Convert(ed)

[nick949]

I've now got over 200 miles on my Convert and am in danger of being converted. Riding it is an oddly satisfying experience,    which is even more peculiar because I despise automatic transmission on 4 wheelers (even though all my current vehicles have them  ) .

Thanks for the panniers Charlie - they fit well and look fine - as long as you don't look too closely at my paint job.

Looking forward to a proper trip on this baby. At the moment it's my bike of choice as the wide bars are easiest on my chest.

Nick

[Lumpy Idle]

i've never ridden a convert but i had a floorboard t3 california for a while.  they are really easy to get to like.

[twhitaker]

If you're interested in selling that Loop with the Outsider, I'm your man! 

[nick949]

If you're interested in selling that Loop with the Outsider, I'm your man! 

Thanks - but I have a feeling that my Eldo will be with me for a while yet. 

[Idontwantapickle]

Nick,
Converts are magnificent creatures that are great fun to tour around on! Comfortable, brakes that work and the haul capacity of a healthy mule.
But be warned! It will NOT go nearly as far on a tank of gas as your loop. 6.2 USG sounds like a lot but with MPG in the low 30s that is only 200 miles. Forewarned is forearmed!
 
Hunter

[yogidozer]

If you're interested in selling that Loop with the Outsider, I'm your man! 

Steve Harvey? 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Nick,
Converts are magnificent creatures that are great fun to tour around on! Comfortable, brakes that work and the haul capacity of a healthy mule.
But be warned! It will NOT go nearly as far on a tank of gas as your loop. 6.2 USG sounds like a lot but with MPG in the low 30s that is only 200 miles. Forewarned is forearmed!
 
Hunter

I've been averaging 42-44 mpg over the last 1000 miles on my '76 'Vert, mixed town, backroads and state highways. I haven't been "riding it like I stole it", but I haven't been babying it either. The trip to Kentucky this weekend will be my first "road trip" on it, so I'll have more of an idea how it works for me after that. 

[giusto]

I've been averaging 42-44 mpg over the last 1000 miles on my '76 'Vert, mixed town, backroads and state highways. I haven't been "riding it like I stole it", but I haven't been babying it either. The trip to Kentucky this weekend will be my first "road trip" on it, so I'll have more of an idea how it works for me after that. 

Hey Charlie,

More comfort once you changed the bars and faring for the windshield?
I get about 43-45 mpg on the 76 running rec fuel. Pulls like a mule
Hellova machine and still so Italian

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Hey Charlie,

More comfort once you changed the bars and faring for the windshield?
I get about 43-45 mpg on the 76 running rec fuel. Pulls like a mule
Hellova machine and still so Italian

Much more comfortable now.

[smdl]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it, Nick.  Do you have any video footage of/on this bike yet?

Cheers,
Shaun

[Arizona Wayne]

I get in the low 40s  for mpg on my `77 convert. with a Shoei 1/4 fairing and lower handlebar.    If anyone here wants a high handlebar(like new) like the 1 shown here, let me know.  That's what I took off my Convert. as soon as I got it home.  Already sold the windshield that came w/that tall handlebar.  Different strokes for different folks. 

Yes, the Convert. is nice for just trolling along and it's easier to take your eyes off the road to look at your surroundings.  Nice in town too since you don't have to think about shifting gears so frequently.  Just twist the throttle or squeeze the brake when needed.     Makes life a lot simpler.

[nick949]

Glad to hear you are enjoying it, Nick.  Do you have any video footage of/on this bike yet?

Cheers,
Shaun

Here's a little video sample: https://youtu.be/83KuNt3bpgY

and Norm's take on it: https://youtu.be/kqWmxFOU3lI

Both very short.

Nick

[chuck peterson]

Completely addictive....great color

[mtiberio]

Like riding a magic carpet...

Passengers love it, no banging helmets on shifts.

[Lannis]

Like riding a magic carpet...

Passengers love it, no banging helmets on shifts.

The few hundred miles that Fay and I put on one, the "no banging of helmets" was the nicest thing about it!   

Comfort is different for different people.    The tiller bars, floorboards, and passenger-pegs-on-the-crashbars killed it for us ....

