Moto Guzzi V 35 Imola

Make Model	Moto Guzzi V 35 Imola
Year	1979 -
Engine	Four stroke, 90° V twin, longitudinally mounted, OHV, 4 valve per cylinder
Capacity	346.2 cc / 21.1 cu-in
Bore x Stroke	66 x 50.6 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression Ratio	10.5:1
Induction	2x Dell'Orto VHB 26 F carburetors
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Electric
Max Power	36 hp / 26 kW @ 8100 rpm
Max Power Rear Tyre	30 hp / 22.3 kW @ 7800 rpm
Max Torque	27.3 Nm / 20.2 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Shaft
Front Suspension	Telehydraulic forks
Rear Suspension	Swinging arm fork with hydraulic shock absorber
Front Brakes	2x 260mm discs
Rear Brakes	Single 235mm disc
Front Tyre	3.25 S18
Rear Tyre	3.50 S18
Dry Weight	158 kg / 348 lbs
Fuel Capacity	16.5 Litres / 4.3 US gal

Moto Guzzi History

The Moto Guzzi V35 is a motorcycle produced in Italy by Moto Guzzi from 1978 to 1992 .

At the time the group was led by the Italo - Argentine industrialist Alejandro De Tomaso . Precisely in the period of crisis of the Italian motorbike, and in the nascent success of the Japanese motorcycles, the Moto Guzzi V50 was a motorbike of quantity rather than quality. Despite everything, it achieved good sales, and, given that the 500 cc displacement was penalized by the residues of taxation from the Austerity period , it was decided to obtain a de-taxable version and also suitable for newly licensed . In fact, in addition to the proverbial quality of the dusted-off design, but of a new design of the 90 ° Guzzi V-twin by Lino Tonti, the chassis it was built in such a way as to be able to obtain several versions, thus arousing interest from young people, but also for the rest, towards the almost total depersonalization of the motorcycle.

The version known as the V35 is a normal street bike, with the standard qualities (for the time) of city riding. It was also defined as tourism, because it did not disdain long journeys. It was produced in three series (the last two known as V35 II and V35 III ). The displacement remained at 346 cm3 . Being a quantity motorcycle it was very widespread (for the time) among newly licensed and people who, either did not abandon the Italian motorcycle manufacturers , or the specific brand ; it was the bike for those who started riding, or for those who wanted to move without spending too much or without unnecessary frills. The bike had Brembo braking system and Sebac shock absorbers (and, later, Paioli ). The II was practically built on the chassis of the V65 , while the III was almost completely redesigned and given a new shape, no longer as a road characteristic typical of the V50 / V65, but the new shape of the V75. The three series were produced from 1977 to 1985 .

When the Guzzi V65 was later put into production, the SP version was available (the abbreviation of many versions then partially faired ), the two types of motorcycle being practically the same, it was also adapted to the smaller displacement version, and was produced since 1982. to 1985 (series II ).

Another derivative model, without chassis upheavals, is that of the custom / cruiser category , that is the immortal myth of world motorcycling, which did not lack fans even then. The V35 C (C of Custom in fact, even if some schools trace the initial of the legendary California back to C , which is not unlikely given the shape of the tank that is practically very similar) had a low seat and long paddles, as on every custom that respect yourself. The tapered tank (instead of the squared one fitted as standard on the normal) was similar to that of the California, which had now reached a displacement, for many prohibitive, of 1000 cm³, the 350 was an agile and comfortable bike. It was produced from 1982 to 1985.

However, Guzzi's answer to the theme of Italian custom was the Florida version, a bike that will change the technical basis of the Italian bike without betraying the fundamentals of custom. The footpegs were not so advanced but the saddle was designed for the typical riding position, so much so as to design a much more tapered tank than the Custom , with an oblong end.

Little sister of the V65 Florida , it was the economic version also in equipment; in fact, while the 650 cm³ sister had standard equipment such as bags and windshields, on the V35 they were only available for a fee. Production began 1987 and lasted until 1992 with this name. A particular feature of the engine was the undercut design , which however was maintained only for a few years, the traditional 346 cm³ engine was taken from Nevada . In fact, from 1992 to 1994, the specific name of Nevada was added to the initials V35 . Although it is still a V35 both in name and in fact, the second best-selling custom in Italy since '92 was known only by the name of Guzzi Nevada, in production until 2016 with the 750 engine, always a derivation of the classic Guzzi twin-cylinder.

