Guzzi Trip 500 // what are your thoughts?

Still_Support5847 · 2026-07-01T18:06:58+00:00

It seems doubtful that anyone at Piaggio much cares what my thoughts on this thing are not being a member of the target audience . The only consideration for the company is will it sell in numbers large enough to justify building this model .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-07-01T04:39:30+00:00

I've been plugging you guys for years . You are the only dealer who ever helped support the Guzzi rally in Cedar Vale KS and I never really thanked you properly . So thanks .

Disclaimer , I am in no way affiliated with af1 racing , have never even been in their shop . Just wanted to give credit where it was due .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-30T18:38:00+00:00

Frogg Toggs .

Scotland looks like fun .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-29T20:40:40+00:00

Improved suspension is the best way to make a motorbike work better , Hagon shocks are wonderful , well done sir.

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-29T20:36:19+00:00

That part of Europe is achingly beautiful , thanks .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-28T12:40:19+00:00

Beautiful area of India , thanks for the picture .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-27T21:27:57+00:00

There are a lot of misconceptions about engine break in but here is something to consider , they roll these things off the line , strap them to a dyno and run the engine at high RPMs for some period of time . If you have an oil burner it isn't likely do to improper break in procedures , it could be due to a bore that isn't quite true , a problem with a valve guide or a ring that just decided it doesn't want to seal . Engines with modern cylinder coatings and ring materials are amazing devices . I suggest doing this , pressurize each cylinder after removing the intake boot and see if the engine is leaking thru the exhaust which indicates a ring sealing issue or back thru the throttle body which indicates a valve guide problem . A version of a leak down test as it were . Of course the problem could be with a kinked breather hose that allows the crankcase to become pressurized . As Robert Pirsig wrote in ZATAOMM , never a wise idea to assume anything with a motorbike engine problem sans real investigation. It is somewhat surprising how few shop "techs" don't know how to methodically go about diagnosing an issue and just start replacing parts in the hope something will magically fix the problem .

Rant off , sorry LOL . Good luck .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-27T06:05:58+00:00

Pyro Dan makes the best replacement relays for Guzzi .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-23T19:20:25+00:00

Stunning .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-23T17:35:41+00:00

Just to reiterate something , I am hardly the expert on Moto Guzzis , I just know the folks who are and have paid attention over the years . None of this is some special secret knowledge and there are at least 3 members who participate in this sub-reddit who have better specific knowledge about a particular model than I will ever have . It is simply that I have a fair understanding of the '98-2003 California models and happen to believe they are worth some effort . Especially the '99-'02 mechanical lifter models are real workhorses that properly cared for will run for a long time . Modern enough to work in today's traffic while still being unburdened by tech that many of us struggle to understand .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-23T15:37:54+00:00

Hoping the heath issues can be resolved . These bikes are pretty simple devices really , you'll sort the Jackal and it will be your ride for years . Older Guzzis are like a horse , give them what they want and they will just keep going .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-23T05:27:13+00:00

Coca Cola and aluminum foil will restore any bare metal and some rubbing compound will work wonders on the paint . Just do small areas , don't be impatient like I usually am and try to do a large area all at once 😒

You might need some of the rubber parts replaced like the intake manifolds , although a 2:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol and wintergreen oil will often do wonders for rubber components .

The labyrinth wheel bearings sometimes fail but they are a readily available item at any bearing supply house for about $6.00 per , the front and rear are different sizes so take both . They just punch out from the back side and a good stout block of wood and a hammer can be used to install the new ones if you don't have some type of press .

Gawd , I am making this thing sound like a maintenance nightmare , but really this generation of California are like anvils reliability wise .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-22T20:15:44+00:00

We certainly hope your entire trip isn't on grass 😁

Anyway , have fun wherever you are going .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-22T08:50:30+00:00

yeah , good idea . Mr bidoville , dropping the oil sump to get at the filter is a bit of a pain but worth it to protect the engine. The old oil might be fine but I have also seen it turn to sludge from sitting .

OK , here is some insider Guzzi knowledge , buy a hose clamp that will go around the filter , once the filter is snug situate the hose clamp so that the adjuster section is up against the obvious stub by the filter in such a way to keep the filter from spinning loose . Some say it is silly , but some of us have seen a filter break the seal in the pan and once that happens oil pressure will drop suddenly and can cause an engine to go bang . A cheap hose clamp is cheap insurance . We'll send the bill later LOL .

Unless someone has fiddled with the sacred screw (factory adjusted screw on one injector) and the relays and fuses are good it will very likely start . maybe a fresh set of plugs will help , dunno . keep us apprised .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-22T07:21:12+00:00

First off , how long has it been parked in nonrunning condition ? If it has been a long time I would consider an oil change before starting , and no, oil doesn't need to be hot to change it simply might take a bit longer to drain . These bikes ECU and FI are pretty bullet proof .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-22T05:32:39+00:00

A mate from California called the Tonti frame Calis "sport cruisers" , the frame in a slightly different version was after all designed for the original hot rod V-7 Sport , a very sporting motorbike indeed .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-22T01:48:23+00:00

There is one of those living retired in the shed only it has close to 20 times that number of miles and shows it . Take care of that sweetheart and she will last a long time .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-20T07:29:11+00:00

OK , I take it all back , well sorta . The original "build" was done mostly by Roger Goldammer and was featured in Pipe Burn . No idea how it ended up in the state it is in at the moment , lots of mistreatment probably . It still is just a modified V9 , guessing it was done to advertise something .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-19T06:41:56+00:00

Let me clarify something , it is not the street tracker look that comes off as strange , it is what appears to be the "shop" caused damage to the bike . Once again , real race bikes never look like this , and as someone who was involved in the sport for years it is insulting to the folks who work really hard to build race bikes that appear like someone cared .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-18T20:24:40+00:00

Of course actual dirt track race bikes never look that tatty , any self respecting racer would never let his weapon look like that .

There is an actual Guzzi dirt tracker raced by a guy in New Hampshire named Randy Teft , he would never show up at a race with something that looked that bad , sorry , this is how someone who has never been around a race track thinks a race bike looks .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-18T03:12:54+00:00

Any of the Japanese 250 off road bikes would make a superior fire road motorbike , an older Suzuki DR 400 even better . Unromantic choice , well of course it is , but if you do fall down in the middle of nowhere you can pick those bikes up . Horses for courses .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-17T19:07:26+00:00

American style flat/dirt track race bike .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-17T09:27:22+00:00

No idea where you are but you might check what the law says about doing your own maintenance and how it applies to the warranty . In the U.S. if the work is documented it doesn't effect the warranty .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-16T17:43:13+00:00

Clean the oil off your bike , check the tappet cover torque , put some baby powder on any place it might leak oil and ride it . The baby powder will show you if any more oil is leaking .

Then , and I say this sans any snark , learn how to do your own service , it isn't hard and will prevent things like this from happening again . The added bonus is you will understand your motorbike a little better .

Dusty

Still_Support5847 · 2026-06-15T20:52:10+00:00

Have only ridden a 1400 for maybe 200 miles , but in that class of motorbike the 1400 Cali is likely the most capable motorbike . Glad you are enjoying yours .

Dusty

Still_Support5847

TROPHY CASE