V7III Stone - with painted sidecovers/fender - Now Blue too

[Kev m]

Eric,

So we were talking on Sunday about what you want to do paint wise, matching the fenders and sidecovers to the tank.

Here are a couple of quick Photo-Chops I just made from the pic you posted earlier.

One with the sidecover more like on the Specials, and one with the sidecover the way I think you described it.

It's a quick job so the color match isn't perfect, but I hope it gives you the idea. I think they both look pretty good. I wasn't sold on your idea until I saw it, but now it makes sense:

[Kev m]

Personally I think the Stones would look so much better if they bothered to do this from the factory. Like night and day better. And I LIKE the blacked out look of the Stones. I just can't forgive them cutting corners by making the fenders and sidecovers nothing but black.

[Phoneyflounder]

It looks great.
Just an aside, what is the windshield? Does it help much with buffeting etc. It also, looks great.

[Kev m]

Just an aside, what is the windshield? Does it help much with buffeting etc. It also, looks great.

The Standard Dart flyscreen.

SHORT ANSWER - it's very personal. Depends on you (height) and how the bike's ergos fit you (reach to the bars, tilt of back etc.), and to some extent your choice of gear (type of helmet etc.). So it's really tough to say one shield works or doesn't for any particular bike.

LONG ANSWER:

Here's what Eric things (from the Milano thread):

I find the Dart pushed just a touch of turbulence into my helmet so I may lower it just a bit. Otherwise the V7 it's pretty much a perfect ride for me.

Met Kev for Sunday breakfast and his set up looks good.

Here's my "Roughed up" Stone (tires, taller suspension, and cosmetics):

Here's what I posted (in that same thread):

So I've been back and forth with the V7 and some form of shield since I bought it.

Because I generally prefer an open face helmet I have struggled to find the right solution.

Used a Dart flyscreen at first.

Moved to the pinelands and realized I was riding everywhere at highway speeds and tried a Dart Marlin.

Both were good, but not really ideal for constant highway speeds and an open face helmet.

Tried this fairing (inexpensive take-off from a board member here, used to be a on Jackal I believe), and it was more of the same.



THAT IS, until yesterday, when I broke down and wore my Nolan N44 with the large (removable) face shield. And BAMN.

It was damn near perfect.

Like the Dart and Marlin before it the fairing keeps most of the air off my chest, but leaves my face largely in clean air.

Add the Nolan face shield and I can ride at highway speeds with it positioned to allow some venting or basically blocking everything. PERFECT.

So yes, I'm happy with this (and I like the looks better than the Dart or Marlin), but I probably would have been happy with the Dart or Marlin too if I wore a FF or had tried this damn Nolan sooner.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I think it looks ok without bags too:

[TimmyTheHog]

that yellow fender paint looks so slick!

that and maybe matte green...hmm...ideas ideas...

[Unkept]

So much better.

I really like the blue on the stone, but I loathe the overuse of black.

Make the blue glossy, on all bodywork, with silver drivetrain and wheels please! :)

[egschade]

Make the blue glossy, on all bodywork, with silver drivetrain and wheels please! :)

Um, Isn't that the Special in Blue?

[Kev m]

Um, Isn't that the Special in Blue?

There's a blue Stone.

If it were me I'd want the blue Stone, with gloss paint, and fenders/covers painted to match.

[Guzzistajohn]

I have a dart hanging in the garage if anyone needs one.

[Unkept]

There's a blue Stone.

If it were me I'd want the blue Stone, with gloss paint, and fenders/covers painted to match.

+1

I would prefer cast over wire wheels. The Special does have the tach which is nice, but the Stone is the better value, and I'd prefer the back pipes over chrome.

[egschade]

+1

I would prefer cast over wire wheels. The Special does have the tach which is nice, but the Stone is the better value, and I'd prefer the back pipes over chrome.

Wait a bit and you can probably pick up a nice, barely used Stone. Toss on the tank and side covers from a blue Special and you're pretty much there.

I liked the idea of having a tach enough that I inquired about adding one to the Stone. Was told that I would need a different wiring harness as the Stone and Specials are different. That doesn't make sense to me...

Here's a wheel treatment that I'm tempted to replicate using silver. Maybe try it with tape first before committing to paint.


 

[Kev m]

OK, for your morning perusal and debate I give you 2 studies in Yellow (with variations of what other than the tank is painted - fenders, sidecovers, and how the covers are done):

First a photochopped pic of Eric's actual bike

Stock:



Sidecovers like the Special:



Sidecovers in negative of Special



Sidecovers full:




From this angle I still think I prefer the sidecovers in negative from the special scheme, but the full doesn't look to bad.

Next study will be the factory side-shot so we can see the rear fender in Yellow, and that changes things for me slightly.

