Author Topic: Guzzi Cafe Racer Project (Read 39085 times)

simaster · « **Reply #60 on:** August 22, 2012, 12:43:18 PM »

Regarding silk purse to silk purse - probably. I guess the purses look a little different though.

Why do it? Not even sure where to start with that question. Some of my favorite guzzi's (inspirations listed previously) were customs. When you think about it, the main changes associated with this build vs. stock is the elimination of weight and body work.

Everything is stock except: exhaust, rear shock, carbs and levers...
Obviously we repainted, etc.
Overall we put the Sport on Weight Watchers and shed 35 pounds while simultaneously enhancing perofrmance and handling (suspension).

Will you like this bike better or worse than the original? I think that answer will vary by person. Some will love, some will hate, some will be inspired, some will be offended. Regardless of where you stand, I respect your opinion. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Like I mentioned earlier, I love and respect the Guzzi line. I have taken it upon myself to push some boundries. That, I know, will always be controversial.

simaster · « **Reply #61 on:** August 27, 2012, 08:44:33 AM »

Almost done. Speedo, tach and some jetting fine tunes and we should be complete.

gentlemanjim · « **Reply #62 on:** August 27, 2012, 09:45:11 AM »

Being a Cafe bike fan you did a spectacular job. Even though many will say your build is like skydiving "why jump out of a perfectly good airplane"

I love it is the CF a wrap material?

ridingron · « **Reply #63 on:** August 27, 2012, 10:07:02 AM »

Quote

A Cafe is not really my cup of tea, however I can admire the enginneering and creativity.

It appears to me a lot of time, money, and effort were spent to make a silk purse from a silk purse.

I guess my point was that mostly the body work defines the look. You stripped it to the frame and put new body work on the frame. You could have bought a less "classic" model and stripped it to the frame. Then added your stylings to make it your creation. I'll retract my above statement from before. I'll go with a different thought.

To me, it looks pretty much like another Cafe bike. Nicer finishing touches, but ... It appears to me a lot of time, money, and effort were spent to make a plain, run of the mill looking purse, from a silk purse.

Just my opinion, it is your bike.

A Centauro is as Cafe as I can go.

kevdog3019 · « **Reply #64 on:** August 27, 2012, 10:23:43 AM »

Quote from: ridingron on August 27, 2012, 10:07:02 AM

I guess my point was that mostly the body work defines the look. You stripped it to the frame and put new body work on the frame. You could have bought a less "classic" model and stripped it to the frame. Then added your stylings to make it your creation. I'll retract my above statement from before. I'll go with a different thought.

To me, it looks pretty much like another Cafe bike. Nicer finishing touches, but ... It appears to me a lot of time, money, and effort were spent to make a plain, run of the mill looking purse, from a silk purse.

Just my opinion, it is your bike.

A Centauro is as Cafe as I can go.

I think his last statement tells you where he sits. Very nice job and no cobble. I think you did the best you could with the bike you did it from. ;-T

-Kevin

simaster · « **Reply #65 on:** August 27, 2012, 11:10:56 AM »

gentlemanjim,
Thanks for the post. The CF wrap is a process called hydrographic printing. It's a pretty amazing process (google it) where they place a "graphic" into a bath and submerge the part being "wrapped". The image adheres to the part (e.g., tank). The part is then clear coated. Although it's not the real deal, it looks amazing (amazingly light).

simaster · « **Reply #66 on:** August 28, 2012, 09:19:30 AM »

Quote from: kevdog3019 on August 27, 2012, 10:23:43 AM

I think his last statement tells you where he sits. Very nice job and no cobble. I think you did the best you could with the bike you did it from. ;-T

-Kevin

Kevin,
I hear ya. Thanks for the kind words. I'll have some more pics up soon when the job is complete.

Travman · « **Reply #67 on:** August 28, 2012, 09:33:11 AM »

I love it. It looks beautiful. ;-T

Guzzirider · « **Reply #68 on:** August 28, 2012, 10:01:59 AM »

Looking good- great job done!

A friend is caffing his Centauro- it has a 1288cc motor, shortened wheelbase and a Ducati Monster tail with custom subframe.

Even though I will always love Tonti cafe racers, Spineys can be a great canvas to paint on, and I always enjoy "ruining" perfectly good standard bikes!

Erwin8r · « **Reply #69 on:** August 28, 2012, 11:54:27 AM »

Quote from: simaster on August 27, 2012, 08:44:33 AM

Almost done. Speedo, tach and some jetting fine tunes and we should be complete.

Simply gorgeous! :bow

simaster · « **Reply #70 on:** August 28, 2012, 04:02:15 PM »

Quote from: Guzzirider on August 28, 2012, 10:01:59 AM

Looking good- great job done!

A friend is caffing his Centauro- it has a 1288cc motor, shortened wheelbase and a Ducati Monster tail with custom subframe.

Even though I will always love Tonti cafe racers, Spineys can be a great canvas to paint on, and I always enjoy "ruining" perfectly good standard bikes!

WOW! That's pretty sweet! Where is the tank from?

