Author Topic: 1968 V700 Rejuvination (Read 27741 times)

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #90 on:** May 19, 2020, 08:20:10 PM »

The speedometer for this bike is super nice! The reason it has only 81 miles will forever remain a mystery. It was obvious the speedometer drive was slipping for a very long time, but that doesn't explain the whole mystery. I have essentially zero timed this bike so 81 miles is appropriate now.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #91 on:** May 25, 2020, 07:32:44 PM »

I am well into the wiring. Greg Bender's wiring harnesses are things of beauty. I always marvel at what he has done for the Guzzi community.

As I admire the details of this bike I ponder how inspired the overall design for the V700 was back in the day. The attention to detail exhibited by the Guzzi design engineers is amazing. And to think all of this was accomplished while Guzzi was teetering on bankruptcy.

All the tinware on this bike has all the telltale trademarks of much hand work. You can see all of the craftsmanship. The V700 was well executed at all levels including the artisan shop workers.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #92 on:** May 26, 2020, 12:32:36 PM »

I am deviating from stock to add one of Greg Benders "relay solution" panels. It is a slick product that will protect the electrical system. If rewiring a Loop I highly recommend it.

v7john · « **Reply #93 on:** May 26, 2020, 02:51:15 PM »

Great minds think alike. I put this together for my V7 a few years back. I used fused relays. Flasher can on the right.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #93 on:** May 26, 2020, 02:51:15 PM »

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #94 on:** May 26, 2020, 05:22:32 PM »

Quote from: v7john on May 26, 2020, 02:51:15 PM

Great minds think alike. I put this together for my V7 a few years back. I used fused relays. Flasher can on the right.

Nicely done John!

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #95 on:** May 26, 2020, 06:07:27 PM »

On my V700, I chose to forego relays and installed an LED bulb in the H4 headlight instead. Less draw than even the original (45/40 watt) headlight and much brighter. No chance of melting the switch or fuseblock, the LED bulb does mind if the voltage drops as low as 8 volts. I put the starter relay down behind the starter, but then my V700 is far from stock in many ways and was never intended to be.

There's nothing to the rear of my battery but the fender.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #96 on:** May 26, 2020, 08:26:30 PM »

If I keep this up it will be running soon! First time on two wheels in eons!!!

The main hold up right now is my ignition switch. I forgot I did not have a key for it. The local locksmith has been working on cutting a key based on the tumbler code but has been having problems. He hopes to have the keys cut tomorrow.

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #97 on:** May 26, 2020, 08:44:47 PM »

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #98 on:** May 28, 2020, 08:43:50 PM »

I got slightly ahead of myself, but couldn't resist mounting the tank and seat to see how it looks.

jas67 · « **Reply #99 on:** May 28, 2020, 09:21:49 PM »

Wow. Just Wow!
Bellissimo!

Klinkhammer · « **Reply #100 on:** May 29, 2020, 08:58:38 AM »

Very handsome!!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #101 on:** May 30, 2020, 09:18:03 PM »

Productive day! I finished the wiring. The got the fuel bottle out and started it up in the backyard. It started right up and idled pretty good. I set the timing with a strobe light, adjusted the balance on the carbs and took it for a ride. It runs beautifully! The 4 speed shifts very well for what it is. The straight cut first gear whines like a reverse gear in an old Chevy. Pretty cool.

I put about 15 miles on it. Tomorrow I will re-torque the heads.

shiskowd · « **Reply #102 on:** May 31, 2020, 06:32:18 PM »

Wow - great pictures of a beautiful bike.

Love that fuel tank. Did you have a solo seat setup as well?

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #103 on:** May 31, 2020, 07:28:58 PM »

Quote from: shiskowd on May 31, 2020, 06:32:18 PM

Did you have a solo seat setup as well?

I have a reproduction solo from Cycle Garden, but I won't be using it. I like the stock seat too much.

cliffrod · « **Reply #104 on:** May 31, 2020, 09:51:37 PM »

Congratulations, Dave. Well done- That's a beautiful motorcycle.

And thank you for the education you've provided to the rest of us along the way.. It is very much appreciated.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #105 on:** June 07, 2020, 07:59:04 PM »

I have put a 100 miles on it now. Everything is well fettled. It is a real joy to ride!

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #106 on:** June 07, 2020, 08:56:47 PM »

80CX100 · « **Reply #107 on:** June 11, 2020, 11:39:01 PM »

Hey Dave, That's very well done, has a classic regal look to it

Hope you get some good riding in on it.

