Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: guzzista on June 23, 2015, 11:45:39 PM

Title: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: guzzista on June 23, 2015, 11:45:39 PM
Based on Moto Guzzi  production records during the SEIMM era, Moto Guzzi sent 401 V700's to Cuba during 1968. I would assume for military/police service ? It would be cool  to find out what happened to those Loops and if there  were any still around, or even better , still running.  Anyone else on this board can share any more info?
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Shorty on June 24, 2015, 12:30:55 AM
Sounds like a splendid opportunity for a documentary. Tourism is now open to Cuba.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: tris on June 24, 2015, 01:08:20 AM
There was certainly at least ONE Guzzi operating as a Police bike about 3 years ago when I was there.
I thought I was seeing things   :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: ed.bremner on June 24, 2015, 01:35:21 AM
I saw a few.....but thinking about it....that must be at least 20 years ago now... and they looked pretty tired/dirty then...

Mind you, with the cubans ability to keep their old vehicles going, I would be surprised if they were not still on the road and working.

eib
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: mtiberio on June 24, 2015, 05:55:45 AM
but is the chrome cylinder lining still good?
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on June 24, 2015, 07:04:12 AM
but is the chrome cylinder lining still good?

The high mileage chrome cylinders that I have heard of were from bikes that never went out of service, so maybe.....  :cheesy:
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: JJ on June 24, 2015, 07:35:46 AM
I saw a few.....but thinking about it....that must be at least 20 years ago now... and they looked pretty tired/dirty then...

Mind you, with the cubans ability to keep their old vehicles going, I would be surprised if they were not still on the road and working.

eib

What a great story / documentary indeed! :thumb:  Of the 401 sent over, how many are left and still on the road and "In The Wind!" :cool:
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: sturgeon on June 24, 2015, 08:01:59 AM
Keep in mind that 'keeping vehicles going' in Cuba usually means replacing the engines, Lada engines in the case of cars. I wonder if they've been using Ural engines for the Guzzis? In my several visits there, I've never seen a Guzzi.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: davedel44 on June 24, 2015, 08:17:07 AM
Keep in mind that 'keeping vehicles going' in Cuba usually means replacing the engines, Lada engines in the case of cars. I wonder if they've been using Ural engines for the Guzzis? In my several visits there, I've never seen a Guzzi.

 :1
Vintage car collectors thought that Cuba would be a motherlode of collectible cars.  Most have turned out to be highly modified.  Same with vintage Vespas in South East Asia.

Dave
Galveston
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: father guzzi obrian on June 24, 2015, 08:27:34 AM
They have such a dearth of parts in Cuba, I hear Eldos are running generators and distributors with points.... :evil:
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: cj750 on June 24, 2015, 08:32:40 AM


I don't know the status of the Loops, but they're definitely still using Guzzis:

(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7046/8688979533_fbfb7d11d4_b.jpg)

(http://www.crazyleafdesign.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/053_cuba_moto_guzzi_nevada_750.jpg?ce0830)

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8123/8700776324_df771fcf66_b.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Cuban_Police_%26_Motorcycle_01.jpg)

(Not my pictures.)
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: arveno on June 24, 2015, 11:47:12 AM
 Cubans have good mechanic skills , there are plenty of Harley davidson , pre embargo that are still running...
same with old americans cars.
so its not rocket science to replace chrome bore on guzzis and fit toyota or WV pistons in it....
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: bad Chad on June 24, 2015, 03:26:31 PM
Not to mention that the Italians had no such embargo like the good old Mercans.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Lannis on June 24, 2015, 03:33:24 PM
Not to mention that the Italians had no such embargo like the good old Mercans.

The Italians weren't hosting Russian nukes a few miles from Florida, either.

But hey, what's a little fooling around between countries, let bygones be bygones .....

Lannis
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: bad Chad on June 24, 2015, 03:37:52 PM
I wasn't making a political statement.  I was trying to point out that though Cubans couldn't buy things from the United States, they have always been able to do business with Italy.   

So they could, at least in theory buy only the genuine Guzzi parts they need to keep them running.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Lannis on June 24, 2015, 03:49:39 PM
I wasn't making a political statement.  I was trying to point out that though Cubans couldn't buy things from the United States, they have always been able to do business with Italy.   

So they could, at least in theory buy only the genuine Guzzi parts they need to keep them running.

You're right in principle.   However, I suspect that the average Cuban under Castro didn't (doesn't) have the wherewithal to pull up Agostino's website, enter his credit card number, and order a universal joint for his 750 smallblock.   They probably keep them running the same way they keep a '48 Harley "UL" model running - the local open-air blacksmith, welding, and fabrication shop ....

Lannis
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Thunderbox on June 25, 2015, 07:05:17 AM
If they have MG Motorcycles maybe they also have places to buy them and those places probably have parts.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Lannis on June 25, 2015, 07:11:03 AM
If they have MG Motorcycles maybe they also have places to buy them and those places probably have parts.

Yep, the Havana Guzzi dealer is probably just down the street from the Starbucks and around the corner from the WalMart .....

Lannis
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: Motogogo on June 25, 2015, 08:22:24 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUMMXAILybU

NGC (that I could see)

the vicious cycles visit cuba.
Title: Re: Guzzis in Cuba
Post by: hooah54 on June 25, 2015, 04:57:44 PM
Really are a bunch of smart asses on this forum :violent1: