A 1000S from Michigan

[sdcr]

Trying to tip toe around this, and still have it part of the discussion. On a very well known auction site, there is a beautiful
1991 Moto Guzzi 1000S. Looks like it was originally from GT Motors.

The owner has very good taste in Moto Guzzi’s.

Does it belong to anyone here.

[guzzisteve]

Looks like a nice one, Bub head pipes & Conti's from same. Not many miles.

[kidsmoke]

Trying to tip toe around this, and still have it part of the discussion. On a very well known auction site, there is a beautiful
1991 Moto Guzzi 1000S. Looks like it was originally from GT Motors.

The owner has very good taste in Moto Guzzi’s.

Does it belong to anyone here.

The seller popped up on Facebook a couple of months back and was asking questions that led me to believe he didn’t know what he had. Pure speculation on my part but I’d guess this seller inherited a group of machines and is liquidating. Again based on my perception of his reaction. If I’m way off, it’s not the first time. This is not to throw shade on the sale/seller in any manner. 

Does look like a lovely bike.

[sdcr]

The seller popped up on Facebook a couple of months back and was asking questions that led me to believe he didn’t know what he had. Pure speculation on my part but I’d guess this seller inherited a group of machines and is liquidating. Again based on my perception of his reaction. If I’m way off, it’s not the first time. This is not to throw shade on the sale/seller in any manner. 

Does look like a lovely bike.

Thanks, good to know.
John

[LeRoy]

I think the GT Motors sticker placement is suspect. Larry usually placed them somewhere on the rear of the bike, below the license plate etc.
>>>>>
So I took a second look and there is a sticker in the usual position.

Just another point of reference: On my 1986 Le Mans IV, bought new from Larry Klein in September 1986, the GT Motors stickers are on the rear below the license plate and at the bottom of the right fork leg. Square corners, too. 

I still have the bike but it's such a shame we don't still have Larry.

By the way, I'm in Michigan, not far from where the auction bike is located. I'd be happy to take a look at the bike on behalf of any list member.

LeRoy

[Turin]

Sharp looking bike, and I wouldn't kick one out of my garage, but I think they are a little overpriced for what they are. 17K ?

[sdcr]

Well that's interesting, Leroy. I worked with and for Larry from 1984 on and don't remember him putting stickers on forks but maybe my memory isn't so hot. I know I never put one on a fork leg. I did put them on license plate brackets if Larry hadn't by the end of my test ride. There frequently was conversation surrounding installing stickers as Larry was installing them, sort of claiming the bike kind of thing, branding like a steer if you will. Many chuckles with Larry.

Brian

I never met Larry Klein, but have heard a few anecdotal stories about his shop. From what I understand, it was a very enthusiast oriented place, unlike some of the sterile, corporate focused operations that we see today.

[blackcat]

Sharp looking bike, and I wouldn't kick one out of my garage, but I think they are a little overpriced for what they are. 17K ?

The last one sold for $21,500 on BAT.

[twowheeladdict]

The first thing I do when buying a new bike is peel off all the "stickers"  Never heard of a dealer putting stickers on a bike, but I would have asked them not to.  Never would have imagined that having a dealer sticker on a bike would increase value. 

In my area most of the car dealers have gone to license plate frames that the owner can remove than putting a dealer name on the paint job.

I really like the look of the green stripe 1000S.  They should bring back that paint scheme on a new V7.

[sdcr]

The last one sold for $21,500 on BAT.

...and I can recall Franz at Spare Parts having at least one in the showroom, marked down to around $6500., IIRC.

[guido guzzi]

Hoochie Mama!  That's your big valve... Not usually a fan of black exhaust but it looks perfect on this one.
Around 1997 I had the chance to buy a 1 owner black and orange big valve (1990?) for the princely sum of $7,000...

[blackcat]

...and I can recall Franz at Spare Parts having at least one in the showroom, marked down to around $6500., IIRC.

According to Franz, he sold more 1000S models than anyone else in the country.

[sdcr]

According to Franz, he sold more 1000S models than anyone else in the country.

