Author Topic: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability  (Read 2432 times)

Offline Fredrik

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V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« on: November 21, 2021, 09:28:01 AM »
Hello.

Anyone that have real life experience of long distance touring on early 70`s V7 models?

I plan to use my V7 for a longer journey the coming year and advices about the bike is appreciated. I have seen both posts that claim the bike is bullet proof and some that claim it is not very reliable. Based on my older Urals i have owned in the past never have stranded me do i hope the Guzzis are atleast the same in reliability. Of course do i refer to a well maintained motorcycle, mine is more or less stock except that the cylinders have been changed in the past to nicasil variants. Ignition is stock, generator etc.

What is your experiences?  :cheesy:
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
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IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
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Online John A

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2021, 10:15:17 AM »
I bought my first 71 Ambassador in 77. It had about 60K miles on it. I realized it needed a freshening up to be more reliable and found a machine shop in Sacramento that used to repair them for the CHP. They put iron liners in the cylinders and recut the ring grooves in the pistons for automotive type rings. I put in excess of 200K on that one in every type of riding condition. I bought another and eventually took the best of both to make one that I rode for a long time with normal maintenance. I was always able to fix any breakdowns and consider them to be very reliable and comfortable. I got rid of all my loop frame bikes and parts around ‘93 .
John
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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2021, 10:24:18 AM »
I bought my first 71 Ambassador in 77. It had about 60K miles on it. I realized it needed a freshening up to be more reliable and found a machine shop in Sacramento that used to repair them for the CHP. They put iron liners in the cylinders and recut the ring grooves in the pistons for automotive type rings. I put in excess of 200K on that one in every type of riding condition. I bought another and eventually took the best of both to make one that I rode for a long time with normal maintenance. I was always able to fix any breakdowns and consider them to be very reliable and comfortable. I got rid of all my loop frame bikes and parts around ‘93 .

Thanks for reply.

I hope the change to nicasil cylinders is a better choice than the stock chromed ones.
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
Honda Black Widow 750 -2001
Aprilia Leonardo 125 -1999

Offline TOMB

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2021, 10:41:06 AM »






See the bikes in mileage Below in my signature and yes they are very reliable.

And yes the miles are correct

TOMB
« Last Edit: November 21, 2021, 10:43:19 AM by TOMB »
TOMB

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
1972 Eldorado new to me so "0" miles so far
1972 AMBASSADOR 169000 MILES
1978 G5 170000 MILES
1973 V7 SPORT 25000 MILES
1973 ELDORADO 300000+ MILES
1980 CX100 50 MILES
1976 CONVERT-62000 MILES AND BUILDING
1976 HONDA CB400F 27 MILES AND BUILDING SOLD

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2021, 10:41:06 AM »

Offline AJ Huff

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2021, 10:55:36 AM »
Nick949 can tell you 😉

-AJ
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Online Dave Swanson

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2021, 11:51:56 AM »
If you read through the MGNOC newsletter archives there are many mega mile ride reports using Loops of all flavors. 

MGNOC has the newsletters on their website going back to 1971 when the newsletter was called The Moto Meatball News!  Good stuff in there and easily worth the membership fee on its own. 
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Online Dave Swanson

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2021, 11:57:16 AM »
Thanks for reply.

I hope the change to nicasil cylinders is a better choice than the stock chromed ones.

It will be an engine life saving change and last for many thousands of trouble-free miles. 
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
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Online pehayes

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2021, 12:12:54 PM »
Do some research in the history of this forum.
Paul Van Hooff rode his V7 from Prudhoe Bay, AK down to Patagonia and then settled for awhile in Bolivia.  Last I heard he was on the same bike touring Russia.
Bruce Baille from British Columbia rode his V7 to Bolivia to visit with Paul while he was still there.
How far afield do you intend to tour?

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2021, 12:17:14 PM »
Well,

I put disk brakes and better front forks on mine and rode it everywhere for about 3 years. It was totally bulletproof.

Until I did a fast run from Geneva down to Montpellier on a hot summer's afternoon, I'd say I was doing 80-90 all the way. (I had an, ahem, strong incentive....)  which is fast on a loop.

After that, and I don't know if it is at all related, I started to have nothing but trouble from the old girl.

