Introductions thread...Introduce yourself to the group !

[jbell]

Howdy from central Texas.  Old guy that rode Guzzi's back in the '70's.  Riding a '92 BMW K75RT & a '75 Ducati 860GT now.  Just retired and thought another Guzzi would make a fine project now that my Ducati is up and running again.  I'm a bit of a ludite and two cylinders or less with points and plugs and carbs and no computer is just right for me, but I'm open for anything that snags my eye.  Been lurking a bit and this looks like a very nice forum.  Something I've wondered about for decades and maybe you can answer for me, are the single cylinder Guzzi's with external flywheels more properly referred to as bologna or salami slicers?..........Jack.

[Rnqubain]

Hi,

My names is Ramsey Q. I am from amman Jordan and have been researching the Guzzi brand since last year trying to decide on the best bike. After much research and hesitation, Guzzi finally came up with he ultimate model: the all new California 1400 Custom! Which I bought last week.

Age 36
Male
Amman, Jordan

The California is my first bike ever

[barenekd]

I'm Bare.
I've been riding for over 50 years and have owned about 50 motorcycles in that time, most of them new. I raced dirt for twenty-five years, so a good percentage of my bikes were dirt bikes. After the dirt bike days, I started out doing sport bikes and enjoying the all the mountains around the LA basin. I used to go to riding schools and track days on the supersport stuff, Honda CBR900Rs and Yamaha ThunderAces, etc, and acquired a license from Willow Springs. Never did get around to using it, though. But my overwhelming interest is in Cafe Racers, old school or new. I recently crashed my Royal Enfield that was converted into a Cafe Racer, and  have been waiting for the new factory one, but I got tired of waiting and have just purchased a V7 Racer. I pick it up probably Tuesday. I still have a Honda GB500 that I need to spend a few hours on putting it back together for the street.
Speed is not my thing much any more, I've found that it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast then a fast bike slow! Cheaper, too!
I worked in a Triumph, BSA, Norton shop for about 5 years in the 70s and still do most of my own maintenance, and I've worked for many years as an A&P/IA mechanic on GA aircraft. I'm a commercial Pilot, etc.

[1911MotoChick]

Hello!!

My name is Eileen, new rider and new Guzzi owner.  Got a used (basically brand new tho) 2010 V7 Classic.  I love it! 

I've been riding dirt since 2004 and got my M1 in 2011, finally got my bike. 

I am self employed and live in California. 

My baby is all black with the semi hard black saddlebags that are mounted.  Want to try to remove them so I can wash the bike! I'm pretty ocd when it comes to cleaning my bikes....

Anyways, love being around like minded motorcycle/Guzzi lovers!! 

Eileen

[barenekd]

Bologna, since that's more or less where they come from!
Bare

[tomz]

Tom Zaccaria

age 49

Dallas,Oregon. Born and raised in southern Italy

Transportation

Interests: motorcycles,cycling,cooking

 08 Ducati Monster 695
 08 Guzzi Norge

[nice a guzzi]

Jim Hixon

Age 55

North Canton, OH

Retired Owner/Operator Trucker, Tinkerer, Farmer

My father rode a Cleveland, Harleys, Hendersons & Indians during the 1930s & 1940s.  He took me riding on his 1966 Honda 300 CB77 when I was a kid & I've been riding ever since.  Dad would ask to ride every motorcycle I owned until he reached his late 80s when he didn't feel steady enough to ride anymore.   I've owned over 50 bikes over the years but never rode or owned a Guzzi until 2012.  I like their performance, sound & handling.  My Sport isn't very comfortable but it's a blast to ride.  The Bassa is more comfortable but has some bugs that I'm hoping to work out this year. 
   
00 V11 Sport
00 Bassa
05 Harley Sportster Custom

[Hoser]

Hello all.

Dave
Age 59
Nevada
Semi retired

Wandering into the Italian bike thing - head first with a 93 Daytona. Now back to searching the forum...

[tiger_one]

67, riding since I was 14.  Cushman Hilander.

