Author Topic: Centauros  (Read 16408 times)

Offline Daleroso

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Centauros
« on: December 21, 2015, 03:50:58 PM »
My yellow '97 is finished (I think. Is any bike ever?). I wonder how many are left on the road. I always liked them since new but didn't acquire one til last Feb & been going through it with help fm Harper's, Matt Forslund & other bits gleaned here & elswhere. I love it's looks & FEEL! I just don't see any anywhere & there's hardly any mention of them here. I know they were produced in low #'s, it's styling had Guzzisti detractors, & has a bad rep but some owners have had them for awhile with no more idiosynchrosies than other M/G models albeit some significant & some NLA parts which also applies to other M/G models. Really curious! :lipsrsealed:

oldbike54

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2015, 04:04:00 PM »
 I really like Stormtruck's Centauro , fettled by Chuck In Indiana . Runs good , sounds good , looks good , even with 'Truck on board  :evil:

  Dusty

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2015, 04:07:46 PM »
Had a yellow one also for a while two years ago. While I liked many things about it (power, handling, brakes), I wasn't comfortable on it and it needed a fair amount of $$ poured into it for belts, tires, timing gears, oil pump, etc. Sold it at a profit. Now owned by a gent named Sam Jackson.



Just after I sold it I rode a customer's nicely sorted '86 Le Mans 1000. That was much more to my liking - I was relatively comfortable and it's performance was at least 90% of the Centauro's. So, I bought one of my own to resurrect and modify to suit me. No worries about timing belts and unobtanium engine bits.
Charlie

Online blackcat

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2015, 04:33:36 PM »
In your parts travels, if you come across a right Staintune muffler that you don't need, please let me know. Thanks.
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Offline twhitaker

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #4 on: December 21, 2015, 04:46:42 PM »
Aren't many of them out there and they are certainly eye catchers.
Check out the COG forum. centauro-owners.com









« Last Edit: December 21, 2015, 05:01:24 PM by twhitaker »
'96 California 1100i 160,000 mi
'97 Centauro yellow 25,000 mi
'02 Champagne V11 LeMans 58,000 mi
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Offline mphcycles

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #5 on: December 21, 2015, 05:12:30 PM »
MPH has a Staintune that was beat up in a crash,  and a new old stock V10 sport windsheild, the all lexan version. NIB
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Offline rboe

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2015, 07:21:35 PM »
What windscreen is that? Looks pretty good.
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Mile High Guzzi

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2015, 07:52:26 PM »
I never thought they got it right with the looks of the Centauro....a bit hump-backed and odd in profile....like the early Buells.  But somehow I find it is strangely attractive nonetheless .....reminds me of some old girlfriends now that I think about it.

Offline Nic in Western NYS

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2015, 08:45:35 PM »
For some reason I only like the Centauro in solid grey.  The lines of the painted panels don't really work for me.  In grey it's one of the best looking Guzzis to me, in the other colors it looks a bit too ...brash?
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Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2015, 08:56:38 PM »
For some reason I only like the Centauro in solid grey.  The lines of the painted panels don't really work for me.  In grey it's one of the best looking Guzzis to me, in the other colors it looks a bit too ...brash?

You are obviously a man of discerning taste.  :smiley:
Actually, it showed some balls by Guzzi. You either loved it or hated it. Most manufacturers try to offend as few as possible.  :wink:
I'll have to say, though, that the maroon and silver one floats my boat, too..
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline twhitaker

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2015, 06:07:29 AM »
What windscreen is that? Looks pretty good.

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'96 California 1100i 160,000 mi
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'02 Champagne V11 LeMans 58,000 mi
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Online Joliet Jim

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #11 on: December 22, 2015, 09:43:45 AM »
yellow ones are the fastest and look the best when they belong to you.
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Offline Ighani

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #12 on: December 22, 2015, 01:45:16 PM »
yellow ones are the fastest and look the best when they belong to you.

While it's true yellow bikes are faster in a straight line, science has proven red bikes corner better.





Offline Daleroso

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #13 on: December 22, 2015, 01:52:30 PM »
1st time I've said this about a bike pic. Nice pair!!!

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #14 on: December 22, 2015, 03:54:19 PM »
The anthracite Centauros are much faster. The Po po don't even notice em.. :evil:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
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Offline Dean Rose

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #15 on: December 22, 2015, 04:30:39 PM »
While it's true yellow bikes are faster in a straight line, science has proven red bikes corner better.





