V85 facelift

[Huzo]

I always thought the Wire wheels on the Norge knocked it out of the park

Yeah.
I’ve only fixed one leaking spoke nipple since early 2016 @90,000 k. Now they are at 195,000 k.
As for the V85...
I do prefer the polished look of the V85 ones compared to the original black.

[Brand X]

Yeah.
I’ve only fixed one leaking spoke nipple since early 2016 @90,000 k. Now they are at 195,000 k.
As for the V85...
I do prefer the polished look of the V85 ones compared to the original black.

Same on my Stornello, but going the with stock blacked out rims for the near future.  The rear hub is bead blasted aluminum, and the front is painted  silver from the factory.. The aluminum side cover # plates, and front shield was a bit over the top, and black works better for me.. Kind of a kit looks wise from the factory, and the black stuff looks better overall to me.. Funny ordered a chrome racer tank from Ebay, and i am going to bling it out some.. It will take some work to pull it off, but I have a feeling I might pull it off. Main thing just store the original mint parts for down the road. Love the aluminum fenders though..

If I can figure out a way to satin the chrome tank by blasting/etc might go that route . Ordered some H&B stickers that look like the Breva/Norge badges,and side factory rubber tank pads from AF1

Great thing about these bike is you can make it look like your own, and it does not matter one bit if any one else likes it.. You would not be riding a guzzi if you cared what other people thought about it.. Probably a BMW instead..

[SSGG Geezer]

I love the look!
I just got my C85 delivered and like the look of the Travel but yours is sweet! Great work.   How much weight did the exhaust save you?

[Huzo]

I love the look!
I just got my C85 delivered and like the look of the Travel but yours is sweet! Great work.   How much weight did the exhaust save you?

My educated guess is around 10 kg total.
My pipes are single wall and there is no cat converter. The Mivv muffler weighs about 3 kg.

[henwilv]

In the same way, I still think I prefer steel sunraysia-style wheels on offroaders (cars, utes, landrovers etc.) to alloys for the same reason.  Steel, too, seems more flexible yet resilient than alloy.  As an aside, many steel wheels are actually lighter than the thicker sectioned alloy wheels usually fitted to offroaders too.  We're not talking about Mareshini magnesium racing wheels here, but just el cheapo OEM crap standard fitting alloys.

You can also hammer steel to bend it straight if you ding it hard, a big plus if you are out somewhere in the middle of the bush!

[lucky phil]

I think it’s turned into a tummy tuck, more than a facelift.
The whole thing just looks.....lighter.













I like the empty look under the rear guard. The muffler is a bit rorty, but tomorrow I’ll fit the dB killer to tone it down a bit.
It sounds nice under load on the freeway, but just a touch loud.
A bit of a walk around.
https://youtu.be/W9ulUhJgVwk
Oh and BTW..
The link pipe you see is a mild steel pattern I threw together. The finished article will be mandrel bent stainless.

Ha, surprise me You've got an absorption muffler of those dimensions on an 850cc engine. It ain't going to be anything less than "a touch loud" under load.

Ciao

[lucky phil]

Actually Phil, it’s not offensive and it does not have a dB killer in, so it should be closer to acceptable with one fitted.
That actual muffler is not mine, but I’ll be getting one the same. I borrowed it to do the work.

You're going to struggle to achieve an acceptable DB level with such a small volume. I find DB killers tend to reduce the DB level but have a negative effect on the "sound" or tone of the pipes. Having said that I run them on my RE 650 to reduce the "crack" from the exhaust but it doesn't sound as good. Even my 48 hp 650 RE is bordering on too loud with 2 absorption mufflers and DB killers of about the size of your borrowed one.
My V11 Agostini cans aren't objectionable even without DB killers but they have plenty of muffler internal volume. 

Ciao     

[Huzo]

Seriously, cannot think of much else.









There’s been.
30 mm reduction in seat height
Ohlins shock
Tom Tom mount
Front beak removal
Low front guard
Denali auxiliary lights
Polished rims
Bash plate removal
Mandrel bent headers
Y pipe into Mivv low muffler
Black removal from swingarm, drivetrain and hubs
Top case mount moved 100 mm forward
Hand guard removal
Throttle pull halved
Poor reserve light activation point fixed

That’s got most of it I think...

[lucky phil]

Seriously, cannot think of much else.









There’s been.
30 mm reduction in seat height
Ohlins shock
Tom Tom mount
Front beak removal
Low front guard
Denali auxiliary lights
Polished rims
Bash plate removal
Mandrel bent headers
Y pipe into Mivv low muffler
Black removal from swingarm, drivetrain and hubs
Top case mount moved 100 mm forward
Hand guard removal
Throttle pull halved
Poor reserve light activation point fixed

That’s got most of it I think...

Time to sell it then I guess

Ciao

[Huzo]

Time to sell it then I guess

Ciao

Hmmmm...
That might be an issue. If I took 10 grand off what it owes me, I’d still need to get 20 k...!
I’m afraid she’s a keeper.

https://youtu.be/W9ulUhJgVwk

(Lucky she’s pretty..)

[Caffeineo]

I really like the new, low pipe. Makes it easy to put some soft luggage on and I doubt it will have any negative effect anyplace you will be riding it off road. Maybe some manufacturer will pick up on this and you can collect a royalty.   

[Huzo]

I really like the new, low pipe. Makes it easy to put some soft luggage on and I doubt it will have any negative effect anyplace you will be riding it off road. Maybe some manufacturer will pick up on this and you can collect a royalty.   