Married
Retired ATC
Viet Nam Vet Army

Golf, Motorcycles, Traditional bow hunting

Took the Super Tenere to Alaska June last year, 21 days, 11 camping, 10,000+ miles, about $2100 in gas and food/camping/rooms.
MX in the 70s on TM suzuki TM250 and TM400.

Some of my past bikes.
99 FXDX HD 95ci T37 cams, short block Charlie modied/ported heads.
07 K1200GT
07 Tiger 1050
08 Versys
10 Multistrada 1200 base
12 Super Tenere
12 Triumph Street Triple R
13 HyperStrada

[ozarksguzzi]

I finally had my arm twisted enough to join.
Tim Pierce
Age 65
Living in the Ozarks
My garage includes stuff I rode as a kid [Japanese], plus 3 Guzzi's.
I bought my first Guzzi [V7 Special] in 1976 and continue to enjoy it.
140,000 miles on the 3 Guzzi's as of May 2013.
I bought this 76 LeMans wrecked in 1985 and spent 2 winters putting it together. I tend to hang on to stuff a while. Hoarding? Maybe.

[993twin]

Hi All,

Bill Keros, Age 45, entrepreneur (and former Ducati dealer principal!). Usually ride and race Ducati's, but picked up the 1100 Sport I always wanted (and almost bought new).

Here's a non-typical Guzzi story if there ever was one (that's saying alot in this crowd, I imagine):

About 15 years ago, Yamaha introduced the R1. I remember thinking that if they ever produced a 1000 in the same sort of electric blue that they made the then current YZF600, then I would prolly buy it. Lo and behold, a dealer friend of mine told me that Yamaha was introducing a brand new 1000 to replace the powerful but bloated YZF1000, and it would be blue! Sweet! I told him to put my name on one.

A couple of months later, right before the R1 was to be delivered, I happened to take my '72 Bonne in to the local Triumph shop for some work...and there it was on the podium in the window...a Daytona...red with white frame and white wheels (which I'm a sucker for). Not even remotely thinking about a Moto Guzzi (ha! are you kidding me? who would want one of those clumsy agricultural things?!?), I asked the salesman "WTF is THAT?" Oh..that's a Daytona. Come over here, check this bike out." Not there to buy a bike, and not wanting to waste his or my time, I agreed and walked over to a sparkling new 1100i sport, complete with aftermarket exhaust already installed. " Take a seat" I was advised.

That's when I made the mistake that haunted me until two years ago. What mistake was that, you might ask? Well, after having turned the key, I innocently hit the little button next to the throttle. "VRARRRRRRRKAAABOOOO OMMM!!" the thing roared, exploding beneath me! "Holy Shite!" came out of my mouth at about the same volume. I knew I had a problem, as I was all set to take delivery of that R1 in a bit, and here was, in most unlikely fashion, a complicating factor. Even working in a Ducati shop some 7-8 years earlier, I hadn't heard such a Basso Profundo, angry 60's dragster bellow like that come out of something on two wheels. Although I knew that compared to the R1, this thing would be a heavy toad, I still couldn't get over the sound! And yes, besides the dorky square headlight, it did look pretty cool. The bike was low but long; the bodywork kinda like a fiberglass Rollie Free stretched out over the chassis.

What to do?!  I suddenly had before me a dilemma of a most unusual sort. I mean, really...who seriously would narrow their new bike purchase down to an R1 vs a MotoGuzzi?!? Although a typical conundrum for myself, I laughed out loud at the prospect.   

In the end, as I was starting road racing, I figured that I better take the R1, so I did, leaving the Guzzi to dazzle the next buyer. However, the very second of that 1100 Sport's moment of ignition, and the corresponding explosive bellow that resulted, had left an indelible imprint on my mind.

So I rode the hell out of that R1 for a couple of years, but always had that kinda wonky Guzzi in the back of my mind. Of course I had to amuse my racing buddies with the absurdity of that dilemma, but nonetheless I still defended why I thought it was cool.

And then Ebay porn entered my life.

