Year
Bike
Picture
Description
1978
1978 Moto Guzzi 1000SP
1980
1980 Moto Guzzi SP1000
V-Twin, air-cooled.
1980
Moto Guzzi SP1000
948cc, 65bhp.
1981
Moto Guzzi SP1000 NT Tourer
1982
Moto Guzzi Spada Royale
1983
1983 Moto Guzzi 1000SP Mk2
The V-Twin in the SP is 948.8cc. Bore is 88mm, stroke is 78mm. Cylinders are angled 90 degree apart, sticking out to the sides of the motorcycle. Between the cylinders is a single camshaft, shoving pushrods that move rocker arms that open the two valves in each cylinder. The camshaft is run by a duplex chain on the front of the engine, a chain that also spins the oil pump. A pair of contact breaker points in a housing on top of the engine controls ignition.
1983
Moto Guzzi 1000 Spada
1988
1988 Moto Guzzi 1000SP Mk3
IT looks like being a case of "third time lucky" for Moto Guzzi's Spada III. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer's third attempt at a gentleman's tourer with a bit of oomph is by far its most successful. The original Spada, which came out in 1979, was let down by a poor quality of finish. Paint flaked and exhausts rusted quicker than was acceptable. The original Spada also had a spartan seat which was uncomfortable for both rider and passenger. But the pillion was doubly uncomfortable because upswept exhausts reduced leg room to a minimum. The Spada II, discontinued at the end of 1987, was a contradiction in terms.