Moto Guzzi V35 Imola- the Baby Le Mans Ride and review

[@pipes9878]

Japanese bikes had some electrical issues too. There was a young lad where I worked who had an RD350 and we used his bike as a barometer coming off of night shift, If it didn't start it was going to rain that day. He absolutely loved his bike so lived with the electrical issues.

[@bikerdood1100]

Trust me I’m all too well aware I’ve pushed my share of Suzukis 😂

[@pipes9878]

@@bikerdood1100 🤣 when you have to push your bike home, you don't need to do leg day at the gym 🤣😂👍

[@bikerdood1100]

@@pipes9878 very true 😂 I run because I too tight to pay gym fees It’s more useful when you have a push bike 😂

[@billhackett6715]

had a 350 kawasaki and it had an on off switch that was able to let water in. Would stop when going down the road. Took some time to find the electrical problem

[@timhicks2154]

I still have my Moto Guzzi V50 Monza. It now has a V75 motor in it. Much fun to be had.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice Had a couple of the 750s nice high torque motor, ton of character

[@marcbrasse747]

Ooooh! 🤩

[@chrisweeks6973]

Small-block Guzzi and shaft-drive; reasonably light weight, good handling and tractable motor; what's not to like? 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Well exactly, I owned a V50 previously and we were very surprised how well the little 350 pulls

[@nigelfisher3756]

Well, exactly. Too many Guzzis to count over the years. I started with a couple of V50’s before moving on to the big blocks interspersed with Japanese and Ducati ownership. Amazingly agile and easy to live with, wouldn’t it be marvellous if Guzzi could magic a similar formula today? Currently have a T3 and a Le Mans Mk3, both excellent machines.

[@doctorrenegade839]

A nice Le Mans would be the dream i just acquired a "77 850 T3 with the bags, floorboards, and faring removed Le Mans tank added. I love her 😍

[@jjcale1976]

A beautiful motorcycle with great performance even today. Simplicity of design and ease of operation.

[@bikerdood1100]

If only you could still get bikes like this Well other than Guzzi obviously

[@timhicks2154]

Guzzis make usable power for real-world riding conditions.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed they do No track toys here

[@rickh8380]

What a nice bike. Love the look and the sound of the engine is intoxicating. Was never an Italian motorcycle guy until I started watching your channel. Take care and ride safe. Cheers

[@bikerdood1100]

Thank you much appreciated

[@timhicks2154]

The standard silencers can be prone to to rusting out from the inside. Norton Commando pea-shooters are a straight swap and sound epic.

[@bikerdood1100]

Considering them for our v7

[@timhicks2154]

@@bikerdood1100 - get the stainless steel ones from Armour Motors. Pattern chrome steel ones rust like mad.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@timhicks2154 👍🏻

[@elephantman2415]

A friend had those on his V50 Monza and they did indeed sound epic!

[@bikerdood1100]

@@elephantman2415 oh yeh 👍🏻😂

[@dog8nut]

In the early 90's I had a V-50 for a while great power and a pleasure to ride. I replaced the stock mufflers with some that were more free flowing and a bit louder wonderful sound ! Sizewise I thought I was about the size/weight of 60s 500 Triumph ,in other words perfect.

[@bikerdood1100]

Probably why I found riding Brit bikes quite easy. I’d been ridding a V50 for years by then

[@NorickFZS25]

It's a very nice bike. I'm Japanese, but when I looked into it, I found that a 1985 model in good condition was sold at a Japanese bike shop for a total of 4,560 pounds including 10% tax.

[@bikerdood1100]

That’s a lot of money. Here in England I would expect to pay less than half that

[@NorickFZS25]

@@bikerdood1100 The spread of the new coronavirus has caused a motorcycle boom in Japan, and the prices of used cars have increased significantly, with waits for popular new cars lasting several months. The discontinued Honda CB400 Super Four was traded at a price that far exceeded the new car price.😱 Currently, the motorcycle boom is coming to an end, and prices are falling. The reason why prices have not fallen rapidly is because motorcycles purchased at high prices remain in stock.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@NorickFZS25 in the UK, people took up many hobbies during COVID. Unfortunately Motorcycles didn’t experience much growth

[@matthewcochran3325]

Great, now I'm going to search fb marketplace for a Guzzi. I prefer riding my CB350 twin in town because the difference in power isn't that much compared to how nimble the bike is. I agree with yall on the issue of speed. As long as the bike will do 75 mph so I can keep up with the legal speed limit that's all I want. My days of speeding just for the thrill of it are in my rear view.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well t was doing 75 about 20 minutes ago 😂

