Your first Guzzi....?

[guzzi4me]

Grew up riding Honda's, from a CB175 to GL1000. Always liked the looks of a Guzzi but that's as far as it went.

Until September 2001.

We were on our way to San Francisco to celebrate Laurie's birthday with her Mom and Dad. My brother-in-law knew that I was interested in a Guzzi and said Munroe Motors had a used one for sale.

Laurie suggested we stop by on the way to dinner(The House of Prime Rib...mmmmm....) and take a look.

They had a 2001 Jackal that had a windscreen and National Cycle bags. It was traded in because the owner wanted a V11 Sport instead.

I sat on it and KNEW this was THE bike I wanted. Almost new with only 4200 miles.

Laurie wrote a hold check and I rode it home the next weekend.

That was the beginning of my Guzzi sickness..a great illness to have!!


Ride safe and often,

Jeff

[SmithSwede]

I've been riding bikes for 35 years.   Was aware of Guzzis, but never rode one.  Around 2012 I got to wanting something different, and discovered the Tenni green, brown leather seat Griso on the internet.  That's the bike I wanted!   I was ALL ABOUT that Griso.

Then I lurked for months on WildGuzzi.  But after a few months of dreaming and getting educated on Guzzis, I began to realize that it was not the Griso that I wanted, it was actually the V7 Stone.  It would be more like my beloved 78 BMW R80/7.

So one day I'm in Houston on business.   Afterwards went to Mike Haven's shop, where he let me do an solid test ride on a 2013 V7 Stone.  Was totally hooked, but did not buy it.  Instead, I just babbled incessantly to my wife about the Guzzi and how maybe one day I would buy one if the stars and planets all aligned perfectly.

Wife got tired of hearing me babble for months but never pulling the trigger on buying the thing.   So she secretly called Mike, bought the bike, and arranged to have it hand-delivered to my home in Dec. 2013 for my surprise Christmas present.

That V7 Stone is my all time favorite bike.  And the best Christmas present I ever got.

[ejs]

Sorry.. looked at ny dynocharts. EV=64 rwhp.  Turbo=148 rwhp.  Om the same dynobench.😂


Even Kawasaki's overinflated taken-at-the-piston-crown HP claims never got over about 115 HP.  On the same scale, Guzzi claimed 74, which was the basis for my "half" comment.

Can't imagine an early 80s Kaw 750 bottom end handling 148 HP!

BUT ... I'm only going by what "seems" to be.    As I always say when it comes to speed and HP claims, "timing slips or it didn't happen". 

Lannis

Kawasaki claimed  112hp at crank for the 750turbo...mye turbo had 102rwhp after putting it in racemode and mounting KN airfilter. Then I started tuning.😁

[Guzzistajohn]

1988 I think, a buddy rode his V50 from Springfield to my place in Smithville, Mo. I told him I thought that was a pretty neat little bike. He told it was a gutless f!@#$n' wonder, so I made him an offer, he took it and I drove him home to Springfield. I found out later he was right and traded it for the CX100 @ Harper's 

[jbell]

A new Ambassador was my third bike after a Triumph 500 followed by a rather ratty 650 Triumph.  Bought from Salem's in Phoenix in 1970 from Sil Modesti and his very patient wife. I think it cost about $1400.  I must have driven them half nuts with constant phone calls waiting for the Guzzi to arrive and then afterwards another barrage of calls waiting for my Wixom bags and fairing.  Had custom tailored  leathers (pants & jacket) made for about $100.  Met Gaylerd & Pam at a gas station (on their Guzzi) and they showed me what you could do with a Guzzi.  Phoenix to Albuquerque for breakfast?  Made sense to us.  In Albuquerque met Heinrick Rissman and his wife, Ilse,  (Guzzi dealer) whom could best be described as a mechanical surgeon.  Never seen anyone since that worked with his precision.  All great friends from a lifetime ago and hope I never lose the memories. Thanks for asking.

[Bulldog9]

I was a life long Yamaha Rider, committed to the brand. Bought my first XS11 in 1986 (still own it) and then a series of bikes and XS's over the years. Ended up on an FJR which just drained my love of riding. Then in April of 2016 I was bored and loking for a naked standard bike, came across a Griso for sale at Moto International, and 50 feet into the ride was in love.... Had long admired and read about guzzi, but never ridden one. I sold the FJR & Bought a Norge and havent looked back. No words to express how much I love the Griso. I never thought I could love or connect with a motorcycle more than my XS11, but it is under my skin and in my blood.

