68 V700, eventual project

[Gmc28]

On 10/13/2025 at 9:43 AM, HRC_V4 said:

These are the small hole exhaust, also come in the large hole version.

@HRC_V4

Is that your ambassador?

[Gmc28]

If anyone knows of a set of gilardoni's sitting around in a garage, i'd be interested

[HRC_V4]

On 10/22/2025 at 7:06 PM, Gmc28 said:

@HRC_V4

Is that your ambassador?

Yes, here is the thread on it.

 

[Gmc28]

still in the phase where i’m in theory not going to really tear into this machine till next winter (2026), but biding the time noodling the process.

A question of the day is in regard to the pods on this machine.  I know some greatly disfavor pods on the V11’s, and lean toward the stock air intake myself, but thats for running reasons.  So for the V7, i’m assuming i’ll source the missing parts to return back to stock style air filters, but at the moment its more because I think i’d prefer that “look”, as the pods look odd on this machine the way they’re currently installed.  Then for running purposes, I’d prefer it run well, but is there much of a discernible difference on these bikes for “pod vs stock”?  lower rpm, no ECU, carbs vs FI, etc, i’m thinking may make the running question a bit less poignant?  or perhaps not….

[audiomick]

9 minutes ago, Gmc28 said:

..is there much of a discernible difference on these bikes for “pod vs stock”?  lower rpm, no ECU, carbs vs FI, etc, i’m thinking may make the running question a bit less poignant?  or perhaps not….

Hearsay, but from knowledgeable people: pods are always hard to tune, regardles of whether carbs or ECU. They work well on a track where it is mostly full throttle, but not well in day-to-day use, where partial throttle openings are the rule rather than the exception.

[audiomick]

4 hours ago, Gmc28 said:

...to return back to stock style air filters, but at the moment its more because I think i’d prefer that “look”...

A further thought: the reason for the air-box is to create a volume of still air at the intakes of the carbies or throttle bodies. That is logical: if there is turbulence there, you can't depend on a constant ingress of air.

Going by everything I have read, I would rather make an air-box out of an empty ice-cream container than run pods, or even velocity stacks, on a street bike. If it were to be velocity stacks, then with a box around them to create said still-air volume. 

[Gmc28]

On 11/2/2025 at 3:00 PM, audiomick said:

A further thought: the reason for the air-box is to create a volume of still air at the intakes of the carbies or throttle bodies. That is logical: if there is turbulence there, you can't depend on a constant ingress of air.

Going by everything I have read, I would rather make an air-box out of an empty ice-cream container than run pods, or even velocity stacks, on a street bike. If it were to be velocity stacks, then with a box around them to create said still-air volume. 

Sounds good.  Mostly what I had assumed, but good to get some confirmation. 

Ran a different, basic question or two up the pole on wild guzzi, and the astute Charlie noted a couple things right off the bat that I had missed from not paying attention.... He pointed out details on the motor that resulted in my enlightenment that I have an 850T motor in the loop.  Still need to look inside the cylinders, but so far I'm on a different but not undesirable path with this machine.  

[68C]

Why nit just drain the fuel then pour in a littke kight oil, sgake the rank around tgen flush it iut next year.  Cheaper than a wasted rank full if fuel.  Ah, perhaps you don't pay Europran prices..😃

[Gmc28]

9 hours ago, 68C said:

Why nit just drain the fuel then pour in a littke kight oil, sgake the rank around tgen flush it iut next year.  Cheaper than a wasted rank full if fuel.  Ah, perhaps you don't pay Europran prices..😃

gas isn’t nearly as expensive here, though the ethanol free stuff we use for these kinds of machines is the most expensive stuff we can get, at least out where i live.  Some states don’t have the premium on ethanol free… don’t know nor want to bother my brain with what madness that’s all about.

[Lucky Phil]

I seem to remember the 700 engines had a bad reputation for cracking crankcases. Pete Roper would be able to confirm or deny.

Phil

[guzzigary]

11 hours ago, Gmc28 said:

 

He pointed out details on the motor that resulted in my enlightenment that I have an 850T motor in the loop.  

 

[audiomick]

20 hours ago, Lucky Phil said:

I seem to remember the 700 engines had a bad reputation for cracking crankcases. 

 

On 11/4/2025 at 6:55 PM, Gmc28 said:

I have an 850T motor in the loop.

From what I have read, the crankcase was modified to counter the cracking problem. If I recall correctly, there were at least two stages, maybe three. Ribs were added. I don't know for sure whether the 850GT was the second stage or the third, or even if there was really a "third stage".

Whatever, one can see clearly on the pictures on these two pages how ribs were added to the crankcase to get the cracking problem under control.

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto guzzi/moto_guzzi_v7.htm

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto guzzi/moto_guzzi_850gt.htm

[Pressureangle]

On 10/6/2025 at 10:35 PM, Gmc28 said:

I’ll drain the old fuel out of the machine, as it’s apparently been in there a long time, which can make life more difficult with carbs (or FI).  

But whats the best option for long term storage… fill it with clear/non ethanol to keep the inside of tank less susceptible to moisture, or leave it dry?  i’m in a moist wet environment, so have always defaulted to keeping stored bikes with clean fuel in the tank, but have never planned to store for more than a winter.  

Assuming you mean long-term like 'empty on the shelf for a couple years' I would empty and blow-dry the tank, or air dry in the sun (which you don't have) then throw in a quart of WD40. Splash it around with the cap on to cover all surfaces, and shelve it. Take it down once or twice a year for another slosh to comfort  yourself on how long it's taking. When you fill the tank with gas, what WD remains clinging is insignificant. 

[docc]

1 hour ago, Pressureangle said:

Assuming you mean long-term like 'empty on the shelf for a couple years' I would empty and blow-dry the tank, or air dry in the sun (which you don't have) then throw in a quart of WD40. Splash it around with the cap on to cover all surfaces, and shelve it. Take it down once or twice a year for another slosh to comfort  yourself on how long it's taking. When you fill the tank with gas, what WD remains clinging is insignificant. 

Certainly the most  legitimate use of WD (Water Displacement)-40 I have ever seen.  It gets suggested for a lot of uses it was not designed for . . .

[Gmc28]

7 hours ago, docc said:

Certainly the most  legitimate use of WD (Water Displacement)-40 I have ever seen.  It gets suggested for a lot of uses it was not designed for . . .

agreed on it being used wrong most of the time, while water displacement is the right thing.

that said, hadn't occurred to me to do this to inside of a tank... I like it!  For now its full of non ethanol gas, and based on how i'm getting more interested in getting this project going than i had planned at first, maybe thats all i'll need.  but if I do extend this project longer, like i should (to finish other, more boring stuff...), then the wD40 approach could be the ticket. 

New "old" rear fender was shipped today.  From a good fellow on wild guzzi.

the other little pastime has been even more ongoing education on which motor this is and how all the models laid out progression wise.  the Engine number indicates by some sources as a 750S, while others say 850T (it has the taller cyclinders, plain to see), and charlie on wild guzzi says 850T so thats where i'm putting my conclusion.  But then it has a right side shift 4 speed trans.  so its a mix and match setup there... newer motor, older trans.  And now I've paid attention to the fact that it has a generator up on top, in the V, unlike what i'm told (reading) most 850T's had with their low/front mounted alt's.  still reading/asking/learning on that topic.