Beschreibung
Please read the whole listing, thanks!
Description - This is a Moto Guzzi V50 Mark III Nato, with new MOT, and loads of patina and character. First registration abroad is shown in the V5 as being 30th June 1985. Manufactured most likely in 1984 and eventually imported into the UK, to be then registered by the previous owner on 1st February 2015. The frame has the correct PF prefixes for a Mk III V50 and the engine has the correct PE prefix for a V50 III. I have a V5 in my name, and the bike has just been given a new year’s MOT with no advisories and which runs out on 25 May 2023. I bought the bike last year and have enjoyed recommissioning it but now have to sell due to continued lack of income due to the Covid situation that just about did my work in. When I bought the bike it was a non-runner, and the owner, having just fitted a new starter motor, new clutch and good used gearbox, had lost patience when its Silent hectic electronic ignition stopped working. The first MOT in the UK is dated 20th January 2025, showing 36, 299km, This is because the bike, having been imported from Holland, still had the km clock, and this is believed to be the original mileage. The owner then changed the kmh clock at 36. 850km to a used MPH clock which showed 52, 600 miles, and which now shows 55, 217 miles - so, the mileage is actually pretty low, and I have to say the motor is very quiet, so backs this up. The documents I have are the V5 in my name, the recent MOT, and a receipt for over £300 spent including a new clutch at Gutsibits on 8th September 2021. Yes, it has the kickstart that everyone wants to see on a Guzzi V-twin! It was missing when I bought the bike, but no NATO V50 is complete without so I found one! The canvas panniers are in excellent condition, and are dated 1983, so correct for the period of the bike. The front and rear mudguard are oil steel, not like the weak standard plastic V50 mudguards. Side panels are in excellent condition with no cracks or breaks.
Condition/ work carried out: The basic bike considering it’s almost 40 years old Is in pretty good condition, with its original NATO green paint. The chrome work has its black paint, as to not glint and give away your position to the enemy, and there is the red paint on the inspection areas like the oil dipstick, gearbox filler etc. The Brembo callipers all still have their original little stickers, to me this shows a bike is pretty original and unmeshed with. It has its original NATO convoy lights front and back (Hella) though they have been decommissioned. It’d be easy to get them working again with some wiring if wanted. All the Guzzi wiring is more or less original and in good condition - I have repaired any faults that there were. There is a switch for hazard lights, and there is an audible buzzer for the indicators fitted (easy to remove if desired). There are no surprises under the tank, it is all functional and neatly cable-tied in place. I’ve owned Guzzis for 30 years and am happy to work on them - in fact my first Guzzi was a V50, and they’re great machines. Here is a list of the work I have carried out and new parts purchased, mainly from Gutsibits, the UK’s main Guzzi spares supplier, or sourced from Italy or elsewhere. The silencers are almost like new, and the seat is in excellent condition with no rips or tears. The tyres are the excellent Heidenau endurance tyres with loads of tread. I sourced (at great expense) and fitted the correct NATO kickstart, as well as a new rotary use oil seal for the kickstart output shaft, as the old seal was leaking oil badly. I also fitted a centre stand that was missing.
Last service August 2021 - the previous owner serviced the bike last in August 2021 and changed the engine oil, oil filter, cleaned the permanent foam type air filter, changed the gearbox oil, the drive box oil. He actually left a sticker on the bike under the seat with this date on as a reminder, I have a pic of it if you want one. I did check all the oils and they are very clean.
I have carried out the following - remember it was a non-runner when I bought it, its Silent Hektik electronic ignition having failed.
• Sourced and fitted an advance/ retard mechanism in excellent condition (from Sicily), points plate with points and condensers, fitting new wiring where required.
• New 24ah sealed lead acid battery from Tayna fitted
• New NGK BP7ES spark plugs
• All engine/ gearbox/ drivebox oils checked.
• Tappets set, new rocker cover gaskets fitted, and the ignition timing checked. Points cleaned and gapped, and checked. Coils look virtually new.
• Carbs cleaned, checked and fully rebuilt with carb kits from Eurocarb, and new plastic banjo filters fitted too. Carbs have been balanced with a carb balance gauge. Choke cables cleaned and lubricated.
• Brake systems checked over, and new brake switch fitted to the front brake, which was also bled with new fluid. I fitted new pads to the front L/ H caliper. Other pads are used but fine for now. Brake pistons are all teflon.
• Electrical system with 2 fuseboxes checked over, repaired where necessary, all earths and connectors cleaned. The coils are like new, fitted by the previous owner. Bike charges perfectly. I had to spend a lot of time on the dashboard lights cleaning and sorting, all work fine now.
• New oil pressure switch fitted.
• I sourced (at considerable expense) and fitted the correct NATO kickstart, bracket and spring, as well as fitting a new and correct double-lipped rotary shaft oil seal for the kickstart output shaft
• Clutch and throttle cables lubricated and routing checked - clutch cable is custom made by Venhill.
• Fitted new exhaust gaskets and resprayed the downpipes with good quality Simoniz VHT black paint. They were covered in wrap before, looked ok but black is original. I still have the old wrap if wanted.
• There is one large ignition key and one key for the fuel tank flap.
• I sourced and fitted a centre stand as this was missing for some reason.
I have many photos of the work carried out that I can give to a new owner. (I am/ was a journalist, it’s just habit to document stuff!). On the road she now goes very well, no pops or bangs or hesitancy once warm, and sounds superb like any Guzzi V twin should do. There’s no smoke and no leaks. I do think the motor is a good one. I have only ridden the bike for a few miles for testing purposes, and the clutch, gearbox, lights and suspension all work as they should.
The V50 is ideal for smaller or female riders - perfect for riding along the A and B roads as it's light, handles well, and is manoeuvrable. Many owners of bigger Guzzis go for these after a big Guzzi gets too heavy! It can only be an investment that holds its value. I can’t think of anything else. There may be other work I did or parts fitted that I have just forgotten!
Video clips: You can see a couple of videos of the Guzzi running here and its details etc. on YouTube - cut and paste into your browser:
Tickover vid 1: - details above
Tickover vid 2: - details above
Photos/ viewing: The bike is between Thame and Aylesbury, Bucks/ Oxon border. Viewing is welcome, please contact me.
I can supply lots of hi-res images, just contact me and I’ll send them over. I have been as open and honest about the bike as I can and including as much history and info as I can but of course, please be clear that it’s a 40 year-old used Italian motorcycle so there are no guarantees or warranties with this private sale. It is sold as seen. The photos form part of the description. Test ride permitted on deposit of the full asking price and proof of insurance deposited with me first.
Payment: Payment in cash or bank transfer on collection. I can also recommend an excellent professional motorcycle transportation company that I have used several times, and am flexible to meet your transporter etc. too. I'm open to negotiation on the asking price but I think it ideally needs viewing if possible before that happens, thanks.
Questions? Any questions at all, please contact me via the email button above or email me at: using the button below
Obviously I'm open to negotiation/ offers on the asking price but I think it ideally needs viewing if possible, thanks.
