Need V50 Help Please

[Hawker]

I've come across an '81 V50 with 24K miles.  I have only seen photos but appears to be in exemplary condition.  Almost showroom.

I am planning on seeing it Saturday and wondering what I should look for or even...if I should consider it?  I'm a small guy at 135lbs so I don't mind the low power and I really like vintage bikes.  Currently on an '88 Honda Hawk GT and do all my own maintenance but nothing more than basic stuff.  Am I asking for trouble with this bike or any Guzzi this old?  I want to ride it occasionally, polish it and show it off...but don't have the skills to do a lot of wrenching.

Having trouble posting a pic, when I figure it out...I'll do so.  Thanks!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Electrically it's probably similar to a V65, fairly simple.
Look to see if it has electronic ignition modules for ignition, I'm not saying that's good or bad

Good Luck

Roy

[boatdetective]

There's a fairly long list of things to look for with small blocks. Please ping my email and I can run through the common mods jonathan at jklopman dot com

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've lost track of when each model came out.. getting old isn't for sissies. That said, I think by 81 all the small blocks had Nikasil (sp?) cylinders. That's a good thing. The best of the V50s are the Monza.. good score if you have one of those.. and the Mark III. The Mark II has the weird electronic ignition.
No matter what version it is, you'll have no problem with any maintenance task. Small blocks are easy.. 
You have to host pictures off site and point to them here. Photo bucket, Flicker, etc.

[Guido Valvole]

81 is probably a V50III, pick of the litter. Same as a Monza except for bodywork (standard vs. "sport") and control position -- standard vs high clip-ons and semi-rearsets. Nigusil (nikasil) plated bores, chrome was mk 1 only and few of those in the US. Otoh, stock ignition was back to points, cheaper. My experience with the much-maligned V50II Bosch ignition has been "what problem?" The two boxes are exactly the same as used by Ducati, BMW, and Laverda (same part # on them, I had one left over from a swap meet score in the 80s) and the Lucas RITA in my Monza has the same flat spot around 4k only worse. Best, if not already fitted, is the Dyna S.

Do be aware that exhaust valves were kinda stretchy and ~25k was when the ones in my Monza started getting ugly. Fixable if caught in time. Also there's the rear-drive pinion bearing problem, check for sparkly things in the oil there.

When sorted, it'll be lots of fun but not necessarily all that different from your Hawk. Just a generation earlier. Definitely an attention-getting, and in a good way. You're the right size. Regular maintenance is easy. Transmission and rear-drive rebuilds less so...
cr

[SED]

V50III would be the best of the lot.  Ride it.  If it all works without making a lot of noise it is probably OK.  Power comes on about 4000 rpm and best between 5-7000rpm.

You should expect valve clatter and gearbox whine.  Louder whine in 5th suggests it's been run with low oil in the gearbox.  Slightly more vibration in the right foot peg than the left suggests bad u-joint.  Stalling at idle when you pull the clutch lever (idles ok in neutral and dies with clutch) suggests worn thrust washers in the engine - I've not experienced this but it is a reported problem.

It will have linked brakes and the foot pedal is your friend, but it takes more force than you may be used to.  The hand brake lever only squeezes one disc and will feel in-effective if you use it by itself.  Hand brake felt "wooden" on mine until I rebuilt the caliper and replaced the brake lines with steel braid.

Put it on the center stand, kneel on the right side and spin the rear wheel in neutral.  You should not hear clunking at the front of the swingarm.  Rock the wheel back and forth and you should feel and hear some play in the ring and pinion in the rear drive.

Pull a valve cover.  If it has dual coil (inner and outer) valve springs it probably needs the valves changed.  If single springs then probably upgraded to Nevada standard and OK.  Changing the springs and valves requires pulling the heads and some patience but it is pretty darn easy.

Original coils and ignition wires are one piece.  The coils are tan and under the tank above the cylinders.  They have a bad reputation, but mine were still working when I replaced them.  Standard upgrade is Dyna coils and ignition. 

Original switch gear on the Monza is super fragile.  The contacts break easily if the switches are removed for any reason, but cheap replacements (~$30) are available.

This probably looks like a lot to worry about, but V50s handle great and are a ton of fun.  Here's mine complete with gearbox whine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aitKbRnW4I8

Here's a lot more on Guzzi small blocks:
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_small_blocks_older_small_block_issues_.html

[Hawker]

Thanks guys, you've all been most helpful.  Great info and loved the video SED.  If I've done things correctly, here is a pic.  Planning on seeing it tomorrow and I'll take a few more pics, IF I don't bring it home.  :)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/135562748@N07

[Guido Valvole]

If it works as well as it looks, bring it home!
cr