Moto Guzzi V35, V50 and V65

Moto Guzzi · 1977–1987

Moto Guzzi V35, V50 and V65: history and buying advice

The small Tonti engine, also used by the Dutch police and military police.

Nederlandse versie

Moto Guzzi V50
Moto Guzzi V50. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, free licence; author and licence are on that page.

History

In the seventies Lino Tonti designed a new, smaller V engine with horizontally split crankcases and flat heads. It was lighter and cheaper to build. The V50 (490 cc) and V35 (346 cc) arrived around 1977; the 350 was mainly meant for the low tax class in Italy. The small Guzzis also got the linked braking system.

From 1982 came the V65 with 643 cc and some 52 hp. In the Netherlands the V50 was used by the police and the Royal Military Police. There were many versions, from the V50 II and III to the custom C version.

Key data

Engine2 cylinders, 90° V, overhead valves, shaft drive
CapacityV35: 346 cc; V50: 490 cc; V65: 643 cc
PowerV35: c. 35 hp; V65: c. 52 hp
Brakeslinked system

What to check when buying

  • Check the cylinders (Nigusil) for wear; blue smoke or high oil consumption is a warning.
  • Ex-police and army bikes have often spent a lot of time idling. Ask about maintenance.
  • Look for oil leaks between engine and gearbox; the clutch can then get oily.
  • Test the linked brakes and the shaft drive.
  • Compare the frame and engine numbers with the papers.
To the workshop guide NL

SourcesWikipedia: Moto Guzzi V35 (Italian)Wikipedia: Moto Guzzi V50 (Italian)Wikipedia: Moto Guzzi V65 (Italian)

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