SS1 to VHB Conversion on a '67 V700

[wayne.maki]

Hey all, I searched the forum for an answer, but couldn't really find what I was looking for.

Just bought a '67 V700, fitted with the stock SS1 Dellorto's.  They leak.  Pretty consistently.  The previous owner rebuilt them a couple years back, and I was thinking that it was time to do the same.  Then I started reading and looking for rebuild kits.  Apparently, lots of people think these things are terrible and recommend swapping them with VHB's. 

The SS1's sure do look cool, and are "correct" for the bike, but I'm much more interested in not being enveloped in flames, and riding regularly with a minimum of fuss.

So....if I do swap for the VHB's, how involved is the process? Will they just bolt on?  Stock jetting?   I can twist a wrench, but I've never done any real carb tuning, so I'm hoping this might be a pretty intuitive switch.

Thanks in advance for the knowledge!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If you use Ambassador or Eldorado VHBs and manifolds, it's a bolt-on deal. Use the Ambo/Eldo cables, carb-to-airbox boot and jetting. You will want to retain the V700 intake port reducers. Top of this photo, should be sandwiched in between two intake manifold gaskets.



On eBay, the old SS1s are almost worth their weight in gold.

[wayne.maki]

Awesome, that's what I was hoping to hear! Any members out there have a pair of VHB's?  I guess I should post this in the "Wanted" section, huh?

[fotoguzzi]

Awesome, that's what I was hoping to hear! Any members out there have a pair of VHB's?  I guess I should post this in the "Wanted" section, huh?

probably get a better response here and no -one cares that you do.

there is a Yahoo group for loop frames you may want to join..

and did you already get steered to Benders site?

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe.html

[Turin]

Here's what I did. Since I was hotrodding my 850T with a cam and bigger carbs, I was about to have a set of freshly rebuilt set of vhbs 30s and manifolds collecting dust. They went right onto my ambo and it runs great with no jetting changes. Find a set on E-bay, with the manifolds if possible ( 850-T, T-3,convert,G-5, SP1000,cx-100 etc) You will need throttle cables (Harpers or MG cycle can hook you up just explain what you are doing) and you will need 4 intake manifold gaskets (2 each side).  Also removed the air box cover and have k&n pods mounted on the carbs.. They hide pretty well inside the air box.

[wayne.maki]

Here's what I did. Since I was hotrodding my 850T with a cam and bigger carbs, I was about to have a set of freshly rebuilt set of vhbs 30s and manifolds collecting dust. They went right onto my ambo and it runs great with no jetting changes. Find a set on E-bay, with the manifolds if possible ( 850-T, T-3,convert,G-5, SP1000,cx-100 etc) You will need throttle cables (Harpers or MG cycle can hook you up just explain what you are doing) and you will need 4 intake manifold gaskets (2 each side).  Also removed the air box cover and have k&n pods mounted on the carbs.. They hide pretty well inside the air box.

Sweet!  This sounds like exactly what I want to do.  There are more 30's available than 29's (which is what I have now).  Do I need to make any other changes to account for that 1mm?

[Turin]

Nope. the 850T (T-3, Convert etc.) manifolds bolt right on. MG cycle will have the throttle cables, just call and talk to Gordon or Rick (they new exactly what I needed) and get 4 intake manifold gaskets, two for each side. Stock jetting will work great. Harpers will also be familiar with this procedure . That 1mm won't make any real difference. This is what you want. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-30mm-VHB-square-slide-Dellorto-carbs-1975-up-/261819599971?hash=item3cf5aa0c63&vxp=mtr They pop up all the time since guys are hotrodding/café racerizing mid 70's tonti framed guzzis. Don't overpay. Some whackjob is selling a set for $400 which is crazy!

