Mr. Roper tech question please!!

[Steve G.]

Hi Pete,

My buddy wants to buy an old Guzzi, but big blocks around here are excedingly rare [Guzzi was non-existant here from 1982-2000]. He found a V50 and was asking me about it. Is it the V50 or V65 that had the oiling problems? Any other weal links? Thanks Pete.

Ciao, Steve G.

[Greg Field]

I just finished assembling a V50III engine a few minutes ago. Tomorrow morning at 0400 it goes in the frame. I would avoid them. Some folks love the V50s, however. If ya gotta have one, the IIIs are better than the earlier ones. Once sorted, they are light and fun to ride. They run hot, so use good oil. If Pete can't satisfy your curiosity, I'll give you the number for my buddy Kevin in Michigan. He is a V50 specialist.

[pete roper]

I have to admit, (Gosh what a surprise!) that I'm no real fan of the smallblocks in engineering terms. As a ride?! Brilliant! second to none, especially given their period. BUT they require a hiher level of maintenance than the big blocks and a dedication bordering on fanaticism if ridden hard.

 

Greg has it right bt for possibly a more generous view than that of us two hardened old cynics try talking to Sean Fader who works at Guzzi Classics in LA. Not only is he a great fan of the smallblocks, he races one! If anyone can give you the good oil it will probably be him, Greg's mate or ???? There's a bloke on some of the lists... scratches head.... Mike Wilson??? Who is another smallblock nutter.

 

I'm happy to admit that a lot of my feelings about smallblocks are pure, unbridled, predjudice, but I can't belive that your mate can't find a decent big block within 500 miles???

 

Pete

[Steve G.]

Thanks for the advice guys. We are going to look at it tonight. The picture I have of it shows that the headers have gotten real hot lately.

Ciao, Steve G.