guzzi with tiny pistons

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guzz...@aol.com

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Dec 5, 2025, 7:24:25 PM12/5/25
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guzzi 250 4.jpg

Mac Dennis

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Dec 6, 2025, 9:46:29 AM12/6/25
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I was told by Larry Wise that 15 to 20 were imported. There were 2 models. The early ones had gages on the tank. 

Mac
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  Mac Dennis


Turboguzzi

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Dec 6, 2025, 10:02:48 AM12/6/25
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Unless you want to put it in your living room to look at, id stay away. 

extremely fragile and unreliable, worse than bad parts availability. 

From the awful period of de tomaso guzzi ownership. 

Alan Comfort

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Dec 6, 2025, 12:59:34 PM12/6/25
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Badge engineering at its finest: pretty much dentical to the Benelli 250 Quatro. I agree that you should give thIs a wide berth if you intend to ride it, but snap it up if you are an art collector.
If you want to ride a small bore multi cylinder bike, get a Honda.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/guzzi-singles/c2570f75-ca61-4da9-9593-833a8d9650d9n%40googlegroups.com.

dan...@earthlink.net

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Dec 6, 2025, 1:27:51 PM12/6/25
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I know of 3 here in California, 2 with Guzzi badges and 1 Benelli. I'm pretty sure all were privately imported from Italy. 

Beautiful little bikes at least visually. I always want to ride one but haven't had the opportunity. I have ridden the Honda 350/4 and the handling is pure... 70s Honda. NOT fun. 

 

   -Danny

 

Turboguzzi

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Dec 6, 2025, 4:18:54 PM12/6/25
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read this with google translate
https://www.gazzetta.it/motori/la-mia-moto/01-11-2023/moto-d-epoca-benelli-la-254-un-colpo-di-genio-fragile.shtml?refresh_ce

robert mcwilliams

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Dec 6, 2025, 5:48:07 PM12/6/25
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They do in fact have four single cylinders in a line. Robert.

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Alan Comfort

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Dec 6, 2025, 7:14:35 PM12/6/25
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I'll take one big cylinder lying on its side any day of the week.The wailing of the syncopated qurtet is no match the laid back thump of our old two wheeled ditch pumps.

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sldm...@aol.com

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Dec 19, 2025, 9:54:08 PM12/19/25
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WANTED ... Pre-WW II Moto Guzzi. Alce, or earlier.

Does not need to be a Show bike, just a good runner. But needs to be affordable. Plan to use it on some early Tours...upcoming in 2026, and beyond.

Thanks,

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT
SLDM...@aol.com
(248) 470-5788
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robert mcwilliams

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Dec 20, 2025, 1:41:23 PM12/20/25
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I think we would all like a pre war Guzzi, good luck with your search. Robert.

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RICHARD YAMANE

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Dec 20, 2025, 2:18:55 PM12/20/25
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I think the operative word here is affordable. I mean we’re talking an 80+ year old motorcycle. $250-500 tops, right? 🤣
$650 would be out of the question!
On a serious note, I have my ‘35 GTV. No intention to sell but I also promised myself that, because of space, time and age, if I got an offer for any bike I own, I need to consider it. Affordability is personal and different for everyone. Feel free to drop a note if you’re serious.

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

Patrick Hayes

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Dec 20, 2025, 3:00:30 PM12/20/25
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On 12/19/25 18:54, 'sldm...@aol.com' via Guzzi Singles wrote:
> Pre-WW II Moto Guzzi. Alce, or earlier.

Why the fixation on pre-war?

The most common WW-II Italian motorcycle was probably the Alce (Elk).
That model had an E-O-I engine with only the exhaust valve in the the
head. I won't take time to look it up, but the Alce probably started
around 1935 and continued through the war. In 1946, just after the war,
the engine was upgraded to the "V" head with both valves in the head.
Renamed the SuperAlce and used by various government agencies. The
appearance and cosmetics didn't change until the line was abandoned
around 1956. So, unless you are a pedant like me, the bikes all looked
the same for twenty years and who would know?

I have occasionally referenced the wonderful modern Italian war move
"Linea di Fuoco" (Line of Fire) documenting the North Africa campaign
against Montgomery. Guzzis play a pivotal, heroic roll in the movie.
Remember I wrote that the 'Super' wasn't introduced until 1946. The
Guzzis used in making the modern movie were all 'Super' version. If you
freeze frame and study closely you can clearly identify the vintage of
the bikes.

I have a similar issue with my Blue Falcone. Spectators look at it and
ask how old it is. The original Falcone was produced from 1951 until
1968. Subtle internal changes over time, but mostly the same cosmetic
machine for 17 years. It looks logically like an old 1951. The
questioners are surprised when I report that mine is 1968. They expect
a bike of that age to look a lot more modern and sophisticated like the
Japanese and British influences of the day.


--
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
Falcone-NT and SuperAlce
www.motohayes.com

sldm...@aol.com

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Dec 20, 2025, 3:21:02 PM12/20/25
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The first event I want to use it in is called The Glidden Tour Revival. The original Glidden Tour was held from 1905 to 1913. The Revival started in 1946/7. Although it's primarily an antique car event (put on alternatively by VMCCA and AACA), it's for 1942 and earlier...

So...although I'm sure I could sneak in with my Falcone or my Airone (probably not with my Nuovo Falcone), I thought I'd try and play by the rules. Particularly since I'm on the AACA Board of Directors.

