Hearing the Call(?)

[DrMikey]

I've been a BMW guy for nearly 30 years, but have always had a fondness for Moto Guzzi.  Have a friend who has a stable with both marques; he seems to be more of a Guzzi rider (his BMW's have had 3 or 4 cylinders and might not actually count).  I remember riding one of his V-twins back a decade and a half ago.  I think it was a 750 or 850 naked, rebuilt and painted.  Not sure of the model.  Around a decade before that, a friend let me ride her 650 Lario (?).  I liked both.

Fast forward to 2012.  I'm looking for a project- a cafe bike to do short rides in the driftless area of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Iowa.  Moto Guzzi is at the top of the list.  I'd also consider Ducati or Triumph.  But to this group, my question is which models would make a good platform for a cafe bike?  The basic shape I have in mind is the V7 Cafe Classic.  It may include a flyscreen, but would otherwise be naked.  Staying at or below 850cc, preferably 500 to 750cc for weight's sake would be preferable.  Going back to, say, 1995, are there any models that one should avoid due to reliability problems?  Any of them absolutely better than others?  

Anyone going to the Minnesota Guzzi Rally in August (or the Wisconsin Rally?)

[WitchCityBallabio]

I used a 1979 V1000 G5 as my base. Nice motor and that wonderful Tonti frame.

[DrMikey]

I used a 1979 V1000 G5 as my base. Nice motor and that wonderful Tonti frame.

   

[stromgal]

Good gawd that's lovely.  

[DrMikey]

Just out of curiosity, how much does it weigh?

[WitchCityBallabio]

I haven't weighed it, but if I had to guess, I would say possibly around the 425-450 range.