Seeking UK workshop recommendations

[Series4]

Could any of our UK friends recommend any London-ish Guzzi spanners who are good with '75-'90 Tonti models? I'm looking for fettling/tuning services rather than rebuild/restoration.

Peter

 

[Penis Rotor]

By far the best bet is to learn to do it yourself. Older Tonti's are a breeze to work on but fewer and fewer people are working on older bikes because it simply isn't worth it. Why? Because they are old mainly. The fact remains that if you ly a spanner on someone else's bike and then something goes wrong with it, even if it is completely un-related, (and it usually is.) you are either expected to completely rebuild/restore their bike to better than new condition at your expense or you are simply called the world's biggest bastard yet un-hung. Very few tradesmen can be arsed dealing with such BS so generally we don't.

I've effectively stopped working on older bikes for anyone but mates. Too many people who think that having a 970's bike means they should only pay 1970's prices or better yet think that whatever the price the job comes to THEy will decide how much they should have to pay. If you're really lucky they won't pay you at all, (I had this experience with a super-rich prick in Los Angeles who ripped off not only me but Todd and a host of the Guzzi community!) or better yet when you turn your back they'll steal your tools! this isn't to say that that will neccessarily be the norm, but it is the sort of thing that happens often enough to make it an unattractive proposition to take on work on older machines.

Do it yourself and you'll still find a host of folks with a wealth of knowledge who will be more than happy to help. Try joining your local classic and vintage club for starters. Most of the members will be older than dirt and mad as cheese but you'll find many of them very knowledgeble and you have the satisfaction of learning stuff for yourself.

Pete

 

[Series4]

Pete, I can do most things meself even though I get Brad Black to do a lot stuff for me. The reason I ask is that I'm planning to be travelling around the UK and Europe and want the backup if something goes wrong that I can't fix on the side of the road (e.g. f****** selector return spring). Should've said earlier I guess.

Peter

 

[Penis Rotor]

Ah Glasshopper! all is made clear!

Have you thought of getting hold of someone from MGCGB or writing to them and asking for their advice and help. They are of course past masters at moaning, they're Poms after all . And will be able to offer you whole new vistas of 'Frugal' but on the whole they're a fun bunch and worth their weight in gold, or BEER!!!!!

Pete

 

[Will]

Your best bet is probably Corsa Italiana in SW London. They'e been working on Guzzis for a very long time. Next door is their other company GB Spares so they have most parts available on their doorstep. But as Pete says don't expect 1970s workshop prices. They are a proper Guzzi dealership and will have the same rates for working on an old Tonti as the current bikes. I once had them do a major service on my Le Mans V & they were very thorough & picked up on several things both me & my local dealer had missed. It wasn't cheap but it was good. It ran soooo much better afterwards it was worth every penny. And if you go there you will have the chance to encounter Baldrick.......a legend amongst UK Guzzisti for his 'unique' repetoire of 'advice' as much as his spanner skills!

 

[Series4]

Thanks, gentlemen. I've already posted the same question on the UK Club site and wait, like a cheese-eating cat, with bated breath. I fully expect to pay full whack for hours, it takes as much time to polish a turd as it does a diamond.

Will, what about that crowd in Dorset, Moto Corsa? (Dorset is close to London according to my distance scale)

Peter

 

[Brian UK]

You can find a list of all the UK dealers here
http://motoguzziclub.co.uk/docs/dealer_list_May_2010.pdf

Of the London dealers, Corsa Italiana is the only one.
Motosport in Wareham Dorset is another in the south.