Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: FarmYard on January 20, 2023, 06:53:35 AM
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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
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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
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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. :thumb: :boozing: :cool:
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...
(https://i.ibb.co/7vsdSp7/Screen-Shot-2023-01-20-at-1-29-33-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/7vsdSp7)
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Get a V50III. Excellent for all round use.
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Don't retire and buy a Guzzi, you may want to work a bit longer to afford the aftermath..... :evil: DonG
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The Guzzi way - Buy low, sell lower but only after you dump a bunch of money and sweat equity into it.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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^^^^^ 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?
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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 :grin:) for restauration work. Something to fall in love with...something not so perfect as my Tracer with a bit more soul.
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I'm looking for something to ride and tinker around on. I don't have the time or inclination (or talent :grin:) 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.
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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)
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I'm betting he's seeing a significant difference in price with the V35 and V50 vs the big blocks. Thus his interest.
-AJ
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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.
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Hello everyone,
I was trying to find out whether it is advisable to open a new thread regarding a similar question, or post in an existing one, and I opted for the second option to avoid cluttering the forum.
Namely, I'm interested in buying a vintage Guzzi, specifically a V50 Monza (2 valve), and I'm looking for some advice.
I'd like to know how difficult is it to source parts for it, especially if you reside in Europe. I tried my best to do some research, and I've got the impression that parts for small blocks are more scarce than the parts for the big blocks. Nonetheless, I'm not interested in big block Guzzis (as much as I'm a fool for a Le Mans), because I have a sober impression of my riding skills, and consider them too heavy and too fast for me. I'm especially averse to heavy motorcycles, which is for me everything over 200kg wet weight. On the other hand, V50 in theory checks nearly every box of what I'm looking for in an ideal bike, although in practice, I never sat on one. If I go to look for one in Italy in spring and end up liking it, I'd like to know more about what it means to own one.
So far, it appears to me that it is comparatively more difficult to find parts for the clutch assembly, certain parts of the cylinder block, electrics, gearbox. I'm especially concerned about the clutch, as I got the impression that this is the Achilles's heel of the Guzzis, but I might be corrected in this by experienced mechanics. I haven't been able to find anything other than the clutch disc so far, and second hand clutch device and plate online.
This would be the first vintage motorcycle I own. I compared the market to what is available for other models that interest me - a BMW R65 Mono, which seems to still be well-supported - although at a premium - and Yamaha SR 500 - which is both well supported and much less expensive to own, but admittedly not awe-inspiring (and it's a single).
I know that my inquiry approaches the level of counseling, but I'll be happy if someone could give me a tip or two.
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Teo Lamers in Nijmegen, Holland is good for parts. Where are you located? There are a number of small shops around the factory that deal in parts but they're harder to get a hold of. Try Agostini's then ask if they know of other shops that handle parts for the V50.
V50 is a good choice. It reminds me of a Triumph 650 Bonneville. Light, maneuverable and good torque. :thumb:
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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
I must be doing this all wrong. I’ve bought and sold more than a dozen Guzzi’s, and never lost a penny.
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Teo Lamers in Nijmegen, Holland is good for parts. Where are you located? There are a number of small shops around the factory that deal in parts but they're harder to get a hold of. Try Agostini's then ask if they know of other shops that handle parts for the V50.
V50 is a good choice. It reminds me of a Triumph 650 Bonneville. Light, maneuverable and good torque. :thumb:
I looked up that web site, and find pretty much the same status as everywhere else. Some parts are simply not to be found, for instance, clutch parts.
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Buy one with a clutch that works then forget about it,might never fail.If it does you will find the parts somewhere.Or if size is the issue buy a 750 Breva or one of the newer 750 s.
