V7 Racer Build

[JoeW]

Last fall I got a call from a client wanting his 2014 V7 Racer "faster and louder" I asked him how loud he said "LOUDER!" I contacted Todd from Guzzi Tech and opted for the 2 into 1 with the shorty muffler. I then pulled the heads, clayed the combustion chamber and sent them and one piston to a friend that runs a performance cylinder head shop. He worked a little magic and increased flow through the heads by 14% average from .05" to .40" of lift. The customer than sent me a picture of a racer with the side panels removed and a polished aluminum bump seat. This is what I came up with...

The seat isn't finished, I have done the final fitting and will send it back to the fabricator next week. This weekend, I'm putting a few miles on the bike to make sure it's ready for it's dyno run.

I've installed an LED tail light but, yesterday found a strip light that will follow the contour of the seat pan.
 

[kevdog3019]

That's interesting to flow the heads.  My Guzzi buddy that has had his and others heads flowed by reputable sources tells me it's the best bang for your buck with a Guzzi.  But... those were all BB engines.  So... you'll have to tell us your findings on this racer.  I'm sure Pete will chime in when he gets up. 

Let us know dyno results and seat of the pants as well.  Did you take dyno numbers before? 

[JeffOlson]

That looks great!

[Mark West]

If you could find a way to get the same finish on the tank as the seat, it'd look awesome. The chrome tanks look kinda cheesy to me.

[Zinfan]

If you could find a way to get the same finish on the tank as the seat, it'd look awesome. The chrome tanks look kinda cheesy to me.

Agreed.  Also I'd ditch the fork gaiters and do the front fender to match the seat.  Interesting look though, I'm sure it is quite loud with that exhaust setup, ecu reprogramed?  Oh and since I'm not spending my monies I'd lower the gauges as well.

[O]

If you could find a way to get the same finish on the tank as the seat, it'd look awesome.

Yes!  That would be gorgeous!

[tonUPRacer]

was this your client's inspiration?

[JoeW]

was this your client's inspiration?

YUP! He didn't want to spend the money to de-tab the frame. I did have the ECU programmed and the plan is to polish the seat pan to get as close to the tank as possible. 

[JeffOlson]

I agree on lowering the gauges.

[O]

...the plan is to polish the seat pan to get as close to the tank as possible.

The brushed look of the seat pan is great.  If the owner wanted to, would it be possible to give the brushed aluminum look to the chromed tank, or would it be more trouble than it's worth?

[Chuck in Indiana]

The brushed look of the seat pan is great.  If the owner wanted to, would it be possible to give the brushed aluminum look to the chromed tank, or would it be more trouble than it's worth?

I don't know of any way to do that.. maybe somebody does?

[pyoungbl]

I then pulled the heads, clayed the combustion chamber and sent them and one piston to a friend that runs a performance cylinder head shop. He worked a little magic and increased flow through the heads by 14% average from .05" to .40" of lift.

Since the stock single TB V7 cranks our 39 hp at the rear wheel I'm guessing that this mod will up that by 10% at most.  Let's say 4 RWHP.  I suspect that the change will be most noted from 6K rpm on up, putting a bit or reality into the 'Racer' name.  The before and after dyno results will be very interesting.

Peter Y.

[Kev m]

Hey Joe, who are you using for ECM programming and how are they doing it?

[canuck750]

Looks fantastic and I bet it sounds pretty darn good as well.

Jim

[lorazepam]

I don't know of any way to do that.. maybe somebody does?

[flangeman_70]

I don't know of any way to do that.. maybe somebody does?

Why not vinyl wrap the whole lot? It is available in brushed stainless/alloy.

[JoeW]

OK, It's finally done. The customer is picking it up tomorrow. Here's a review of the mods done...
 I removed the heads and sent them to a friend that does Mopar heads but, is a bike guy. He increased the flow by and average if 14% across the range from 0.05" to 0.40" of lift. The exhaust system as well as the ECM re-mapping was done by Todd Egan of Guzzi Tech. I removed the air box and installed a K&N air filter and a catch can. The seat pan was hand made by Dave at Spence Industries in Wisconsin, seat upholstered by Jon Revilla "The Seat Guy", LED tail light from Analog Cycles. Once the TPS was reset, heads retorqued and valves adjusted after several heating cycles, I returned to the same Ducati dealer where it ran 42.73 HP and 39.05 ft lbs of torque. Modest but, 10% increase is still an increase. Seat of the pants, is awesome! It growls and hits red line way too quickly. I also reduce the weight by about 18 lbs. Most of the savings being the exhaust and the Shorai battery.
Dyno results...

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

nice! looks good. Too bad he doesnt want to cut the frame tabs, but at least he can still go back to stock side covers etc....

For another $200 that gauge & headlight lowering kit would be stellar

[Perazzimx14]

I don't know of any way to do that.. maybe somebody does?

Scotchbrite pad.

[Petrus Rocks]

Beautiful bike!  I enjoyed the details of the engine mods.  An aluminum accent to hide the tabs could be light and cleaner looking.  Round bar stock with mounting tabs welded on.  Keeps the open air look.

[Scorpione]

One thing this build does expose is the very ugly (IMHO) swingarm on the left side. 

[SteveAZ]

Cool bike. Pretty much down to the last man, the small block contingent here are continuously impressive do some very interesting things with these bikes, both the older rides and the new V7.  Always interesting to read and see what can be done with the platform especially considering the lower level of "common knowledge" out there on these bikes.

I think it's good that he left the tabs, sure it's not quite as clean but it's always nice to change up bodywork as the mood strikes. Good job blending seat and tank finishes as well given that the stock tank didn't leave you with easy work there.

Thanks for posting dyno pics. That's always good bench racing fuel

[kevdog3019]

Cool bike. Pretty much down to the last man, the small block contingent here are continuously impressive do some very interesting things with these bikes, both the older rides and the new V7.  Always interesting to read and see what can be done with the platform especially considering the lower level of "common knowledge" out there on these bikes.

I think it's good that he left the tabs, sure it's not quite as clean but it's always nice to change up bodywork as the mood strikes. Good job blending seat and tank finishes as well given that the stock tank didn't leave you with easy work there.

Thanks for posting dyno pics. That's always good bench racing fuel

Well, it's true you might get the impression from some that all is lost with these small bikes and tweaking them is fruitless. I'm sorry, but this mentality is just wrong.  There's more around the corner with gains that can be had.  Just wait...

Pretty cool bike!  I agree on the gauges being up there a bit too high.  Easy remedy.