G5 Suggestions

[Scout63]

My ‘79 G5 build has hit the assembly stage and I need feedback.  It came to me with much rust so I decided to build a stripped custom in lighter colors.  After joining this forum and looking at Guzzis for the past couple of years, the stock T3 / G5 bikes look better and better, in no small part due to JJ’s posted pictures. The steel parts are all in primer, the drivetrain and wheels are rebuilt and everything is laid out for assembly.

So my question is color and which G5 components should I ditch.  Here is my list:

1. Replace forward peg lower frame rails with floorboards
2. Paint frame and steel parts black.
3. Forward mount the calipers - rotors already drilled in lemans pattern.
3. Replace airbox with LeMans breather and K&N pods.
4. Install T3 tank in black with classic white stripes.  I will hold onto my black G5 tank which is flaking but sound.
5. Stock T3 handlebars.  I also have police bars to try.
6. T3 seat and rear grab rail.  I will hold onto my G5 seat.
7. Install LaFranconi chrome low pipes with Mistral SS head pipes and crossover.
8. Replace the mono gauge with dual white round Motogadget gauges in a stainless bracket - I have access to a water jet to cut a bracket. Install factory ignition switch in the bracket.
9. Replace the tail piece with T3 semi-round or round tail light.
10. Install T3 chrome angled engine protector.

In short, I think I want a classic black T3 FB with a G5 drivetrain.  This is changing by the day.  Any suggestions regarding color or anything will be so greatly appreciated. Please be brutal.  Thanks,  Ben

[JJ]

Again, I would simply say...

"The closer you can come to it looking like this ("STOCK"), the better"...Just my humble opinion. 

[sdcr]

Ben,

Many years ago, Fast By Ferrari had a G5 in for service. It was modified to resemble a Cafe style ( think V7 Sport). It was done really tastefully, and painted a deep burgundy. Only saw it that one time, back around 1997ish. Wish I had snapped a picture, but I only had my foot long mobile phone.

[Turin]

In my experience the mistral pipe isn't going to get you much.
Here is what I've done to the engine in my 850T over the years in this order- your results may vary.

1 - 36 phf dellortos - small difference. not worth it alone.
2 - bub conti mufflers on stock exhaust. sound good no gains.
3 - X9 - Norris S cam - good midrange and makes power through 7000 rpm. by no means a race cam. carb size now makes sense.
4 - Gilardoni cylinders installed with thinner base and head gaskets to set squish at .040  Heads fully ported with new stainless steel valves. Installed lemans 1 flywheel
      with minor lightening holes. Great midrange and good power everywhere.
5 -Mistral lemans type headpipe and crossover installed. No noticable gains ( maybe a touch of midrange ? )  not worth the expense IMO. looks good though. My guess
     is you need 40 mm carbs, big valves, and more cam to make these pipes worth it.

[Groover]

Seems most of what you plan to do is reversible if you decide you don't like the direction at any point.

I do think the Police bars and the Floor boards are a perfect match comfort wise , and I personally like the spoilers on the G5 and Convert models being they are the recognizable part indicating those models.

The first generation tail on those is interesting, but if you are changing the dash I can see how that would not really match up anymore being square and all, plus I think the 1st gen tail looks best with bags. That tail would look pretty cool with a 150 or 160 rear tire like on an EV, but that's just in me (someone should try that)

It's your bike, I think you should just go with what you like. I think the opinions are gonna be all over the place, seems what you on doing is going to look great.

Here is a photo of mine. All stock per 81 specs (2nd gen) other than the color and pipes.

[Simon_London]

My G5.

It depends what you want.

My bike is fast and reliable. Faster than a Mk1 LM

Ported heads to take 36mm carbs + Le Mans exhaust system(including front crossover)+ lighter fly wheel make a massive difference to this engine. Its surprising how much difference the exhaust system makes combined with 36mm carbs. Will do 120mph and accelerate hard at 80mph in top. Thrashed for the last 10000 miles with no issues. At least dump the heavy fly wheel which serves no purpose. The LM flywheel is still plenty heavy enough but I have an 1100 sport flywheel. I also have bell mouths and a fast road cam. I would leave the valves sizes alone - expensive and small valves breath well with the other mods. I prefer the broader spread of power to the higher compression LM engine. Mount the calipers on the front. Really improves the steering -  they are heavy and the position makes a noticeable difference whatever others might say about this.

