1000S fan

[kidsmoke]

I have two '93 models, one with Bubs and one with Staintunes.  Both are loud but the Bubs are louder.     If the orange one came with an orange frame, I would have bought one instead of two greenies.  🤦‍♂️

I suppose we'll never know but the number of Green 93's just seems to grow and grow. I know of 5 represented in this thread. MGC moved 2 within the last 2 months in SoCal...that's 7, of a bike that, by some accounts, there were only 19 of that ever landed on the continent.

Tom, do you still have the original LaFranconi's?

[Tom]

No.  They both came from previous owners with the aftermarket exhausts.  They both have interesting stories with their histories.

[Dave Swanson]

It does seem like 1000S' have more than their fair share of stories attached to them.

Mine was owned by Mark Linkous, the leader of Sparklehorse until his untimely demise.   I have had a few exchanges with Mark's long time drummer, friend and riding buddy about the bike.

[DC950]

the 91 I had with the big valve engine is the only motorcycle I've ever owned that I have zero regrets selling.  No power till 5500 rpm, very heavy, hard to manage at slow speeds with the stubby bars, and the shiny instrument holder would blind you if the sun was right.  I got a terrible sunburn on my face once from it, even with a full face helmet.

Beautiful though.

[Tom]

Different riding and owning experience for me.  I usually run higher air pressure in the tires and do not find any handling problems.  The clip-on's need more input in a parking lot but not for highway, sweepers and switchbacks.  I live at the base of Hualalai volcano.  Not sure of power lose at 5500 rpm.  Big twin Moto Guzzi engines like mid-range performance but of course if you're comparing it to a 4-cylinder motorcycle than your expectations would be different.

[JJ]

This was taken June 2024 at the John Day Guzzi Rally in Oregon...

Another RARE model, before the 1000S!

[Tom]

I'd like to know the history of that bike since they weren't sold new in the U.S.  Canada or brought in after the age allowed it in by U.S. Customs.    

[Walton]

I'd like to know the history of that bike since they weren't sold new in the U.S.  Canada or brought in after the age allowed it in by U.S. Customs.   

I brought in several S3s 20 years ago.  Moe at CG still has one of them.

[Tom]

Y'ep, what I said.   

[DC950]

Different riding and owning experience for me.  I usually run higher air pressure in the tires and do not find any handling problems.  The clip-on's need more input in a parking lot but not for highway, sweepers and switchbacks.  I live at the base of Hualalai volcano.  Not sure of power lose at 5500 rpm.  Big twin Moto Guzzi engines like mid-range performance but of course if you're comparing it to a 4-cylinder motorcycle than your expectations would be different.

no, the big valve motor didn't make any real power till 5500 rpm.  From there till 8000 it was great.  My small valve SPII was far better in the real world.

[Tom]

Okay, whatever you say.  Tomato, tomatoes. 

[Denis]

I recently bought the remaining NOS Guzzi parts from former dealer and in that stash were 40 microfiche of Guzzi parts, including two for the 1000S. One is for the '91 models and the other is for the '93 US models. I haven't looked at those yet but I'll be interested to see the differences.

I remember when they first arrived in the US at Moto America, which shared the building with Midway Cycles in Lillington. The first 1000S they received was an orange and black big valve (of course) but it didn't have the required 17 digit VIN so it couldn't be legally sold in the US. I rode it a couple of times and found it amazing. When the green frame models with the "world" engine came to the US I rode those also. Less grunt than the earlier ones, but also easier to live with. I loved them both.

[kidsmoke]

no, the big valve motor didn't make any real power till 5500 rpm.  From there till 8000 it was great.  My small valve SPII was far better in the real world.

I was fortunate to own both motors simultaneously (shown here), and was suprised by the difference in power delivery, which I found to be as you described, DC. Unusal to be able to tell my wife - "but, they're different!" with such conviction.

Digging out on curvy backroads going 30-70 all the time....I found the world motor far more practical on the street. That, and the LM1000 ergos didn't work for me at all. I've heard tell that the valve guides on that motor are a higher maintenance item as well, but I didn't have the opportunity to prove that out. This bike came to me with very low miles and I didn't add many on.

[blackcat]

and the LM1000 ergos didn't work for me at all. I've heard tell that the valve guides on that motor are a higher maintenance item as well, but I didn't have the opportunity to prove that out. This bike came to me with very low miles and I didn't add many on.

When I had Mike Rich flow the heads on my 1000S, he told me the same thing about the LM1000 valve guides.

[Dave Swanson]

no, the big valve motor didn't make any real power till 5500 rpm.  From there till 8000 it was great.  My small valve SPII was far better in the real world.

Those of us with a more diminutive valved 1000S prefer to refer to them as medium valve over small valve.   

[wirespokes]

no, the big valve motor didn't make any real power till 5500 rpm.  From there till 8000 it was great.  My small valve SPII was far better in the real world.

I disagree. Maybe with stock jetting it's true - I sort of remember mine being sluggish before the carb work. I rarely ride mine over 5500 RPM and it's got gobs of power.

[kidsmoke]

I disagree. Maybe with stock jetting it's true - I sort of remember mine being sluggish before the carb work. I rarely ride mine over 5500 RPM and it's got gobs of power.

I found it had gobs of power as well, but the mid valve motor has More down low, and stays consistant to 7k. The big valve was no slouch, but really wakes up, as per it's design, higher in the range.

I have read that upon delivery, many were lackluster, but that it was a tuning issue. Once massaged by a knowledgable tuner, things could change considerably. Mine was bone stock, always local and at 5k when she came to me. Ran smooth. But maybe there was room for improvement? That bike is now in Nashville with a nationally touring guitar tech who'd owned one when new, and wanted those days back.

[DC950]

I wanted one from the time it was featured in Motorcyclist magazine.  I kept that issue for many years and pulled it out dozens of times to re-read the article. I could never get it to run well enough for real world riding to keep it.   

Keep in mind that at this time I was racing a big valve in WERA Vintage so have a bit of a clue about those engines.  8000 rpm on the back straight of Road Atlanta is pretty sweet.  WFO is where that engine excels.

Interestingly, i found an old registration of mine, complete with VIN of course, the other night.  Glad to have it in case I run across a green one some day.

[Dave Swanson]

I thought I would have mine out by now, but I've had too many irons in the fire.