Author Topic: Guzzis in Cuba (Read 7985 times)

guzzista · « **on:** June 23, 2015, 11:45:39 PM »

Based on Moto Guzzi production records during the SEIMM era, Moto Guzzi sent 401 V700's to Cuba during 1968. I would assume for military/police service ? It would be cool to find out what happened to those Loops and if there were any still around, or even better , still running. Anyone else on this board can share any more info?

Shorty · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2015, 12:30:55 AM »

Sounds like a splendid opportunity for a documentary. Tourism is now open to Cuba.

tris · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2015, 01:08:20 AM »

There was certainly at least ONE Guzzi operating as a Police bike about 3 years ago when I was there.
I thought I was seeing things

ed.bremner · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2015, 01:35:21 AM »

I saw a few.....but thinking about it....that must be at least 20 years ago now... and they looked pretty tired/dirty then...

Mind you, with the cubans ability to keep their old vehicles going, I would be surprised if they were not still on the road and working.

eib

mtiberio · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2015, 05:55:45 AM »

but is the chrome cylinder lining still good?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2015, 07:04:12 AM »

Quote from: mtiberio on June 24, 2015, 05:55:45 AM

but is the chrome cylinder lining still good?

The high mileage chrome cylinders that I have heard of were from bikes that never went out of service, so maybe.....

JJ · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2015, 07:35:46 AM »

Quote from: ed.bremner on June 24, 2015, 01:35:21 AM

I saw a few.....but thinking about it....that must be at least 20 years ago now... and they looked pretty tired/dirty then...

Mind you, with the cubans ability to keep their old vehicles going, I would be surprised if they were not still on the road and working.

eib

What a great story / documentary indeed!

Of the 401 sent over, how many are left and still on the road and "In The Wind!"

sturgeon · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:01:59 AM »

Keep in mind that 'keeping vehicles going' in Cuba usually means replacing the engines, Lada engines in the case of cars. I wonder if they've been using Ural engines for the Guzzis? In my several visits there, I've never seen a Guzzi.

davedel44 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:17:07 AM »

Quote from: sturgeon on June 24, 2015, 08:01:59 AM

Keep in mind that 'keeping vehicles going' in Cuba usually means replacing the engines, Lada engines in the case of cars. I wonder if they've been using Ural engines for the Guzzis? In my several visits there, I've never seen a Guzzi.

:1
Vintage car collectors thought that Cuba would be a motherlode of collectible cars. Most have turned out to be highly modified. Same with vintage Vespas in South East Asia.

Dave
Galveston

father guzzi obrian · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:27:34 AM »

They have such a dearth of parts in Cuba, I hear Eldos are running generators and distributors with points....

cj750 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2015, 08:32:40 AM »

I don't know the status of the Loops, but they're definitely still using Guzzis:

(Not my pictures.)

arveno · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2015, 11:47:12 AM »

Cubans have good mechanic skills , there are plenty of Harley davidson , pre embargo that are still running...
same with old americans cars.
so its not rocket science to replace chrome bore on guzzis and fit toyota or WV pistons in it....

bad Chad · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:26:31 PM »

Not to mention that the Italians had no such embargo like the good old Mercans.

Lannis · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:33:24 PM »

Quote from: bad Chad on June 24, 2015, 03:26:31 PM

Not to mention that the Italians had no such embargo like the good old Mercans.

The Italians weren't hosting Russian nukes a few miles from Florida, either.

But hey, what's a little fooling around between countries, let bygones be bygones .....

Lannis

bad Chad · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:37:52 PM »

I wasn't making a political statement. I was trying to point out that though Cubans couldn't buy things from the United States, they have always been able to do business with Italy.

So they could, at least in theory buy only the genuine Guzzi parts they need to keep them running.

Lannis · « **Reply #15 on:** June 24, 2015, 03:49:39 PM »

Quote from: bad Chad on June 24, 2015, 03:37:52 PM

I wasn't making a political statement. I was trying to point out that though Cubans couldn't buy things from the United States, they have always been able to do business with Italy.

So they could, at least in theory buy only the genuine Guzzi parts they need to keep them running.

You're right in principle. However, I suspect that the average Cuban under Castro didn't (doesn't) have the wherewithal to pull up Agostino's website, enter his credit card number, and order a universal joint for his 750 smallblock. They probably keep them running the same way they keep a '48 Harley "UL" model running - the local open-air blacksmith, welding, and fabrication shop ....

Lannis

Thunderbox · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2015, 07:05:17 AM »

If they have MG Motorcycles maybe they also have places to buy them and those places probably have parts.

Lannis · « **Reply #17 on:** June 25, 2015, 07:11:03 AM »

Quote from: Thunderbox on June 25, 2015, 07:05:17 AM

If they have MG Motorcycles maybe they also have places to buy them and those places probably have parts.

Yep, the Havana Guzzi dealer is probably just down the street from the Starbucks and around the corner from the WalMart .....

Lannis

Motogogo · « **Reply #18 on:** June 25, 2015, 08:22:24 AM »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUMMXAILybU

NGC (that I could see)

the vicious cycles visit cuba.

hooah54 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 25, 2015, 04:57:44 PM »

Really are a bunch of smart asses on this forum

News:

Author Topic: Guzzis in Cuba (Read 7985 times)

father guzzi obrian