Linzi your spot on there with your evalution of the two bikes the guzzi is far more usable and in its own right and way its a sexy, stunning and very real motorcycle with that elusive heart that the italians seems to put into these old classics. Its great you have found your perfect machine and hope you have many years from her/Him(not sure what way you have sexed the Lemon). One thing I have to say to you Hold onto the bike dont let it go - one day you would regret what seemed like a sensible sale for whatever reason. Keep the bike - in the future you will want to return to the Lemon no matter what else comes along in between.

No Chance
 

Hi Jake, thanks for the warning--not needed. I can't imagine ever ge...can't even say it! Mine is a 2, stripped to a 1, and used rather than prettied up but it looks like a standard 1. I have the big problem of getting anything else to supplement the Guzzi. A scooter, little traillie? I must be nuts but I've been troubled with this for six years. I want to take better care of the Guzzi- it doesn't deserve 5 mile trips for instance. Linzi.

Linzi no need for 5 mile trips leave 30 minutes earlier and make it 30 miles instead. You know it makes sense !.

V7 Cafe Classic
 

Pic a bit too big but probably justified. ;)

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/ga...tures%2001.jpg

There are a couple of us Guzzi-heads here it seems. More than I thought. How wonderful :) Gives us plenty to talk about then - those groovy kind of bikes that only Guzzi can deliver.

The small 750 engine in the Breva/Classic/Nevada is like made for an adventure tourer in the Tenere class. It has a lot of grunt just over 3500 rpms and is really responsive. It would be PERFECT if mounted on a good frame with proper suspension, 21" front wheel, 17" rear, 33 litre tank (like the older Guzzi NTX 750), etc etc.

My wife rides a Breva 750 which has just tipped 50 000 flawless kilometres. It will probably run for at least 150 000 more before needing an overhaul... Service is very simple and straightforward, so owning one is rather inexpensive. And - it's a beauty to ride.

Too small !
 

Sat on the Guzzi at the Edmonton Motorcycle show. Seemed too small for me (6'4").

The Stelvio, on the other hand.....:clap:

That may be abetter way to ride my BMW, and with the added advantage it will keep the same offset for my feet so I will be twisted in the saddle by the usual amount :)

I've always had a link to Italian cars from an early age. I was almost born in a Fiat Mirafiori Sport! Everything from a humble Fiat 127 to a modern Alfa Romeo 156 v6 has had a place in our garage. Owning Italian bikes was something that was inevitable. They're like a posh girlfriend, i.e. high maintenance and prone to tantrums. You just accept it though.

Me neither. The Fulvia was a great car, way ahead of it's time. I couldn't watch Top Gear when Clarkson trashed the old Lancia Beta Coupe. Yes, they were rotboxes and a product from the Fiat era but still a very pretty car with that lovely twin-cam engine.

I wish I'd bought one of the Alfa Guilia saloons (picture the police cars from the original Italian Job) or a Fiat Dino Coupe before, like the Fulvia, the prices went silly. May still happen as they're still reasonably priced in mainland Europe, even at today's exchange rates.

I spent the day in Alfa's museum in Arese a couple of years ago. It's a huge building, no other visitors, not even any staff, just me surrounded by beautiful cars. Everything from Nuvolari's Mille Miglia P2 to Nanini's 155. Quite surreal in a way as each car had a story to tell. I owned a 155 at the time and it broke my heart when I sold it :(

The Ferrari museum is in contrast, a disappointment. Quite clinical and soulless in fact. It's sole purpose is to keep tourists away from the main factory and workshops and it serves that purpose well. Unfortunately, that means it's usually full of tourists and there was more than one car where some cretin had tried to take a souvenir. Look for the black 166 from the late 40's if you visit. What struck me most was a historic race car i saw, loaned to the Galleria by an American "enthusiast" which had been so over-restored, it had lost any trace of the car it had been in the 50's. It's like saying, "This prehistoric caveman's axe has had a new head and handle 2 years ago but it's still the same axe". :confused1: I don't think so!

Monza is also a very special place and full of history. I was nearly thrown out of there for trying to get on to the oval banking, near where von Trips died. It will be a shame if they demolish it.

I know, I need help :blushing:

Getting Closer
 

Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Racers are being delivered to Belgium now, in Uk soon perhaps. Linzi.

Thought I'd dig this thread out rather than start a new one.

The Guzzi V7 is ticking a lot of boxes for me in terms of lightness, available performance, technology, fuel range, shape of the seat etc. My Dad had a Nevada that was decent enough until we found no one knew what year every single part was (this doesn't worry me, it was two company takeovers ago). I've had a Bonneville and was happy with it except for the tank size and how it aged.

One minor worry is the oil capacity and (like the Bonneville) the fact I might be in a minority up a Welsh lane in January or up the desert.

Anyone else touring one?

Thanks

Andy