Buyer's Guide for older MGs

[Luka020]

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

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

[John Croucher]

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.

[Huzo]

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

I really enjoyed that..

[paulbricey]

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.

[Luka020]

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.

[Turin]

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.