Moto Guzzi V50?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I have a buddy I race vintage cars with who sold his formula vee to move "up" to a BMW 2002 and now regrets it. I have a second vee which is the same model he sold and now he wants to purchase it. Great, I don't need it now that I've taken the good stuff off of it :-)

Anyway, as part payment he wants to trade this Moto Guzzi V50 which he says is a 1980 Monza. Anyone with Guzzi experience care to share their opinion here on desirability and value? I don't need the bike but if it facilitates the deal I might do it. I've looked at them online and this one doesn't quite match the images I've seen. He says the fairing is in storage.

He wouldn't try to deceive me here but I also know he's not a motorcycle guy.

Thoughts? I'm guessing he'll put a value on it between $2,500 and $3,000.

[HardDrive]

Not sure on value, but I might might be interested if you want to take a pass. Whats the condition like?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I haven't seen it in person. He says it's got 21+k on it, new tires and brakes (I'm assuming pads), "rides like a dream".

I'm not too interested in making this more complicated at this point although I appreciate your potential interest.

It's a good looking bike and the reviews from the period seem to indicate it handles well but is a bit underpowered. The "Monza" version was a bump in hp and had a fairing and some other body work tweaks to make it more of a cafe racer style. So, therefore more desirable. I'm a bit dubious that this is indeed a Monza as the seat and other bits look like a normal V50 but he says he's checked the VIN and it is indeed a Monza. I need to talk to a MG expert to see how to verify.

[Geronimo '74]

Looks like a great start for a cafe racer.

Dunno much about Moto Guzzi, sorry.

[gtc]

Oh man... that thing is in such nice shape it would be a crime to modify it.

I have a friend with a '79(?) G5 1000 (ex-police cruiser), and small parts can be really tough to find. Moto International (dealer on Aurora) is a real ***** to deal with, apparently.

[gtc]

Is it just me, or is the front fender on backwards?

[on2wheels52]

I've had a V65sp for a number of years, would like to find a new home for it also.
Not a great deal of information out there on these bikes, I don't think the imported many of these 'little twins' in the US. First was a V35, then your V50, and then they bumped them to 65. You won't find many listings on ebay.
They have some character but they have their quirks also.
Jim

[jhynesrockmtn]

Is it just me, or is the front fender on backwards?

Good catch, it looks like it based on photos I've seen of other bikes. This thing looks like it's been debadged, probably painted, wheels look like they were painted gold, fender on backwards, other Monza bits not there or not correct. It is on the other side of the state or I'd have gone to have a look in person by now. My interest is weakening.

[on2wheels52]

I think you're making the right decison Jerry. The thing is worth something but it's not the kind of bike I'd wish on the average person.
fwiw, here's my old crock (at least the fender is on right)



Jim

[Normy]

Oh man, my best friend is a Guzzi-haulic!

He has a '73 850 T3 in his garage in Charlotte. It's not currently running, but could be quickly, if he had the money. A wife, two kids, and a house under construction tends to do that~

I had a 1976 Honda CB 750-four for 14 years; I wound up keeping it in my living room in Orlando. In 1996 I moved it from Michigan to Florida. I left my parents place, and drove to Roy's house outside of Pittsburgh. From there we went to western Virginia, where we crashed in a cheap hotel. We rode the interstates until we hit West Virginia; we left the I and took a twisty country road about 100 miles long that cut a corner in the Mountain state.

-Folks, as soon as we got off the interstate, it was a PITCHED BATTLE! Me and Roy basically raced for 100 miles on that twisting road. During the tight curves, Roy's Guzzi seemingly had the weight and reflexes of a 10 speed bicycle; That machine was like a snake and he went flying past me. On the straight aways, my big four cylinder would spin turbine-smooth to its 9000 rpm redline and I'd pass him like he wasn't moving! We did battle like this for 90 minutes; When we finally reached the interstate again, we pulled into a 7-11 parking lot and shut down; both of us were wet from sweating and completely WIRED! I'm serious- it took me 10 minutes and a bottle of Gatorade to stop trembling! That was the best ride of my life.

I rode his Guzzi a dozen times, and for those of you who have never tried one of these things, it reminds you of a hand built Ferarri in the switchgear and overall execution. It handles like a bicycle- these bikes feel very light, even if they aren't. The shaft drive [with the exception of the "parallelogramo" models] causes the bike to "lift" when you give it throttle, and drop when you let off. The longitudinal crank causes the bike to rock to the right under throttle too, so you have this odd "lift-bank, drop bank" situation going on. And to add to the whole picture....this bike has a perfect Harley-Davidson sound track going on, courtesy of the single crank-pin V-twin engine.

Fascinating machines!

N!

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I don't think the imported many of these 'little twins' in the US.

This...

The small displacement Guzzis are very rare in the US and parts availability is going to be tough. The G5 1000 and 850T mentioned by previous posters are completely different animals. Those big Guzzis are Tonti framed and pretty much share platforms with the 850 Lemans...parts sharing is possible and there is decent support for these models in the market.

Moto International is one of the big names in the US for old Guzzi junk, and they are kind of a pain to deal with. The other big name in the US is Harpers.

Small Guzzis are unique and they will handle well and sound cool but they are not powerful at all. Even the 1000cc Guzzis from that era are somewhat anemic IMHO.

[Joe Bob]

I had one....fun. Gets blown around on the freeway. Nothing like my old 850 LeMans......online parts are best and if you are a DIY'er.....