lists black, "GT red", and blue-green as the available colors, but of course doesn't indicate when & where each was available.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Triple Jim on October 05, 2015, 04:40:37 PM
Thanks for the info.  From this forum, it seems to me that probably at least 25% of them are still on the road.

I'd bet it's more than 25%, but I have no proof.  I rode my '89 Mille today, and as always, it elevated my mood greatly.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 08:43:06 PM
Thanks for the info.  From this forum, it seems to me that probably at least 25% of them are still on the road.  Not too bad for a bike that was pretty consistently panned by the biker mag "experts" (underpowered, poor attempt at a retro look, an amalgamation of leftover parts from other models, etc.), apparently had a fair amount of issues when new (comments by Daleroso, & my bike's service records showing the bike wasn't really sorted out until about the 20K mile mark), & apparently was a slow seller when new.

Some other trivia that others may or may not know - I have a sales brochure showing 350cc & 650cc models (at least nominally that size) with exactly the same styling.  Apparently MG thought North Americans would like the black model best because that was the only color shown.  My parts manual lists black, "GT red", and blue-green as the available colors, but of course doesn't indicate when & where each was available.


Here is a blue green model 1991 again it is a Euro bike. By the way the post 1990 models were mid valves and listed at 71 HP
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/redrider901/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-05%20at%209.39.00%20PM_zpskgsqsn83.png)

 (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/redrider901/media/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-05%20at%209.39.00%20PM_zpskgsqsn83.png.html)
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 09:02:32 PM
wow seller was greedy and over priced. Turned down over $4300+
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: nc43bsa on October 05, 2015, 09:02:53 PM

Here is a blue green model 1991 again it is a Euro bike. By the way the post 1990 models were mid valves and listed at 71 HP
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/redrider901/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-05%20at%209.39.00%20PM_zpskgsqsn83.png)
 (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/redrider901/media/Screen%20Shot%202015-10-05%20at%209.39.00%20PM_zpskgsqsn83.png.html)

Is the frame black or the same as the bodywork?
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Triple Jim on October 05, 2015, 09:12:07 PM
You need a better monitor.     :grin:     The one in that photo has a frame that matches the bodywork.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 05, 2015, 09:15:52 PM
Frame is the color of body work.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: kmartin on October 12, 2015, 05:01:55 PM
so who got it?
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 15, 2015, 01:31:59 PM
so who got it?

Nobody He has it listed on his webpage for a cool $5500. Never will get it. Guy is dreaming and I own a Mille. This one ought to go in the overpriced used bike thread. Its a sweet ride but no way $5500. Notice how it got pulled cause the interest dropped after the first go around.
http://www.nationalpowersports.net/itemDetail.aspx?itemID=19375#gAnchor
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: jumpmaster on October 15, 2015, 02:16:45 PM
Nobody He has it listed on his webpage for a cool $5500. Never will get it. Guy is dreaming and I own a Mille. This one ought to go in the overpriced used bike thread. Its a sweet ride but no way $5500. Notice how it got pulled cause the interest dropped after the first go around.
http://www.nationalpowersports.net/itemDetail.aspx?itemID=19375#gAnchor

Hey, we can only hope somebody with more money than sense buys it!  That will raise the market value for the rest of us, at least a little bit - not that I'm interested in selling mine anytime soon.  We're now sitting about where Norton owners were 2-3 years ago.  A few people were asking outrageous prices & very rarely getting them, but today those "outrageous" prices are commonplace & many Nortons are selling at or close to those asking prices.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: arveno on October 15, 2015, 02:49:54 PM
http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/mcy/5238083017.html
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: jumpmaster on October 15, 2015, 03:12:41 PM
http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/mcy/5238083017.html

Well, some bikes look good with sidecars attached to them.  Apparently, the Mille isn't one of them - at least not with this particular sidecar.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: kmartin on October 15, 2015, 03:35:03 PM
I got a cancelled notification and assumed someone bought it directly.  I think the black Mille is a beautiful bike, but no way I can go that high.  I'd still have to deal with shipping and Cal DMV.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: mentalfloss on October 15, 2015, 03:53:04 PM
http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/mcy/5238083017.html
With a "Rat Fink" sticker on the side car....pretty cool!
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Lannis on October 15, 2015, 03:55:38 PM
With a "Rat Fink" sticker on the side car....pretty cool!