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I mostly agree, but for the wearable parts. See here for the V35 (which should be similar).
https://www.motoricambiservice.com/organi-di-trasmissione/frizione/frizione-moto-guzzi-v-35-1977-1980-gu19084100-gu19082501-gu27084420-clutch_28460
Now, only the disc is available from what can be seen here as a new part, and I think I found a new spring somewhere too. Nonetheless, I should say that Italy is in my neighbourhood and I was planning to actually import a motorcycle from there. If that dramatically improves my situation as a potential owner, that'd be nice. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for a decent example, as long as it meets my expectations. I honestly like the conception of the V50 way more than the R65, what with its carbs sticking out in the open and the wiring all over. But I think that the monolevers still have the OEM support too, let alone the aftermarket.
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Get a V50III. Excellent for all round use.
I concur! All day fun! V65 too.
(https://i.ibb.co/vXFW8bZ/IMG-0182.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vXFW8bZ)
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Have you considered the V65 series. At least the engine is larger in case you need to ride the Autostrada. :shocked: If not the V50 is better. Just for the V50/V35.....No Autostrada.
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I'm with LowRyter and Pressureangle. The California series bikes are plentiful, cheap and are built like an anvil.
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So, you like to tinker.
I suggest an older carbed model.
Much Tinkering with the ECU could get you in trouble.
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Have you considered the V65 series. At least the engine is larger in case you need to ride the Autostrada. :shocked: If not the V50 is better. Just for the V50/V35.....No Autostrada.
As I understand, V65 is a bored-out V50. I'd stick with the V50, it's really all I need in terms of power
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As I understand, V65 is a bored-out V50. I'd stick with the V50, it's really all I need in terms of power
The V65 has both a larger bore and longer stroke:
V50: 74 mm bore x 57 mm stroke
V65: 80 mm bore x 64 mm stroke
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I did V50 III rebuild during -. No problem getting most parts in UK & Europe (clutch central disc, new friction plate, steering bearings, seals for everything, bearings for gearbox, shift levers, used rear mudguard (metal from Mk2), ignition lock/steering lock, brake refurb kits, headlamp, rev counter, starter motor, digital ignition Dynatek, carb bits......). Only rocking horse sh*t item was seat and seat bases, I amazingly found one but sold it on as looked boring, & made my own from wood. Attached video gives some idea how easy to work on it is....later I put a V65 engine to make engine look bit bigger & because I had a spare one (just means had to keep V50 III gearbox & change clutch plate).
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4 (https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4)
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I did V50 III rebuild during -. No problem getting most parts in UK & Europe (clutch central disc, new friction plate, steering bearings, seals for everything, bearings for gearbox, shift levers, used rear mudguard (metal from Mk2), ignition lock/steering lock, brake refurb kits, headlamp, rev counter, starter motor, digital ignition Dynatek, carb bits......). Only rocking horse sh*t item was seat and seat bases, I amazingly found one but sold it on as looked boring, & made my own from wood. Attached video gives some idea how easy to work on it is....later I put a V65 engine to make engine look bit bigger & because I had a spare one (just means had to keep V50 III gearbox & change clutch plate).
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4 (https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4)
Thanks a lot, looks encouraging (I assume yours came with a lot of work as-is, that is, you knew what you were buying, am I correct?)
One more question. I read somewhere (and I'm one of the dimwits who never remembers to bookmark things) that the lazy gear change in the first two gears can be improved by replacing the flywheel with some apparently lighter variant. I tried to research that again, but couldn't find such a lighter flywheel, or any tutorials on such a modification. Apparently, tall 1st and 2nd gear were the main complaints with these motorcycles.
Thanks once again
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Being a manufacture of motorcycles for over 100 years, you first choice will be what era of bike are you interested in. Then model. The Loop and Tonti Frame bikes are very popular. Easy to work on, easy to find parts for, parts are are interchangeable from model to model and year to year. Me personally, I would not focus on a restoration to like new condition as much as building a bike that is ride able and functional. The Tonti frame bikes are all race bikes with various types of body work mixed and matched from the factory.
