Italian classics

Joined
Jan 22, 2008
Messages
954
Country flag
Up until now, I didn't visit this forum because, having a Commando, my attention was on the Commando forum and I just click on my bookmark to go there. I notice that the posts here are mostly about other British bikes but is there is there any interest in Italian classics?
 
Hello Daveh, yes Italian classics are always interesting.
Pictures are especially good.

Italian classics


my all time favorite ride in the hills

graeme
 
Hi Graeme, now I understand why you have 450 in your nickname! A stunning yellow Desmo. I have one as well, and have been rebuilding it over the last while. I will get a few pics together in the next week or so.

I just read another post of yours with a link to a slide show of the Australian Moto Giro in 2009. I have never seen so many yellow Desmos lined up at one event. Was yours among them?

Dave
 
Yes, it was there with 6 other 73 and 74 models. It would seem that Australia got a lot of yellow singles towards the end of the production.
It didn't make the picture with them lined up as I had the tank off fixing it where the throttle cable rubbed through the bottom, but caught up just as they were heading off from the photo shoot.
The 2010 Australian Giro was on in August just gone, but only 5 yellow bikes this year, 30 bikes in all. Including a Gilera Saturno 500 Competition ex race bike, what a beast.
There wasn't many pictures this year, but some good roads and times.
What year is your single?
 
That's stunning Graeme. Never knew they came out with a disc. The Pantah rate as a classic?
 
At the moment, I only have a humble '74 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado (former California police bike) with Cozy (Indian made) sidecar...

Italian classics


I jointly owned (with my wyfe) my oldest son's 2000 Ducati 900 Monster for a while (he needed a truck more than a bike, so we helped him out of a jam); we sold it to our younger son who still has it...

Italian classics


I'm all decked out in my "Speed racer" gear, becasue 24 hours after this photo was taken, I was on the track at Texas World Speedway, on my 50th birthday, getting my racing license! That monster, at 140 on the old pavement high banks, was nearly shaking my glasses off of my head inside my helmet. That is something I'd rather not experience again anytime soon. maybe next time i'll just leave my glasses in the pits...
 
I had a 73 gt750 that I hate myself for selling and I still have a 64 diana in the living room. It was a short special 6 month run bike that I didn't know about and I cafe'd it, oh well, it made into a duc singles book so all wasn't lost. Also had a couple of Gilera's that I sold lat year.
 
I have a couple of Laverdas: a RGS 100 Executive and a 750 SF2.... I love the RGS as a sport tourer, no space in the bags but really great for long distance rides. My SF2 has been plagued by DPO and I have to redo the complete wiring!

a rainy day with the RGS in Bishop, CA:
Italian classics


this is my SF2 when I got it...Since then I took away the fairing, rear cowl, rear sets and the Contis for someting more stock...Can't wait to ride it...one of these days!
Italian classics


Philippe
 
I've never owned an Italian bike but i've always liked them. A guy does helicopter service here from an old Guzzi with a sidecar, a beautiful combination.
 
Pantahs are a classic, pictures????
Nice Guzzi outfit, I assume it's a relaxing ride with lots of people interested at stops?
Nice Laverdas too, a friend has an 81 Jota and 500 Montjuic, and just bought a SFC 1000.

Some bikes that were at the 2010 Giro,
Niel Greens Gilera

Italian classics


Peter Hodges 1952 MV 150, this made the entire Giro but Pete's suspension was Knackered by the end. (not the MV's suspension, it was fine, and well oiled. As was everything behind)

Italian classics


Ian's Aermacchi Al a Verde 250

Italian classics


There were many more, Guzzi Falcone, 150 Gilera, Aermacchis, and Ducati singles of all types.

graeme
 
Good response! Great to see the photos.

Graeme — my 450 is one of the last built, like yours I would say. It was registered in Ireland in 1975 (but almost certainly made in 1974). I will have pics in the next day or so; I have been busy of late and haven't had the time. Great to see the more unusual bikes like the Saturno.

Philippe — I have some pics of Laverdas and others from the Biker's Classic in Spa last year. I think I should upload these to a photo website with a link, so as not to take up too much space here. I have never ridden a Lav 750 twin. They sound like a British twin but I bet that's where the similarity ends!

Paul — A Monster doing 140? That's impressive for an unfaired two-valver!

Back with some pics very soon.
 
Man,
That SF2 is gorgeous!

The Italians sure make pretty stuff, that whole "function leads to form" thing just does it for me.

2 of the prettiest bikes ever are the early, spoked wheel Moto-Guzzi Le Mans and the MV Agusta 750S Supersport (the 1974 with the red seat in particular).

I have always had a soft spot in my Heart for the early Ducati SS's, overbraked, twitchy-handling, upholstered 2" X 4" seat and all! Spend an hour on one and your Neck, Back, Wrists, Knees and Butt hurt but you want to go again!

Unclviny
 
Those Desmo singles make me drool.. I've had three Italian beauties in my life and miss them all. A 1965 Ducati 160 Monza I got at a garage sale for something like $20.00 a 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 Monza that was one of my all time favorite bikes and a 19 year old brown eyed beauty of a girlfriend way back when... Thank god for the Italians, some of the best handling ah, stuff on earth.
 
prmurat said:
this is my SF2 when I got it...Since then I took away the fairing, rear cowl, rear sets and the Contis for someting more stock...Can't wait to ride it...one of these days!
Italian classics


Philippe
Stopped on the side of the road the day before yesterday to have some lunch. Heard the rumble of Contis coming. looked up to see a nicely caféd SF go buy. Commando style faring and traditional hump seat back. Nice blue too. Made me wish I was on my bike.
 
GRM 450 said:
Pantahs are a classic, pictures????

But of course. And here she is. I knew the previous owner, who bought her back in '80. Two years later I heard he was short of money on a holiday in Blighty and the bike was up for sale. Suffice to say I saw my bank manager the next day! She's been on the road continuously since then, up until a year ago when I decided to deregister as the government was stinging us for a Motorcycle Safety Levy on every registration and paying it on 3 bikes was just too much! (Now only paid on one rego.) Also, she needs a bit of TLC now while it's still going to be an easy job. I've got the old pipes and headers tucked away somewhere dry. The mirrors are my own concoction - modified handlebar-end style. The primary drive is now straight-cut gears at a different ratio to reduce the clutch torque (and then corrected at the final gearing) as they all had clutch slip from the outset. Sounds rather delicious too, intake, exhaust and gear whine all combine just around redline - and then you have to do it all again. Addictive. Ahh, I could talk about the old girl and the rides we've had all day, but better give you a look. Here she is, no concours queen, well used but never abused. Patina.

Italian classics

Italian classics
 
I'd love to have a Benelli Sei someday.

Need to convince SWMBO that 3 bikes just aren't enough, first!


Something like this:

Italian classics
 
Philippe, you said, "My SF2 has been plagued by DPO and I have to redo the complete wiring!"

What is DPO?

Dave, I followed a Pantah the same as yours today, sounded beautifull. Don't see many any more. They were a very advanced machine for something that was designed in the '70's

regards graeme
 
GRM 450 said:
Philippe, you said, "My SF2 has been plagued by DPO and I have to redo the complete wiring!"

What is DPO?


Dreaded Previous Owner

Philippe
 
GRM 450 said:
http://picasaweb.google.com/docq00/Motogiro2010#5506874539702172050

Here is a link to some pics from this years Moto Giro Australia. (old blokes on old bikes)

Friday afternoon to Sunday evening starting from the Woodford Hotel, then all through the Sunshine coast hinterland. (Queensland)
About 1000kms of good fun,

graeme
some really nice machines there!
 
Back
Top