‘IT WAS IN A SORRY STATE’
This is the Moto Guzzi V7 I restored with my friend Stefano over a period of two years – we meet up a couple of times a week and have worked on a number of bikes over the last few years here in the States. This V7 must have been one of the very early ones, given that the frame number is 1319. When we got the V7 it was in bits and in a very sorry state. We did everything ourselves, including the paint and all the mechanical work. We took some liberties, such as a newer-type starter motor. The cylinders were badly oxidised and could not be salvaged, so in the end we opted to adapt the cylinders, pistons, etc from a later 750cc engine. The tanks should also be chromed on the knee indents, but in an effort to keep costs to a manageable level we did not chrome this area. In the end, we have a very enjoyable bike to ride – even if it is not a perfect restoration to original condition.