Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Swanson on February 24, 2021, 02:52:54 PM
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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
(https://i.postimg.cc/mkXcbP3S/IMG-8174.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zHhD7XcL)
(https://i.postimg.cc/L4NgkWdZ/IMG-8178.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/mh1rB8gb)
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Work of art!
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very nice!
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I think it found exactly the right home!
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Beautiful machine , do you know much of its long history? If these things could talk. Congrats on a rare find.
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Awesome. I wouldn't do anything cosmetically.
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Make it shiny on the inside. DonG
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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.
(https://i.postimg.cc/L8n9PHLn/IMG-8184.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RWxx5xPB)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJTfcgX6/IMG-8185.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N93p9B2G)
(https://i.postimg.cc/4NH2HqnX/IMG-8186.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRFDd9nW)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5kvL4bW/IMG-8189.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBkb2DdY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jTfC5rP/IMG-8192.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxvfYsWN)
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fantastic
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:thumb:
Dusty
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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.
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That is stunning Dave!!!!
I love it
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WOW!! Very nice!! :thumb:
Congratulations! :drool:
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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
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Beautiful and it has gone to a good home! :bow:
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I think the best restoration you could do is actually get period gear and ride it around. :thumb: Cool!🤙🤙🤙
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So.....Cannonball in 2025??? :bike-037:
90 year rule and in my case I figure I'll have to go to Italy go get a bike
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What else can be said. :thumb:
GliderJohn
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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.
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Sorry Dusty - I meant Dave. And in seriousness that bike is simply gorgeous.
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but.. but.. what can you find to *do* to it? :smiley: I would look almost as good as you will on it..
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Looks perfect just like it is. Congratulations!
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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.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mrG81y5k/IMG-8184.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/FYDj23mX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zBz70X51/IMG-8188-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/f3PYbsJH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5yj3W767/IMG-8189-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctyYQc7w)
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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 :boozing:
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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 :boozing:
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.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y03h8MpT/IMG-8193.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2L1kSpLx)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MT0TKqjX/IMG-8197.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/njzZ382t)
(https://i.postimg.cc/MHWGnNy5/IMG-8196.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5YRJGPKQ)
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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...
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Very cool. Great looking bike. Congratulations.
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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. :cool:
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.
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Beautiful! Would that bike have had floorboards originally?
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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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(https://i.ibb.co/NSDpzRh/fa027842ae15d31f84f4a66f47168bbd.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NSDpzRh)
Found this on the interweb and looks to be the same tail light. Interesting, maybe period correct upgrade or aftermarket?
Paul B :boozing:
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(https://i.ibb.co/NSDpzRh/fa027842ae15d31f84f4a66f47168bbd.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NSDpzRh)
Found this on the interweb and looks to be the same tail light. Interesting, maybe period correct upgrade or aftermarket?
Paul B :boozing:
Paul, thats pretty cool. The only other picture I have seen that looks close. Link? Is there more pictures of that bike?
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I believe this is the Norge in the Moto Guzzi factory museum.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xNsppHf/Screenshot-2021-02-25-Moto-Guzzi-Norge.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/crjpSgc2)
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Here's your link Dave, scroll down to 1931 model. https://classic-motorbikes.net/classic-bike-images/moto-guzzi/ (https://classic-motorbikes.net/classic-bike-images/moto-guzzi/)
I also came across it on Pinterest but it's the same bike.
Paul B :boozing:
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See pages 16 & 18 and 31in Mick Walkers' 'Moto Guzzi' 'Engineering Brilliance From the Shores of Lake Como'. Yellow V11 on cover.
The 500cc GTS on page 31 is 'hopefully' still owned and ridden by Peter Zurcher, long time friend and colleague based in Switzerland. R3~
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See pages 16 & 18 and 31in Mick Walkers' 'Moto Guzzi' 'Engineering Brilliance From the Shores of Lake Como'. Yellow V11 on cover.
The 500cc GTS on page 31 is 'hopefully' still owned and ridden by Peter Zurcher, long time friend and colleague based in Switzerland. R3~
I pulled the book down and had a look. Yes, I hope Peter is still riding it also. Thanks!
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Wow, congrats on the great find, Dave!
It is beautiful the way it is. Service it and ride it!
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WOW, good that it is in your hands, congratulations! Thanks for sharing it with us. Just beautiful! Congrats again!
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Love the old single Moto Guzzi's very nice!
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I had the GTS out for a short spin around the neighborhood. It runs very well.
https://youtu.be/e4EPWc4_NPo
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Simply outstanding.
