1968 Guzzi V700 Project Finished!

[Dave Swanson]

I purchased this bike 13 years ago from Ken Johnson at Atlas Cycle in Tulsa, Oklahoma just before Ken retired and sold the business.  Ken told me that it had been on display at the shop for many years.  The bike hadn't been licensed for the road since 1977.   

All of the tinware retains its original paint.  The frame and other black bits were re-painted, and the rusty hardware was cadmium plated. 

I tore the bike down, ordered a Gliardoni cylinder set and for the next 12 years the bike was in boxes.   Last year I got serious about finishing it.  Today I finished the wiring.  I installed one of Greg Bender's fabulous wiring harnesses.  I also installed his slick "relay solution" panel.  Everything worked flawlessly.  This was a very rewarding project! 

 

 

[docc]

Wow, Dave!    Soooooo nicely done! Thank you for sharing with us!

[Weegie]

Stunning Dave

Wish I was half as talented to do something like that

[Kane]

Beautiful. The paint looks amazing for a 50+ year-old motorcycle. The whole bike looks amazing! You must a proud papa! The Italian red is starting to get to me.....

[SkidMarks]

 Dave that’s a beautiful motorcycle. One of those was my first Moto Guzzi of course it wasn’t as tasty as the one you finished .  To quote the country singer George Jones “it reminds me of the one I loved back then “  thanks for sharing, great job. 

[Gmc28]

beautiful. 

I may have accidentally ended up with such a machine.  Oops.  A friend wanted to unload it, and offered it a few times over the years, with me declining, but finally circumstances and price aligned, and now i have it.  I honestly had thought it was a ‘72 V7 from just eye-balling it casually in passing a couple times, but it’s a ‘68 V700.

Need to strip the paint and redo the tank (etc) paint scheme to something stock, or stock-ish, and am loving that red/chrome.  the chrome would presumably be harder to reproduce.  

[Gmc28]

I’ll be keen to get input on this machine.  For instance, Daves pipes look great, and am interested in details on those.  Etc. 

I’m new to the 50+ year old bike category, other than bikes i rode as a kid, so even things like any hacks for the clunky center stand that wants to fall down to vertical, or the clutch engagement which is beautifully simple but clunky… are there hot tips on any of that floating out there in this group?

[motortouring]

That looks like a great project too Gmc28. Best make a seperate topic for it.