Build your own Guzzi

[vstevens]

If you had the skills, tools, resources, etc. to build your own Guzzi, what kind of frame, wheels and tires, suspension, engine, electrics, seat would you use?  Do you start with the seat or the engine or the frame?  I'm especially curious to hear from the builders and mechanics in the Guzzi  community.

[Idontwantapickle]

OK, I'll bite.
Currently this is the crazy s#@t I would do:

Loop frame and tank. EV or similar front forks/brakes. Now, hold onto yer hat: V7 II or III drivetrain.
The rest is just details.
Other than that it'd be a 1400 Griso but the Mad Aussie has done it already!

Hunter

[Tusayan]

I would buy a new V85TT, remove the stock electrical system, ABS, throttle by wire, existing instrument pod, EFI computer, CANBUS, exhaust etc and replace all of the above with a very basic off road race style setup with directly owner programmable/tunable open loop EFI.  Unless you looked close, the bike would be visually identical but it would be a bit lighter and easily maintainable anywhere, by anybody, indefinitely.

[normzone]

Didn't somebody here do one of these a few years ago?

If I recall correctly, monoshock frame with late model engine but carbs and big fuel tank - sounded like the best of all worlds.

[guzzisteve]

I'm building my 84 LeMans3 into a bit more modern bike. Sport 1100 C front-end & brakes, modified swinarm. Sport 1100 C wheels so I can have modern radials.  I even have a Jackal block to go w/EFI if I want. BUT the ultimate would be like Mr Roper made !!!!
A 14 Griso

[LowRyter]

1)  I'd wring some HP and reliability out of my V11 Sport.
2)  I'd build a full on LeMans/Sport out of the 1400.

[ritratto]

1)  I'd wring some HP and reliability out of my V11 Sport.
2)  I'd build a full on LeMans/Sport out of the 1400.

#2.... add Olins suspension front and back and you get a chicken dinner!

[twowheeladdict]

Sounds like a winter thread.   

I'd start with the V85 engine.  The engine is what makes it a Moto Guzzi IMO.

Then since we are dreaming here I would design a monocoque chassis style frame with it's shaft drive and rear suspension linkage derived from the Kawasaki Concours or Triumph Trophy SE. Of course the chassis would be custom designed around the V85 engine.   Shocks and forks would be Ohlins with 5 inches of travel. and electronic adjustment.

Riding position would be more standard than the Concours and the bike would be as naked as possible while aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

It would have full brembo ABS brakes front and rear, at least 20 spoke cast wheels and run sport touring tires. 

[Shorty]

 1) Nothing too complicated. Possibly a Mille GT or a T5  (16 in wheels, converted to tubeless car type tires) with a wide metal sidecar, leading link front end. Disk brake on the car, possibly linked to rear brake on bike. High power charging system with powerful lights and horn, and outlets for 12v accessories. Swapable car bodies to haul either passengers or cargo. Some type of G5 seat, Swannee fairing. Put floorboards on it. If I had a guru to keep it running, I'd rather have a Convert tug.  Much more enjoyable to not have to shift a sidecar. Too much trouble for me to work on it. 

2) The elusive modernized Loop frame monsterbike.. Something like Greg Field built. Classic, comfortable, fast.

[cliffrod]

I'm doing exactly that, building a V700 complete chassis and engine into a replica of the Tonti-built 1969 "World Record" Ambassadors. Not much more than photos and input from couple of wise friends to go by.  My goal isn't an exact replica, but close & will be a street bike.  The last year has been spent gathering info, materials and new & used parts with more still needed as budget allows.  Tank and seat are in clay and well resolved.  I began patterning for a buck for the rear fender this week and plan to begin patterning the tank and seat for bucks asap.  After all fabrication is done, I'll address the engine   A build thread is planned.

Bike details- 1967 V700 frame, forks, swing arm, 18" borranis w/ stock brakes and engine.  upgrade to 750 with new cylinder kit, 30 or 32 dellortos, alternator and top solenoid starter. Fabrication plans include- intakes, aluminum tank, seat, rear fender and eventually full fairing, entire exhaust, alloy headlight ears for original long headlight, rear sets and some frame mods per original Record bikes. 

It's exactly the kind of sculpture/motorcycle project that I've wanted to do for a very long time.  It will be the perfect predecessor-partner to my V7 Sport.

[Roebling3]

I'd have to be @ least 30 years younger, but as long as we're dreaming: Find a low mileage Griso, with its few problems solved, and drop an Ipothyses,com  body kit on it. Maybe paint it like my V7 III. Red frame, cream wheels, grizzly bear brown body parts, brown seat w/suede insert & red stitching. Bold red checkerboard on each side.   R3~ 

[guzzista]

My next home made Guzzi is already in the works. Short neck Tonti frame with square fin medium valve size motor, with manicured barrels and heads. LM 1 replica tank, stainless fenders . Reworked forks with Honda damper rods. Spoked wheels, 4 piston Brembos in front .Something along the lines of a 1000S with tasteful liberties taken .Guzzi's interchange of parts ability makes it a lot of fun to mix and match to get the combination one wants. The hard thing is to surpass the style benchmark that  originated in Mandello.

[Turin]

I did this. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82621.0 I'd still like to find a set of Astralite wheels.

[cliffrod]

I did this. https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=82621.0 I'd still like to find a set of Astralite wheels.

Thanks for the link- very cool.

[JBBenson]