2nd nostalgic Guzzi advice at a crossroad.

[redrider90]

I saw "whyrichard" post on his SP. I didn't want to hijack his thread so I am throwing this out there.  I am also at crossroad with my red 90 Mille bought new in 91. Mine is a combo of age, illness. I am now 77. I had to quit riding in 2015 cause I got sick. Too sick to ride.  I have kept the bike running, at least 4-6 times a year with a high speed fan on it and even gently running it through the gears a low RPM.  It has nothing wrong with it that I know of.
In 2019 I began a solid physical recovery that hit road blocks and the doc now found 2 tick diseases I am fighting.  I still want to ride. I am able to cut firewood to heat and some gardening etc. But I am limited and not sure if I will recover physically.
During that time (2019-2022) I managed to install new stanchion tubes/seals (forks by Frank), dash board, carb rebuild fresh gas, oil changes, valves and stuff.
2 years ago I decided to put it up on blocks giving it a good cleaning, checking bearing all around, u-joint. I got new brakes installed all around , new F09 right side caliper, new side stand. I have new parts to finish dash and turn signals. Trouble is I just do not have enough energy to do all I want. Last round of antibiotics knocked me silly.  I have regained a lot physical strength but lacking stamina. 
Now I keep thinking what do I do. Continue to make snails pace on the Mille or put what I have off the bike back on it and sell it? 
I still have the itch to ride. But my age is not my biggest problem. Will I beat Bartonella and babesia?
The bike is still shinny(dirty engine slowly coming clean) but suffers from mild orange peal. I parked it outside the hospital I worked at for years and hence the UV did some damage. Over the years I have installed Mistral SS exhaust, Eurojetted carbs, high flow K&N air filter in stock box, Wirth progressive springs, Bitubo's and as well as F09 front right caliper and DYNA III. Rich Maud raised seat for my 6'5" frame. Stainless oil lines. Brand new but now old tires.
The bike was down once in the first year I bought it. Hit a gravel patch on a curvy back road a few miles from home. Left a ding on the gas tank that I never fixed cause I was so mad at myself.  55K miles mostly highway.
So I didn't put this in the swap section cause I do not know what to do. Right now I was getting ready to pull the read end off and have a look see. Then move to the front end checking all wheel bearing, triple tree and including probably replacing the timing chain which is stock.
But I am also wondering if I should stick with the Mille or put if back together which may take 8-10 hours and sell it. I have no reason to go inside the engine. It ran perfectly 2 years ago when I  started this project. Unlike "whyrichard" who sounds like he is in his early 40s and has his longevity to see through holding on to his SP. At 77 I have to be real.  Hence I am at my own crossroads.
 

 

[Vecchio Lupo]

I have always been a fan of the Mille, and the Spada that followed it. I have been close to getting one at least three times but either distance,price, or love of LeMans got in the way. I’m 63 and had to give up the LEmanslove affair. I have a Convert in LAPD livery that I show and play with a little and a Cal III dresser that gets more use. I like the Mille so much, I have a Don Vesco Rabid transit fairing with tonti frame mounts, and a set of the samsonite 3 piece luggage waiting for a naked Guzzi to fit to.

I’m telling you this because you have the bike you want already, minimal effort to get her going. If you really think you will saddle up, keep her. If you conclude that it’s not the case, find her a good home with someone who understands what that bike is. Not some hipster who will inadvertently destroy it.

If you get her going, I’m down the road in Charleston. Good luck

[Tkelly]

If you want to ride slap it together and ride it,you will never get your improvement expenses or your time back if you keep working on it.

[Shorty]

I would suggest you buy a newer smaller bike or scooter to get you out there riding while you ponder what to do with the Mille. Even a sidecar or other 3 wheeler if balance is or becomes an issue. I grew tired of maintaining a small fleet of older bikes, which in the past gave me great pleasure and a feeling of accomplishment. But, I had to "pick my battles," and I decided that I enjoy tootling around a little more than wrenching. I bought a little 350 Enfield. Pleasant to look at, easy to ride, cheap to buy and run. Only limited by a top speed of around 70-75 mph. If you buy a smaller, lighter bike to enjoy NOW, you can work on the Guzzi when energy and attitude permit you to do so. If your health takes a turn for the worse, you are  out the devaluation of a bike that only costs about 5 grand new  OTD,  should you want to sell. Here's hoping your strength and energy improve. 

[John A]

I guess I’d put it together so it’s road ready for shorter trips. ‘Snot like your going touring like when we were younger. There is always stuff you can do to it but I’d just do what it needs without disassembling. That way you can ride it or sell it at your leisure. I’m at a crossroads too, trying to get organized to sell off about 45 years of Guzzi stuff, some good stuff, some junk. I don’t even remember what all I’ve got. Like you, health limits my ability to get much done so I tell myself to keep going, no matter what. At this stage it doesn’t matter much what I do, as long as I do something.

[redrider90]

I would suggest you buy a newer smaller bike or scooter to get you out there riding while you ponder what to do with the Mille. I bought a little 350 Enfield. Pleasant to look at, easy to ride, cheap to buy and run. Only limited by a top speed of around 70-75 mph. If you buy a smaller, lighter bike to enjoy NOW, you can work on the Guzzi when energy and attitude permit you to do so. 

I appreciate the thoughts Shorty  and they make sense but I am 6'5"  I would be like a folded up praying mantis on a "little 350 Enfield". Most smaller bikes are not ergonomic for someone my size. I remember taking a green 1000S for a test ride. I wanted that bike bad until I spent 30 minutes on it. It killed me and that was a Tonti frame. But the egros killed.   

[Shorty]

I appreciate the thoughts Shorty  and they make sense but I am 6'5"  I would be like a folded up praying mantis on a "little 350 Enfield". Most smaller bikes are not ergonomic for someone my size. I remember taking a green 1000S for a test ride. I wanted that bike bad until I spent 30 minutes on it. It killed me and that was a Tonti frame. But the egros killed. 

Speaking of ergonomics, you may have seen this site:  https://cycle-ergo.com/     You can adjust your height and inseam to see how you fit various motorcycles. It is not all inclusive, but there are plenty of common examples per manufacturer.

[Tkelly]

With your size and strength old Stelvios are cheap and fun to ride,stamina not a problem if you stop once awhile.