[@matthewcochran3325]

@@bikerdood1100 excellent. You never let me down, Dood.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@matthewcochran3325 well we are gradually getting better I like to think That video took 4 days in total to film. Took me ages to edit it

[@matthewcochran3325]

@@bikerdood1100 your production is really good. The transitions, overlaying the narraration, the interview, and POV riding is top notch. It would take me forever to do that! I'm far too critical of myself. I do leather work as a side business and no matter how good something is or how much someone likes my work, I'm always second guessing myself. I understand where you are coming from, brother. Keep up the great work. Lots of people really enjoy your stuff. I've learned a lot.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@matthewcochran3325 thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated 👍🏻

[@timhicks2154]

I rode a V35 Spada - it was surprisingly quick, and topped out around 105mph. I was testing it for two old guys who said it wasn’t going well. But they were riding it like their long-stroke British single. I basically told them to Rev the spuds off the Guzzi if they wanted to get a move on.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well 105mph on the clocks, they lie But I know what you mean, the are surprisingly capable for a small twin Better than a cb400f any day

[@timhicks2154]

@@bikerdood1100 - they are Vagueliar speedos.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@timhicks2154 well exactly Interesting the V50s whilst not perfect are rather more honest (ish ) 😂

[@simonrdew]

I had a 1980 Monza V50 which was somewhat underwhelming off the mark but wound out to very usable high cruising speeds. The only issue that kept it from being a keeper was that it was too small physically. With the bikini faring and clip on bars I found I had to carry my weight on my arms and at late middle age it gave me shoulder pain. Otherwise a superb little machine and as stated a very smooth fast ride.

[@bikerdood1100]

Tom has the advantages of youth in terms of sitting position I had the standard V50 which I featured in a few videos and that had a more conventional seating position which served me well in my first Scotland tour back in 1990

[@simonrdew]

@bikerdood1100 Ah yes, a bit more youth would have helped! Like you, I think, I have an A10 now, although mine has the sinew stretching power of the Super Rocket model. Keep up the splendid vids. S

[@bikerdood1100]

@@simonrdew thanks I have ridden it, I’m not too tall so not too bad for me, but I do prefer the position on my BSA 😂

[@terryblack2219]

Had a couple of V50 in the 1980 to dispatch on, you are spot on about the handling dual linked brakes with top of there day, pretty too, even got to like the red dust blowing off the cast iron disk on my V50 ..only parted with them because they were pretty then the girlfriend at the time, she got jealous😂.

[@bikerdood1100]

😂😂😂

[@timhicks2154]

My Monza now has 107,500 miles on it.

[@bikerdood1100]

👍🏻

[@upsidedowndog1256]

It is a pretty bike. Sounds great too! I like that it looks just like Guzzi's bigger bikes. 90° V-twins really are the perfect engine for a motorcycle.

[@bikerdood1100]

They are indeed No need for balance shafts here

[@stephenshipley1066]

The hp discussion is interesting. In 1976 I bought a Honda CB360. This had a claimed power of 34hp. I have never been less than 16 stone in living memory (I wish that was all I was now 😉). My wife was 7 stone wringing wet but, together that gives an all-up weight of 23+ stone. I had fitted a Craven rear carrier on to which I bungeed a large suitcase. With this load it was happy to cruise at motorway+ speeds all day. It never felt under-powered. Do you need more power? Not really. I had a break from motorcycles when I was roughly 40-50 but when I came back I bought successively a BMW R100RS, then an RT1100, then an RT 1150. Much more comfortable than the Honda for long distances but I don't think I needed the extra power. Interesting subject.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well in 2017 I hurt my shoulder and had surgery just a few week before our tour of Northern European. Couldn’t handle my big Guzzi so I took Debs Honda CB500X with 47hp and Deb took her V7. I of course had to carry the boy despite my injury 🙄 boy was a little under 6ft been by then The bike showed itself to be roomy and coped perfectly on the Motorway

[@stephenshipley1066]

I've been wondering about brakes "of the period". Can these be upgraded by fitting modern pads? Or is it down to caliper design or master cylinder pressure ? 🤔 After all, a bike with better brakes is effectively a faster bike 😉

[@bikerdood1100]

@@stephenshipley1066 well modern pads do improve them but the disc diameter was smaller so some people retrofit larger discs. As an 80s rider I’m used to em so they are fine to me, but then I’m used to much older stuff

[@timhicks2154]

It is like a baby LeMans. That is a LM1 fairing. The round headlight would be a good mod - the original rectangular one was dire at night.

[@bikerdood1100]

Lucas lamp seems ok Best headlamp we have on any of our bikes is my Breva 1100. Really good set up

[@robinbrowne5419]

An awesome little bike. It reminds me of the Yamaha RD350 which is probably similar in handling and performance. The main difference being that the Moto Guzi sounds civilized and the Yamaha sounds like an angry hornet buzzing down the road. 🏍 🚓

[@bikerdood1100]

About sums it up 😂

[@aceofspades5786]

The design does not look dated and it sounds great, might they be encouraged to start making it again.

[@bikerdood1100]

Be nice But unlikely, unfortunately

[@stewartellinson8846]

I took a 750 engined Monza to Italy a few years ago; I changed the top yoke and bars for the V50 III setup which helped for distance but otherwise it was unchanged and did an excellent job. Like Tim, mine's done over 100,000 miles

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice job 👍

[@rover100bunson]

lovely sound, and the birds singing, always liked the morini 3 1/2

[@bikerdood1100]

Which isn’t in the video 😂

[@rover100bunson]

@@bikerdood1100 i know, the v35 was never on my radar for some reason, nice bike

[@bikerdood1100]

@@rover100bunson well they were pretty expensive Like the Morini when new. Ironically they can be pretty affordable now

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Tom (and family). It is good to hear that your Guzzi goes well and is pretty reliable. The pre-used and pre-abused early V50-II that my then girlfriend and I owned in the mid 1980s was great to ride. However, it suffered a number of minor and major breakdowns. The most trivial was the day the gear shift linkage detached from the rear of the gearbox and the worst was the day the rear bevel drive failed. We always managed to fix it, each time it failed and we had a good local dealer nearby at Oxford. At best, the very long wait for spares for the rear bevel drive gave us the excuse to buy and enjoy two other cheap motorcycles: a well thrashed but unburstable Honda CD200 twin and a high mileage GS650 Katana.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well bevel drive can fail,especially as the mileage gets higher, although it’s unusual. Seals can go in the bevel box ditto bearings but then wheel bearings go . And of course chains wear at a shed load faster 😂

[@derekp2674]

@@bikerdood1100 Indeed. Our long wait turned out to be because Guzzi had discontinued the old parts and redesigned all the bevel drive gears. So ours was probably not an isolated case... We were also extremely grateful to Richard Slater, who was happy to take on the task of rebuilding the bevel drive for us. I suppose he enjoyed working on all bikes, not just Laverdas :)

[@timhicks2154]

A good mod is to enlarge the hole in the oil-feed dowel on the cylinder heads to 1.5mm

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice tip

[@phonebackup8132]

First bike is a V50. Still love it. Reliable as a high dollar Swiss watch. Mine has hundreds of thousands of miles. Always wanted the 350 Paris to Dakar version.

[@bikerdood1100]

Cool 😎 Had a V50 for 11 years and loved it

[@timhicks2154]

It’s important to keep a close eye on the valve clearances. The valves are two-part, friction-welded items. At the first sign of a tappet gap closing up, a new valve will be needed. Don’t ask me how I know the eventual outcome of this is!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well rad an interesting Article recently y a Guzzi specialist. He noted that the salve type was out unique to a Guzzi and also stated that, 4V engines aside love failure rates are about the same as other ages, Japanese included. Ran my original V50 for 11 years so I’m used to the engine. It’s our 8th Guzzi

[@simonbirt6121]

What a lovely noise too.

[@bikerdood1100]

Sounds alright doesn’t it

[@derekdingwall]

Nice styling ,there cant be many of those about ,i remember the LE Mans and the V50 but never owned either 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

Nope not in the Uk at least Had a V50 for 11 years and had 3 big block Guzzi’s but alas not a Le Mans Yet !

[@johnalees99]

Always liked the Guzzis, years ago riding a moped to university and I used to park next to an 850 LeMans. When I bought my current Honda, I was very tempted by a well priced Breva 750. And of course the v7 Racer is just a gorgeous bit of kit.

[@bikerdood1100]

Le man’s is a Beautiful bike, as is the V7 racer, the standard V7 is what we went for. Distances to travel and all that

[@marcbrasse747]

Hey, overlooked this video. I’ve got an immense weak spot for the light Guzzi V’s. Especially for the Imola and Monza. The only reason I never owned one is that I went for the Ducati Pantah. Until I bought a battered, non registered, stuck engine V35 a few years back. Major parts of it are now in the electric motorcycle project I just mentioned in another post.