[Kev m]

The Factory Side-Shot so we can see the rear fender. I apologize in advance, I was rushing this morning and didn't get the paint as close as I did yesterday. The lighting on Eric's bike vs. the studio shot made the former easier and I just ASSumed the same settings would work. By the time I started playing with the settings it was too late and I wasn't going back to redo it. But it should give the overall impression well enough (I hope).

First Stock:



Next JUST the Fenders:



Now Fenders and Sidecovers in pattern of Special:



Now Fenders and Sidecovers in negative of Special:



Now the full monty:




Well, I THINK seeing the rear fender with the full sidecovers painted is a bit too much for me and though I liked it with the 3/4 shot (or it might not be bad with say HB bags installed), I don't like it from the side with no bags!

If it were me I think I'd go with Eric's awesome original idea and do the sidecovers in negative of what the Special gets. That solid black panel helps with extra contrast between the tank and the rest of the sidecover. It accentuates that horizontal line that's parallel to the tank and frame. But still adds that splash of color on the vertical and angular surfaces. Man now I want a Blue Stone to do all this to IRL!

[Cam3512]

I prefer the side covers done up like the special.

[TimmyTheHog]

@Kev M

You just created 4 more models for Guzzi!!! *sarcasm jab at Harley *

But really, I really like how the special side cover theme looks with the front and rear painted fender...

I just think makes the bike more........finishe d in some ways...

[Kev m]

I think I might need to work up a Blue Stone tomorrow. But I would prefer to work with an outside shot with natural light over a studio pic. Hmmm, we'll see.


PS - I totally agree, makes them look much better/more finished. Come on Piaggio, pay attention to this one.

[JACoH]

For all you who like the polished look over the matte, all you need to do is polish the matte parts.  I had a matte white Kawasaki Z650 last year, and used some Meguiar's ultimate polishing compound on the tank and fender, and it shined like new.  Also, applying some clearcoat should bring out the color shine.

[jas67]

Personally I think the Stones would look so much better if they bothered to do this from the factory. Like night and day better. And I LIKE the blacked out look of the Stones. I just can't forgive them cutting corners by making the fenders and sidecovers nothing but black.

Agreed 100%.   The stones as they sell them are TOO blacked out.   Aside from the fuel tank, fork stanchions, foot and hand controls, the entire bike is flat black.

The first of the pics Kev did make the bike WAY better looking, enough so, I could likely live with the flat paint to get the mags.   I do still like having a tach though (which, of course, is absent on the Stone).

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Nice job Kev. Love that color! And with all the fenders and side covers painted, it looks awesome!!!

[jas67]

I prefer the side covers done up like the special.

+1

AND, I actually prefer the rear fender in black like the special.

[Rhodan]

From the stock photo, I vote for the Negative of the Special.  I like the extra heft it gives the middle of the bike, blending with the seat.
From the 3/4 real life photo:  Preference to the Special.  2nd choice would be the Negative of the Special.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Nice job Kev. Love that color! And with all the fenders and side covers painted, it looks awesome!!!

I agree, perhaps Guzzi got this one right, ship it out in black and let the customer finish it off to their personal taste.

 

[Muzz]

Fenders and side covers in negative of Special for me.

Looks way better than original.

[roadscum]

Nice work Kev.. 

I like that yellow Stone, especially with the reverse Special sside cover. I'm thinking the same treatment of the blue Stone is in order. I'm partial to blue bikes, got 3 of them in the garage now.....

Paul

[willowstreetguzziguy]

The color reminds me in a way of my 1975 BMW R90S! I'm a fan of painted fenders and side covers.

[twowheeladdict]

Call it the yellow jacket, the hornet, or the bumblebee.

[egschade]

Now if Guzzi or some aftermarket will produce the 'Giallo Energico' paint. Can't find it online and the dealer says they can't get it.

Local body shop wants nearly $200 to 'try' and mix up a matching color and won't consider doing the painting.

Suggestions?

[jas67]

Now if Guzzi or some aftermarket will produce the 'Giallo Energico' paint. Can't find it online and the dealer says they can't get it.

Local body shop wants nearly $200 to 'try' and mix up a matching color and won't consider doing the painting.

Suggestions?

Paint the fuel tank too, then it will match.

[egschade]

Paint the fuel tank too, then it will match.

A valid option but I would prefer not to as 1) I ride the bike daily and a tank paint would pull it off the road for too long and 2) I like the tank just as it is so why deal with the time and cost of draining, preparing and painting it? I'm disappointed that Guzzi doesn't seem to make the paint available and that the after market has yet to provide an answer. Painting a fender and side covers should be pretty simple...

[Kev m]

OK, couldn't resist doing this with a blue Stone! I LIKE - A LOT....

Stock:



Fenders:




Fenders w/ negative Sidecovers:




Fenders w/ Special Sidecovers:




Full Monte: