Moto Guzzi owners in the past?

[brandersnatch]

Reading through the forum it seems that quite a few people have owned Moto Guzzis in the past. I have owned a Mk2 Le Mans, a T3 with Spada bodywork, (I swapped the Le Mans for the T3 as I was going on a trip to Italy with Mrs. B and the Le Mans wasn't too comfortable for the passenger) another Le Mans 2, this one 992cc P3 cam 11.5 -1 compression with forged pistons, valves the size of dinner plates and gear driven cams. This bike also had Spada bodywork and Krauser panniers. I'll stick a photo of it here. The boys in the photo are now 22 and 20! God I'm getting old! Mrs B will kill me if she sees this, 80's hair or what? My last one was a V1000 G5. Bought from a friend called Doris, the bike was called Violet and was painted purple with hand painted violets on the tank! I soon mat blacked it I can tell you. I bought this to courier as I decided to put my money where my mouth was and prove that a Guzzi was up to it. It wasn't! In a big way! I lost a lot of money due to days off broken down. Daft really.
What Guzzis if any have you owned?

[mongrel]

I had a Mk1 callifornia rally, followed by a G5, countless v50's and a second
G5. always fancied a V10.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by brandersnatch

I bought this to courier as I decided to put my money where my mouth was and prove that a Guzzi was up to it. It wasn't! In a big way! I lost a lot of money due to days off broken down.

had a guzzi california once

great idea 5 speeds, v twin, good handling, decent brakes and shaft drive

however compared to the iron head I had owned previously it was a complete disaster

it was slower - both speed and acceleration

poor fuel consumption

handling wasn't noticably any better

the brakes were excellent, however it usually broke down before you needed them

In short it was possibly one of the most unreliable bikes I had ever owned

[SJC69]

Had a Mk III Le Mans which did many continental trips including one to the factory and museum in Mandello Del Lario, replaced by my FXR.
I was lucky mine was supplied fully equipped with Bosch electrics and straight spoked wheels!
{Pictured with the first Harley that actually impressed me}



And a V50 Mk 111 used for daily transport for six years.

[banquo]

Still have one, but it's a one-lunger, masquerading as a snowmobile...

[brandersnatch]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

In short it was possibly one of the most unreliable bikes I had ever owned

I think that with Guzzi's you either get a good one or a complete dog. The first three were good, the G5 was a disaster!

Banquo. Very nice mate, very nice.

[Roger]

I had one of these in '75



Wish I'd kept that!

[brandersnatch]

Originally Posted by Roger

I had one of these in '75



Wish I'd kept that!

Very good looking bike that.

[Ming the Merciless]

Before I changed allegiance (and went American) my last bike was a V1000 G5.

It was ex-police, bought at 3 years old with 34,000 on the clock. The last owner in the log book was the Chief Constable of Sussex.

The quality brakes were a stand-out feature. Equipped with Bosch electrics, it was a reliable mount for 10 years, and it took me on touring holidays to the Isle of Man twice. Happy days!

[chilly]

Had a T3 ,Spada ,G5 ,1100i and now this with an uprated motor