Just picked up my first Guzzi! 2015 V7 Special

[Parashootist]

Oh, mine—nor any bike that high of miles on the motor—had nothing to do with that crankshaft issue. Rather, I was running a sidecar on my V7, and I failed to do my due diligence and check the oil more often when the rig is under extra load (more highway travel or more weight in the car). Oil was burnt up, sump went dry, crankshaft and big end bearing lost lubrication, and we had ourselves a dead goose.

Even Ural says that when their rigs are under such load, one must check oil level more often. I was simply—as I am often—a dunce.

What's involved with adding a sidecar? There's a ural sidecar for sale right now locally.

[Dirk_S]

What's involved with adding a sidecar? There's a ural sidecar for sale right now locally.

• Purchase a subframe for the bike and the proper lower and upper mounts (unless you’re using the Ural’s, then simply obtain the bike-side mounts),
• attach the sidecar, align the toe-in, wheel lead, lean-out, track width,
• And then watch the swing arm and driveshaft like a hawk because the V7’s key disadvantage as a tug is that its swingarm attaches to the gearbox, allowing extra torsion at the bearing housings, leading to the potential for cracks in the case.

I now use the R80/7 primarily for sidecar duty these days (swingarm attaches to the frame like most bikes), but since I now live without a cage—I mean car—I still have the V7 to use as a tug if necessary.

I wouldn’t have a Ural tub for a Guzzi small block, as they’re pretty hefty sidecars. Sure, the Ural bike is similar in specs, but the torque hits lower on those Cossacks, and you have a proper frame structure. I had a homemade sidecar attached to the V7 II at first, but due to the tubular steel frame, thick steel plate bottom, and obese cast Sportster wheel, it was about the same weight as a Ural tub. I now have a Sputnik sidecar that works with the V7 much better. A Velorex is even lighter due to its fiberglass construction.

The Guzzi big blocks, on the other hand, make for excellent sidecar bikes.

[Parashootist]

• Purchase a subframe for the bike and the proper lower and upper mounts (unless you’re using the Ural’s, then simply obtain the bike-side mounts),
• attach the sidecar, align the toe-in, wheel lead, lean-out, track width,
• And then watch the swing arm and driveshaft like a hawk because the V7’s key disadvantage as a tug is that its swingarm attaches to the gearbox, allowing extra torsion at the bearing housings, leading to the potential for cracks in the case.

I now use the R80/7 primarily for sidecar duty these days (swingarm attaches to the frame like most bikes), but since I now live without a cage—I mean car—I still have the V7 to use as a tug if necessary.

I wouldn’t have a Ural tub for a Guzzi small block, as they’re pretty hefty sidecars. Sure, the Ural bike is similar in specs, but the torque hits lower on those Cossacks, and you have a proper frame structure. I had a homemade sidecar attached to the V7 II at first, but due to the tubular steel frame, thick steel plate bottom, and obese cast Sportster wheel, it was about the same weight as a Ural tub. I now have a Sputnik sidecar that works with the V7 much better. A Velorex is even lighter due to its fiberglass construction.

The Guzzi big blocks, on the other hand, make for excellent sidecar bikes.

Thanks. I've had a couple sidecar bikes in the past. I think if another Ural popped up for a good deal, I'd probably snag it. I'll likely keep the V7 as a solo bike. I only have like 100 miles on it but it does feel a bit underpowered as a tug. With the Ural, I know what I'm getting since I already had one. They're turds but that's part of their charm 😂

[Parashootist]

Figured I should post some pictures of the bike. If anyone knows what these rear shocks are, let me know!

[Parashootist]

Found a number on the rear shocks which confirmed they are made be progressive. Since people seem to not like the stock suspension, having the front and rear already upgraded seems like a nice bonus. Probably not the shocks I would have picked but they seem to work fine.

On a separate note:

I have the option to purchase a V7ii 70tre scrambler exhaust for a reasonable price. The issue is that I have a V7i. I understand the angle the engine is mounted within the frame is different between the two bikes and thus the exhausts are different.

Has anyone modified a V7ii exhaust to fit a V7i? For a scrambler exhaust would this just mean modifying the headers or are the subframes also different?

[Dirk_S]

I have no idea if the change happened in the headers or at the mid-pipes, and photos don’t show it too well. I had the 70tre (Unit Garage) pipes on my bike but took them off last year before selling them. Somehow they got to the point where they were limiting performance after 20,000 miles of use, and I didn’t have the time to investigate why. They were indeed quite the looker, though. Nice sound, too, IMO, but the Arrow scrambler exhaust sounds great, too. You’ll definitely want a retune.

The non-professional pics are of the exhaust on my V7 II:



Be the guinea pig and report back ;)

[Parashootist]

I may take the risk. I wish I was a better TIG welder. If I go for it I'll probably tack it and let someone better than me do the actual welding so it looks better.

I'm not exactly sure where it mounts but from what I see rear luggage racks for the Vi and Vii are the same.

I really like the look of the 70tre exhaust a bit more than the arrow but I'd be fine with either.

I have no idea if the change happened in the headers or at the mid-pipes, and photos don’t show it too well. I had the 70tre (Unit Garage) pipes on my bike but took them off last year before selling them. Somehow they got to the point where they were limiting performance after 20,000 miles of use, and I didn’t have the time to investigate why. They were indeed quite the looker, though. Nice sound, too, IMO, but the Arrow scrambler exhaust sounds great, too. You’ll definitely want a retune.

The non-professional pics are of the exhaust on my V7 II:



Be the guinea pig and report back ;)