Illusion? or Delusion?

[m13]

Some of you may know I've been trying to sell My V7 Classic to fund getting an old Loop. Well, Classic STILL for sale,.... but,..yesterday...https://youtu.be/Novsj5_tLQ4

[fotoguzzi]

that should polish right up..

[rtbickel]

That must really lean over to the right when you blip the throttle!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

That was great... 

[m13]

That was great... 

Thanks, Charlie,...I've been feeling a bit "Loopie" lately!

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[Cam3512]

Nice.  Gotta do that again before Charlie gets his hands on it and after...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Nice.  Gotta do that again before Charlie gets his hands on it and after...

I'm only doing the drivetrain. 

[tazio]

 THAT was a treat!
 

[rboe]

Just like NGC 6826.....

[Tom]

Get it running and change out parts but don't paint it.

[m13]

Get it running and change out parts but don't paint it.

You make a good point. Keep "a piece of history" original?, or "restore" it? Most folks, given an old car, truck, motorcycle, seem to "make  it their own". They "restore" the thing with their favorite metallic paint, chroming, mods and such. Changes to the original product as it was when it rolled of the assembly line.
A few try very hard to keep it all original even if it means piecing them together with original parts form other acquired original parts to replace missing or damaged on their acquired "treasure". All is good, each to their own, how rare to find a totally complete, original vehicle after 40 or 50 years of life? I have not.
     This V700 has a bit of wear and tear, that is obvious. The PO painted the tank, a now peeling bright white, and the remainder of the bike's metal retains its beautiful (my opinion) faded, worn away, patina. I refuse to do nothing to that pathetic tank, it HAS to be addressed. The rest? a clean up only? How many times in the world of "antiques" has it been said that if the original finish had been left untouched then the value(not just monetary) would be more? I lean toward keeping it original, faded, with rust-orange speckled tinged, paint. Some mechanical issues will require new parts and not entirely original, that just fine with me. The tank? I guess I gotta paint it since the original paint has already been destroyed. Find another original white '67 tank? not very likely, so paint this one and distress it to match the rest? ? perhaps. I have plenty of time, and not much money in coming to a final conclusion. Thanks for your point of view.

[Cam3512]

Hmmm, that V7 Classic with fairing and bags would look good on Charlie.

Hmmm...

[luthier]

I disagree about paint and cleaning it up. I don't like manky old vehicles. That one has no merit in staying original, which isn't even original, just stuffed.
It would be very rare to find original worth keeping. I would always restore such a thing if worth keeping. Just most are not.

http://www.kellawayguitars.com/restorations.html

But with my Ambo resto I have found heaps of stuff that either was alloy and could be polished right up, removing all the bad dings and blemishes that I don't really need to see, or the old plated stuff that simply needed to have the outer layer of grunge scraped off and then a quick run on the buffing wheel with some Mothers metal polish.

I polished a lot of nuts and bolts to find they come up like stainless, though they are likely not.

I'll admit to heavy sanding of the bevel box to obtain a shine when no shine was on it when it was released from the factory.
Same with the inlet manifold tubes and a lot of work on the rear back brake plate too.

Oh and a set of Stainless cycle nuts and bolts is a great asset.

Should I also feel guilty for using Greg Bender's famous rewiring solution so the bike will be reliable, or for heaven's sake, new tyres?

Sorry , don't care. I want a great old bike that goes well and looks great.  Generally original means unrestored which means about $5000 in parts and a year outa yer life. If yer really talented, do all yer own work, painting and mechanicals and have the Guzzi God on yer side.

[m13]

I disagree about paint and cleaning it up. I don't like manky old vehicles. That one has no merit in staying original, which isn't even original, just stuffed.

I LOVE Manky? old vehicles. I love my manky old pick up truck, my manky old kayak that I have LOADS of fun fishing from,
I am "restoring" (not so much) an old 1951 Manky travel trailer. Just call me Manky!! I plan to get this V700 mechanically sound and patch it up a bit and even drive it around some too! I simply shared my thoughts on possible levels of renewing the old girl, whether she is 100% original or just STUFFED! I appreciate your comments. Peace be with you. and I LOVE my Manky old Yamaha FG 140 red label guitar. Shes old and all Beat up, but sounds so sweet

[Cam3512]

Mechanics first.

[m13]

Mechanics first.

Absolutely!..otherwise I could just park it at the end of the driveway, cut a doorway in the manky tank and use her for a mailbox!

[grinmaul]

Some of you may know I've been trying to sell My V7 Classic to fund getting an old Loop. Well, Classic STILL for sale,.... but,..yesterday...https://youtu.be/Novsj5_tLQ4

Blocked in my country? Canada.

[Tom]

M13.  If you paint the tank then you might as well paint the rest of it. 

[Cam3512]

Absolutely!..otherwise I could just park it at the end of the driveway, cut a doorway in the manky tank and use her for a mailbox!

Funny you say that.  I always wanted to modify a Loop tank (WITH chrome panels) into a mailbox!

[Tom]

I have the remains of an Eldo that I wanted to do that to but the gas tank is good shape and the BOSS said "No way."  It wasn't worth fighting for. 

[m13]

It's MY toy and I'll do what I want!!!  no rush  as .always takin' it slow Havin' fun and appreciate all the points of view

[Groover]

Good one!

[Tom]

Let us know when it's a runner.

[m13]

Let us know when it's a runner.

No Problem. I will share the journey. Already mulling over some grapics

[Tom]