Club Feature

moto GU ClUB GB zzi

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Want your club to be profiled on these pages? Email us: editor@bmf.co.uk Moto Guzzi was founded in 1921 by two recently de-mobbed members of the Italian Air Force. Carlo Guzzi (hence the name) was the engineer and designer, whilst Giorgio Parodi provided the financial backing. A third man was to have joined them, but he died in a flying accident.

A factory was built in Mandello del Lario, a small town in Northern Italy, on the eastern shore of the beautiful Lake Lecco. In 1964 Moto Guzzi developed its first prototype shaft-drive V-twin, which would become the very symbol of the marque, used as the basis for probably the most popular range, the V7. In fact, the V7 is still produced today and is offered in a series of models including the 100th Anniversary Special. The bigger V9 Bobber and the V85TT Sports Tourer are proving popular too.

The Moto Guzzi Club GB was formed back in 1976 when the release of the S3, Convert, Le Mans and California boosted Guzzi sales in Britain. Club activities originally revolved around a group of friends who enjoyed camping weekends but as the marque grew so did the Club and it wasn’t long before local branches began to spring up.

The durability of the V-twin engine and the opening up of Europe found members embarking on some amazing adventures which were always appreciated by the readership of the Club magazine 'Gambalunga.'

Originally a newsletter, it later became a black

and white A5 magazine and now it is printed bimonthly on A4 in full colour, still containing all things Guzzi.. Despite being built on the popularity of the 1970s V-twin the Club welcomes enthusiasts of all models. We have a thriving following of SUe NoCK of the moto Guzzi club, celebrating 100 the single-cylinder bikes such as the Falcone, Galletto, Lodola and Airone, and our members years of the marque share a wealth of knowledge and advice. To support owners of Moto Guzzis over 25 years old the Club has a machine dating service which assists them to register their machines with the DVLA. We've built up a large archive over the years and now hold information on over 1000 motorcycles. Both the marque and the Club are thriving. One hundred years on and Moto Guzzi is the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production, continuing to produce popular motorcycles which attract new folk to the marque. Forty-five years on and the Moto Guzzi Club Top left: Guzzi Club GB is thriving GB has over 30 branches across the country and Top right: The legendary Le Mans over 2000 members. (pic: Victory Motorcycles, London) The camping weekends have evolved into a Above: Iconic V-twin has come to full calendar of great rallies, branch activities, symbolise the marque touring trips in the UK and on the Continent. The Moto Guzzi Club GB is one of many Guzzi clubs Contact: across the world whose members will now be www.motoguzziclub.co.uk planning their travels for 2022, touring far and wide and looking forward to a warm welcome from Moto Guzzi friends old and new. The 100th Anniversary celebrations have been re-scheduled for September 2022 and will attract thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world to 'Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi.' It will be a holiday like no other as Mandello del Lario is swamped, the factory gates are flung open, bands play and fireworks pop over the lake. The Moto Guzzi Club GB always has a good turnout for this event, and it would be great if you could join us.