Guzzirider · « **Reply #71 on:** August 29, 2012, 03:26:50 AM »

It is a Daytona or 1100 Sport I think?

simaster · « **Reply #72 on:** October 03, 2012, 09:13:55 PM »

The bike is finally done. Here are some pics:

Semper-guzzi · « **Reply #73 on:** October 03, 2012, 10:36:00 PM »

Gorgeous.

wcguzzi · « **Reply #74 on:** October 03, 2012, 10:52:21 PM »

Ended up nice. Many different challenges and compromises in a build of this type. Of which are you most proud?

simaster · « **Reply #75 on:** October 04, 2012, 11:54:16 AM »

Quote from: wcguzzi on October 03, 2012, 10:52:21 PM

Ended up nice. Many different challenges and compromises in a build of this type. Of which are you most proud?

Thank you. There were a lot of challenges and compromises. Most of the compromises were weighted towards what I wanted to do but could not (mostly because the ends could not justify the means). The majority of challenges related to the difficulty in adapting this particular model Guzzi to ideas/direction. The bike resists anything other than what it was born with...
Proud: I'd say we had set out with a goal to put the bike on a weight watchers diet without losing the Guzzi good looks, character and integrity. I think we accomplished that with a total weight loss exceeding 35lbs and (IMO) a solid tribute to Guzzi. Additionally, the weight loss, new carbs and exhaust really changed the performance characteristics of the bike. Those mods made game changing performance improvements.

thomas · « **Reply #76 on:** October 04, 2012, 01:06:20 PM »

Looking very good! Well done!

My only gripe is that you (had to?) retained Guzzi's crappy accident-waiting-for-a-place-to-happen... sidestand...

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #77 on:** October 04, 2012, 01:31:21 PM »

I love it, I just wish I had the imagination (and cash) to do something similar with my V11 Sport

Matteo · « **Reply #78 on:** October 04, 2012, 04:25:29 PM »

Bravo! Love it!

charlie b · « **Reply #79 on:** October 04, 2012, 06:49:33 PM »

Well, you surprised me. I really didn't think it would turn out very well when you started.

Nice job and it does look good.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #80 on:** October 04, 2012, 06:58:13 PM »

Well, I was squarely in the don't cut it up camp, but that's a nice piece of work you've done. ;-T

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #81 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:40:24 PM »

that's cool but I'll stay where I'm @

Bella · « **Reply #82 on:** October 04, 2012, 08:51:11 PM »

Stunning job, have never seen a finer cafe project! Would love to throw a leg over it! Must be very scary & emotional the first time you start and ride it!!

Whose idea was the seat with the grommets?

Scott

simaster · « **Reply #83 on:** October 08, 2012, 09:02:23 AM »

Quote from: Bella on October 04, 2012, 08:51:11 PM

Stunning job, have never seen a finer cafe project! Would love to throw a leg over it! Must be very scary & emotional the first time you start and ride it!!

Whose idea was the seat with the grommets?

Scott

Thanks Scott.
The first ride was amazing. I'm so happy with the look and feel of the bike. Unfortunately the pictures don't do it justice...
The seat grommets were Alan Bernard's signature touch (of Santiago Choppers and Norley Cafe Racer). Alan drove the work on this build and he deserves all the credit. He lived and breathed the bike and I think I was able to win him over to the Guzzi. It was a great experience working with him.
http://www.norleycaferacer.com/

Travman · « **Reply #84 on:** October 09, 2012, 09:46:15 PM »

Congratulations on the spread on BikeExif.

http://www.bikeexif.com/moto-guzzi-daytona-custom#more-14498

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #85 on:** October 09, 2012, 09:54:21 PM »

That is one BMF, Impressive photo shoot!

Mad Mac · « **Reply #86 on:** October 12, 2012, 07:47:08 AM »

Auto Evolution has a nice write up, too. Congratulations.
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/custom-moto-guzzi-v1100-by-santiago-chopper-50458.html

simaster · « **Reply #87 on:** October 15, 2012, 10:08:10 AM »

Thanks for the well wishes and info.
Not sure why this was being written up as a Daytona. As most of you already know, this started out as a '96 1100 sport (carb).
Hopefully we will see more guzzi's written up in the future!

Calijackalbob · « **Reply #88 on:** January 23, 2016, 04:28:30 AM »

Quote from: simaster on July 01, 2012, 03:00:24 PM

Before image:

You did a nice job, but I prefer the original. Guzzi hit the nail on the head when they designed the Sport 1100/Daytona. I would never consider chopping one up unless it were a wreck to begin with. Somehow seems sacreligious.

.............. then again, If I were to come across a wrecked Sport 1100 / Daytona. I'd replace the damaged bits and restore it to original. Just too damn sexy the way it rolled off the production line.

wrbix · « **Reply #89 on:** January 23, 2016, 01:32:46 PM »

Spot looks great in silver livery.

News:

Author Topic: Guzzi Cafe Racer Project (Read 39085 times)

ridingron

Erwin8r

Mad Mac