Wildguzzi.com
General Category => Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only => Topic started by: GMC28 on November 02, 2025, 02:37:29 PM
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(https://i.ibb.co/gMWxnmK1/IMG-9668.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gMWxnmK1)
Just dropping this in as a repository for info/input on a 68 v700 project.
As an intro, this bike is not much of a project, as compared to a "barn find" or something like that, as its in better shape than I thought when I "accidentally" agreed to buy this from a friend, in a moment of lovely weakness. That said, depending on which direction I take it (stock vs "custom"), that will dictate some obvious things. Its far enough from stock that going back that way wouldn't be too hard, but would require a list of things/parts to go that way.
It's got issues, but mostly not the kind that I had thought. More on that once i actually tear into it, versus just the casual glance it gets in passing while i'm in the shop working on other stuff.
Have other projects in the cue before tearing into this one, with next winter (2026) being the likely time to start for real, but using this forum spot to float some questions/ideas and get more educated with this "august group"!
question #1 to float, for those interested in offering thoughts, is in regard to the air filter pods. It came with pods, as part of its "bob" look the prior owner sort of angled for. It has the air cleaner housing there, presumably for cosmetics, but its using the pods. On my newer (2003) V11's, I prefer the standard air box, for good-running reasons, but don't know if thats as poignant for this v7 with no ECU and running typically at lower rpm's, etc.
cheers
(my image wouldn't post. perhaps because its too large, but no error showed. i'll mess with that and see if i can figure it out. oops, now its there twice... )
(https://i.ibb.co/gMWxnmK1/IMG-9668.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gMWxnmK1)
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Much has been changed on that V700 - the engine and rear drive are both appear to be from an Eldorado or even an 850-T.
Most likely the reason it has pod filters is because until recently there was no rubber plenum to connect the Amal carbs to the original airbox. Clauss Studios has reproduced it.
https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p799/Moto_Guzzi_Eldorado_Air_Boot_%28Amal_Carb%29.html
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Much has been changed on that V700 - the engine and rear drive are both appear to be from an Eldorado or even an 850-T.
Most likely the reason it has pod filters is because until recently there was no rubber plenum to connect the Amal carbs to the original airbox. Clauss Studios has reproduced it.
https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p799/Moto_Guzzi_Eldorado_Air_Boot_%28Amal_Carb%29.html
Thank you Charlie - Thats what I call a jackpot post. I would have futzed around for quite some time before something would have made me scratch my head, leading eventually to determine what you noted right off the bat! I would likely have collected parts, which may or may not then have been the right stuff.
So that immediately influences the thinking on which way to go with this, taking my diminishing thoughts on the possibility of “restoration toward stock” even lower on the list, since I don’t really have as much stock elements to start with.
And makes me even more interested in determining whats inside those heads…
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Very cool bike,so what if it isn’t original,the average biker would like the looks of this better than the original.
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So wondered past the machine this evening after work, and eye-balled the engine number… It’s a VC prefix, so apparently I have a sport motor. Fair enough then… not displeased with that.
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So wondered past the machine this evening after work, and eye-balled the engine number… It’s a VC prefix, so apparently I have a sport motor. Fair enough then… not displeased with that.
VC is 850-T, the V7 Sport is VK.
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VC is 850-T, the V7 Sport is VK.
And again, glad i’m in the right crowd!
I had an old engine number chart in my files, which showed that Sports were the VC’s, but not going to 2nd guess Charlie. Drug my butt back out to the shop, and sure enough, its got the taller 850 cylinders.
Another subtle but good shift (so to speak, assuming it also then has the different gearbox… ).
I suppose I should rename the thread :->
Thanks again for the quick and valid input to get me out of the weeds.
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Now I’m looking for enlightenment on the tranny…. I’ve got a right side shift, and had been under the impression that the 850’s were left side shift. I’m assuming I was just wrong, but is it likely that based the engine number and the right side shift that I have a certain year based on that combo, or is it likely someone mixed and matched engine and gearbox?
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Now I’m looking for enlightenment on the tranny…. I’ve got a right side shift, and had been under the impression that the 850’s were left side shift. I’m assuming I was just wrong, but is it likely that based the engine number and the right side shift that I have a certain year based on that combo, or is it likely someone mixed and matched engine and gearbox?
It's the original V700 4-speed transmission, so "mixed and matched".
