Did I just buy the wrong size Marzocchis?

[broondan]

Hi all;

Long time lurker, infrequent poster.

A few months back my beautiful 1981 Monza, my first bike and my pride and joy, was knocked over by some jag off in an Audi. The insurance company was, and is, low balling me on the value of the bike and want to give it a salvage title. I was bowled over; first the shock of watching my brilliant little baby lemans laid low by some careless cur and then the indignity of the very people I pay to insure it dismissing it as if it were some generic hunk of junk. I'm still fighting them on it, but that's another story. From there I was on the fence about what to do. Did I really want to fix it up if it ends up with a salvage title? Maybe it's time for a bigger bike anyway, good looking 850's pop up from time to time. But can I really let this beauty hit the scrap heap?

I spent most of the summer hemming and hawing (and arguing with insurance). Finally, in a moment of clarity or sentimental foolishness and fiscal irresponsibility, I decided however things shake out with insurance, I want to fix the bike. So I looked around, found a mechanic near by that I like and brought the bike in. I was so excited to finally have some momentum building. Being close to having a working motorcycle is not as exciting as having a working motorcycle, but I'm sure you can all relate to how intoxicating anticipation can be. I was so drunk on this potent mix of optimism and anticipation that when the next afternoon while day dreaming and browsing the interwebs I stumbled across a fresh looking pair of Marzocchi's from a German purveyor on e-bay, I jumped and bought them.

It was only later that I realized this pair had come off of a V65 and not a V50. I raced to find my manual, and the difference in the travel and the center to center is relatively small, 5mm and 10mm respectively if I'm reading things correctly. I cant seem to find any sort of fit guide on the internet The number on the bottom of the shocks now in the mail from Germany to me in California is 87.481 as shown in this photo here: http://imgur.com/gallery/g9IHahR/new So, does any one know how to tell if I just bought myself a nice pair of paper weights or if I can make these work?

Thanks a million.

TL,DR: Without thinking, I bought a pair of Marzocchis off of a V65 for my V50. The number on the bottom of the zocchs is 87.481. Am I screwed?

[SED]

Broondan,

Glad you're fixing the Monza - they are great bikes.  A pox on the Audiot.

I just checked - the 'zocchs on my Monza are printed 87.475.  It makes sense that the V65 versions are longer center to center because the V65 swingarm is a little longer.  For suspension, the increased travel can only be good.  The damping will be the same over the full length of travel except near full compression when the air bladder compresses.  The center to center distance is important, but also dependent on how much the spring sags.  The spring pre-load adjuster has at least 10mm adjustment so - if my thinking makes sense - running full pre-load on the .475 should be the same as running least pre-load on the .481.  Bottom out may be 5mm higher but the frame will be sitting 5-10mm higher so it should all work pretty similarly.

If you can't live with the difference there's probably someone on the Laverda forum that would love to have the .481s.
 

[Cam3512]

Out of curiosity, are you dealing with a "Classic" insurance company, or one that usually deals with modern vehicles?  All my vintage bikes are insured with Classic insurance, and an agreed upon value.  Not many restrictions on ridimg them, but they do have to be garaged.  If a claim is made, you can also take it to a mechanic/body shop that specializes in that type of bike.  Not to mention the annual premiums are dirt cheap.

[broondan]

Thanks, Shawn. I figured there was a chance they might fit, I guess I'll just have to wait until they get here  to find out how it all works with them on the bike. It was partly reading your post on rebuilding your Zocchs that pushed me over the fence on picking up a pair.

Cam5312; It's actually esurance. It was the easy option when I got a bike because I was already using them for car insurance. Perhaps I should have taken as an ill omen that they couldn't find my model in their system at first and sent me card saying I was insuring a "Honda CX500" I was planning on adding renters insurance through them too before this happened, but they are on the verge of losing all my business. Do you mind if I ask what insurance you have experience with that you've enjoyed?

[canuguzzi]

Get GEICO. Had a bike that got run over, literally when it was parked. Adjuster came out and although the sled driver was uninsured, went right to maximum and then just over, no salvage title. Adjusted the side bags at retail , seat although it only has a slight rash barely visable.

They also on another vehicle paid for battery replacement because the service dept left lights and stuff in. Talking huge AGM batteries for an RV. No question. Dealer was going out if business, said not their fault.  They have a good driver discount for those that don't fall all the time.

[Cam3512]

I use Condon & Skelly Classic insurance.  There are several out there like Haggerty, etc.  They insure ONLY classic cars and bikes.  Agreed upon value, and zero deductible.   They know the Classics, and most have no limitation on miles.  They do make sure it's garaged, and not a commuting vehicle.  Condon and Skelly sent out emails prior to the recent hurricane and stated they would reimburse costs up to $250 associated with moving them to higher ground.

Regular car insurance companies will use KBB value, if they can even find your bike.  If you insure your Monza with classic insurance for $5K, it might cost you $30-50 a YEAR.  They will also let you repair it where you want, that includes a place that repairs/restores Guzzis.

I also have Historic plates on all my vintage bikes.

WIN, WIN!

[motoTommaso]

I use Hagerty.  They are very active in the Classic Car world so I gave them a try.

Nice competent folks to deal with.  Only hoop I had to jump through to get covered was to submit several photos of the bike to ensure it was worth the stated value coverage I desired.

No claim history with them so cannot comment.  Price was fair with "classic" yearly mileage limitation.

Tomasso