Thanks Matt. I didn't have a V7, I had a LeMans CX100 which is a de-tuned LeMans with an SP1000 motor. Believe me, I don't think I could own a bike that needed more maintenance than my MG. Fantastic, indestructable motor with really lousy electrics. A mix of Weber-Marelli, Lucas. I love the concept of the Guzzis and today's are vastly improved over my 1979 model. But, she was top-heavy as MG used the same frame for their sport bikes as for the tourers at the time. She handled lousy and she was exhausting to ride. You can imagine what skinny cafe' bars and tires do to the handling of what is esentially, a heavy tourer. Nevertheless, I had her for 15 years. Some say "Never had one break" and others say " Never had one run right". Not my intention to put you off MG at all, just conveying my experience. If you don't mind the maintenance, then no problem, and the V7 is not a cafe' setup, so much better ergonomics.
As I said, I'm at the point where speed is not a factor and I have looked at RE for a long time. I want to get one now before the unitized motors take over and they don't appeal to me at all. I think they look like any universal Japanese twin from the 60's, (minus a cylinder), and that dissapoints me. Never had a Brit, (no matter where it's built), and really looking forward to it. I should have my new Deluxe in black, home in about two weeks!
Cheers!