Subject: Intro & some background & wtb (long)
Author: Rich Zink
Date: Jun 8, 2000, 9:52 AM
Post ID: 1700947963
Hello 'loopers' my name is Rich and have been in lurk mode for about
a week now. I live in the Bay Area (San Francisco) of Ca. I have been on the
MGCL for almost 2 years. I had my doubts about the need for a Loopframe list
but then again I had the same feeling when 'Bevelheads' started from the
main Ducati list and now I no longer subscribe to the main Ducati. I confess
to having no hardcore brand loyalty but my interests these days are in
Italian bikes, primarily bevel drive Ducatis and Loopframe Guzzis. Due to a
5 year old daughter and a recent major home remodel my bike involvement for
the last couple of years has been at a low point. But I am ready to change
that.
I am 45 and started riding and wrenching at 13. Have owned all manor
of bikes from minibikes and mopeds to real bikes. Ridden and owned brands
from DKW to Harley, Ducati to BMW and every one of the Japanese makes. My
only Guzzi ownership experience up to now was a LeMans back in 1980. The
garage at the moment is sorely lacking as I recently sold an old Triumph
basketcase that had been following me around for a while and an old Honda
CT70 that was supposed to be my Daughters first exposure to motorized two
wheels. What we have left is an '85 Cagiva Alazzurra and my wife's Honda
CT90.
Anyway for the last year I have reading about, researching and
looking at the range of V7/Ambo/Eldo Guzzi loopframes to fill the void in
the garage since I have always been attracted to them. What I find is that
here in the Bay Area there are two types for sale. The $1000 (or less)
project bike or the overvalued restorations. It seems all of the solid
runners are in Ohio or Minnesota. I am done with 'projects' (been there done
that, I am getting too old). I don't mind having to send out some parts for
rechroming, or having bodywork painted or even minor engine/trans work but
don't want to start with a box of parts. My big problem is that I prefer to
look at the bike in person. This leaves me with only local bikes. So every
day I look at the MGNOC classifieds, CYCLE TRADER, EBAY (not a great place
to buy bikes IMHO), EXCITE classifieds, MotorcycleShopper online, and all of
the local newspaper classifieds. I have been in contact with Mark @ Moto
Guzzi Classics and Moe @ Cycle Garden. I am right up the road from Moto
Italiano so I have all of those bases covered. I have missed a few good
bikes by not being right there in time. So anyway if somebody hears of
anything out here on left coast, give a holler. I am certain with enough
patience the right bike will come along.
So until I have something real to talk about, back into lurk mode
Thanks for any future help and sorry for the bandwidth
Rich
P.S. Great site Dave O.