V7 weight reduction….curiosity

[Beowulf]

So I love the v7 850. It’s plenty for everything I ever wanted to do. But as with all things I love the thought of optimizing it. Whether that’s anything I own my mini coopers( don’t even get me started on the amount of stupid stuff I’ve done)
To finding the optimal load for hunting I like to have fun with it.

I ordered exhaust from Zard.


So what weight reductions have you guys done for your v7 that you liked the most?

Is a fender delete a weight reduction?

I’m thinking perhaps a lithium battery.

Suggestions welcome. I realize this isn’t a racing Bike and this in the interest of entertainment.

[Dirk_S]

For weight savings on my V7 II, I replaced the plastic mudguards for the lightweight aluminum fenders from MAS Engineering, replaced the AGM battery for a  lithium battery, replaced cast wheels for the spoked (and sealed for tubeless), and swapped the exhaust for my Unit Garage scrambler exhaust. All in all, I think I saved about 24 pounds or more… made up for elsewhere. You could even go as far as replacing the seat and tank for a V9 to cut down some of the fuel weight. Unfortunately, I know that the 850 doesn’t have as many options for exhaust at the moment.

[Kev m]

I know you said just for fun etc but it sounds like pissing in the wind.

Dirk you can't be serious? The aluminum was lighter than the plastic? What are we talking measured in OZs?

Same with the cast aluminum wheels vs spokes? What did they each weigh? I'm dying to know?

Well I beat that anyway, cause I cut 30# off mine after -the lockdowns (cause i started working out again and ate better). Ymmv.

[Dirk_S]

Dirk you can't be serious?

Super duper serious.

The aluminum was lighter than the plastic? What are we talking measured in OZ?

Easily at least a pound without really thinking on it. Don’t know if you ever had yours off your bike before, but that rear plastic fender is a beefcake when you take into consideration all the surface area, tool recess, and especially that under part “inner fender,” none of which the stupid simple aluminum mudguards have:






small image

Same with the cast aluminum wheels vs spokes? What did they each weigh? I'm dying to know?

If I ever weighed them, I’ve forgotten by now, but happy to do so again if someone wants to throw their cast wheels onto the scale for comparison.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, they could be a smidge heavier. I really bought them for the purpose of off-road flexibility.

Well I beat that anyway, cause I cut 30# off mine after - lockdowns (cause started working out again and ate better). Ymmv.

If I lose that much, I’ll remind folks of Christian Bale from The Machinist. Congrats, though. I’m sure that feels awesome, especially for the joints.

[joe-dean]

any thing you take off the bike = weight loss

[Kev m]

Super duper serious.
Easily at least a pound without really thinking on it. Don’t know if you ever had yours off your bike before, but that rear plastic fender is a beefcake when you take into consideration all the surface area, tool recess, and especially that under part “inner fender,” none of which the stupid simple aluminum mudguards have:






small image





If I ever weighed them, I’ve forgotten by now, but happy to do so again if someone wants to throw their cast wheels onto the scale for comparison.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, they could be a smidge heavier. I really bought them for the purpose of off-road flexibility.

If I lose that much, I’ll remind folks of Christian Bale from The Machinist. Congrats, though. I’m sure that feels awesome, especially for the joints.

  to everything and thanks for the answers.

I could be having brain fog but I THOUGHT when they released the MkI 10 years ago they said that both the cast and spokes were now lighter than the previous smallblock wheels and I could have sworn they said they weighed the same but that could be 10 years of screwing it up in my brain.

[bad Chad]

Don't put more than 2.5 gallons in your tank, and you'll knock off over 18lb.

[twowheeladdict]

Unless you are at the low side of your weight range  reducing the weight of the bike is an exercise in diminishing returns for money spent. 

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Back in the 70s, I heard of some hard core bicyclists that drilled holes in their water bottles to lighten the weight. I never chose to go  that route.

[Tkelly]

Best and cheapest way is for the rider to drop a few lbs.No heavyweight jockeys or bike racers.

[majstevetrevor]

I replaced my rear fender and lights with Baak’s option, and while I never weighed either and hadn’t really expected it I felt a real difference in weight.

[Beowulf]

Interesting might have to check out the baak option. This just for weight reduction in practical limits and for the fun of it. I prefer not to make a modification to learn I’ve added weight.

Far as pissing in the wind a 45 degree angle better than a 90 for optimal distance????? Jk

Decisions decisions…. Torn between aluminum fenders and a fender delete. I’d need to research if aluminum fenders are an option.

Man the 2.5 gallon fuel thing is interesting. Appreciate the responses.

[Dirk_S]

The MAS Engineering aluminum mudguards appear to be a hair cheaper. They’re the developers of the OEM aluminum mudguards that you see on the Milano, Rough, Stornello, etc:

https://www.scramblerparts.it/categoria-prodotto/motoguzzi/

[wymple]

I don't see the point. It's not heavy to begin with.

