Fabulous Mandello

[voncrump]

My lifelong passion for Motorcycles has given me much joy over the years. I have met some very interesting characters and ridden some magic bikes not to mention experiencing the thrill of Track Days and the madness of some of our New Zealand Rallies. My passion ultimately led me to the Moto Guzzi brand and of course this led to not one but two visits to Mandello del Lario.
 The town is picturesque, tidy, clean and the people are friendly. A visit to Mandello should be mandatory for all Moto Guzzi owners and we have started to plan another visit in 2021 for the 100th anniversary. This was our second stay at Mamma Ciccia’s bed and breakfast and the host Silvia greeted us with a hug and said “welcome home”.





We revisited Giorgio and Marco Pirelli at their Auto Panel repair shop and on this visit met their amazing almost 80 year old Dad, Tarcisio. Tarcisio and his sons restore Italian Motorcycles for a hobby and the standard of work is amazing.










 
We visited the Mistral Special Parts factory and purchased some mufflers for my V7. The factory is small but modern and is operated by Romano, his Wife, son Alex and one worker. The products from this factory are high quality and handmade. Italian family craftsmanship at its best.




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We also did some shopping at Agostinis and Moto Fornitura. The next factory visit was to LGC otherwise known as Stucchi Luigi. This is a much larger operation than Mistral and we were shown around by Louis and had a great tour of the premises. Again high quality motorcycle components being made here. They also had some interesting bikes in this place.









We only spent three nights in Mandello on this occasion and when we left for Milan I knew I must try to return. Maybe I will see some of you there in 2021.
Cheers, voncrump

[fotoguzzi]

Nice report, Thanks.

[Huzo]

The camp ground on the right as you're heading back towards Como is beautiful and not expensive, restaurant over the lake. Turn right directly opposite Eurospin heading South. The sign is brown.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Great report! Thanks..

[azguzzirep]

I like it too!


upload link direct

[kfz]

VC is making it up, dont go to Mandello its horrible, you'll hate it.  Horrible place,  busy, terrible people, they hate tourists ,its an ugly especially down on the park at the lake. And the lake is dreadful,  especially on a summers evening. They hate motorbikes, Dont go to the pizzeria its really bad as well.

In fact avoid the whole country, just in case.


Kev

[azguzzirep]

VC is making it up, dont go to Mandello its horrible, you'll hate it.  Horrible place,  busy, terrible people, they hate tourists ,its an ugly especially down on the park at the lake. And the lake is dreadful,  especially on a summers evening. They hate motorbikes, Dont go to the pizzeria its really bad as well.

In fact avoid the whole country, just in case.


Kev

Right, it's so full of old buildings it looks like a ghetto. The lake water is so dirty you can only see the bottom about 10-12 feet down. And the town is full of..Italians.  what with their laughing and smiling and waving who would want to experience that?

And the food!?!  Why, they serve fish right out of that lake! And the pizza is cooked in an antique wood burning oven!  Those Neanderthals! And they only have about 25 kinds of wine. What is that for a culture?

And traffic is crazy with them all driving Ferraris, Masarattis, Lamborghinis, Ducatis, Moto Guzzis, Aprilias, etc. Who would want to put up with that!?!

And everywhere you go there are pictures of Sophia Lauren, Gena Lolabrigita, and many other famous Italian women. Who wants to see that!?!

I could go on and on about the old roads and old villages, vineyards and such. But why bother? Like Kev days," just avoid it all".

Of course, since we ride Italian motorcycles we're just gluttons for punishment 😀😀😇

[kfz]

Absolutely. As for the Italians they need to chill out,  they work to hard.  take a day off, maybe stop and take a lunch break.

Seriously it really is one of those places where you think, we are doing something wrong at home, how is this place possible?

Kev

[ritratto]

Yep, should be avoided at all costs!


No damn fun at all!

[SED]

Thanks for the Report VonCrump!

As we are staying there next week - about 2,000 feet from the Guzzi factory according to Google satellite - I will be able to independently confirm Mandello's fabulousness or horribleness.

