This pic of the day shows a restored 1986 Yamaha FZ 750. The photo comes from Italian fan Fabiano, who finally managed to purchase an FZ 750 after falling in love with it at age 11 when watching the film “Troppo Forte”, or “Too Fast”. It took him seven months to fully restore it, and he now rides it around the lovely roads of Lake Como, in Italy’s north.

Send your funny, bizarre or surprising pics to us and we’ll post them, with your name. We’d love to share what you guys find in the world of motorcycling! Send to: pics@twowheelsblog.com.

Restored 1986 Yamaha FZ 750

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In good news for Moto Guzzi workers and the town itself, Moto Guzzi production will remain at the Mandello facilities on Lake Como, while the company will also prepare for a relaunch of the facility and new models in 2013. The news comes in an announcement from Piaggio Group president, Roberto Colaninno.

The move comes after meetings among Moto Guzzi management and with union and regional government representatives. Piaggio management has made the decision that Moto Guzzi is to remain at Mandello and the new initiatives will also be undertaken at the facilities. Research and development of new Guzzi models, however, will move to Noale.

Moto Guzzi workers at Mandello are optimistic that this is the final decision in a long process of determining the future of Mandello Moto Guzzi production, and it will hopefully prove to be an important opportunity for the company to renew some of its activities at the plant. Beyond that, it’s an extremely symbolic event for the Italian motorcycle icon.

Source | Motociclismo.it via Motoblog.it

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After protests involving unions and the local council, it seems the Moto Guzzi factory at Mandello del Lario on Lake Como will remain open. The facility is the spiritual heartland of the Moto Guzzi brand, and after 1,500 Moto Guzzi owners and riders turned up to protest, the factory will remain open.

It seems to have galvanised Moto Guzzi management into action, with the president of the company, Roberto Colannino, claiming that Moto Guzzi will be making new investments and developing new models.

Workers maintain that Moto Guzzi is still looking to empty its factory, transferring workers to other Piaggio facilities in northern Italy, such as Noale in Venezia and Pontedera in Pisa, central Italy. According to them, over a third of the 150 employees risk losing their jobs, while the identity of the Moto Guzzi is being compromised (see petition details after the jump).

Continue reading: Moto Guzzi Mandello factory saved?

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A petition to save Moto Guzzi’s original factory at Mandello del Lario is underway, as Piaggio plans to close the facility and move workers to other plants. MCN seems to be championing various causes this month, as they are also conducting a “Reclaim North Wales” campaign.

Moto Guzzi has been making bikes at its Mandello site since 1921, and the factory still houses the wind-tunnel facilities for the company. I lived in the area for more than a year, with Mandello like a little backyard for the people of that area of Lake Como. The Moto Guzzi company gives a small slice of history and modest notoriety to the area, so for romance’s sake and the 150 people who work there, here’s hoping the factory stays open.

If you want to sign the petition, see the MCN petition details.

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If you boyfriend offered to take you for a spin on his motorcycle for Valentine’s Day, at nearly 1000 metres of altitude in below zero temperatures, would you go? This is the question posed by our photo of the day, with a trip around Lake Como on February 14 resulting in -2 C° touring temperatures.

Perhaps Lorenzo, who sent us these pics, enjoyed the trip on his own, having a look at the view of the Grigne mountains above Lake Como. Send your funny, bizarre or surprising pics to us and we’ll post them, with your name. We’d love to share what you guys find in the world of motorcycling! Send to: pics@twowheelsblog.com.

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How come I never get to see George Clooney at Lake Como on a motorcycle, dammit?! I live on the lake (the non-Clooney side, where the normal people live), and in my brief trips around in my little Opel Corsa I have never ever seen George.

Apparently the American film star has been enjoying the summer that’s arrived all at once over here and has been touring around on a Harley Davidson. Rumours about his trip over here go from everything from road trips with Brad Pitt, to his girlfriend’s breast enlargement. Whatever.

Lake Como is full of Americans at the moment so it’s quite possible George is just enjoying a holiday over here. And I can really recommend a motorcycle tour of Lake Como, or even a Vespa tour for some true Italian style. You wanted scenery right…?

Source | Clutch and Chrome

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