Highlights

• A pristine looking example of the agile 500 twin V50 Moto Guzzi
• Registered as a Historic Vehicle and hence MOT and VED exempt
• Boasting a sensible original mileage of 16,091 miles – less than 400 miles a year
  
  

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• This V50 III was produced in 1981 and registered in March of that year
• The first owner appears to have retained the motorcycle for a full 15 years
• A number of other owners followed before the current owner acquired it in 2022
• The motorcycle has covered a very modest 16,000 miles in its 42-year history
• A decent amount of paperwork is on hand
• This includes the V5 registration document in the name of the owner
• There is a Moto Guzzi workshop manual included
• There are a large number of previous MOTs present verifying mileage
• A V112 MOT exemption certificate is also included

The Interior

• The riding environment of the V50 III is typical of a 500cc naked motorcycle
• The broad, flat saddle is amply sized with a slight step delineating the pillion position
• A chromed, tubular grab handle runs behind the saddle for pillion use
• Attached to this is a chromed alloy luggage rack 
• Folding, rubber finished flat pegs are present for both rider and pillion
• The shaped bars are set quite high to encourage a natural, upright riding position
• Mounted above the bars are the white on blue Veglia Borletti clocks
• These consist of a 140-mph speedometer and a tachometer redlined at 8,000 rpm
• Above these is a row of warning lights and a pair of indicator tell-tales
• The rubber grips are heavily textured for comfort and safety
• The usual supplementary controls are situated at the base of each grip
• A pair of usefully sized rear-view mirrors are fitted
• Clutch, brake pedals and gear lever are all traditionally placed
• The condition of everything here is hard to fault
• Only a modest amount of wear is noted on the script labelling the controls

The Exterior

• The V50 III is a great looking motorcycle without doubt
• There is quite an expanse of paintwork which is finished in bright Monza red
• This finishes the big mudguards, the side panels and large, shaped tank
• The paintwork looks very clean and seems to exude a good, deep shine
• The twin exhausts are slightly canted upwards
• Their chrome finish appears bright and lustrous
• The six, split-spoked alloy wheels are finished in a black finish
• These are 18-inch items and are fitted with a good set of Avon RoadRider tyres
• The tubular frame is finished in black and is in a great, overall condition
• A big, single Siem, chrome bezzled headlight is fitted
• Oblong indicators are fitted, front and back, mounted on matt back stalks
• All expected Motor Guzzi badges are in evidence
• The overall look is impressive with no significant issues noted

The Mechanics

• The V50 III is powered by a v-twin 490cc engine
• This was originally rated at 45bhp which was originally good for a shade over 100mph
• Power is fed to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox
• In other respects, the V50 was quite advanced for its day
• Final drive was courtesy of a shaft drive
• The brakes featured a unique linked set up
• One of the front twin discs was paired with the rear disk
• Depressing the rear brake lever would operate both the rear disc and one of the fronts
• The other front disc was operated by the usual front brake lever
• The V-twin engine features Motor Guzzi embossed head covers
• The cylinder housings are heavily finned in unfinished alloy
• A deeply chromed end casing protects the front of the engine
• The battery and brake fluid filler are situated under the saddle

Summary