Well, that’s a topical subject at present for me.
I was in a conversation the other day with old mate and he said that I have removed my bike from it’s “intended purpose..”.
The (predictable) response was two fold.
If there were 10 bog standard V85’s and 10 replicas of mine on a dealer floor..
Which one would sell out first ?

Also
Other than fitting road tyres and removing the piece of bent tin..(bash plate), what have I done to mine that would preclude it from operating in the same sphere as it was originally envisaged by the manufacturer ?

[Caffeineo]

Well, that’s a topical subject at present for me.
I was in a conversation the other day with old mate and he said that I have removed my bike from it’s “intended purpose..”.
The (predictable) response was two fold.
If there were 10 bog standard V85’s and 10 replicas of mine on a dealer floor..
Which one would sell out first ?

Also
Other than fitting road tyres and removing the piece in bent tin..(bash plate), what have I done to mine that would preclude it from operating in the same sphere as it was originally envisaged by the manufacturer ?

Well unless you are planning on riding MC only (single track) trails you have not lost any off road ability with the lower exhaust and made it easier to mount side bags. If you do plan on riding single track trails you really should pick another bike. Even if you only ride dirt roads on occasion I think a skid plate is a good idea as there is always some bits thrown up from the front tire. Mostly protection from cosmetic dings.

Damon Bradshaw rides a T700 on some hairy trails with an exhaust about the height as yours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjshsFzgXlg Of course online everyone rides at the expert level.   

[Huzo]

I decided that the low muffler did not have enough upward kick.
The rear pegs were preventing any further re positioning in that regard, so out with the hacksaw...









Some prettying up required, but I’m happy with the angle.

[egschade]

I decided that the low muffler did not have enough upward kick.
The rear pegs were preventing any further re positioning in that regard, so out with the hacksaw...



Some prettying up required, but I’m happy with the angle.

Being parallel to the rear subframe/rack makes a nice line. Also like the clear space under the seat.

[Huzo]

Being parallel to the rear subframe/rack makes a nice line. Also like the clear space under the seat.

Yeah, I’m happy with that.
Now I want the engine/gearbox silver...

[Huzo]

This is how it ended up with the panniers on.


There is now a massive space between the inside of the left case and the wheel.
I saw a post where some bloke has fitted a tool case in there.
That engine needs to be silver.
Hmmmm.....

[PJPR01]

This is how it ended up with the panniers on.


There is now a massive space between the inside of the left case and the wheel.
I saw a post where some bloke has fitted a tool case in there.
That engine needs to be silver.
Hmmmm.....

Black engine looks more stealth...color combos look great.  Sounds like the pannier issue is similar to the Stelvio...you could pack an elephant in between the bike and pannier given that the muffler tucks up in between there.  A round tool kit cylinder might be a good choice...but you'll probably need one on the other side to keep it symmetrical or the imbalance will drive you nuts! 
Looking good!

[Huzo]

Black engine looks more stealth...color combos look great.  Sounds like the pannier issue is similar to the Stelvio...you could pack an elephant in between the bike and pannier given that the muffler tucks up in between there.  A round tool kit cylinder might be a good choice...but you'll probably need one on the other side to keep it symmetrical or the imbalance will drive you nuts! 
Looking good!

It’s too late, I am already nuts..!
But the imbalance thing would not be an issue, because the right hand pannier is wider anyway.
It would actually even it up.

[PJPR01]

 

[Jorg66]

Yup ,totally dig it,.... foremost the Look of the Front Fender and Exaust.Very Prime !

[DH8a]

Which headers and crossover did you fit? Any fuelling issues?

[Huzo]

Which headers and crossover did you fit? Any fuelling issues?

I made the headers from stainless and were done on a mandrel bender.
The Y piece is Agostini and all TIG welded.




The bike has been re mapped on a dyno and Lambdas disabled. I would have removed them completely (and did) for a while, but the ECU throws an engine light.
Initially there was a very slight dip in the fuelling at 2,800-3,100 rpm under light throttle, but that hole has been mapped out. It now pulls evenly and I think it is more even with the Mivv than the Zard.
I can get 500 km from a tank (just), under ideal conditions but things have to be perfect.
A range of 470 is always achievable.

[Huzo]

I have bumped the old V85 TT mods thread.
All the questions about the exhaust are answered in there.

[Vagrant]

How did you getrid of the O2 sensors? I thought it couldn't be done.

[Huzo]

How did you getrid of the O2 sensors? I thought it couldn't be done.

The guy who reworked the map has the ability to switch them off. I specifically asked him if they are still functioning and he said no.
They do need to be plugged into the loom though, unplugging them results in the yellow engine light illuminating and a code being thrown.
I do believe Meinolf has written on this matter recently however.

[Huzo]

How about this for a left hand compliment...(I think..)
I pulled up today at a place called Halls Gap on my V85. There were a few bikes laying around.
Anyway, one of the punters says..
“Gee that’s nice isn’t it..” (pointing in the direction of my bike..)
One of the other blokes says..
“Ah yeah, that’s one of them Moto Guzzis, it’s ok but I like those TT things more....” 

[Brand X]

“Ah yeah, that’s one of them Moto Guzzis, it’s ok but I like those TT things more....” 

I am guessing you are doing it more to suit your tastes anyway..  Always tasteful to me though. I have my polished rims coming for my Stronelllo coming next week. I want to keep two sets of wheels with different looks..

[Trialsman]

Your bike mods are always thought through and well executed Peter.  More people should venture down that road to make their bike truly THEIR bike.

[Huzo]

Your bike mods are always thought through and well executed Peter.  More people should venture down that road to make their bike truly THEIR bike.

Yes T.
I just thought it funny, that our simpleton hero did not recognise my bike as a V85. There was something very primal about him.