Huh? This model is known for having the propensity to catch fire...

[SLDMRossi]

I've seen a lot of Moto Guzzi classifieds ads over the years, but never one like this:

https://augusta.craigslist.org/mcy/d/evans-moto-guzzi-v7-700/7424309894.html

Definitely...no connection to Seller on this one...

Steven Rossi

[Griso8V]

These ads crack me up.  It's the same with cars; the story is always something like "hate to sell it but need the space..." and it "ran when parked "  something like 10 years ago..or I like the one "simple straight forward restoration"...
Yeah the fire thing is an eye opener...

[guzzisteve]

Never had a problem w/my 3 but I sold those carbs years ago. I need stuff that performs, like VHB's.
Even w/accel pumps, junk.

[cliffrod]

Yup, just saw that ad earlier this afternoon and got a chuckle about the same fire danger thing.

Probably more prudent to be concerned about the chrome bores that have no mention in the ad or prior service history.   But if it burns to the ground, chrome bores are no problem.

[sdcr]

Never an issue with fire, but my first bike, a Yamaha DS6 did smoke a little...

[Scout63]

I had a K75 burn under me and a Commando set fire to its air filter. The BMW was no big deal but I hated having to replace the original 932 Amals on the Norton after the extinguisher media ruined the throats.

[twowheeladdict]

Is that kind of pricey for a bike that is stored in a non conditioned humid location with 6’year old fuel, and a warning that basically says do not attempt to verify that she runs because it is too dangerous to do so?

[Moparnut72]

My Harley Deuce burned to the ground four years ago. So did the shop it was parked in.     I miss that bike,  the replacement Harley, not so much.
kk

[brider]

Used vehicle selling 101: DON'T state that it has a propensity to catch fire. True or not. Some CL ads are hilarious!

[stubbie]

At least he's honest or trying to be.

[nc43bsa]

Maybe SWMBO issued an ultimatum.

"I'm trying to sell it, honey.  Honestly, I am."

[Kiwi_Roy]

The unfused wiring of most older guzzies is a potential fire risk, the large red wire to the ignition switch and the brown wire back to the fuses has the potential of passing 4-500 Amps if ever it shorted to chassis, I like to fit a 40 Amp in-line fuse at the battery, it should never blow but I did have to replace it on one bike.
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My V7III caught on fire about 6 months into ownership as the result of a faulty alternator, it didn't catch fire as a direct result of the electrical problem but the bike backfired and blew the throttle body apart. The resulting rich mixture set the catalytic converters on fire, I was heading for the dealership to drop it off when I got a tap on the shoulder, "do you know your bike is on fire?" sure enough 6" flames coming from both exhausts where the converter sits, fortunately a lady in a passing car handed me a bottle of water and I was able to put it out.
The glue that fixes the Alfoil in place is highly flammable.

The owner of this V7 Racer was not quite as lucky.

[normzone]

The unfused wiring of most older guzzies is a potential fire risk, the large red wire to the ignition switch and the brown wire back to the fuses has the potential of passing 4-500 Amps if ever it shorted to chassis.

Yeah, I learned that one the hard way, pinched a wire 'twixt tank and frame installing tank and the noticed the magic smoke coming out at a stoplight - pulled into an equipment rental place and ran in saying "My motorcycle is on fire, do you have a hammer or a crescent wrench I can use?" and the man on duty reached beneath the counter and pulled out both, handed them to me.

[sdcr]

But, the CL advertiser said it was the carbs that caused the fires....

“ This model is known for having the propensity to catch fire due to the design of the Dell'Orto carbs. I would advise to rebuild the carbs or swap them for another carb set, such as mikunis. ”

The unfused wiring of most older guzzies is a potential fire risk, the large red wire to the ignition switch and the brown wire back to the fuses has the potential of passing 4-500 Amps if ever it shorted to chassis, I like to fit a 40 Amp in-line fuse at the battery, it should never blow but I did have to replace on on one bike.
My V7III caught on fire about 6 months into ownership as the result of a faulty alternator, it didn't catch fire as a direct result of the electrical problem but the bike backfired and blew the throttle body apart. The resulting rich mixture set the catalytic converters on fire, I was heading for the dealership to drop it off when I got a tap on the shoulder, "do you know your bike is on fire?" sure enough 6" flames coming from both exhausts where the converter sits, fortunately a lady in a passing car handed me a bottle of water and I was able to put it out.
The glue that fixes the Alfoil in place is highly flammable.

The owner of this V7 Racer was not quite as lucky.

[Cam3512]

At least he's honest or trying to be.

So it’s an honest lie?  That’s a new one.

[Kiwi_Roy]

But, the CL advertiser said it was the carbs that caused the fires....

“ This model is known for having the propensity to catch fire due to the design of the Dell'Orto carbs. I would advise to rebuild the carbs or swap them for another carb set, such as mikunis. ”

You are right, they didn't have catalytic converters back then, there used to be a video of a loop self destructing on here a few years back, maybe its a stuck float needle that causes the fuel to overflow.

[mtiberio]

My Eldorado Automatic has a home made electrical system with about 6 wires. Not a single fuse. My wiring harness is my fuse. When there is a short, I know exactly where it is. Fires? The only time it ever caught fire was when I was using Unifilters (foam) air filters, and it backfired into the carb and caught the airfilter on fire. Destroyed a good set of gloves ripping molten flaming foam filter off that bike.

