Whilst the cafe/rad rebuild of my 900ss continues I probably need to get some wheels to ensure I'm back on the road and for 2 up riding considering a cheap ish (£2000) guzzi v11. anyone know much about them? Have considered a fugly strada 1000ds found a 2003 with 17k for £2100 but reckon the guzzi would be better 2 up and poss more relaxing to ride. Any thoughts
That sounds good money for a V11, what mileage has it covered, and whats the owners history? Enthusiast? I borrowed one from my then local Guzzi dealer for a day, when the V11 was a in production. Slightly sporty riding position, but nothing stressful I considered the position comfy, but with purpose.. Willing engine, with a punchy mid range,a the engine is a lovely unit, with easy home maintenance, just keep the shaft properly lubricated. Oh and expect the usual torque reaction with the shaft drive.
No that was also for sale here, bid up to £3250 over that gets too much. A silver 2000 reg with more miles but less money
I did, haven't even seen it in the flesh lots of pics, deposit paid not haggled, collect it next week owned by an enthusiast and guzzi club member with history. Can't wait oh and he owns a 900 supersport
Just got myself a 1200 Sport to replace my tired old Multistrada (112,000 miles). Rode it back from Durham.....loads of fun ....not going to miss the multi one bit
Got a soft spot for Guzzi's. Would love an old Black n Gold le Mans. With drop bars etc. Cool as fuck.
Geese are mechanically a lot simpler than Ducks and home servicing if you have done a Ducati should be a bit of a breeze. Join Guzzitech and possibly (although it gets on my nerves from time to time) Wildgoose forums a lot of great knowledge on both these sites. I'm currently tearing down a sport 1100 to the casings and I also have a LM 1000 (well Magni versions of them). I don't think twice about working on them, which is more than I can say for the 1098. Edit: Also they will do a lot more mileage before needing serious attention. The downside is of course they are way down in comparable power to a Ducati, but I love em to bits. John
When I was a teenager my favourite was the light blue Mk 2 Le Mans......Three Cross Motorcycles were a main dealer just 2 miles up the road.... I used to go and drool now and again.:wink: Cheers John will do, part of the reason for my change is maintenance No clutch rattle No belts no valve shimming no chain and sprockets sorry to say ....not going to miss the Mutley much
Oh also meant to add there is also a forum dedicated to the V11 so obviously that's worth joining too. I have no idea what its like as I've never had the need to go there John
I would probably swap my SS and all the spares for another MkII, MkIII, MkIV or MkV Le Mans............Or the carbed Daytona (didn't like the later LeMans)............ ........as long as they run and will get an MOT, condition immaterial..........
Jock thanks seen the site, they seem more insular but more dedicated than duke owners . Al just do it, can't wait to collect mine maybe it's an age thing .
The thing about the 80s Guzzis is that they were so easy to maintain and get running properly...............once any initial electrics issues were sorted (which was nearly always the coils and other Magnetti Marrelli bits, like points etc). My MkII was eventually fitted with a Stucchi fairing and a red, black and white paint job, Lanfranconis and Marzocchi shocks, plus the other usual custom bits.......Wish I could find it now......
The thing with Guzzis is that they suffer from an unwarranted reputation for unreliability, mostly caused by Ducati, Benelli, Laverda... Guzzis are ultra-reliable. A lot of the electrics are Bosch, so it's only really things like the handlebar switches that need looking at, and even they perform well with a minimum of maintenance. Guzzis are the Italian thoroughbreds you can use every day. No more messy chains, and the simplest service schedule of any bike. There's a knack to riding them though. To start with they feel heavy, lumpen things, slow to turn and not very meaty. But when you find the sweet spot you'll suddenly get it, and there'll be no stopping you thereafter. Just to whet your appetite here's a video of Paul loopy Lewis dicing with some Brittens on a Daytona in the BEARS series...
The 80s Guzzis were a dream to service......... ..........Drain the oil, then drop the sump and change the filter.........clean the plugs and adjust the 'tappets'...........1.5 hours max. Occasionally clean the filters in the carbs..........15 minutes........ ....and if by some reason you needed a carb taken off, undo the slide and needle cap; same with the choke plunger; undo the fuel hose; slacken the jubilee clip and pull............5 minutes max. If the clutch wore out, even that is relatively easy..... The biggest fault that they had was the shaft drive U/J bearing used to spin in the housing..........easily solved...........with the bearing out, weld an M6 nut to the outside of the housing immediately in line with the bearing outer race........drill through with an M4 and complete the M6 tapping. Clean it up, then fit the bearing and accurately mark the hole position on the outer race........take the bearing out and drill / grind a small detent in the outer race.........refit the bearing (with Bearing Fit if you want to be certain) making sure that the dentent and the nut hole line up..........fit a short M6 grub screw and a locknut, so that the grub screw is in the detent.....no need to overtighten it. Won't spin again..............
Here she is with her little sister collected her today mr usher at his house. Just getting the feeling back into my left fingers vibrates like my old t120
