Bye

[MGPilot]

My Stone & Norge have finally sold. Dave at Moto International has been helpful and understanding. I have always recommended them before, only more so now.

The sales were somewhat slow, especially as they were current models. I had expected them to be my last motorcycle purchases. Really liked them. But out-of-the-blue, a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatments/medications screwed with my balance and I couldn't trust myself on them.

Not being dead yet.....searched extensively for a replacement. Hard to match. Have owned a number of vintage and high performance sports cars over the years. Just couldn't find anything that was interesting.

And then.....remembered the Morgan Three Wheeler.

Most people know the Morgan company for their four-wheeled-sports cars. But Morgan actually started in 1910 building three-wheeled motorcycles to give customers a way to get around the four-wheeled road tax in England, but in a more practical format than the motorcycles of the day. The three wheelers were made up through the 1950's, then stopped.

But around 2009, Morgan employees became aware of the Liberty Ace, made in Seattle, inspired by the 1930's Morgan three-wheelers, but recreated with modern mechanicals. Charles Morgan initially discounted the idea until he actually drove one, then was hooked. They bought the production rights for the Liberty Ace, then proceeded to redesign it to be their own--sometimes making questionable choices compared to the Ace. The three-wheelers now comprise 2/3rds of the company's production.

I have never seen a "car" (actually, motorcycle) with such positive reviews. There are certainly other three-wheelers. In some ways, the Polaris Slingshot comes closest. A lot to be said for it. Half the price; faster; competent handling. But I could never get over the angry bug look. Might be great for a 20-something, but just didn't connect with me.

Probably the largest Morgan dealer is down in L.A. Best selection. Through researching online and in person, determined that the 2012-2013's (starting years) were essentially identical and shared some engineering issues that could cost $8-10k to update. Morgan West had a 2014 (the first year with all the updates included) that they would sell me for less than it would cost to buy an older one and update it. This 2014 was also part of a limited styling run that included freer-flowing exhaust pipes. Not a bad thing.

Bought it. Had it shipped to Seattle and have been shamelessly adding miles to it, driving it around the island were I live and nearby county roads.






Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srt51F0PTIc

Notes:
- Louder than the Norge or Stone, but no one seems to mind.
- In WA State, you don't need to wear a helmet if you're using seat belts. But rainy days, long rides--can be worth it to wear one anyway.
- Neighbors have lined up for rides (never happened with the Stone/Norge) even though they know it's a motorcycle.
- Took it to a Porsche Club track event. Handles surprisingly well with no bad habits. Can't claim superior car handling chops--just too easy to drive.
- S&S X-wedge 2-liter motorcycle engine; Mazda 5-speed gear box; "differential" (called a bevel box), changes the shaft drive to belt drive for the final wheel.
- The S&S has no balancing shafts, so you exit the car fully homogenized. This is not a "refined" experience; it shakes, rattles, farts. Glorious.
- Rear driving tire is essentially just a car tire.
- If you were ever thinking of having an affair, this is Not the car you can sneak in and out of the neighborhood and not be seen. I'm not much of a styling customizer, but couldn't resist adding the factory shark face, based on WWII aircraft.
- Surprising number of smiles & waves from other cars/motorcycles/pedestrians. I even get "thumbs up" from the local cops. As one owner stated, although the pace is faster, get your "parade wave" ready--as it's a parade.
- One owner took his to a Saturday morning "coffee & chrome" informal car meet. Ferrari's to the left. Lamborghini's to the right. They asked him to move because he was getting most of the attention.  The car seems to communicate that you like mechanical things, but you're not trying to play the "I'm cooler/better than you" card. Very nice.

So, while I will peruse the posts here on occasion, I've been forced to move on.

Hope you guys continue to have an excellent time on your Moto Guzzi's. Character is no substitute for engineering. But excellent engineering with no character is just flat-arsed boring. Hard to accuse Moto Guzzi's of being boring.

James

[Tom]

Absolutely cool! 

[tris]

 :1:

Chap at work has one and says it gives him a bit of a workout when driven "enthusiastically" given the lack of power brakes or steering

Enjoy it

[rboe]

Well poop on the change of venue, but full marks for charging ahead in a different direction. Well played! Those do look like fun. I hope to hear some reports from time to time. Good luck with your health too.

[Shorty]

THAT looks like fun!  No need to be a stranger.

[Tom]

Yeah, stick around would like more info from an owner.  I have an Eldo/hack and enjoy that but you never know.

[MGPilot]

:1:

Chap at work has one and says it gives him a bit of a workout when driven "enthusiastically" given the lack of power brakes or steering

Enjoy it

It's unnerving for some folks to really understand that the list of what it doesn't have, far exceeds the list of what it has:

NO:

- top
- windows
- heater
- ABS
- traction control
- power brakes
- power steering
- doors
- radio
- windshield or windshield wipers
- Nav (not quite true, I added a small Ball mount so I could use my Rider 400 if I want)
- common sense
- 4th wheel (need to be ready for all the, "Hey, you're missing a wheel" or "Hey, if you weren't so cheap, you might have gotten a 4th"
- spare (for which wheel? Two sizes)
- effective trunk (either end; rear is mostly rear tire; front is an exquisitely ineffective use of space to locate the dry-sump oil tank, battery, fuse box, etc.)


Common question:  What do you do when it rains?
Answer:  You get wet.

 

[canuck750]

Great looking machine!! I have been interested in these for years now, perhaps in a few years I may let some bikes go and get one of these for sunny days.