Seriously, 3 years of perfection followed by an absolute nightmare in which time the bike

-started intermittently firing on one cylinder, changed coils, plugs, dizzy cap, points, condensor etc chasing it
-developed 2 separate leaks from the back of the gearbox
-started selecting weirdly
-starter motor stopped working
-alternator mounting bolts snapped
-rear drive pinion gear broke

And maybe more stuff I can't remember now!!!

Never really known anything like it. 3 years bulletproof and then problem after problem

Maybe someone put a hex on it or maybe I just pushed her too hard.

That's my experience, still don't know what to make of it!

 


Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2021, 12:30:36 PM »
Do some research in the history of this forum.
Paul Van Hooff rode his V7 from Prudhoe Bay, AK down to Patagonia and then settled for awhile in Bolivia.  Last I heard he was on the same bike touring Russia.
Bruce Baille from British Columbia rode his V7 to Bolivia to visit with Paul while he was still there.
How far afield do you intend to tour?

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

The planned route is not so extreme. But something like the attached map shows.



Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
Honda Black Widow 750 -2001
Aprilia Leonardo 125 -1999

Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2021, 12:31:32 PM »
If you read through the MGNOC newsletter archives there are many mega mile ride reports using Loops of all flavors. 

MGNOC has the newsletters on their website going back to 1971 when the newsletter was called The Moto Meatball News!  Good stuff in there and easily worth the membership fee on its own.

Thanks, sounds like a great source of information.  :cheesy:
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
Honda Black Widow 750 -2001
Aprilia Leonardo 125 -1999

Offline jumpmaster

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2021, 04:20:30 PM »
Well,

I put disk brakes and better front forks on mine and rode it everywhere for about 3 years. It was totally bulletproof.

Until I did a fast run from Geneva down to Montpellier on a hot summer's afternoon, I'd say I was doing 80-90 all the way. (I had an, ahem, strong incentive....)  which is fast on a loop.

After that, and I don't know if it is at all related, I started to have nothing but trouble from the old girl.

Seriously, 3 years of perfection followed by an absolute nightmare in which time the bike

-started intermittently firing on one cylinder, changed coils, plugs, dizzy cap, points, condensor etc chasing it
-developed 2 separate leaks from the back of the gearbox
-started selecting weirdly
-starter motor stopped working
-alternator mounting bolts snapped
-rear drive pinion gear broke

And maybe more stuff I can't remember now!!!

Never really known anything like it. 3 years bulletproof and then problem after problem

Maybe someone put a hex on it or maybe I just pushed her too hard.

That's my experience, still don't know what to make of it!

Sort of supports the old adage:  "Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean that you SHOULD do something!"  On the other hand if the speed cited above are kph rather than mph, then you weren't really pushing the bike hard even if it was a hot day.
JC
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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2021, 04:30:29 PM »
Sort of supports the old adage:  "Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean that you SHOULD do something!"  On the other hand if the speed cited above are kph rather than mph, then you weren't really pushing the bike hard even if it was a hot day.

I have the impression a V7 750 from that era shall be able to hold 120-130 km/h all day long.
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
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Online Dave Swanson

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2021, 04:53:15 PM »
If I wanted a bike that could hold 80 miles per hour all day long I probably wouldn't be rolling my 750cc V7 Special out.   I think the 750cc Loops are happiest at 100 to 110 kmh. 
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
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1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2021, 07:13:23 PM »
uhhhh miles dudes

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #15 on: November 23, 2021, 07:17:09 PM »
we're all in agreement, I think...

60-70mph 100-110 kmph all day  = happy days

80-90mph 130-140kmph all day = could cause problems

I think I had the speedo up at 150km a fair bit as well!

With the disc brakes and some decent suspension she seemed quite happy there....  alas


Offline ray bear

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #16 on: November 23, 2021, 11:03:26 PM »
90 to 100 kph all day long and smell the roses and take in the scenery, Ive travelled a mere 60,000 km on my Eldorado with almost no issues and I travel on unpaved roads often but at a more sedate speed than on sealed roads . I have converted my wheels to tubeless to make punctures less of a chore.   Ray
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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #17 on: November 24, 2021, 06:01:23 AM »
90 to 100 kph all day long and smell the roses and take in the scenery, Ive travelled a mere 60,000 km on my Eldorado with almost no issues and I travel on unpaved roads often but at a more sedate speed than on sealed roads . I have converted my wheels to tubeless to make punctures less of a chore.   Ray

How to convert to tubeless? Sounds very intresting and a safer option.  :cheesy:
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
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Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
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Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2021, 06:39:12 AM »
The biggest reliability problem with *any* old Guzzi will be the electrics. Completely go through the electrical system cleaning, deoxiting connections, and you'll be good to go. They are bullet proof mechanically.
As far as making the wheels tubeless, search is your friend. Many have documented it here.
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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2021, 08:49:39 AM »
The biggest reliability problem with *any* old Guzzi will be the electrics. Completely go through the electrical system cleaning, deoxiting connections, and you'll be good to go. They are bullet proof mechanically.


