The Moto Guzzi 1000 SP was made at Mandello del Lario from 1977 to 1985. It was the faired, long-distance version of the 1000 cc V-twin range and a direct answer to the BMW R100RS, which was taking sales from the Italian firm in the touring market.
Moto Guzzi 1000 SP at a glance
| Maker | Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Production | 1977–1985 |
| Name | SP stands for Super Protezione, super protection |
| Engine | transverse V-twin, 1000 cc, from the V1000 G5 and I-Convert |
| Frame | Lino Tonti large series frame |
| Fairing | developed in the Moto Guzzi wind tunnel |
| Instruments | speedometer, rev counter, clock and voltmeter |
| Updated versions | SP NT 1980, SP II 1984, SP III |
| SP II change | 16-inch front wheel, also used on the 850 T5 and Le Mans 1000 |
| SP III | PHF 36 carburettors, Motoplat ignition, steel brake discs, low-fuel warning light |
The English Wikipedia has no article on the 1000 SP; this page is based on the Italian articles on the 1000 SP and the related V1000 G5.
History of the Moto Guzzi 1000 SP
The 1000 SP was designed for long journeys at high average speeds, and commercially it was meant to stop BMW’s R100RS from eating into Moto Guzzi’s share of the touring market. Its name comes from Super Protezione, a reference to the screen and fairing that made it the dressed version of the earlier 1000 G5. The fairing was worked out in the wind tunnel Moto Guzzi had built in the 1950s for racing and which had been left half unused after most Italian factories withdrew from competition. The result was a highly protective screen, also fitted to the 850 T4 in 1980, and a partial fairing that shielded the rider’s legs while improving cooling of the engine.
The engine was essentially the one of the V1000 I-Convert and V1000 G5, and the frame was Lino Tonti’s large series design that underpinned most of the Mandello production. The first series of the V1000 SP introduced Gilnisil-coated cylinders, a galvanically applied silicon alloy from the Mandello cylinder supplier Gilardoni that gave longer life and closer piston fits, with less oil consumption. The 1000 SP also brought a completely new instrument panel with a clock and a voltmeter beside the usual speedometer and rev counter.
SP NT, SP II and SP III
The first series was followed in 1980 by the 1000 SP NT, Nuovo Tipo, with detail changes to the styling: chromed instead of black silencers running almost straight, improved tuning and new colours including two white and red schemes and grey and dark blue metallics. The SP II of 1984 brought square finning on the cylinders, new colours, a more modern front mudguard, new cast footrest plates and, above all, a 16-inch front wheel to improve handling; the same change was applied to the 850 T5 and Le Mans 1000 of the period. It made road holding noticeably worse, and many owners went back privately to the 18-inch wheel. The side stand was also moved from the front of the crankcase to the left footrest plate, a change that owners appreciated.
The SP III was a completely new motorcycle, with tank lines close to the 850 T5 and 750, medium-size valves as on the 850 Le Mans, PHF 36 carburettors, Motoplat electronic ignition and a full fairing fixed to the frame that protected even tall riders. It also had a low-fuel warning light in the dashboard, large rigid panniers as standard and integral braking with steel discs, described by the Italian Wikipedia as a forerunner of ABS. Alongside it, the V1000 G5 was built from 1979 to 1985 in 3,857 examples, about 3,000 of them for the military, and differed from the 1000 SP mainly in riding position and aerodynamic protection.
Design and features
- Wind-tunnel fairing: a screen and bodywork developed in Moto Guzzi’s own tunnel, protecting the legs as well as the rider.
- Proven V-twin: the 1000 cc engine of the V1000 G5 and I-Convert in the Tonti frame.
- Gilnisil cylinders: the first Guzzi series with the coated cylinders made by Gilardoni.
- Tourer equipment: clock, voltmeter and, on the SP III, rigid panniers and a low-fuel light.
- Integral braking: on the SP III, the foot pedal worked the rear brake and one front disc.
Moto Guzzi 1000 SP versions
- 1000 SP (1977–1980): the first series with the three-piece fairing and 18-inch front wheel.
- 1000 SP NT (1980): chrome silencers, improved tuning and new two-tone colours.
- 1000 SP II (1984): square cylinder finning, 16-inch front wheel, new mudguard and footrest plates.
- 1000 SP III: new model with PHF 36 carburettors, electronic ignition and a frame-mounted fairing.
- V1000 G5 (1979–1985): unfaired stablemate, 3,857 built, about 3,000 of them for the military.
The 1000 SP belongs to the big-block Guzzi family described in the California article, and its air-cooled V-twin was also used in the faired Le Mans. More machines are in the Moto Guzzi collection.
Video: Moto Guzzi 1000 SP Lafranconi Sound auf Bergrennstrecke Happurg
Video by Jörg Müller on YouTube.
Sources
- Moto Guzzi 1000 SP, Italian Wikipedia: history, fairing, SP NT, SP II and SP III
- Moto Guzzi V1000 G5, Italian Wikipedia: engine origin, production numbers, military orders
