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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: schadeam on December 26, 2013, 10:14:33 AM
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Soooooo I'm contemplating building a Breva Cafe Racer. Any thoughts on where to start/where to look for parts? I'm just curious if it could be done without rebuilding the entire bike. Anyone with experience building a cafe racer, where did you get parts, what were your major design issues? Thanks in advance!
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I am not a purist, in fact I have seen some very cool "cafe racers" built from UJM of a vintage where if not for the efforts of a torch like yourself they would have wound up in the boneyard. With that said, the Breva 750 is a wonderful, and beautiful bike I might add as is. You don't see all that many of them given how current they are. The thought of a nip and tuck job on the beloved baby just breaks my heart.....and yes I own one so my intentions are well understood.
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I am not a purist, in fact I have seen some very cool "cafe racers" built from UJM of a vintage where if not for the efforts of a torch like yourself they would have wound up in the boneyard. With that said, the Breva 750 is a wonderful, and beautiful bike I might add as is. You don't see all that many of them given how current they are. The thought of a nip and tuck job on the beloved baby just breaks my heart.....and yes I own one so my intentions are well understood.
:+1
The Breva is a smallblock Guzzi, not much has changed from the 650-now. My wfe's Breva is a very nice looking bike on it's own.
That being said, I wouldn't mind a Breva 750 with long upsidedown forks... a dual sport Breva.
For "Cafe" though, there is of course the V7 Cafe', or V7 Racer... if you have to do the customization yourself, you could start with something like a Nevada and put a V7 tank, Breva tank, etc. on it if you want to go down that route.
The Breva is a nice platform with the 17" tubeless wheels. The frame has a few different tabs for body panels that are not the same on the V7 or Nevada.
The Protectors of the Baby Breva would ask that you start on a V7 though. ;)
-Joe
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See the adventure Breva is what I wanted to originally go with, but after researching it seemed like I wouldn't be able to pull it off. What would you recommend for that? Specifically in the tire/wheel regard. Is it possible to fit adventure tires on the 17" rims, or is it possible to upgrade to 18" rims without changing much in the suspension. I wouldn't be going rock crawling, but having that more aggressive look in the tire/wheel department would make the breva awesome.
I know there are breva purists out there, but the other common trend/sentence I see is "my wife's breva", which kudos to your wives, but I'm a man, on a low budget, and would like to make this bike look a little more aggressive. ;D
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NGC but the Moto Lady has an ongoing cafe project for a 1998 Duc Monster 750 going at her site...
http://themotolady.com/
Check out 'The Monster Project'
This could have as easily been done to a B750
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See the adventure Breva is what I wanted to originally go with, but after researching it seemed like I wouldn't be able to pull it off. What would you recommend for that? Specifically in the tire/wheel regard. Is it possible to fit adventure tires on the 17" rims, or is it possible to upgrade to 18" rims without changing much in the suspension. I wouldn't be going rock crawling, but having that more aggressive look in the tire/wheel department would make the breva awesome.
I know there are breva purists out there, but the other common trend/sentence I see is "my wife's breva", which kudos to your wives, but I'm a man, on a low budget, and would like to make this bike look a little more aggressive. ;D
Me too, and I've seriously thought of trading "down" from my V11 LeMans to a Breva. ;D
It's not a feminine bike, neither are Sportsers for that matter...
The Nevada is a better starting point for a "adv" Guzzi IMO. Or the V7 Classic. Wire wheels, 18" front... the Breva to wirewheel conversion isn't very cheap.
The new V7 Special with aluminum wheels would be my favorite starting point, IMHO, for a light ADV bike. They are still new and expensive compared to an older Nevada or Breva though.
-Joe
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I see is "my wife's breva", which kudos to your wives, but I'm a man, on a low budget, and would like to make this bike look a little more aggressive. Grin
Last I checked I was a dude, and my wife of 26 years does not ride,,,,a motorcycle....
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I love the look of the 750 Breva. I think it would look cool with an old style, quarter fairing and some slightly lower handlebars. If you don't plan on carrying a passenger, adding a raised hump on the rear of the seat and maybe even make the rear part of the seat a different color.
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In my opinion, Breva 750 doesn't have "that something.." to became a good Cafe Racer bike... Why? The answer is simple; The basic idea of Cafe bike is speed and power. Breva is missing both of those things...My friend have this bike, I drive Breva, so I judge accordingly to what I felt while driving that bike...I think even if you do miracle on the engine and gearbox, to get power, and spend a lot of money, other side of medal is frame and everything else with the look of bike...