Lannis

[smdl]

Here's a little video sample: https://youtu.be/83KuNt3bpgY

and Norm's take on it: https://youtu.be/kqWmxFOU3lI

Both very short.

Nick

Thanks, Nick.  Looks like fun!  I'll look forward to seeing it next weekend.

Cheers,
Shaun

[NC Steve]

I've been interested in Converts for a while now, and doing a bit of research.
One complaint I've heard, or maybe it's just an observation, is excessive noise and some vibration, especially on acceleration. What are you Convert folks thoughts on that?

[fotoguzzi]

I've been interested in Converts for a while now, and doing a bit of research.
One complaint I've heard, or maybe it's just an observation, is excessive noise and some vibration, especially on acceleration. What are you Convert folks thoughts on that?

from my memory it was not any louder than any other Guzzi, depending on pipes.. you do roar the engine getting up to speed if in a hurry..
also remember it had Less vibration and generally smoother than the 5 speed bikes.

[nick949]

I've been interested in Converts for a while now, and doing a bit of research.
One complaint I've heard, or maybe it's just an observation, is excessive noise and some vibration, especially on acceleration. What are you Convert folks thoughts on that?

There is induction roar if you accelerate hard, but it soon settles to a lope at normal road speeds.  It's not enough to spoil  the riding experience for me.  It's just different.  I have read that review where the writer complains about the noise.  He's a motorcycle journalist - he probably pinned the throttle!

At cruising speeds it is smooth and quiet. Not much vibration (certainly less than my Eldorado) and on twisty roads you are always in the right gear, which is more than I can say for myself on the geared bikes

It's pretty much what you'd expect from a 40 year old Guzzi.

Nick

[Arizona Wayne]

I think my `77 Convert. vibrates a little more than my `80 Convert. did. But not enough to bother me much.  Maybe synching the carbs a bit more would help.  But it's not a deal breaker for me.  I don't mind some vibration as long as it doesn't numb my hands or parts don't start falling off, which usually doesn't happen on Guzzi V twins like on some other brand bikes.

[Don G]

My first Guzzi was an 1975 Convert, since experiencing the performance of that whole package I have been hooked on Guzzis ever since, still the best one in the stable for long distance touring.  DonG

[mtiberio]

My experience is verts vibrate more than 5 speeds. Not a lot, but noticeable. I attribute it to the unrestrained crank due to fluid drive.

[nick949]

Over 400 miles now, after this morning's breakfast ride. Still weirdly enjoyable.

Nick

[smdl]

Nice, and if you need to carry a spare shipping container, that rear rack should handle it easily!   

Glad you are enjoying it.  I have to say that I am more than interested.  Hoping you bring it next Saturday so I have lay eyes on a Convert for the first time ever.

Cheers,
Shaun

[nick949]

Nice, and if you need to carry a spare shipping container, that rear rack should handle it easily!   

Glad you are enjoying it.  I have to say that I am more than interested.  Hoping you bring it next Saturday so I have lay eyes on a Convert for the first time ever.

Cheers,
Shaun

If you're  really, really good you might even get to take it for a spin...

Nick

[smdl]

If you're  really, really good you might even get to take it for a spin...

Nick

I can be really, really good... I think...     Just to let you know, I'm still waiting on parts for the Stelvio, so might be on the V11 Le Mans.  If you feel up to the low bars, your welcome to take it out for a blast.

Cheers,
Shaun

[Tom]

It's like having a different type of pasta with the same sauce.    All edible and enjoyable on different but similar lines.   

[Lannis]

By the time I got to the Beads over a Sheepskin over the Stock Seat stage, I realized it was time for a nice custom seat! 

Lannis

[rodekyll]

I've been interested in Converts for a while now, and doing a bit of research.
One complaint I've heard, or maybe it's just an observation, is excessive noise and some vibration, especially on acceleration. What are you Convert folks thoughts on that?

Sounds like bullshit.  The complaint, not the bike.  Tell your sources i said so.  Why would any of that be true of a 'vert v some other guzzi when the parts that make noise and vibrate are the same parts as any other guzzi of the era?