Motorcycles
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Since Graeme uttered the word "Griso" like a strange archangel of doom I have been summonsed.
The V7 is lovely - and that is a stunning example. The motors are just superb, the shaft drive is probably second to none and they ride… oh man... they ride.
However.
The electrics are a bit shonky. The Griso eats batteries - I spend more on them last year and the year before than petrol! I think this was down to a mix of the bike being kept in a remote and deeply cold garage (in the grim north) with no power and hence no optimate. There is also limited time to ride due to munchkins.
Since moving I now have it in a garage, with power and an optimate... and also a shiny new LiFePo4 battery.
Despite my issues with batteries, fuses (I used to carry around a pocket full of assorted fuses when riding - most the gremlins have been found and remedied now) it is probably the sexiest bike on earth.
That said, I am hankering after a Victory Gunner at the moment… for those times that the Guzzi doesn't start
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i love guzzis only the italians can make a bike that has a soul ( nothing after 1978 though) as said before the electrics are ummm iffy to say the least but when they work there great .
FOR SAM . if you really want a guzzi i would get one hang on a minute did you say you had a v7 why did you get rid of it .
best of both worlds new and cafe race style(sort of).
if it was me i would be looking at the new triumphs or even an old bonnie (carb model) and just put some vonzetti bits on there just plug and play and look great .
low investment and you can allways sell the bits when you want to get rid of it -
just going to throw this in to the mix …........................................harley cafe racer :D.nice v twin motor
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Hey guys. Again… thanks for the info!
I've been flip flopping on the whole idea this weekend and i've still not come down 100% on either side.
@harley dave i never actually owned a V7, i just took one for a test ride. I ended up going for the HD 48 instead. Hearing you guys talk about them puts me in the mind of what people say about Alfa Romeo. You're not a car lover until you've owned one. And again with the Italian passion. Why oh why would they make them with such bad electrics though?! Has no one ever written to them to say "oh, BTW your wiring is pants"
@GuzziRob Cheers for your insight. Victory bikes are beasts! Never ridden one but i've had a few pass me and them make you jump! A good sign in my book. I'm a bit more nervous about this bike now as i do not have a garage at all.
I have to say i think i'm tempted to go for the V7 or just wait a bit longer till i can have a proper look. I was just bewitched by that picture i posted. OK, more thought needed!
Cheers guys!
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the v7 would be a better bet dont forget the other guzzi would be nearly 40 years old or so by now
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@Sam:
Why oh why would they make them with such bad electrics though?!!
Because they're Italian. It's kinda their thing.
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It shouldn't be a thing! If electricity starts the bike you make damn sure it's tip top!
@harley dave The bike in the photo is from 1995 so not much older than my Suzuki GSX600 which has done twice the miles. I'm guessing that might not be a good comparison though.
Think i'm going to try and get up and see it. Off to Manchester i go!
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To be fair, the V7 shouldn't be so hard on batteries, smaller engine to try and start. Which also means bump starting the thing should be a whole lot easier (last time I had to push mine half way up Wrynose Pass in the Lakes, freewhile with clutch in until I hit somewhere north of 35mph and then dump the clutch in 3rd.
Locked the back wheel but somehow it managed to move enough to get the damn motor to turn over! Just as well, it would probably still be there if it hadn't started!
If they get ridden enough that isn't going to be such a problem though, and if you live somewhere with a more amenable climate than the Lake District that would probably go in your favour too.
Or just get a spare battery and keep it on a charger in your home
They are such awesome bikes to ride though… even if I do have the urge for a large capacity cruiser at the moment....
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@GuzziRob I believe that @Sam lives in sunny Gosport, which is somewhat warmer and drier than the northern wastes of Cumbria.
I'm going to give Sam another bad idea here. Moto Strada, who are Rob's Guzzi pusher, have a very tasty Café Racer special in stock. They're up in Skipton, so not too far from the other dealer.
It's based on the latest V7 Racer, so more modern than the other Guzzi, and quite a bit more expensive. But it's a lovely looking thing.
Hopefully this doesn't end with @Giles being tapped for a pay rise.
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@Sam:
Melting snow! I bet that's a sight for sore eyes! Couldn't live somewhere where i couldn't ride all year.
Bikes looking cool! My 48 is hiding from the rain at the moment so it's down to the "trusty" Suzuki to get me places.
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you have a 48
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Yeah, I thought you knew that for some reason?
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dont know if this is of any interest to you sam its the one show i really look forward to all year , lots of selvedge denim and turn ups ,big beards , and loads of harleys .
some pics for you from last year
this is the event not sure if its your thing but if you want to go give me a shout if you like and we can meet up if you like http://thetripout.co.uk/
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Hello everybody,
here are my two last restoration:HONDA XL 125 SCRAMBLER 1976
HONDA C50M 1976
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love the 50 ive had a few of those great little bikes
