Rocker59's V7 Special Thread

[MariusD]

The the forks are Kaifa.  Matris makes kits for them.

Available in the USA from AF1 and Guzzitech.+

I need to double-check mine for the Kaifa "K" mark on the fork leg.  Build date for my 2014 model V7S is 7/13.

What do you figure you'll have in suspension cost after buying both front and rear?

And I have to agree with you on the Augustinis... gotta have 'em, cuz nothing else sounds like them on a GUZZI! 

[rocker59]

What do you figure you'll have in suspension cost after buying both front and rear?

And I have to agree with you on the Augustinis... gotta have 'em, cuz nothing else sounds like them on a GUZZI! 

If I do the labor on the fork upgrade myself, $700 to $2000 depending upon my pain level.

Ikon shocks are about $350
Several choices in the $700 to $1500 range
Penske shocks are about $1700

The Matris fork kit is about $365.

Penske makes some NICE shocks!   

[Mile High Guzzi]

Rocker, congrats...I had the pleasure of riding LongRangers V7 Classic before he sold it, and I thought it was a very nice ride, light and plenty of power (at least in solo mode), but the suspension could have used some improvement, but I appreciate it is a price point thing from the factory.  At 200++ lbs, the factory fork springs especially were too soft, a problem I have with most bikes as I prefer minimal dive under hard braking.

[kingoffleece]

Gerry and I had our bikes set up at the same shop where we bought them.
I also have a RaceTech kit up front.  At the end of the season I'll have the shop owner go down one on the spring rate-it's just a bit stiff for my 200lbs.  I also had this shop have Ohlins make me shocks after I found the BiTurbo product unacceptable.  The Ohlins solution is quite nice but the price is just about out of sight.

[gerryp]

Gerry and I had our bikes set up at the same shop where we bought them.
I also have a RaceTech kit up front.  At the end of the season I'll have the shop owner go down one on the spring rate-it's just a bit stiff for my 200lbs.  I also had this shop have Ohlins make me shocks after I found the BiTurbo product unacceptable.  The Ohlins solution is quite nice but the price is just about out of sight.

That's what so great about this bike...there is so much that can be done to make it the perfect bike for YOU.

The one thing wish I had done was to have the ecu re-flashed.  I'll have the shop take care of that at season end.

[MariusD]

If I do the labor on the fork upgrade myself, $700 to $2000 depending upon my pain level.

Ikon shocks are about $350
Several choices in the $700 to $1500 range
Penske shocks are about $1700

The Matris fork kit is about $365.

Penske makes some NICE shocks!   

Thanks.

So really it sounds like you could make a marked improvement in the bike's suspension in just doing these two: 

Ikon shocks are about $350
The Matris fork kit is about $365.

so about $800 or so, to start.

To me, the high dollar stuff is only worth it if you're trying to squeeze every ounce of performance and adjustability, if you are competitively racing or something. Otherwise,  improvement per dollar spent might make better sense with the mid grade options. Hopefully there is something more reasonably priced for the purpose of a comfortable daily street bike.

I'll be very curious to see what you decide.

I still can't get over your the silver/black special... I mean...  !

Don't feel bad about spoiling us with pictures!

MOAR

[mjptexas]

..Ikon shocks are about $350
Several choices in the $700 to $1500 range
Penske shocks are about $1700

The Matris fork kit is about $365.

Penske makes some NICE shocks!   

Looks like you're doing a fair amount of research.  Did you find any Ohlins shocks that will fit?

[tonUPRacer]

is the Matris fork kit the only thing available at the moment?  That's just a stiffer spring and the ability to adjust the preload without sawing off the spacer.  It's that damn antique damper rod arrangement that needs to go.  I hope Racetech comes up with an emulator soon.

I was under that impression as well, but I was informed by Todd at GuzziTech that it also has oil-flow regulator holes. I put in the Matris kit and weight rated springs, worth the money IMHO>

[Waltr]

  The Matris kit for my Norge works VERY well.  I cannot report how it worked alone because I had the KE+ID MatriS shock installed at the same time.  I wanted to be able to use all the travel in the front so I asked to have a compliant front end vs. too stiff.  Spring rates are perfect and I found Matris to be very responsive to request.  We will match prices and ship within US for free <SPAM>.
Walt, EUROPA MACCHINA 717-932-6600.   

[Waltr]

  The Matris kit for my Norge works VERY well.  I cannot report how it worked alone because I had the KE+ID MatriS shock installed at the same time.  I wanted to be able to use all the travel in the front so I asked to have a compliant front end vs. too stiff.  Spring rates are perfect and I found Matris to be very responsive to request.  We will match prices and ship within US for free <SPAM>.
Walt, EUROPA MACCHINA 717-932-6600.   

[kingoffleece]

If you're asking about the Ohlins they used Sportster shock bodies with reservoir and customized them from there for the V7.
I needed to find spacers as they were out to lunch on what they supplied.

[LaGrasta]

it's not been mentioned… I'm running Wilbers shocks and Traxxion AK-20 cartridges in the forks.

[rocker59]

I spent a little time in the garage today...

Installed the Norman Hyde M Bars, heavy bar ends, and the Hepco + Becker racks.












I was put off a bit by the cost of the H+B racks, but since I have two sets of panniers and a top box, it only made sense to go that route.  The build quality is very good.  Better than older H+B racks I've had.  Nice welds, and a nice black finish.  They installed quickly and easily, and I think the black finish is much less obtrusive than the chrome finish.

