Topic: Possible Moto Guzzi Project

[jimbojangles]

I'm looking into a deal on what appear to be a couple of early 70s Moto Guzzi Elderados in various states of disrepair. Any thoughts or advice on these bikes? Anything in particular to look for? Is there anything that I should run away from?  The jugs are off on one of the bikes, but the other is in better condition. I would consider both basket cases, but it appears that all of the parts are there and in boxes.

Are there any rare versions of these that might make one more desirable. My initial plan is to flip one and build the other.

Thoughts?

[Terry in Australia]

I'm a fan mate, but not an expert. Like anything old and Italian, parts might be a bit hard to find, and might be expensive, but they were a pretty solid old thing (We used to think of them as Italian Harleys back in the day, nice lazy cruisers that you could ride all day) with good handling and brakes, but the usual crappy Italian electrics.

Not fragile like Ducati's of the same era, but if the cylinders are off I'm presuming that one had a problem? If it was me I'd keep both, one to ride, and one to rat for spare parts, or eventually put back together if the other one is good. Cheers, Terry.

[Don R]

 I'm like Terry on this one. A fan but lacking in useful information. There has been a guzzi rally 40 miles from here for years, I've never attended but I hear everyone is welcome and once upon a time the quantities of beer delivered were legendary.

[754]

 They sometimes have jug problems, some are Nikasil.

[jimbojangles]

So I checked the bikes out. Turns out the old guy rode the wheels off one (95,000 miles) and bought a spare for parts. His bike ran when parked in 19-who-knows. I shined a flashlight into the engine block of the spare and a mouse jumped out and ran down into the frame. Needless to say the internals are probably trash.

So here's the interesting part. The "spare" he bought is a pretty desirable police edition with even more rare chrome fenders. Many of the parts are NOS parts in boxes. Gas tanks are clean. Lots of things are bubble wrapped, so I don't know what they are, but I assume they are more valuable. They look rough but are salvageable. Several brand new jugs and various chrome bits. I'm not sure how much I should consider paying for all of this. I don't want to take advantage of an old couple, but I'm not in a position to really lose money on something right now. The old man has dementia and they have only found the title to one of the bikes.

[Bankerdanny]

A complete but crusty looking T3 showed up in my Facebook feed the other day for $1500. I was very very tempted. A Guzzi is high on my list of the next bike I own (in addition to my 750, not in place of it).

[jimbojangles]

I'm encouraged by how simple and easy the Guzzi v-twins look, some motors just look intimidating to work on. I also like that the transmission is separate from the engine, so an open engine case doesn't necessarily mean a trashed transmission.

I also feel like these are a step up on the value scale from many of the older Japanese bikes. There could be a better pay day down the road for a restored bike.

I think I'm just trying to justify spending money.

[Kelly E]

This summer I get to take care of a friend's 1000 LeMans for a while. It specs out to be very similar to my 84' Sabre. It should be a ton of fun.

[BenelliSEI]

Just go for it! I’ve only had SOHC cb750’s for the past 25 years. 18 months ago, heard about a lady selling her husband’s K0’s........ Long story short, bought 7 motorcycles and ended up cherry picking parts, but sold them all...... EXCEPT for a 1977 Benelli 750 SEI. Totally crazy bike, finished it up and put 6-700 miles on it last Fall. Going to keep it for a while! Enjoy something different, huge fun!

[Don R]

Just go for it! I’ve only had SOHC cb750’s for the past 25 years. 18 months ago, heard about a lady selling her husband’s K0’s........ Long story short, bought 7 motorcycles and ended up cherry picking parts, but sold them all...... EXCEPT for a 1977 Benelli 750 SEI. Totally crazy bike, finished it up and put 6-700 miles on it last Fall. Going to keep it for a while! Enjoy something different, huge fun!

 I bought 6 750's from a guy that was moving, a couple days later he offered me his 78 gl1000. I sold a couple, binned and shelved a lot of stuff, and ended up owner of a decent Goldwing. I made a friend that promptly moved away but we still text. His old blue wing isn't exotic but it's one of my keepers. At least until I title this third K0. I'd love to try a Binelli or especially a Guzzi.

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah, I never like Benelli SEI's, but I love Guzzi's, I should have bought the LeMans Mk1 back in 1979 when I was offered it for cheap, and I still kick myself that I didn't. I had a 1979 Ducati 900SS, but that was a pile-o-sh1t, one of the prettiest, but worse engineered motorcycles ever made. Oh, I bought a Laverda 750SF for $5500, brought it home, rode it, hated it and sold it to a guy on Ebay for $11K a month later. Hated it, but wish I had 10 more.........

[jimbojangles]

Well, I chickened out. These bikes were part of a local auction and ended up going to $1,700.  Still not a bad deal at all for a flipper, but I was more interested in doing a restore. In the end, I realized I didn't have the time or money to commit to the project. Funny enough the winner of the auction instantly had them on Craigslist for $3,000. I wonder how he did.

[bert96]

They sometimes have jug problems, some are Nikasil.

Moto guzzi call it Nigusil.


Bert

[Old Moe Toe]

Older Guzzis are great, I had mine for 34 years and put 200,000ks on it.
Very easy to maintain due to the design. Most engine jobs can be done with motor in frame....except changing the clutch.
Cannot speak highly enough of them. Hence the name, Old Moe Toe Guzzi

[bert96]

For me,one day i wish to be able to buy a V50 monza!

I would sell  my cb750 for this bike!


Bert

[Terry in Australia]

Older Guzzis are great, I had mine for 34 years and put 200,000ks on it.
Very easy to maintain due to the design. Most engine jobs can be done with motor in frame....except changing the clutch.
Cannot speak highly enough of them. Hence the name, Old Moe Toe Guzzi

That is beautiful mate, have you still got it? I want one..........

[Old Moe Toe]

Older Guzzis are great, I had mine for 34 years and put 200,000ks on it.
Very easy to maintain due to the design. Most engine jobs can be done with motor in frame....except changing the clutch.
Cannot speak highly enough of them. Hence the name, Old Moe Toe Guzzi

That is beautiful mate, have you still got it? I want one..........

No, sold it last winter. The "head down-bum up" riding position is fine when you are young, not so great with an arthritic spine though.

[Terry in Australia]

Older Guzzis are great, I had mine for 34 years and put 200,000ks on it.
Very easy to maintain due to the design. Most engine jobs can be done with motor in frame....except changing the clutch.
Cannot speak highly enough of them. Hence the name, Old Moe Toe Guzzi

That is beautiful mate, have you still got it? I want one..........

No, sold it last winter. The "head down-bum up" riding position is fine when you are young, not so great with an arthritic spine though.

Wow, that must have been a momentous decision after all those years mate, I understand your pain, I haven't ridden my VTR1000R SP1 (RC51) for a couple of years now because it's a tortuous ride at the best of times, but I just can't bring myself to sell it, in fact I'm gonna put it back on the road again shortly. Maybe I'm a masochist, because I do love long fast rides on that big V twin as much as I do on my other, less frenetic, V twins...........