V7 Racer Production Numbers

[Kev m]

Couple more thoughts - take em or leave em.

On the "you can't just go out and buy one" line - CycleTrader has 5-6 V7 Racers listed in the US right now. I betcha there's more out there for sale if you look at other sources (FB marketplace, Ebay, BAT, RumbleON)

https://www.cycletrader.com/Moto-Guzzi/motorcycles-for-sale?keyword=v7%20racer&make=Moto%20Guzzi%7C2319674&zip=08055&radius=10000&sort=relevance%3Adesc&page=1

Granted they are NOT the 2TB model with the Black plastic tank. And frankly (and I'll admit I'm opinionated about this) GOOD. I'd take a 1TB model with metal tank over them every day of the week. I'm an early adopter who considered and rejected the smallblock for years until the new 1TB model was announced, then I ran out and ordered one from Fast By Ferracci. Still have it. LOVED it so much I ran out and bought a second one. Still have it.

But I totally agree with wanting what you want - and to that end, well, then does $500 really matter? That's individual and I don't judge. On the one hand I'd say it doesn't to me. On the other hand I actually lost a $45k Jeep Rubicon a couple months back hemming and hawing over $500. IN MY CASE that turned out to be a good thing b/c in retrospect it wasn't the right one for me, but in the end I spent ~$2k more on a NEW Jeep Wrangler Sport S over that used Rubi.

At the end of the day, follow your bliss.

Good luck and have fun!

[Moparnut72]

Just an FYI, the Sportster Custom models have a large tank, if I remember correctly 4.3 gallons. A Sportster can go a long ways with that much fuel. Cool bikes too bad Harley didn't include a suspension with them. 
kk

[maciejman]

Cool bikes too bad Harley didn't include a suspension with them. 
kk

Ha!  100% agree lol!

[maciejman]

Kev-  Totally agree with how many are actually out there.  I had mentioned as much to the guy myself finding no less than 8-10 of them out there between FB and CL.  He's hung up on it being one of the first 25 produced, yada yada..

And don't get me wrong- I'm not set on this one which is why it wasn't difficult at all to walk for a relatively minor $500 difference.  In 'wanting what I want' I was just referring to the guy who asked something to the effect if I was set on the racer variant of the V7- which I am.  But I'm totally in your camp in that I'd prefer to find a 1TB model racer with black metal tank.  Funny to me how a few little motor changes made the 2012+ 1TB models make the 2011 2TB motor look old/dated (IMO of course).  1TB engines just seem more refined and modern to my eye.

Can't thank you enough for all of your replies, thoughts and experience!  I'll find one eventually and report back when I do, and I'm sure I'll be one excited fella!  All the best!

[Vagrant]

JMHO, good grief the guy is flippin nuts. It's a 10-12 year old Guzzi V7. Worth $2500-3500 tops. They will be burring him with it.
Since when in the Guzzi world is being some of the first of a production worth more money?

[Kev m]

JMHO, good grief the guy is flippin nuts. It's a 10-12 year old Guzzi V7. Worth $2500-3500 tops.

Eeehhhhh, I wouldn't go that far south.

I mean you're approaching part it out for more pricing.

A clean, running motorcycle like this should at least bring around $4k.

There's a point where depreciation bottoms at a reasonable number.

[Steve Swan]

fwiw, my son picked up a 4k mile 2014 V7R, #903, week b4 last for $3,500, doesn't have the rear seat cowl/number plates, otherwise complete. (The bike had been on Marketplace for at least 3 months, the owner was originally asking, $8,500, then dropped to $7,500, $6,500, then $5,500, when my son first looked at it.  Bike had been kept outside in one of those air-inflated plastic bubbles so there's fine-pitting rust on every part that's chrome, whether plastic or ferrous; so after a few weeks of no other interest except my son's offer of $3,500, the owner gave in and sold the bike to my son.  i've not seen one of these "2nd Gen" R's in the flesh until this one, so having this '14 next to my '11 reveals a number of minor differences and of course the big difference, i.e., the 80's era cylinders, heads and valve covers. also, my son's '14 has more pleasing in appearance aluminum rims, unlike the (ugly to me) steel rims on the '11/'12 R's and the Classics of that era.

the '11's & '12's have cyls, heads and valve covers similar in appearance to the V50's and other models of the 80's.  looks like we still don't have any factual information supporting how many R's were built year-to-year from 2011-2014.

Having worked at the dealership from '07-'12, i was lucky that when my black plastic tank began blistering, i was able to keep the plastic tank after Guzzi US said we didn't have to return it.  I do remember the factory wanted to warranty a plastic chrome tank which i said "no" to and paid the extra for a steel tank which fits a fuel pump different than the plastic tank.

