Fighting frustration with the brand

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

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[Guzzistajohn]

I keep my Tiger for times like this 

[cliffrod]

Hate to hear things aren't working for you, man.  I don't have any sage advice.   The world was pretty great when we were standing around & just talking at the Greenhouse. 

I've got the same problem, just in reverse- multiple running bikes but no time or anywhere viable to go because I'm so buried & obligated here.  It's become so normal that I don't even have a tag on any of them right now.   That's part of the reason I'm building my loop project.  It fits when I have any rare spare time I can find without having to leave the property.

Anytime you need to bitch or vent- Guzzi or otherwise- feel welcome to give me a buzz. 

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

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[Mayor_of_BBQ]

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[Turin]

That's why I'll never get rid of my 850 T. 1975 must be a great vintage, because I've never been stranded by one of those old Tontis  and riding them since 1991.

[Ncdan]

Mayor, I hear your discontent. I recently obtained a 83 Honda CB1000C for a second bike. No ECU, no FI, no thrills and frills, old school basics. It’s always good to have a plan B. Hang in there buddy!

[Vagrant]

V 7-3 no more no less! Most bullet proof yet 

[bobrebos]

That's crazy that the clutch is out at 19,000.  Wow.  I have no words of wisdom.  If you go the Kawasaki route I wish you the best.  You should still come to our meet and greets of course!  Keep us in the loop!   

[antmanbee]

Mayor,
How do you know the clutch is toast? That would be unusual for 19K. Also what are your electrical issues with the V65?
There are a smart bunch of guys here who will help you sort it out and stick with you till it is sorted.
I myself would be hesitant to invest $1000 in the Breva with the hope to get $3500 for it. If you like the bike and want to keep it it would be a different matter.

[SmithSwede]

You have my sympathy.   I’ve been there myself.  Kinda there right now because my V7 is down again with some crank position sensor fault. 

Consider getting a completely different bike.  You could go modern Japanese or Triumph to get reliability.   

I’ve got a 16 Triumph Street Triple that has been flawless in terms of reliability.   I don’t like it nearly as much as my Guzzi, but I have to admit it has never stranded me or given me problems.

I’ve also gone in the other direction with an old carbed Ducati.  It has been totally reliable so far after replacing some worn components.  And it has the benefit of having carbs and a crude inductive Ignition system which I at least understand and can field test.

Just curious.  What’s the starting problem with your V65?
 

[Dave Swanson]

How much trouble has the Breva been other than this clutch issue?   Brevas are thought of as quite reliable, on the other hand V65s have never been known as bulletproof. 

[bobrebos]

I cant believe the clutch is out already??  Are you sure?  Im not doubting your word, just checking, and what electrical problem are you having with the other bike?.   

[cliffrod]

Thanks Cliff, when it's good its very good...  But it seems those times are fleeting.  I started having these feelings after I won Outstanding Retro Modern with my v65 cafe at The Meltdown, and then the next day it wouldnt start lol

btw i checked out your site & youtube videos, the stone work is incredible.. amazing stuff!

I had some of the same turmoil with my V7 Sport & chased electrical issues for the first couple of years I rode it. Even had it die (again) in Asheville during a bachelor party, sent it back here to the shop in the back of a station wagon and went home to TN on an F1B Ducati.    Eventually got it sorted, then had to do more & go completely through the bottom end of the engine.  Finally got it great after that marriage crashed.  Now it's waiting on me...

I don't do 50k a year on all vehicles combined (probably not even 25k) much less 50k on a bike.  I like old bikes because they're cheap and simple enough that they can be fixed by me or another regular guy that I can afford.   Some are even great reliable machines.   

Thanks for the good words.  I make everything except money.   Anytime you're down this way, stop in. 

[blackcat]

Bummer. I hate electrical issues, but have you considered a new harness on the V65?  Weird that the clutch went on the big Breva with such low mileage. What exactly is that thing doing?

[menzies]

There is a good tech in Black Mountain. He worked at the Aprilia dealer in Hendersonville up until they went out of business and then he went on his own. I can get his info if you like.
He is also a Guzzi guy.

[gsp0702]

Similar position, been waiting on the clutch for my V11 Sport for over a month now, looks like it's on a slow boat from Italy so getting a bit frsutrated with no bike especially as the weather's been greta in Wellington for the last few weeks.

[LowRyter]

Sorry about the Breva.  The Kaw is a cool looking bike. 