That was always was the one that caught my eye, looks great in RED.


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Offline stmike

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #16 on: December 22, 2015, 04:43:07 PM »
While it's true yellow bikes are faster in a straight line, science has proven red bikes corner better.




The red Sport is always the one I wanted to have.  Not too many for sale these days.

Offline Ighani

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #17 on: December 23, 2015, 12:26:34 PM »
I think the green sport is the rarest color. Doubt I'll ever see one of those.

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #18 on: December 23, 2015, 04:07:31 PM »
I think the green sport is the rarest color. Doubt I'll ever see one of those.

Just look at the red one, and pretend it's British Racing Green.. :smiley:<running and ducking>
The local dealer had a red, green, and anthracite one come in the same shipment. Had a hard time moving them.. :rolleyes: too far ahead of their time? Of course, it would have helped if they would have actually ran.
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
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 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
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Offline twhitaker

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #19 on: December 23, 2015, 08:17:29 PM »
Here is a stunning modification.

'96 California 1100i 160,000 mi
'97 Centauro yellow 25,000 mi
'02 Champagne V11 LeMans 58,000 mi
MGNOC-11168
Dayton, OH

Offline Karl Von

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2015, 09:10:36 PM »
We are lucky enough to have 4 Centauros here in town,,

Lcarlson

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #21 on: December 30, 2015, 09:29:44 PM »
I'm new to Guzzi, but I remember when the Centauro first came out, and I was impressed.

Offline Rox

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #22 on: December 31, 2015, 12:35:58 AM »
I like  the Centauro. Not too keen about it with a Lemans fairing but they were a pretty cool bike.
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Boulder Ed

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #23 on: December 31, 2015, 06:40:04 AM »
Many years ago I helped service a Centuaro, and rode it, being the first Guzzi I was ever on.  It was a sledgehammer and obscenely physical, and I hated it.  My daily rides back then were highly refined inline 4s.   Now around 17 years and 30 bikes later I own my first Guzzi, a Stelvio.  The Stelvio still reminds me of the Centuaro occasionally with a hint of the vibes I remembered, but geez what a character filled, fun bike to ride!   Totally addictive.  Now I want to re-ride a Centauro to see if my initial recollection is changed.   I bet I'd really like it now :-)

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #24 on: December 31, 2015, 10:39:36 AM »
Many years ago I helped service a Centuaro, and rode it, being the first Guzzi I was ever on.  It was a sledgehammer and obscenely physical, and I hated it.  My daily rides back then were highly refined inline 4s.   Now around 17 years and 30 bikes later I own my first Guzzi, a Stelvio.  The Stelvio still reminds me of the Centuaro occasionally with a hint of the vibes I remembered, but geez what a character filled, fun bike to ride!   Totally addictive.  Now I want to re-ride a Centauro to see if my initial recollection is changed.   I bet I'd really like it now :-)

I'll bet you would, too. Don't need no steenkin highly refined motor sickles.  :cool: :boozing:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
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25 Triumph Speed 900
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein

Offline Rox

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #25 on: January 01, 2016, 02:48:15 AM »
I'll bet you would, too. Don't need no steenkin highly refined motor sickles.  :cool: :boozing:

Refined is for the weak hearted..😆 :bike-037:
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Offline drums4money

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #26 on: January 02, 2016, 03:04:22 PM »
Stopped by the dealership today in Coopersburg, PA to ogle the MV Reparto Corse- insanely beautiful in the flesh.

Saw this- also pretty fancy in the flesh.  Only a tick over 3,000 miles.  Traded in and immediately sold - within 45 minutes or so! 
Anyone here on the forum??  Congrats- nice bike to whomever.


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Offline Debonair

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #27 on: December 09, 2020, 05:28:11 PM »
This one is now in the West Coast


Offline Debonair

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #28 on: December 09, 2020, 05:34:43 PM »




Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Centauros
« Reply #29 on: December 09, 2020, 05:59:03 PM »
Welcome to WG. Nice color combination..my favorite.. and the Lemans fairing works well.  :thumb:
Well.. I *do* like the BRG sporty one, too.  :smiley:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
87 AeroLario
95 Skorpion tour
25 Triumph Speed 900
 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
Albert Einstein


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