Paul LeClair new project and 1982 Mirage 1200 TS Series 2 FOR SALE

Davo said:
Of course, now that you own one of the marque, you will need a coppy of Guzziology written by Dave Richardson. The definitive Guzzi bible. Welcome to the wormhole.

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Guzziology Version 9 : Richardson, Dave, Richardson, Dave: Amazon.com.au: Books

Guzziology Version 9 : Richardson, Dave, Richardson, Dave: Amazon.com.au: Books
www.amazon.com.au
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I used to ride down to Seattle just to chat with Dave Richardson. Genius status Moto Guzzi knowledge. Moto Guzzi factory reps would regularly fly in from Mandelo specifically to talk to him about future models and North American model
Distribution. The ‘olde shop’ is not the same now that he’s retired.
 
I was about “this close” to picking up a new last year model 1200 Griso in matt Green color. A last minute charge by the local sales manager made me back away from the deal. The last 4 valve roller rocker big block is the best v twin engine that Moto Guzzi has built imo. And unlike the ‘spine frame’ models, which encompassed 1990-2005 non California models, which could give ‘willowy’ handling in the tight stuff, the unique Griso fame railed in the corners with fine stability.
 
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What do you prefer a 650 BSA Lightning, 650 Bonney, Norton 750 Commando, BMW 750S, Ducati 750S or the lowly Breganzie 750 SF.

All Great Motorcycles in my experience.

Maybe a Moto Guzzi 850 Le Manns

Let alone a Breganzie TS 1200 Mirage Paul has for sale ;o)
 
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That list encompasses a wide range of bikes that have vastly different capabilities and most notably a huge price variation. Certainly the Ducati bevel drive is by far the most expensive and hardest to find.
 
triple trees are off the Guzzi Centauro, head stock bearings races are out and bearing ground off the lower triple tree. Dry, no grease, and evident wear on the bearings.

Really odd.... the hollow handlebars were filled with what appears to be kitty litter or similar, see the last photo, bloody stuff spilled everywhere and into everything when I removed the bars. Never encountered that before, seems unlikely to achieve any vibration reduction?
 

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Paul LeClair said:
triple trees are off the Guzzi Centauro, head stock bearings races are out and bearing ground off the lower triple tree. Dry, no grease, and evident wear on the bearings.

Really odd.... the hollow handlebars were filled with what appears to be kitty litter or similar, see the last photo, bloody stuff spilled everywhere and into everything when I removed the bars. Never encountered that before, seems unlikely to achieve any vibration reduction?
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Wow, not even a trace of bearing grease-good call on reconditioning! Debris in bars must be for anti-vibe remedy- buckshot, sand, liquid rubber, etc all used with limited success- plenty of legit bar end weights & inserts available.
 
Moto Guzzi original build, and lack of grease is actually a normal situation. My new V11 Sport, after one riding season and 7000kms, I could not pull the rear wheel off of the hub drive splines, the thing was rusted on!!! Took careful ‘heat application’ and rubber hammer bearing to get it off, and much needed grease to the splines as I installed it. Oh, BTW, universal joints were dry as well.
Italia!!!!!
 
Steve G. said:
Moto Guzzi original build, and lack of grease is actually a normal situation. My new V11 Sport, after one riding season and 7000kms, I could not pull the rear wheel off of the hub drive splines, the thing was rusted on!!! Took careful ‘heat application’ and rubber hammer bearing to get it off, and much needed grease to the splines as I installed it. Oh, BTW, universal joints were dry as well.
Italia!!!!!
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Hi Steve

I have been trying not to fret about how much rust I have been finding and dealing with. I have the rear drive off and apart, as well as the drive shaft and universals. Front universal had threaded opening for grease nipple, left open without a nipple in. New driveshaft and universals are fairly stiffly priced and apparently special order, I actually took out the circlips and took them apart, cleaned and lubricated, installed fresh grease nipples, and oozed a bunch of grease slowly through......

the dry steering head bearings and races were actually quite worn, no big deal. The swing arm bearings were so rusty and seized solid getting them out was quite a task, solved by welding a big bolt to each massive bearing. The cheap Chinese made replacement bearings for the swing arm were priced at $38 each. I sucked it up and went with proper high-quality bearings, at $105 per bearing, was a bit of a shock but from the looks of them, properly lubricated, they should last forever. I have not put the swing arm back together yet, I am considering drilling and threading and installing a grease fitting on either side just behind each bearing.

as I disassemble this bike I am quite struck by the obvious very high quality of the bits and bobs. Beautifully made and put together.

photos, first of one of the better wheel bearings, second of the front universal after me using a bunch of brake cleaner on it as a first step before running it through the ultrasonic using solvent, third photo of part of the process of getting the very rusty swing arm bearings out after it broke my bearing puller.

Paul LeClair
 

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RGSteve said:
On a serious note, I wonder if your Centauro might be a flood survivor?
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HI Steve

I sure hope not. I have all winter to do everything methodically and properly, going to rebuild front forks then put the bike back on its wheels front and back before worrying about the engine (other than the cam belts I am doing right now).

Not sure how long the bike has been in Canada, I am going to try and find out. I know the fellow it came from was riding it here in Canada for quite some time before he parked it when he stopped riding motorcycles some years ago, so it seems unlikely to have any major engine issues, fingers crossed..... The rear drive was OK when I took it apart, other than desperately needing a gear oil change, so I have not seen anything yet to indicate the bike was ever underwater, just not greased or lubricated.
 
Always longed for a Breganzie Laverda TS Mirage 1200 for Northern Ontario Canada .

My 70 SFO wasn't too shabby riding at night for 200 miles through thunder storms in the Cambrian Shield .

A Breganzie kept me alive Vs other Motorcycles.
 
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RGSteve said:
On a serious note, I wonder if your Centauro might be a flood survivor?
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I’ve been curious about the rust etc. maybe you are on track.

I almost bought a GMC pickup advertised in Perth ….. until I saw rust in the advertising pictures, in places that it shouldn’t have any rust.

Google (not my mate that knows everything, about everything) helped me locate some pictures of it 3 years earlier half submerged in Brisbane flood water, seems it was “salvaged” having some expensive accessories removed, and sent on a 5,000klm trip away for a sneaky sale.
 
To learn and on how to ride and survive on a Breganzie is sure HELL ;o)

Never seen another Breganzie Twin on the road in Northern Ontario, perhaps a few Triples riding through.

A 84 Suzuki 1100 GWX was out of my league - Not that I didn't ride one for a summer.

Kept my 70 Breganzie 750SF till I decided to quit riding at age 70 - I'm now 74 and still breathing.
 
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