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:bow: :bow: :bow:
I don't know what is more enjoyable to watch, the flywheel spinning or the valve train doing its thing, and the sound is just great,
modern bikes have NOTHING on your GTS!
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🤙🤙🤙
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Looks and sounds great Dave - Congratulations!
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:bow: :bow: :bow:
I don't know what is more enjoyable to watch, the flywheel spinning or the valve train doing its thing, and the sound is just great,
modern bikes have NOTHING on your GTS!
(Ahem) Many years ago, we flew a small airplane to the northeast to leaf peek, and spend a few days. Rented a car and on one of our trips ran into a couple of guys on antique bikes doing what we were doing. :smiley: One of them was an old Guzzi, and I was fascinated by the exposed hairpin valve springs and flywheel. I guess I never really did get over that Guzzi thing.. :grin:
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Dave Congrats on what is a very sweet looking bike :thumb:
Interesting that it looks like you've been able to track down, that the art deco design tail lamp assembly, was probably stock, how Italian!
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Fabulous vintage Guzzi!! :cool: :boozing: :bow: :thumb: :smiley: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Yep........... that a beauty Dave.
Congrats again.
Would love to meet and see that one in person one day.
Ciao
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I have had the opportunity to give the GTS a few more shakedown rides and other than attending to normal maintenance, have had to fettle absolutely nothing. It operates and runs so well, there is nothing on the list to attend to, which I find astonishing for an 85 year old bike.. I have discussed improving some of the more obvious paint flaws with Craig the painter. He made a house call to look it over. :laugh:
I think it is close to a miracle that this bike survived WW2 while in Europe, which is where it was located until 2016. I am sure many other motorcycles were scrapped or destroyed during the war.
Here is a picture of it back at it's California home.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1RD6XK1Z/thumbnail-image0.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqTqFMds)
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:drool:
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Very cool!
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It's super cool you get to ride a bike designed by Carlo Guzzi (and others) when he was still running things!
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My oh my Dave. What a thoroughly delectable bike. :thumb: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
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Beautiful
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Hi Dave, 3-16-21
Congratulations!!
It's way too nice to ride. I think I'd polish it and park it in my living room. I'd spend just as much time staring at the MG as the TV.
Be well, Stay well,
DougG
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Hi Dave, 3-16-21
Congratulations!!
It's way too nice to ride.
DougG
Doug, it is too much fun to ride! Besides it has collected a sizable amount of patina since it was last restored which I estimate to be about 30 years ago. I have decided not to do much at all about it's warts. If I was to restore it to a high level it may not be as much fun to ride. It seems like a cryin shame to tear apart such a wonderful running bike for a restoration, so I won't.
(https://i.postimg.cc/c1D0fCrq/IMG-8325.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXyRbVfx)
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OK, ok, just drive by my house twice a day, just so I can drool from the comfort of my own living room.
Be well, stay well,
DougG
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I have decided not to do much at all about it's warts. If I was to restore it to a high level it may not be as much fun to ride. It seems like a cryin shame to tear apart such a wonderful running bike for a restoration, so I won't.
This is a great idea! More people see them and appreciate them when you ride them. :bike-037:
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Warning! Don't follow too close or the taillight will blind you. :grin:
(https://i.postimg.cc/mD0Pk723/IMG-8337.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1nrmYnF4)
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Is that COOL? The sounds, the valve gear, the drive gear. Historic and VERRY COOL. Blessings for the love and a long relationship.
SPUD
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I have been venturing further out from the home base for check out rides and the bike has been performing flawlessly.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0JDWZ5D/IMG-8363.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/T5Jc87Yn)
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Dave
Keep riding and sending beautiful pics - such a work of art...
Mark
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Doug, it is too much fun to ride! Besides it has collected a sizable amount of patina since it was last restored which I estimate to be about 30 years ago. I have decided not to do much at all about it's warts. If I was to restore it to a high level it may not be as much fun to ride. It seems like a cryin shame to tear apart such a wonderful running bike for a restoration, so I won't.
(https://i.postimg.cc/c1D0fCrq/IMG-8325.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXyRbVfx)
I agree, it deserves to be ridden, and not "restored". There was an article in Hemmings a few years ago about how some collectors were realizing that a vintage vehicle in good original condition is more desirable than a restored one.
Plus, you can tell admirers that this engine design won more than a dozen times at Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.
PS: I think the seat mounting needs looking at - the seat is jammed up on the tank.
Dan