My first thought was "I hope a heat gun and some elbow grease will get that thing off .... "   Are they valuable or something?

Lannis
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: jumpmaster on October 15, 2015, 04:14:34 PM
My first thought was "I hope a heat gun and some elbow grease will get that thing off .... "   Are they valuable or something?

Lannis

Mostly to the vintage Harley crowd, I think.  I could be wrong, though - it has happened before, but don't tell my wife.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Offcamber1 on October 15, 2015, 08:17:30 PM
Are they valuable or something?


Only if you were building plastic model cars in the mid-1960s.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: Lannis on October 16, 2015, 08:18:17 AM
Only if you were building plastic model cars in the mid-1960s.

I was all into plastic model airplanes in the 60's; the "hot rods" seemed silly to me even then .... !
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 16, 2015, 02:28:14 PM
I got a cancelled notification and assumed someone bought it directly.  I think the black Mille is a beautiful bike, but no way I can go that high.  I'd still have to deal with shipping and Cal DMV.


It was obviously tanking badly the 2nd time around on Ebay so he pulled it so as to not drag his webpage price down. This dealer has no knowledge of Guzzi's and or is just plain bone headed about pricing. He has pages of bikes listed but I have no knowledge if those bikes are =y over priced as the Mille.
If I remember correctly I paid $5200 or $5700 new for my Red 90 Mille in 1991. I bought it from Fran the Importer at Moto America in Lillington NC who had cash flow problems and was selling bikes dirt cheap that summer. He got his butt in a sling after and that's when the dealers took him on and shut down his retail side as he was killing them by  underpricing Guzzi's.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: mentalfloss on October 17, 2015, 07:40:50 PM
My first thought was "I hope a heat gun and some elbow grease will get that thing off .... "   Are they valuable or something?

Lannis

NO! Just cool to me....lol
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: kmartin on October 19, 2015, 01:35:51 PM

It was obviously tanking badly the 2nd time around on Ebay so he pulled it so as to not drag his webpage price down. This dealer has no knowledge of Guzzi's and or is just plain bone headed about pricing. He has pages of bikes listed but I have no knowledge if those bikes are =y over priced as the Mille.
If I remember correctly I paid $5200 or $5700 new for my Red 90 Mille in 1991. I bought it from Fran the Importer at Moto America in Lillington NC who had cash flow problems and was selling bikes dirt cheap that summer. He got his butt in a sling after and that's when the dealers took him on and shut down his retail side as he was killing them by  underpricing Guzzi's.

I find it really attractive, maybe it's just me.  His website say's not title in NH, I'm not convinced I can even register it in the great communist state of CA.  Gotta just turn away, can't look or I'll get myself in trouble.
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: oldbike54 on October 19, 2015, 01:48:52 PM
I find it really attractive, maybe it's just me.  His website say's not title in NH, I'm not convinced I can even register it in the great communist state of CA.  Gotta just turn away, can't look or I'll get myself in trouble.

 Most states , even California or Oklahoma (gasp) , will recognize other state's rules regarding vehicle registration . If a vehicle has legal documentation from NH , bet Cali will accept it . So now that you are out of excuses ... :evil:

  Dusty
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: kmartin on October 20, 2015, 02:11:21 PM
Most states , even California or Oklahoma (gasp) , will recognize other state's rules regarding vehicle registration . If a vehicle has legal documentation from NH , bet Cali will accept it . So now that you are out of excuses ... :evil:

  Dusty

Damn


At least the price is still too high ...
Title: Re: 1989 MilleGT on eBay
Post by: redrider90 on October 22, 2015, 12:48:14 PM
Most states , even California or Oklahoma (gasp) , will recognize other state's rules regarding vehicle registration . If a vehicle has legal documentation from NH , bet Cali will accept it . So now that you are out of excuses ... :evil:

  Dusty

D-Dude,
I do not know about MCs in Ca. but cars are different. In NC they stopped emission testing from 1995: only from 1996 forward requires emissions (some rural counties do not even do emissions).  So I gave my wife's daughter a 1991 Honda Civic that did not need an emission test in NC yet she took it to California and had to pass emissions. She got another 100K out of it after I gave it to here with a 140K miles on it. Ran forever.