[@bikerdood1100]

The V35 I found surprisingly pokey for its size Not too far away from my old V50 Great sound too

[@jiltedjohn9294]

Great looking bike,Guzzis get under your skin.Love the background birdsong.

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s an addiction Had a Guzzi since 1989 Went cold turkey once and didn’t own one for about 3 months in the mid 90s Never again 😂😂

[@richardhorton25]

On the reliability question I have owned over 50 years of riding numerous British, Italian and Japanese bikes. My most reliable bike was my 1992 750SS Ducati (which I still own) followed by my 2 Suzukis 1976 GS400 and my Bandit 600. The least reliable were my Honda Bros 650 (electrical issues) and my XBR500 (rotted out swinging arm cracked oil tank, starter motor failure and failed compression lifter). Honda reliability in my experience is a bit of a myth although I could just have been unlucky.

[@bikerdood1100]

Similar experiences I’ve been left walking by most makes at one time or another 😂 Worst thus far I’d say Suzuki electrics

[@gntdriver2840]

I always thought the Italians produced a much more diverse and interesting range of 350's than the Japanese. Guzzi also did the plain looking V35 and the semi custom V35C and V35TT Trail bike,Ducati made both parallel and V twins and also a single. Benelli made a 350 four,Cagiva made both a 350 2 stroke single,and the Allazura 350 v-twin,i think Fantic also made a 350 2 stroke single road bike. and last but not least morini's beautiful 350 v twins I think the only two major Italian manufacturers who did not produce a 350 were Laverda and Aprilia. BTW that corrugated shed roof would look much nicer with all the moss removed 😃

[@bikerdood1100]

Well Laverda did in fact produce a 350 parallel twin which was also available as a 500. Very pretty it was too Aprillia didn’t produce anything above 125 for over a decade

[@charliepatterson9321]

I have ridden 1000 ccs and 1100 ccs and never owned anything bigger than 750 ccs . The insurance jumps after 750 ccs . The size of the engine does not increase the amount of pleasure to be had . I have fond memories of my 50 cc bike as much as my 550 cc bike . The smaller bikes are much easier to manipulate and will spank you just as fast as a 1000 cc bike if you disrespect it . I like that bike more than a disco bike for seating position reasons . She's beautiful ❤

[@bikerdood1100]

I’ve owned bikes from 50cc to 1100 but the only advantage my bigger bike really has is the longer seat. We were out ridding today and didn’t matter how big a bike I was on, on the B roads Tom took some keeping with on that bloody Imola today Bloody kids 😂

[@apacherider7110]

What beaut of a bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

It is indeed

[@lathejack]

Oh, I didn't realise the lead singer of Dexys Midnight Runners was a biker, and he hasn't aged a bit over the years. Anyway, it's a lovely bike, I never liked the Guzzi 850 Le Mans, but have always been a fan of the gorgeous little 350 Imola. So much more appealing with the 350cc V twin motor buzzing away. 36 HP for a 350cc road bike of that period is quite respectable, most Japanese road bikes of the 1970's were tuned to give around 100 HP per litre, I had always planned to visit NLM Motorcycles in Leicester, who had a good stock of old Italian bikes which usually included some of these miniature Guzzi V twins and some Moto Morinis, but I never did, too late now.

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks for the slight insult 🙄 He doesn’t wear dungarees though He does love his Guzzi however

[@lathejack]

@@bikerdood1100 Sorry, never meant or thought of it as an insult, although I had forgotten about the unfortunate choice of clothing.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@lathejack can’t forget the dangers 😂😂

[@markbrennan4693]

Lovely bike, much like the Moto Morini 3 1/2 but shaft drive. Great review.

[@bikerdood1100]

We do love a shaft drive Nice and clean 🧽

[@brockett]

I never knew of this bike before so this is a very interesting video.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well glad to introduce you to the baby Guzzi’s

[@brianperry]

These bikes , ie:- Guzzi Le Mans Imola and 900 ss were taking corners like they were on rails while the Japanese bikes where weaving their way round...The seventies were the time of the first super bikes...and they were all Italian...

