1973 Moto Guzzi identification help needed

[bob_mcnab]

I have owned this Moto Guzzi since 1997. I've decided to sell it however, I cannot figure out exactly what model this is.

The data tag as you can see by the photographs, shows it a:
V7 Sport
1973
VIN: VM25FB

Also, as you can see the stamp on the frame shows VM25FB. This information shows it to be a V7 Sport however the research I have done shows it to be the style of an Eldorado (see photos). I would very much appreciate any help you can provide with this.

Thank you in advance, Bob

 

[MotoGuzziFan]

That IS NOT a V7 Sport.

The tag has been replaced. The stamping is absolutely atrocious and appears to me to be obviously fake.

You can contact the Moto Guzzi archives and purchase a basic report for that VIN.

Google it or SEARCH here. Good luck.

 

[V700Steve]

Just looked at Greg Benders Loop List of VIN's & NO VM preface there is a VP preface though.
Looks like a 73 Eldorado 850 chrome on tank means it wasn't a California or GT. My guess is that it came from EU not USA
Amboman should know.

 

[bob_mcnab]

THANKS Note ~ The speedometer is in kilometers so may be special Vin for whatever country it was exported to ?
Question ~ What would be the point of changing the tag ?
Contacted Piaggio and no help. They say they do not have records back that far. Thanks for your input
Bob

 

[V700Steve]

You could send an email to Mr Bender and ask if he knows. I worked on a 74 Police model w/all the police equipment a few years ago. Italian police model bought by a serviceman & brought back to states. It also had Amal carbs. Cool stuff.

 

[john zibell]

Also check the engine number. In that era, the engine number and frame serial number were the same. On US imports, the data tag was riveted to the head stock and no numbers were on the frame. You have a, shall we say, an "interesting" situation.

 

[Raven]

Whatever it is, it's a beauty!

 

[MotoGuzziFan]

Contacted Piaggio and no help. They say they do not have records back that far. Thanks for your input

Bob

BS. Yes they do but you have to pay for it.

MOTO GUZZI VINTAGE: HOW TO REQUEST DOCUMENTS FROM THE FACTORY ARCHIVES​

Wide Magazine

Wide is the Piaggio Group digital magazine

wide.piaggiogroup.com

 

[Lannis]

THANKS Note ~ The speedometer is in kilometers so may be special Vin for whatever country it was exported to ?
Question ~ What would be the point of changing the tag ?
Contacted Piaggio and no help. They say they do not have records back that far. Thanks for your input
Bob

Bob -

You ask "What would be the point of changing the tag?"

Like anything else in the world, "follow the money". Even though this very nice Eldorado could not be mistaken for a "V7 Sport" from 200 feet away (my apologies to present company), a "V7 Sport" is worth three times what a stock Eldo from the same year is worth in the same condition. Whoever changed the tag had some nefarious goal in mind; no way was it an honest mistake of some sort.

Edit: But given Charlie's observation just below this, where he has seen this tag before, I'll have to backtrack my assertion that it could only have been fraud. Although the V7 Sport and the Loopframes don't have the same frame .... ?

Lannis

 

[Amboman]

Loopframe Guzzis pop up on occasion with VIN tags that read "V7 Sport", this is third one I know of. How it happened hasn't been determined out as far as I know.

In "80 Years of Moto Guzzi Motorycles" by Mario Colombo, it lists "V7 750 Special (1969-1971) from frame VM 00 AA to frame VM 25 EP". The bike in question exceeds both the year range and VIN parameters though.

From the photo, it's hard to say what it is. Later engine case, which the last of the V7 Specials/Ambassadors used, but also used on the 850GT/Eldorado, so without an engine number there's no way telling which it is. It's fitted with a 4 speed transmission, which was only used on the V700 and V7 Special/Ambassador. Of course, much could have been changed over the last 50 years.

It could just be a "bitsa" that someone assembled out of parts they had access to.

 

[bob_mcnab]

Loopframe Guzzis pop up on occasion with VIN tags that read "V7 Sport", this is third one I know of. How it happened hasn't been determined out as far as I know.

In "80 Years of Moto Guzzi Motorycles" by Mario Colombo, it lists "V7 750 Special (1969-1971) from frame VM 00 AA to frame VM 25 EP". The bike in question exceeds both the year range and VIN parameters though.

From the photo, it's hard to say what it is. Later engine case, which the last of the V7 Specials/Ambassadors used, but also used on the 850GT/Eldorado, so without an engine number there's no way telling which it is. It's fitted with a 4 speed transmission, which was only used on the V700 and V7 Special/Ambassador. Of course, much could have been changed over the last 50 years.

It could just be a "bitsa" that someone assembled out of parts they had access to.

Thank you - I've attached a photo of the engine serial number (M*025731*)

 

[bob_mcnab]

Purchased 25 years ago in Pennsylvania

 

[Amboman]

Thank you - I've attached a photo of the engine serial number (M*025731*)

There's a faint "V" in front of the "M" it looks like. That engine number leads me to believe that it is a V7 Special (757 cc), possibly one of those described on the "Loop List" on ThisOldTractor.com:

1 of 36 machines purchased in 1973 by the Greek Government. Thanks to Giorgos Kollias for providing this information.

 

[V700Steve]

I only looked at Eldo's in 73, no wonder I couldn't find VM.