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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JJ on September 23, 2018, 07:22:52 PM

Title: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: JJ on September 23, 2018, 07:22:52 PM
 :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :laugh: :grin: :wink: :cool: :thumb: :smiley:...but maybe if I win..."The Lottery!" :wink:


(https://thumb.ibb.co/gcNCbp/Screen_Shot_2018_09_23_at_5_21_14_PM.png) (https://ibb.co/gcNCbp)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 23, 2018, 07:42:41 PM
:shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :laugh: :grin: :wink: :cool: :thumb: :smiley:...but maybe if I win..."The Lottery!" :wink:


(https://thumb.ibb.co/gcNCbp/Screen_Shot_2018_09_23_at_5_21_14_PM.png) (https://ibb.co/gcNCbp)


Beautiful!   Though, I'm more of a 90-degree V-twin guy.

I'd rather have:
(http://www.ducatiusa.com/cms-web/fs//img/Heritage/Modelli/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357.jpg/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357_634x357.jpg)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: twowheeladdict on September 23, 2018, 07:54:48 PM
Did it have some special provenance to go for that much money?

Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: guzzisteve on September 23, 2018, 08:09:38 PM
Sorry, I'm different. I want this Italian          http://bimota.it/en/?p=123

Never could afford one but worked on a few in late 80's early 90's.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Murray on September 23, 2018, 08:10:37 PM
Did it have some special provenance to go for that much money?

For the MV thats about the going rate from what I've seen, yet in a small south coast city in regional WA you turn up to the local vintage motorcycle clubs annual hill climb and see the MV and green frame Duc having the snot belted out of them up the hill, next to a 1976 175 ag bike.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 23, 2018, 08:23:21 PM
Beautiful!   Though, I'm more of a 90-degree V-twin guy.

I'd rather have:
(http://www.ducatiusa.com/cms-web/fs//img/Heritage/Modelli/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357.jpg/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357_634x357.jpg)

Just the opposite for me - I'd much rather have the MV.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: canuck750 on September 23, 2018, 08:25:42 PM
The MV gets my vote!
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: siabeid on September 23, 2018, 08:32:26 PM
There was one at this year's Washington Vintage Motorcyclists meet at Winthrop, Washington this past summer. It was really something to see and hear it "in the flesh". Most of us had never actually seen one. Owned by a guy from Vancouver, BC, I think. He also rides a Vincent.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: PeteS on September 23, 2018, 08:40:08 PM
There was an MV like that on the floor along with my '76 LeMans. It was being heavily discounted. I thought they were ugly then and still do. The 750 SS is another story. What a beauty.

Pete
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: JJ on September 23, 2018, 08:40:44 PM
Beautiful!   Though, I'm more of a 90-degree V-twin guy.

I'd rather have:
(http://www.ducatiusa.com/cms-web/fs//img/Heritage/Modelli/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357.jpg/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357_634x357.jpg)

Except this one is even MORE EXPENSIVE!! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:


(https://thumb.ibb.co/k72aU9/Screen_Shot_2018_09_23_at_6_39_18_PM.png) (https://ibb.co/k72aU9)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 23, 2018, 08:41:10 PM
The MV gets my vote!

Heck,if I won the lottery, I'd have both!

Along with this:
(http://p1m.mbike.com/001/002/540/021815_1971_Moto_Guzzi_V7_Sport_Telaio_Rosso_d.jpg)

and:

(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Laverda%20750SF%20%20SEC%2073.jpg)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 23, 2018, 08:43:32 PM
Except this one is even MORE EXPENSIVE!! :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:


(https://thumb.ibb.co/k72aU9/Screen_Shot_2018_09_23_at_6_39_18_PM.png) (https://ibb.co/k72aU9)


Which is why, if I won the lottery, and owned the Green-frame 750SS, I'd have one of these to ride on the road:
https://www.veetwo.com/ (https://www.veetwo.com/)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KL34i2M3NyI/WHpghxjodEI/AAAAAAACjNI/3JpGz9YxLM47fQmNV9VuG1aohH12UnPLgCLcB/s1600/VeeTwo_ImolaEvo_RitornoTwin-005.jpg)

Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Murray on September 23, 2018, 08:45:53 PM
https://youtu.be/oyrwX6Vqx2s?t=7m50s
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 23, 2018, 08:48:10 PM
https://youtu.be/oyrwX6Vqx2s?t=7m50s

That sounded way better than any inline four I'm used to hearing.   Or, was that the other bike.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Murray on September 23, 2018, 08:59:01 PM
That sounded way better than any inline four I'm used to hearing.   Or, was that the other bike.

