Moto Guzzi small block V Twins from V50 to V7 & V85

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3 жыл бұрын

Designed by Lino Tonti the small bock Moto Guzzi has been with us since the V35/V50 models of the late 70's.These great bikes remain a popular choice today.

Пікірлер: 32

@JR-bj3uf Жыл бұрын

I was a mechanic at a Guzzi Dealership in the 1980s. The small blocks did indeed have some quality issues on the timing side and some weak ring gear/clutch components. They also had reliability issues because the 500cc bikes were just hammered hard by their riders.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

The mark 1 in particular, I can speak from experience, they do get ridden pretty hard.. later bigger motors of course don’t get worked as hard because of the extra torque.

@cpuuk 2 жыл бұрын

I had the V50 and despite it having terrible suspension, it handled really well. Electrics needed waterproofing. Brakes worked well.

@bikerdood1100 2 жыл бұрын

Terrible no Firm definitely Very firm Very very firm

@stuartholding6067 Жыл бұрын

@@bikerdood1100 I had a V50 11 - same as the one in your video - for a few years and rode it all over Europe. I'd have said 'taut' rather than firm, but that's just semantics. Whatever it was it certainly was - compared to the Japanese equivalents anyway. My one was reliable but quite small physically for touring. Biggest issue was the finish though. Returning from the Adriatic area we had rain all the way across Austria. The rain stripped the paint off the front mudguard from the front tip all the way back to level with the forks. That did it for me I'm afraid.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

@@stuartholding6067 Ran mine for 11years, wasn’t completely trouble free but nothing major ever broke. Two up touring is a bit snug but I didn’t carry passengers too much back then. Biggest journey was a tour around Scotland. I’d agree with the comment about the finish. Much better on later bikes I’d have to say, but l really loved that little bike

@jaomwtoptd Жыл бұрын

The Moto Guzzi California (tractor) was one of my bikes. I was told the top speed was only 90 mph but it could tow a truck.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

90 ? A German mag tested one at 119mph back in around 1990. We had one for a few years and compared to say a Harley Davidson it absolutely flew in a straight line and around corners. In the mid 80s Motorcycle magazine in the US voted the best cruiser in the world. High praise indeed

@Johan-vk5yd 3 жыл бұрын

Nicely edited! Good content! (Narration a tad disturbed by the background music loudness.)

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

Work in progress

@TheMickvee 2 жыл бұрын

It is hard to believe that my new V85TT is related to my old V50! They feel worlds apart. It is also far removed from any of the big blocks I have had. The future looks rosy for this new motor!

@bikerdood1100 2 жыл бұрын

And yet related it is, the combustion chamber of course is very different now the Heron head is gone but it still uses the same oil filter for example. The chassis is of course completely new

@kdmamm-4190 2 жыл бұрын

Nice video. I love my V7 850.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

Small blocks are great machines

@danweyant4909 Жыл бұрын

Love my Guzzi. (Sport1200) Nothing quite like them. Good on the highway and the mountains.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

Very true My absolute favourite motorcycles. It’s a family thing for us to with all three of us owning one each

@BanjoLuke1 Жыл бұрын

I rode a V50 III back in the mid/late 80s. I used it as a courier and rode it for fun. On the road, it was about the best all-round machine I have ever ridden. I knew linked brakes from the T-3. I didn't need to be "persuaded". I never took a linked-brake Guzzi onto the track. I imagine that would have been tricky. But on the road, even ridden briskly, they were excellent. I had a few rides on a V65TT. Who remembers those? No linked brakes. Actually, it was a bit of a botched compromise... But the V50? Unflashy, undramatic, swift when necessary and close to perfect.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

Everyone criticised the linked breaks Who didn’t try them of course but then praised Honda when they fitted the same thing to the Pan European Today with ABS it would have been brilliant

@dwightnix893 3 ай бұрын

miss my Moto 850. Riding a Honda now.

@bikerdood1100 3 ай бұрын

Tut tut We do have a Honda in the garage It shares with 3 Guzzi’s however

@billveek9518 Жыл бұрын

Back in 1975 I delivered a new Guzzi automatic to its new owner about 200 miles away from our shop, he didn't care if I rode it there as a kind of break in or first test ride maybe? The short story is that he was trading in his old 850 El Dorado which upon riding the old Guzzi back to Phoenix I found that he should have kept the El Dorado, it was a much better motorcycle in every respect.

@bikerdood1100 Жыл бұрын

Automatics Doesn’t seem right somehow . The Convert used a torque converter so was a semi automatic. But as you found it didn’t really offer anything over the standard bike at all More cost I expect

@billveek9518 Жыл бұрын

@@bikerdood1100 I should also add that the Phoenix Police Department switched from Harley Davidson to Moto Guzzi at that point and they loved them but later went to the Kawasaki Z1000 for political reasons plus slow parts deliveries from Italy. The DelOrto pumper carbs were flawless on those bikes. You're sucking me in with each new video thanks.

@alloomis1635 2 жыл бұрын

owned a 600 cc version. close to the perfect road bike.

@bikerdood1100 2 жыл бұрын

More likely a 650

@colinmeyerowitz38 7 ай бұрын

No mention of the Monza or 650spada?

@bikerdood1100 7 ай бұрын

Oh my God your right 😱

@petesharpe4120 2 жыл бұрын

A pity you don't mention the Lario.... Treated properly, one will keep up with 1000cc bikes. I've owned 22 motorcycles - including a MkV Le Mans and ridden many more. The Lario is still my favorite!

@bikerdood1100 2 жыл бұрын

The 4v engine deserves its own video Cracked seat, dropped valves, blistering performance and all