Please note: This bike is a part of the Northern California Superbike Collection. The anonymous owner is well-known and a long-term friend of both Iconic and Bike-urious. All proceeds will go towards a foundation he and his wife run to further research for sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems worldwide.
Click here for an VINData Motorcycle History Report on this 1980 Moto Guzzi V1000 Convert.
Initially designed to target the US police bike market, the V1000 Convert was the first production large displacement shaftie. You can probably guess why it was called Convert – the bike had a torque converter which allowed for smooth shifting between the two gears and allowed a rider to stop the bike while in gear.
Ignoring the transmission, specifications were similar to other bikes in the Guzzi line-up – 71 horsepower from a 949cc twin, linked brakes, and accessories designed to help with comfort on longer rides.
“The system is a joy when the rider is faced with continuous stop-and-go traffic conditions or in cases when traffic slows to a crawl behind a truck laboring up a mountain grade. There is no clutch slip; you just feed the machine enough throttle to meet the situation.”
Road Rider – December 1976.
“How well can two gears replace five? We found that Guzzi managed it by not sharply defining low and high range. While you might tend to think of low with a short powerband, on the Goose it’s more like first and second, while high is like fourth and fifth. The overlap allows you to use either one in middle-ground situations.”
Road Rider – April 1976.
Manufactured in May 1980, this example is VIN: VG211442.
The odometer shows 275 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, and we replaced the battery, cleaned and sync’d the carbs, replaced hydraulic fluid on front and back brakes, and cleaned and washed the inside of the gas tank. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Mileage: 275
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Ok
Automatic Transmission Fluid Level: Ok
Automatic Transmission Fluid Quality: Ok
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A, Air Cooled
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A, Cable
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: SHAFT DRIVE
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 99%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 99%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 37/22
Tire Date Code Rear: 06/22
Tire % Remaining Front: 99%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 99%
Tire Press. Front: 36 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 38PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.5V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.86V
Running Condition: Runs
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 1 mi
Notes:
2 speed automatic with torque converter and dry clutch.
Vehicle is always in gear low or high, neutral is only with clutch pulled in.
Side-stand engages parking brake.
Front master does front right brake.
Rear master does front left brake and rear brake.
Clutch needed to switch from high to low but not to stop and go.
Modifications:
The bike appears to be stock with no modifications.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Road Classic tires with date codes of 0622 and 3722.
The sale includes two keys, owners handbook, additional paperwork and a Moto Guzzi branded open-face helmet.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Moto Guzzi is offered on a clean California title. The seller states it is currently on Planned Non-Operation. Iconic was not able to verify the registration status from the DMV. Have any V1000 Convert stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