There I was, besides looking for engraved Ludwig Black Beauty snare drums, or whatever, I would often find myself looking for "1997 Moto Guzzi 1100i Sport" in the listings. occasionally one would surface. Some of them were beat, some pristine, some in Seattle. It didn't really matter, because I wasn't looking to buy one. Then, still having that R1 (miraculously still in pristine condition), I decided that I needed something actually comfortable to ride. I checked out the usual Ducati's, all which were cool, but not especially uncommon. So I went back to eBay again (this time at 2 am on a Friday night, after coming home from the bar! haha). There it was! An exc. condition '97 Sport, average miles, full Staintune exhaust, recent scheduled maintenance...in Red! The auction was ending in 12 hours, and it was still at the right price. Then the "moment of truth" epiphany struck me like a bolt of lightening: it's time to "shite or 'git off the pot!" I called a buddy of mine who advised me to "either buy the thing, or stop looking, because this is the one."  So I sent an email to the seller in Atlanta and asked a number of questions. I spoke with him by phone that am with more questions.

Three days later I was in Atlanta with a pickup truck and an envelope of cash....

...and THAT is my Guzzi story!

(Postscript - since that day, I ride the Booming Guzzi five miles for every one mile I suffer on the R1!)

[Muzz]

 ;-T. it is an addiction, as you know by the sounds of it. ;D

[paulosa]

Hi,

My name is Paul, just turned 40 and I just started a new career at Australia Post. I live in Melbourne, Australia. I owned a Motor Guzzi Lemans Mk4 around 10 years ago. I had that for four years and a Triumph Daytona lured me away. I purchased another Mk4 before Xmas and loving being back on a Guzzi.

[Guzzistajohn]

Hope your arm's OK Tim, welcome aboard! There are some guys on this forum who really know thier shit, I just don't happen to be one of them!

I finally had my arm twisted enough to join.
Tim Pierce
Age 65
Living in the Ozarks
My garage includes stuff I rode as a kid [Japanese], plus 3 Guzzi's.
I bought my first Guzzi [V7 Special] in 1976 and continue to enjoy it.
140,000 miles on the 3 Guzzi's as of May 2013.
I bought this 76 LeMans wrecked in 1985 and spent 2 winters putting it together. I tend to hang on to stuff a while. Hoarding? Maybe.

[Kgriff]

Keith, big fat guy. Seattle WA. Exhibit Fabricator and Designer. First real bike and it's a new Stelvio. Went from Burgman to Mana to the Stelvio. Don't like shifting - but i'm coming around. I know that is sacralidge to a lot of riders. But hey, I'm in it to only have a good time and not really conform to what others feel it should be for me.

Hello everyone. Rubber side down!

[cpcsystems]

Corrie Coetzee
Age 44
Electrician
Stelvio NTX

[nbsdave]

Hello all, Dave here from Sarasota, FL
don't own one yet but have lusted after one for a long time.
Found a 75 (?) Eldorado that a Triumph independent shop owner has (he owns two), will see it next week. Also found a 98 V11 with under 8000 miles-this one makes my palms sweaty.
Will be asking questions about both as soon as I figure out where. Just googles V 11 and they don't look like what I'm looking at, but it does say V 11 on the side cover? now confused
I have owned 2 Harleys, 2 Valkyries, A Triumph America, a BMW R1200C, and now have a DL650, wee strom.
Am semi-retired and 14 weeks out of a triple by-pass. Soon to be back working and, I hope, playing with a new toy.
Looking forward to being here and learning.

[Stormtruck2]

When you google V-11 it shows a sport bike right, and the V11 your looking at is a cruiser type, correct.  What you are looking at is probably a V11EV.  Great bike.  The sporty V11's are V11 SPORTS. Both great bikes, different tools for different jobs. Welcome to the nut hut of WG! ;-T  When you pick your new baby up... :PICS!: :PICS!: :PICS!:

[nbsdave]

pics will come for sure when I get one.
Where is the best place here to ask about value, maintenance issues, (fuel inj. on the V 11 is a bit clogged) and get info on what to look  for before I commit?
will have to make a decision on it by late next week
don't want to take up this thread with that stuff

