Fly N Ride Guzzi Purchase

[catneck]

Hi all.
I found this on this site:


 I was interested in the mods and they made sense to me. A 1200 Sport with Norge ABS, and no excess tupperware.
Contacted the owner. Chamberlin proved to be an enthusiastic and knowlegeable Guzzi guy. He explained the details, and we made a deal.
I initially setup a shipping auction, but the Fly N Ride idea took hold after it was suggested by my wife.
I generally do 1 of these remote purchases every couple of years, so it was not a new idea. I just was concerned about the time of year.
Then I realized I was heading to Tucson..
Back in touch with Chamberlin. He agreed to ship the take offs, and pick me up at the airport. I sent the money, and I booked a flight about 2 weeks out.
Scheduled to arrive about midnight, hotel at the airport, and start the next day fresh and ready to travel.
2 flights later, I had the good fortune to arrive early. The hotel shuttle driver had just clocked out.
A great clerk at the hotel agreed to make another trip, and soon I was checked in.
Early the next morning, Chamberlin texted his arrival as I was finishing breakfast. A great ride in his nice 3 series Touring (with a manual!) had us at his shop/Euro showroom.
A couple of intricate car moves later, we rolled out the Norge:



I was impressed by the tire gauge.
I added my RAM mounts for phone & GPS. Cabled the cigarette lighter socket for their power. He wired the SAE power for heated gear.
Then I was off:


More to come.

[normzone]

Very, very cool, and a good start to a great thread.

I bought my Bassa from a little town just outside of Tucson - riding home was a blast.

[Huzo]

Damn right, cool as hell !!
I won't use the F word 'cos I don't want to get booted off the forum (yet).
But that is one...Ummm.... "darned" good story and gave me a bit of a "tingle" to see the shot of you heading off on her.
Please maintain a thread on yours and her progress and I hope to hell you follow the now familiar plea by Roper to check your bearings and grease your shaft !
Only good things can come from that...
I thought I looked after my Norge like a sore toe, but was disgusted at the state of the swingarm and suspension linkage bearings when I pulled them in London...
All very do able though.
It's an '07 isn't it, or '08 ? Anyway go through it like a dose of salts, and ride the bugger, good luck and maintain the thread.
Please...

[catneck]

It's an 07. I appreciate the maintenance heads up.
Aware of these common issues. And no roller issue with the older 2v 1200.

Background: This is my third Guzzi (Departed Quota, and a still present Stelvio).

The guy who bought the Quota had his buddy drive him 500 miles in a day to pick it up. He strapped on his gear and rode it home the same day:



The Stelvio came in a trade for a BMW, it was only across town:

[twowings]

NIce score! 
Were the fairing lowers and chin fairing part of the deal?

[catneck]

NIce score! 
Were the fairing lowers and chin fairing part of the deal?

Yes, to be shipped out this week!

[catneck]

Continued..
Traveled about 5 miles on a feeder road with the jacket liner. Found a safe and seguaro laden space to lose it, and open suit vents a bit.
I am acclimated to the PNW, and needed to be reminded that Winter comes in many degrees:



Then on to I10 towards home.
The first couple hours were spent getting acclimated to the bike. It's sweet spot (5.5k), and its rather luxurious ride.
And it's a bit loud without earplugs due to the modified screen:


Needing a refresh, I found a coffee stop in Phoenix:


Sipping the caffeine, I watched a guy walk around the bike.
Several times. Scratched his chin. Kneeled down, and yet another lap.
I asked him how he was doing.
He wanted to know what model Guzzi this was. I explained it was a prototype.
He was surprised, then I came clean with details of the surgery performed. We then chatted weather and bikes for 20 minutes.
It was a glorious 85, I was in the shade, and enjoyed the chat.
He wished me safe travels. I strapped back in, and headed West..

More to come..

[twowings]

Here's a couple of windshield alternatives:



http://epfguzzi.com/parts/norge_screen.html





http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Norgeprod.html

[catneck]

Thanks for the windshield links. I will wait until I try the stocker, once it arrives. The entire windshield assembly was replaced by a fixed V11 unit if I remember correctly.

[Bonaventure]

Sounds like an adventure for the memoir book.  Well done. 

