Late 70's V50III - What to look out for? (pictures)

[Perazzimx14]

a running, clean, cosmetically sound smallblock Guzzi of that era that has had all the required mods (trans breather, rear drive update, carb re-jetting) will not fetch over $3000 in any universe....  Factor in that smallblocks dont have the huge pool of parts, donor bikes, and interchangeability benefits of Tonti BB or LoopFrame Guzzis....

I'd say $800 max, it depends... Can you do the work yourself? Are you looking for a project?  If you say yes to both, get it cheap you will have a nice little runner!

Last year I listed my 81 V50 for 3k thinking I'd get no bites. Within a couple hours I had lots of interest and a day later it sold for $2,800. It was in good mechanical condition but cosmetically it was a 6-1/2 out of 10. If it were pristine I don't think there would have been any issue at all getting 3K+ for it.

I'd go $1,200ish on the one in the pic if it had a clean/clear title

[SED]

Great advice so far.  If you are on the fence look at cosmetics and corrosion - expensive to fix.  Mechanics are expensive, but maybe simpler as they are often available used - I think Ed at Guzzi Power has transmissions and rear drives for about $400 each.  Yours are probably OK unless abused or neglected.  Draining the oil from engine, trans and rear drive will tell you if there is condensation which would be a worry.

The cosmetics look good, but the corrosion looks  a little scary.  I'd bet the brake hydraulics need some work (stuck caliper pistons on mine) and fuses probably need cleaning.  Electrics in the handlebar switches (super fragile - don't like to be messed with) ignition switch and starter relay may give trouble if corroded.  A donor battery could tell you the condition of the electrics.  A cheap, solid state voltage regulator is available.

Corrosion may be an issue with carb internals, but easy to pull off the float bowl and look inside.

I think V50III has points, in which case it will need the condensors replaced.  Condensors have a shelf life so replace with new.  While you're in there clean and lube the centrifugal advance mechanism.  An electronic ignition is available.

Original coils and plug wires are a single unit and have a poor reputation.

Before putting many miles on it, pull the swingarm and drive shaft (amazingly quick to pull) and confirm that the splines are all well greased and that the u-joint is good.  

Special tools: buy 6mm, 8mm and 10mm hex keys for your 3/8" ratchet and a 5mm T-handle or screw-driver handle hex key.  Cut a short length of grade 5 bolt to make an alternator puller.  Guzziology, the English service manual and parts books are indispensable (manual and parts books available at This Old Tractor).  Hardest thing to do is replace the airfilter.  Pulling the rear drive and swing arm probably takes less than 20 minutes, pulling gas tank takes less than 5 and no tools (strong fingers help get the fuel lines off the taps).

Let us know what you decide!

[SED]

This may be getting a little ahead of the game but two other cheap tools...

Get 2 brake bleeder screws to thread into the intake manifolds (with rubber caps), then make a carb balancing manometer like this:


you will also want chopsticks or skewers to sync your throttle cables.   ;-T

[SED]

Another resource: http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_small_blocks_older_small_block_issues_.html

[davevv]

I watched a '78 V50 sell at auction in Missouri last Thursday for $2900.  Decent bike, but it had been sitting up long enough that it would need to be gone through thoroughly. Oh yeah, there was a 10% buyer's premium also, so the bidder actually paid $3190 for the bike. 

I didn't get a picture of the V50, but to give you some idea of the condition of it, it was similar to the other two Guzzis that were there.

This '73 V7 Sport went for $7500 + the 10%.


This '56 Falcone sold for $20,000 + the 10%.  I'm pretty sure the rear shocks were incorrect and I suspect the forks were not original.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

This '56 Falcone sold for $20,000 + the 10%.  I'm pretty sure the rear shocks were incorrect and I suspect the forks were not original.

Wasn't a Falcone, but rather an Astore. Rear shocks are correct for that model, rear fender and some other bits weren't.

[Lannis]

Wasn't a Falcone, but rather an Astore. Rear shocks are correct for that model, rear fender and some other bits weren't.

All we need is a few more of us to say it's a Falcone and EH VOILA! it will BE a Falcone ... !   :D

Lannis

[davevv]

Wasn't a Falcone, but rather an Astore. Rear shocks are correct for that model, rear fender and some other bits weren't.

Thanks for the correction.  I just went with what they had listed in the catalog since I had never seen either in the flesh.

[Lannis]

I think we're being a little too pessimistic about this bike.   

If you haven't already, pull up "Snowtigress" on a search.   ;)

She'd have this bike looking and running like brand new in a week.   Look what she did with that pile of corruption SHE started with!!   ;-T

Lannis

[iamcitizenme]

Hey Chris, where are you in NY?

Perhaps some local heroes can help you get that going.

DW

DW, I live in a small town called Wassaic up in the Hudson Valley. There are a few Guzzi-ists who frequent the bar where I work so I can talk to them this weekend when they roll in.

Great advice so far.  If you are on the fence look at cosmetics and corrosion - expensive to fix.  Mechanics are expensive, but maybe simpler as they are often available used - I think Ed at Guzzi Power has transmissions and rear drives for about $400 each.  Yours are probably OK unless abused or neglected.  Draining the oil from engine, trans and rear drive will tell you if there is condensation which would be a worry.

The cosmetics look good, but the corrosion looks  a little scary.  I'd bet the brake hydraulics need some work (stuck caliper pistons on mine) and fuses probably need cleaning.  Electrics in the handlebar switches (super fragile - don't like to be messed with) ignition switch and starter relay may give trouble if corroded.  A donor battery could tell you the condition of the electrics.  A cheap, solid state voltage regulator is available.

Corrosion may be an issue with carb internals, but easy to pull off the float bowl and look inside.

I think V50III has points, in which case it will need the condensors replaced.  Condensors have a shelf life so replace with new.  While you're in there clean and lube the centrifugal advance mechanism.  An electronic ignition is available.

Original coils and plug wires are a single unit and have a poor reputation.

Before putting many miles on it, pull the swingarm and drive shaft (amazingly quick to pull) and confirm that the splines are all well greased and that the u-joint is good. 

Special tools: buy 6mm, 8mm and 10mm hex keys for your 3/8" ratchet and a 5mm T-handle or screw-driver handle hex key.  Cut a short length of grade 5 bolt to make an alternator puller.  Guzziology, the English service manual and parts books are indispensable (manual and parts books available at This Old Tractor).  Hardest thing to do is replace the airfilter.  Pulling the rear drive and swing arm probably takes less than 20 minutes, pulling gas tank takes less than 5 and no tools (strong fingers help get the fuel lines off the taps).

Let us know what you decide!

Thank you so much for the input. I have a Carbtune that I used to balance my Honda 4-cylinder. I figure I could just use two of the hoses, right?

The air filtration system has been replaced with pods. I don't know yet if he rejetted. I don't have much time between work and music so this may be a little slower than Snowtigress's project.

The thing only has 8,xxx miles on it so I can't imagine that there's too much damage. It's the sitting that worries me. Gaskets and the like. This Monday & Tuesday I should be able to spend some quality time with it. He gave the the service manual and a shop manual when he gave me the key so that should be helpful, but I'll take a look at Guzziology too.

[jbell]

I think we're being a little too pessimistic about this bike.   


Lannis

I couldn't agree more, Lannis.  Under a grand, and I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

[gentlemanjim]

I'd buy it for $500 - $600. They are great little bikes.  V50III has electronic ignition.  I had one restored it cafe'd it and sold it.  Wish I kept it, it will do the ton  Lot's of fun