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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #20 on: November 24, 2021, 03:43:34 PM »
About tyres and the inner tube, is it better to use the so called heavy duty tubes to prevent a flat tire?
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #21 on: November 24, 2021, 04:08:57 PM »
About tyres and the inner tube, is it better to use the so called heavy duty tubes to prevent a flat tire?

No. Heavy Duty tubes just lead to more heat build-up at sustained high speeds. Not to mention the increased weight and it's effect on unsprung weight. Just use high quality "regular duty" tubes and you'll be fine. I prefer IRC tubes.
Charlie

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #22 on: November 24, 2021, 04:37:36 PM »
No. Heavy Duty tubes just lead to more heat build-up at sustained high speeds. Not to mention the increased weight and it's effect on unsprung weight. Just use high quality "regular duty" tubes and you'll be fine. I prefer IRC tubes.

+1 on IRC regular tubes.  I’ve never had one fail.  I think the best thing to do for a long trip would be to get to know the bike really well mechanically and put together a good tool and spares kit.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Moparnut72

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #23 on: November 24, 2021, 09:24:22 PM »
Back in the day when I was riding Airheads a very savy dealer told me that BMW used natural rubber inner tubes. He said this was because they resisted tearing to prevent rapid air loss in the event of a puncture. I have never heard anything pro or con on this. Can anyone comment on this? If so are natural rubber inner tubes even available in this day and age.
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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #24 on: November 25, 2021, 06:23:07 AM »
Anyone that have used Duro HF308 tyres on their bike?



Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
Honda Black Widow 750 -2001
Aprilia Leonardo 125 -1999

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #25 on: November 25, 2021, 08:50:41 AM »
Anyone that have used Duro HF308 tyres on their bike?





I have them on my '69 V700. Excellent traction wet, dry, dirt, or gravel. The rear was worn out at 6k miles, the front will go double that.

Charlie

Offline mtiberio

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #26 on: November 25, 2021, 09:01:16 AM »
Back in the day when I was riding Airheads a very savy dealer told me that BMW used natural rubber inner tubes. He said this was because they resisted tearing to prevent rapid air loss in the event of a puncture. I have never heard anything pro or con on this. Can anyone comment on this? If so are natural rubber inner tubes even available in this day and age.
kk

supposely natural envelopes the nail, slower leakage. synth rubber has greter tendency to tear/shred. quicker deflation.
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Offline Fredrik

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #27 on: November 25, 2021, 11:18:25 AM »
I have them on my '69 V700. Excellent traction wet, dry, dirt, or gravel. The rear was worn out at 6k miles, the front will go double that.

Great! Thanks for reply.  :cheesy:
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber -2021
Moto Guzzi V7 Special -1971
Ural Retro 750 -2011
Ural Вояж 720 -1999
IZH Jupiter-3.01 -1980
IZH Planeta-5 -1993
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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #28 on: November 25, 2021, 11:33:31 AM »
If you know Johan the cop fromGoteborg who restored an Ambassador say hello from me In Wisconsin.He rode my bikes when he was here.TomKelly

Offline chuck peterson

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Re: V7 Special -1971 touring reliability
« Reply #29 on: November 26, 2021, 06:34:49 AM »
I suggest at those ages, 20-30-40-50 yrs old, any bikes reliability is dependent on the maintenance done at home, and road repair skills of the rider in the wild

I can fix a broken spark plug cap, but finding out why a loop is running on one cylinder may be beyond me…(bad condenser?, i guess…maybe)

The bike may mechanically or electrically come to a stop, but what are my skills (and or luck in past situations) to resolve it

I’m more likely to call AAA for a tow and a hotel when faced w a no start

Others can remove shell bearings on the side of the road…in the dirt…in the dark…

Know thyself…and the bike
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