[JukeboxGothic]

I bought this Sp1000nt in very poor condition and slowly built it into this. I just wanted to use parts off different models I liked and try to make a cohesive whole. I always liked the look of the Ducati GT750 as well. It ended up a great riding bike. Nice engine, good handling frame. This all happened after owning a Yamaha RZ500lc and I wanted to go in a different direction. Of all the bikes I've had I owned this one the longest.

[Turin]

1991 I bought a 1975 850 T-3 for $800.00 with a salvage title. 16 YO and didn't know better.
Took it apart in my fathers driveway and customized it with eldo rear fender, call II front fender and a police solo seat.

This is the only pic I have left. Obviously customized by a teenager. Almost embarrassing.

[JoeKirby]

First Guzzi is my only Guzzi, a V7 Classic.  I had 1970s Honda 175 and 250 in the 80s, followed by a Kawasaki 900, '78 Bonneville, Triumph Sprint and a Triumph Thruxton.  Sold the Thruxton a year ago, keeping only the Bonnie for a restore.  Then I found the Guzzi.  This bike fit me better than any bike before.  Loved it so much, I put the Bonnie up for sale after 34 years.  Looking for another Guzzi now for my sons.

[Muzz]

1991 I bought a 1975 850 T-3 for $800.00 with a salvage title. 16 YO and didn't know better.
Took it apart in my fathers driveway and customized it with eldo rear fender, call II front fender and a police solo seat.

This is the only pic I have left. Obviously customized by a teenager. Almost embarrassing.

Love the tassels.

[Shorty]

up load photos


71 Ambassador bought it in the early 90s. Rode it several years.

[Tom]

1975 Eldo meant for the DPS in AZ.  The dealer bought a couple of extra trying to sell all to DPS.  They didn't the extra bikes.  It got bought by a friend that rode it while he built his Panhead chopper.  He then sold it to another friend who didn't ride it much.  I got it after short ownership by both.  I was looking for something that was better than the other 2 bikes that I owned.  750 Honda chopper and my Shovel engine Recon.  Sold the Honda chopper.  Shipped the Eldo and my Recon to Hawaii when I left Arizona.  Gave the Eldo to my brother and picked an Ambo.  Currently have 25 in the fleet.  The wife thinks it's cool. 

[Huzo]

Was on a ride on my GSXR 1100 and stumbled upon a guy on what I think was an 1100 Sport.
For reasons I still can't fathom, he offered me a ride.
I asked if he wanted to come along on the Suzuki and he said he may as well see where the crash was than just hear about it !!!
I thought, "this feels like a combine harvester, but the damn thing is ALIVE" !!!
On a 'round Oz trip, we had to ride through some sand so I thought I'd be needing a shaft drive for my next bike.
My mate has a red R1100S
I like it a lot, so I just bought the Norge 'cos it looked nicer and was a big twin like his.
The rest as they say, is history.
This is the red R1100S of which I speak.


Near enough, wouldn't you agree ?

[inditx]

I love the stories!
Not sure what cockles of the heart are but mine are warmed by all these.
Dare I ask for more?
I trust you all are enjoying them as well.
Now where is that campfire and beverage and........

inditx

[Chuck in Indiana]

As soon as I could afford it, I was a Ducati guy. Always had a Duck, then eventually bought a BMW. Boring. Back to Ducks. Bought another BMW. I'm a slow learner.  Test rode a Guzzi, and the light went on. Bought a Centauro, and spent many happy years sorting and riding it. Since then I've had almost all versions of the Guzzi twin, from the V700 through Norge.. big block, small block, 2V, 4V. The three I have now are my "wind up" bikes. Which is my favorite? The one I'm on.
Chuck, deacon,
Church of Guzzi

[AH Fan]

Started riding sport bikes when I was 16 back when....... Sold my Ducati when my first was born, then 15 years later was roaming on the net and saw a random photo (but a good one) of a Breva 1100.
Had never seen a Guzzi in person so ended up at MI in Seattle drooling all over the front window of Dave's place....... We chatted for a few minutes and told me if I ever wanted to go for a ride on one to give him a call, I wandered back to the truck where my Wife was waiting as it was an unplanned stop and she promptly asked..... so did you buy one?
Upon arriving back home I called Dave and asked him how I could acquire the new red Breva he had on the floor as I was a Canadian?
Dave took care of everything and even delivered the machine to the Border where we both spent some time getting her across and registered....... THE BEST BUYING EXPERIANCE EVER.
Years later and many other Guzzis, I sold that very machine to a gentleman who became a  good friend and riding partner.
Who could have known......... thx to all and to Moto Guzzi for all those magical machines they have built and hopefully will continue to build for all of us.