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And it has a generator up on top, rather than the down low alt, so they made 850T motors with a generator it appears? Slowly filling my considerable knowledge gaps... reading through some of the books and forum posts on this, but then following up here when there's another question which comes from that process. much appreciated
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And it has a generator up on top, rather than the down low alt, so they made 850T motors with a generator it appears? Slowly filling my considerable knowledge gaps... reading through some of the books and forum posts on this, but then following up here when there's another question which comes from that process. much appreciated
No 850-T motors with the generator up top from the factory, only a crank mounted alternator on the front. It looks like yours has an Eldo timing cover replacing the original and an aftermarket alternator kit. There is likely an adapter on the crank to mount the belt pulley.
I'll be doing the same on an Eldo soon that also has an 850-T engine in it. I have a Harper's alternator bracket and ND alternator.
(https://i.ibb.co/xSGnhL92/Marco-s-Ambo-Keith-s-Eldo-002.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xSGnhL92)
(https://i.ibb.co/v4szj6RH/Marco-s-Ambo-Keith-s-Eldo-003.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v4szj6RH)
(https://i.ibb.co/PZZw0tqY/Marco-s-Ambo-Keith-s-Eldo-004.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PZZw0tqY)
(https://i.ibb.co/9kZ36wH0/Marco-s-Ambo-Keith-s-Eldo-005.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9kZ36wH0)
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Interesting, again. This is fun for me, "unwrapping" this info, and I appreciate your patient answers.
Attached (I think) is a poor lighting pic from the front. Making sense now.
(https://i.ibb.co/ZRbqLJZS/IMG-9940.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZRbqLJZS)
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It looks like someone spent some time, money and love on this old girl. First thing I would do is check the base of the cylinders to see if there's a Gilardoni casting. V700's, Eldos, 850Ts and T-3's all had chrome cylinders. the chrome is prone to flaking. Gilardoni barrels are the most common replacement and the easiest to check for. ( casting mark) Tome T motors came with oil filters.
If it's mechanically sound, I'd find a set of fenders, a seat, handlebars, and a fresh paintjob with some pinstriping and call it a day.
post more pictures!
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It looks like someone spent some time, money and love on this old girl. First thing I would do is check the base of the cylinders to see if there's a Gilardoni casting. V700's, Eldos, 850Ts and T-3's all had chrome cylinders. the chrome is prone to flaking. Gilardoni barrels are the most common replacement and the easiest to check for. ( casting mark) Tome T motors came with oil filters.
If it's mechanically sound, I'd find a set of fenders, a seat, handlebars, and a fresh paintjob with some pinstriping and call it a day.
post more pictures!
Touché….
Same list of things was in my head but i had also assumed a lot more engine work, which may now play out differently (better). I knew i’d need to pull a head to see what i’ve got, and may get to that sooner than i had planned. After charlie pointed me in the right direction, i did check the cylinder base for markings, but didn’t see anything. maybe nikasil, or maybe i’ll have to pull them to address the chrome.
Rodekyll has just shipped me a fender, to get things started. And stopped by my painter to check on his schedule and plant the seed for some upcoming work…
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Touché….
Same list of things was in my head but i had also assumed a lot more engine work, which may now play out differently (better). I knew i’d need to pull a head to see what i’ve got, and may get to that sooner than i had planned. After charlie pointed me in the right direction, i did check the cylinder base for markings, but didn’t see anything. maybe nikasil, or maybe i’ll have to pull them to address the chrome.
Rodekyll has just shipped me a fender, to get things started. And stopped by my painter to check on his schedule and plant the seed for some upcoming work…
You don't necessarily need to pull the head to check what material the cylinder bores are. This can be easily done with a "pencil magnet" inserted through the sparkplug hole and touched to the cylinder wall. Zero magnetic attraction = chrome, very slight = Nikasil, strong = iron liners.
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Ah yes, I should just do that, though I'm curious to see inside anyway. Will start easy/quick for now with the magnet.
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Well, very lightly magnetic cylinder wall. So light that I figured it was zero with only a smidge of wishful thinking tugging at the magnet, but then more slowly and carefully slid the magnet across face of piston which was the true “zero” pull, then just at the edge of the piston it would just slightly jump to the cylinder wall, barely, but consistently.
So appears to be Nikasil?
I’ll still pull things apart later for other reasons, but the chrome question is hopefully leaning in the right direction.
Cylinder head is very “factory clean” looking, while the cylinder looks to have been cleaned up then painted. No distinctive markings on it, and the paint doesn’t look like a hack-job, so i suppose that’s ok.
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Well, very lightly magnetic cylinder wall. So light that I figured it was zero with only a smidge of wishful thinking tugging at the magnet, but then more slowly and carefully slid the magnet across face of piston which was the true “zero” pull, then just at the edge of the piston it would just slightly jump to the cylinder wall, barely, but consistently.