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:pop
Welding may be required.
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As one of the Cafe guys here, definitely not a purist, the Breva looks like a "sport tourer" and would work well with some low bars and maybe some minor body trimming and an SS fairing, to make it a bit more "sport". But anything is possible. Tonti's lend themselves to Cafe much easier. I get many of my parts from Dime City Cycle.
Dave
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This thread cracks me up ...... ;D .........The statement above of the description of a cafe' Racer ,,,, The basic idea is speed and power ..ha ha ha But yet half of you would buy the Enfield GT ........geesh ::) ::) :BEER:
I say chop that Breva up and GO FOR IT !!!
Tim ..........
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In my opinion, Breva 750 doesn't have "that something.." to became a good Cafe Racer bike... Why? The answer is simple; The basic idea of Cafe bike is speed and power.
No, the basic idea of a café racer was to transform something with little speed and power into simmering with a bit of both, but only at the cost of being at that rabid edge of what is possible from the meager chassis/platform.
Comparing it to any modern sporting motorcycle, or basing it on one, is pointless and completely misses the purpose.
Any moron can buy something to go fast on...
and putting clip ons or a fender eliminator on a modern sport does NOT a café make.
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Kev M , I see your spell check is as screwed up as mine , or maybe that is why they called heated up motors"cooking"
Dusty
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
lol simmering = something :D
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Honestly I didn't think the Breva looked feminine. But you have to admit, most of the posts on here concerning the Breva 750 involve the words "my wife's bike" which always makes me feel like you longterm guzzi fans only bought the bike for your wives. I know its not across the board, its just the feeling I was getting. I love the bike so much, I am just irked by the limited wheel availability (ie all I can buy are cruiser/standard tires. Dual sport or adventure tires will require some creativity)
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Honestly I didn't think the Breva looked feminine. But you have to admit, most of the posts on here concerning the Breva 750 involve the words "my wife's bike" which always makes me feel like you longterm guzzi fans only bought the bike for your wives. I know its not across the board, its just the feeling I was getting. I love the bike so much, I am just irked by the limited wheel availability (ie all I can buy are cruiser/standard tires. Dual sport or adventure tires will require some creativity)
It's because of two reasons.
Size (physically as well as well as motor)
and to some extent cost.
Both make it appealing to women who tend to be smaller in stature and/or newer to motorcycling than the average male rider.
It is what makes the same appeal and associations true with Sportsters, Bonnies, 600's series Monsters, etc.
But that doesn't make those bikes any less wonderful. They are smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more efficient than their larger counterparts. Those that see that enjoy all those attributes and a certain minimalist freedom. Not to mention the fun of riding a slow bike fast.
Conversely way too many guys are overly concerned with the inadequacies of their package and think that means they need to buy a "bigger" or more powerful bike, overlooking those pearls because other overcompensating morons can't see past those associations.
You gotta ask yourself, which are you...
...me? I sold two big blocks to buy one smallblock.
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It's because of two reasons.
Size (physically as well as well as motor)
and to some extent cost.
Both make it appealing to women who tend to be smaller in stature and/or newer to motorcycling than the average male rider.
It is what makes the same appeal and associations true with Sportsters, Bonnies, 600's series Monsters, etc.
But that doesn't make those bikes any less wonderful. They are smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more efficient than their larger counterparts. Those that see that enjoy all those attributes and a certain minimalist freedom. Not to mention the fun of riding a slow bike fast.
Conversely way too many guys are overly concerned with the inadequacies of their package and think that means they need to buy a "bigger" or more powerful bike, overlooking those pearls because other overcompensating morons can't see past those associations.
You gotta ask yourself, which are you...
...me? I sold two big blocks to buy one smallblock.
I love the bike, I love the size of the engine. I love the feel of it. I don't want bigger, I don't want (what the poster a few comments above was describing) a cafe racer because of power or speed. I just want the aesthetics of a larger rear wheel, and no back seat as I don't ride 2up on the bike. :D Hoping someone can steer me in the right direction when it comes to upgrading to a more aggressive tire, and what parts might be interchangeable from the more cafe looking Guzzi's. I already noted the resources from earlier.
