Simplyj's "Girlfriend's Guzzi" Build Thread

[simplyj]

Forgive me if I missed this, but what was the source of that gauge?

Dan-moto.com

[Kev m]

Dan-moto.com

;-T

[rboe]

Nice graphics on the gauge. Full marks.  :bow

Many bikes out there (KTM comes to mind) that look great, but have a Mattel or Tonka looking dash and just ruins the look. Not unlike a classy looking gal opening up her mouth and a squeaky mouse voice comes out.  :P You have a Lauren Bacall dash there.

[blackcat]

Loud motorcycles in NYC...sigh. It's actually quite a bit quieter than it was 15-20 years ago with the sound of scooter's being the norm. I shared a moto garage with Indian Larry and his bike was LOUD compared to what I'm sure is going to be J's slightly annoying V7. But then NYC has turned into suburbia so who knows.

[kevdog3019]

Loud motorcycles in NYC...sigh. It's actually quite a bit quieter than it was 15-20 years ago with the sound of scooter's being the norm. I shared a moto garage with Indian Larry and his bike was LOUD compared to what I'm sure is going to be J's slightly annoying V7. But then NYC has turned into suburbia so who knows.

I think this cat knows better than the peanut gallery what is going to work for noise levels in HIS neighborhood. Let's cut him a break now. He's heard it plenty and I'm NOT a loud pipes guy myself. To each their own. I'm enjoying his work and I think we have things to gain by it.

[Kev m]

I think this cat knows better than the peanut gallery what is going to work for noise levels in HIS neighborhood. Let's cut him a break now. He's heard it plenty and I'm NOT a loud pipes guy myself. To each their own. I'm enjoying his work and I think we have things to gain by it.

Well we WERE done discussing it.

But funny Cat ended his comment with:

But then NYC has turned into suburbia so who knows.

   :BEER:

[blackcat]

I think this cat knows better than the peanut gallery what is going to work for noise levels in HIS neighborhood. Let's cut him a break now. He's heard it plenty and I'm NOT a loud pipes guy myself. To each their own. I'm enjoying his work and I think we have things to gain by it.

What I'm saying is that his bike will probably be just fine and having ridden in NYC for most of my life with bikes that were louder than norm, it is a good thing, especially if splitting lanes is your norm.

Anyway, certain neighborhood's have turned into large NYU dorms, so noise is not an issue.

[simplyj]

What I'm saying is that his bike will probably be just fine and having ridden in NYC for most of my life with bikes that were louder than norm, it is a good thing, especially if splitting lanes is your norm.

Anyway, certain neighborhood's have turned into large NYU dorms, so noise is not an issue.

Yes, noise will not be an issue and a louder (but not too obnoxious) bike helps in many urban riding situations.  Might not make cabbies take notice as a few scrapes and bruises on my left side will attest to, but I can't tell you how many times a few revs will clear jaywalking pedestrians out of the way as they seem completely blind to motorcycles.  Anyhow, back to the build...

Looking like rain later this week so tonight's plan is to get the bike up on the jack and get the wheels off so I can drop them off at my local shop to have the tires replaced.  If the weather cooperates I'm hoping to get the ECU out and shipped to Todd with the mufflers and get started on an aluminum gauge bracket/dash cover

[Testarossa]

I've always thought that if we depend on exhaust noise to alert traffic to our presence, the megaphones should point forward.

[blackcat]

I've always thought that if we depend on exhaust noise to alert traffic to our presence, the megaphones should point forward.

They just lowered the speed limit in NYC from 30mph to 25mph*, so a few little revs (quicker than hitting the horn) at that speed lets people know where you are located. For about five years the horn on my CX was broken (don't ask) so engine noise was my only horn.


*"a pedestrian hit at 30 mph has a one in five chance of being killed, but a collision at 25 mph decreases the pedestrian's odds of death to one in 10. At 25 mph, a motorist's stopping distance is improved by 45 feet."

[Steph]

So I've taken delivery of the salvage 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone I purchased at auction to build into a mild street scrambler style bike inspired by the Baak V7. 

Inspiration:

The V7 Tracker BAAK is listed for the equivalent of  $ 15k  (€ 11,799) in France.
What's your budget for the project?
If your girlfriend doesn't like it, you could probably turn a profit on it?

[simplyj]

The V7 Tracker BAAK is listed for the equivalent of  $ 15k  (€ 11,799) in France.
What's your budget for the project?
If your girlfriend doesn't like it, you could probably turn a profit on it?

Trying to stay within $5000-5500 but I think that might be a little ambitious given some of her recent choices concerning mirrors, paint, and upholstery.  Even at a $6k budget, I think she could turn a slight profit to the right buyer without being too greedy should the bike not work out.  