The Norman Hyde M Bars are great!  They have a 1" rise and put my hands in a very natural position, not unlike the clipons I'm used to on my spine-frame bikes, but well above the triple clamp.  A very natural, comfortable position.  The bars are wider than stock, allowing the stock mirrors to be much more useful.  I've had bar end mirrors on one bike, and they just aren't really my thing.  I love the look, but not the function.  I'm glad the OEM mirrors function so well on the Norman Hyde bars.

The Norman Hyde bars don't have plugs, so I picked up some universal bar ends that weigh about 10-oz each.  We'll see how well they work.  They're a little heavier than stock, so should do a good job with any vibes that come through the bars.


H+B Racks: $623.42
Handlebars: $59.95
Bar Ends:  $29.95

[Kev m]

If it makes you feel any better, I probably paid similar amounts for the chrome HB racks, then paid MORE to have them powdercoated because they didn't have the black finish available then. 

[dl.allen]

looking good
how about a side shot to see if you are leaning forward to reach the bars or is it neutral upright?

[malik]

Now a few 300 mile trips to see how the ergos stack up for you & to make minor adjustments. That should be fun. Good news on the mirrors, by the way.

Rear sets helped me with a little forward lean into the wind once I took the screen off.

Mal

[pyoungbl]

Mike, I went round and round on my V7 suspension.  At the time Todd was the only game in town so I followed his recommendation for RT springs and emulators.  The initial setup was not good so it took quite a bit of back and forth to reach an acceptable solution.  In the end I am running RT .80 springs with their emulators.  The emulators are now drilled for two extra holes (come standard with two and dimples for two more).  I have 15W fork oil and might go to 12W or 10W at a later date.  If you go this route you will have to take the forks apart to get the metering rod out and drill holes in the rod.  Basically you want to bypass the stock metering system and use the emulators instead.  The stock system is really crude, the emulators give you quite a bit of adjustability.  My forks had the "K" marks.  One caution, it's really easy to munch up the stock fork caps.  I ended up modifying a socket to fit those caps:  .  That socket is available for loan if needed.

[Kentktk]

Did you loosen the bolts holding the fork tubes to the top triple clamp? It can make a difference when trying to unscrew fork caps.

[MariusD]

Nice start to the modding! Those racks look surprisingly clean on the bike. I guess the black colors blend in well. Looks great! And it's hard to beat H+B for quality anyway...

[rocker59]

Damn.  It's amazing how the aftermarket for Guzzi's V7 has changed!

Agostini's has about six options for mufflers.
Mistral has at least four options for mufflers.
Arrow has mufflers for the bikes. 
Staintune, too.

And there are probably more.

Decisions.  Decisions. 

I like the nice polished look of the Staintunes.  The price, not so much:


Mistrals aren't too bad.  They look very much like the stockers, only slimmer.:


I really like carbon mufflers, but not sure they're right for the V7:


But I like the idea of dark mufflers on my silver/grey bike, so leaning towards these Agostini's:

 
 

[MariusD]

But I like the idea of dark mufflers on my silver/grey bike, so leaning towards these Agostini's:

 
 

In my world, the only way to do a guzzi right is with Agostinis! Other pipes aren't bad, but nothing else makes guzzi's sound quiet so sweet like the Agostinis do. Not to mention those black pipes would look perfect with the color scheme of your bike. That's my vote!

[Cam3512]

I have the same color bike, and it's wearing those black Ago's.  You won't be dissappointed.

Also, the Ago's need no additional gaskets like the Mistrals.  They're half the weight of stock, and do have the removable DB killers.  Just slip them on and go.

[Cam3512]

I had those black ones on my Racer.  Very nice.  Agostini now offers these, too:



Interesting...

Those are butt-ugly, looks like a cow hoof.  I think they would interfere with the bags anyway.

[rocker59]

I had those black ones on my Racer.  Very nice.  Agostini now offers these, too:



Interesting...

Yeah.  I really like those hydro-formed Agostinis, and on the right bike I think they'd be cool.  After mulling it over during the past week, I don't think they'll work for the look I'm going for.  I really like the off-black charcoal look they gave the stainless on the muffler body

 

[rocker59]

I think they would interfere with the bags anyway.

They're available in a "low" and "high" version.  The low version looks like it would work with my H+B bags, but I think I'd rather go with something more vintage/traditional looking.

[rocker59]

In my world, the only way to do a guzzi right is with Agostinis! Other pipes aren't bad, but nothing else makes guzzi's sound quiet so sweet like the Agostinis do. Not to mention those black pipes would look perfect with the color scheme of your bike. That's my vote!

I have the same color bike, and it's wearing those black Ago's.  You won't be dissappointed.

Also, the Ago's need no additional gaskets like the Mistrals.  They're half the weight of stock, and do have the removable DB killers.  Just slip them on and go.

Yeah.  I have a soft spot for Agostini stuff, and like the idea of supporting a small Mandello Guzzi vendor.

[rocker59]

DART screen came in the mail today from The UK.  So, I spent a few minutes out in the garage.

Nice, well made, and simple construction made installation a breeze.  Not cheap at $129.95, but a very nice piece.

And, it will keep the bugs and crap off my gauge package!







 

[Zinfan]

I really like my Guzzitech 2:2 system.

[malik]

I have Staintunes on the Classic, and Mistrals on the Special. Go with the Agostinis, they really do sound great.

And I like your 1100 Sport in the background of your Dart shots.

Mal

[Kev m]

Hey Rocker, am I right that your bike originally came with a chrome handlebar, not black?