89 Mille in Colorado

[Testarossa]

Anyone know this bike?

http://boulder.craigslist.org/mcy/5489387100.html

[M0T0Geezer]

Beautiful bike in seemingly great condition.  I have never seen it on the road (but wish I had) and do not know the owner.



It needs a caring home (yours). 

- Dan

[Dharma Bum]

Nice!

[Guzzistajohn]

Does that belong to that dude that calls himself picklecookin?

[Dharma Bum]

I don't think that is one of Mike's.

[Red Dog]

http://postimg.org/image/gtvryr4qr/


I think I got the picture in this time.  Don't know the one in CO but this is my daily rider.

[Tom]

Wonder if $3500 is his "motto"???  Might be negotiable.

[bigtex]

Just 2 minutes across the river from me, if anyone needs a local to lay eyes on it.  Not me, I have a Stornello in my future.

[kmartin]

So, anyone snap this up?  He gave me a facetime walk around, looked good but the wife threw a fit at the thought of another bike.  I think it was listed in the Denver area last summer for under $3000.  I've never seen one in person, but have had a hankering for one for awhile now.

[Testarossa]

He decided not to sell it after all. Maybe in the fall.

[Testarossa]

The Mille is back on Craigslist. I saw it yesterday. Pretty nice in general. Idles very smoothly. Compression 135psi on both sides and the plugs are sooty black. I couldn't ride it because after the compression test the battery went flat. Will ride it today.

The owner posted on WG in February asking for help because the plugs weren't sparking.
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=81835.0
Anyone remember how this was resolved? This bike was built with points and I'll find out today if it has a Dyna.

42,000 miles. Owner says he's had it for a year and the previous owner replaced the timing chain, but he doesn't know what else has been done.  At the least, I'd need a new battery and change the jetting.

He's asking $3500. NADA says $2000 for for "very good," $3000 for "excellent."  What say you?

[bmc5733946]

My now standard Mille reply:

The Mille's Achilles heels are it's horrible seat and overly stiff throttle, Rich Maund can build a much better seat and has done so for me, the throttle can be overcome with a throttle lock (Vanda cruise on mine) and or lighter throttle springs (check Guzziology).  My Mille will cruise all day at more than the posted speed on any road in the U.S.A.  Things that may need attention include timing chain tensioner, mufflers that tended to rust through prematurely (late model Cali mufflers are a direct replacement), suspension system, brakes need braided hoses to give their best.  I love mine and will not sell it.

Value, personally I believe realistic pricing is difficult, I think they're worth more than blue book values.  I also believe selling one is not easy they're kind of an odd duck, not typical Guzzi fare and they are fairly rare.  It's been said that no more than 200 came to the US.  I have no idea if that is a good number but it seems possible.  I have long thought that if I was forced to sell mine I would ask $4000.00 and take no less than $3500.00.  Good luck with the negotiation Seth!

Brian

[redrider90]

Good Mille's have been rising in price for the last 3 years. My overly stuffed seat is fine on a 36" inseam. All other issues are minor. At 55K the original rear Koni's still work well. The front end needs progressive springs and bitubo or equivalent. Braided brake lines and an F09 right caliper (or equiv master cylinder) makes it a 2-3 finger stopper. I love mine. It's red and I have noticed the tank paint is ever so slightly pitting or bubbling. I commuted for many years and it sat in hot summer sun at work which is where I expect the paint took its beating. I have seen cherry Milles (red) go for upwards of $5K. Even the dark ones are getting good money. A good one at $3K is a steal. 

[Testarossa]

Thanks, Brian. Thanks, Red.  Heading over soon to ride it.

[bmc5733946]

When you look at it try to look at it in the sun, it's not really black, Guzzi calls it Lotus Black, I call it green, but it's really just the flake in the paint.  What a beautiful color and very hard to match according to the local paint master.

Brian

[redrider90]

Thanks, Brian. Thanks, Red.  Heading over soon to ride it.

Check those turn signal mounting stems as they dry rot easily. Those look like stock turn signals. There were 2 kinds, round and rectangular: plastic chrome. If the front end dives easily it probably has stock springs which suck. I can see rubber on the brake lines.

[bmc5733946]

I don't know if the round and rectangular signals use the same stalks but MG Cycle had the ones for mine with rectangular lenses at reasonable cost.  They are repops.

Brian

[redrider90]

I don't know if the round and rectangular signals use the same stalks but MG Cycle had the ones for mine with rectangular lenses at reasonable cost.  They are repops.

Brian

The stalks are identical round or rectangular.

[dxhall]

Let us know what you think after the ride.  I don't need any more Guzzis, but I'd weaken if the deal were right.  Dennis

[Testarossa]

Didn't ride it yesterday -- the seller called time out to replace the battery. Will go over today. Meanwhile, there's this:

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=83722.0;topicseen

Half the miles, better equipped, asking $3850 but implies he'll go down to $3000.

When did the Mille change to 40mm forks?

[Testarossa]

Rode it, bought it at a better price.

[Triple Jim]

Rode it, bought it at a better price.

Good for you!  My Mille has given me nothing but happiness, and I hope yours does the same.

[Dharma Bum]

Congratulations!  Is this to be a replacement for the long lived T?

[Testarossa]

Now I'm in the market for a luggage rack to fit the Mille. Leads?

[bmc5733946]

I have a full Hepco Becker set up on mine.  They are expensive but I don't believe you can do better.  The racks are still cataloged.  I don't know about availability.  Congratulations on the purchase!!

Brian

[redrider90]

Didn't ride it yesterday -- the seller called time out to replace the battery. Will go over today. Meanwhile, there's this:

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=83722.0;topicseen

Half the miles, better equipped, asking $3850 but implies he'll go down to $3000.

When did the Mille change to 40mm forks?

Mille's never had 40 mm forks. The Strada which was a Mille upgrade had 40 mm forks. Also 91 Mille's were never sold in the US. On in Europe could you get a 91.

[Triple Jim]

Don't despair, my '89 Mille with 35mm fork tubes and a Tarozzi fork brace does quite well when running over rough roads while leaned over.

[Testarossa]

Very happy. We went for a two-up blast down US 36 along the foothills between Boulder and Lyons. This is the Tonti-frame handling I missed so badly since the T has been laid up, and the brakes are a huge improvement. Saddle is very comfy (aftermarket, I think). Tires are nine years old but I can transfer the three-year old Shinkos from the T. I have leaner jets ready to pop in and Guzziology recommends changing the needles and mixture screws.

[Triple Jim]

Why leaner jets?  As far as I know, mine has stock jetting and averages around 50 mpg. 

[charlie b]

Was that one of the year's with the 'lean burn' carb setups?  Either way, being up in CO you might need to change jets if they were factory.