My "Project 2025" - 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 II

[vxn750]

I've been through quite a few different bikes during the last couple of years (Kawasaki Versys X-300, Suzuki SV650, Royal Enfield Himalayan, Yamaha Virago, Kawasaki Super Sherpa, Breva 750, Triumph Speedmaster 1200, Genuine Stella 150 2T and a BMW R65). All really fun, but an odd buying/selling/trading phase for me. The only bike I miss out of that lot is my Breva 750.

A few months ago I did a fly-n-ride from TX to TN for the 1983 BMW R65. I did enjoy the R65 but it definitely was not a Guzzi. Needless to say that affair was short lived. I made a deal with a buddy to trade the R65 for his V50 II plus some cash on his end. All we know about it's history was the guy he bought it from had bought it from another guy. It has 707 miles and looks pretty original and intact.

Although I've been riding for 17 years, this is my first attempt with a vintage, non-running bike. When I had mentioned to Mark Etheridge of Moto Guzzi Classics of my plan, he laughed and joked in his typical Mark fashion that he would be perfectly willing to help me part with any cash once I got in over my head. Seeing as how being retired I have more time than cash, I figured I've got nothing to lose. Besides, it's another facet of motorcycling that I can explore and that fits with where I'm presently at.







Cheers to a new adventure 

[Turin]

What's wrong with it? It looks really good. Clean the tank and carbs, change the oil, slap in a battery and fire it up?

[vxn750]

What's wrong with it? It looks really good. Clean the tank and carbs, change the oil, slap in a battery and fire it up?

I'm hoping there's nothing wrong with it other than it hasn't been ran in a very long time, maybe even decades. It still has what might be the original spark plugs; Lodge 2HLNY.

I'm just being slow and systematic with it. Taking a lot of pictures as I go along.

The tank is full of rust. I think I'll try the vinegar method to clean it out. I've never taken carbs apart so I'm researching that process. I drained the oil and it doesn't look bad, no bits of metal or anything. I've got to check with my buddy to see if he knows if the previous owner had changed it recently.
I'll pick up a battery and order a few parts/supplies this week (oil/air filters, engine/gear oil, spark plugs) to begin with and see if I can get it started.

[faffi]

Get a manual, take your time, and you will be fine

[Tkelly]

Good looking bike,just like ours when it was new.Fun bike to ride.

[vxn750]

Get a manual, take your time, and you will be fine

Thanks! I’ve got the service manual, parts catalogue and Guzziology 

[vintagehoarder]

Awesome and congrtulations.  Sounds like a fun project. Good thing you have Mark in your back pocket, he's a great guy. I play it the same way but my go to out here is Enzo at Cadre when I get in over my head which is often LOL..  Keep us posted.

[vxn750]

The first thing that I noticed when I first saw the bike was a good amount of black goop on the right side swing arm.









I followed the trail and discovered that a previous owner used liquid electrical tape to solve some electrical issue. The protective cap of the Bosch ignition was filled to the brim with the liquid electrical tape and it overflowed onto the frame and swingarm. There was more of the black goop overflow on the right side but it was used on the left side as well.

[Turin]

Liquid electrical tape? New one to me. Get a couple of carb kits and clean them one at a time. Dellortos are easy.
As for tanks, I like using white vinegar, flush it with hot water and then flush with rubbing alcohol, fog with WD40.

[Walter]

I'm the previous owner of this bike.  It was actually one of my favorites, however I have 6 bikes in a queue waiting to be worked on, and I knew that vxn750 had been looking for a V50 for a few years - plus I was BMW air-head curious.  The bike is incredibly original - right down to the petrified tires.  I do not know whether the last owner added that fresh-looking oil or it was added long ago.  Whoever it was filled it to the brim, so hopefully it was a smart move to prevent condensation.  The registration sticker says 1981.  It really appears that the original owner rode it for 6 months and then parked it in a shed for 44 years.  I think it will be a fun project and will be stoked (and a little jealous!) if it can be running again without major work.  I'll definitely own a V50 again, but will need to purchase something already finished as I continue to work my way through my other projects.

[vxn750]

Liquid electrical tape? New one to me. Get a couple of carb kits and clean them one at a time. Dellortos are easy.
As for tanks, I like using white vinegar, flush it with hot water and then flush with rubbing alcohol, fog with WD40.

I've been watching a couple videos and downloaded a PDF from Dellorto. I'm feeling pretty optimistic about getting into the carbs. I like the idea of doing them one at a time.
Have you used a ultrasonic cleaner to clean carbs? I'm curious about them but not sure it'll fit in my budget.

Yup, gonna use vinegar for the rusty tank. Less toxic than the other options.

[vxn750]

I'm the previous owner of this bike.  It was actually one of my favorites, however I have 6 bikes in a queue waiting to be worked on, and I knew that vxn750 had been looking for a V50 for a few years - plus I was BMW air-head curious.  The bike is incredibly original - right down to the petrified tires.  I do not know whether the last owner added that fresh-looking oil or it was added long ago.  Whoever it was filled it to the brim, so hopefully it was a smart move to prevent condensation.  The registration sticker says 1981.  It really appears that the original owner rode it for 6 months and then parked it in a shed for 44 years.  I think it will be a fun project and will be stoked (and a little jealous!) if it can be running again without major work.  I'll definitely own a V50 again, but will need to purchase something already finished as I continue to work my way through my other projects.

