G5 front end

[Mor]

Has anyone got some experience in swapping over a front end on a G5? My '84 G5 has the stock front end with FAC dampers but I still find myself wishing it had better brakes and suspension up front.
I read somewhere that an EV front end is a fairly straight forward conversion, can anyone shed more light on what's involved? I have a lead on a complete EV front end.
Thanks!

[faffi]

Virtually any front end can be fitted if you have the complete unit. Not sure if you have cast or wire wheels on your bike, but I presume they are cast since it is an '84. Personally, I would also considered a front end from the Le Mans IV with the 18in front wheel, as it is sturdier with more sophisticated damping thant your G5 front end, and I would expect the brakes to be better as well. De-linking the brakes will also dramatically improve the front brake, provided an optimal master cylinder.

[Mor]

Thanks Faffi. I'm looking for the "easiest" possible solution here, ideally without any machining of parts. A bolt-on option maybe just involving head bearing change would be ideal.
I have cast wheels.

[faffi]

I hope someone with personal experience can chime in and hand you a bolt-on solution. Here are some general points to consider:

If you want to retain your triple clamps, you are stuck with the stock fork tube diameter, and fork leg spacing, which can prove problematic.
If you are OK to swap triple clamps, you may have issues fitting the stock instruments, ignition lock and steering lock, and - unless you can retain the stock steering stem - may need new bearings.
A steering stem off a different bike may be too long or too short for the steering neck of your bike.
If you swap in a complete front end that will fit with little or no mods, you risk having a front wheel of a different design to your stock bike.
If you want to retain your stock wheel inside a new front, you may need custom made spacers, axle and brake discs.


And so on. I have made a couple of front end swaps, and there have always been some issues to address. Everything can be fixed, it is just that some take more time, effort and money.

You could also consider upgrading the braking calipers for better stopping power, but maybe an overhaul kit is all you need along with new pads. You can also modify the damping characteristics in the forks and find more suitable springs. I do not know the Guzzi system, but I have modified the damper rods for less compression damping (Japanese bikes often have too much compression and too little rebound), and cut the springs in many a front end to get the correct rate for my needs, spending no money other than on fork oil to get the right amount of damping.

[Mor]

Maybe you're right, I only have the bike a year so I don't know when the brake system was last rebuilt. I'll start with that and see how that improves it. It has braided steel brake lines fitted and I do like the linked brake system.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The EV front end is not going to be a simple "bolt on" swap. The steering head of an EV is much taller than that of the G5, so the EV steering stem will be way too long.

[wirespokes]

I have no complaints with the F08 Brembos on the early tontis. It's claimed stainless lines help, but I haven't found that to be the case. What I have found to help is a smaller master cylinder. In fact, the master for the single front caliper is perfect for controlling two calipers.

As for the damping, converting to showa cartridge  dampers is supposed to be the way to go. Only minor modification to the Showa top is needed to make them work.

[Aldo]

I put a disc front end on my Eldorado from a bunch of collected parts (T, G5, etc). The forks have FAC dampers and progressive springs. Brakes have SS lines, EBC stainless full floating discs, Twin F08's w/ EBC HH sintered pads. They are both connected to a Brembo 15mm master (T drum on the back). By all means, not state of the art, but I find that it all works very, very well.