Princeton Graphics VL1918 Monitor Repair
Body, tank, fenders, side covers, tool boxes, fairings, saddlebags
Differences between models
Engine, clutch, & related components
Workshop manuals, spare parts catalogs, rider's handbooks
Moto Guzzi Round Head Tonti Frames
Antietam Classic Cycle - Excellent service spanning tune-ups to restorations Decals from John Prusnek - Very nicely produced decals you'll be proud to adhere Relays from Dan Prunuske - Great product, great prices Stainless Cycle - Conveniently assembled and polished stainless fastener kits Zydeco Racing - Top notch transmission & rear drive service at unbelievable pricing |
Like most things in life, these differences are not absolute. There was plenty of crossover as the models evolved and there are many exceptions. But, this can serve as a general guideline. Some of the photos and information came from Dave Otis' old website. I'm certain I missed something, so please contact me with any corrections, contributions, or additional photos: greg>at<thisoldtractor.com.
Special thanks to Mike Tiberio, Rob Prins, Newtin, Paul Linn, and Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for providing additional difference information.
| V7 / V700 | Ambassador | Eldorado | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Case | 3 shallower verticle ribs | most had 3 deeper verticle ribs plus additional diagonal rib running rearward from cylinder base very late had horizontal webbing |
horizontal webbing |
| Bore | 80 mm | 83 mm | 83 mm |
| Stroke | 70 mm | 70 mm | 73 mm |
| Displacement | 703.717 cc | 757.486 cc | 844.05 cc |
| Piston rings | 4, 3 above wrist pin, 1 below | 4, all above wrist pin | 3, all above wrist pin |
| Valves | 38 mm intake and 34 mm exhaust | 40 mm intake and 35 mm exhaust | 40 mm intake and 35 mm exhaust |
| Valve springs | Single | Dual | Dual |
| Compression Ratio | 9:1 | 9:1 | 9.2:1 |
| Maximum RPM | 6000 | 6500 | 6500 |
| Horsepower at maximum RPM (SAE) | 50 | 60 | 64 |
| Cylinder head exhaust port | No boss for future exhaust studs | Early models had no boss for future exhaust studs; later models had a boss for later exhaust studs | Most had no boss for future exhaust studs; Some had a boss for later exhaust studs |
| Cylinder head top stud | One piece design with o-ring | Early models had one piece design with o-ring; later models had two piece design with crush washer | Two piece design with crush washer |
| Valve covers | early models had "Moto Guzzi" printed below raised area, no ridge on raised area, longer hex-head securing bolts later models had "Moto Guzzi" printed on raised area, no ridge on raised area, shorter allen-head securing bolts |
"Moto Guzzi" printed on raised area, no ridge on raised area, shorter allen-head securing bolts | early models had "Moto Guzzi" printed on raised area, no ridge on raised area, shorter allen-head securing bolts later models had "Moto Guzzi" printed on raised area, ridge on raised area, shorter allen-head securing bolts |
| Gas tank - capacity | 4.5 gallon | early models had 4.5 gallon late models had 5.84 gallon |
5.84 gallon |
| Gas tank - petcock position | petcocks positioned forward | early models had petcocks positioned forward late models had petcocks positioned rearward |
petcocks positioned rearward |
| Gas tank - tunnel width Thanks to Karl Kologiski for providing this difference information. Note: Wider tunnel tanks will fit on the earlier models. Narrow tunnel tanks will not fit on the later models. |
narrow tunnel | early models had narrow tunnel late models had wider tunnel |
wider tunnel |
| Gas cap | cap with lever, lever secured via special boss on tank | early civilian models had cap with lever, lever secured via special boss on tank later civilian models had a cap with a lever, lever secure via ring and groove on neck police models had a screw-on cap, taller neck |
civilian models had a cap with a lever, lever secured via ring and groove on neck police models had a screw-on cap, taller neck |
| Front brakes | twin leading shoe |
most had twin leading shoe some very late models had four leading shoe (circa 1977) |
most had twin leading shoe some in 1973 had four leading shoe late 1973 and 1974 had single disk |
| Rake | 27° | 27° | 27° |
| Trail | 56.94 mm | 81.94 mm | 81.94 mm |
| Triple tree offset | 90 mm | 70 mm | 70 mm |
| Transmission speeds | 4 speed | 4 speed | 5 speed |
| Transmission gear ratios | 1:2.230 1:1.333 1:0.954 1:0.750 |
1:2.230 1:1.333 1:0.954 1:0.750 |
1:2.000 1:1.388 1:1.047 1:0.869 1:0.750 |
| Transmission case | Smooth | Smooth | Ribbed |
| Transmission gear design | Earlist all straight cut, middle first straight cut/second-fourth hellically cut, latest all hellically cut | All hellically cut | All hellically cut |
| Rear drive gearing | 8/37 | 8/35 | 8/37 |
| Rear drive case | Polished starburst | Polished starburst | Deeper sump and not polished |
| Overall gear ratios (from engine through transmission to rear drive) | 1:14.180 1:8.473 1:6.063 1:4.768 |
1:13.413 1:8.015 1:5.735 1:4.510 |
1:11.424 1:7.929 1:5.980 1:4.964 1:4.284 |
| Carburetors | Dell'Orto SS1 29mm; later models had an intake liner to increase air flow velocity | Dell'Orto VHB 29mm | Dell'Orto VHB 29mm |