Ciao

[Testarossa]

In the spring of 1984 I finally got sick of constant major maintenance on the Laverda and found the 850T, wrecked by the original owner. It was a happy marriage. Then in 2013 this happened:




So now she looks like this:

[e.cleven]

My wife and I were living in Pearland Tx. in the early 80s. Went by the local Safeway market one day and there was a 72 Ambassador sitting in the lot for sale. My wife said, what kind of bike is that? Wow says I, a Moto Guzzi. It was well equipped with a faring, side bags and a top box, all for only $850.
Well money was tight at the time and the bike was gone after a few days. A month later we were in Friendswood just down the road apiece and there was the Ambassador again now for $750. The deal was made and I rode it for 7 years or so.
I enjoyed the bike except for the brakes.
I'm on my seventh Guzzi now , still happy with them..
  Ride Safe
  Earl

[Denis]

In the spring of 1984 I finally got sick of constant major maintenance on the Laverda and found the 850T, wrecked by the original owner. It was a happy marriage. Then in 2013 this happened:

That sucks!

[Lannis]

In the spring of 1984 I finally got sick of constant major maintenance on the Laverda and found the 850T, wrecked by the original owner. It was a happy marriage. Then in 2013 this happened:




So now she looks like this:

2013 wasn't a good year for you and bikes overall ....     

[davevv]

I've been riding since 1961 and bought my first Guzzi about nine years ago, this '98 EV.


I've had an '08 Norge and an '03 Titanium since then and loved them all, but currently no Guzzis in the stable.  I'm pretty sure I'll own another someday though.  The itch is getting stronger all the time.

[Testarossa]

2013 wasn't a good year for you and bikes overall ...

When I look back it makes me profoundly grateful for the life I have now.

[Doug McLaren]

The first time I rode a Guzzi was in 1980 when I borrowed my mates Convert. I didn't ride another until 1998 when I bought a 1977 Le-Mans. I kept that bike for 16 years and also owned another 5 Guzzis in that time. I sold the Le-Mans 4 years ago and replaced it with a 1998 Sport inj. I sold that last year and now have a 2012 Stelvio.

[Muzz]

  Currently have 25 in the fleet.  The wife thinks it's cool. 

Some fleet! Some wife! Much better than 

[Chuck in Indiana]

When I look back it makes me profoundly grateful for the life I have now.

 

[SmokinJoe]

 Around 2002 I was gifted a 1975 850T that had been painted with red enamel using a brush. The mufflers had rust holes patched with inside out soup cans using JB weld. It was rusted all over. It was sitting outside where it had been hit by a falling tree damaging the instruments and other parts. But since the other parts had been brush painted the damage didn't seem that critical. My son helped me trailer it home. I drained the tank and carbs, put in fresh gas. I turned over the motor hooked to a battery with a little wd 40 in the cylinders, put the old plugs back in and it cranked right up. It had over 80k at that point.
  Between ebay, wildguzzi folks, and Atlanta guzzi club members I found out what I needed to know and got instruments, stock mufflers, stock body work, and I wired and connected up all Japanese controls from parts I had from old honda restorations.
  I rode it for a few years but could never overcome the weak charging system for traveling and couldn't afford to really upgrade the suspension to do what I do with  a motorcycle. I sold it for enough to buy an 82 goldwing which I rode over 90k.
 The 850 T ran perfectly with nothing needed except routine maintenance. The motor was smoother than the 1100 in my ev, but my ev solved all the issues I had with the T. When I sold it it looked like this.

[Tom]

Some fleet! Some wife! Much better than 

Mauri is pretty tolerant but she has collection of Louis Vuitton bags.    I say nothing.  I have to redo an inventory.    I consider my garage a home for wayward Guzzis. 

[Matteo]

One of my partners brought his first Guzzi to the Cidery today.

[Matteo]

Riding my first Guzzi around Kluane lake in the Yukon

[F-22]

I bought my first Guzzi at a junkyard in Italy. Basically saved it from being crushed. After sorting out the papers and making a nice complete service, I rode it for two years without any problems at all, and then sold it (and I still regret that).

It was a very early 77' V35 model. I've never seen one quite like it, and I figured it may have been a pre-production model for advertisement or something like that. Actually never saw a small block fuel tank with the old chromed cap, the early models had a plastic cover while later models had the steel one. The wheels had two colours like the Imola/Monza models. The front mudguard was chrome. The generator cover was aluminium. Some stuff may have been replaced through the years, but it was a really nice bike, and I had a really nice time on it (just a bit too slow for the highways). It was my second motorcycle, and the first I really made some serious kilometers on.