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Well, aesthetically it MIGHT be easier to start with a V7, but that's your call.
What changes are you thinking?
As for tires, I suspect you'd be happy with Pirelli Sport Demons.
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I have the sport demons on now. I was thinking something with more tread like these shinko's http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1103/-/830809/130-80-17-%2865H%29-Shinko-705-Rear-Dual-Sport-Motorcycle-Tire?v=11444?ref=gmc&gclid=COKf5-jMz7sCFatxQgodamkAPQ
They are 17", but unsure if it would make clearance with the final drive, and i'd have a hard time finding a good match for a front 17" tire.....
I was thinking of leaving the tank as is, but making a base along the bottom where the stock seat presses up against the tank so that I can put in an aftermarket flat seat. I also am currently making a tank strap similar to this: http://www.autoevolution.com/news-g-image/2013-moto-guzzi-v7-racer-makes-it-to-canada-photo-gallery/88403.html
I was thinking of putting on dunstall exhausts, and changing the handle bars to something more linear like this: http://www.daranok.com/32-stunning-cafe-racer-bike-with-cool-handlebars/vintage-honda-cb750-cafe-racer-with-cool-handle-bar-and-retro-speedo-meter/
Any other ideas, or will any of that not work? The tires worry me the most....
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:+1
The Protectors of the Baby Breva would ask that you start on a V7 though. ;)
-Joe
:+1
Ohh yes they will! :wife:
Moreover, it is difficult to imagine the flood of unhappiness and misery that will befall you if you change the looks of a Breva! :+=copcar
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I have the sport demons on now. I was thinking something with more tread like these shinko's http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1103/-/830809/130-80-17-%2865H%29-Shinko-705-Rear-Dual-Sport-Motorcycle-Tire?v=11444?ref=gmc&gclid=COKf5-jMz7sCFatxQgodamkAPQ
They are 17", but unsure if it would make clearance with the final drive, and i'd have a hard time finding a good match for a front 17" tire.....
Any other ideas, or will any of that not work? The tires worry me the most....
Can't say on the tires. Honestly it's not my bike or taste, but that type of tread pattern says dual sport to me and NOT Café.
Best to see if you can find a set and measure them for any possible clearance issues.
I do also think you're gonna give up some handling with them.
Other ideas - well, if you're talking café you really need to think about rear sets and clip ons, maybe clean up the dash area too.
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I'd be interested in the buying Breva 750 wheels.
KevM is giving you good information on what general areas may need attention without directing you what to use or how to do it and that is a good thing! Remember its your project so whatever you like is what counts.
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lol simmering = something :D
Actually, simmering works quite nicely.
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To me, the Breva is perfect in so many ways....messsing with it is like taking a great dish of Spaghetti aglio e olio and adding meatballs or some other ingredient. Nothing wrong with meatballs but....do they go with Spaghetti aglio e olio :food
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But yet half of you would buy the Enfield GT ........geesh ::) ::) :BEER:
Thank God that I'm not in that half...
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No, the basic idea of a café racer was to transform something with little speed and power into simmering with a bit of both, but only at the cost of being at that rabid edge of what is possible from the meager chassis/platform.
Always thought it was either to take some junk off and make the bike a bit faster, or more of a styling exercise like a chopper was...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_racer
Seems this is fitting - "In 1973, Popular Mechanics said the term Café Racer was originally coined as an insult toward riders pretending to be road racers but instead only parked outside cafés.[11]"
;-T
Anyway, and I don't really care if Guzzi looses a "stock" bike, but I feel there are much better platforms that will provide more success with a cafe look than what the OP has. However, if that's what he has then that's what he has to deal with. His bike, his choices.
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Chop it and have fun. Make it yours and enjoy some creativity. Life is too short to simply sit your arse on something others tell you to leave alone because they own one and like it stock. It's got little value as a stocker and it aint a collector bike. I owned one! I'm doing the same to a Lario after increasing it's nads a bit. It's no longer stock and I want to keep it for a long time, so I'm going to have a little fun this winter.
Go for it!
Best.
-Kevin
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Chop it and have fun. Make it yours and enjoy some creativity. Life is too short to simply sit your arse on something others tell you to leave alone because they own one and like it stock. It's got little value as a stocker and it aint a collector bike. I owned one! I'm doing the same to a Lario after increasing it's nads a bit. It's no longer stock and I want to keep it for a long time, so I'm going to have a little fun this winter.