[pebra]

Great story, well told!
I'll be following this thread. Thanks!

[old as dirt 2]

fly and ride is how I bought my used guzzi from a dealer in Charlotte.  They picked me up at the airport and I was riding home in under 2 hours.

congrats on your purchase and hope you have many many miles of smiles.

[Guzzi Gal]

 

[catneck]

Continued...
While at the coffee stop, I checked the weather for the central part of California...lots of rain predicted.
This was the Vintage 2011 Pilot Road 2 front-may be OK for dry AZ, but not good enough for my needs:


I googled motorcycle stores in the Phoenix area. I wanted to visit a big shop, as we have mom & pops in my area.
I found these guys:
http://www.weridepowersportsphoenix.com

15 miles later, I was talking to a Albert, a parts guy in a 1/2 block long concrete moto mecca.
I explained that no, I had never shopped in any of their megastores, as I was traveling through. He asked details, and promised quick service.
He brought up 3 tires from the back for my inspection. I decided a Pilot Road 4 GT was in order. Price was good, and they offered free mount & balancing.
They attempted to add the Moto Guzzi name in the PC for the work order. Albert had to enter "other" as a brand..
Service tech rolled the Guzzi back to be fitted with a safe front tire.
I am new to the dealer doing the wheel mount/remount on my bikes. Locally, I always carry in the wheel.

It took about 90 minutes,  some of that time I spent wandering the mammoth showroom, and having to fend off sales guys with Quotas (Guzzi pun intended) to fill.

I am a Motorcycle Safety Instructor for Team Oregon. I was encouraged to see this in the showroom:



And this:



They had a phone charging station.
Big city amenities!

As it was finished up, I paid (missing the charge for wheel dismount/mount-a little off my game not turning my own wrenches)
At least the tire mount & balance was free.

The service tech walked out with the bike, asking if I needed tools, or anything else, as I was gearing up. I thanked him for his offer.
He also said the tire tech asked if Moto Guzzi was the brand. He was used to Japanese bikes and UTVs(of which there were dozens littering the lot next door)

"Ride safe, enjoy your trip" he said as he went back to work. A good guy. A fun shop. Recommended.

This was my reward:


I saddled up, pointed the Goose West toward Tonopah.

More to come...

[nobleswood]

Chamberlin used to post quite a bit over on V11LeMans.com a couple of years back. He detailed his rework on a V11 & talked about working on your new bike, particularly from a styling point of view.

[Scud]

Chamberlin used to post quite a bit over on V11LeMans.com a couple of years back. He detailed his rework on a V11 & talked about working on your new bike, particularly from a styling point of view.

+1.  He is the kind of guy you want to buy something from.  Glad to see the bike will get some use.  It's basically a 1200 sport with ABS now. Pretty cool. Prototype indeed.

[Orange Guzzi]

I had a guy from Pennsylvania buy my first Guzzi sight unseen.  1979 SP painted orange.  Sent a cashier check, I deposited it and never heard from him for 4 months.  One day he called and said he would be at the airport the next day and pick him up.  He had a small backpack and a helmet.  I fed him and he loaded up and headed out.  Never to be seen or heard from again. 

[catneck]

Continued....
Fresh tire and ready to go.
Made my way to I10 West. About an hour out, just as the low fuel light appeared, I observed a construction sign on the shoulder, advising a merge to 1 lane.
That lasted about 1/4 mile before it turned to this:



No lane splitting in AZ, so I stopped, dismounted, and took in the view:


Eventually most of the other drivers shut off their vehicles, and some stepped out to stretch. An older Chevy driver chatted me up a bit about his Harley he had back in his day.

After 30 minutes of roadbed rest, I checked the GPS for available refueling stops. I had yet to fill this bike, and was not familiar with it's range.
My choices: 30 miles ahead, or 12 miles back. With no guaranty of 30 mile reserve, and still no movement ahead, I crawled to the left shoulder, and slowly rode the 1/4 mile to a gravel crossover.
I turned Eastbound, and after a quick romp to get up to speed, I found the station. Refueled at the 200 mile mark.

Back Westbound, the traffic was just starting to move as I re-approached the the previous parking/freeway vista point.

