Today was a big day 6/5/00 rode my first guzzi and became a owner.Now 8/12/02 still riding her nearly 50,000 Ks later.
Had the old girl since I was 18. Wanted a duke but my twin brother beat me to it, so I went for a Guzzi. What a good piece of luck. It has never let me down although it it currently under repaint & rebiuld stage which has taken quite a while. It has done 109,000 k's and was getting scruffy, we also had kids so I'm looking forward to it going again.
Bought bike in QLD. Not currently registered so no riding for me at the moment - much to my wife's disgust. "Whats the point if you can't ride the thing" "It's a lovely day, why can't we go for a ride" etc. etc. from her. Needs some suspension work at the moment and some head gaskets.
Working at Motorworks Motorcycles,Hobart,Guzzi,Triumph Aprilia and a few scooter brands not worth mentioning. Have been in the bike repair industry since 71 apart from a 4 year break processing fish oils. Guzzis owned are LM 1 in 76,SP Nt in 82,a V10GT and now a Cali 1100 /03.
Been riding on the road since '75. Owned bikes include '75 TS185, '76 GS400, '77 LM2 (7 yrs), '84 K100, MZ ETZ250, XS250, LM3, plus 1/2 dozen dirt bikes.
LM3 is currently being rebuilt, but is a long term project, finances/mortgage permitting, so the little yammy is my only 2W transport at moment.
So far I have been through the engine and replaced main bearings, de-burred and cleaned the ports, fitted a Lucas Rita Ign., thrown away the timing gears (unused Moto Italiano gears) for chain/sprockets and tensioner, and had about 3/4 kg machined from flywheel. I've also done the g/box and replaced all bearings and seals, (cheap through work). I also made a headlight bracket to hold an over-the-counter Hella headlight utilising the Guzzi headlight adjusters, muuuch cheaper.
I've still got a bit to go though most of the drive-line is done from the alternator to the diff
I have had Guzzis for about 4 years now, starting with a Spada 1000 (1984) and then moving on to the Cali. I am a regular attender of most Rallies in the lower South Island which on average are once a month in the summer. I have played around with bikes for about 20 years and have had all sorts but the Cali suits me the most, doing everything I ask of it from long tours to some faster road work. Keen to hear from like minded people of any age and gender.