Not even then on the other side of the motorcycle categories, that is, those of sports cars, the V35 was not exempt from derivations in the field. We recall that in those years an 850 cm³ Moto Guzzi with the Le Mans license plate was available , precisely to commemorate the Italian company's victorious trip to the French track . The latter was created reviving the great and famous wind tunnel of Mandello del Lario , the pride of the house, honing techniques aerodynamic , then almost unknown and unused in the motorcycle field. The Imola version was created with the same philosophy (later renamed Imola IIstarting from the second series) always to remember a famous track. The first was in all respects a sports bike, not excessive, which recalled the lines of the 850 LeMans III always on a normal V35 chassis. With the entry into production of the V65 the house, starting from the same frame as the "new" V35 / V65 series, added tank, tip and half-fairing all aimed at improving the aerodynamics of the bike, as well as lower weight. Mechanically, the engine underwent major changes to the heads and to the distribution, the first now no longer flat and with 4 valves per cylinder which, however, proved to be rather delicate. This resulted in a certain increase in power. It was produced from 1979 to 1987. Similar history has the V40 Capri , export version for Japan, derivation in all respects (as was the normal V35 for the V50 first, and the V65 later) of the Imola II . The only variation, to counter the Japanese market, which certainly did not lack in that field, is the 400 cm³ engine.

The older sisters (indeed she is the main derivative from these) V50 Monza and V65 Lario must also be traced back to these two bikes . Although not exactly sporty, the Gran Turismo category model should be remembered . The name was Trentacinque GT , it was a typical tourism of the time, complete with a weakened engine. From the particularly squared line there are various versions, not all known as V35 (like this one for another) the bikes were: V35 GT , Trentacinque GT (similar to Sessantacinque GT ) and 350 GT . They were produced from 1987 to 1995, with a succession of names and modifications to all models.

Another category are the so-called military or police motorcycles , of which Moto Guzzi has provided the history of the mobile department of the various law enforcement agencies. As even today there is the preparation of a PA version (which means Public Administrations), a strictly standard bike for most of the mechanics , it was reinforced in the frame to allow the transport and assembly of special equipment, such as for example. the siren, the radio and the bags as standard. The version was generally a fairing, very similar to the SP model , but it has nothing in common. The bikes were standard painted in White / Blue or only in Blue typical of state police cars, although it was possible to order them with other characteristics. The production period is uncertain because, even after the official release from the price list and from the production of the "owner" V35, the PA trim was available , which was also accompanied by the latest version of the 350 cm³.

Being derived from a small-displacement motorcycle, practically "utilitarian" and city, it was used by the patrols of the traffic police, but also by the police and Carabinieri . It was generally used for short journeys by the police, rather than for real patrols, called Falchi , who preferred to have larger motorcycles such as the 850 and the 1000, always Guzzi. Other meaning instead Guzzi Falco of 1988 , futuristic motorcycle, the "modern" features, so as to almost be confused with today's Gran Turismo. Technically it had a 4-valve Guzzi head and an innovative distribution system with camshafts at the head. Another field in which the Guzzi was present was that of cross/ enduro . The V35 versions were called: V35 NTX (in 1990 350NTX ) and V35 TT (TT stands for All Terrain ). Here Moto Guzzi modifies the frame only at the height of the steering head which is reinforced while increasing the ground clearance necessary for off-road routes through rear suspensions longer than about 4 cm (first marzocchi on TT, then Wp on Ntx) and through the adoption of a Marzocchi fork with an advanced pivot at the front with a diameter of 38mm (tt) and 40mm (ntx). The NTX was built with African motorcycle marathons in mind, while the TTto have an Enduro bike that could also be used on the highways . The first was produced, from 1987 to 1991 (in the last year 350NTX ), while the TT from 1984 to 1986. In fact it is customary to define the most accurate and "professional", thanks also to the experience gained, NTX as a replacement, not in negative, of the more touristic and road TT . Technical featuresEdit