Author Topic: V7 Sport (Read 6975 times)

Air-Cooled · « **on:** March 21, 2016, 09:29:58 PM »

Have owned this bike for 25 years. Bought it with 4K miles and put another 5K on it before retiring it as in house art! Original paint and decals.

cwiseman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2016, 09:55:09 PM »

Very nice but do you ever think it feels like a prisoner with a life sentNce? I could Imagine her wanting to be out and fell the sun on her face and wind in her hair doing what she was born to do.

injundave · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2016, 09:56:53 PM »

Sorry, I have to say this. What a waste.

Travman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:01:19 PM »

Looks good. You're a lucky man.

canuck750 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:16:49 PM »

Lovely bike and great history!

Penderic · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:21:30 PM »

You're in love!

Can't blame you.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:40:27 PM »

No, I don't think of the bike as a prisoner! :) It is a physical object, and while it can be admired, it has no feelings of its own. I have various other motorcycles that I ride regularly that are not quite collector's items. If, on the other hand, one were to anthropomorphize this bike, call it human, then one could just as well say that I treat it kindly -- keeping it out of the sun's harmful rays and the wind's punishment. Would you criticize the museum in Mandello del Lario for keeping pristine examples of their more renowned bikes? I happen to think, at this point in time, the V7 Sport is more a work of art than a well-handling bike. I've put 5,000 glorious miles on it, have enjoyed it immensely, and now it is time to protect it.

ohiorider · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:43:14 PM »

Quote from: Air-Cooled on March 21, 2016, 10:40:27 PM

No, I don't think of the bike as a prisoner! :) It is a physical object, and while it can be admired, it has no feelings of its own. I have various other motorcycles that I ride regularly that are not quite collector's items. If, on the other hand, one were to anthropomorphize this bike, call it human, then one could just as well say that I treat it kindly -- keeping it out of the sun's harmful rays, and the wind's punishment. Would you criticize the museum in Mandello del Lario for keeping pristine examples of their more renowned bikes? I happen to think, at this point in time, the V7 Sport is more a work of art than a well-handling bike. I've put 5,000 glorious miles on it, have enjoyed it immensely, and now it is time to protect it.

I'm sure that over the years since you purchased this lovely bike, you've purchased other new Guzzis that have had the miles pounded on them! You obviously love the brand.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:47:41 PM »

Quote from: canuck750 on March 21, 2016, 10:16:49 PM

Lovely bike and great history!

Bought directly from Ghost Motorcycles. They were the middleman between me and the original owner who lived in Pennsylvania.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2016, 10:48:46 PM »

Quote from: cwiseman on March 21, 2016, 09:55:09 PM

I could Imagine her wanting to be out and fell the sun on her face and wind in her hair doing what she was born to do.

It is a "he" not a "she."

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2016, 11:04:26 PM »

A little more history, for those who are detail oriented. When I got the bike the original owner had obviously tipped it over on both sides, splitting the fins off the heads. So, I ordered brand new heads from my dealer in Tucson and had him ship them to Raceco (Manfred Hecht) to put in the hardened valve guides. When I received my improved "OEM" heads, I found that they had been superseded by the style shown on this bike with the trimmed rear fins. I just had to accept it. The original owner had also removed the original plastic Lucas turn signals, so you can see that I replaced them with the metal Aprilia versions. I didn't feel this was too unfaithful since the V7 Sport in the Mandello museum also wears Aprilias. I still need to replace the plastic spark plug caps with original style metal caps, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I also put the Rennsport fin guards on myself around 1990 - not an original touch, but certainly an item from a bygone era. The mufflers are true OEM, not the repros with the rounded trailing edge.

cwiseman · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2016, 12:40:07 AM »

You've done a great job protecting a rare bike and keeping it in great shape. I would rather see her hibernating in nice place than being left out to rot. But I'm just the type of guy who has to get a bike out every once in a while for a spin.

huub · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2016, 03:24:37 AM »

nice bike!
thanks for showing it to us.
nice to see one surviving in unrestored condition.

canuguzzi · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2016, 07:07:52 AM »

Quote from: Air-Cooled on March 21, 2016, 10:40:27 PM

No, I don't think of the bike as a prisoner! :) It is a physical object, and while it can be admired, it has no feelings of its own.

Finally.

BTW, is it cranked over and run once in a while or has the engine been mothballed so to speak?

The whole idea is neat. Is it located someplace where it can serve as a conversation piece or is it private?

guzzisteve · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2016, 07:34:02 AM »

I'm thinking you had no idea the bike would be worth when you bought it and were riding it. Some bikes you own and just can't sell. Mine are more garage art these days, at least for 10yrs lots of house art, largest count was 17 in the house before I built the shop. I'm married now, her house.
Great to see survivors.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2016, 07:35:50 AM »

Quote from: Norge Pilot on March 22, 2016, 07:07:52 AM

Finally.

