MAKE. Moto Guzzi
MODEL. V50 Monza (UK bike, Recent service work, MOTd Jan 2024)
YEAR. 1982
REGISTRATION. ‘X’ prefix
- Recent engine oil and filter, gearbox and final drive oils
- Just had carburettor strip/ultrasonic clean
- New spark plugs, head gaskets
- Valve clearance adjustment completed
- New battery
- MOTd January 2024
COLOUR. Red
ENGINE SIZE. 490cc Air Cooled Transverse Mounted 90deg 2v Twin 48bhp
CARBURETTORS. Twin 28mm Dell’Orto PHBH
TRANSMISSION. 5 speed manual Dry clutch – Shaft Drive
TOP SPEED. 107mph
¼ MILE. 14.1s
MODEL SUMMARY.
Delightful, standard specification Moto Guzzi V50 Monza in Red….
UK supplied new in March 1982 on an ‘X’ prefix. 47000 recorded miles
Recent engine oil and filter, gearbox and final drive oils. Just had carburettor strip/ultrasonic clean. New spark plugs, head gaskets. Valve clearance adjustment completed. New battery. MOTd January 2024
Now runs a fuss free electronic CDI ignition system
The bike is now 40 years old, and as such qualifies for tax and MOT exemption status. Because the bike remains largely original, and unmodified from standard, this would be a simple form filling procedure for the new registered keeper
A ‘baby Le Mans’ these beautiful little Italian bikes use a typical 90 degree air cooled V-Twin, transverse mounted with the cylinder heads hanging out the side of the frame, in this case of 490cc capacity, with 2v heads and fuelled by two 28mm Dell‘Orto PHBHs. Power output is 48bhp, but the torque curve is flat, enabling good pulling power all the way from tickover to the top of it’s rev range, and effortless progress
The V50 family had well thought out design inclusions from a manufacturing and maintenance point of view, in particular Heron cylinder heads, with vertical valves and the combustion chamber in the pistons, Nikasil coated cylinder bores, and the engine, ,gearbox, final drive and rear wheel contained in a separate sub assembly which enabled extreme ease of operation in accessing, or removing the engine and transmission. Air assisted forks also featured, as did Brembo brakes front and rear, with linked front calipers
The Monza (and to a lesser extent the V50 III) was the ultimate carnation and added a bigger 2.5 litre sump, larger valves, the afforementioned 28mm (vs 24mm) Dell-Orto carburettors, revised air/oil teledraulic damping, a bikini fairing, clip on bars, higher primary drive gearing and a 3/4″ longer wheelbase
Although aimed at the mid sized 500cc market, these machines are actually quite diminutive, almost tiny in size. In our view, this only increase their appeal. A sheer delight, this little bike starts on the button and when warmed through ticks over evenly pulling cleanly throughout the rev range, whilst handling and stopping exactly as it should. The slimline, original type Monza exhausts emit a fantastic note, encouraging use of revs and engine blippin’ on the way down the ‘box. Great fun !
As with all Guzzis, it‘s a bike of individuality, character, rarity and desirability. There is a strong argument that a relatively lightweight 500cc bike such as this better serves the needs of many for a classic motorcycle; after all outright speed and power is perhaps less important now for the buyers’ of this machinery, whereas perhaps ease of use and manoeuvrability is more so
Not many of these to be found, even less so in such a true to original specification. A wonderful, price range, classic Italian bike that can be enjoyed
FREE UK DELIVERY WITHIN 250 MILES OF TN35 4SE
PART EXCHANGE WELCOME – PLEASE CALL…
PRICE. £SOLD