Go for it!
Best.
-Kevin
I get a kick out of this forum... We love a cafe bike, but only when it's done to the right models or done by the "right" people. We love a project done with a convert but only done by the right people or else those bikes are rare and should be preserved. We love to say "these should be worth more" but yet scoff and complain at the prices to buy "junk" as the bikes gain worth...
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=66742.msg1025904#msg1025904
- We have one crowd who thinks these bikes are valuable.
- One that tried to make an offer on an already low price.
- One who likes seeing low prices vs these actually being worth something.
- And my group who thinks these bikes are ugly and it would be a service to remove them from the streets.
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It is your bike, we can't stop you from doing anything to it... some may try though. ;)
Rearsets and clip ons might be cool looking. I wonder if the V7 Racer rear-sets would work without too much fuss.
I often go to Harper's website and peruse the parts catalog to compare frame designs and more between models, to look for ideas and interchangeability.
-Joe
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Shorty posted a Craigslist ad for a cheap stock Yamaha SR500. That would be a good candidate.
The Breva 750 does not seem like a good start for a cafe' racer to me, but I could see it customized a bit, clip-ons or drag bars, fender eliminator or removed altogether, rear sets, cafe' seat, drop the headlight and flatten the dash out.
If real serious, replace the tank, loose the air box and relocate the battery, along with a bunch of other changes. Your taste and budget are the only limiting factors.
Regarding "girls" bike. I kind of liked ours when it had stock bars, but the wife changed to bars more comfortable to her and now the bike seems way to cramped for me. Also I'm not a fan of the seat shape, but Debra can ride it all day and still want more. She thinks it's the most comfortable bike, ergos wise, she has ever ridden.
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It's because of two reasons.
Size (physically as well as well as motor)
and to some extent cost.
Both make it appealing to women who tend to be smaller in stature and/or newer to motorcycling than the average male rider.
It is what makes the same appeal and associations true with Sportsters, Bonnies, 600's series Monsters, etc.
But that doesn't make those bikes any less wonderful. They are smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more efficient than their larger counterparts. Those that see that enjoy all those attributes and a certain minimalist freedom. Not to mention the fun of riding a slow bike fast.
Conversely way too many guys are overly concerned with the inadequacies of their package and think that means they need to buy a "bigger" or more powerful bike, overlooking those pearls because other overcompensating morons can't see past those associations.
You gotta ask yourself, which are you...
...me? I sold two big blocks to buy one smallblock.
I think, for the most part, well-stated, Kev!
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Here is a good article about a modified 850T...you might get some useful ideas.
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/custom-moto-guzzi-cafe-racer.aspx#axzz2ojcP9S7m
(http://s29.postimg.org/5hblr53x3/GC12.jpg)
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So......are you making some kind of comment about Kev's ahem..... Schwartzendruber??
I think, for the most part, well-stated, Kev!
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So......are you making some kind of comment about Kev's ahem..... Schwartzendruber??
Maybe he meant THAT was "for the most part"... :D
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I think underneath all the Breva clothing is the same bike frame as a V7 racer. So... what's the big deal with simply having to buy new bodywork. Folks seem to think its a different beast altogether. All current SB's are the same basic bike with different bodywork. It's like buying a 850T and turning it into a Lemans. Shared platforms.
Kevin
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Soooooo I'm contemplating building a Breva Cafe Racer. Any thoughts on where to start/where to look for parts? I'm just curious if it could be done without rebuilding the entire bike. Anyone with experience building a cafe racer, where did you get parts, what were your major design issues? Thanks in advance!
Hi Schadeam.
I know this is an old post, but if you (or anyone else) are thinking about a Breva 750 Cafe racer,.....
I'm in Singapore where a V7 Racer costs $30,000 SGD, a shitload more than you guys pay in the US............. Breaks my heart.
I'm with you on the Breva Cafe racer idea, there is a sad, rusty, faded 750 breva about to be scrapped if the owner doesn't sell or pay $6500 to register it for the next 10 years. On top of that there's $250 road tax every year as well, sooooo,.... If I don't buy it it will be melted down for the metal. Such are Singapore laws.
anyway,....The Breva has basicly the same frame as the V7, apart from the tail end which is higher, A small modification would make the V7 seat a possibility, then you just need the tank, lower handlebars and hey presto,.....
