1972 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport

The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, when new, was the most expensive production motorcycle in the world; more expensive than its legendary contemporary, the MV Agusta 750S.

The V7 Sport first appeared in 1971. It was one of the outstanding sporting motorcycles of the era and displayed design engineer Lino Tonti’s genius at its best. It was not only a magnificent sporting motorcycle, but also the forerunner of a long and distinguished line of performance Moto Guzzis including the 750S, the 750S3 and the iconic 850 Le Mans.

Tonti’s design brief was to build a motorcycle weighing less than 200kg and capable of 200km/hr (124 mph). He unveiled his creation in June 1971 at the Monza 500 kilometre race for 750cc production machines. Legendary racer Mike Hailwood tested it at Monza prior to the race, afterwards proclaiming it the best handling street bike he had ridden.

Some consider the V7 Sport the best-looking factory sports motorcycle ever made. Splayed cylinder heads let the low, compact frame wrap around the motor. Tonti is said to have loved straight tubes and triangulated structures and the geometric profile of the V7 frame is classic. The main section is a perfect parallelogram, and similarly precise triangles surround the toolboxes and form the junction between the swing arm and shocks. Motor Cyclist magazine, in September 1973, described the V7 Sport as "More than a motorcycle...a work of art."

This V7 Sport was originally a German delivery. I purchased it from its previous owner in Hamburg. It has an elongated fuel tank and a correspondingly shortened dual seat, a modification made by a previous owner. It is otherwise very close to original specification.