[Chuck in Indiana]

I think I could turn a slight profit to the right buyer

I hate to burst your bubble, but with a salvage title, it won't happen. BTDT, never let it worry me. It's a good way to get a "new" motorcycle with about half the cost, though. Or less..  ;D

[simplyj]

I hate to burst your bubble, but with a salvage title, it won't happen. BTDT, never let it worry me. It's a good way to get a "new" motorcycle with about half the cost, though. Or less..  ;D

I've also been down the salvage title road before.  It is a harder sell but hardly a deal breaker for many.  It is just one of the reasons I'm documenting everything; including taking a lot of pictures of the damage, replacing the majority of damaged parts with OEM, etc.  Rule of thumb is salvage vehicles are worth about 60-70% of a comparable clean title vehicle.  With a custom bike, that line gets a little blurrier, but I don't think I'd be out of line expecting to sell for 6-6.5k come springtime for a finished bike should it come to that.  The bike market here is a funny and expensive one.  I've had unsolicited offers over $6k on my 2001 Triumph with 22k miles on it (less than $4500 into it) and a year ago sold another 2004 Bonneville modified in a cafe style for $6250 ($5k all in on bike and mods + 2 years/6k miles of ownership).  Considering the previous discussion of neighbors hating me, I actually sold that one to a neighbor down the block who approached me while I parking it after a ride.  Older guy who finally got the OK on a bike from his wife and had admired mine when he walked past every morning... and still gives me big hellos and talks bikes whenever I run into him. 

But nevertheless, I agree with you on not letting it worry me.  I only considered potential resale when setting the budget and trying to keep the s/o within it.  But really, I'm just enjoying the build and, more importantly, the look on her face as I get her involved, and you can't put a resale price on that. 

[biking sailor]

But really, I'm just enjoying the build and, more importantly, the look on her face as I get her involved, and you can't put a resale price on that. 

That's the key right there!  Profits can come in many forms, not just money.

[TalkingGriso]

I've always thought that if we depend on exhaust noise to alert traffic to our presence, the megaphones should point forward.

Hyuk.  But seriously, sound waves issue in all directions from a motorcycle...

[Cam3512]

If you're looking to repair and paint the tank, I know a Guzzi guy in upstate NY that does a great job for a reasonable price. PM me if interested and I'll give you his info.

[simplyj]

A small teaser of things to come

[kevdog3019]

Leather seat and patch... nice touch.

[biking sailor]

A small teaser of things to come

God I love cool motorcycle stuff! Keep it coming!  :BEER:

[kevdog3019]

Looks like the distressed leather she offers?  I like it!

[simplyj]

Looks like the distressed leather she offers?  I like it!

actually it's distressed bison hide we sourced from a tannery out west.  Gf wanted a specific look so it was easiest to seek out a hide ourselves.  Meeting with Corinna Mon or Tues with the hide and stock seat to hammer out the design details. 

[kevdog3019]

That's right, you mentioned the bison earlier. It's very cool looking. Keep us informed. Are you changing much with the stock seat or doing a variation on a theme?

[Semper-guzzi]

I love your style so far. Very cool goose. Can't wait to see the before and after.

[simplyj]

That's right, you mentioned the bison earlier. It's very cool looking. Keep us informed. Are you changing much with the stock seat or doing a variation on a theme?

sticking with the stock style seat with slightly more pronounced horizontal pleats and, hopefully, a slight slimming of the side profile. 

[kevdog3019]

sticking with the stock style seat with slightly more pronounced horizontal pleats and, hopefully, a slight slimming of the side profile. 

Ah, like the cross-pleats myself. The lighter color will make things look bigger so smart on possible thinness as well.

[racasey]

 A question about the gage face.  Apparently you drew up the design on a computer at home and I saw a reference to printing at Kinkos.  What material is the gage face printed on? 

This build has been very pleasurable to follow.

Thanks in advance,
Dick

[simplyj]

Haven't done a whole lot recently as was waiting on parts. Todd is working on the ecu, Corinna was working on the seat, and waiting for stock replacement parts to come in from harpers. After heading out to the Moto Borgotaro bbq yesterday and seeing a few beautiful custom guzzis, I was ancy to make some progress on the bike so I was extremely happy to hear that the seat was finished. Came out incredible. I would not hesitate to recommend Corinna. I've had quite a few custom seats but this is by far my favorite. Pictures can't convey the quality of her work.




And a crappy dark pic on the bike. Isn't latched in so don't mind the gaps.


As far as the gauge face, it's a 2 part face. A transparency glued to an image printed on regular printer paper then trimmed.

[Unkept]

That seat looks fantastic.

Keep it up!

-Joe

[kevdog3019]

how much more of that leather do you have?  ;)  ;-T
-Kevin