Thoughts on the 500,650cc Moto Guzzi's?

[dennylee11]

I've thought several times about seeing if I could round up a "smaller cc" Moto Guzzi. Something with a bit less weight but with still enough power to move an old guy around at a reasonable pace... As I'm entering my "Golden Years" - been riding for 52 years now without a break - I'm considering hauling a bike to rallies, sleeping in my van, and not be exhausted when I get home.... (I KNOW you know what I mean...) With hundreds of thousands of miles "under my belt" I got nothing to prove to anyone - much less myself!
  So, let's hear some of your thoughts on 500cc / 650cc Moto Guzzi's ...

[Guzzistajohn]

My 1st Guzzi was a '80 V50. It didn't do much for me at the time, but for the your plan it sounds like a good idea. I'm done sleeping on the ground myself. It's a vacation not a concentration camp 

[Tom]

Definitely a good option for your plan.     A V65 has the power for rides that rival most bikes.  It would be a good option to upgrade the suspension as the oem stuff was barely ok.  I have a V50III with a V65 engine.  It reminds me of an older Triumph Bonniville or an 883 Sportster.  Fun bike.

[Huzo]

Great topic..!
I’ve long thought that a smaller version of the V85 would be well received, about 500cc as you say. With a consequently lower seat height and reduced weight, there would be a good take up I’m convinced. So many guys here have said they are ready to get a V85 (for instance), but could not cope with the excessive seat height and went elsewhere as a result.
Maybe the huge investment in the new platform (V100), will spawn a slew of new products, but clearly the engine would need to be downsized, I don’t know.
So far mercifully, I’ve not had the writing on the wall regarding my Norge or V85, but surely it has to come.
A 750 Breva style gadget with a smaller liquid cooled motor might gain wide acceptance among Guzzisti, there seems to be a market for such.
But the way the marque has been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century, has to be a step in the right direction.

[Tom]

   Good thoughts on a smaller engine model.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My choice of the older small-blocks would be the V50 III or V65SP. The older ones have smaller carbs and valves (less power), V50 II has a Bosch electronic ignition that isn't that great in my opinion. You might find this article helpful.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_small_blocks_older_small_block_issues_.html

[Dirk_S]

Make me jealous and build a V50 NATO

[Zenermaniac]

Make me jealous and build a V50 NATO

Yes!

[Kev m]

What's the advantage of a V50 or V65 over a V7?

The V7C and heron head 1TB smallblocks are really close in weight to a V65 but will require less maintenance and should offer longer life and reliability.

I mean I'm way ahead of the curve embracing them do relatively young. I had no physical problem muscling my 800#+ RK, but I decided a smaller bike(s) would be fun and so far so good.

[chuck peterson]

Step up to the newer small blocks!

V7’s are showing up everywhere on craigslist at 1/2 price and less then 10k miles..

450 lbs, 50 horsepower w fuel injection

[Dirk_S]

What's the advantage of a V50 or V65 over a V7?

The V7C and heron head 1TB smallblocks are really close in weight to a V65 but will require less maintenance and should offer longer life and reliability.

I mean I'm way ahead of the curve embracing them do relatively young. I had no physical problem muscling my 800#+ RK, but I decided a smaller bike(s) would be fun and so far so good.

The V50 II stays below 400 lb wet, and from what I read, even though that 45 hp might be a bit exaggerating in number, there may be more ponies to find without too much of effort (from Cycle World).

One thing I love about the small blocks is that from around 1985 until the E5 850cc arrived, most if not all the small blocks used the exact same driveshaft. 35 years of the same driveshaft! Who knows what else!

[s1120]

What's the advantage of a V50 or V65 over a V7?

The V7C and heron head 1TB smallblocks are really close in weight to a V65 but will require less maintenance and should offer longer life and reliability.

I mean I'm way ahead of the curve embracing them do relatively young. I had no physical problem muscling my 800#+ RK, but I decided a smaller bike(s) would be fun and so far so good.

That was my thought. I always thought it was pretty much the same platform, so should be close in size and weight I would think.Plus you get something a little newer and more "common" that might be less headaches getting parts for in the future.

[Kev m]

The V50 II stays below 400 lb wet, and from what I read, even though that 45 hp might be a bit exaggerating in number, there may be more ponies to find without too much of effort (from Cycle World).

Meh - I don't trust specs from that time frame. There was lie (dry) weights and exaggeration without a lot of third party oversight. And finding more hp from a Heron head, ok....

Yeah it MIGHT sneak in just under 400# but my MKI was in the 430-440# range, that's not much of a difference in feel to say our 408# 696, I doubt the V50 feels THAT much lighter.

[Scout63]

I had a v50II that I restored for a first bike for my daughter. I installed a Sachse ignition and it had Bub pipes.  It was one of the sweetest sounding and riding bikes I’ve owned.  They are slow getting up to speed but very easy highway cruisers and a blast in the corners.  Also low, light and have high quality components like linked triple Brembos. I’m sorry I sold it.