Send photos. 

[wirespokes]

Guzzi has been making mechanics out of riders since 1921, but evidently failed on you. 

You've gotten me really interested in the V65 electrical problem. The hell of it is, even if we figure it out, it requires you getting us the data and you fixing it.

I really like fixing my own vehicles - eliminates hauling it somewhere, leaving it in their care, waiting for them to get to it, paying shop rates and markup on parts,, wondering if it was repaired properly and to my high standards, and hauling it home.

Doing it myself, there's only the wait for pats to arrive and making time to work on it. Of course, I've collected tools over my lifetime so have pretty much everything needed for most jobs.

I guess I've been pretty lucky with my three guzzis - they've all been dependable once the problems resolved. I worked on the clutch in each one, but for different reasons. Even when things weren't right, they still got me around. But I do understand your frustration and know how it is having multiple vehicles just to ensure at least one is operational, and having them all down at the same time. Really sucks!

[Kev m]

My Jackal almost broke me for the brand.

I got rid of my B11 at 15k and my little bro (who bought it) lost the clutch by 20k. And hell my B11 was otherwise better than my Jackal.

My V7s have been bordering on flawless by comparison.

We added the MKIII cause the MkI was so good. Looked at a duty Twin too, but glad we went with the Guzzi.

But ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

[bad Chad]

A fried clutch at 19k would be very unusual unless abused, but I no from reading your posts over the years that doesn’t fit you.   I hope you find out it’s something different than a ruined clutch.

[Huzo]

A fried clutch at 19k would be very unusual unless abused, but I no from reading your posts over the years that doesn’t fit you.   I hope you find out it’s something different than a ruined clutch.

Dunno.
I’d settle for the clutch.

[Kev m]

Dunno.
I’d settle for the clutch.

It's a particularly pricey job on a CARC Guzzi.

Parts were expensive and then there's crabbing it if you don't go the work yourself.

[Huzo]

It's a particularly pricey job on a CARC Guzzi.

Parts were expensive and then there's crabbing it if you don't go the work yourself.

Yeah Kev.
I’ve got it coming to me at some stage..$$$$$
But at least I can back myself to get through it largely unscathed. It’s maps, computers and that stuff where I’m clueless.

[fubar guzzi]

I just post a reply-----damn it disapeared---I('m not goin thro that again (typing)   

[boatdetective]

Been there and I gave it a good fight. I easily spent more time wrenching on my Guzzis than riding them. My BMW R1200R is a great all rounder and gives me that big twin torque. Handles quite well. I picked up a Honda CB1100 this year just because. Spectacularly smooth and beautifully put together.  Get yourself something reliable (hint: red, wing logo, five letters starting with H and ending with A) and get out there on the open road.

[john fish]

Get yourself something reliable.

Excellent advice there.  My Guzzis have been very reliable but if they hadn't been I would've moved on.  Maybe keep one.

[Motormike]

Could be worse.  You could be into old Nortons...Or Buells...or Urals! All joking aside, it is nice to have a Japanese bike in the mix as your go-to bike when nothing else seems to want to work.  I have a saying by Peter Egan stuck to my shop wall...."There's no such thing as too many motorcycles, only too many batteries!"

[pete roper]

It's a particularly pricey job on a CARC Guzzi.

Parts were expensive and then there's crabbing it if you don't go the work yourself.

It is? How so? I know a bloke in a wheelchair who with a bit of assisting with lifting can have the gearbox of a B11 on the floor in 2.5 hours. When I made a rod for my own back with a 1200 Sport and had to get the gearbox out three times n the last time I think it took me 40 minutes! But that was practice and the need for it was all my own fault!

Pete

[Shorty]

I have thrown in the towel on Guzzi ownership at least 4 times now. Sold every nut and bolt, copies of books and spares. There is always someone willing to scoop up your Guzzis/parts for a song.  Last 2 times I've had a "Coming to Jesus" Guzzi moment (line stolen from Michael D,  ) I have bought Triumph or Yamaha. I get less of a grin and satisfaction with BOGS (Bikes Other Than Guzzi, t.m.) but they start when I go to the garage and wanna ride. The real attraction with Guzzis is the outstanding people you get to hang with, and the joy of ownership when they are running right. Many of us will no longer be able to ride in a decade, give or take. I decided that riding was more important than rolling on the floor earning Guzzi "cred".  This ain't the MGNOC. Noone will disown you if you buy a BOG.