From this
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk57/drfunk62192003/MG%20breva%20b.jpg) (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/drfunk62192003/media/MG%20breva%20b.jpg.html)
to this
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk57/drfunk62192003/MG%20breva%20black%20coffee.jpg) (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/drfunk62192003/media/MG%20breva%20black%20coffee.jpg.html)
or this
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk57/drfunk62192003/MG%20breva%20cafe%20copy.jpg) (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/drfunk62192003/media/MG%20breva%20cafe%20copy.jpg.html)
I kinda like the Breva's modern exhaust, mag wheels, (might look better painted) side covers (painted to suit the tank) and frame covers, (which might look good chromed) It would look real modern retro. I am tempted to pay the $2000 asking price, pay the $6500 Registration and do it.
Sad thing is this 10 year old bike will end up costing me about the same as you could pay for a new V7 in the USA, ..... but If I do it, I'll love it just the same.
The conversion would be minimum fuss, keeping everything as stock as possible, just change the tail end of the frame to fit the seat, New old style tank, headlight and clip ons. Voila!
Anyone else out there done a Breva V7 cafe?
P.S apologies for the amateur photoshop job on the pics.
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Anyone else out there done a Breva V7 cafe?
People are really overthinking this here. Here's my smart ass answer to the question:
Yes, Moto Guzzi did a Breva V7 Cafe... when they introduced the V7.
Calijackalbob, you are absolutely right. The Breva was MG's attempt at creating a new styling direction off a frame that essentially has all the correct geometry of what has become the Cafe Racer "style."
All MG had then to do, to turn around 180 degrees, was back off the Breva styling to the V7 styling and bingo, Moto Guzzi resurrected its small-block roots... which certainly overlapped the Cafe Racer era and hewed to many of the core Cafe Racer geometries.
And then Guzzi turned around and did this to the V7:
(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-MotoGuzzi-V7CafeClassicd-small.jpg)
Which, with very little effort, can be made into this:
(http://www.masengineering.it/MAS/images/gallery_moto/V7-sidebar_a/Mot_Guzzi-V7_001.jpg)
It would not take much to turn a V7 back into a Breva, or a Breva into a V7 Cafe Racer.
HERE is an interesting study of the Cafe Racer geometry: http://www.bikeexif.com/build-cafe-racer (http://www.bikeexif.com/build-cafe-racer)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2ed5clw.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/1fe8o3.jpg)
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People are really overthinking this here. Here's my smart ass answer to the question:
Yes, Moto Guzzi did a Breva V7 Cafe... when they introduced the V7.
Calijackalbob, you are absolutely right. The Breva was MG's attempt at creating a new styling direction off a frame that essentially has all the correct geometry of what has become the Cafe Racer "style."
................... ...
It would not take much to turn a V7 back into a Breva, or a Breva into a V7 Cafe Racer.
I agree, though having a close look at the Breva, the footrests, gearchange and brake pedals are mounted on the aluminium frame covers. It would create big headaches if you wanted to expose the frame and get rid of the covers . You would have to find an alternative way to attach the pedals to the bike somehow. The aluminium frame covers look better in light of this, especially since the pegs are located in the only place possible if keeping the stock Breva pipes.
............ anyway, my take is, if you did this
(http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk57/drfunk62192003/MG%20breva%20cafe%20copy.jpg) (http://s277.photobucket.com/user/drfunk62192003/media/MG%20breva%20cafe%20copy.jpg.html)
.... just changed the bars, tank and seat you'd end up with a cool looking bike that stands out from the standard V7 because of the pipes, wheels and frame covers.
(The pipes in the pic above are not original, The Breva's stock chrome pipes look better,..... similar upswept lines as new V7 pipes.
The more I think about it, the more attractive the neglected, sad, rusty, only Breva in Singapore becomes. I'm going to take a third look. Might save it from the scrapyard.
Watch this space.
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So, I've moved back to Oz. God's own Country and being financially challenged, after a few months bikeless, I just had to buy a bike, and it had to be a Guzzi. (I'll not be going back to Japs or anything else, though I would be tempted by a vintage Ducati, 900 SS or similar,) So with precious few bucks in my hand, I bought the cheapest Guzzi I could get my hands on. Guess what it is?
(https://i.ibb.co/rwfZ8z7/20190212-182821.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rwfZ8z7)
yup! A 48 horsepower 750 Breva.