I believe that.
 The shop is just a hole in the wall on a backstreet in Philly. But, if you wanted a well set up Guzzi, that was the place.

[sdcr]

The exhaust on the BaT 1000S is black, possibly a BUB?

It’s starting to gather steam...

[Turin]

looks like a BUB system to me. It will sound amazing.

[blackcat]

The exhaust on the BaT 1000S is black, possibly a BUB?

It’s starting to gather steam...

Yes, good luck in your bidding. A 91 came up for sale awhile back on the FB 1000S group with lower miles than this one and it was priced at $12K or some such low number and a friend of mine scooped it up in a blink.

[brider]

Hoochie Mama!  That's your big valve... Not usually a fan of black exhaust but it looks perfect on this one.
Around 1997 I had the chance to buy a 1 owner black and orange big valve (1990?) for the princely sum of $7,000...

Yep, me too. My mistake was on the showroom floor, a little earlier than '97, unsold, and I kept walking past it to the service area where they were working on my Convert. I looked at it a lot, but the (pittance, in hindsight) asking price was out of my ability to consider. Young and dumb. 

[sdcr]

So, I’ve decided that this one isn’t for me.
 For anyone else that is interested, here is the link to the specific 1000S https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1991-moto-guzzi-1000s/

Thank to Bob Sharp for his generous assistance.

John

[spmoto]

Anywhere but WFO, the mid-valve motor was better. It pulled harder from down low, had better manners (and not in a sterile way). When set up properly, it was actually more potent and tractable than a big valve. The mystique of the big valve is just that. Of course, on the other hand, who cares about that. Cache is cache.   

[wirespokes]

Anywhere but WFO, the mid-valve motor was better. It pulled harder from down low, had better manners (and not in a sterile way). When set up properly, it was actually more potent and tractable than a big valve. The mystique of the big valve is just that. Of course, on the other hand, who cares about that. Cache is cache.

Funny - that's not my experience at all! But I can understand where such a viewpoint could come from. As jetted from the factory, they sucked big time and guzzled too. Those big valve 1000s, unlike the LM3 before it, came jetted terribly wrong. Once sorted they are definitely strong and smooth throughout the range. I'm guessing you never rode one that was running right.

[twowheeladdict]

If Moto Guzzi would bring back the V7 Racer in this color scheme I would not be able to resist.

[sdcr]

....., unlike the LM3 before it, came jetted terribly wrong. Once sorted they are definitely strong and smooth throughout the range. I'm guessing you never rode one that was running right.

I found the Le Mans III to be a very  enjoyable motorbike.  Not extremely powerful, but fast enough. The throttle response was spot on, and with some basic suspension modifications, it was a very satisfying ride.

[Turin]

I have a Lemans III and it's okay. It really feels like a warmed over T-3 with more top end. This one is waiting to get it's new cam and alloy flywheel installed.

If we want to argue the virtues of the LeMans big valve vs the 1993 world engine, then I'd like to throw in the 1100 california/EV motor into the mix, which tops them both.

If I were in the market I'd be calling Mark Etheridge at Moto Guzzi Classics. Mark has built some Cali's into really gorgeous "1100 sports". You could have one of those and a nice LeMans1000 for the price of a 1000S.

[Tom]

  on Mark.

[Turin]

He just finished an 1100 LeMans !
https://www.facebook.com/100063601059063/videos/pcb.1390725555055290/1386217522224705



image hosting sites

[guzzisteve]

Half hour to go, if you want it  $17,750

[blackcat]

Sold: $18K

[guzzisteve]

WTF Over!!! I better sell a 700 & fix the LM3

[kidsmoke]

Sold: $18K

Interesting. Couple thousand less than the higher mileage/mid valve/world engine version from a couple years ago. Better marketing on that one? (videos were tantallizing as I recall) Less rare status of this bike? or just right place right time?

[blackcat]

Interesting. Couple thousand less than the higher mileage/mid valve/world engine version from a couple years ago. Better marketing on that one? (videos were tantallizing as I recall) Less rare status of this bike? or just right place right time?

Yeah, I’m surprised as I thought it would break $20K.