Looking across the beautiful desert sky, I was heading towards sunset. I stopped in Quartzsite Rest Area to take a pic:


As I crossed into California, darkness was in effect. I was feeling ready for a stop.
Blythe had a good variety of hotels. I chose the Best Western, and while checking in, asked the clerk for the best burrito in town.
She wholeheartedly recommended the "California" at Albertacos. 3 minutes ride away. That was an excellent choice.
Interestingly, I had the only non BMW in the lot (I have been a BMW boxer guy for years, the Guzzi attraction is recent).
A GS from Florida, and 2 Roadsters from California were already at rest in the lot.

I tucked the Guzzi in among the palm trees, enjoyed the excellent dinner, a soak in the hot tub, then lights out for the night:



More to come....

[JACoH]

What a great story and great looking bike. Reminds me of buying my 1969 Ducati 450 Mk3 Desmo in Canada. Had a friend take me up from Eugene, Oregon, in his Fiat sports car to Burnaby B.C., about 750 miles I think. Then, I rode back on the Ducati, no break in required.  I had to have it because it the clip on version wasn't in the states until the next year, if at all. And it was under $1000.00.

[normzone]

Ah, Quartzite - been there, done that more than once.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=75723.0;nowap

[Tom]

I thought you were going to Tonopah????  Must be the longer way avoiding Goldfield. 

[Huzo]

Yeah great story, almost as good as being there.
Re fuel range.
Mine's an '07 Norge.
Fuel range now with TB's done the pRoper way and Beetlemap, filled at Roper's place, stopped half(ish) way for refuel and made it home on second re fill.
Total 816 km @ around 115 kph freeway (mostly).

[96ssportsp]

It's an 07. I appreciate the maintenance heads up.
Aware of these common issues. And no roller issue with the older 2v 1200.

Background: This is my third Guzzi (Departed Quota, and a still present Stelvio).

The guy who bought the Quota had his buddy drive him 500 miles in a day to pick it up. He strapped on his gear and rode it home the same day:



The Stelvio came in a trade for a BMW, it was only across town:

Goofy guy on the Quota!!

Did an 11 state trip, 3800 rt miles a couple of years ago.
Back to your  Norge.

Scott.

[catneck]

Goofy guy on the Quota!!

Did an 11 state trip, 3800 rt miles a couple of years ago.
Back to your  Norge.

Scott.

Hi Scott!

[molly]

That's a really nice looking bike and reminds me of my 1200 Breva, which was a Norge without the fairing. It's a pity Guzzi didn't offer the option of the top half fairing it would have a made a great bike even better.




I changed the bars and added a screen.

[Guzzi Gal]

Enjoying this immensely!   :1:

[Huzo]

I'd like to say "please don't stop", but I think I might be accidentally quoting from a movie I saw once...
(Or twice)...

[Tom H]

I'd like to say "please don't stop", but I think I might be accidentally quoting from a movie I saw once...
(Or twice)...

Oouch!!

Tom

[PJPR01]

Yeah great story, almost as good as being there.
Re fuel range.
Mine's an '07 Norge.
Fuel range now with TB's done the pRoper way and Beetlemap, filled at Roper's place, stopped half(ish) way for refuel and made it home on second re fill.
Total 816 km @ around 115 kph freeway (mostly).

Huzo...so you're getting about 408Km on each tank?  Equivalent to about 250 miles...right on target.   I think I may have stretched to 260 miles once with less than 0.5 gallon in reserve.

[Trialsman]

You know how you say to an old friend "we will have to get together some time"? ----and you never do.
I had a friend in N. Carolina I said that to once too often.  I purposefully bought a Norge at Matthews in Charlotte so it forced me to go see him.  I could have bought it up here around Pittsburgh but choose a Fly-n-Ride.  I shipped my riding gear by FedEx and flew down where they met me at the airport.  After a short paperwork session I put on my gear and headed for my friend's house.  It was unusually cold for March and there was ice around but made it to my friend's and had a great time catching up.
From there I ambled home taking a lot of back roads to break in the bike properly.  I stopped near Hungry Mother State Park for this photo. 




Later I got into two feet of snow on the sides but not on the road.  Overall a great visit, ride, and bike.  I highly recommend the Fly-n-Ride concept.