1978 V50

[fotoguzzi]

What are the pros (if there are any)
And cons of a 1978 V50?

What’s a nice one worth?

[guzzisteve]

Price is $1500-3500 depending on how nice.

[huub]

( very) early ones have chrome cylinders. ( 1978)
as any pre 1990 smallblock prone to dropping valves
early ones had weak conrods.

all in all , a typical smallblock.

if it was neglected in the past( they all are) be prepared  to do a proper rebuild
after that you will be fine ,

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'd look for a mark 3 if I were in the market for a V50.. or better yet, a Monza..but good luck with that. 

[Tkelly]

I thought the 78 had points as our 79 has the electronic ignition,never heard they have chrome cylinders.

[jacksonracingcomau]

( very) early ones have chrome cylinders. ( 1978)
as any pre 1990 smallblock prone to dropping valves
early ones had weak conrods.

all in all , a typical smallblock.

if it was neglected in the past( they all are) be prepared  to do a proper rebuild
after that you will be fine ,

Wow, every day a schoolday !

For 44 years I’ve thought v50/35 were first to get nikasil barrels and proper weirdly, long  after we knew all about issue with loops and early tonti bb, I never saw a flaked chrome v50 and we serviced loads right up to 89
Dropped valves yes, but much more so with v50/3 and Monza, don’t mention Lario, took me another 30 +years to even bother getting my head around that, so easy now I know, should’ve cared at time

Also AFAIK MK1 had points, mk2 had electronic bosch ignition, mk3 back to points

[Scout63]

+1 on the Bosch ignition con.  I put a Sasche in my v50II and loved it. I can’t comment on relative qualities of the v50 vs. the II and III, but the good points of the 50 generally are small, compact and good looking package, light handling and glorious sound. Low point is pretty anemic output. Once up to speed they hold their own very well.

[Frenchfrog]

The V 65 has to be a much better combination...same frame but more power. I had a v 50 /2 and solo was fine but only when keeping off the slab.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Also AFAIK MK1 had points, mk2 had electronic bosch ignition, mk3 back to points

That is my understanding, also. I could be wrong, but I thought all V50s were Nikasil? Huub knows his stuff, though.. so I'll go with that.

[John A]

The steering head bearings will need some attention. I like the conversion to tapered roller bearings to replace the balls and cups.  The conversion consists of a pair of bearing holders and a longer stem with some spacers for the fork shrouds that hold the headlight. The original races are usually pitted and are hard to find although the balls can be found easily enough

[SLDMRossi]

+A real, fun to ride Moto Guzzi with Linked Brakes.

- Poor finish quality. Even if they were stored well, the untreated cases and fasteners look like hell.

SR

[nsmith]

I have a 78 V50, Picked it up for $800.00. After some wiring and replacing the Pealing chrome cylinders with Ebay stuff, it has been a very nice ride. I'm in the Ozarks now so it has a good field to play in.

[shaggy]

I have a78 v50. It does have electronic ignition and has nicasil bores. The early ones had the rear disk brake on the bevel side. I had a leaking bevel box that i never did get right. Replaced with a good used one. So with the leak i didnt have good rear brakes. I dont like the cable operated right front brake, just dont have a good feel  to it.The lever operates the master cylinder that sits under the fuel tank. The v50 was my first street bike and only has 37,000 miles on it.