[Guzzistajohn]

That's a cool rig, stick around and shoot us some ride reports

[MGPilot]

In looking at the sales patterns, I get a sense that a lot of folks buy these, own them for a couple of years, then move on.

If you come to them from an automotive background, this makes sense as they seem limited and you might think of all the times you'd leave it in the garage.

If you come to them from a motorcycle background, you think,
- I didn't want/need all that crap on my motorcycle anyway
- Like a motorcycle with an integrated side car, it adds stability in questionable road conditions
- If it's cold/wet/etc. - I'm prepared. No big deal.

Hm.

[Guido Valvole]

Looks like fun! A couple show up to local cars & coffee events. The new Morgan may be strange, but it's a lot less so than the originals, especially older ones. Steering wheel and a hand throttle?!? Plus manual spark advance and other vintage character. There is a top, but it ranks up there with the worst of 50s Brit sports car tops and visibility is, um, not great would be classic British understatement.

A Triking is familiar drivetrain material but the Morgan is a very well-finished machine. And reverse can be handy, the Mog is a bit more awkward to push around than a bike. You'll have a blast! Enjoy, and report back often.
cr

[oldbike54]

 I like it ! Yes , stick around 

 Dusty

[RANDM]

Glad to hear you didn't just stop and that you found an answer
to your quandary.
All the very best.

Maurie

[lucian]

Wow , a thing of beauty, and still very guzzish with that sweet transverse twin out front. Hope you enjoy it thoroughly .Didn't some of the four wheeled  Morgan's have wooden frames? I seem to remember reading one time how they would handle differently depending on the relative humidity. Kind of like my wooded rocker. Many happy rides to you.

[guzzi ride]

Very nice ! and stay in the flock.

[MGPilot]

Wow , a thing of beauty, and still very guzzish with that sweet transverse twin out front. Hope you enjoy it thoroughly .Didn't some of the four wheeled  Morgan's have wooden frames? I seem to remember reading one time how they would handle differently depending on the relative humidity. Kind of like my wooded rocker. Many happy rides to you.

They still do. But distinguish the frame from the chassis.

The chassis is welded tube like a motorcycle or formula car.

The body is hand-rolled aluminum.

The wooden frame is, in effect, the spacer that goes between the aluminum body and the tube chassis.

But, still fun to joke that:
- Morgan is the only car company where you can come to work with a hammer and chisel....and really use them...or
- It's the only car that needs a termite inspection.

[pebra]

That three-wheeler must be great fun!
Hope those health problems stop bothering you. Do stick around!

[Kev m]

Looks like a blast, have fun!

[fotoguzzi]

Awesome! love the shark face..

[rtbickel]

I wonder what it would be like with the engine from the California 1400? 

[ohiorider]

Very nice! 

[OlDogface]

My local Guzzi dealer (central Pennsylvania) is also a Morgan dealer. They have the leather helmets, etc., for sale as well as several vintage and new models in the showroom.


Great place to hang out or call for parts:  http://www.europamacchina.co.uk/home.html

[Arizona Wayne]

Bob Nolan(RIP), who iived in  Seattle, built a Morgan/Guzzi car and made it a fibreglass hardtop. He also made a covered wagon type of RV railer he used to pull with it.  He & his wife Marion toured in it.  1 time he gave me a  ride in his Morgan/Guzzi and I was immediately smitten to get 1 then. This was in the `90s.  At that time you could buy a kit for $5K from JZR or Triking  to put your Guzzi motor on from the UK.  In the UK some put Honda CX 500 or 650 water cooled MCs.  Of course many US customers used Harley or  S&S V twin motors.

[maquette]

Love it!!    Enjoy.

[balvenie]

Glad to hear you didn't just stop and that you found an answer
to your quandary.
All the very best.

Maurie

Ditto

[Rick4003]

Sorry to hear that you had to get rid of the bikes, but you have found a great replacement! Have always loved these threewheelers!

Please stay and give us some reports on how it is to live with so we can dream about getting one

-Ulrik

[Ncdan]

Yea, stay with the site! Guzzi rookies like me needs your expertise on issues that happen, as the will! Besides I would love to see a lot of pictures of that beautiful mechine and your adventures. Also I will be praying for your complete healing with the cancer issue.

[MGPilot]

My local Guzzi dealer (central Pennsylvania) is also a Morgan dealer. They have the leather helmets, etc., for sale as well as several vintage and new models in the showroom.

Thanks. Since I used to fly a German aircraft (www.rf5b.com) for which I created an open cockpit conversion,


I've got a box of leather helmets & goggles. Normally, a bit much theater for my taste, yet they do create an nice solution for cold days where just a hat would be cold and an enclosed helmet can be isolating.

(When I told my wife that I was a little uneasy about using one of my leather helmets and goggles, she gave me the [you idiot] look and said, "You do realize that you're motoring around in an odd car with a shark face, don't you?)

Hm.

[Testarossa]

There's at least one company making a Morgan knock-off kit car using Guzzi engines. This one's called Aero Cycle:

[Huzo]

Thanks. Since I used to fly a German aircraft (www.rf5b.com) for which I created an open cockpit conversion,


I've got a box of leather helmets & goggles. Normally, a bit much theater for my taste, yet they do create an nice solution for cold days where just a hat would be cold and an enclosed helmet can be isolating.

(When I told my wife that I was a little uneasy about using one of my leather helmets and goggles, she gave me the [you idiot] look and said, "You do realize that you're motoring around in an odd car with a shark face, don't you?)

Hm.

Is that a Sperber ? We had one at out gliding club but I never got to fly it, apparently glides at about 20/1 @ 50kts and went up about as good as a K 13