Comments welcome on this 1976 750S advertised

[Steph]

Advertised as a 1976 750S
Anything wrong with this one or an honest 750s with patina?
I really like it, but pricey for me at 14,000 euros. ($17k)
Is this the correct left hand side shift setup in the picture?
Rear tyre looks pretty old, probably has not been on the road for a long time.
Rust here and there present, under the seat for example...
The owner stated nickasil barrel and Akront rims, powder coated frame and electric redone. The rest is stock.

The advert has since been removed but I would like to educate myself.

[canuck750]

I would be careful, very careful

As far as I know the 750S was only offered in 1974, followed by the 750S3 in 1975 and the LeMans in 1976.

the tank and tool boxes have been repainted and are missing the white stripe, the 750S and S3 should look like this original paint job, and the stripes are not quite in the correct location and the gap between stripes on the tool boxes is too wide.



These tool boxes have been repainted but a stencil was made of the original paint scheme to get the angle and spaces correct



I believe all 750S had the left hand shift and right hand brake - rod operated

the mufflers are reproductions and the headers are missing the 'P' support bracket to the front frame, stock mufflers have the sharp edge on the ends





Instruments and bezel appear to be correct

Shocks look like original Konis but the springs should be chrome

should have dual horns

missing the electric petcock and has the larger starter installed



master cylinder and dual bleeder Brembo caliper are correct same for the scalloped openings on the discs

I would want to confirm the engine stamp and frame stamp are correct VK*035 _ _ _*



On the 750S the frame headstock is also stamped VK _ _ _ _ above the DGM number



under the seat the hard to find CEV original fuse box with the clear plastic cover should be intact

handle bars appear to be correct

foot rest brackets should be painted black

[jacksonracingcomau]

If we’re really train spotting,  1975 year is model year for s3; 76 is first of Le Mans
AFAIK S wasn’t made after de tomasso changed all to oil filter in sump for 75 S3
Pic from underneath would tell if it was  1974 750S or something else from 76
Not that that affects how it runs and rides of course

[Steph]

Personally, if it is a real 750S (which I think it is) I would not be too concerned about the year it is advertised as. As these bikes were ridiculously expensive back then, many sat in the showrooms for years before being registered on the road with registration/ year related plates (it is a European thing).
I agree the paint job is not stock or perfect. I do not  think I have seen any paint job that is rightapart the detailed rebuilt of Cunuck750 jobs..

[Yukonica]

The breadth of knowledge and details shared on this forum is astounding.

[Phang]

the cylinder head has un-drilled casting for the header studs but using the earlier castled nut/ring

I guess it is correct since 750S is between the V7 Sport  (castled nuts) and 750S3 (studs)?

[Groover]

I would be careful, very careful

Steph, I think you got probably the best guy ^ on this matter to help you out on this. Other are too, I'm just filling space here. 

[huub]

looks like a pretty decent used example, to me, if the numbers match the age, it would be a easy restauration.
in 40 years quite a few parts have been replaced , but that is normal
i've had my V7sport for 35 years , if it gets used you simply have to change parts.
the original chrome was pretty horrible. the electrical petrol tap breaks down.
i would be cautious of a bike with the original chrome fitted, expect new cylinders , sludge trap cleaning and general rebuild of the running gear if it has the original chrome,  it possibly hasnt been running for ages.
On this bike the rear tire ( continental K112) indicates it has probably been standing for at least 15 years , those went out of production 20 years ago.
pricewise ,  14k is top of the bill money , i would expect a prime freshly restored bike for that...

italians like to haggle , so any price you see is a starting point for negotiations....

[Steph]

looks like a pretty decent used example, to me, if the numbers match the age, it would be a easy restauration.
in 40 years quite a few parts have been replaced , but that is normal
i've had my V7sport for 35 years , if it gets used you simply have to change parts.
the original chrome was pretty horrible. the electrical petrol tap breaks down.
i would be cautious of a bike with the original chrome fitted, expect new cylinders , sludge trap cleaning and general rebuild of the running gear if it has the original chrome,  it possibly hasnt been running for ages.
On this bike the rear tire ( continental K112) indicates it has probably been standing for at least 15 years , those went out of production 20 years ago.
pricewise ,  14k is top of the bill money , i would expect a prime freshly restored bike for that...

italians like to haggle , so any price you see is a starting point for negotiations....

