A change is gonna come....

[ChipBeck_imp]

That new California is one of the most beautiful bikes I've ever seen.

Chip

[CIP57_imp]

That is a sharp looking cruiser Curt, best of luck and stick around, never get tired of looking in your garage.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I'm also a big fan of the California but the one that really caught my eye is the California Custom. My CB is here to stay but I understand your decision to go with the big cruiser. It truly is a beautiful bike. It's going to take up quite a bit of space in the living room though! Enjoy!

[hondahoarder_imp]

Thanks for all the kind words, made to many friends here to ever leave.

Stichill, yes Cadre Cycles and a well established cycle shop and a brand new GUzzi dealer in Blue Ash, Oh (northern Cincinnati). Great folks to deal with. I'm in LaGrange KY, what part of KY are you in?

Guth thanks buddy hope to make it back out to Portland, again someday this time we'll do dinner on me!!

Pictures to follow.

[rboe]

With mixed feelings I await your pics and ride reports. It will not help me avoid getting one......

[Ghis_imp]

Everytime I go to my Triumph/Ducati/Moto Guzzi dealer, I stare at it, and sit on it. It is truly a beautiful bike. Congratulations. We all need at some point to own and ride a pure Italian bike.

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I like the V-engine layout...but Moto Guzzi...I know they've been around since 1921. They're not familiar to ME. Italian cars are; Fiats were sold in this country when I was a kid. Let's just say I'd proceed with caution...there is more to ownership than thrilling operation and good looks.

But my point is: Honda HAD its own Moto Guzzi, the CX. And they let it go. It was, if not that exciting, about as reliable as dawn; a big vee-twin and shaft drive...yes, and water cooling, which adds complexity but also eases operation in traffic and in heat.

Why they didn't continue with that, build on it...just astounds me. CXs still pop up as kids' first bikes...I've never heard anyone talk negatively about them. I had a GL500, with the same V-engine and shaft, briefly; couldn't get parts to do needed brake service and didn't have a shop to fix it or store it, so it had to go. But a GREAT ride.

[Mr Jangles_imp]

SA WEEEET!

[Motogeezer1949_imp]

I had a Moto Guzzi Jackal. The stripped down, no extras, retro look (hmmmm, the retro theme again!).
I bought it new in October of '99.
I sold it in 2012 with about 75k miles on it.
I took it to the mountains and to track days. Wore the ends of both foot pegs down to a 45 degree angle. Took it to bike night and the drag strip - 13.28 @ 101.5 mph. Not bad for a "cruiser". I led many a sport bike ride on it. I put on a Power Commander, K&N and LaFranconi exhausts.
It was one of the most fun bikes I ever had with never a lick of trouble. I or Lee did all our own work, 'cause their wasn't a dealer around. Never had a problem getting parts, but only needed routine maintenence ones,
I adjusted my own valves, which took about 5 minutes per side
Guzzi's are tons of fun, have their own mystique and lots of character. Their have been nothing but good reports on the 1400. I rode the first one brought to the U.S. the black and white one all the magazines tested and since then, demo'do several at this year's Bike Week. Torque Monsters! I predict you're going to love it. Keep us posted on your adventures

[the Ferret]

Wow Lafranconi... A name a haven't heard in 30 years. Back in the day the Italian equivalent to Termigoni for Ducati's today... Or Vance and Hines or Kerker for Japanese bikes.