Red 40: 1972 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport

[Nolan Woodbury]

For anyone who might like hotrod, roadrace spec hardware from the seventies. Bol style: https://woodburymotomedia.com/red-40-1972-moto-guzzi-v7-sport/

[guzzisteve]

Nice write-up.

[guido guzzi]

Thank you for posting Nolan! 

[cliffrod]

Very cool.  Thanks for the article. 

By the time my V700 Loop chunk came into my shop and my Corsa Record project began, I had basically decided that I was going to do a cosmetic makeover of my V7 Sport inspired by the Bol d’Or and similar pre-LeMans Guzzis.  Always liked them and where they led the Guzzi world.  Now it won’t happen.  The V700 and maybe the CX can scratch that itch instead..

[Turin]

Fantastic write up! Even if it wasn't a "factory racer", It sure looks like someone raced it. I can't imagine doing all that for a road bike. The Lights, centerstand, etc... it wouldn't be the first time a racebike was retired and put back on the street. It sure could use a freshening up. I'm dying to know what's in the engine.

Good Stuff!!!

[John A]

Very good, I’d not seen it b4. Enthusiastic enthusiasts!

[s1120]

That was a good read. Cool bike whatever its history turns out to be.

[Canuck750]

Wow!
Thank you for posting this!

[czakky82]

That was really cool. My favorite type of old motorcycles. As a 40 something it’s hard to think that once upon a time some guys with some energy and know how could throw down against factory race programs. Unlikely this bike did, but the fact it would’ve been even remotely competitive is so cool.

How much better could those grimeca(?) brakes have been than the stock 4ls?

FWIW I weighed my v7 sport front wheel with no tire and I think it was around 27lbs

So a guy could do better from a weight perspective.

Thanks for sharing.

[testa_di_formaggio]

I have a pair of never installed Stucchi "Tromboncino" 850 LeMans mufflers I picked up from Antonio about 18 or 20 years back. They are, to put it mildly, open exhausts. There were only like 3 pairs left in the bin at the time, and the last time I asked about them, he told me that they were all gone, and he wasn't going to make anymore. I'll have to dig them out, and compare to the pictures. But any dimensional measurements you might ever come up with on the original exhaust Nolan, would be interesting to hear. I'm rather skeptical that what I have is what I see in the photos, as it would appear that the headers look larger diameter than original 38mm Lemans, and I think what I have are made for stock dimension headers.

TdF

[Tkelly]

There is a photo and a brief story in Moto GuzziBig Twins about va factory built 850 Sport that crashed in a race at Mosport c Canada in 1972.The racer ,Al Phillips rebuilt the bike after buying it from Guzzi,and rode it  on Chicago streets.aAl was a buddy of my uncle and one day let me ride the bike on the Eisenhower expressway.When I got on I noticed it had no mirrors or license plate.Al said not to worry,I wouldn’t need mirrors once I got rolling.I found he was right and asked what it would do and he said 140.It didn’t have a speedometer so I don’t know how fast I went but it was a lot faster than my 750 Honda and I never needed mirrors because nobody passed me.The photo shows it professionally restored after I rode it.It May have sold a couple of years ago in an auction of Al’s bikes.

[guido guzzi]

There is a photo and a brief story in Moto GuzziBig Twins about va factory built 850 Sport that crashed in a race at Mosport c Canada in 1972.The racer ,Al Phillips rebuilt the bike after buying it from Guzzi,and rode it  on Chicago streets.aAl was a buddy of my uncle and one day let me ride the bike on the Eisenhower expressway.When I got on I noticed it had no mirrors or license plate.Al said not to worry,I wouldn’t need mirrors once I got rolling.I found he was right and asked what it would do and he said 140.It didn’t have a speedometer so I don’t know how fast I went but it was a lot faster than my 750 Honda and I never needed mirrors because nobody passed me.The photo shows it professionally restored after I rode it.It May have sold a couple of years ago in an auction of Al’s bikes.

Tom, if I didn't know you I would think that story was made up. 

[Turin]

This one?

It now belongs to a buddy of mine here in Arizona.