[@bikerdood1100]

When it came to the twists no doubt about it

[@marcoaccaroli8083]

Nice bike, mate! I have a V35 Imola too and I painted it in verde Legnano taking inspiration from the V7 sport. Which tires do you use? Lamps from Italy✌🏻

[@bikerdood1100]

Sorry for the late reply We have Metzeller tyres on it at the moment

[@paulcooper5610]

I actually went to buy an Imola before finally purchasing a cx500, however when I sat on it I just didn't fit, it was way too small. I'm 6ft with quite long legs and I felt like I was on a toy motorcycle not quite a mini moto but there was no way I could ride it any distance. Beautiful bike for anyone below 5ft 10, I just wish I could fit on one, I guess being old doesn't help.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well Tom is 6ft 1 Had a CX at the same time as a V50 Liked them both, the CX was more roomy but I owned the CX for 2 years but the Guzzi 11 years and then brought another Guzzi and another and another and so on Which I think says something

[@johnpurcell7525]

Best ride since the courtnacuddy bus

[@bikerdood1100]

I know there’s a story there Some how I feel I don’t want to know 😂😂

[@robertaevans3837]

sure my v50 had a Lucas starter motor and bosh components and gave no trouble

[@bikerdood1100]

Bosch was used in a lot of Guzzi electrical parts I don’t think it would have left the factory with a British starter motor

[@marcbrasse747]

Comparing my Pantah with the Yamaha XZ 550, which could be seen as a sort of Japanese reincarnation of it: Once I replaced the fuse box on my Pantah with a proper one it was very dependable. XZ? Always trouble.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well the XZ was a sales flop I recall They had a lot of carb problems especially early on which record sails Nice styling for its time which was very angular, would be back in vogue again now

[@marcbrasse747]

​@@bikerdood1100 The XZ was very under-developed. The carb problems persisted and made it a pig to start, especially when warm. Furthermore the starter clutches regularly failed, a nut on the crankshaft constantly loosened itself, generator spools burn through about every 20.000 km, etc. When it ran properly it was a great bike to ride, although comparatively heavy. It also has a great German user group which still meets every year. Organized it myself in 2022. I spent an inordinate amount of time building a unique special from it ( of which pictures can be found elsewhere but this message would be deleted if I try to tell you). In the end I got so fed up with all the quirks in the standard bits that I converted all my special parts to a Honda Hawk. Still attending those German meetings though. 😁

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it was a very early use of steeply downdraught carbs They do have a rep that’s for sure Put em in one of my videos a while back for that reason

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 True.

[@williammuir638]

❤guzzi😊

[@bikerdood1100]

All the best people do 👍

[@oldbikedavey]

Heron heads, just like the 350 Morini, but a rather better machine in many regards...

[@bikerdood1100]

And some Ford engines in the 60s incidentally But yeh I do think the Guzzi engine is superior I’m bias of course but the Morin engine really maxed out 350, I don’t think it would have made it up to 750.

[@oldbikedavey]

Used to have a 500 Morini when I lived in France, and rode the thing to a frazzle against a 450 Ducati owned and ridden by Bertrand, the owner of Moto62 in Bethune, around some of the more demanding back roads of the Pas de Calais. The Ducati was the better machine.... @@bikerdood1100

[@marcbrasse747]

I know it is heresy but I actually like the Le Mans 3 the most of that series. 😁

[@bikerdood1100]

I’m a marks 1 fan but like em all really Mark 3 looks much better than the 2 A lot more sleek and purposeful

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Exactly. I for instantly love that split half fairing evolution of the one on the LM 2. And the square cylinder heads. One of the best looking of the hard edge generation. Like a big Imola/ Monza. I wonder how it’s fairing would look on one of those. Maybe a bit too big but otherwise …. 👍

[@fanbatcher]

I think a Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport is a better option and it’s a sharp looking machine.

[@bikerdood1100]

Naaaaa

[@bikerdood1100]

More expensive, poor parts supply Less attractive agile and lacking torque in the mid range

[@bikerdood1100]

Did I mention overrated

[@fanbatcher]

Sorry, you are wrong

[@AndyAndy-bg7mv]

bikes of this type ? a bit like a zx6r ?😁

[@bikerdood1100]

Thankfully not 😂

[@marcbrasse747]

A lot of mature talking in this video. 😎

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I am old ish 😂 Tom of course is not Dam him 😂

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 So he is a wise man by nature and you are only wise-ish. 🤣

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I’m not asking his opinion on that 😂😂

[@timhicks2154]

That 350 will accept a 750 engine no problems.

[@bikerdood1100]

I know the frame is the same We will remain standard, for now

[@charliepatterson9321]

I have ridden 1000 ccs and 1100 ccs and never owned anything bigger than 750 ccs . The insurance jumps after 750 ccs . The size of the engine does not increase the amount of pleasure to be had . I have fond memories of my 50 cc bike as much as my 550 cc bike . The smaller bikes are much easier to manipulate and will spank you just as fast as a 1000 cc bike if you disrespect it . I like that bike more than a disco bike for seating position reasons . She's beautiful ❤

[@bikerdood1100]

Less is more