[fotoguzzi]

Nope. the 850T (T-3, Convert etc.) manifolds bolt right on. MG cycle will have the throttle cables, just call and talk to Gordon or Rick (they new exactly what I needed) and get 4 intake manifold gaskets, two for each side. Stock jetting will work great. Harpers will also be familiar with this procedure . That 1mm won't make any real difference. This is what you want. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-30mm-VHB-square-slide-Dellorto-carbs-1975-up-/261819599971?hash=item3cf5aa0c63&vxp=mtr They pop up all the time since guys are hotrodding/café racerizing mid 70's tonti framed guzzis. Don't overpay. Some whackjob is selling a set for $400 which is crazy!

I've bought stuff from that seller and he's a stand up guy.. Once I complained and he gladly refunded.

[leafman60]

I guess I was lucky.  For several years I had a '67 V700 until recently.  My stock SS1's were set up properly and they never leaked. Of course, with all my bikes I shut off the fuel cocks when near my garage and run the fuel out of them so I store them with dry carbs.

On day trips etc, though, my SS1's did not leak.

The SS1's are unique and add collector value to those bikes if that is of any importance to you.

If you wish to sell your discarded SS1's, I can help you.  I have a friend looking for a pair.  Please PM me if you want to sell them.

[wayne.maki]

Nope. the 850T (T-3, Convert etc.) manifolds bolt right on. MG cycle will have the throttle cables, just call and talk to Gordon or Rick (they new exactly what I needed) and get 4 intake manifold gaskets, two for each side. Stock jetting will work great. Harpers will also be familiar with this procedure . That 1mm won't make any real difference. This is what you want. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-30mm-VHB-square-slide-Dellorto-carbs-1975-up-/261819599971?hash=item3cf5aa0c63&vxp=mtr They pop up all the time since guys are hotrodding/café racerizing mid 70's tonti framed guzzis. Don't overpay. Some whackjob is selling a set for $400 which is crazy!

Awesome!  I was already watching that auction...glad to know it's the right one.  :)

[wayne.maki]

I guess I was lucky.  For several years I had a '67 V700 until recently.  My stock SS1's were set up properly and they never leaked. Of course, with all my bikes I shut off the fuel cocks when near my garage and run the fuel out of them so I store them with dry carbs.

On day trips etc, though, my SS1's did not leak.

The SS1's are unique and add collector value to those bikes if that is of any importance to you.

If you wish to sell your discarded SS1's, I can help you.  I have a friend looking for a pair.  Please PM me if you want to sell them.

I think that I'm going to keep the SS1's.  This bike is in great shape, and pretty much bone stock.  I don't want to do anything non-reversible to it, and want the option to go back to stock if I want.  Thanks!

[leafman60]

I think that I'm going to keep the SS1's.  This bike is in great shape, and pretty much bone stock.  I don't want to do anything non-reversible to it, and want the option to go back to stock if I want.  Thanks!

Having the SS1's helped me sell my bike.

Maybe you should consider checking yours and making sure they are set up correctly and try them for a while before going to the newer types. Mine ran very sweetly. Great fueling from the SS1's that I had.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If you want to try and make the SS1s work, I would recommend contacting John Chicoine:

email: jchicoine@verizon.net
phone: 413-454-8002

He can also rebuild your original petcocks to make sure they don't leak.

No matter what carbs you end up running, be sure to retain the intake reducers or it will run like crap.

[leafman60]

If you want to try and make the SS1s work, I would recommend contacting John Chicoine:

email: jchicoine@verizon.net
phone: 413-454-8002

He can also rebuild your original petcocks to make sure they don't leak.

No matter what carbs you end up running, be sure to retain the intake reducers or it will run like crap.
 

Ditto on the reducers.

I know someone who converted to the VHB's and omitted the reducers because he thinks they adversely inhibit airflow.  His bike runs poorly but he will not take my advice and install the reducers.

I'd also stick to the stock size carburetor if I did go to the VHB's to insure good fuel atomization. Remember, these were 700's and not 750's or 850's.

I miss mine.



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