Other special bits - Marzocchi 38mm forks, Brembo organic race pads, 11mm front master cylinder for improved power and feel, Agostini rearsets, Borranis and a Harley side stand on the Cali style mount.

The bike will hold its own with modern bikes as it pulls hard coming out of corners and brakes well. Also super comfy with clip-ons mounted above the top yoke.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Here's my 100,000 mile G5.. ready for another 100,000.  Stock just looks right to me. At any rate, I wouldn't deviate much, and certainly wouldn't cut it up.

[Scout63]

Great feedback.  I’m not going to cut or weld anything, and definitely not going to get rid of any G5 parts.  The further I get into this, the more I like the stock look. Chuck - yours looks just like mine but mine was much rustier and had Bates bags and a Windjammer.

I decided not to make any engine mods other than pipes and pods and a rejet.  I ride mostly at slower speeds so don’t need the extra power.  The bike has 17000 miles on it and the crank and cylinders were fine. I installed new bearings and main seals and clutch so the bottom end is all set.   If I want to lighten the flywheel or improve head flow, I could do that later without too much fuss.

Thanks to everyone, especially JJ for keeping me on the path.  I’ll post pictures in the build section.

Ben

[timmythecop]

Im going the same direction with my T3. Going to end up a sort of stripped down cruiser. The world has plenty of lemans clones and cafe racers.

[Scout63]

I was going there also Timmy.  The internet is loaded with cafe bikes but few cruisers.  Now the early T3’s are looking good.  This bike with G5 side badges would be pretty cool:

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_850_t3%2075.htm

[Turin]

Great feedback.  I’m not going to cut or weld anything, and definitely not going to get rid of any G5 parts.  The further I get into this, the more I like the stock look. Chuck - yours looks just like mine but mine was much rustier and had Bates bags and a Windjammer.

I decided not to make any engine mods other than pipes and pods and a rejet.  I ride mostly at slower speeds so don’t need the extra power.  The bike has 17000 miles on it and the crank and cylinders were fine. I installed new bearings and main seals and clutch so the bottom end is all set.   If I want to lighten the flywheel or improve head flow, I could do that later without too much fuss.

Thanks to everyone, especially JJ for keeping me on the path.  I’ll post pictures in the build section.

Ben

Mistral mufflers make nice sounds. a set of slip on cans is all you'll need, unless your headpipes are in bad shape.

[Scout63]

Hey Turin.  I’ve been collecting parts for a few years and bought new low chrome LaFranconi’s mufflers and Mistral stainless head pipes a while ago.  They match the floorboards well. I’m not sure if they are more open than the factory G5 pipes which look the same.  I’m guessing with the pod filters I’ll need to go up a little on the main jet and maybe the needle position. 

[Turin]

If you already have the mistral headpipes, than congrats, they are beautiful. They are more open,  the850T - G5 pipes are double walled.  I'd run the bike as is and check the plugs.   

[Canuck750]

Here is a photo of mine. All stock per 81 specs (2nd gen) other than the color and pipes.

I like the gloss dark paint, it brings out the line of the tank meeting and flowing with the seat line, thick stripes take away the continuity of the line, at most a thin single or double pinstripe picking up the line on the tank.

an example of the seat following the crest of the tank and a thin pinstripe accentuating the line on the tank, this is a stock Moto Morini 500 paint job, the guzzi seat / tank on the G5 has the same flow

[Scout63]

I like the gloss dark paint, it brings out the line of the tank meeting and flowing with the seat line, thick stripes take away the continuity of the line, at most a thin single or double pinstripe picking up the line on the tank.

an example of the seat following the crest of the tank and a thin pinstripe accentuating the line on the tank, this is a stock Moto Morini 500 paint job, the guzzi seat / tank on the G5 has the same flow

The Moto Morini got it right Canuck. I like the MG thick and thin bottom tank stripes and the thin top stripe.  I’m going to try to get the most lustrous black I can.

[theoneandonlymin]

Cheers
Min