I wasn't expecting much, considering my last bikes were a California Jackal and a Bellagio with 75 horses each, but I was pleasantly surprised with the torque, handling and general rideability of the bike. THe look is growing on me too, though I am not really into the "modern, UJM ish styling," I am more an old school, classic 70's style fan. (My ideal bike, much lusted after is a Le Mans Mk 1>) but the baby Breva really is a handsome machine.
Being me, I had to start modifying it, so first thing I did was put on some bar end mirrors and Ace Clubman handlebars.
(https://i.ibb.co/fFbXK5f/20190310-164115.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fFbXK5f)
I reckon it looks 99% better and for me, makes it seem more sporty and (it may be an illusion, but.........) faster, cos it now has a racier stance.
(https://i.ibb.co/zFJ2g1h/20190310-174755.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zFJ2g1h)
Took it to the "Ruptured Budgie Rally" put on by the Moto Guzzi Club Of Queensland and the bike handled beautifully and got a lot of appreciation from guys on bigger and better Guzzis, most of them saying "The 750 Breva is a good bike." I felt they were patronising me. It is a good bike! but it really is (for me just a tide me over bike til I can get something bigger and better.)
(https://i.ibb.co/61mNZ1M/20190518-105853.jpg) (https://ibb.co/61mNZ1M)
(https://i.ibb.co/B3by1hF/20190518-123103.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B3by1hF)
Can't stop there though, so I thought I'd give it a more classic look and a few weeks and a few hundred bucks later a V7 Classic tank off Ebay arrived in the mail.
................... ................ and so it begins...........
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I had grand visions of creating a Breva - Le Mans replica with a 750s Monoposto seat, but eventually found that the dimensions of the bike are just too short to house the le Man's Monoposto seat and not look ridiculous, so I figured..........
(https://i.ibb.co/HDp4FLm/20190615-122349.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HDp4FLm)
just fit the V7 tank and modify the original seat to suit and have a modernish, classic looking bike.....
I got a second set of chrome Ace bars,,,,,,,,,,,,, a bit wider so they wouldn't hit the tank at full lock, and are SHINIER!
It was a bit of mucking around getting the tank to fit. I had to cut down the front posts with the rubber mounts to get the tank on and relocate the coils, but it all worked out fine. The seat needs to go to an upholsterer to get it looking tidy and I have to change the sidecovers, but it was coming along nicely and the I got hit hit by a bus!
(https://i.ibb.co/PcPRp6N/20190629-101512.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PcPRp6N)
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A bit of damage done. The most frustrating thing is the Bus company weren't interested in paying for their dickhead driver's mistake, pulling out into my lane and turning while I was next to him. I hit his front wheel when he turned and hit the road, was carted off to hospital, but luckily nothing broken except for bike parts: handlebars, mirrors, exhaust etc, etc.....
(https://i.ibb.co/sjVTynQ/20190629-100948.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sjVTynQ)
(https://i.ibb.co/jJ5XHyC/20190629-101001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jJ5XHyC)
(https://i.ibb.co/tJmN1MG/20190629-101019.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tJmN1MG)
(https://i.ibb.co/qRj2R1J/20190629-101032.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qRj2R1J)
(https://i.ibb.co/2KQMkTr/20190629-101044.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2KQMkTr)
(https://i.ibb.co/JKggXzD/20190629-101151.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JKggXzD)
I took the bastards to court, but the legal process is long and complicated and two adjournments and nearly a year later it still hasn't been resolved. f***ing pissed off! Nearly a year chasing the bastards to get justice and I haven't been able to continue the transformation. The bike remains a work in progress halted by a bus.
Fortunately, finances have improved a bit and I got myself a maniac bike which I'm tinkering with. Say hello to my little friend a 1200 rollerised Griso.
(https://i.ibb.co/dr3PKsY/20191209-145619.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dr3PKsY)
(https://i.ibb.co/kyHskBn/20191209-143342.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kyHskBn)
f***ing awesome bike! Woo hoo! I love it.
So far stripped and polished the handlebars, exhaust pipes and radiator covers, put a Dart flyscreen on and am planning on repainting it red, so it goes faster.
Anyway...... I go back to court for the third and final time and hopefully get paid out by the bus company, so I'll have a few bucks to throw at the Breva. Watch this space.
Bob.
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Good to see you up and running again Bob.
