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

Mario is also the man for Dellorto and Brembo.
Ted Stolarski was the man who put moto guzzi onto the Perth roads in the early 70s with a big following. Lucky that Mario stepped in when Ted retired.
 
motoddrob said:
Mario is also the man for Dellorto and Brembo.
Ted Stolarski was the man who put moto guzzi onto the Perth roads in the early 70s with a big following. Lucky that Mario stepped in when Ted retired.
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When riding around AUS last year I rang ahead (from Mt Isa) to book the Stelvio in for a 10,000 kms service at Thunderbikes. I couldn't give a precise date when I might get there but Mario said not to worry, just ring when you think you might be a couple of days away. He said that he understood I couldn't be very punctual because I might meet some Swedish backpacker girls who had to be protected from drop bears. As if. (For our international friends I should explain that drop bears are very dangerous creatures that are rarely sighted who are known to target girls from northern Europe.)

Anyway as soon as I hit Perth my first stop was Mario's workshop. He said to take enough stuff off the bike to get you through the next 24 hours and leave the rest under the stairs in his workshop, which I did. They had the bike on the hoist draining all three oils before I left the shop. As promised my Stelvio was ready 24 hours later and that included a new rear tyre that had to be sourced from Sydney (hence my original call from Mt Isa), for which he had refused my offer of a deposit.

Mario takes customer service to extraordinary levels. I reckon he is a national living treasure.

His family history is also very interesting with his father getting out of Zimbabwe when he saw the writing on the wall. Guzzi people in the West are very fortunate.

Cheers

Bottler
 
update on the Guzzi Centauro. Great bike, sounds like a big block V8, runs really well. After my pancreatic cancer surgery that cut abdominal muscles I am lacking core strength and was struggling riding the bike comfortably above 80 - 100 mph +. Long story short I just did a straight across trade of the fully reconditioned 1997 V10 Centauro for a gorgeous low kms (9,000 kms) 2007 Guzzi California Vintage including a bunch of accessories, Guzzi Vintage top box, Guzzi tank bag, extra wind screens, etc.. More useable for me than the Centauro even if down 25 hp..... :rolleyes: I hate having to recognize physical limitations but at least I am still riding.

The 2007 Guzzi California Vintage went through mandatory government mechanical Out of Province inspection today, just needs linked rear caliper/front left caliper bled, will replace rear brake pads at same time. Otherwise, my intention is to leave it alone for the summer riding season and just ride it, leave any fettling or "improvements" until next winter wrenching season. Famous last words.........:rolleyes::rolleyes:;)

The 1982 Laverda 1200 TS Mirage is still for sale and has been fully fettled for this riding season
 

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Reminds me that we've to live with what is possible (or what our powers allow us). You in particular don't let your head hang down and make the best of it with a lot of energy, even if you probably wish for something different. You have my full respect for that!

I'm still making plans like age doesn't matter. But how much longer will I be able to implement them? In this sense:
Carpe Diem!
 
Hi Marty - the Centauro is more my personals tyle, but the only way I could keep it to enjoy it would be to slow down and stay under about 75 mph, so easy choice to make, trade it for something more comfortable that can still be ridden 100 mph + but comfortably...... ;) I had fun doing the comprehensive servicing of the bike.

Hi Jo, yes, make the absolute best out of each day!

Paul LeClair
 
helicopterjim said:
I talked to Francesco last night. Funny how a project goes around in circles!

I'll have to come visit you guys when I can!

Jim
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Hi Jim

Francesco and I traded straight across, I think we are both happy with the trade. You are welcome here any time, and I will be out in B.C a couple of more times this summer, may cross paths yet.

I still have to weld up the Guzzi cam belt adjusting tools, then will send your original and an extra back to you, thanks again for the loan.

I am going to miss the Centauro, but after the surgery cut my abdominal muscles I just can't cope with the riding position for extended periods at the higher speeds I tend to run.... The California is interesting. 25 less horsepower, but still easily pulls above 100 mph + yet with a comfortable riding position and wind protection.

Francesco is one of the last of my buddies that will still run with me at stupid speeds, when he had his Honda Blackbird we would run together with me on my ZX14, the only thing he hasn't been able to keep up with me on the last few years was my modified supercharged 2018 H2 Kawasaki but he made a valiant effort. I can't keep up with him in the corners when he brings out one of his fancy Ducati's, but always interesting to try......;):cool:

all good fun
 
chrisk said:
Hi Paul
The neighbours must have got tired of putting their balls into nets, bet they were inside watching White men can’t jump, on Netflix of course
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Hi Chris

I didn't really look at the background of the photos. Looking one direction, you can see the portable basketball hoop and the road hockey net of the kids next door, and looking in the other direction you can see my most recent 1992 Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign, this one on British Racing Green with tan interior, which I bought from the estate of the original owner a couple of years go still on its original tires and with 38.000 original kms on it. Great highway car, I bought one in 1992 for my now late wife, kept it until recently when the body had rusted off it at about 800,000 kms....

The road hockey net is a grand Canadian tradition. Set up in the middle of the road, when a vehicle comes along someone yells "car", play is suspended while the net is dragged off to the side, the vehicle passes, the net goes back on the road, and play resumes.

I have been teaching the kids next door how to use tools, maintain their bicycles, and build stuff. Their father is not at all mechanical, fixed his lawnmower for him recently. He and his wife do however tolerate my noisy cars and motorcycles at all hours of the day and night
 
henrywillms said:
A fine bike for such a distinguished gentleman.
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Hi Henry,

the California Vintage is much more distinguished than I am.......;) The thing is in in spectacular original condition, like new. Most of these had huge miles put on them, I don't know why this one has not been used as intended but I am happy to have it. I htink it would be tough to find a better one.

I had someone just email me directly asking why I didn't just keep the Centauro and ride it more moderately if my issues arose at 80 mph and up.
Isn't there some saying about "if you have to ask you just don't understand.......":rolleyes:

I can still comfortably ride my ZX 14 at any speed, it is staying.
 
Paul LeClair said:
Hi Chris

I didn't really look at the background of the photos. Looking one direction, you can see the portable basketball hoop and the road hockey net of the kids next door, and looking in the other direction you can see my most recent 1992 Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign, this one on British Racing Green with tan interior, which I bought from the estate of the original owner a couple of years go still on its original tires and with 38.000 original kms on it. Great highway car, I bought one in 1992 for my now late wife, kept it until recently when the body had rusted off it at about 800,000 kms....

The road hockey net is a grand Canadian tradition. Set up in the middle of the road, when a vehicle comes along someone yells "car", play is suspended while the net is dragged off to the side, the vehicle passes, the net goes back on the road, and play resumes.

I have been teaching the kids next door how to use tools, maintain their bicycles, and build stuff. Their father is not at all mechanical, fixed his lawnmower for him recently. He and his wife do however tolerate my noisy cars and motorcycles at all hours of the day and night
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My neighbours used to do the same, they drag the basketball hoop out and play on the street until dark.

They had synthetic turf layer out their back yard and a big basketball structure complete with lights installed, about 10mt from my back deck, which is where I spend most of my off time.

I prefer the road option, the backboard now rattles and shakes every time the ball hits it, and being lit, they’re out at all hours

🙄 First World problems
 
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