[Stormtruck2]

1) Post your question here as a new thread. ;-T Search they say is your friend, but I rarely have luck with it here.  :'(
2) Go to V11Lemans.com and register/search/lurk over there if you have a V11 Sport bike ;-T

[poli]

I'm Randy.  60 years old and live in Woodville, Tx.  Worked in an oil refinery for the last 33 years and looking forward to retirement soon.  Have been riding for 42 years.  First Guzzi was a '75 850T.  Had a sidecar on it part time.  Next was a '98 EV1100 (still own with 75,000+ miles on it and still running strong).  Next was an '02 Lemans.  And just got a '13 Stelvio Ntx last week.  Have also owned Suzuki's, Honda's, Yamaha's, Kawasaki's, Bultaco's, CanAm's and a Penton.

Current inventory:
'13 Stelvio
'98 EV1100
'07 Ural Patrol
'11 Suzuki DR650
'01 BMW F650 Dakar
'85 Yamaha TY350 (trials)
'77 CanAm MX175
'05 Yamaha TT125
Honda XR50 and Polini 50 for grandkids use

[LinzWolf]

Lindsey, 23, Editor, Indiana near Chicago  :)

[Stormtruck2]

Welcom poli and linzwolf. ;-T  Linz, could ya maybe flesh out your post a little more?  What ya riding, etc etc? Welcome ya'll to the best forum in the interworld. ;-T

[LinzWolf]

Welcom poli and linzwolf. ;-T  Linz, could ya maybe flesh out your post a little more?  What ya riding, etc etc? Welcome ya'll to the best forum in the interworld. ;-T

Sure :) I'm Unkept's wife. I just passed the Basic Rider's Course this week, and will have my endorsement officially on Tuesday, so I'm a total newbie when it comes to riding bikes (not as a passenger). Unkept and I are trying to get a Breva 750 for me to ride at the moment. ;D I met a few members at the Illinois Rally last weekend, which was fun. :)  I definitely have the riding bug, and can't wait to hop on a bike again!

[Lannis]

Sure :) I'm Unkept's wife.

He told us you weren't keeping him.....  ???

[LinzWolf]

Sorry Lannis, he is definitely "kept" now, even if he won't change his name.  ;)

[Lannis]

Sure :) I'm Unkept's wife. I just passed the Basic Rider's Course this week, and will have my endorsement officially on Tuesday, so I'm a total newbie when it comes to riding bikes (not as a passenger). Unkept and I are trying to get a Breva 750 for me to ride at the moment. ;D I met a few members at the Illinois Rally last weekend, which was fun. :)  I definitely have the riding bug, and can't wait to hop on a bike again!

A Breva 750 is a great bike.   Or a newer V7 - I followed one up hill and down dale for hours yesterday and it's perfectly at home on any road ...

One good thing about not being a 250 pound plus guy (and I know I'm stepping into a potential minefield with that statement but I'm an eternal optimist) is that the range of bikes that you can buy and get a LOT of performance out of is much larger that what us "big active guys" have access to ....

Lannis

[Stormtruck2]

Sorry Lannis, he is definitely "kept" on a short leash now, even if he won't change his name.  ;)

There, fixed it for you.  ;) :D

[LinzWolf]

A Breva 750 is a great bike.   Or a newer V7 - I followed one up hill and down dale for hours yesterday and it's perfectly at home on any road ...

One good thing about not being a 250 pound plus guy (and I know I'm stepping into a potential minefield with that statement but I'm an eternal optimist) is that the range of bikes that you can buy and get a LOT of performance out of is much larger that what us "big active guys" have access to ....

Lannis

Yeah I think the 750 has more than enough power for me, Lannis. It's also one of the few bikes out there that I can actually lower to fit my height ;)

LOL Stormtruck, he's not on any leash. He's just not available for anyone else to keep   ;-T

[Lannis]

LOL Stormtruck, he's not on any leash. He's just not available for anyone else to keep   ;-T

And that's the way it should be.   But don't forget the awesome and critical responsibility that puts on YOU .....  :o  :o   :D

Lannis