I recently purchased a Quota. I have owned and restored to 6 Guzzi's. 850T, 1000Sp, Convert, California's, Sport1100. The Quota is by far the best Guzzi over all that I have owned and made me think about all the years I missed out on owning one sooner when I first saw one in a dealership. The Salesman told Me it was a piece of junk and I would regret buying it. The dealership closed shortly after this visit. It has the Guzzi engine character most riders like, easy to service and repair, rides great, comfortable and made to ride all day. There were only 100 Quota's brought to the U.S. So it is a very rare bike here.
I have been a life time motorcycle owner and mechanic. Owning over 40 motorcycle from many manufacturers and working on 100's of other bikes for customers. Buy two or three. You will learn to like all of them.
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I did V50 III rebuild during -. No problem getting most parts in UK & Europe (clutch central disc, new friction plate, steering bearings, seals for everything, bearings for gearbox, shift levers, used rear mudguard (metal from Mk2), ignition lock/steering lock, brake refurb kits, headlamp, rev counter, starter motor, digital ignition Dynatek, carb bits......). Only rocking horse sh*t item was seat and seat bases, I amazingly found one but sold it on as looked boring, & made my own from wood. Attached video gives some idea how easy to work on it is....later I put a V65 engine to make engine look bit bigger & because I had a spare one (just means had to keep V50 III gearbox & change clutch plate).
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4 (https://1drv.ms/v/s!AtciqvJAt-nzoxDnoAn1gyv2xkd3?e=pCbYh4)
I really enjoyed that.. :popcorn:
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I bought it as non-runner but it wasn't terrible (I've rebuilt much worse), and probably could have just run it with a lot less cosmetic work; but I wanted a project & wanted a more reliable machine - so electrics/switchgear/ignition.
I never heard (or experienced any 'lazy gearshifts' on V50 or V65 or V65 Florida). I'm not saying I don't get the odd neutral between 1 & 2 gear but it's more being positive with the left foot. The flywheel doesn't have much weight in it anyway and I never heard it was a solution to lighten it. More common solution for poor gearshift is to 'adjust' the position of the selector spring at the back of the gearbox, but I've never had to do that despite repairing a gearbox that had broken some thrust washers between gears.
I don't think the V50 III gearbox has tall 1 & 2; if anything it's low & accelerates like a mad cat - it's been like that with the original 500cc engine & same with 650 engine (have to have V50 gearbox for both due to shaft drive splines & length) . My V65 Florida (similar power, taller gearing) is much more relaxed accelerating in lower/all gears, but still wouldn't say it's tall geared.
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I bought it as non-runner but it wasn't terrible (I've rebuilt much worse), and probably could have just run it with a lot less cosmetic work; but I wanted a project & wanted a more reliable machine - so electrics/switchgear/ignition.
I never heard (or experienced any 'lazy gearshifts' on V50 or V65 or V65 Florida). I'm not saying I don't get the odd neutral between 1 & 2 gear but it's more being positive with the left foot. The flywheel doesn't have much weight in it anyway and I never heard it was a solution to lighten it. More common solution for poor gearshift is to 'adjust' the position of the selector spring at the back of the gearbox, but I've never had to do that despite repairing a gearbox that had broken some thrust washers between gears.
I don't think the V50 III gearbox has tall 1 & 2; if anything it's low & accelerates like a mad cat - it's been like that with the original 500cc engine & same with 650 engine (have to have V50 gearbox for both due to shaft drive splines & length) . My V65 Florida (similar power, taller gearing) is much more relaxed accelerating in lower/all gears, but still wouldn't say it's tall geared.
Thanks once again. The positive is that they are less expensive than motorcycles of similar displacement/performance of the era (cheaper than the Pantahs for instance), but other than the electrical problems, I haven't found that they suffer from incurable issues like some other motorcycles. Some Italian motorcycles with poorer performance and worse reliability reputation (Laverda, Ducati, MV Agusta) tend to cost much more.
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John,
I think they imported 200 Quota's. (still super rare) I agree 100% that the quota is a fantastic machine (I've owned two ). If I could only have one motorcycle it would be a Quota.