Slim, Sexy, Sporty
Classic Bike Guide|April 2017

Long, low and lean: an enduring influence on Guzzi’s subsequent sportsters

Marion Thirsk
Slim, Sexy, Sporty

IN A SUCCESSFUL attempt to retain its longstanding role as suppliers of police and military motorcycles, in 1963 Moto Guzzi started work on a replacement for the Falcone. Replacing the long-serving 499cc Falcone single required a faster, more modern machine and Guzzi’s 703cc V7 shaft drive V-twin certainly fitted the bill.

Designed for a long service life with easy access for straightforward maintenance, the V7 evolved into the 757cc V7 Special for Europe and the Ambassador for the USA, followed by the 844cc Eldorado. These were robust, reliable tourers rather than sports bikes, but several lightweight V7s were developed that were very successful in setting speed records. This enabled further development and redesign into the V7 Sport.

Created by Guzzi’s chief engineer Lino Tonti, the V7 Sport was the firm’s first production sports bike and had serious race potential. Capable of over 120mph, it was the fastest production motorcycle in 1971/72, and came with a price tag to match. This machine spawned generations of Guzzis whose distinctive lines reflect their obvious ancestry. Capitalising on all that nostalgia, Moto Guzzi recently launched its V7 III.

Abandoning the tubular steel cradle frame used by the earlier V7, Tonti designed a whole new frame around the engine. Running the top rail between the cylinder heads enabled the frame to be lowered to achieve a reasonable 29½in seat height. The engine became a stressed member, with the lower frame rails detachable for easy engine access and removal.

Weight was further reduced by lightening the flywheel, replacing the large generator with a significantly smaller Bosch alternator on the front of the crankshaft and fitting a smaller Bosch starter motor. The engine capacity was reduced slightly to 748cc and a five-speed gearbox was introduced.

Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Classic Bike Guide.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra April 2017-utgaven av Classic Bike Guide.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CLASSIC BIKE GUIDESe alt
An A65 As We Wanted It
Classic Bike Guide

An A65 As We Wanted It

Jim and Liz knew just how they wanted their A65 Lightning to be

time-read
10 mins  |
December 2019
Norton Atlas 750
Classic Bike Guide

Norton Atlas 750

Hutch’s Norton Atlas 750 has been a good, solid workhorse – until some journalist had a little go on it and the clutch broke…

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2019
National Motorcycle Museum Live 2019
Classic Bike Guide

National Motorcycle Museum Live 2019

Getting more people to come to a museum must sometimes seem like a tricky affair, but the National Motorcycle Museum does it brilliantly. They let you in, for one day only, for free!

time-read
1 min  |
December 2019
Coventry Eagle Flying 8
Classic Bike Guide

Coventry Eagle Flying 8

The little-known range topper of everyman bikes manufacturer, Coventry Eagle, has been a larger influence on biking than you may have thought. Rachel Clegg investigates...

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2019
Behind The Scenes Heroes The CRMC Scrutineers
Classic Bike Guide

Behind The Scenes Heroes The CRMC Scrutineers

With a variety of machinery to check, can we learn from the CRMC scrutineers?

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2019
Aermacchi Harley-Davidson
Classic Bike Guide

Aermacchi Harley-Davidson

These Italian/American bikes have a lot to offer, and they don’t cost a fortune

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 2019
The Old Black and Gold
Classic Bike Guide

The Old Black and Gold

It’s an icon, sure. But it’s also a great bike.

time-read
6 mins  |
March 2017
Funky five hundred
Classic Bike Guide

Funky five hundred

A 40-year-old high-tech twin enjoys a new wave lease of life.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 2017
Slim, Sexy, Sporty
Classic Bike Guide

Slim, Sexy, Sporty

Long, low and lean: an enduring influence on Guzzi’s subsequent sportsters

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2017
Classic & Custom
Classic Bike Guide

Classic & Custom

MINDFUL THAT MARCH in Scotland can mean ice, blizzards, floods or brilliant sunshine, the Scottish Motorcycle Show is now mainly contained in three large, heated halls.

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2017