Celebrity Sportbike: Ewan McGregor’s 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport for Sale

1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
Miles: 1,500
Clean California Title
Bid at Post: $30,000 Reserve Not Met
Auction Ends: March 26th, 2025

For the most part, we try to stick to original examples of collectible sporting motorcycles here at RSBFS. But we do make exceptions from time-to-time when interesting machines come up for sale, and I think this 1973 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport qualifies, in spite of the fact that its been subject to extensive engine modifications and a thorough cosmetic restoration. Also, it happens to have been celebrity-owned: if you weren’t aware, actor Ewan McGregor is a very serious motorcycle enthusiast, and he has a particular fondness for Moto Guzzis. Introduced in 1971, the V7 Sport was a significant step forward for the company, a big twin that could compete on equal footing with sportbikes from the UK. Earlier v-twin Guzzis were famed for their durability and comfortable ergonomics, but the standard “loop” frame didn’t lend itself to the kind of handling needed for a real sportbike. A new frame by famed engineer Lino Tonti, along with a new front-mounted alternator, allowed the longitudinal v-twin engine, five-speed transmission, and shaft drive to be mounted very low, giving the bike a low center of gravity, excellent handling, and a lean silhouette, while revised internals increased performance and reduced the displacement to make the bike eligible for racing classes. The result was a high-performance motorcycle with surprising practicality.

Rolling Art Ready for Spring!, We are selling a full restoration, manufactured July 1972, Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. This bike is part of the Ewan McGregor Motorcycle Collection, this restoration was commissioned by Ewan and completed by Cycle Garden in 2010! A major move has led Ewan to simplifying his vintage Car and Bike collection, so he is selling some of his toys. The motor was rebuilt again in 2022 after a stuntman rev’d the hell out of the motor during a commercial shoot for Piaggio Studios in 2022.

This motor has our high compression pistons 88mm (955cc) and fully balanced T3 crankshaft for a super smooth & powerful ride. Still looks like a fresh restoration, stunning burgundy paint, The paint was shot with a silver base coat and a burgundy candy top coat to match the original Guzzi color tone. Matching frame 308xx & motor #VK308xx as all North American exports have a matching frame and motors. Restored original seat pan and Hjeltness V7 Sport seat cover, restored gauges, Sirai Electrovalve, under seat light, original restored “cross rims” and wheels.

One year warranty on this bike from Cycle Garden, covering drive train!

Cost of restoring this bike was over $30K in 2010. ride it home now!

This bike is available for inspection at Cycle Garden in Indio, CA.

Has current California title and insurance.

This looks like a very, very nice Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, although it’s obviously no longer remotely original. Updating the powertrain in a Tonti-framed Guzzi is a relatively simple affair, so no butchery was likely required for the change from a modest, 748cc engine producing 52hp to this relatively beastly configuration, and Cycle Garden is well known for its Guzzi customs. I’m sure it pulls like a freight train and probably sounds the business but… let’s just hope those drum brakes are up to the task. Many purists will probably scoff at the changes made and I have no idea if the Ewan McGregor connection is of any interest to the average Guzzisti, but there’s no doubting the enthusiasm on display here. The want is strong with this one…

-tad