This is going to be fun.   

[twowings]

Sounds like Nirvana to me! Thanks for the pictures!! 

[Huzo]

It's attractiveness is probably a function of what it takes to get there as well...

[voncrump]

Some more Mandello photos.



I just cant get this place out of my head. What a town.
Cheers, voncrump

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

we have started to plan another visit in 2021 for the 100th anniversary.

Have the actual dates been set? First week in September?

[guzzista]

Thanks for sharing the Mandello trip and pics. I have not visited in almost 20 years and your post is just what I need to make my next pilgrimage. Cheers

[guzzisteve]

I think after 460,000mi on Guzzi's and fixing all the bad crap they made in the process of putting on my miles since 1976 Guzzi should pay my way to come there. I can't afford to go to EU, and it's NEVER going to be in my budget.

[Tom]

Lecco isn't bad either.  More hotel rooms there if everything is booked in Mandello.

[bad Chad]

Steve, I'll send them an e-mail on your behalf.  I'm fairly sure we can get them to foot the bill to get you there and back.  It's only fair, think of all the heart ache and money you have saved the company and it's customers over the years!!!

PS  Your bro showed up at breakfast today, on a very sweet 53" Triumph 500cc.  16hp, and leaving its mark as all good old Triumphs do!

[Huzo]

I think after 460,000mi on Guzzi's and fixing all the bad crap they made in the process of putting on my miles since 1976 Guzzi should pay my way to come there. I can't afford to go to EU, and it's NEVER going to be in my budget.

Couldn't have been all bad Steve. You kept buying them, or were they someone else's ?

[drbone641]

And the views absolutely suck.

[guzzisteve]

Couldn't have been all bad Steve. You kept buying them, or were they someone else's ?

Of the new ones I've bought (5), I've sold 3, used ones (9) bought I still have 5. All miles on my bikes. Newest is 98EV. Last new bike was a 93 SP3. So, in their eyes, I'm Part of the Problem. I don't buy unless I want it forever. I doubt I'll buy another new bike, stuff I got will last forever.

[Huzo]

Of the new ones I've bought (5), I've sold 3, used ones (9) bought I still have 5. All miles on my bikes. Newest is 98EV. Last new bike was a 93 SP3. So, in their eyes, I'm Part of the Problem. I don't buy unless I want it forever. I doubt I'll buy another new bike, stuff I got will last forever.

Yeah, statistically I'll be dead in 15 years or so. Just hope I drop dead before my Toyota Hilux and my Norge and Le Mans.

[Socalrob]

Does the factory offer tours to average folks?  If so, must it be pre arranged?  Looks like a great town to visit.

[Tom]

You can only visit the museum for a couple of hours.

[Tusayan]

Museum visits aren't prearranged.  To see the museum you show up a little  before a certain hour in the late afternoon (as I recall 3 PM or 4 PM) and wait outside the factory gate with others doing the same thing.  After a while they will sign you in and escort you to the museum, where the guide will move the group slowly from one end to the other, then to the gift shop before you're discharged through the same gate through which you entered.

Only on rare occasions is the factory itself open to visitors, usually on company anniversaries.  I think one reason for that (other than the obvious) is that the last couple of times I visited the museum, the factory was not operating.

[Tom]

Y'up.  3P.  One trip, I was early.  Kill time in Hardy's cafe.  Watched a couple of guys do their siesta break, shots of grappa before returning to the factory floor.  They were in their company coveralls.  Blue.

[Tusayan]

Assuming they shut down six weeks a year for holidays etc, Guzzi would average something like 25 bikes produced per working day, operating one shift, or about three per working hour. Based on what I've seen, I'd guess what they must actually do (?) is operate the factory when demand builds up for a given model, build more inventory, then shut down.  If you were to ask around in Mandello, somebody would know.  Or maybe operate different parts of the factory on different days, with reduced staff.  Both the town and factory are wonderful places regardless, and the museum is open regularly.