68 v700 (GC)

[GMC28]

Just dropping this in as a repository for info/input on a 68 v700 project.
As an intro, this bike is not much of a project, as compared to a "barn find" or something like that, as its in better shape than I thought when I "accidentally" agreed to buy this from a friend, in a moment of lovely weakness.  That said, depending on which direction to take it (stock vs "custom"), that will dictate some things.  Its far enough from stock that going back that way wouldn't be too hard, but would not a list of things/parts to go that way. 

It's got issues, but mostly not the kind that I had thought.  More on that once i actually tear into it, versus just the casual glance it gets in passing while i'm in the shop working on other stuff. 
Have other projects in the cue before tearing into this one, with next winter (2026) being the likely time to start for real, but using this forum spot to float some questions/ideas with this "august group"!

question #1 to float, for those interested in offering thoughts, is in regard to the air filter pods.  It came with pods, as part of its "bob" look the prior owner sort of angled for. It has the air cleaner housing there, presumably for cosmetics, but its using the pods.  On my newer (2003) V11's, I prefer the standard air box, for good-running reasons, but don't know if thats as poignant for this v7 with no ECU and running typically at lower rpm's, etc.

cheers

(my image wouldn't post. perhaps because its too large, but no error showed.   i'll mess with that and see if i can figure it out.  oops, now its there twice... )

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Much has been changed on that V700 - the engine and rear drive are both appear to be from an Eldorado or even an 850-T.

Most likely the reason it has pod filters is because until recently there was no rubber plenum to connect the Amal carbs to the original airbox. Clauss Studios has reproduced it.

https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p799/Moto_Guzzi_Eldorado_Air_Boot_%28Amal_Carb%29.html

[GMC28]

Much has been changed on that V700 - the engine and rear drive are both appear to be from an Eldorado or even an 850-T.

Most likely the reason it has pod filters is because until recently there was no rubber plenum to connect the Amal carbs to the original airbox. Clauss Studios has reproduced it.

https://www.claussstudios.com/store/p799/Moto_Guzzi_Eldorado_Air_Boot_%28Amal_Carb%29.html

Thank you Charlie - Thats what I call a jackpot post.  I would have futzed around for quite some time before something would have made me scratch my head, leading eventually to determine what you noted right off the bat!  I would likely have collected parts, which may or may not then have been the right stuff.
So that immediately influences the thinking on which way to go with this, taking my diminishing thoughts on the possibility of “restoration toward stock” even lower on the list, since I don’t really have as much stock elements to start with. 
And makes me even more interested in determining whats inside those heads…

[Tkelly]

Very cool bike,so what if it isn’t original,the average biker would like the looks of this better than the original.

[GMC28]

So wondered past the machine this evening after work, and eye-balled the engine number… It’s a VC prefix, so apparently I have a sport motor.  Fair enough then… not displeased with that. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

So wondered past the machine this evening after work, and eye-balled the engine number… It’s a VC prefix, so apparently I have a sport motor.  Fair enough then… not displeased with that.

VC is 850-T, the V7 Sport is VK.

[GMC28]

VC is 850-T, the V7 Sport is VK.

And again, glad i’m in the right crowd! 
I had an old engine number chart in my files, which showed that Sports were the VC’s, but not going to 2nd guess Charlie.  Drug my butt back out to the shop, and sure enough, its got the taller 850 cylinders. 
Another subtle but good shift (so to speak, assuming it also then has the different gearbox… ).
I suppose I should rename the thread :->

Thanks again for the quick and valid input to get me out of the weeds.

[GMC28]

Now I’m looking for enlightenment on the tranny…. I’ve got a right side shift, and had been under the impression that the 850’s were left side shift.  I’m assuming I was just wrong, but is it likely that based the engine number and the right side shift that I have a certain year based on that combo, or is it likely someone mixed and matched engine and gearbox? 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Now I’m looking for enlightenment on the tranny…. I’ve got a right side shift, and had been under the impression that the 850’s were left side shift.  I’m assuming I was just wrong, but is it likely that based the engine number and the right side shift that I have a certain year based on that combo, or is it likely someone mixed and matched engine and gearbox?

It's the original V700 4-speed transmission, so "mixed and matched".

[GMC28]

And it has a generator up on top, rather than the down low alt, so they made 850T motors with a generator it appears?  Slowly filling my considerable knowledge gaps... reading through some of the books and forum posts on this, but then following up here when there's another question which comes from that process.  much appreciated

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

And it has a generator up on top, rather than the down low alt, so they made 850T motors with a generator it appears?  Slowly filling my considerable knowledge gaps... reading through some of the books and forum posts on this, but then following up here when there's another question which comes from that process.  much appreciated

No 850-T motors with the generator up top from the factory, only a crank mounted alternator on the front. It looks like yours has an Eldo timing cover replacing the original and an aftermarket alternator kit. There is likely an adapter on the crank to mount the belt pulley.

I'll be doing the same on an Eldo soon that also has an 850-T engine in it. I have a Harper's alternator bracket and ND alternator.

[GMC28]

Interesting, again.  This is fun for me, "unwrapping" this info, and I appreciate your patient answers. 
Attached (I think) is a poor lighting pic from the front.  Making sense now.

[Turin]

It looks like someone spent some time, money and love on this old girl. First thing I would do is check the base of the cylinders to see if there's a Gilardoni casting. V700's, Eldos, 850Ts and T-3's all had chrome cylinders. the chrome is prone to flaking. Gilardoni barrels are the most common replacement and the easiest to check for. ( casting mark) Tome T motors came with oil filters.

If it's mechanically sound, I'd find a set of fenders, a seat, handlebars, and a fresh paintjob with some pinstriping and call it a day.

post more pictures!

[GMC28]

It looks like someone spent some time, money and love on this old girl. First thing I would do is check the base of the cylinders to see if there's a Gilardoni casting. V700's, Eldos, 850Ts and T-3's all had chrome cylinders. the chrome is prone to flaking. Gilardoni barrels are the most common replacement and the easiest to check for. ( casting mark) Tome T motors came with oil filters.

If it's mechanically sound, I'd find a set of fenders, a seat, handlebars, and a fresh paintjob with some pinstriping and call it a day.

post more pictures!

Touché….
Same list of things was in my head but i had also assumed a lot more engine work, which may now play out differently (better).  I knew i’d need to pull a head to see what i’ve got, and may get to that sooner than i had planned.   After charlie pointed me in the right direction, i did check the cylinder base for markings, but didn’t see anything.  maybe nikasil, or maybe i’ll have to pull them to address the chrome.
Rodekyll has just shipped me a fender, to get things started.  And stopped by my painter to check on his schedule and plant the seed for some upcoming work…

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Touché….
Same list of things was in my head but i had also assumed a lot more engine work, which may now play out differently (better).  I knew i’d need to pull a head to see what i’ve got, and may get to that sooner than i had planned.   After charlie pointed me in the right direction, i did check the cylinder base for markings, but didn’t see anything.  maybe nikasil, or maybe i’ll have to pull them to address the chrome.
Rodekyll has just shipped me a fender, to get things started.  And stopped by my painter to check on his schedule and plant the seed for some upcoming work…

You don't necessarily need to pull the head to check what material the cylinder bores are. This can be easily done with a "pencil magnet" inserted through the sparkplug hole and touched to the cylinder wall. Zero magnetic attraction = chrome, very slight = Nikasil, strong = iron liners.

[GMC28]

Ah yes, I should just do that, though I'm curious to see inside anyway.  Will start easy/quick for now with the magnet.