Tell me about the SP 1000

[Gusable]

Recent bike for sale here made me “ look “ at SP 1000 models. ( I’d like to buy that one but cannot at this time) anyway just a good ol tonti bike? Looks cool.  Saw one at the lindale rally years ago.  The red and white is super good looking.   The ergos can be cramped?  All SP have Nikisil cyl’s?  Thanks!

[Gliderjohn]

Limited experience here...I have a T-3 with the SP1000 upper fairing. I have had just a few miles on a stock SP1000. When my wife could still travel we did a lot of double up miles quite comfortable on a T-3 with luggage and all. The SP has a longer wheel base so there is more room than the T-3, but I found the bike to still be quite nimble. The SP fairing works very well and actually gave my T-3 about two mpg better than naked. And yes, the red and white is the best looking and fastest looking one. Not sure about the cylinders but others here will know.
GliderJohn

[Tusayan]

I had a red/white SP for a few years in the 90s, with 36-mm carbs and upswept Bub pipes.  In that form it was basically a Le Mans with a big effective fairing.  Yes it's better suited for (I'd judge) riders of 5'10" tall or shorter.  For me, taller than ideal for the SP, my LeMans was more comfortable so eventually I sold the SP.  I did ride it well into Canada and Mexico as well as the US and enjoyed it.

IIRC the round barrel SPs were the last iron barreled bikes.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The 1000SP would have iron liners up to ~ '81, and then Nigusil after that. 

[Gusable]

The iron liners are reliable? Not the flaky chrome?  I only have experience with the Nikisil cylinders ( I’m getting my EV back in cpl of weeks!!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The iron liners are reliable? Not the flaky chrome?  I only have experience with the Nikisil cylinders ( I’m getting my EV back in cpl of weeks!!

The iron liners were/are very durable. None of the 949 cc engine ever had chrome bores.

[Perazzimx14]

If its my 1980 SP100 in Blue you are looking at judging by the almost zero interest its generating I'll still probably have it when you ready to buy

[Roy gardner]

I run a Convert with a Spada handlebar faring, no leg shields or knee pads. Its the padding on the rocker covers that us tall, 6'1, guys find a drag. I have also binned the Convert boards & fitted pegs lower & further forward than a Spada set up. The early SPs used LM foot peg hangers, later types, sometimes labelled SP NT, used what look like T3 foot peg hangers because they put the riders pegs a bit further forward & the pillion pegs a bit lower. You will see a difference in muffler upsweep if you compare pics of both. I have also fitted pullbacks & bars from a Royal Enfield with more downturn at the ends for my comfort. My hands are still comfortably in the fairing.
SP & Convert use the same round motor with iron liners, they do big miles. Wheel base of round barrel Spadas is the same as round barrel LM, same frame, forks & cast wheels.

[larrys]

I bought a red and white one new in '83, sold it with 60K miles in '02. It had one of the soft clutch hubs that I addressed when it had about 30K miles on it. Well, the engine's out, tranny off, let's have the flywheel lightened. Gee, the cam chain is worn, let's put in some Agostini gears. Well, we're in that deep, we'll put in a Manfred Hecht cam. If we're putting in a hotter cam, we'll pull the heads, refresh the valves and put in some heavier valve springs. Add some Bub mufflers, K+N's and rejet the carbs. When I was done with all that I had a machine with a vastly different personality from before. It was no longer comfortable at legal speeds. Flying down the highway at 80+ was much more fun. All in all, it was a good sport touring bike for it's era. Would I consider another? Nope. YMMV.
Larry

[Chuck in Indiana]

It was/is a *great* sport touring bike.. if you are Italian sized. I am. The fairing is one of the best ever. The earlier ones have more of a LeMans riding position. Solid bike.

[Gusable]

They are for sure good looking.

[guzzista]

My 1983 SP is a bit of a unicorn. White and Red. Most of the NT models here in the US were Red and White. The White and Red was known in Italy (unofficially) as the Marlboro version. The bike had been dead in the water since  1987, when a jump start with the key on caused  the Dyna ignition to go on  permanent misfire.  An old friend had purchased and stored thinking he would get it running right when he retired. Unfortunately he passed away and never got to it. I acquired it from his widow and have been at it for the past couple years. Lemans 1 footpegs setup,  B10 cam, chain and  tensioner, tires, brake hoses ,suspension, lots of other miscellany, and last; Hi Comp pistons, Ported LM heads and PHM 40's. As Chuck mentioned , being Italian sized helps being comfortable on the SP. No regrets so far, just looking forward to  do some long distance travel on it.

[stratoguzzi]

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They were always my favorite.This one is a SPNT even tho it is painted in a earlier paint pattern.Last of the round fins.Nobody wants to buy it so it sits in my living room as "art".

[Tkelly]

Was my favorite long trip bike.Light compared with my current Stelvio, great gas mileage andhandling and plent of power.I'm 6'2 and had no problems .

[Tom]

I have an '80 ice blue model.  Pretty much stock.  K&N's and Dyna ignition.  Super dependable and a mile killer for touring.  If you're 6' or taller, it would be cramped.  The fairing is pretty much the best that I've ridden behind for mileage and weather protection.  It's my bike for summer solo touring on the U.S. mainland.  Not sure if I'll sell it.  I have a 1400 Cal Touring to replace it but still not sure about selling it.  I could use it in Hawaii since I ride solo most of the time.

[Gusable]

I sho’ nuff like the pics!

[Chuck in Indiana]

The fairing is pretty much the best that I've ridden behind for mileage and weather protection.

The fairing is one of the best ever.

[guzzista]

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he fairing is pretty much the best that I've ridden behind for mileage and weather protection.


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The fairing is one of the best ever

I hear you Chuck. Fitting a SP fairing on my Cali 1100 just about now