BTW, is it cranked over and run once in a while or has the engine been mothballed so to speak?

The whole idea is neat. Is it located someplace where it can serve as a conversation piece or is it private?

It is in a place where everyone sees it. Good question on whether I've mothballed it. I put new Mobil 1 V-twin in the crank case before bringing it inside. I ran it for about five minutes to circulate the new oil. I then pulled the plugs and squirted in some light oil through the spark plug holes then turned the back wheel to smear it up and down the cylinder walls. Carbs were drained and sprayed with carb cleaner through the drain holes. Tank was emptied and allowed to dry out. I live in AZ so I don't think it will rust.

rocker59 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2016, 11:02:26 AM »

I like it!

kirkemon · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2016, 01:07:12 PM »

Yea, well I'm jealous. But I'd have to say that if it were mine, as beautiful as it is, I'd ride it more.

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2016, 01:29:12 PM »

Beautiful bike! You mention the dealer in Tucson....Are you located in Tucson? Are you aware of the TVMR antique bike show down at the Barrio Brewery on April 24th? It would be great to see that V7 down there, as Guzzi is never very well represented. This year ,I plan to take my LeMans.
Rick.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2016, 03:03:16 PM »

I live in Phoenix but will be away backpacking that weekend. Thanks for mentioning the event though!

oldbike54 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2016, 03:10:49 PM »

Lovely bike , but are you sure it is a "he"?

Dusty

Toecutter · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2016, 03:28:42 PM »

Nice bike. Seems a shame though. Bikes are meant to be ridden.

jbell · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2016, 03:32:51 PM »

Beautiful bike, Air-Cooled. Back in the '70's when I lived in Glendale, I rode a Ducati 860GT, my buddies rode a V7 Sport (red like yours) and a first gen. LeMans (bluish gray). We were quite the power trio. If I had bought a Sport or LeMans, it'd be worth considerably more then what my Duc (still have it) is today. We bought our bikes from Salems on 7th st.

Air-Cooled · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2016, 04:10:17 PM »

Well, the 850 Duc is not too shabby either! The other cool bike of that era was the Norton Commando, but to my eye today they don't look as nice as the Italians!

swordds · « **Reply #24 on:** March 22, 2016, 08:15:13 PM »

I wish I could get my motorcycle inside. I live up a flight of steps. I can carry my bicycles up the steps but I can't carry my V7II Stone up the steps. Too bad, it would be nice to be able to sit on the sofa and admire my motorcycle, it is a wonderful machine.

JoeW · « **Reply #25 on:** March 22, 2016, 09:08:45 PM »

While it's a shame to let a steed like that sit, I have to defend Aircooled's decision. I have a client that picked up a 7000 mile 2 owner Sport 2 years ago. I pulled the heads and jugs, had them Nicom coated, new rod bearings, cleaned up the valves and rebuilt the carbs. New tires and cables were next. he put about 350 miles on the bike and the rear main seal started to leak. So, pull the trans, reseal and shim the shift drum, new clutch discs and it's ready to go. He paid 10k for the bike and put another 5k into it. It's fun to ride but, that's a lot of money to have tied up in a 4th bike. I'm a firm believer in " ride 'em don't hide 'em" but sometimes it doesn't make sense.

Another client has 15 bikes in his collection including, MV Super America, Laverda Jota, LeMans II, V7 Sport, RC30, 900ss, Hailwood Mille, RG500, Benelli 750 SEI and others, he insists that all bikes run and are ridden at least twice a year. I would like to convince him to remove the batteries, drain the fuel, fog the cylinders and set them up for long term storage but, he is adamant. Riding season is right around the corner so, I have to dedicate a Sunday to bike exercise day.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 23, 2016, 09:00:15 AM »

I have to disagree. Couldn't just look at that bike, I'd have to ride it on occassion.

arveno · « **Reply #27 on:** March 23, 2016, 12:59:28 PM »

Quote from: Cam3512 on March 23, 2016, 09:00:15 AM

I have to disagree. Couldn't just look at that bike, I'd have to ride it on occassion.

:1:

I agreed , we do not take them with us .... so ride them and respect them .
I have a 73 sport bone stock original paint, i am not gonna trash it but i got it to ride it and enjoy it and preserve it .
But hey i respect the OP choice .

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Author Topic: V7 Sport (Read 6975 times)

canuck750

Penderic

canuguzzi

oldbike54