The Moto Guzzi V1000 was developed from
the V1000 convert which was a special bike built initially
for the italian police for use on papal escort duties.
They wanted a bike which would trickle along at walking
pace but still do 95mph on the motorway. It had a
two speed semi auto transmission with fluid flywheel
and a cycle parts package somewhere between the "california"
cruisers and the then "gentleman's express roadster",
the 850 T3. The transmission absorbed a lot of power
so it was found necessary to bore the engine out to
950cc for extra torque.
The convert was a modest success but
pretty soon people started asking for a bike with
the 950 "1000" engine, the convert running
gear but the five speed manual transmission from the
850 T3; very soon the V1000 G5 was launched and a
few thousand were made and sold between 1978 and 1983.
Note that although this is registered (new)
in 1981 (genuine UK bike), the makers plate clearly
states that it was made in 1979. This delay is
typical of Guzzi's low volume production and this
bike was therefore one of the early G5's with
the convert clocks and no rev counter.