So appears to be Nikasil?
I’ll still pull things apart later for other reasons, but the chrome question is hopefully leaning in the right direction.
Cylinder head is very “factory clean” looking, while the cylinder looks to have been cleaned up then painted. No distinctive markings on it, and the paint doesn’t look like a hack-job, so i suppose that’s ok.
Sounds like Nikasil.
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Lucky Dog!
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Touché….
Same list of things was in my head but i had also assumed a lot more engine work, which may now play out differently (better). I knew i’d need to pull a head to see what i’ve got, and may get to that sooner than i had planned. After charlie pointed me in the right direction, i did check the cylinder base for markings, but didn’t see anything. maybe nikasil, or maybe i’ll have to pull them to address the chrome.
Rodekyll has just shipped me a fender, to get things started. And stopped by my painter to check on his schedule and plant the seed for some upcoming work…
Revised plan may play out to do basically just that... clean it up, gather a few more parts, burn some money on paint work, then ride it a bit next spring before deciding whats next.
That said, if my friend (PO) can't find the key, anyone know which key blank type these would take, so a locksmith could do his thing? I'm assuming its a stock barrel, but not sure
(https://i.ibb.co/RkC7TDBW/IMG-0019.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RkC7TDBW)
(https://i.ibb.co/d4myzSQD/IMG-0021.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d4myzSQD)
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That said, if my friend (PO) can't find the key, anyone know which key blank type these would take, so a locksmith could do his thing? I'm assuming its a stock barrel, but not sure
(https://i.ibb.co/RkC7TDBW/IMG-0019.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RkC7TDBW)
(https://i.ibb.co/d4myzSQD/IMG-0021.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d4myzSQD)
That's not an original switch, but does appear to be a Marelli switch. If you remove the securing nut and rubber piece, there may be a key code stamped next to the key slot. There's some key blank information on This Old Tractor:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_keys_for_the_ignition_switch.html
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_tonti_keys_for_the_ignition_switch.html
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That's not an original switch, but does appear to be a Marelli switch. If you remove the securing nut and rubber piece, there may be a key code stamped next to the key slot. There's some key blank information on This Old Tractor:
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_keys_for_the_ignition_switch.html
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_tonti_keys_for_the_ignition_switch.html
Not yet seeing a code or part nbr on this barrel
(https://i.ibb.co/DPq5h60P/IMG-0041.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DPq5h60P)
(https://i.ibb.co/C5GbPXvN/IMG-0040.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C5GbPXvN)
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As I wrote previously, there might be a number stamped next to the key slot. Remove the black rubber piece to see if there is.
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aha... my mistake. I just pulled back the outer ring. will do.
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Old FIAT car key blanks will work.
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miserable weather out here, raining sideways. went up to shop and pulled the black rubber sleeve, and don’t see a code.
Hoping the PO will find the key at his place this coming weekend when he’s back for holidays, and if not perhaps i’ll just bring the whole thing to the locksmith.
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Looks like I’ll go for solid color tank paint job, as achieving the chrome area without a decent existing chromed tank in hand seems to painful.
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new key(s) from locksmith all done, as PO couldn't come up with the key he had.
Now looking at exhaust. Don't love the bobber/drag-pipe look that its got now, so eyeballing the spendy mistral and la franconi options. My existing header pipes are a solid 40mm, which doesn't match up to what I'm seeing as available from mistral. Looking for enlightenment on whether it means I need to look elsewhere, or adapters, or change headers....
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new key(s) from locksmith all done, as PO couldn't come up with the key he had.
Now looking at exhaust. Don't love the bobber/drag-pipe look that its got now, so eyeballing the spendy mistral and la franconi options. My existing header pipes are a solid 40mm, which doesn't match up to what I'm seeing as available from mistral. Looking for enlightenment on whether it means I need to look elsewhere, or adapters, or change headers....
Do the header pipes have a crossover at the front? Since you have an 850-T engine, standard V700 (Ambo/Eldo) 'pipes will require some adaptation to fit at the head and seal correctly.
Any mufflers coming out of Europe (or anywhere else in the world really) have gotten a lot more expensive due to the tariffs. A cheap pair of mufflers that would fit with your current header pipes would be these: https://www.nichecycle.com/80-84051-muffler-dunstall-reverse-cone-by-emgo.html One of my friends has them on his '73 Eldo and they work well.
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thats a great tip… thx for that!
no crossover on current setup.
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+1 for the Emgo Dunstall replicas. They perform well and are fairly quiet. ( too quiet for me) The old local dealer used to put them on everything.