Buyer's Guide for older MGs

[FarmYard]

Hi,

I'm a new user here and would like some newbie advice.

I'm about to retire and would like a project to keep myself busy.

I've noticed that there are a number of older MGs here in Bavaria for reasonable prices.
Mostly V35 and V50. I'm wondering what one should watch for when looking for a bike.

Thanks

Steve

[moto]

Welcome to the forum, FarmYard!

Your question is a little bit broad to answer easily. You can find a little bit of help in terms of which smallblock models to prefer in Mick Walker, Moto Guzzi Buyers Guide, from the early 1990s. Or in Guzziology by Dave Richardson.

Germany is swarming with Guzzi enthusiasts, from what I can tell. I don’t know contact information for German clubs and resources, but they’re there. So I think you are in a good spot for what you’d like to do.

Moto

[JJ]

Welcome to the forum, FarmYard!

Your question is a little bit broad to answer easily. You can find a little bit of help in terms of which smallblock models to prefer in Mick Walker, Moto Guzzi Buyers Guide, from the early 1990s. Or in Guzziology by Dave Richardson.

Germany is swarming with Guzzi enthusiasts, from what I can tell. I don’t know contact information for German clubs and resources, but they’re there. So I think you are in a good spot for what you’d like to do.

Moto

Good feedback from Moto, and he is right about Guzzi enthusiasm in Germany.

Also, I would highly recommend you go visit these Guzzi dealers in your area and talk to them about Guzzi's in general, and what you are looking for...

[Tom]

Get a V50III.  Excellent for all round use. 

[Don G]

Don't retire and buy a Guzzi, you may want to work a bit longer to afford the aftermath.....    DonG

[Perazzimx14]

The Guzzi way - Buy low, sell lower but only after you dump a bunch of money and sweat equity into it.

[joe-dean]

the only guzzi I did not loose my ass on was a green frame  1000S  made a nice profit. I regret selling but was to difficult to ride with clip-ons

[cappisj1]

I would first decide if I wanted carbs or fuel injection. If you want cabs then decide/divide by drum or disk brakes. Guzzi’s are pretty tough and very simple. With the models you listed I don’t think there is one glaring thing to say “don’t buy if”. As long as the engine and clutch don’t have major issues everything else is easy to get to or off to clean or tinker with.

[pressureangle]

Well, the answer largely depends on more questions-

What is it you want to tinker with, and to what end? Restoration, buy & sell, garage fiddling; or will you ride it meaningfully? What is your budget? My experience with MG is that everything you can purchase is x3 the price of a Norton and not always available at any price. But though I love a Norton, I'd rarely uncover it to ride instead of the MG.

[Chuck in Indiana]

like Tom says.. it sounds like a V50 mark 3 is what you want. It is the same running gear as the awesome but really scarce Monza with more upright ergonomics.

[LowRyter]

Not to disagree with my more mechanically minded fellow Guzzi riders.  I'd recommend any of the V11 Tonti series bikes, AKA California series.  There is a good deal of these bikes available, cheap, with parts availability.  Enough power to get you down the road and customizable from cruiser to touring to vintage sports.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^ Yes, if you aren't tied to the small block.. there are *many* variations of the big block Guzzi available. What do you want to do with it?

[FarmYard]

Well, the answer largely depends on more questions-

What is it you want to tinker with, and to what end? Restoration, buy & sell, garage fiddling; or will you ride it meaningfully? What is your budget? My experience with MG is that everything you can purchase is x3 the price of a Norton and not always available at any price. But though I love a Norton, I'd rarely uncover it to ride instead of the MG.

I'm looking for something to ride and tinker around on. I don't have the time or inclination (or talent  ) for restauration work. Something to fall in love with...something not so perfect as my Tracer with a bit more soul.

[pressureangle]

I'm looking for something to ride and tinker around on. I don't have the time or inclination (or talent  ) for restauration work. Something to fall in love with...something not so perfect as my Tracer with a bit more soul.

I'll cosign LowRyter on this one, a nice used big block Tonti is cheap, reliable, customazable, and lovable. Regular service items and normal maintenance items are not cost prohibitive.

[LowRyter]

A big block Tonti doesn't have to be a California or 1100.  They came in several versions and different engine sizes over 40 years.  There are lots of German parts sources as well.  The V11 series has triple disk brakes and fuel injection but looks a lot like a cruiser and will cruise all day at 80 mph.

Some folks say every motorcyclist should own a Harley at least once, I'd say every rider should at least have ridden a Guzzi.  (for the record I've ridden several Harleys but never owned one)

[AJ Huff]

I'm betting he's seeing a significant difference in price with the V35 and V50 vs the big blocks. Thus his interest.

-AJ

[Scout63]

Welcome to the forum Farmyard. I believe that bikes find us.  Start looking around and see what you think is beautiful.  Then buy the best example you can afford.  Of the older Guzzis I like the v50 and the iron cylinder Tonti 1000s like the G5, SP and CX.  A T3 with the chrome bore cylinders upgraded is I think a perfect first MG.  The small block v50 is way more fun to ride at sensible speeds and sounds wonderful. Other than cylinders, all the usual issues for older bikes apply but the bikes are simple to work on. Parts availability in Western Europe seems to be excellent.