Beschreibung
Description - This is a Moto Guzzi NTX 750 XPA, a 750cc version of the V50, with a new MOT, and has just been recommissioned and serviced. It was manufactured in 1993, and would have originally been supplied by Guzzi as a local police or ?vigil urbani? (traffic warden) motorcycle to the Monza region, hence the ?Monza? stickers on each side panel. It was registered in the UK on 3rd June 2000, presumably by North Leicester Motorcycles whose name is on the number plate, and has had only one owner in the UK as far as I can tell. NLM had an excellent reputation as an Italian motorcycle dealer, and would only import quality machines. I have a V5 in my name, and the bike has just been given a new year?s MOT which is valid until 11th October 2024. I used a new MOT tester for the first time and he gave two advisories, one that mentioned the seat catch, and the other about the brake discs. The bike hasn?t been used with the new pads I fitted to so need bedding in, which will remove the light surface corrosion on the discs. He mentioned while sitting on the bike on the rolling road that the brakes were excellent.
I bought the bike earlier this year as a non-runner abandoned in a garage 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 in a rough state, and I understand that the previous elderly owner, a Moto Guzzi Club GB member, had just stopped using it due to old age. The MOT passed in May 2010 shows 8, 000 miles on the clock, and the mileage at the MOT the other day was 11, 290 miles (the clock is in miles so one would assume was changed when the bike entered the UK), so it really has done little mileage in those 13 years! I have to say the motor is very quiet, so backs this up. The documents I have are the V5 in my name, and the recent MOT, so there is nothing else. I used to live in Pisa, Italy, with my Guzzi 750, and I knew the local Guzzi mechanic who would service the local police Guzzis, and he used to tell me they were were serviced on the dot, and then retired with usually between 10 and 20k kilometres on the clock and sold off at auction, so it's likely this bike has been looked after and then pensioned off when just run in.
Condition/ work carried out: The basic bike considering it?s 30 years old is in pretty good condition. I have not restored this bike, I have recommissioned it, so it shows the patina and signs of 30 years of existence! All the Guzzi wiring is more or less original and in good condition. There are sections that would have been added for the use of blue light, sirens etc. I have repaired any faults that there were. There is a button for hazard lights and it does light up the idiot lights on the dash when pressed, I couldn?t work out how to prevent this but is a simple fix no doubt. 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 the small block Guzzis are 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 tyres are Bridgestones and are like new with loads of tread. The wheels are chormed Radaelli steel rims whioch are strong, but the chrome has suffered in places, especially on the rear wheel, but it's only superficial. There are no leaks anywhere, I used all new crush washers/ rubber O rings for all the oil drain bolts etc.
I have carried out the following - remember it was a non-runner when I bought it;
? Brand new correct 24ah sealed lead acid battery from Tayna fitted
? New clear NTX screen sourced with difficulty and fitted with new stainless fixings. The old screen was broken.
? New NGK BP7ES spark plugs.
? All engine/ gearbox/ drivebox oils have been changed and a new oil filter fitted. There was nothing in the old oil of the motor, gearbox or drive box to suggest any issues whatsoever. I added Molyslip to the drivebox oil.
? Tappets set, new rocker cover gaskets fitted, and the ignition timing checked and gapped, and checked. The bike runs Lucas Rita electronic ignition.
? Carbs stripped, cleaned, and checked. Carbs have been balanced with a carb balance gauge. Airbox stripped and cleaned, and a new UFI air filter fitted. I also fitted two new rubber carb manifolds as the previous ones were holed.
? New cable from throttle to Domino splitter fitted. Choke cables cleaned and lubricated. Compression test shows around 160 psi on each cylinder so very healthy.
? Brake systems bled with new brake fluid, and the rear master cylinder was stripped and cleaned. All seals were fine, new pads on front r/ h calliper.
? Electrical system checked over, repaired where necessary, all earth? Clutch cable lubricated and actuating arm adjusted. I had to fit a new gearbox neutral switch as the old one didn?t work - it was £70. 00 just for the neutral switch!
? Forks checked over. The quality Marzocchi 40mm fork tubes are in immaculate condition under the gaiters. Forks seals are like new. Quality rear Marzocchi MX 580 shocks work well, in fact the long travels suspension is generally plush and good.
? Fitted new exhaust gaskets and I stripped, checked and repainted the complete exhaust system with black VHT paint
? All the paint on the side-panels and front mudguard I had to retouch with high qulity acrylic white paint, having used plastic primer beforehand. This was because the paint on these parts was just peeling off and just looked terrible. The idea was to recommission, not restore the bike. In my experience, the paint on the plastic side panels of these V50 based bikes wears off pretty easily anyway.
? There is one ignition key, a key for the pannier box and a key for the steering lock.
? Documents-wise there is the V5, and current MOT, I can give you the factory workshop manual and part book on PDFs too if you need them.
? I have many photos of the work carried out that I can give to a new owner. (I?m 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. I do think the motor is a good one and has been well maintained over the years. I have only ridden the bike for 3 miles (on private roads) for testing purposes as I'm not insured and it's on a SORN, and the clutch, gearbox, lights and suspension all work as they should. I have added a video of a cold start.
? I have not refitted the (in my opinion awful) plastic fork covers and belly pan with grill, but they come with the bike and are easy to fit. If you want a photo of the bike as I found it with these fitted, message me. I fitted new vinyl Guzzi decals as I didn?t like the original round '90s decals, but I have them and they come with the bike.
? The NTX has Acerbis hand guards fitted, and also heated handgrips - I haven?t tested them, the control panel lights for them up but that?s as far as I know. I fitted a set of new mirrors as the originals were cracked. I have patched the seat where it had a hole or two with a similar material. The seat is a little ropy overall but perfectly functional and pretty comfy!
The NTX is 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 block Guzzi gets too heavy! I think there can?t be many NTX 750 models around now in this kind of original trim so it can only be an investment that holds its value. Or turn into an amazing Paris-Dakar type Guzzi with its large fuel tank - the factory did supply some NTXs to trackers who used them in privateer races, and they look damn cool! I can?t think of anything else. There may be other work I did or parts fitted that I have just forgotten!
