Author Topic: Moto Guzzi Classics... The dive bar of Guzzis! (Read 2643 times)

ratguzzi · « **on:** June 12, 2020, 11:13:22 PM »

Hung out with Mark earlier today. Like being with a lost soul cousin! As usual, Mark focused on something as I walk in. I am nosing through everything he owns and he doesn't have a concern in the world other than the customer he is on the phone with explaining the hours needed logic to make a guzzi run per the years it has been left sitting! I totally understood! Watching him lay pinstriping down would have taken me 4-5 drinks to steady my hand! I truly admire this goofball! Glad to be friends!
JB

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2020, 05:56:54 AM »

Mark is definitely one among our national Moto Guzzi treasures. I got this perfect speedo housing from Mark for my V700 restoration.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2020, 05:59:36 AM »

Quote from: ratguzzi on June 12, 2020, 11:13:22 PM

Hung out with Mark earlier today. Like being with a lost soul cousin! As usual, Mark focused on something as I walk in. I am nosing through everything he owns and he doesn't have a concern in the world other than the customer he is on the phone with explaining the hours needed logic to make a guzzi run per the years it has been left sitting! I totally understood! Watching him lay pinstriping down would have taken me 4-5 drinks to steady my hand! I truly admire this goofball! Glad to be friends!
JB

Oh yeah.. me too. Mark's a great guy.

JJ · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2020, 07:43:09 AM »

Quote from: ratguzzi on June 12, 2020, 11:13:22 PM

Hung out with Mark earlier today. Like being with a lost soul cousin! As usual, Mark focused on something as I walk in. I am nosing through everything he owns and he doesn't have a concern in the world other than the customer he is on the phone with explaining the hours needed logic to make a guzzi run per the years it has been left sitting! I totally understood! Watching him lay pinstriping down would have taken me 4-5 drinks to steady my hand! I truly admire this goofball! Glad to be friends!
JB

Never been to his shop, but met him at a Guzzi National Rally in Malibu years ago. Great guy and extremely knowledgeable about all things Guzzi.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2020, 07:58:22 AM »

80CX100 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2020, 08:51:41 AM »

Quote from: John Ulrich on June 13, 2020, 07:58:22 AM

There's obviously a story about that bike,,, judging from the exhaust, I'm thinking a fishy one, lol

Do tell,,,

guzzimatic · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2020, 11:47:59 AM »

Bosozoku Japanese mashup of cafe racer and chopper...I have a book about them I picked up in a used book store...

Turin · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2020, 11:54:52 AM »

That was a customers caféd Guzzi California ( from Texas if I recall ) that was left there too long, so it was dressed up like that as a gag.

TN Mark · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2020, 12:59:17 PM »

It’s been decades since I’ve been to Moto Guzzi Classics or Cycle Garden. Back in the 1980’s when I lived out their, I spent a lot of time with Big John ‘BJ’ Schwartz. John lived in Hesparia, CA then after closing his motorcycle shop. John was a legend in the Moto Guzzi world at that time. I was blessed to know him, and his wife Gail, so well. Mark already had his shop open but he was on the phone constantly with John asking for and getting all the advise and direction he could absorb. in fact John got calls from all over the US and Canada seeking advise on how to properly fix a Moto Guzzi. Mark and John were cut from the same cloth being kind, intelligent, gentle and giving of themselves without really seeking any recompense.

You can meet the nicest people on a Moto Guzzi.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2020, 06:03:30 PM »

Quote from: TN Mark on June 13, 2020, 12:59:17 PM

It’s been decades since I’ve been to Moto Guzzi Classics or Cycle Garden. Back in the 1980’s when I lived out their, I spent a lot of time with Big John ‘BJ’ Schwartz. John lived in Hesparia, CA then after closing his motorcycle shop. John was a legend in the Moto Guzzi world at that time. I was blessed to know him, and his wife Gail, so well. Mark already had his shop open but he was on the phone constantly with John asking for and getting all the advise and direction he could absorb. in fact John got calls from all over the US and Canada seeking advise on how to properly fix a Moto Guzzi. Mark and John were cut from the same cloth being kind, intelligent, gentle and giving of themselves without really seeking any recompense.

You can meet the nicest people on a Moto Guzzi.

We camped next to BJ at one of the nationals in Iowa. What an interesting character..

Mark ended up with a lot of BJs stuff.

John Ulrich · « **Reply #10 on:** June 13, 2020, 09:15:39 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on June 13, 2020, 06:03:30 PM

We camped next to BJ at one of the nationals in Iowa. What an interesting character.. Mark ended up with a lot of BJs stuff.

I cannot find BJ's photo but found one of his Guzzi at the Iowa Nationals in 2006.