| Carburetor body to intake manifold clamps | Smooth polished aluminum band | Early models had smooth polished aluminum band later models had steel bands perpendicular to the carb body |
Steel bands perpendicular to the carb body |
| Shifter design | Most had heel-toe, few had toe only | Most had heel-toe, few had toe only | Heel-toe |
| Shifter location | Right side, had a different bend to clear the swingarm nut | Left side | Left side |
| Rear brake design | Aluminum | Chrome plated steel | Chrome plated steel |
| Rear brake plate | Shaft at 12 o'clock, shoe pivot doubles as tie rod attachment point | Early had shaft at 12 o'clock, shoe pivot doubles as tie rod attachment point later had shaft at 3 o'clock |
Shaft at 3 o'clock |
| Rear brake location | Left side | Right side | Right side |
| Shift pattern | 1 up, 3 down | 1 up, 3 down | 1 up, 4 down |
| Headlight | Deep shell | Shallow shell | Shallow shell |
| Tail light | Had additional horizontal mount to the frame, round lens | Early models had additional horizontal mount to the frame, round lens Later models lacked additional mount, round lens |
Early models lacked additional mount, round lens Later models had a rectangular lens |
| Instrument panel | Civilian models only had a speedometer See civilian and police variations here | Early civilian models only had a speedometer; later civilian models had speedometer and tachometer See civilian and police variations here | Civilian models had speedometer and tachometer See civilian and police variations here |
| Side covers | Narrow, non louvered | Early models had narrow, non louvered; later models had wider, louvered | Wider, louvered |
| Tool boxes | Knobs | Early models had knobs; later models had locks | Locks |
| Coil | Magneti Marelli | Early models had Magneti Marelli; later models had Bosch | Bosch |
| Coil mount | Across the frame | In line with frame | In line with frame |
| Civilian frame | Narrower backbone (later tank will fit on earlier frame, but not vice versa) | Wider backbone | Wider backbone |
| Police frame (in addition to civilian frame differences) | Siren mount (mechanical sirens had different mounts than electrical - not sure of difference???), stronger gusset plate for seat, gusset plate drilled for rear crash bars, dimple in rear fender mount at the rearmost part of the frame | Siren mount (mechanical sirens had different mounts than electrical - not sure of difference???), stronger gusset plate for seat, gusset plate drilled for rear crash bars, dimple in rear fender mount at the rearmost part of the frame | Siren mount (mechanical sirens had different mounts than electrical - not sure of difference???), stronger gusset plate for seat, gusset plate drilled for rear crash bars, dimple in rear fender mount at the rearmost part of the frame |
| Generator | Magneti Marelli | Early models had Magneti Marelli, later models had Bosch | Bosch |
| Generator covers | Two individual metal plates (most painted, there is some debate as to whether or not some were chromed) | Early models had two individual metal plates (most painted, there is some debate as to whether or not some were chromed) later models had a single black plastic cover |
Single black plastic cover |
| Regulator | Magneti Marelli | Early models had Magneti Marelli; later models had Bosch | Bosch |
| Starter | Magneti Marelli | Early models had Magneti Marelli; later models had Bosch | Bosch |
| Center stand | Short feet | Early models had short feet; later models had long curved feet | Long curved feet |
| Turn signals | None | None | Front and rear |
| Fender reflectors | None | Early models had none; later models has reflectors with wide chrome trim; some very late models had reflectors with very narrow trim | Early models had reflectors with wide chrome trim; later models had reflectors with very narrow trim |
| Fork covers / headlight ears | Shorter | Shorter | Shorter for all drum brake models. Disc brake models are longer. |
| Swing arm | Aluminum cap on the back end of the swing arm...just before the rear drive | Boss that could be drilled for aluminum cap | No boss. |
| Hand levers | Smooth lever with a perch that angled toward the handlebar |
Early models used a smooth lever with a perch that angled toward the handlebar later models used a finger-grooved lever with a perch that was more square to the handlebar |
Finger-grooved lever with a perch that was more square to the handlebar models with 4 leading shoe front brakes used a finger-grooved lever with a special adpater to connect both front brake cables |
| Shocks Thanks to Newtin for providing this difference information. Note: the shocks must be completely disassembled to remove the chrome cover; the plastic cover can be distorted to clear the tabs at the bottom of the shock body. |
Early models had a black plastic inner cover to hide the rod later models used a chrome steel cover to hide the rod |
Early models used a chrome steel cover to hide the rod later models had a black plastic inner cover to hide the rod |
All used a black plastic inner cover to hide the rod |