Thanks, I spoke to the guy and then emailed him an offer of 9000euros.
Got a email back with -no chance-
Ah well....
Unused bike that have been standing do worry me. I do not want to be the guy who puts it back on the road and then spend loads because one thing after another needs replacing

[oldbike54]

 Wise move Steph 

 Dusty

[Steph]

the cylinder head has un-drilled casting for the header studs but using the earlier castled nut/ring

I guess it is correct since 750S is between the V7 Sport  (castled nuts) and 750S3 (studs)?

Wow, sharp eye Phang!
So if my understanding is correct, Looking at older stock 750S brochures the un-drilled casting for the header studs are not there so can one deduct that the owner’s claim of nickasil bore is true?

[Devildog]

Steph, Made in Italy Motorcycles is still listing this bike on their website, no price shown.

[canuck750]

Thanks, I spoke to the guy and then emailed him an offer of 9000euros.
Got a email back with -no chance-
Ah well....
Unused bike that have been standing do worry me. I do not want to be the guy who puts it back on the road and then spend loads because one thing after another needs replacing

I think your offer was in line with what I see from the pictures. The seller is asking top dollar for a bike that is neither original or restored, I give it a mid level cosmetic clean up at best. It may be fairly clean but things like the Akront rims IMHO really knock value off the price, and claims to have the electrical redone when I see crimp type connectors on the tail light wiring does not add confidence. hey are rare beasts but unless you are willing to throw some big $$ at this one I don't think its a good investment anywhere near the asking price.

[Steph]

Steph, Made in Italy Motorcycles is still listing this bike on their website, no price shown.

I rang them about 5-6 months ago and it was then  18k GBP ($24k) and was keen on the story ‘do not know if the barrels are chrome, chrome is not an issue etc

[Steph]

I think your offer was in line with what I see from the pictures. The seller is asking top dollar for a bike that is neither original or restored, I give it a mid level cosmetic clean up at best. It may be fairly clean but things like the Akront rims IMHO really knock value off the price, and claims to have the electrical redone when I see crimp type connectors on the tail light wiring does not add confidence. hey are rare beasts but unless you are willing to throw some big $$ at this one I don't think its a good investment anywhere near the asking price.

The sad thing is that I like the unrestored look or mid level cosmetic clean up as you say.
The way I look at it, things do evolve and get replaced with age, it�s not a bad thing.

[Phang]

Wow, sharp eye Phang!
So if my understanding is correct, Looking at older stock 750S brochures the un-drilled casting for the header studs are not there so can one deduct that the owner�s claim of nickasil bore is true?

The difference in exhaust header mount has nothing to do with the bore, they are all came with chrome bore when new.

Most will replace the chrome bore with Gilardoni set , although I read that you can Nikasil treat the original chrome bore.

If the bike has Gilardoni cylinders, you can verify it by looking at the bottom two outward facing fins, there will be a 'Gilardoni' cast between the fins.



Here's mine with fresh Gilardoni cylinders, you can see the shinier new cylinder in contrast to the 44 years old dull looking cylinder head.



p/s: yes, the missing timing inspection hole rubber bung was in my tool box at home

[Steph]

The difference in exhaust header mount has nothing to do with the bore, they are all came with chrome bore when new.

..right...

&
  


Some do not have the un-drilled heads exhaust ports, probably early production model for brochure:

[Phang]

..right...

&
  


Some do not have the un-drilled heads exhaust ports, probably early production model for brochure:

I guess during the SEIMM / deTomaso transitional period, inconsistency is expected 

[nick949]

Too bad you are in the UK Steph. I only put 333 miles on my 750s this year. I could be talked out of it for the right figure.

Happy hunting

Nick