Hope you get your justice before our troubling times close the courts down.
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Hi @Calijackalbob,
How is your Breva to caferacer conversion project going?
I was thinking about doing the same thing to my Breva. However I also was thinking about lowering the front of the bike by lowering/piercing the front fork a few centimeters (+- 3cm) through the triple clamp. Do you think this is a good idea, and what will the results on the bikes or the frames geometrics be? How does the bike handly by doing this? I am hoping this will make the bike look more "tough".
I also was thinking about installing clip ons on it (the V7 III racer type). Do you guys have any experience with this?
I found this heavily customized Breva on the internet and really like its clean looks. https://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-breva-750-cafe-racer
Let me know what you think.
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Jeez Cali, if there’s one thing I like as much as your Breva refit, it’s your turn of phrase..
Loved the metaphorical slap in the face with the bus thing, a beautiful bit of understated anticlimacticismnes s... :thumb: :bow:
Look forward to more of your writings, but remember you’re not just being read by Aussies and Poms.
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Hi @Calijackalbob,
How is your Breva to caferacer conversion project going?
I was thinking about doing the same thing to my Breva. However I also was thinking about lowering the front of the bike by lowering/piercing the front fork a few centimeters (+- 3cm) through the triple clamp. Do you think this is a good idea, and what will the results on the bikes or the frames geometrics be? How does the bike handly by doing this? I am hoping this will make the bike look more "tough".
I also was thinking about installing clip ons on it (the V7 III racer type). Do you guys have any experience with this?
I found this heavily customized Breva on the internet and really like its clean looks. https://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-breva-750-cafe-racer
Let me know what you think.
Hi Stephan.
THe Bus company's insurance co was ordered to pay up a decent sum, so the bike has had a few presents and is coming along nicely. I know I am overcapitalising on the bike, but don't care. The process of customising is reward in itself. I don't have any plans to sell the bike, so whatever I put into it doesn't matter. If I did sell it, I wouldn't expect to recoup all the dollars flung at it.
(There's a very nicely done Nevada in Australia for sale at the moment that has had a V7 makeover, chrome tank and all. The only thing that looks different is the rocker covers. Anyway, the guy must have spent a lot on it and foolishly thinks he can get more money for it than an actual V7 racer that is a decade or so younger! Dreamer.)
Anyway, here's what she looks like at the moment.
(https://i.ibb.co/QD48DGw/20200910-154609.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QD48DGw)
(https://i.ibb.co/rFhGPX4/20200823-102453-002.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rFhGPX4)
Le Man's sidecovers, Cut down seat and ducktail, Ace bars, a Dart style flyscreen, $100 mufflers and new suspenders. Just waiting on my Griso to get painted, then the Breva will get a fresh coat of paint and seat professionally reupholstered and it will be finished.
Now to your questions..... dropping the forks in the tripleclamps. Personally I wouldn't recommend it. It will alter the steering geometry, rake and trail and thus the handling characteristics and could make it really bad. (Unless you get a pro suspension dude to set you up front and rear.)
When I put the new shocks on, they were 5cm shorter than the originals, and this made the front sit a little higher than the back. It felt great, looked cool and seemed to handle ok til I got into a high speed sweeping turn and it all went to shit. My arse end was wobbling all over the place like a plate of jelly at 100kmh. Not nice.
If you look at this pic, you will see my response to that. I got a local engineer to machine up extensions to give me back those lost 5cm (you can see them at the bottom of the shock.)... and viola, the sweet predictable Breva handling has returned.
(https://i.ibb.co/wsh38Ny/20200831-211312.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wsh38Ny)
Clip on's are cool, I put some on my Bellagio and they worked and looked great. I put Ace Clubman bars on the Breva, and like the more aggressive riding posture. Ace bars have the same sort of look and stance as clip ons, but the range of height adjustment is more limited,.... the higher you go, the closer they are to the tank, the lower you go, the further forward, which stretches you out..... but I found a sweet spot. The thing is with clip ons or ace bars, the long distance comfort level suffers and you might end up with very sore wrists. The positive side is, you can get great CNC aluminium clip ons for about $50 on fleabay, or splash out on some Tomasellis for $300.
