New Guzzi rider in NZ |
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1TALI
Guzzino Joined: 25 Mar 2020 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 20:17 |
Hi all, I'm a 59yr old rider getting back into the saddle. I've always had twins, airhead beemers (got my R100/7 when I was 19 and completed 2 trips around Australia). I've had CX 500 and CX 650 Hondas (V twins), CB 900, Yamaha 750, Suzuki GS 850, and finally have purchased a brand new Eldorado California 1400. It's an awesome machine that really suits my riding style. Shame I'm currently in isolation with my new Guzzi, the government has us all essentially "locked down" for four weeks in NZ right now due to COVID-19.
I have a few questions for those Guzzi riders who may be in the know: 1. What is the best fuel to run in these Italian beasts, 95 or even a higher octane? 2. A lack of centre stand is doing my head in! Is it possible to have one fitted, even an aftermarket one? If not, what brand of stand or lifter is the best? I love to service my own bikes, always have. 3. I've only got the little black (confusing) booklet that came under the seat. Pretty useless, I've heard there is a more comprehensive manual available that explains all the features and characteristics, allowing the rider to use the bike to its full potential. All the electronic wizardry has me just a tad confused - but I'm a fast learner and can read and follow any instructions to the letter. No idea ho to engage cruise control, and it's bloody confusing even starting the engine! You have to squeeze the clutch, engage the brakes, push in this button and then that button. Once all I had to do was put the key in ignition, turn it - and hit that start button.... Thanks in advance ladies and gents, keep on riding! |
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Common sense is so rare today that it should be considered a super power.
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Ben.
Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2015 Location: Lanjaron Spain Status: Offline Points: 937 |
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Welcome, from another old ¨airhead,¨ I´m sure you´ll find this forum to be exactly what you need.
Hope you get the chance to ride it before too long.
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sardineone
Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2018 Location: Indiana, USA Status: Offline Points: 443 |
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Welcome to the board! You are like me then? When people ask where do I get my Guzzi worked on, I say "my garage'.
I had a Suzuki GS750E years ago BTW.
Edited by sardineone - 25 Mar 2020 at 21:44 |
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George
One owner 86' Lemans 1000 (member of the family) / BMW R1200ST (current work horse) You are what you have ridden! |
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Barry
Senior Member Joined: 02 Mar 2015 Location: Oxford Status: Offline Points: 2811 |
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Hello and welcome. There are some 1400 owners here, I'm sure, so they'll be able to address your model-specific questions.
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1TALI
Guzzino Joined: 25 Mar 2020 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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And I had a Suzuki GS 850 for awhile, I loved it, smooth and a shaft drive. I'll have to dig out some old colour photos from my biking days in the 80's, your pic got me motivated!
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Common sense is so rare today that it should be considered a super power.
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1TALI
Guzzino Joined: 25 Mar 2020 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Thanks Ben, I was considering buying another old Beemer, a restored 75/5, but got talked out of it by my mate who said that the brakes, motor, etc were pretty inadequate for today's standards. Once I hopped onto the 1400 Guzzi I was hooked at once. It certainly has a personality all its own like any large twin.The electronics have me baffled, all these switches etc. Can be confusing for an old timer who cut his teeth on early Jap and then moved on to BMW in the early 80's. No electronic wizardry then, just a stop and start button etc.
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Common sense is so rare today that it should be considered a super power.
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sardineone
Senior Member Joined: 30 Oct 2018 Location: Indiana, USA Status: Offline Points: 443 |
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On the subject of old tech, I think my LeMans is one of the last doomsday machines of the 80's. In the event of the unthinkable EMF pulse nuclear weapon being used all electronics are supposed to be caput! My LeMans still has points ignition, the stock relay voltage regulator and even a headlight on/off switch! With that said, it is very well developed old tech and is nearly as fast as my '06 BMW on curvy backroads.
Edited by sardineone - 26 Mar 2020 at 21:22 |
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George
One owner 86' Lemans 1000 (member of the family) / BMW R1200ST (current work horse) You are what you have ridden! |
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Tribute Guzzi
Guzzino Joined: 19 Mar 2020 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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welcome to the board,I too just purchased a Guzzi v7 carbon brand new have not pick it up yet.
here is a link https://www.manualslib.com/m/moto+guzzi+california.html to the manuals you will need,also the octane is 91 and up.
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Jerry atric
Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2014 Location: Wiltshire Status: Offline Points: 3367 |
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Welcome. two thirds of my stable has no key whatsoever, but an infinitely more complicated starting procedure: Oil on, petrol, tickle carb, find compression, ease over, TDC Jump repeat as required, get friend to push etc.
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AdrianW
Senior Member Joined: 05 May 2019 Location: Bristol Status: Offline Points: 993 |
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Welcome .. Hope things are ok there in NZ..
Apart from lights & horn half of my bikes don't even need a battery .. As Jerry says starting them is a little more haphazard than a new Guzzi..... Have fun! Adrian Bristol UK |
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Mike H
Senior Member Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 8733 |
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And presumably an unsuccessful bike thief could be identified the next day due to hobbling around on crutches because of the kick-back |
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"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
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red leader one
Senior Member Joined: 07 Oct 2014 Location: Cullercoats Status: Offline Points: 4466 |
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Using a starting handle on my Moggy Thou was a bugger if you got it wrong. Had strong words with that car on occasions.
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V7Chris
Senior Member Joined: 13 May 2017 Location: Powys Status: Offline Points: 1882 |
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Surprisingly easy on an old 5litre six cylinder Bedford recovery truck. But very low compression designed to run on post war low octane petrol I expect. Made valve clearance adjustment much easier than on a modern Guzzi with no kickstart.
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Navy Boy
Falcone Joined: 19 Dec 2019 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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I've run my 1200 Sport, V7 Stornello and now V85TT on 95 Octane and they've all been fine. I'll get around to trying the V85 on higher octane when the lockdown finishes (NPD down here in Blenheim do a 100+ Octane fuel which I've try) but thus far 95 seems to work just fine.
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NB - V85TT
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Brian UK
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 17641 |
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Experiences here suggest using high octane fuel on the V7 doesn't help.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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