Kev M, i agree with your suggestion that beginning 2013, the number on the plate riveted on upper triple clamp started at 1, i suspect same for 2014.  as i'd mentioned in my previous post, i do seem to recall when i was working at my friend's dealership that 2011 and 2012 were number consecutively, a total of around 1,400 units were constructed those 2 years.

What is a "1TB model with metal tank" and a 2TB?  (idk what 1TB and 2TB mean).

[Kev m]

What is a "1TB model with metal tank" and a 2TB?  (idk what 1TB and 2TB mean).

 TB = Throttle Body

The 1TB models started in 2012 (EU/world except US/NA distribution) and 2013 (US/NA)

Both Heron heads, but the 1TB models carried some nice differences from the 2TB models (dual throttle body model like your 11).

[Steve Swan]

TB = Throttle Body

The 1TB models started in 2012 (EU/world except US/NA distribution) and 2013 (US/NA)

Both Heron heads, but the 1TB models carried some nice differences from the 2TB models (dual throttle body model like your 11).

Thanks for interpreting what "TB" means 

do the 1TB R models have a more hp?  i seem to recall they "jumped" from 49 to 51...?

[Kev m]

Thanks for interpreting what "TB" means 

do the 1TB R models have a more hp?  i seem to recall they "jumped" from 49 to 51...?

There are small incremental increases across the various versions.

My spreadsheet says:

2TB Heron Head Models - 48 hp / 40 torques (claimed @crank) - ~ 39 hp / 38 torques (dyno)
MKI 1TB Heron Head Models (~2012-2015) - 50 hp / 43 torques (claimed @crank) - ~ 43 hp / 42 torques (dyno)
MKII 1TB Heron Head Models (V7II ~2016) - 48 hp / 44 torques (claimed @crank) - ~ 42 hp / 40 torques (dyno)
MKIII 1TB Hemi Head Models (V7III ~2017-20) - 52 hp / 44 torques (claimed @crank) - ~ 48 hp / 44 torques (dyno)
MKIV 1TB Hemi Head Models (EU-V ~2020+) - 65 hp / 54 torques (claimed @crank) - ~ 56 hp / 49 torques (dyno)

Most dynos agreed that the first Hemi head bikes punched above their weight class when you compare the claimed crank power to the actual dyno numbers. There's less frictional loss or maybe just less exaggeration on the part of the OEM claims. Who knows.

Having ridden multiple examples of most versions I think the BIGGEST jump was Heron to Hemi. It's the most perceptible difference in power to me from the seat. I expected, from the numbers, that the jump from V7III to the EU5 bikes would feel as large again but it didn't to me. They feel great, but it was less noticeable to me from the saddle.

I feel I should also say there is something about the Heron head motor that makes me just plain enjoy it more sometimes. If I had to have ONLY one AND that bike needed to do highway duty as well as around town stuff, I'd lean towards a Hemi head. But I have no problem doing occasional highway on the Heron head or taking a week long trip on it. It just feels less relaxed and has less in reserve at say 70+ mph.

Maybe part of that perception is the gradual increase in weight and other changes to the smallblock chassis has somehow left it a tiny bit less nimble. Maybe it's just the joy of doing more with less. Maybe both. Maybe I'm just fooling myself.

[Steve Swan]

happened to pull up from ebay, 2 R triple clamps, 2012 #201 and 2016 #197/1000.

#201 claimed 2b produced in 2012 would suggest for 2012, numbers would have restarted at 1, as it's quite unlikely that  less than 200 R's were produced in 2001.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/275787833792?hash=item40363c61c0:g:IL0AAOSwYE1kNYX2&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8MOpA0j3KopncaQIAWa%2FGBo815htSRsTjFQOa4iYyhjJoEE7ZD48Co6FY8RE9SjZR45QUA%2F%2F2oBwDnCudqPc0xrgoXX1w3QrWjfH7jSSteVz18aH%2FQvbn89jl0mEZ%2BOOlzDfej9N1dMxijGdNQ1pZndIwlgQY%2BTVJa0xXlidn2s%2FtezV2nK4e%2FaS4mAC41wYwjaXEuqqrc8XXydcgZIhh77ey2gtt%2B36SWe539wGsiXQthjUsHPkujwoDoEEFCAlG2VKXtoUupWavh8Bu34qoO9wcwxfZ8Gfx21rGgINdKmI7Rrhk76YJUou6G2JOwhuWA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyMzL-upi