I just had a close look at my breva and was reminded why I opted for Ace bars instead of clip ons for the Breva. Clip ons attach to the forks. If you put them on, the clamps on the forks will be perilously close
to the tank and will also necessitate buying or making different headlight and instrument brackets as there is no way the clamps will have room otherwise, AND clip ons will be lower and further forward, making wrist pain much more likely. I chose to forego all this hassle and use Ace bars. Another plus with Ace bars is that if a bus hits you and bends the bars 7cm on one side and 12cm on the other, they still won't hit the tank. Check it out. Exactly the same bars, new ones on top showing how much the first set was bent in the accident.
(https://i.ibb.co/NCmP9YL/20200627-213146.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NCmP9YL)
I got mine here.... https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Handlebars-Ace-Bars-Clubman-Chrome-7-8-Cafe-Racer-Bobber-Vintage-Custom/142129479548?hash=item211793bf7c:g:wBEAAOSw~uVfSKkF&frcectupt=true
If you go for Ace bars, get the longest ones you can. These are 71cm end to end, which leaves (just) enough room for the clutch cable to be routed comfortably. The first set I got was a bit shorter and the cable was hard up on the instruments and the brake hose rubbed on the dial. Looked the business, but didn't work the best.
(https://i.ibb.co/Q8p6TQ1/20190310-164040.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q8p6TQ1)
Anyway, I will be posting a very detailed write up on the transformation sometime after I'm done, so keep an eye out for it. In the meantime good luck with your project.
Now, back to the garage to pull my Griso apart, so I can get it painted.
Cheers.
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Great job. Keep up the good work.
A few comments, hopefully helpful -
Re bars - the Breva has the same headlight subframe as the V7, so clip ons should work OK, even though there's not much room in there. The Tarozzi's fit on the V7, but the V7 Racer ones are a bit slimmer on the fork tubes & fit better, I should think.
In the cupboard waiting, I've a set of adjustable Ace bars, which might better avoid interference with the tank - I'll take a photo, if you're interested. I use the Laverda style multi adjustables myself on the V7C (vesrsions available from Raask, Motone (UK) & TEK (UK)). These require more experimentation to find the sweet spot - all day comfort with NO weight on the wrists - not for you - you've already found the Ace's sweet spot.
(https://i.ibb.co/mNY4XB5/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mNY4XB5)
(https://i.ibb.co/g7YxLVP/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g7YxLVP)
Any of these may benefit from using the Racer cables - they are a tad shorter.
Rocker Covers - The 2TB motors can be prettied up using the smallblock rocker covers (from the V50, V65, early Nevadas & early V7R's) - a straight swap, same gaskets.
(https://i.ibb.co/RDq6JHS/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RDq6JHS)
(https://i.ibb.co/CvKxKRX/image.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CvKxKRX)
k
The first are from a carbed Nevada - bead blasted, and the second are standard small block. BTW the head protectors are still available. Work very well, too.
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Finished my Breva Cafe racer. I am justifiably proud of the results. Looks like it cam from Mandello that way. Check it out here https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=110998.0
(https://i.ibb.co/bmqSb7h/20210905-165121.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bmqSb7h)
(https://i.ibb.co/T01BgT3/20210529-164011.jpg) (https://ibb.co/T01BgT3)
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Shorty posted a Craigslist ad for a cheap stock Yamaha SR500. That would be a good candidate.
The Breva 750 does not seem like a good start for a cafe' racer to me, but I could see it customized a bit, clip-ons or drag bars, fender eliminator or removed altogether, rear sets, cafe' seat, drop the headlight and flatten the dash out.
If real serious, replace the tank, loose the air box and relocate the battery, along with a bunch of other changes. Your taste and budget are the only limiting factors.
Regarding "girls" bike. I kind of liked ours when it had stock bars, but the wife changed to bars more comfortable to her and now the bike seems way to cramped for me. Also I'm not a fan of the seat shape, but Debra can ride it all day and still want more. She thinks it's the most comfortable bike, ergos wise, she has ever ridden.
The SR 500 has an architecture that lends itself pretty easily to cafe, bobber, flat track and vintage Brit conversions. Still I would be more adverse to modifying an SR than a small block. All that being said, everyone has the right to modify any bike any way they want. I just wish I had the chops to pull one off.
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Looks good. :thumb: :thumb:
Yesterdays ride with a friend who has a 1050 KTM made me realise just how good the Breva is in the tight stuff. Even with bimbling along on the Breva I was still having to wait for him. Bit different once the twisties opened up a bit. :grin: