Author Topic: Centaro in CT (Read 5890 times)

chuck peterson · « **on:** March 04, 2016, 07:15:45 AM »

https://newhaven.craigslist.org/mcy/5473746998.html

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2016, 07:36:28 AM »

that poor thing..

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2016, 10:31:55 AM »

I hope some one here can pick up that poor beast cheap, and save it. That would make one heck of a ride. I would hate to see another classic chopped up into a poorly made cafe racer.
Rick.

arveno · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2016, 12:32:33 PM »

What was wrong with the centauro model ?

Just the oil pump ? anything else ?

beside the unavailability of some parts.( heads etc. )

twhitaker · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2016, 01:02:18 PM »

Around the time the Centauro was released they also brought out the Sport 1100 which had about the same performance for a couple grand less.

dsrdave · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2016, 01:06:03 PM »

Glad I got one last fall, I'm a sucker for cool wayward Guzzi's.

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2016, 06:48:00 PM »

Only 3200 miles, the beast never had a chance to live

Daleroso · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2016, 06:58:48 PM »

Thoroughly enjoy my yellow '97!!

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2016, 07:18:51 PM »

Quote from: arveno on March 04, 2016, 12:32:33 PM

What was wrong with the centauro model ?

Just the oil pump ? anything else ?

beside the unavailability of some parts.( heads etc. )

Nothing that a dedicated Guzzi guy (or girl) couldn't live with.

I've said before that the only reason they assembled them was to make sure you got all the parts.

Assembly was haphazard. Fueling was terrible. The one I test rode would only run at WFO. (!) I wasn't sure I'd make it back to the dealer. Sure was fun, though.

Apparently, Guzzi homologated them with the wrong chip.

That was soon enough resolved by Wayne, on the east coast, Will, on the west coast, and Thorston, in Germany. That was the biggest bugaboo, which Guzzi may or may not have had anything to do with.

Suspension was top notch. WP.. NLA. Lots of nice parts. Carillo rods. I understand that Guzzi lost money on every one they built..
Obviously, the styling was controversial. Especially in the late 90s. You either loved it or hated it, but it was way ahead of it's time. Even 10 years later, I would have people come up and ask if it was new. I had a misguided attack of Norge fever, or I would still have mine. <shrug>

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2016, 08:16:52 PM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on March 04, 2016, 07:18:51 PM

I had a misguided attack of Norge fever, or I would still have mine. <shrug>

Glad that wasn't contagious

JJ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2016, 05:56:36 AM »

Agree with everything Chuck in Indiana said.

I have no regrets about recently buying my latest (5th) Guzzi - - a 1998 Centauro GT.

It goes like stink, handles and brakes superbly, and draws attention everywhere I ride it.

I am going to fix all the issues with the oil pump, timing gear, etc. Also, will install the Will Creedon chip, new belts, etc.

It is MUCH faster than my ol' '83 850 Le Mans-III and the ergos are better (IMHO).

Yes, they were >$13,000 in 1998 and never sold well.

They made a little more than 1900 Centauro's total during their production run, and only about 245 Centauro GT's, so they are relatively rare as well. One way cool Guzzi overall!

JJ Cerilli

Tom · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2016, 02:02:23 PM »

NorCal Randy described them as "pregnant shrimp".

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2016, 03:20:25 PM »

CL poster seems to be laying it out there straight. That dog needs rescue. if the new owner has patience, could be a very sweet deal (maybe at $2k).

Tom · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2016, 03:55:00 PM »

Quote from: twhitaker on March 04, 2016, 01:02:18 PM

Around the time the Centauro was released they also brought out the Sport 1100 which had about the same performance for a couple grand less.

The factory wanted use up their Daytona 1000 engine parts.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2016, 04:35:08 PM »

Quote from: Tom on March 05, 2016, 03:55:00 PM

The factory wanted use up their Daytona 1000 engine parts.

Yeah, it was a poor man's Daytona. As such it was a race engine, and not really designed to go 150000 miles like a "normal" Guzzi. The oil pump is unbushed, and runs on the case. Depending on tolerances, when it starts to wobble, it will take out the timing gears. Some last a long time, some.. not so long. I have seen problems in less than 20000 miles. Sean Fader will bush the oil pump. Some, including Terry on this list have gone to a conventional chain system. Just the same, it's a bitchin engine..

Lcarlson · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2016, 09:47:05 PM »

I've always liked the Centauro, and I'm in the same town where this is for sale, but this looks like junk. At the ask price, I can't even see looking at it.

Muzz · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2016, 11:05:49 PM »

Quote from: Tom on March 05, 2016, 02:02:23 PM

NorCal Randy described them as "pregnant shrimp".

I missed that one Tom.

He sure could be cantankerous when his meds went out but I learned a lot from him, often by p.m. because he did not want others to know that he had offered advice and help.

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #17 on:** March 06, 2016, 05:48:03 AM »

Quote from: Lcarlson on March 05, 2016, 09:47:05 PM

I've always liked the Centauro, and I'm in the same town where this is for sale, but this looks like junk. At the ask price, I can't even see looking at it.

If you really don't want it, don't see it. There's a risk that it's not junk, that the CL poster is overstating the problems, and that its remaining problems will follow you home.

Tom · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2016, 05:58:11 PM »

Riding one is a hell lot of fun.

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Author Topic: Centaro in CT (Read 5890 times)

Lcarlson