hi all,

on this sub-page of my site I want to keep you up to date about a new project I’ve started some weeks ago.

On the 8th of june 1983, we got a new addition to our family: a Moto Guzzi V7 Special.
Just like our dog (Isar) the motor bike became a true part of our family and in my memory it was always there. (in reality I was already 13 when it came into my life, but he, that’s how brains handle memories…)

I don’t remember much events first hand from the 1980’s, but 1 think I do remember very good. I must have been 15 or so and my dad took me on a camping trip to the Ardennes on the motorcycle! It was awesome for several reasons, but in my mind mostly because it was with the motor bike.

After that I don’t remember much, later on (end of the 90’s) the bike was put away because of electrical issues and it just stood in a corner of the garage.

Fast forward to 2016. my father moved to another place. All of a sudden, there was the motorcycle again, peeking out of the garage into the world. At that time, I was not thinking about it too much. All I did was find a storage place for the bike. Funny enough, my father in lay has a Nortor motorcycle museum 😉
If it would have been a Japanese bike, there would have been no way he would let it into his house. But because the Italian Moto Guzzi V7 line is regarded as one of the greats and the duch army used to have Guzzi and my father in lay himself had Moto Guzzi’s to drive around, the Motorbike was given a warm welcome in the storage / garage of the house.

Somewhere between then en now, my father lost his driver license due to his age and it slowly dripped into my mind that the iconic motorbike should be / would be mine.
Funny detail; I don’t have a motorcycle driving license…
I do have a technical mind and also technical hands to actually do stuff, but I never restored a motorbike.

fresh out of storage, looking good

My goal is to preserve as much as possible and to restore as gentle as possible.
I don’t strive for originality, I do strive to get the bike my father drove, back on the road.
First step is to get it running again.
Second step is to get it safe to drive on the road
Third step is to do cosmetic improvements / updates.

So the current state of affairs (beginning of february 2024):
–  I already passed 2 motorcycle driver license tests (bike maneuvering exam and the theoretical exam). End of february I hope to take my motorcycle driving exam, to finally have the license.
– The motorcycle itself has been “recovered” out of storage and it look in pretty good shape (for an untoutched 1972 bike)
– The first new parts have been ordered. (battery, o-rings / seals / belts and air filter.

In the coming weeks I will try to pass step 1; get it running and see where I can go from there.

old fasion carburator system; needs an overhaul for sure

the serial number

getting more and more naked

Parts to be processed

I managed to work on the bike every friday afternoon. So coming friday (16-02) I hope to overhaul the carburators and to check the state of the cardan drive train.