Centauro sport on Austin CL

[bigbikerrick]

Hello folks, an old friend of mine is looking to get back into Guzzis, after riding BMWs, and HD s for the last 15-20 years.He wants something "interesting", and He is considering this red Centauro. Does it by any chance belong to anyone here? What are the groups opinions on this bike, price, etc. any suggestions? He asked me what I thought of it. I know very little about that  4 valve motor,and what its like to own one.That is deffinitely an interesting machine!
Thanks in advance,
Rick.

http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/5576247000.html

[Chuck in Indiana]

Is he a gearhead? The big C is the most maintenance intensive bike I've ever kept.. but it was fun maintenance, and my most reliable Guzzi. (!) It appears to be well sorted and kept. The price is right.
If he's *not* a gearhead? Pass.  There is way too much owner involvement, and it would be very unlikely to have a dealer with the tools and know how to maintain it. <shrug> It'll be a *nice* bike for someone, though.

[bigbikerrick]

My buddy is a gearhead to a certain extent, as in he changes his own oil, and likes to tinker a bit. I am not sure he would be up to doing everything needed on the big 'C". other than belt replacement/valve adjustments what is different from any other big block?
I also thought the bike is priced well. I hope that if my friend does not buy it, that bike doesnt end up chopped up to make one of those weird street scramblers or whatever they are with the fat,knarly tires!
Rick.

[Hahnda]

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82956.0

[Tom]

If he's a gearhead then the bike in Austin should be a go.  Let him know that he should be up for belt changes.  Everything else should be easy or easier.  Famous last words.  "If I can work on it.  You can too."  Obviously, research is needed.

[Chuck in Indiana]

My buddy is a gearhead to a certain extent, as in he changes his own oil, and likes to tinker a bit. I am not sure he would be up to doing everything needed on the big 'C". other than belt replacement/valve adjustments what is different from any other big block?
I also thought the bike is priced well. I hope that if my friend does not buy it, that bike doesnt end up chopped up to make one of those weird street scramblers or whatever they are with the fat,knarly tires!
Rick.

Aluminum timing gears. Oil pump that is unbushed, and just runs in the casting. At that low mileage, the cam timing may or may not be right. It's not unusual to see them off as delivered. To do all this stuff requires some special tools and the ability to read the manual. RTFM..
Same deal with the *great* WP forks. You have to take them apart to service them properly. Most guys just don't do this kind of stuff. <shrug>

[Joliet Jim]

Not that I would normally disagree with chuck, but my C has been relatively trouble free compared to my old Cali. That said it does need a belt change and I'm going to roll the dice on the oil pump gear. Oil changes, valve adjustments and beefing up the wiring a bit were all simple fixes.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Jim, you're not disagreeing at all. I said..

The big C is the most maintenance intensive bike I've ever kept.. but it was fun maintenance, and my most reliable Guzzi. (!)

emphasis mine. I chose not to roll the dice, and took it apart every belt change, (which I did religiously) checked the timing gears, oil pump, etc. Mine was always fine, but I have worked on others that weren't.. there is a little bit of luck of the draw (and tolerance stack up) involved.

[gnorts]

I guess that's the first C *Sport* I've seen - all the others were 2-tone paint jobs.  With the chin fairing and the pod over the pillion seat, it looks like a "Guzzi-busa."

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah, they came in that red, and a British Racing Green ? version.

[Rob in Austin]

Thats my Centauro in the classifieds.
Ive put over 100K miles on 3 Centauros and think this one is excellent.
Please PM me for a phone number to discuss.
Cheers --Rob.

[LowRyter]

will AF1 or anyone in Austin bail him out if his gets over his head?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thats my Centauro in the classifieds.
Ive put over 100K miles on 3 Centauros and think this one is excellent.
Please PM me for a phone number to discuss.
Cheers --Rob.

That's a beauty and priced right.

[Daleroso]

Unique, pretty bike! Priced right? I'm not so sure. Priced aggressively to sell, definitely.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Unique, pretty bike! Priced right? I'm not so sure. Priced aggressively to sell, definitely.

Well, yeah.. if you're a *buyer* it's priced right.. 

[mjptexas]

will AF1 or anyone in Austin bail him out if his gets over his head?

The guys at AF1 should be able to help.  Several months ago they briefly had a Centuro for sale & were doing some work on it.

[blackcat]

If AF1 can't, then Mike Haven at MPH can work on the bike.