[Nolan Woodbury]

Thanks for posting that beautiful photo Turin! There's editorial work to do on that bike but the story Greg Field wrote in his book is all true, valid and confirmed...even if the bike's up-to-the-minute details aren't More to come on that beauty!

Tkelly: Thanks for the memories and info on the green sport. All of the names sound right!

testa_di_formaggio: I too would love a look at that Stucchi exhaust! Let's PM and exchange email. I was informed by a reliable source the first version of this 'zorsts' style exhaust was an experimental system from Lafranconi. Some, or most with no markings. It is possible that these are Stucchi - but only if those existed before 1982 (as shown in magazine article). This design first appeared in 1974/75 I believe, as fitted to the bikes raced by Mandello's privateers.

czakky82: Red 40's front stopper is a 250mm 4LS Fontana, in magnesium. I am told on good authority it is an impressively strong brake used by Guzzi and other top teams. All V7 Sports were fit with the robust (moto) 'cross' Borranis, which have evolved into my personal favorite.

Thanks all for the feedback and compliments. Hopefully, I can add more facts in! 

 



 

[Tkelly]

About 10 years earlier when I had 305 Honda Dream Al let me ride his Norton Atlas out in the then country Johnsburg road.I was impressed by the power,the first big bike I rode,but was worried when  my boot was soaked with oil.I apologized nand offered to pay for the damages as I had maybe ridden it too hard.Al,laughed and said they all do that.

[Nolan Woodbury]

About 10 years earlier when I had 305 Honda Dream Al let me ride his Norton Atlas out in the then country Johnsburg road.I was impressed by the power,the first big bike I rode,but was worried when  my boot was soaked with oil.I apologized nand offered to pay for the damages as I had maybe ridden it too hard.Al,laughed and said they all do that.

Do you know if there's any way of reaching Al Phillips now? I'd love to get the lowdown from him on the green racer.

Thanks in advance! 

[Tkelly]

Al has passed away but there is a utube video interview with Al Schmitt where he talks about his bikes.I haven’t seen it since we don’t have internet here other than by phone.

[Nolan]

Al has passed away but there is a utube video interview with Al Schmitt where he talks about his bikes.I haven’t seen it since we don’t have internet here other than by phone.

Can't thank you enough for this information! It opened a lot of doors to this bike, which (BTW) was kept and is being kept in mint condition. Simply put, this green racer is the real deal.

Dan Schmitt added a new video in memory of Al Phillips. I do believe it contains some of the interview you were referring to. Made my week!

Thanks Luap for setting my account back up.

N     

[czakky82]

Hey Nolan, gotta link?

[Tkelly]

I am curious about the restoration and history of how it ended up inAZ.When I rode it in 75 or 76 it was really pretty basic,nowhere near what it looks like now.

[Nolan]

Hi everyone,

Link to the Youtube vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6oG1EmmPU

As for who did the restoration and when, I'm assuming Al Phillips, and know nothing else. It looks the same now as it does in the video (and Greg's book) and fully operational. Very strong bike.

The owner is a WG member.

Tkelly - I owe you a beer, or three. This information basically re-confirmed what we already knew about the machine. As a historian and journo, that's huge!

V glad I posted this here! Now, if we can only nail down Red 40...=)   

 

[Tkelly]

I think the owner owes you a beer for all the publicity enhancing the bikes value.Al was not a builder or mechanic,he was a racer and had people for that stuff.Maybe the Guzzi Doctor from North Chicago knows more of the story.

[Nolan]

More good information! i didn't know Al wasn't a wrench. There's a gaggle of his exotics in the video, so I just assumed. Fred Cousins is also in Chicago, he might know more. Editorially, the Italian side of the story is what I'm after now. I have some good leads to follow thanks to the Mosport write up in Motorcyclist, December 1972, where the green racer is featured.

The owner is a Guzzi brother in the finest tradition of generosity, talent and integrity. A real enthusiast. You're right - this info certainly does boost value. Well deserved, in his case.

The bike is a jewel. Special and rare.

     

[azguzzirep]

Great write up, Nolan!
I'm happy to see that you are still following your passion!!

Liebe Gruß,

Tom (still living in Germany)