#197/1000 supports, numbers were started at 1 for 2016.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/313869487351?hash=item4914144cf7:g:4bUAAOSwWwFiBCnA&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8O%2F5qa1re8C6jgemq%2BsstrSiph6DPqncvH7VfwQjw9crLjpTsOy3hZYlb%2FnU5XMoM6E%2FgbUcVtstt%2FDEFhWaGXIDcYp9S5e7%2FY2S1EJO1ItEsPv%2FMGjai2jVvXoY%2Fq44qHnn0l%2B66ZKPIdf7qwE7ZtKcAmL9iMX%2FzUnvsCmuDCy1jXJPvwnbu4AEm4FSv44q1f1ofGocsPK0FXVQqUFVFKdP224lVsMCCcE8MyZ72410aNqSOhhXf0%2FJ2BFWXPE2M5E7msHJ8fzGquyCJNNHhtjw%2BMLLYHOSbuGnz1%2Fq2tdgmw5NegK1DvUskxpetuETQg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyMzL-upi

this is my conjecture, as i am assuming the sellers of these clamps are accurately stating the year model these clamps were removed from.

[rocker59]

happened to pull up from ebay, 2 R triple clamps, 2012 #201 and 2016 #197/1000.

#201 claimed 2b produced in 2012 would suggest for 2012, numbers would have restarted at 1, as it's quite unlikely that  less than 200 R's were produced in 2001.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/275787833792?hash=item40363c61c0:g:IL0AAOSwYE1kNYX2&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8MOpA0j3KopncaQIAWa%2FGBo815htSRsTjFQOa4iYyhjJoEE7ZD48Co6FY8RE9SjZR45QUA%2F%2F2oBwDnCudqPc0xrgoXX1w3QrWjfH7jSSteVz18aH%2FQvbn89jl0mEZ%2BOOlzDfej9N1dMxijGdNQ1pZndIwlgQY%2BTVJa0xXlidn2s%2FtezV2nK4e%2FaS4mAC41wYwjaXEuqqrc8XXydcgZIhh77ey2gtt%2B36SWe539wGsiXQthjUsHPkujwoDoEEFCAlG2VKXtoUupWavh8Bu34qoO9wcwxfZ8Gfx21rGgINdKmI7Rrhk76YJUou6G2JOwhuWA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyMzL-upi

#197/1000 supports, numbers were started at 1 for 2016.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/313869487351?hash=item4914144cf7:g:4bUAAOSwWwFiBCnA&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8O%2F5qa1re8C6jgemq%2BsstrSiph6DPqncvH7VfwQjw9crLjpTsOy3hZYlb%2FnU5XMoM6E%2FgbUcVtstt%2FDEFhWaGXIDcYp9S5e7%2FY2S1EJO1ItEsPv%2FMGjai2jVvXoY%2Fq44qHnn0l%2B66ZKPIdf7qwE7ZtKcAmL9iMX%2FzUnvsCmuDCy1jXJPvwnbu4AEm4FSv44q1f1ofGocsPK0FXVQqUFVFKdP224lVsMCCcE8MyZ72410aNqSOhhXf0%2FJ2BFWXPE2M5E7msHJ8fzGquyCJNNHhtjw%2BMLLYHOSbuGnz1%2Fq2tdgmw5NegK1DvUskxpetuETQg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMyMzL-upi

this is my conjecture, as i am assuming the sellers of these clamps are accurately stating the year model these clamps were removed from.

You're assuming a lot, here.

[Kev m]

You're assuming a lot, here.

eeeeeeeeehhhhh I don't think I'd say "a LOT" but - does any of it matter, even a little bit?!?

 

[rocker59]

eeeeeeeeehhhhh I don't think I'd say "a LOT" but - does any of it matter, even a little bit?!?

 

  

[Steve Swan]

You're assuming a lot, here.

Meh. Based on my 57 years of experience studying motorcycle factory/industry manufacturing, production practices, vin's, owning, and performing
more than 50 world-class restorations of motorcycles of many brands, 1925-1974, i feel pretty comfortable assuming based on conjecture.  And, the
cool part i can be just as wrong as i can be right 

conjecture - an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
assuming - used for the purpose of argument to indicate a premise on which a statement can be based

or as Kev said, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVTXPUF4Oz4&ab_channel=LinkinPark

[rocker59]

You lost me at Linkin Park, but whatever gets you through the night...

Best of luck on your journey down the Guzzi rabbit hole...

[fasduc]

FWIW  I have a 2011 V7 Racer Black tank #28 and VIN ends in 028