Moto Guzzi 750S

Moto Guzzi 750S

The 1970s were the decade in which Moto Guzzi started producing models in the sports segment. The longest-lived and most legendary of the series for this type of motorcycle is undoubtedly the Le Mans, but before this the factory on the shores of Lake Como produced some sporting machines worth noting. First up was the V7Sport, followed closely by the roadster 750S.

The 1970s were the decade when Moto Guzzi started making models for the sporty segment. The longest-living and most legendary in this series of motorcycles is undoubtedly the LeMans, but before that, the factory on the shores of Lake Como produced some sporty machines worth noting. First up was the V7Sport, closely followed by the 750S roadster.

Moto Guzzi's first pure sports model, the V7-Sport, went on sale in 1972, marking the start of the factory's sporting commitment. The best-known of Guzzi's machines in this segment is undoubtedly the Le Mans, a low and long sportster that for many years was the factory's main "weapon" in the battle for customers in the sports segment.

Moto Guzzi 's first pure sports model, the V7-Sport, went on sale in 1972, marking the start of the factory's focus on sports bikes. Perhaps the best-known among Guzzi's machines in this segment is definitely the Le Mans, a low and long sportster that for many years was the factory's main 'weapon' in the fight for customers in the sports segment.

Before the Le Mans 850 went on sale in 1976, some great sporty machines were made, including the 750S, which was produced only in 1974, and in a "limited" run of 948. The 750S had the same frame and front fork as the V7-Sport, but got dual hydraulic disc brakes at the front. The 300 mm brake discs bit well, and Moto Guzzi was now among the first motorcycle manufacturers to offer a production model with dual disc brakes at the front.

Before the Le Mans 850, which by the way went on sale in 1976, they made some really nice sporty bikes, including the 750S that was only produced in 1974 and in a 'limited' run of 948 units. The 750S had the same frame and front fork as the V7-Sport, but it got dual hydraulic disc brakes at the front. The 300 mm brake discs performed really well, and Guzzi was now among the first motorcycle manufacturers to offer a production model with dual front disc brakes.

The engine in the 750S was almost identical to the V7-Sport, but a chain was now used instead of a gear on the valve system, as well as a more powerful starter motor from Bosch with the solenoid sitting on top of the starter motor. Common to the V7Sport, 750S and 750S-3 was the low frame. To make the old engine from the V7 fit into the sporty chassis, the generator was moved down on the crankshaft. This solution allowed for a lower engine block so that the engine could fit in the frame.

The engine in the 750S was almost identical to the V7-Sport, but now a chain was used instead of gears for the valve system, along with a more powerful Bosch starter motor with the solenoid mounted on top of the starter. What the V7 Sport, 750S, and 750S-3 had in common was the low frame. To get the old V7 engine to fit into the sporty chassis, the generator was moved down to the crankshaft. This solution allowed for a lower engine block so that the engine could fit in the frame.

Comparing the 750S with its predecessor, the V7Sport, it is clear that the latter has a more angular design. This was in line with Alejandro De Tomaso's idea that the V7Sport was old-fashioned, and that a more modern and forward-looking design was now needed. Round and soft shapes were replaced by long straight lines, and chrome was replaced by black details.

If we compare the 750S with its predecessor, the V7Sport, it's clear that the latter got a more angular design. This was completely in line with Alejandro De Tomaso's idea that the V7Sport was old-fashioned, and that a more modern and forward-looking design was now necessary. The round and soft design was replaced by long straight lines, and chrome was replaced by black details.

As mentioned, the 750S was only produced in 1974, making it a relatively rare roadster from Moto Guzzi . The 750S was followed by the 750S-3 in 1975.

As mentioned, the 750S was only produced in 1974, which makes it a relatively rare roadster from Moto Guzzi . The 750S was followed up by the 750S-3 in 1975.

Moto Guzzi factory engineers were engaged in what we can best call R&D, and the three roadsters V7Sport, 750S, and 750S-3 paved the way for the Le Mans legend.

The engineers at the Moto Guzzi factory were doing what we can best call R&D, and the three roadsters V7Sport, 750S, and 750S-3 paved the way for the legendary Le Mans.

Throughout the 1970s, sales figures for motorcycle manufacturers rose, the brand and model range became increasingly large, and this is definitely the decade in which the modern superbikes were "conceived".

Into the 1970s, sales curves for motorcycle manufacturers were rising, the brand and model selection kept getting bigger, and this is definitely the decade when the modern superbikes were 'conceived'.

Models like Kawasaki Z900, Honda CB750Four and Suzuki GT750 were, together with BMW R90/S, the aforementioned models from Moto Guzzi , and the SS series from Ducati , a new generation of motorcycles. However, the new generation followed a dividing line: the price tag.

Models like the Kawasaki Z900, Honda CB750Four, and Suzuki GT750, along with the BMW R90/S, the mentioned models from Moto Guzzi , and Ducati 's SS series, were a new generation of motorcycles. However, the new generation followed a dividing line: the price tag.

The European machines cost a fortune compared to the Japanese ones. As a result, they acquired an aura of "exclusivity", which is also reflected in today's used market. A Moto Guzzi 750S is rarely very bargainable, if you are lucky enough to find one on the used market at all!

The European bikes cost a lot compared to the Japanese ones. Because of that, they got an aura of 'exclusivity,' which is still reflected in today's used market. A Moto Guzzi 750S is rarely negotiable if you're even lucky enough to find one on the used market!

• Technical data Moto Guzzi 750S, 1974 model:
• Engine: 2-cylinder 4-stroke, transverse v-twin, OHV
• Displacement: 748 cc
• Power: 62 hp at 6900 rpm.
• No. of gears: 5
• Front tires: 3.25 x 18
• Rear tires: 3.50 x 18
• Tank: 21 liters
• Weight: 206 kg (dry)
• Top speed: 204 km/h