[reidy]

If you fail to see the point in the question, that is fine but no need to comment.

The fact is Beowulf has asked because he is curious.   

As far as weight reduction goes your greatest improvement to handling and comfort is minimizing your unsprung weight. That is wheels, brakes and moving part of the suspension. The go fast boys replace bolts in this area with titanium bolts. Hollow axles are used by a lot of manufactures. I don't know how far you want to go but have wondered if the crown wheel can be made lighter and the drive shaft can be made hollow. Making it hollow won't reduce the strength. Also titanium bolts in the final drive would make a difference.

The next step is a combination of weight reduction or weight centralization. Basically the biggest effect will be gained by reducing weight furthest from the center of gravity of the bike. You can calculate where the center of gravity is. As has been mentioned elimination is the easiest weight reduction. If an item can't be eliminated or made lighter, moving it closer to the center of gravity will make the bike feel lighter.   

Now for all of those people that say just loose weight. That may help with acceleration, but some people may take there bike off road. Just having less weight can make it more manageable.

Steve

[Alfetta]

i think that there is some weight that can be removed from the rear caliper bracket... no idea how much, but next time mine is out, it's getting lightening holes !

[Beowulf]

So I’m not planning to blow the doors off anything really. I’d buy a faster bike which isn’t what I’m after. I enjoy the bike immensely. Appreciate the responses. Considering the Agostini fender delete. I might run a thread on weight reductions with each part weighed as I go along. Not planning anything drastic just the usual fun modifications.

Are there titanium bolts available for the final drive?

[Huzo]

It’s not always about IS it lighter, rather than does it “look” lighter.




In reality only about 15 lbs lighter…(or thereabouts).

[Beowulf]

It’s not always about IS it lighter, rather than does it “look” lighter.




In reality only about 15 lbs lighter…(or thereabouts).

Good point. I like that.

[9fingers]

An exhaust system......I did Agostini on my V7III, a lithium battery, aluminum rear shocks, are you biggies. And remember the old rule, 1 lb of up high weight feels like 4 lbs of low down weight, as least in terms of tossing the bike around. The Agostini pipes saved me a huge amount of weight and then I add it all back on with the centerstand, which I consider a must have. But have fun with it. I have done the same thing on two of my old Honda trials bikes, and it made a huge difference in their performance.
Scott

[reidy]

Titanium bolts can be purchased in metric sizes so you could get some.

As a cheaper alternative I read an article by a bloke called Phil Irving on weight reduction. I think it is safe to say that he had a reasonable grasp on engineering and motorcycles. He had a hand in the design of the Vincent engine amongst other things.

He suggested drilling a hole through the head of a bolt down to just short of where the thread starts on the shank. The hole size was calculated according to the bolt diameter and thread. From memory he wanted to keep the cross sectional area of the bolt. How he calculated the hole size was to work out the cross sectional area of the bolt at the root of the thread. He then worked out the cross sectional area of the shank with no thread. The hole size was what diameter hole was required to keep the shank the same cross section as the threaded part.  Apparently this does not cuase any reduction in the bolts strength. I believe some pushbikes use bolts like this.

Steve   

[Kildareman]

I replaced my rear fender and lights with Baak’s option, and while I never weighed either and hadn’t really expected it I felt a real difference in weight.

I did the same and did weigh them, but tipically can't find the results. I can remember though that the Baak, complete with rear lights and Motogadget indicators was less than half the weight if the Guzzi parts.
Also saved 4Kg fitting the Mistral's.  I'd say I'm still a little under factory weight as I did add the Guzzi center stand.

[Kev m]

If you fail to see the point in the question, that is fine but no need to comment.

There's no "need" to post anything on a forum. But we do it to share information and opinions. The opinion that it's unlikely to yield much of a difference without considerable effort and expense is just as valid a point to share as say drilling the shanks out of bolts.

Neither makes the rest of the thread invalid either.

I will watch the efforts and results with curiosity too.

[reidy]

There's no "need" to post anything on a forum. But we do it to share information and opinions. The opinion that it's unlikely to yield much of a difference without considerable effort and expense is just as valid a point to share as say drilling the shanks out of bolts.

Neither makes the rest of the thread invalid either.

I will watch the efforts and results with curiosity too.

Kev, my comment was aimed at the post above it that said "I don't see the point. It's not heavy to begin with." Your comment are valid as well as those that mentions expense. It can be easy to get swept away thinking about a modification and not take into account that you could by a small African nation. I guess I am just the type of person that is more interested in solutions. I to am watching with curiosity and to expand my knowledge base.

Steve 

[Kev m]

Kev, my comment was aimed at the post above it that said "I don't see the point. It's not heavy to begin with." Your comment are valid as well as those that mentions expense. It can be easy to get swept away thinking about a modification and not take into account that you could by a small African nation. I guess I am just the type of person that is more interested in solutions. I to am watching with curiosity and to expand my knowledge base.

Steve

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