The is a little of long stoke one lunger int here but 90% is the MV original right down to the open bell mouth intakes.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Aaron D. on September 23, 2018, 09:48:57 PM
The shaft drive MVs are pretty ponderous to ride but they sure sound and look great.

But seriously, as a motorcycle the Guzzi LeMans is much better.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: keener on September 23, 2018, 10:19:00 PM
The shaft drive MVs are pretty ponderous to ride but they sure sound and look great.

But seriously, as a motorcycle the Guzzi LeMans is much better.



So when did you have the privilege to ride a MV , Its on my bucket list forsure  :bow:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: weevee on September 24, 2018, 03:25:29 AM
The MV is ponderous, for sure: its weight works against it.  But in all other respects it's a hell of a machine.  Ridden alongside an early Le Mans, the MV is far less agricultural: its engine pulls like a train from idle to max revs - and despite the noise it makes it's as smooth as silk.  This one's fitted with 27mm SSI DellOrtos and MV's later, higher-compression head: so it's quicker than the Le Mans too.

I rode both of these bikes back-to-back for many years, but sold the MV in 2015 after having become disillusioned with the way Cagiva milked the marque for all it was worth and tarnished for good what was once one of the world's most illustrious brands.  RIP Cascina Costa MV!

Here's an idea of what the MV is like to ride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUJB_XX7jhw 

(https://i.postimg.cc/J7XYzggf/MV-_Guzzi.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)   
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Old Jock on September 24, 2018, 04:40:33 AM
Tee Hee I wondered when you were going to pop up Steve

Personally my dream bike is an MV too but this one

(https://www.mvagusta.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=31827&stc=1&d=1261780754)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Aaron D. on September 24, 2018, 06:21:35 AM


So when did you have the privilege to ride a MV , Its on my bucket list forsure  :bow:

In so many ways, we are fortunate in our friends...

One of my very fortunate friends had 2, a standard shaft drive 750 and a Magni with chain conversion. Rode both, and as I nearly had bought one in the late '70s when their were fairly inexpensive new ones available I was glad to learn that the standard bike isn't to my taste.

The Magni however was truly a great handling bike. I understand maintenance is more difficult due to clearance issues.

I have ridden a few others thanks to another friend. Always the same-great sound and fun.

Still, for a road-sport bike, a sorted LeMans is the ticket.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Turin on September 24, 2018, 11:31:06 PM
The LeMans would be my pick for a 70's sportbike. (Ice blue please!)
(https://classic-motorbikes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/850-le-mans-mk1.jpg)
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: MikeW on September 25, 2018, 05:56:21 AM
I was lucky enough to own three of my dream bikes back in the seventies. Believe it or not but the S3 was the most expensive of the three. The Egli and the MV were dirt cheap and both had low resale values in the late seventies.

(https://i.postimg.cc/ZqRjJ5GV/egli.jpg)

Egli fitted with early Kawasaki 900 motor.  A very light and fast bike in it's day (I know it's not Italian and off topic but it was one of my favorite bikes of the era).

(https://i.postimg.cc/c4RFmj7M/mv_750.jpg)

1974 MV Agusta 750 GT. No one wanted it so I got it cheap after the importer went bust in 1979. It sounded glorious on full song.

(https://i.postimg.cc/8c8bdBj0/image.jpg)

Moto Guzzi 750 S3. The first Guzzi I ever bought and why I still own one today.  :smiley:

Mike
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: larrys on September 25, 2018, 08:19:39 AM
Beautiful!   Though, I'm more of a 90-degree V-twin guy.

I'd rather have:
(http://www.ducatiusa.com/cms-web/fs//img/Heritage/Modelli/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357.jpg/Heritage_Mod_A1973-74_750SS_05_634x357_634x357.jpg)

I saw very nice examples of both of these at Sturbridge this year.
Larry
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: JJ on September 25, 2018, 10:46:41 AM
The LeMans would be my pick for a 70's sportbike. (Ice blue please!)
(https://classic-motorbikes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/850-le-mans-mk1.jpg)

Although prices for these continue to increase...dollar for dollar...this is probably the best value for the money of all of them!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :cool: :cool: :smiley: :smiley:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: keener on September 25, 2018, 10:04:29 PM
In so many ways, we are fortunate in our friends...