Tks for documenting and showing the work along the way, beauty to watch it all come to fruition.

Kelly

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #108 on:** June 14, 2020, 07:20:52 AM »

Final update. With the help of Frank Wedge I have been in contact with Ken Johnson, the former owner of Atlas Cycle in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ken is now 82. He and his wife are in great health. He still rides regularly and has a good sized motorcycle collection. He plans on attending the National MGNOC rally in Scott City, Kansas.

He also remembered the name of the original owner of the V700, Alcardio Douglas. Alcardio was a mail carrier in Tulsa, and traded in the V700 on a new 77 Convert. The V700 was so nice that Ken kept it in his collection for the next 30 years!

Canuck750 · « **Reply #109 on:** June 14, 2020, 09:38:26 AM »

Fantastic looking bike

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #110 on:** August 22, 2020, 08:03:04 AM »

The last piece of the V700 is in place. There are 3 major pieces, the shields, special crash bars with tapped holes, and special footpeg brackets.

Once I put the word out I was amazed how quickly these 3 rare items came together. Eldo Mike, Jay jas67, and Cam3512 all contributed.

The last piece from Jay was in amazing condition, but had had some sheet-metal modifications in the past.

The painter I go to is also quite talented with sheet-metal repairs. They turned out fantastic!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #111 on:** September 20, 2020, 04:45:00 PM »

Installation of the lower shields will wait until I am rehabbed and recovered from my hip replacement surgery coming up October 5th.

The upcoming surgery has shortened my riding season and hastened getting the bikes in "winter mode".

Ratso88 · « **Reply #112 on:** September 24, 2020, 02:18:40 AM »

Very nicely done. A real beauty.

and, best of luck with he hip job.

jas67 · « **Reply #113 on:** October 12, 2020, 08:23:11 PM »

Dave -- best of luck with the hip surgery -- thorough PT will bring you back to service!
In the meantime, while you recovery, you have many beautiful bikes to sit and look at.

Glawster · « **Reply #114 on:** November 23, 2020, 04:16:31 AM »

What a first class job you've made of that bike Dave! It really looks fabulous and I'm sure it rides just as well. I've never owned a loop, but my mate from Inverness Scott Muir built one a couple of years ago. Scott is up there with you for the quality of his rebuilds. I'm in too much of a hurry to the bike finished and inclined to cut a few corners. Also I'm a Yorkshireman, well known for having short arms and deep pockets. Anyway, Scott turned up at one of our "MacGiro" events with his newly built V7 and we had a nice tour of the Scottish Borders. I think he fitted 850GT barrels and pistons, and the bike certainly wasn't short of oomph. Handling encouraged a more "relaxed" style of riding compared to the V7 Sport and this loop was quickly dubbed "The Chesterfield" on account of it being like a comfortable old sofa!

DSC_0122 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

DSC_0151 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #115 on:** November 23, 2020, 07:48:58 AM »

Quote from: Glawster on November 23, 2020, 04:16:31 AM

What a first class job you've made of that bike Dave! It really looks fabulous and I'm sure it rides just as well. I've never owned a loop, but my mate from Inverness Scott Muir built one a couple of years ago. Scott is up there with you for the quality of his rebuilds. I'm in too much of a hurry to the bike finished and inclined to cut a few corners. Also I'm a Yorkshireman, well known for having short arms and deep pockets. Anyway, Scott turned up at one of our "MacGiro" events with his newly built V7 and we had a nice tour of the Scottish Borders. I think he fitted 850GT barrels and pistons, and the bike certainly wasn't short of oomph. Handling encouraged a more "relaxed" style of riding compared to the V7 Sport and this loop was quickly dubbed "The Chesterfield" on account of it being like a comfortable old sofa!

DSC_0122 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

DSC_0151 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

Nice V700! And love the shot of the 2. Looks like a great place to ride!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #116 on:** April 29, 2021, 09:06:16 PM »

I finally had the opportunity to install the leg shields today. Thanks a million to Cam3512. EldoMike, and of course Jas67 for helping make this happen.

Frenchfrog · « **Reply #117 on:** April 30, 2021, 11:29:43 AM »

Stunning job Dave...

News:

Author Topic: 1968 V700 Rejuvination (Read 27741 times)

Wildguzzi.com