For me, a big distinction between the Alce and SuperAlce is the predecessor's hand shift. Which I'd like to explore. An Alce might also not be a bad way to go because my wife will be riding pillion...so a real saddle would be a necessity, instead of just a pad. 

Since I also write for Antique Automobile magazine, I plan on doing a feature on it. Although obviously "automobile," AACA recognizes everything...cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, et al.

Thanks,

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT

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sldm...@aol.com

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Dec 20, 2025, 9:12:43 PM12/20/25
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Thanks for the sarcasm. 

As the guy who's been running America's biggest All-Italian Motorcycle Rally in Sturbridge, Massachusetts for 40 years ... see www,imoc.website ... with 21 Moto Guuzi's in the garage ... along with 12 other Italians ... I think I have a rough idea on what affordability means.

Yes, I will be seriously buying another Moto Guzzi. No, it won't be yours.

Steven Rossi
Co-Chairman, IMOC Rally
CT/RI MGNOC State Rep.

 

RICHARD YAMANE

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Dec 20, 2025, 11:29:23 PM12/20/25
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Haha! I’m glad you got my point though. “Affordable” is different for everybody. It relies on what you have in your wallet. If you had said “reasonable” it would be a whole ‘nother story. It is based on market value.

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

andrew schmid

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Dec 22, 2025, 1:57:29 PM12/22/25
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Greetings. I’m trying to locate the correct oil type for my 1950 Astore. A old Manuel says triple shell SAE 50 but I normally put 20 40 in my older Guzzi’s. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 20, 2025, at 11:29 PM, 'RICHARD YAMANE' via Guzzi Singles <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



Dave Knaack

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Dec 22, 2025, 2:17:16 PM12/22/25
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I use 20-50 Cenpeco racing oil.  Use whatever you want.  But, I highly recommend a high zinc content oil   You’ll only fine that in an off road or diesel oil.  The converters don’t like zinc 
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 22, 2025, at 12:57 PM, andrew schmid <crossm...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Rick Yamane

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Dec 22, 2025, 4:37:56 PM12/22/25
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I’ve been running Rotella T4 in my older bikes. It’s JASO MA/MA2 approved so it’s good for motorcycle and wet clutches. I buy it by the gallon and in cases when it’s on sale at the chain stores. My truck is diesel too so one less different oil I need on the shelves.

 

From: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com <guzzi-...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Dave Knaack
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2025 11:17 AM
To: guzzi-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [guzzi-singles] Re: oil type for 1950 Astore

 

I use 20-50 Cenpeco racing oil.  Use whatever you want.  But, I highly recommend a high zinc content oil   You’ll only fine that in an off road or diesel oil.  The converters don’t like zinc 

Sent from my iPhone



On Dec 22, 2025, at 12:57 PM, andrew schmid <crossm...@hotmail.com> wrote:



Greetings. I’m trying to locate the correct oil type for my 1950 Astore. A old Manuel says triple shell SAE 50 but I normally put 20 40 in my older Guzzi’s. Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

Sent from my iPhone



 

 

 

 

 

 

.

pouma1954

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Dec 22, 2025, 5:07:07 PM12/22/25
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I put multigrade oil in my Falcone. Nothing wrong functionality speaking  but a puddle on the floor I don't have with a monograde 50.
Paul



Envoyé depuis mon appareil Galaxy


-------- Message d'origine --------
De : andrew schmid <crossm...@hotmail.com>
Date : 22/12/2025 19:57 (GMT+01:00)
Objet : [guzzi-singles] Re: oil type for 1950 Astore

Alan Comfort

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Dec 22, 2025, 6:35:00 PM12/22/25
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I run 20W50 mineral oil in my 'slicers. Pretty sure that there is no need for the expensive synthetic oils. It must be remembered that the oils from the '50s were not as sophisticated as today's blends.The bearing types and clearances in our old 'slicers will run happily with just about  anything other than the watery )w-10W synthetics that will escape the felt "seals with gay abandon .I also use straight grade  Shell Rotella 50w in the summer. 
Alan in Roberts Creek

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andrew schmid

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Dec 22, 2025, 10:18:17 PM12/22/25
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Thank you all
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 22, 2025, at 6:35 PM, Alan Comfort <alan.c...@gmail.com> wrote:



Mac Dennis

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Dec 23, 2025, 12:31:29 PM12/23/25
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RICHARD YAMANE

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Dec 23, 2025, 1:03:39 PM12/23/25
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Not to let a good oil thread go to waste Valvoline has high zinc racing oil in a wide range of viscosities. No pricing here but I'll bet you don't have to pay for the "collector tin" containers. LOL! Chris has me run this in his old Harleys.

 
I didn't see anything about motocycle rating. I don't believe that Castrol is. Motorcycle rating is more than just wet clutch approval. It also has to do with a formulation more capable of dealing in a air cooled, higher temp and longer 'at rest' periods than automotive ratings. Im sure there are other factors too.
I'll still stick with the Rotella for now. Sale pricing is about 1/4 the pricing of the Castrol. Also the plastic gallon bottles are great for curbside recycling.

Rick Yamane
Importer of Vape/Powerdynamo ignition systems and Polisher of bikes at Motion Pro

guzz...@aol.com

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Dec 23, 2025, 3:49:08 PM12/23/25
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I like Valvoline VR1 20w50 with zinc in it ...... usually cheaper around $7.00 a qt. at Menards of all places. But use what you like ...........

Tim

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