[mechanicsavant]

Yup , I’m in with the , “don’t dis the late model small block V7’s” . Maintenance is a breeze . Huge grin factor & acceptable cool looks . It’s not uncommon for folks to ask me @ M/C gatherings . Cool bike , when did ya restore it ?
When I tell them it’s a 2016 there is a moment of silence. Oh I’m also in a similar situation as you being a 1952 model ,

[rocker59]

The V50 II stays below 400 lb wet, and from what I read, even though that 45 hp might be a bit exaggerating in number, there may be more ponies to find without too much of effort (from Cycle World).

 

I'm with Kev.  Both the weight and the HP ratings of the V50 from 40-years ago are optimistic.   The bikes are heavier than stated with less horsepower than stated.

There is no advantage I can see of going with a 40-year old V50 vs a 2009-2014 V7 Classic.  The newer bikes weigh about the same, have more power, are more reliable, and will perform better.  Not to mention looking better.

[Kev m]

Ok, I'll concede one possible advantage.... I like the idea of triple Brembos!

[egschade]

I believe all V65's had double valve springs which could cause stretching and engine failure. Both it and the V50s are sweet / smooth running little bikes though a little down on power. Having had bot the 50 and 65 I can attest to their inherent goodness.

That said - a good condition V50/65 is almost as much as a newer V7 II or even III. Those bikes are still very much traditional V7s but with more power and many very useful upgrades with ABS being one of the most important.

I agree with others to look for a newer V7 if you want a regular riding bike but go old if you want something for shows or need the nostalgia factor - just be prepared to be wrenching on it more.

[nsmith]

I have a 78 V50 and an 86? 650 Lario. That little 50 is maybe the best running bike I have ever owned. I like the lighter more flickable small blocks they have both been fun once sorted out.

[bad Chad]

Agree with Kev.  I had a v65sp, and it was a fun reliable bike, but it is, almost every way, not as good as a newer small block, starting with the Breva.

But if you love the idea of an old school SB go for it.   Yet if your not married to the old school, look hard at the newer stuff.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've had both a V50 III (still own, at least for another week or so) and a 2013 V7 Stone. The V50 III feels 100 pounds lighter, smaller and a lot more nimble. Less vibration than the V7 too. Better gas mileage if that matters. Neither had a stock seat that I could sit on for more than two hours.

[Tkelly]

30 some years ago the Harley and Guzzi dealer in Madison WI rode a v50 to Alaska and back,he was in his late 70 s at the time.

[John A]

We bought a leftover V65C from EuroSport cycle in Ft Worth in 86.. We still have it, 35K miles. Deb rode it back to Texas and western Montana from here. It’s a little light for the big road so I had to keep the speed down some so I wouldn’t leave her too far back. It wasn’t used much since I got her an ‘02 Stone so last winter I went through it and she started riding it again. She says it’s fun. I put PHF 30’s on it and tapered bearings in the steering head so it’s hard to catch up to in the hills and twisty roads.

[Tom]

I had a v50II that I restored for a first bike for my daughter. I installed a Sachse ignition and it had Bub pipes.  It was one of the sweetest sounding and riding bikes I’ve owned.  They are slow getting up to speed but very easy highway cruisers and a blast in the corners.  Also low, light and have high quality components like linked triple Brembos. I’m sorry I sold it.

That was a nice looking bike!! 

[antmanbee]

I had a V50 Monza back in the 80's and have had a Breva 750 for a few years also gone now and I currently have a V7 2011.
My memory is not good enough to make a comparison of the V50 to the newer ones. But I do remember it feeling very light compared to my T3 and 900 Ducati's of late 70's vintage.
My current V7 has a claimed dry weight of about 400lbs but I put it on a diet and it lost 32lbs of which I weighed everything I took off and added to get that total.
It certainly feels a lot lighter than my stripped Jackal and my Griso and V11 Sport. Compared to the Breva 750 it feels a little lighter but the Breva had bags and a rack.
I think it is hard to beat the first few years of the V7 classics. I too get asked about it a lot with most people thinking it is a restored bike.

[Scout63]

That was a nice looking bike!!

Here it is.  I did love the color.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've had both a V50 III (still own, at least for another week or so) and a 2013 V7 Stone. The V50 III feels 100 pounds lighter, smaller and a lot more nimble. Less vibration than the V7 too. Better gas mileage if that matters. Neither had a stock seat that I could sit on for more than two hours.

What Charlie sez. I've had one of those, and a Monza. The Monza is a sweetheart if you have some curvy roads to ride it on..

[huub]

personally i think the V65 hits the sweet spot , light and nimble , with enough power to keep up on highways.
also the perfect commuter.
i've got hem in several forms ( TT, NTX, lario and SP) the lario is my favorite the handling on the small wheels is brilliant.
pity the lario drops valves every now and then.
any smallblocks built before 1990 will need new exhaust valves and valve springs
but if you want to downsize a smallblock makes sense

[Perazzimx14]

Out of all my Guzzi’s the only one I miss the most is my 1981 V50 MKIII. Not sure why but I liked it. I did have the chance to buy it back but passed so maybe I didn’t miss it that much. I’m in the same position with Buell. Sold my ULY last year and have been thinking of another. Sold a bike last week and there a nice ULY f/s locally just cannot pull the trigger.

[Huzo]

Here it is.  I did love the color.

Jeez that looks sharp.
Any explanation on the colour at the rear of the muffler ?