Does anyone know 2008 production numbers?

[TxRider]

Hello all - I am interested in how many 1200 Sports made it to the US in 2008, and how many were black v. red.  Recently I acquired one for $1000 and it is in near perfect condition.  In searching for this production number answer I came across a guess that Guzzi made 700 bikes for the US that year, divide by 4 models and you get 175, then divide by 2 colors and you get 88.  But this is as wild as a swag gets, so I'm wondering if anyone has a more solid idea of the counts.  Here is my black 2008; if anyone knows where I can get a seat cowl please PM me!  Hope you all have a great weekend ahead.

[twodogs]

What I was told when I had mine was that 100 units came to the us, 50 red,50 black, no way to be sure, you got a hell of a deal, they are good mile munchers 

[TxRider]

Thanks twodogs,

It came with the side cases, just refreshed all fluids, tires, battery, greased rear suspension, filters.  First road trip is in two weeks to Eureka Springs and the AR/MO border region, paired up with a buddy on his R9T.  I think we are well matched and hoping for a great trip.

Amazing there were so few imported; that makes it even more rare than my Ducati 907ie.

[blackcat]

I checked Teo Lammers in blank, black or red and NG.  That is probably going to be a pretty hard part to find but you never know.

Part #977754Y02



Unpainted part #977754

[PJPR01]

Thanks twodogs,

It came with the side cases, just refreshed all fluids, tires, battery, greased rear suspension, filters.  First road trip is in two weeks to Eureka Springs and the AR/MO border region, paired up with a buddy on his R9T.  I think we are well matched and hoping for a great trip.

Amazing there were so few imported; that makes it even more rare than my Ducati 907ie.

Very nice find indeed!  I'll be in almost exactly the same area in Arkansas/Missouri in that time frame before heading to Kansas.  Still trying to decide if I go on the Norge or the Griso...May have an impromptu Guzzi ride by!

[fotoguzzi]

Who sells a bike like that for $1000?

[TxRider]

It's kind of a long story about getting the bike for $1000, but here we go:
One of my best friends is an older guy, I think about 24 years older than me, but we met when I bought that 907ie from him and we've been close friends and riding partners ever since.  He bought the 12S in 2014 with 14000 miles on it, he rode it home and disassembled at least 50% of the bike with the goal of detailing it and greasing the rear suspension, etc.  Then his wife got sick and she struggled for many years with Alzheimers.  We had already been great friends for years, and I saw part of that bike sitting on his HandyLift for several years.  Sadly, his wife died and eventually he started thinking about reducing his motorcycle collection - he had 5 at the time.  I first was checking out his Griso, meanwhile he tried to sell the 12S as a project but the deal fell apart, then he offered to pay another friend to help him get it back together and sell it, but they never engaged.  I finally decided the Griso was a little short and just one step newer than I wanted.  I already have a 78 Triumph (Dad's), that 907ie which I will never part with (sunny day bike), and a K1200RS for big trips.  I became more curious about the 12S as a fun, jump on and do day rides, bike.  Then he made me the offer I couldn't refuse and said he'd sell me the 12S for $1000 and we could use his shop and tools to get it on the road again, I would provide fluids, filters, etc.  Only 3 days later we had the whole thing back together, rear suspension lubed, and fresh and ready to ride.  He had parts stashed all over his house, in the attic, in bedrooms, on shelves in the garage, everywhere - but in the end not a single screw was missing.  It only took a handful of tries and the 12S fired up after 9 years in pieces.  It's been running amazingly well since and now it is more special to me because of our history with it.  The bike came with unused side cases, along with MG branded liners.  The only thing missing is the rear seat cowl but it was already missing in 2014 when my friend bought the bike.  I'm still shaking my head that there wasn't a warning light to clear or any trouble really at all - truly impressive.  When I bought the bike it only had 200 more miles on it from when my friend bought it in 2014.  I plan to put many, many more on.   

[twodogs]

Nice story and a great buy from a friend. The part does show up once in a great while and the only trouble I had with mine was the valve cover gaskets would let loose all the time till I got the ones that were rubber with the metal strip in the middle, the other thing was the ground down by the starter would always come loose and the bike wouldn't start, I finally heli coiled it and never had another issue 

[PJPR01]

Cool story...by the way, there's a Guzzi Rally in Texas coming up in a few weeks...called the GRIT.

Beaver posted a thread on here about it...up in Lindale.  Not sure how far away you are, but always a nice days events to get together with other Guzzi riders there for a bit.

[TxRider]

Thanks for the tip Paul - Lindale isn't too far from me; I'm just north of Fort Worth.
I googled it up and didn't see a 12S in the pictures from last time either; I'll just see what I can do to make an appearance.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

PS: still wondering about those production numbers, but the average of 50 and 88 ain't that much regardless!

[Dave Swanson]

One of the better stories to grace these pages in awhile.  Congratulations on the the 12S!  Get your butt to Lindale.