In the mild trend 'smaller is finer' we have already made more comments about the fact that more than 1000 cc and (much) more than 100 hp can of course be very impressive. When you open the throttle on such a big classic, well ... something happens. Leaving aside all the emotions of controlling and playing that brutal violence: You are flashed and you are the Jack.
Obesity no longer gives status
Fast, heavy motorcycles are still being made. They are now absolutely pointless. You simply can no longer do what they were made for. From the former fast and heavy corner is a BMW R75 / 5, a Guzzi as long as it is not a V7 sport and a Honda CB750 sohc still fully usable, because you can also float quietly on secondary roads.
Less is more…
But we have learned from experience that with a light classic you can be much more dynamic on the back roads. Just be careful with all that leaf on the road in the coming period. But even then: a fallen 350 cc is easier to set up than a 1000 cc Kawasaki. And then friend Alex Janssen from around here reports that he has found a Moto Guzzi V35. Alex is what we call a hobby trader. Having a good time is his earnings model. And he has a hand at helping unpopular motorcycles to re-use. His business model is something they don't know at mega accountant Deloitte. Endearing. Just as endearing as a Moto Guzzi V35.
Moto Guzzi V35
The Moto Guzzi V35 was produced in several versions from 1977 to 1997. The V35 was introduced simultaneously with the 500 cc Moto Guzzi V50. The V35's engine was not a scaled-down version of the heavy twins, but a whole new design from Lino Tonti. Because DeTomaso employed designers who gave the Moto Guzzi and Benelli models a rather angular styling, as was the fashion in the XNUMXs, Tonti adapted the look of the engine to this: the cylinders were given a 'square' design by means of rectangular cooling fins. applying. Cost control was considered in the design of the small V-twins. Yet there were certainly no cuts; there were few light motorcycles with shaft drive and Guzzi was the only one with the integral braking system.
Of course a V twin (net)
The engine was again a longitudinal 90 ° V-twin with two valves per cylinder. “Vacuum cleaners” were fitted, whereby part of the combustion space in the piston base was saved. The crankcase was divided horizontally. The valves were conventionally operated by pushrods and rocker arms from a single camshaft located above the crankshaft. The air cleaner housing was a large, elongated plastic box located in the “V” of the cylinders under the tank. This approach made changing the air filter element quite challenging. It was often forgotten. Replacement after purchase often already gives an action with very positive results.
Italian bluff
Guzzi gave a power of 33 hp at 8.100 rpm, but those were Italian ponies, SAE horsepower, measured without dynamo, air filter, etc.
The 350 cc bloodline includes the V35's, the V35 II models, the V35 Imola, the V35 C (ustom), the Imola II and the 'off-road' V35 TT, the V35 III, the Florida and the NTX 350… Plus one more very nest derivatives.
The 350 cc machines were especially popular in Italy for tax purposes. 'Here' the motorcycles were found to be too light and too small.
But that is now slowly changing
More 'little' Guzzis are coming onto the market. Usually from Italy or from foreign collections. In this corner, think of maximum asking prices of around € 2.500. You can set the highest standards around the 3 grand asking price. If you pay that asking price, then you must have a topper for it. Packed and with a ribbon around it.
The blue V35 in the photos (Alex Janssen) is by the way an ex police motorcycle with 7D km on the clock. Only used for the petty crime hunt. Oh well: we had the 47 cc DKFacts as 'ulm' (ultra light motorcycle) at the police. But now about 350 Guzzi is ideally suited for weekend trips and small-scale enjoyment. If you measure the full 190 cm or more, then you are driving it crazy.
Completely at the other end of the price spectrum. And yet only 700 cc
Falsch information, bad detective? Die abgebildete V7Sport hat nämlich 757 ccm, nicht 700 wieschrieben.
7D on the clock and that for a police motorcycle. Don't believe yourself
Yes of course. I believe everything when it combines government and nonsense. . I have also seen this in the Former Eastern Bloc. By government and buraucratism 1.0, a police station received two new MZs every two years. While they didn't ask for it. They were eagerly waiting for tires for their police van. But they only got a new block for that every four years. And long ago from an old British colony came a whole bunch of almost unused ones Triumphs. If such a thing got a flat tire, it was simply put aside and forgotten.
The Shah of Iran was deposed by the Islamic regime in 1979.
The Shah admired 'The West' and liked to be accompanied by the police on Electra Glides (yes… Harley).
These EG were massively put aside in 1979, with minimal mileage on the clock, until cunning Dutch traders bought up the entire bups at scrap metal prices.
And that made a few people very happy. But dreaming about unexpected finds is always nice.