[chuck peterson]

I’m thinking it was dr dave in guzziology that started that rumor of the wider community at that time being aware those carbs could and did overflow…a few photos I’ve seen gas stains on both sides…

Those carbs, SS1, etc were used all over Ducati singles, and many Italian bikes…1960s

No matter

Thats a honking great deal for anyone wanting the great grandfather of the V7

I want it. Can’t.! Out of my price range.


The tank looks to be original paint…the grey not so much

[sdcr]

Wonder if that was originally sold by Cycle Specialties in Athens Ga.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I’m thinking it was dr dave in guzziology that started that rumor of the wider community at that time being aware those carbs could and did overflow…a few photos I’ve seen gas stains on both sides…

Those carbs, SS1, etc were used all over Ducati singles, and many Italian bikes…1960s

No matter

Thats a honking great deal for anyone wanting the great grandfather of the V7

I want it. Can’t.! Out of my price range.


The tank looks to be original paint…the grey not so much

It's not just a "rumor". SS1s have a bad habit of leaking and metering poorly. I know of a few guys who claim to have made them work properly. IMO, it's not worth the trouble - VHBs are an easy swap and work much better.

IMO, the asking price is pretty much "all the money" for a V700 in running condition.

[cliffrod]

Prior to "modern" carbs like the VHB, a variety of carbs including the Dellorto SS1 were tickle carbs- you hold down a small plunger on top of the float bowl to flood the carb, deliberately overflowing the float bowl just enough to have gas come out of the top vent of the float bowl.  On a cold engine (like a Ducati single that's been rotated to compression stroke), choke the carb, tickle the carb until it dribbles a little and then proceed.  Yes, there's a fire danger but only if you needlessly run gas everywhere doing it.  On a properly tuned bike, a little wet is all you need.   Newbies soak the bike.  Others barely get gas on the top/outside of the float.   Seeing some gas stain on the bowls is very typical.  Ticklers that don't work right or have debris in the bowl can easily cause unwanted leaks, especially on old bikes pulled out of storage and not fully cleaned before the typical "just some gas and a battery" process.  Gas often goes everywhere.

On this model bike, I have more fire hazard concerns about the front petcocks that are basically above the exhaust ports.  That great idea ranks right up there with the oem electric petcocks on the V7 Sport.  No matter, SS1 carbs are an expensive pia. 

I agree he's asking top dollar for a bike that's probably many dollars away from being well-sorted

[chuck peterson]

Mine was switched to vhbs, but missing an intake restriction thingee fitted to narrow the intake tract. Found and put them in…Ran great! 3rd gear was 20 to 75 mph easy, 4th for hiway…moved on out…the second time i overrode the drum brakes…. I decided I can’t have that happen again….(see discussion on when to stop riding)

I believe the petcock s were assymytrical…and just on/off..flipping a lever all the way…but made sense from a Europe design history..you turned on the right one to start…reserve was by opening the left one w your left hand while riding…notice your hand is still on the throttle when you have to turn on the reserve…neat…both petcocks flowed thru to both carbs..

I betcha that was difficult to understand to americun instincts, probably leaving a bunch of overflowing carb floats

[spmoto]

May be a lot to ask for a dripping time bomb but in the right hands it could end up looking like this:



Dave Swansons glorious V7!! This image finds its way to the background on my computer screen very often. It's a true jewel.
Feel free to post more images Dave!!!

Steve m

[Snow Leopard]

My Eldorado Automatic has a home made electrical system with about 6 wires. Not a single fuse. My wiring harness is my fuse. When there is a short, I know exactly where it is. Fires? The only time it ever caught fire was when I was using Unifilters (foam) air filters, and it backfired into the carb and caught the airfilter on fire. Destroyed a good set of gloves ripping molten flaming foam filter off that bike.

My old loop frame Eldorado caught fire exactly the same way.  It backfired and lit up the Unifilter.  The hardest part of the deal was cleaning up the fire extinguisher mess. I've been using K&N  filters ever since.

[John A]

They aren’t the only ones. The tanks on 98 - 2001 EV’s were prone to leaks at the split line and cracks in the tunnel that would drip gas . I started carrying a small fire extinguisher until I fixed them on ours. Never had one light off but vividly remember gas dripping on a hot engine and turning into steam a few times, especially after a fill. I noticed gas stations rarely had an available extinguisher . I got some extinguishers like spray paint cans but never tried one so it was probably futile but if I have room I carry one. I still run my hand along the bottom of the tank to check for wetness if I remember

[Steve Scott]

So it’s an honest lie?  That’s a new one.

Actually he could simply be wrong.
I'm never wrong. I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken.

[Steve Scott]

These ads crack me up.  It's the same with cars; the story is always something like "hate to sell it but need the space..." and it "ran when parked "  something like 10 years ago..or I like the one "simple straight forward restoration"...
Yeah the fire thing is an eye opener...

Or, accompanying an ad with lots of pictures of stripped frame, loose wiring harness and other disassembled parts: "I've done all of the hard work... ready for restoration!"