Tastefully Customized V50 Monza

[Travman]

I really like this tastefully customized Monza.





Modifications:
Engine V50 Monza; lightened flywheel; Sport camshaft; balanced crankshaft
Front Suspension:  Ducati Pantah 600 forks; Triple clamps from 450 Ducati Single
Rear Suspension:  Koni rear shocks 
Carburetion: 30mm DellÓrto Ducati GT750 carburettors and custom-made bellmouths 
Exhausts: Custom made stainless steel exhausts 
Ignition: Dyna Ignition
Bodywork: Fuel tank and seat from Ducati 750 Sport; Custom made side covers 
Controls: Custom made rearsets
Instrumentation: Custom made tachometer housing, bezel and bracket
Brakes: Custom made front brake caliper brackets to adapt V50 Monza calipers to Pantah forks 


Here is the page where I found these pictures and details.
http://hertmotorcycles.com/Moto_Guzzi_V50_Monza.html

[drums4money]

there ain't nothing not to like about that!

that baby's gorgeous.

[Guido Valvole]

Ducky! Couldn't resist  ;D

Even a 600 Pantah front end would be an upgrade… I like it but it now looks like any number of Ducatis. Well, except for the engine. Might have done something similar with the V50 but the tank's fine and I'm cheap. And the V7 Café seat is far more comfortable than the 750 Sport board. Wouldn't do that to my Monza as its bodywork is pristine, without even any paint bubbling on the fairing. (Expensive parts, otoh…  ::) )
cr

[LongRanger]

Now that's a pretty bike!

[kevdog3019]

Love the classic elegance.  Well done.
-Kevin

[Guzzistajohn]

beautiful!

[Monza-jockey]

Duck, Duck, Goose!

IMHO

That has a familiar, yet classically exotic look to it; I like it (maybe not the seat for comfort though).

[Muzz]

THAT is flippin LURVELY ;-T ;-T ;-T :drool

[kirkemon]

Dang - I want that (and I don't even like red!) ;-T

[Chuck in Indiana]

My first thought was, "Oh, man.. someone's cut up a Monza.." but I like it too.. ;D

[Tobit]

Snazzy.  Does look like a classic duck though.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.  It's a pretty bike, but to me, the Monza styling didn't need improving.

Rather than call that one a customized Monza, it's a customized V50.

[Steph]

Makes me wonder how much was spent to make that V50 look like a Duc?

Edit: are the front brake lines fixed to the main frame, wtf???

[gearman]

Thats goofy that the brake lines are where they are. ::)

[drums4money]

Makes me wonder how much was spent to make that V50 look like a Duc?

Edit: are the front brake lines fixed to the main frame, wtf???

I disagree. One bike is red, has cast wheels, and carbs w/velocity stacks. While the other is yellow with spoked rims and fuel injection. No similarity whatsoever.  :)

[Travman]

Makes me wonder how much was spent to make that V50 look like a Duc?

Air-tech fiberglass reproduction tanks, fairings, and body parts. The tank probably costs $450-500 and the back section probably cost $250 without any upholstery or foam. Of course there is a lot more to creating a custom bike, but those two parts would get you started.

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/ducati/750SPORT1972-75.htm

[lc4dakar]

Not sure that's the airtech tank.  Theirs is a 900 SS.  The text says a 750 SS.  I think the profile is more curved and the knee indents are deeper on the 750 tank.
You used to be able to get the 750 tank from a guy in England for around $300 plus shipping.

[Guido Valvole]

Short-wheelbase 750 Sport with same-day steering response!  ~;
Real 750S seat and tank or repop? Reproductions are available but usually fiberglass. Aluminum is $$$.
Don't want to know what Monza tanks go for these days…
cr

[lc4dakar]

I'm seriously thinking of ordering a 750 Sport tank for my V50.  The width of the back of the tank matches the seat width of a V7.  That tank with a V7 Racer two-up seat could look nice.
Don't really like the proportions of the V7 Racer mono seat.

[HanksEngineering]

G'Day fellow Guzzi enthusiasts,


Thanks for the compliments on my Monza.

First off, let me appologise for bumping an old post, but I was looking around on the net when I found this post about my Monza, so I feel its appropriate to answer a couple of the questions you asked.

Its surprisingly comfortable. I've done a few 6000km trips (Cairns to Melbourne and back) and whilst the luggage capacity is somewhat limited, comfort is more than acceptable.

"Makes me wonder how much was spent to make that V50 look like a Duc?"
Not as much as you'd expect. The tank came from a Ducati 750 sport. It was in terrible condition, so I stripped it right back, cleaned it up and repainted it. I run an engineering business, so I'm just using the skills I have  to make the bike how I like it.

Happy to answer any other questions you might have about the bike.

Cheers,

Hank

[racasey]

Beautiful work.

Two questions.  Did you fabricate the exhaust headers from mandrel bends and straight tube?  Was the rear brake disc guard, milled out of a flat plate?

PS: nice clean shop and machine tools

Ciao,
Dick
The other WA (Washington state)

[Chuck in Indiana]

Welcome to WG, hank.. and nicely done. 

[cruzziguzzi]

That's quite beautiful. Funny that I went to vintage Honda GP rather than Ducati as others correctly did.

Were it mine, I'd like more of the frame black tied into the engine and suspension. Maybe black heads or valve covers... Something in there to give it even more of a factory offering look.


Todd.

[HanksEngineering]

Thanks for the nice commetns gents.

Dick,

The headers are straight tube that I sand bent to fit the bike. The brake cover is the original that I milled to improve the aesthetics and save a bit of weight.

Todd,

I'm happy you went to old Honda GP bike. I do love that look and it wasn't what I was intentionally going for, but I can see the resemblence. Not a big fan of black on bikes, with the wheels and frame thats enough for me.

BTW, this was a build I did 20 years ago, but its still sitting in my collection.



Cheers,

Hank