MOTO GUZZI has longer life time than the Japanese bikes, but needs more frequent maintenance.
Bone structure of MOTO GUZZI is very robust. Frames or crank shaft doesn't wear almost not at all. But consumptive parts, like tires, suspensions, etc. And the time and the distance you rode it will make some setting deviation to carbs, ignition, etc. So it's needed to check or change them regularly. And that can make your GUZZI as a permanent partner.
Japanese bikes may not need so frequent maintenance, but it's disposable. It will down and retire more frequently than GUZZI.
Right, you can decide which is favorite, "always new" or "longtime partner". And I'd say the type of GUZZI would fit for a veteran who prefers simple, silent, and long life and relations.

MOTO GUZZI basic design has big deal of margin, so it allows some improper adjustment. But it's performance depends significantly to the maintenance quality. So you'd better to let your GUZZI to a best shop of good mechanic.
How to select good shop is to avoid bad ones, that's could be said next two. One : who says GUZZI's reliability is poor. That's because their skill is poor, maybe. Two : who recommends you much of aftermarket parts. That's for his profit than your benefit, perhaps.
GUZZI relies much to the adjustment way that the maker specified,  so it must be let to a shop of good basic maintenance skill. Unfortunately, you can see cosmetic customize easily, but basic adjustment of deep inside. It's difficult to choose such kind of honest shop. You need to look carefully your GUZZI's riding condition on road to evaluate such a kind of shop skill level, especially at very beginning of your GUZZI life.

Now, let's go to the detail of maintenance, it's very rough estimate though.
Most frequent task is oil change, that should be done every 3,000km or less, and the light tasks like the adjustment of ignition or carb cleaning should be done at the same time.
More big tasks like listed below should be checked every year, and should be done with if it's needed.
At first, checking of brake system comes first. You can laugh "don't run" types of trouble, but won't "don't stop" type.
Next is checking rubber parts. Seal rings, diaphragms, horse pipes, tires, etc.
Wearing metal parts should be checked too. Push rods, timing chain, contact breaker points, bearings, suspension shocks, etc.
After the change of all appropriate parts, then comes the adjustment. Valve clearance, ignition timing, carburetors setting, etc.
Only some of them come at one maintenance cycle, so you don't have to worry so much.
In Japanese rate, that may cost 100,000 to 200,000 yen to maintain one GUZZI per year, including compulsory automobile inspection and liability insurance.
It's not cheap. You must examine the cost versus how your guzzi revive.

MOTO GUZZI's simple mechanism let you another ability to enjoy them.
You can change its settings on routine maintenance.
Say to the mechanic like that : let the carb setting a bit thick gas, or ignition timing a bit faster, etc. All the jobs the mechanic have to do is the same : just one time adjustment. That wouldn't let you extra cost. And you can study how that sort of setting change your bike. You would be able to judge your bike's setting. And maybe you find your own better setting, or you can realize the level of maker specified setting.

Maintenance of GUZZI costs, so much more for a poor second-hand GUZZI.
GUZZI has big margin for maintenance quality, so second hand GUZZI can run enough for a while with too rough maintenance, even though they are in terrible condition. So it would be difficult to select a fine GUZZI, especially if you don't have enough experience.
To select good bike is to select good shop. If you have any doubt for it's quality, ask them in detail. Confidence brings eloquence. Good shop will give you logical answer to your questions with fine detail. If not, you'd better avoid that shop.
Some of old GUZZI, like V7 Sport or Le Mains 850 type I, are very expensive at a premium. That's because its rareness, so it may cost you much more for its maintenance. I recommend you that sort of purchase if you are so rich, and ask you to repair them perfectly to leave them for future generation. You'll get their awe and thanks.

With careful maintenance a GUZZI can be your permanent good partner. But that cost might gave you some disposable Japanese bikes. Which would be better. Ask that carefully to your mind and purse.

Ombra
Dec. 2005

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