One of my very fortunate friends had 2, a standard shaft drive 750 and a Magni with chain conversion. Rode both, and as I nearly had bought one in the late '70s when their were fairly inexpensive new ones available I was glad to learn that the standard bike isn't to my taste.

The Magni however was truly a great handling bike. I understand maintenance is more difficult due to clearance issues.

I have ridden a few others thanks to another friend. Always the same-great sound and fun.

Still, for a road-sport bike, a sorted LeMans is the ticket.

thank you
yes ..good friends are part of what makes life a  great pleasure ....from one of mine i got to ride his 78  Ducati  900ss ...  wonderful motorcycle and i will never forget that day 
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: weevee on September 26, 2018, 09:29:33 AM
Although prices for these continue to increase...dollar for dollar...this is probably the best value for the money of all of them!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :cool: :cool: :smiley: :smiley:




You can only really know a bike's true value for money at the end of your ownership.  I lost money on my Le Mans when I sold it, and had very little real 'value' from it in the way of riding enjoyment.  I put many more miles on the MV - and yet it paid me an indecent weekly amount for the privilege!
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: JJ on September 26, 2018, 09:58:34 AM
Back in 1979, I sold my "mint from new" 1978 850 LeMans for $3800...who knew?

Back in 1985, I sold my "excellent" 1975 Laverda 750 SF2 for $4000....again, who knew?

Can't look back or cry over spilled milk... :wink:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Tusayan on September 26, 2018, 10:07:15 AM
I paid $800 plus $100/month for a year to buy my LeMans.  $1800 total.  The owner couldn't sell it otherwise, and this was the best offer he got... Italian bikes were much out of fashion in the late '80s.

A few years later I bought my bevel SS for $5700.  I offered $5500 but at the last minute the seller said he couldn't sell it for less than $6K.  We compromised but I was a bit annoyed because Earl and company at Pro Italia told me nobody would be interested in "that old stuff" any more except maybe the crazy Australians who hadn't figured out a new belt SS was the way to go  :grin:

I still have both of them.  I'm not much for selling, even if keeping a fleet roadworthy takes a lot of time.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 26, 2018, 10:36:27 AM
Back in 1979, I sold my "mint from new" 1978 850 LeMans for $3800...who knew?

Back in 1985, I sold my "excellent" 1975 Laverda 750 SF2 for $4000....again, who knew?

Can't look back or cry over spilled milk... :wink:

Back in '83, when I was looking for my first Guzzi, one candidate was a '78 Le Mans for $800. Rode it, loved it, had to pass on it due to just having bought a new truck and had just started a new job. A few months later when my tax refund came, I used that money to finally buy my first Guzzi - a well-worn '76 Convert.

I passed on a very nice '74 Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport for $1800 because I didn't like the footpeg position. Doh! I did end up buying an '80 500 Strada for $1200 though.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 26, 2018, 11:16:33 AM
Back in 1979, I sold my "mint from new" 1978 850 LeMans for $3800...who knew?

Back in 1985, I sold my "excellent" 1975 Laverda 750 SF2 for $4000....again, who knew?

Can't look back or cry over spilled milk... :wink:

$3,800 in 1979 dollars is likely the same or more than a mint Mk1 Lemans sells for today.
Sames got for the $4,000 in 1985 dollars for the SF2.


There are many investments you could of made with that money back then that would be worth way more than the bikes are worth today (again, in mint condition).

Motorcycles are not financial investment vehicles.

They ARE, however, investments in good mental health.   Keep then ones you enjoy, sell the rest.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Tusayan on September 26, 2018, 11:35:31 AM
Virtually all my current (9) motorcycles have maintained value or appreciated.  My SS has appreciated at roughly 7% annually for 24 years.  R100GSs are also good, Ive owned three, the first two were sold at a profit after lots of use, the third that Im riding today was bought for just under $3K and has appreciated at maybe 5%.

Buy the right bikes at reasonable prices, and (1) you ride bikes that the market likes, usually for good reason and (2) your hobby is less costly.  Depreciation is a hidden and often avoidable cost, even in motorcycling.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Huzo on September 26, 2018, 11:42:37 AM
That Ducati is droolworty.
The MV is as ugly as a slapped arse...!
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: JJ on September 26, 2018, 05:38:53 PM
$3,800 in 1979 dollars is likely the same or more than a mint Mk1 Lemans sells for today.
Sames got for the $4,000 in 1985 dollars for the SF2.


