Comments on this Guzzi for sale

[rktman1]

An ad in CycleTrader for a bike in the Phoenix area...

 

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/1/4/77928714.htm

 

1976 MOTO GUZZI 850, Cafe Racer, hi quality, very fast, exc cond, recent cosmetics and tuneup, rare exotic bike, exc tires, only needs batt and new owner, 23K mi, $2950

 

Is this a good deal?

 

Tim

[jrt]

Looks to be an 850T- so it's priced average. But then- a lot depends on how well the PO took care of it, cosmetics and what kind of spare parts you get.

Just FYI, in the MGNOC news- this month- there's

75 850T with 1000cc kit- 2500

80 CX100 3200

80 V1000 pervert 2200 (for pete)

78 SP1000 2750

the above have 20-75K miles on them.

personally- I'm fond of the SP. good riding position-bulletproof.

 

Also- I don't know if the 850T had chrome or nigusil cylinders. If chrome, then check them out because they are prone to flaking if the bike isn't ridden regularly.

J

[Baldini]

As Jason says it looks like an 850T w/ a 750S seat & pos bars. (750S is more collectable )"Rare, exotic, bike" = + $$$$ :!: It's a highbar roadbike that's been "sported". I thought by 76 T3 had superceded T. Similar but T3 got twin f discs, r disc, later valve covers. I think it probably did have chrome barrels. Does "only needs battery" = it doesn't run???????

 

All Tontis are eternally rebuildable and most parts are interchangeable. This bike will have 30mm carbs/small valve heads. Despite what ad says it won't be that fast, & w/only one disc probably just as well. It'd be worth a look, it might be a lovely bike, but I wouldn't touch it unseen for that money - it looks well polished . Later bikes might be a better bet if you're after a sporty Tonti to use- LeMans has bigger valves/36mm carbs, triple discs. T3 is a good bike too. Also 950's - SP, V5 etc. If you never ridden one you might be surprised how usable old Tontis still are. I like 950 kits on 850's, v common.

 

Any well cared for Tonti will be a good bike. If you want an old Tonti to ride, & don't give a sh*t for "originality" get one that's been looked after - you can turn it into any style you want over time, most bits fit one way or another. Look for one w/bits like good shox (Koni etc), 38mm Marzocchi forks, s/s fasteners/lines/exhaust, good discs (feel wear at edge), working brakes (pistons can seize & a corroded bleed nipple will make caliper scrap). Check it's not leaking oil from bell housing. Clutch/UJ/drive box sound? Gbox is slow /long travel & a bit clunky but works OK, if it doesn't or is noisy there's something wrong.

 

As I said, this one may be a great bike - but look /ride. It ain't cheap. There should be a fair few about. Or get a real cheap scrapper & spend some money - unless it's badly bent it's rebuildable, they carved em from solid!

 

Tontis forever! KB

[rktman1]

Thanks for the comments. I figured you guys would know the specifics.

 

I agree about "seeing/riding" before buying. I can't buy a bike unseen/unridden - ie. ebay bikes half-way across the country. Just couldn't do it. A group of high-resolution digital pictures from all 4 sides might be good enough for the "seeing" part but I have to be there when it is started COLD and I have to ride it.

 

The only reason I'm half-way interested in this bike is because it is in Phoenix, only a 2-hour drive from Tucson.

 

Thanks,

 

Tim

[DeBenGuzzi]

Looking at your signature, Don't you have enough bikes already? I suppose if you have the means and its sunny arizona there is no such thing. But how do you find time to ride them all?

[Steve G.]

The points above by Baldini are correct. Unless you are smitten by this one bike, avoid it. You should always bear in mind that unless a bike [or car] can be readily and easily returned to stock form, most importantly cosmetic , it is actually worth LESS than an "unpersonalized" original. This point is emphasized even more when you are talking about a motorcycle which is starting to show signs of impending collectability, with a corresponding rise in asking prices [convervative signs with the 850T].

Last year, a bike shop in town was consign selling a mint 916 Ducati. This bike had all the right things, Arrow pipes, plus the originals, custom seat plus the original. One BIG problem however, was a custom painted pirates face with pirates crossbones flag on the tank. Now the paint and the application were absolutely flawless! But this seriously detracted the value of the bike. Not only that, but this fellow was asking more for this paint. Now, a small consideration can be allowed for Arrow exhaust, but just a fraction of their worth in the asking price of the bike. Always better to sell aftermarket exhaust separately.

A long story short, the bike sat there nearly a year until the shop owner finally got sick of the thing and the owners insistance that he thought it was worth what he was asking.

Getting back to the 850T in question, I think it is overpriced, considering the cost to return it to original.

Something I use as a guidline, whether a basketcase, or a modified bike like this one, determine the current price of a near mint example of the model you are looking at, then determine the costs needed to return it to stock. If the original purchase price, cost of parts, and cost of farmed out labour [you can't consider your own labour] are more than the current worth of the model, turn around and walk away. Or if you like, go ahead and poor money into it, so guys like me can buy a freshly restored bike for less than you put into it.

Ciao, Steve G.

[DeBenGuzzi]

I take it back, Steve has way too many bikes

[rktman1]

Looking at your signature, Don't you have enough bikes already? I suppose if you have the means and its sunny arizona there is no such thing. But how do you find time to ride them all?

43676[/snapback]

 

Three of them were purchased used and yes, here in southern AZ I can ride almost every day of the year. In fact, I enjoy riding here in winter the best. I commute, on average, 4 days a week, using the Aprilia for the gravel road shortcut and the Ducati or Guzzi for the paved road "long way around". I usually take a morning ride every Sunday (100 miles average). Yes. I have time to ride them.

 

But I don't ride the 929RR too often; maybe every other week - I bought it (used) so my son would have something to ride when he comes down to visit. He doesn't like to ride my "old man bikes".

 

BTW, If I had the space and didn't mind the insurance cost, I'd own a dozen bikes!

 

Tim

[rktman1]

I will most likely pass on this bike. I haven't contacted the seller.

 

Yeah, I agree about customized bikes. As soon as I hear "custom paint job" I immediately think "must have wrecked it and had to get it repainted". And even if this isn't true, from what I've seen, a $1000 custom paint job on an almost-new bike reduces the value of the bike about the same amount.

 

Tim

[Steve G.]

Ah Ben,

It should be every motorcyclists goal to offer his or herself the utmost in the passion of the motorcycle. Be this one machine, great. More, also great.

The humble little group of bikes I have include some bikes that I got for a great price, often because the bikes were modified cosmetically to such and extent that they were unsellable, and I got them because the owner just wanted it gone. As well, while my passion for bikes does include keeping them all up and running [collector plates here in B.C. mean really cheap insurance], a third dimension of my hobby includes trying to predict which bikes have a fair chance of at least holding or increasing their value, bikes that of course I would like to own/ride/maintain.

I am far from a rich person, I'm totally blue collar and red neck. Just buy right, and spend right. Perfect examples, my Laverda cost me $3200 cdn, Norton I got for a trade, in exchange for a tired 66 BSA and a very tired 64 BSA, the CBX I got for $2000, and the V11 and GS I got new, though I waited them both out so a reasonable asking price was offered to me.

Back to the 850T in question, ultimately If you want it, get it. Just be under no illusions that will never be a '76 Lemans, with it's pedigree keeping it's price strong. It is an 850T, a great bike yes, but a modified 850T is worth less than a standard one, especially in this case.

Ciao, Steve G.