Blue Goose: 1981 Moto Guzzi Monza V50 for Sale

Most motorcycle enthusiasts are familiar with Moto Guzzi’s big twins: long, low and lean sportbikes like the V7 Sport, Le Mans, and Sport 1100i, all motivated by two-valve pushrod v-twins with longitudinal cranks and shaft drive. But they also had an entire line of smaller v-twins that displaced between 350 and 750cc like this Moto Guzzi Monza V50 that offered Italian style at a much lower cost, especially considering the reduced taxes on smaller displacement bikes in many markets.

The V50 Monza’s v-twin displaced 490cc and was backed by a five-speed gearbox, along with Guzzi’s linked braking system. The cylinders were Nikasil-coated and the pistons featured concave surfaces to contain the combustion events, with the corresponding heads machined flat. Known as “Heron” heads, the design uses parallel, instead of inclined valves and improves both ease of manufacturing and fuel-efficency. It is an uncommon design that was also used by Jaguar and Moto Morini and, in the Monza, the result was a claimed 45bhp at 7500rpm.

Check out the original eBay listing for more photos, but no information about this particular bike, unless you’re interested in shipping, warranty, or financing: it’s being sold by a dealer and I guess they assume anyone seriously considering this cool little bike already knows all about it? It says it’s a “rare, running project” but doesn’t mention what, if anything, is still incomplete. Some questions here, but maybe you don’t care all that much about the answers, considering the likely asking selling price of this little machine? Bidding is up to just $1500 with three days left on the auction. I’d expect this to go for a song, as the demand for these smaller Guzzis is relatively non-existent.

In 1981, these were available in red or ice blue metallic, so this particular shade of blue is definitely not original. Nor is that Le Mans style curved bikini fairing that contrasts nicely [or clashes, depending on your taste] with the angular bodywork. If you’re okay with the non-original paint and fairing, this could be a very fun little rider: the paint looks nice in the photos and the bike looks very clean, with just a few patches of the expected corrosion on the exhaust.

-tad