There are many investments you could of made with that money back then that would be worth way more than the bikes are worth today (again, in mint condition).

Motorcycles are not financial investment vehicles.

They ARE, however, investments in good mental health.   Keep then ones you enjoy, sell the rest.

Agree 100% - motorcycles are investments in mental health, not financial. 

With the $4K from the Laverda, I bought my first NEW home in 1985...a little 3-bedroom 2-bath, 1 car garage patio home in Chandler, AZ for $66,000. 

I lived in it for a while, got married, then rented it out and took a 15-year mortgage.  Today it is worth about $200,000, and I still own it...and it generates $1,100 per month in rental income. :thumb: :cool: :smiley:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Tusayan on September 27, 2018, 09:53:12 AM
I've accumulated four houses and they're a key part of my retirement plan, so I'd agree that they're often a good place to put money.  I'd also agree that if you don't let salesmen suck you into buying new, depreciation prone bikes when you're young and financially vulnerable, and instead buy classic bikes with long term value, you're more likely to get money out of the bike someday for use in buying another house!

Then someday you might scale back, sell one of those houses and buy an MV 750S, if you really want to have one before you croak :grin:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on September 27, 2018, 10:13:14 AM
$3,800 in 1979 dollars is likely the same or more than a mint Mk1 Lemans sells for today.

Right you are!
"$3,800.00 in 1979 had the same buying power as $13,837.39 in 2018"

My brother was looking for an R90S around that same year and found one for sale in Falls Church, VA. Same guy had a Ducati 750SS and MV Agusta 750S also for sale - either one, $7500. "Adjusted for inflation, $7,500.00 in 1979 is equal to $27,310.64 in 2018." Buying either one and stashing it away would have been a good investment (says "Capt. Obvious").  :laugh:
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: jas67 on September 27, 2018, 05:40:51 PM
Right you are!
"$3,800.00 in 1979 had the same buying power as $13,837.39 in 2018"

My brother was looking for an R90S around that same year and found one for sale in Falls Church, VA. Same guy had a Ducati 750SS and MV Agusta 750S also for sale - either one, $7500. "Adjusted for inflation, $7,500.00 in 1979 is equal to $27,310.64 in 2018." Buying either one and stashing it away would have been a good investment (says "Capt. Obvious").  :laugh:

Hinds site is a great thing, ain't it!

Who knew, back then which bikes would appreciate and which ones didn't.   Then again, $7,500  in 1979 money (27k today) is a big chunk of change to put into a motorcycle, hoping it would increase in value.

If you bought Apple or Microsoft stock in those early days, you'd have had way more gains than any motorcycle.   Then think of the bikes you could buy today with that money.
Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: Tusayan on September 27, 2018, 05:56:16 PM
I know a guy who actually did consider motorcycles as his retirement fund, and he was thoughtful enough to love the right motorcycles, for the right reasons:  he had for example seven '73-'74 Ducati 750 Sports and two '74 750SS's among 40+ wonderful bikes.  Unfortunately he sold them all for about a third of what they are now worth and as I understand it didn't have a real retirement plan.  Bummer  :grin:

I don't think many people would recommend considering motorcycles as a key element in your retirement fund -  that is a black versus white interpretation of a grey subject.  I think the better way of looking at it is that you can choose to buy and enjoy things which you think have lasting value, and not ignore the issue of future value.  That's what I did in 1994 when buying my one owner, original condition 900SS - it was obviously to me an intrinsically timeless thing that I could also enjoy using.  I didn't see it then as bevel Ducati versus investments, I saw it as bevel Ducati versus Yamaha or whatever, plus investments.

Title: Re: The Italian classic most of us will never be able to RIDE....or AFFORD!!
Post by: weevee on September 27, 2018, 06:11:05 PM
Buying either one and stashing it away would have been a good investment (says "Capt. Obvious").  :laugh:


No need to stash it away.  You can use it all you want, so long as you look after it well and its originality doesn't suffer.  We've all seen the 'Brough-in-a-basket' sold at auction for a six-figure sum.  High-end bikes such as these will sell for top dollar despite their miles, simply because they rarely become available.