Kawi2strokes.com Forum

............What's so good about Guzzi Jim?

The Mille GT came standard with wheels like the front one. Wire spoke wheels were optional. This one had wire wheels, but the front rim developed cracks at the nipples, so the previous owner got a hold of a cast aluminum wheel and put it on. I have the original wheel, and I'm going to get a rim and rebuild it shortly. I was thinking of changing the rear to match the front, but the front is slightly bent, so to the trash it goes.

I haven't decided about the decals. The bike was originally black, but I like the white/black combination. One possibility is to put small decals with "Moto Guzzi" and the eagle logo on the side covers and leave the tank alone. I bought the bike thinking I was going to strip it down to the bare minimum, cafe style, but after putting 1,000 miles on it, I have come to appreciate having a gentleman's touring bike (compared to my H2) that gets 50 mpg, has a 6 gallon tank, and a very comfortable 2-rider seat. It's also rock-steady when leaned over to the peg-scraping point on a bumpy turn. That's a new concept for me too, as is an engine that vibrates less as you rev it faster. The biggest problem it has is the lack of a hellacious and frightening power peak, but the specs say it'll do the quarter in 12.7, so I guess it's about as fast as a stock H1 in that respect.

Bill, since I was about 12 I've thought the sideways V-twin engine was so weird as to be cool. The price was decent, so I decided to see what something pretty much the opposite of an H2 was like.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

gotta ask.. jim, what gives with the flexi pipe exhaust?

much as i hate to admit it, guzzis do handle fantastic. my friend has an 850 T that i was very impressed with. still an old bastard bike but good nonetheless...

That's a question I asked when I went to look at it. It seems the original head pipes tend to discolor excessively, and eventually rust. The owner before the guy I bought it from apparently found some stainless flex pipe that just fit over the stock pipes and used it as a decorative cover. The original head pipes are underneath it. After some other projects, including the DT100, I'll probably make a new stainless steel exhaust system.

The Tonti frame era made a big step in handling from the previous loop frames. Moto Guzzi's history is pretty interesting, especially the Dr. John racing era.


Proud to be an old bastard and still kicking!

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

Here you go, Mark... original front wheel with new rim, and no more flex pipe:

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

It's nice having a push-button and go-bike Jim, I know I like mine if for nothing else the packing/carrying capacity. And when I need to go "REALLY BIG" I hook up the trailer.

But for sheer fun factor always the H2 but you already know that.

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This is true. Where I grew up the hills were so steep and long, when your ball rolled down the hill you just said "screw it"...

I'm shocked....shocked I say !!!!!

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Busy doing more riding than wrenching.......

That's how Barry stays cool on those hot Colorado summer days. A few minutes in that trailer with the lid closed and he's all set for another five miles.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.