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Guzikid · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2020, 10:49:55 PM »

I haven't talked with Mark in a good while. What a great guy...…….He helped me a few times in my Moto Guzzi early days. AND, he was always right on with his advise and instructions !!! The Kid

KevinO · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2020, 10:59:19 PM »

I have a Jackal project and Mark truly saved me a lot of time and money by fixing me up with a short block for a very reasonable price. Very good guy and knows his stuff!

ratguzzi · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2020, 11:08:17 PM »

You all have said it better than I could! One of a kind!

Tom H · « **Reply #14 on:** June 13, 2020, 11:29:13 PM »

If anyone has a chance to stop by there you should. He can be fun to chat with. But you may need patience. He doesn't have 20 people working for him. So take your time and have a great time.

Had a great chat with him about So Cal Guzzi history from the '80's0 to now, and BJ when he was in the Valley then Hesperia a few weeks ago. We both learned a few things.

Tom

Texas Turnip · « **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2020, 06:37:03 AM »

The MGNOC national was held in Cal in 2001. Old Guzzis were dug out of fence rows and barns and brought to the rally. Mark said if it turns over I'll have it running in less than an hour and he did. I never made it to his shop but visited with him at the Moto Guzzi open house in Angier, SC and many times at the AZ Guzzi rally.

BJ Schwartz, like Mark, was a genius when it came to the old Guzzis. I said if I knew 5% of what Mark and BJ know about Guzzis that I'd brag I was genius.

Tex

Cam3512 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 14, 2020, 07:31:44 AM »

My '71 police Ambassador was restored by BJ, and it turns out Mark did the paint. Whenever I go to the LA area, I stop by and hang out with him. He's a great (and unique) guy. Always has me laughing my ass off, even on a phone call.

Ironically the first thing I ever bought from him was a set of rechromed headers for my first Eldo 20 years ago. Then I sold HIM a set a few weeks ago. My purchases over the years includes 2 bikes, sight unseen. Proud to call him a friend.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #17 on:** June 14, 2020, 07:40:34 AM »

Quote

Proud to call him a friend.

There ya go. No higher compliment, IMHO.

ampm7 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 14, 2020, 03:18:54 PM »

I had Mark do my heads and exhaust threads and did an excellent job. Since I live in SoCal it was an easy drive up there. Mark is a great guy, but I thought he was getting out of the business as a couple of years ago he had a lot of stuff up for sale. I am glad to hear he has not. An additional shout out to Moe who has been excellent in h

is working on my bike and supplying parts. He now has his shop down in Indio (think Coachella festival/Salton Sea) and is working on other bikes besides Moto Guzzi. Another great guy! Pictures from his shop...

photo album 400 photos

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Cam3512 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2020, 05:45:48 PM »

Mark taking a break from wrenching...

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** June 14, 2020, 05:53:55 PM »

I've always given Mark sh!t about his lack of organization, although he seems to know where everything is. He called me out of the blue a month or so ago. "Hey, Chuckie.. when are you coming out? You need to see the shop. I threw away over 3000 lbs of junk. I've been cleaning during this - thing and you can even see the floor!"

Had to tell him that I was sorry to not see that, but probably wouldn't be traveling at all this year.

"Maybe Christmas?"
His shop will probably revert to it's natural state by then, though..

Kiwi Dave · « **Reply #21 on:** June 14, 2020, 07:12:59 PM »

Quote from: Texas Turnip on June 14, 2020, 06:37:03 AM

The MGNOC national was held in Cal in 2001. Old Guzzis were dug out of fence rows and barns and brought to the rally. Mark said if it turns over I'll have it running in less than an hour and he did.

I think I attended that rally. My fading memory nags me that Mark's bike caught fire and did quite a bit of damage?

ratguzzi · « **Reply #22 on:** June 14, 2020, 10:21:16 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on June 14, 2020, 05:53:55 PM

I've always given Mark sh!t about his lack of organization, although he seems to know where everything is. He called me out of the blue a month or so ago. "Hey, Chuckie.. when are you coming out? You need to see the shop. I threw away over 3000 lbs of junk. I've been cleaning during this - thing and you can even see the floor!" Had to tell him that I was sorry to not see that, but probably wouldn't be traveling at all this year. "Maybe Christmas?"
His shop will probably revert to it's natural state by then, though..

It's his cool nephew! He has busting his ass and posting all those instagram photos! Mark and I joked about that!
Wish he would curb his smoking, however.....

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2020, 06:09:10 AM »

Quote

Wish he would curb his smoking, however.....

Yeah..

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Author Topic: Moto Guzzi Classics... The dive bar of Guzzis! (Read 2643 times)