Hey Walter!
I like that you listed all of your bikes. I was starting to lose track 
I'm really glad the trade worked out. I'd been thinking about the V50 since I first saw it in your garage.

[Walter]

Thanks, yah my signature block helps me keep track as well!

[vxn750]

So far I've located one broken part and three damaged wires.

Walter had pointed this out to me. It's a snapped gear shifter rod. I've already sourced one online.




This pink wire looks to have tiny teeth marks. I believe it's connected to the transmission case sensor switch.




This black wire is attached to the Bosch electronic ignition. I haven't figured out what the other end should be attached to.




This black wire I'm unsure of. Checking the parts catalogue it looks like it might be connected to the brake pump on the right hand side. Again, not sure where the other end should be.

[DoubleGuzzi]

How's the project going?
At first I thought you'd got a real cracker there, when I saw your first set of pics. The overall cosmetics look great!
As I discovered, it's only when you get close up and personal that you really discover the delights. Well done on picking your way through it all and I think that you may well be right with the black wire. If you haven't confirmed already, I can take a closer look at my bike, to see where a "rogue" earth (frame) connection leads to.




How the heck did that gearchange rod snap? 
I think that's the neutral switch wire that's been gnawed at.

If not already done: remove the clutch arm clevis pin and give is a good greasing.

I don't normally venture into this section of the forum but I'll try to remember to pop in, from time to time. I hope that you're enjoying the exploits of my V50. Potentially, you should end up with the better bike. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Just taken a look at mine. The "rogue" connector goes up direct to the battery, as does the black wire from the Bosch ignition box.
HTH.

[vxn750]

Well, I’m back at it after some unfortunate life stuff, but some fun stuff as well.

I can say the process doesn’t seem as daunting as before I started. Removing the air box was relatively simple. I removed the left side carb and cleaned it. Took a ton of photos from every angle as well as notes. Between MG Cycle, Crusty Cycle and Eurotrash Jambalaya, I’ve been able to find all the basics (filters, cables, hoses, etc).

[vxn750]

How's the project going?
At first I thought you'd got a real cracker there, when I saw your first set of pics. The overall cosmetics look great!
As I discovered, it's only when you get close up and personal that you really discover the delights. Well done on picking your way through it all and I think that you may well be right with the black wire. If you haven't confirmed already, I can take a closer look at my bike, to see where a "rogue" earth (frame) connection leads to.




How the heck did that gearchange rod snap? 
I think that's the neutral switch wire that's been gnawed at.

If not already done: remove the clutch arm clevis pin and give is a good greasing.

I don't normally venture into this section of the forum but I'll try to remember to pop in, from time to time. I hope that you're enjoying the exploits of my V50. Potentially, you should end up with the better bike. 

Thanks for the info on the wires. The photo was very helpful.

The broken shifter rod was really odd. But then again the shifter rod on the BMW R65 that I sold to my buddy Walter snapped on the third day of my fly-n-ride to pick it up in TN. I was in Birmingham AL and just pulled out of the parking lot of the Airbnb when I felt it snap. I got stuck in first gear pulled over onto the sidewalk. Luckily there was a community bicycle shop around the corner with a handy bike tech. He took a peg board hook and made an awesome replacement for the rod. I bought a couple t-shirts, made a donation and was on my way.

I’ll make a note on checking the clutch arm clevis pin so that I don’t forget it. I’ll check out your thread.

As far as colors go, actually prefer the blue or brown to the red V50’s.

[vxn750]

Carb question:

I’ve cracked into the right carb and this is what I found.
Any thoughts on why it’s burned up? The left carb was pretty clean inside. My V50 II only has 700 miles on it.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Just looks gummy to me, not "burned up". I find that the left carb is often the least dirty of the pair, maybe due to the bike being on the sidestand and gas staying in the left carb longer.

[vxn750]

Just looks gummy to me, not "burned up". I find that the left carb is often the least dirty of the pair, maybe due to the bike being on the sidestand and gas staying in the left carb longer.

Ok, thanks Charlie! I wasn’t sure of the terminology, “gummy” is more accurate 
I’ll be cleaning it up today.

PS I’ve been following the work you’ve done on your V65 on FB. I’m taking notes. I like your Kawi Z750 side stand mod. I’ve put it on my list when I get to the cosmetic side of things. Oh, and I should have went with the green fuel line hoses 

Ivana

[vxn750]

Fuel petcock question:

Should the filter be replaced or just cleaned?
I’ve seen suppliers selling the whole petcock assembly, but the filter itself isn’t as easy to find. Also, it seems like the replacement for the plastic washer is a fiber washer. Sound right?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Fuel petcock question:

Should the filter be replaced or just cleaned?
I’ve seen suppliers selling the whole petcock assembly, but the filter itself isn’t as easy to find. Also, it seems like the replacement for the plastic washer is a fiber washer. Sound right?

I usually just clean them unless they're damaged. I do have a few spare new ones if necessary.

The washer MG Cycle sells is some sort of plastic. Fiber might actually be better - the plastic one compresses over time and the petcock needs to be tightened slightly or a leak will result.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=379&products_id=1401

[vxn750]

I usually just clean them unless they're damaged. I do have a few spare new ones if necessary.

The washer MG Cycle sells is some sort of plastic. Fiber might actually be better - the plastic one compresses over time and the petcock needs to be tightened slightly or a leak will result.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=379&products_id=1401

Thanks for all of the info and the offer Charlie :)
I'll take a closer look at the filters