Guzzi 500CC V8 on the block

[kidsmoke]

I did a search and found old archived threads that I couldn't add too. Hope I'm not missing another thread.
Apparently this is going on the block this week.  Even as a replica it's expected to fetch +/- $300,000.00!

Auction details here. A couple Vincents among other gems...

http://www.gizmag.com/moto-guzzi-v8-spectacular-barn-find/41531/pictures#1

Details of the provenance are in this old thread
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=20505.0

[jbell]

Dang, and I just paid for my Obamacare.  Oh well, maybe next one.

[fotoguzzi]

this 1 nice too

[kidsmoke]

more timesuck....

http://www.motorcycle.com/events/i-coulda-had-a-v8-so-i-did-12730.html

[LowRyter]

I hope Barber gets it.  We can do a rally down there and perhaps get a special viewing?

[giusto]

 

[JeffOlson]

If only I had not paid for health insurance and medical care the past 20 years... Or those countless trips to Starbucks... Or... Sigh.

[Dean Rose]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdxI3faucvM

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=moto+guzzi+v8


Dean

[leafman60]

I was fortunate to see examples of both those bikes at the Guzzi museum in Mandello last year. I was extra fortunate to have an elderly retired Guzzi employee as a guide.

He spoke for quite a while about both the V8 as well as the tandem V.

The first thing about the V8 that struck me was how small it is.  This is no behemoth.  I also saw an example of the V8 motor on display near the bike. The motor itself is very compact. 

My venerable guide had done extensive work on the V8.  He said it was a very difficult engine to assemble and repair. I asked him why and he said the problem was all the intricate parts and how small they are.  As I recall, he said the pistons were only about an inch-and-a-half in diameter.  Everything else was miniature too. He described it like working on a wristwatch.

The tandem V has always been a favorite of mine. As a former Ducati man and now a NFalcone owner, I could not help being drawn to this engine.  I wondered why Guzzi never developed it more. The fantastic guide addressed my question. He said Carlo Guzzi never liked that motor. He apparently considered it overcomplicated and not necessary for civilian use. Its production run was short.

Our guide knew a lot about Carlo Guzzi too.  He also showed us a small 3-wheeled scooter-like vehicle that the factory boys custom-made for Mr. Guzzi to ease his moving about the factory grounds during his old age.

If you are a Guzzi fan, you need to make at least one trip to the factory in Mandello del Lario during your life. It's the Mecca of Guzzi enthusiasts.

[kidsmoke]

I was fortunate to see examples of both those bikes at the Guzzi museum in Mandello last year. I was extra fortunate to have an elderly retired Guzzi employee as a guide.

He spoke for quite a while about both the V8 as well as the tandem V.

The first thing about the V8 that struck me was how small it is.  This is no behemoth.  I also saw an example of the V8 motor on display near the bike. The motor itself is very compact. 

My venerable guide had done extensive work on the V8.  He said it was a very difficult engine to assemble and repair. I asked him why and he said the problem was all the intricate parts and how small they are.  As I recall, he said the pistons were only about an inch-and-a-half in diameter.  Everything else was miniature too. He described it like working on a wristwatch.

The tandem V has always been a favorite of mine. As a former Ducati man and now a NFalcone owner, I could not help being drawn to this engine.  I wondered why Guzzi never developed it more. The fantastic guide addressed my question. He said Carlo Guzzi never liked that motor. He apparently considered it overcomplicated and not necessary for civilian use. Its production run was short.

Our guide knew a lot about Carlo Guzzi too.  He also showed us a small 3-wheeled scooter-like vehicle that the factory boys custom-made for Mr. Guzzi to ease his moving about the factory grounds during his old age.

If you are a Guzzi fan, you need to make at least one trip to the factory in Mandello del Lario during your life. It's the Mecca of Guzzi enthusiasts.

Jealous! Having an old craftsman give the tour would be perfection.

The article I posted above under "timesuck" repeatedly refers to the V8 pistons as "Lilliputian" and "Jewel like". I love the sound in the Dean's youtube post.

[leafman60]

Our Guide-


The 120 Degree Twin-


V8 Engine-


V8 Engine-


V8 Racer-


Carlo's Desk-


Translator, Calimero, Me, Guide-

[rocker59]

Just a note on the Bicilindrica:

A dozen were built and raced in 500 GP for EIGHTEEN YEARS !!!  1933 - 1951.  Not only that, they were regular sights on the race podiums throughout their run.  Bicilindrica was never a production road bike, but a winning GP racer. 

Wondering why it never became a production street machine is one thing, but it lived a long and successful life.  Much longer than most GP racers.  The 500 V8 is an amazing machine, but had a short life of a few seasons, and was never successful.  It was fast, but would break.

The Bicilindrica was a workhorse, as is underlined by its long and successful career.


Some reading:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-bicilindrica-zmcz13sozbea.aspx

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-bicilindrica-history-zmcz13sozbea.aspx

[Rox]

And folks think tuning a rack of CBX carbs are tough...

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Too many moving parts for my taste.

[Dean Rose]

Just a note on the Bicilindrica:

A dozen were built and raced in 500 GP for EIGHTEEN YEARS !!!  1933 - 1951.  Not only that, they were regular sights on the race podiums throughout their run.  Bicilindrica was never a production road bike, but a winning GP racer. 

Wondering why it never became a production street machine is one thing, but it lived a long and successful life.  Much longer than most GP racers.  The 500 V8 is an amazing machine, but had a short life of a few seasons, and was never successful.  It was fast, but would break.

The Bicilindrica was a workhorse, as is underlined by its long and successful career.


Some reading:

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-bicilindrica-zmcz13sozbea.aspx

http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-bicilindrica-history-zmcz13sozbea.aspx

http://www.coys.co.uk/cars/1951-moto-guzzi-500-bicilindrica-gp
Dean

[leafman60]

A dozen were built....

That's what I meant by short production run but, yes, they were around for a while.

I always liked to think that Fabio Taglioni must have had some inspiration from those Guzzi tandem Vees when he designed the famous Ducati twin.

.

[Hit Man]

I was fortunate to see examples of both those bikes at the Guzzi museum in Mandello last year. I was extra fortunate to have an elderly retired Guzzi employee as a guide.

He spoke for quite a while about both the V8 as well as the tandem V.

The first thing about the V8 that struck me was how small it is.  This is no behemoth.  I also saw an example of the V8 motor on display near the bike. The motor itself is very compact. 

My venerable guide had done extensive work on the V8.  He said it was a very difficult engine to assemble and repair. I asked him why and he said the problem was all the intricate parts and how small they are.  As I recall, he said the pistons were only about an inch-and-a-half in diameter.  Everything else was miniature too. He described it like working on a wristwatch.

The tandem V has always been a favorite of mine. As a former Ducati man and now a NFalcone owner, I could not help being drawn to this engine.  I wondered why Guzzi never developed it more. The fantastic guide addressed my question. He said Carlo Guzzi never liked that motor. He apparently considered it overcomplicated and not necessary for civilian use. Its production run was short.

Our guide knew a lot about Carlo Guzzi too.  He also showed us a small 3-wheeled scooter-like vehicle that the factory boys custom-made for Mr. Guzzi to ease his moving about the factory grounds during his old age.

If you are a Guzzi fan, you need to make at least one trip to the factory in Mandello del Lario during your life. It's the Mecca of Guzzi enthusiasts.

yeah, about an inch and a half diameter for the pistons is about right (44mm if I recall)

these are the real deal