Special thanks to Jim Hamlin - My 1200 Sport is fixed!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I mentioned my problem with my 2008 1200 Sport being messed up by Guzzi dealer the other week and how it was running terrible! I wanted to make this a separate post to make sure everyone can see what Jim Hamlin did for me.

After a recommendation by Kev M, I set up my appointment with Jim was for Wednesday, September 9. I left home Tuesday Sept. 8 and I arrived at his dealership in Bethel, Connecticut at 4:45 PM after leaving South Central Pennsylvania. The bike ran so so as long as I wasn’t stopped and idling. It was about a 235 mile ride.

When I arrived at 4:45 PM, Jim Hamlin greeted me and immediately wanted to take my bike out for a test ride to evaluate it. After 20 minutes, he came back and put it up on the left and started adjusting things. 6 PM closing time came and he said he’d like to work on it tomorrow, Wednesday, when it’s cold. A friend of his at the shop was kind enough to give me a lift to an Econolodge 4 miles north of the dealership. The Econolodge was well situated beside a good diner for dinner that night and breakfast the next day.

The next morning, I got a taxi ride back to the shop, and Jim was working on my bike. He adjusted the TPS as well as the throttle bodies. In addition, he noticed my dipstick did not have an O-ring and he added that. In the meantime, he noticed that my brake and clutch levers were in bad need of greasing And he did that as well. By 10:45 AM he was taking it out for a 20 minute test ride. He came back and said “Take it out and tell me what you think.” I took it for a test ride and was very impressed with how much better it ran!  The true test was a 5 1/2 hour ride home on interstate and two-lane roads. There was less backfiring and surging. He did mention that probably a Beetle map could solve that but he wasn’t set up for that. So maybe I’ll do that later.

He also mentioned my air pressure in my tires was low and that he recommended 41 pounds cold in the rear and 36 pounds in the front which was a surprise to me. (I was running 35 rear and 33 front.) But I’m not going to question an expert. Since I saw his main ride was a red 1200 Sport in which he put a four valve Griso engine into it, I asked him if he knew how many 1200 Sports came into the United States in 2008. He said “I know exactly how many… 96. 48 red and 48 black because it was one container full and a container only holds 96 bikes.”

After a bill which only counted two hours labor and a few small parts, I couldn’t thank him enough and by 12 noon, I was on the road heading back home to South Central Pennsylvania. I put my trust in Jim, based upon all the praise I’ve seen throughout the years on this site and he did not let me down! He has so much Guzzi knowledge and a great personality, I won’t hesitate in riding back up there to have him work on my bike if and when it’s necessary.

I would highly recommend him to anyone within riding distance because he is the Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci of Moto Guzzi motorcycles. I know my bike is running perfect (except for the Beetle map) and better than it has in the 13 years that I’ve owned it. Thank you, Jim Hamlin!

[Frulk]

Definitely one of the brands weak points is its unreliable dealer network. I would probably have a California/Audace and a Griso to go with the Racer.

However, I’m 0-3 for satisfactory dealer interactions on service. Glad Hamlin came through for you. He has a sterling reputation.

Sadly he’s not in my time zone so a new Guzzi is highly unlikely to ever grace my garage again.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I know everybody gets excited when a new Moto Guzzi dealer opens up in the area. I may have everyone beat! I have FOUR, all within an hour and a half ride.

One to the east an hour away
One to the west 45 minutes away
One northeast an hour and a half away
And one north Northwest an hour away

One of them was the one that messed up my bike and caused the problem. When I talk to the other three, their answers were…

“We don’t work on Moto Guzzis older than 10 years”
“We could take a look at it” (they didn’t exactly give me the hope I was looking for)
“A 1200 Sport?”

I really don’t have much need for them… unless I’m buying a new bike and in that case, I would buy from Jim Hamlin!

He’s got some really nice new Moto Guzzi’s for sale, several V7’s, new Stelvio, and a Mandello. Several nice used bikes too… Two very nice 4-valve Norges, a 4-valve Stelvio, 1100 Breva and a MOTUS!

[Bulldog9]

Jim is Top notch. 8 hours for me but will be my go to for service and repairs unless absolutely necessary. I also REAAAAAALLLY like that Motus.

[Kev m]

Jim has probably forgotten more than most of us will ever know about Guzzis! Glad he sorted you out!

[AJ Huff]

Yeah, there's a difference between a dealer and a mechanic. Some good dealers out there with lousy service.

-AJ

[Bigtime]

  Not only is Jim one of the best mechanics in the business, but a genuinely great guy. He comes to rallies with tools to help people that's traveling and in need. He is a huge asset to the Guzzi community.

[Cam3512]

He’s the best. I bought my V85 from him in July of 2019.  I decided to let him service the bike as long as I own it.  It’s a crappy 160 mile ride each way on the slab, but well worth the trip.  We NEED to support him and his guys whenever possible.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

He’s the best. I bought my V85 from him in July of 2019.  I decided to let him service the bike as long as I own it.  It’s a crappy 160 mile ride each way on the slab, but well worth the trip.  We NEED to support him and his guys whenever possible.

Absolutely!👍👍👍

[Tkelly]

The Middleton WI dealer sent the mechanic to the Guzzi school in LA,I wonder how many of the new dealers do that.

[Tom]

Chinese reataurant and barber in the same building.     Good shop to take your bike to.

[kingoffleece]

Several of us have been saying it for well over a decade.  Jim and the crew are as good as it gets.