Monza porn

[kevdog3019]

Just standard, although stainless, Monza valves. The Lario isn't the only old small block that would drop them. The Lario was just much better at it.  Guzzi changed to the progressively wound single spring, and that seemed to cure it. The modern small block's valve train is reliable.
It just seems to me that a preemptive strike is the logical thing to do. The new valves are cheap, and it's dead simple to change them out.

For stock valves they sure look better quality than the stock Lario valves. Good on you at that mileage to get in there and see whatcha got going on and be done with it.

[steamdriven NZ]

My Monza came with the day glo orange as shown in the brochure, and was in that nice silver blue too.
The fairing paint bubbled, got it repainted and it bubbled again a few years later. When I repainted in in 1999 to white/black I didn't re-do the orange but I still have a spare set of those decals 'in stock'. In fact I have all of them so if you get stuck Chuck, let me know.
I also didn't do the tailpiece black stripes. Personal pref. Going to white meant it wasn't standard anymore anyway, so.....

Anyone repainting a Monza fairing (or all of it like I did), here's what I did. I took all of the plastic body bits, post-stripping and sanding, down to the bumper and grille repair specialists in the city I was in at the time. Got them to spray them all with their special primer which has an elastic compound in it and keys itself to plastic. When I got them back they got a light rub down then a coat of the primer for the paint system I was using on it. Then colour etc.

I didn't get or use the four black decal panels on the fairing, I just masked them out and did them in black paint while the tank was get its black etc. I was told to clear over the decals but I didn't because I didn't want to chance it considering my ability to spray clear.  16 years later they aren't peeling so take your chances.

Fast forward to today and the two pack Anzathane still looks good on the whole bike and the fairing has NO BUBBLES.

My bike is in the gallery (or was). I have no photobucket or host site that works with the pooter I use but if you want any pics, PM me.

Cheers Kev.

   

[Muzz]

I must add that Kev's Monzada looks very sharp indeed. Very pretty indeed in black and white.

[Monza-jockey]

I took my Monza out today for a back-roads boogie, still makes me smile....

[Chuck in Indiana]

I took my Monza out today for a back-roads boogie, still makes me smile....

Glad to hear you testify, brother. 
Tomorrow I go back to the cutter. Maybe he'll give me the ok. Weather is perfect..I'm suffering. 

[RayB]

Chuck
Good luck with the Doc.
Back in '00 I had back surgery in June. Was not allowed to lift or ride for 2 months. It was killing me not be able to do my normal routine...including working on my bikes, riding them - even doing my normal chores around the house.

[quota2000]

Well, since we are talking porn and day glo......



Please forgive me for the NGC, but at least it is Italian!!!

[steamdriven NZ]

I might not ride my Monzada much these days, but I seriously doubt I will ever part with it! It's time for much more use is coming soon...!
The best part of them is you approach a corner and think "I need to.......oh it's already responded and doing what I thought". Laugh if you like but it's that kind of machine, you think it along the road......
Yes the ride is not that great unless you are loaded up a bit or really pushing it, the forks are a bit spindly and the brakes are 80's performance... but it still is a nice place to be 27 years after first riding it.

You'll love it, Chuck.


Nice Mille there, Quota. Ducati finally built the bevel engine with a (plain bearing) bottom end worth having then they stopped making them! I used to know well a mechanic who specialised in Ducati, BMW and Guzzi. I lost count of the number of dead roller big ends he had on a shelf as a show of their reliability!   Sitting on a 900 S2 when I was a young motorcyclist in 1983 was enough to convince me that owning an Italian motorcycle was in my future. I was surrounded by three workmates who all had Guzzi's so I was turned away from the dark side early on.....

[kevdog3019]

I might not ride my Monzada much these days, but I seriously doubt I will ever part with it! It's time for much more use is coming soon...!
The best part of them is you approach a corner and think "I need to.......oh it's already responded and doing what I thought". Laugh if you like but it's that kind of machine, you think it along the road......
Yes the ride is not that great unless you are loaded up a bit or really pushing it, the forks are a bit spindly and the brakes are 80's performance... but it still is a nice place to be 27 years after first riding it.

Cure these items on any of the older sb's and you'll truly be amazed... and I'm not talking "you have to race it to notice".  As soon as you get to the end of the driveway you'll realize.

[steamdriven NZ]

Yeah..... you're right. I know.

I have a period Motomecca fork brace, given to me (thank you, Larry) , fits perfectly and makes a noticeable difference. But the forks are 'period' too.
I could put a set of modern upside down forks on it with demon brakes, only to find it highlights the age of everything else. To avoid being charged with offenses under the Law of Diminishing Returns I will stop at the fork brace stage and ride my bike as is, where is.... 

(Also in the mix is that I have a few toys but not unlimited income. I can't afford to really do all I want, but am happy with what I have. I can live with that, it's more than many people have).

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah..... you're right. I know.

I have a period Motomecca fork brace, given to me (thank you, Larry) , fits perfectly and makes a noticeable difference. But the forks are 'period' too.
I could put a set of modern upside down forks on it with demon brakes, only to find it highlights the age of everything else. To avoid being charged with offenses under the Law of Diminishing Returns I will stop at the fork brace stage and ride my bike as is, where is.... 

(Also in the mix is that I have a few toys but not unlimited income. I can't afford to really do all I want, but am happy with what I have. I can live with that, it's more than many people have).

I've mentioned that to the dawg more than once.  I had a Mark III at one time with a sacked front end. You could feel the forks flex depending on whether you were using the front brake or the brake pedal.  I didn't particularly care for the riding position.. I'm a sporty bike guy.. so I sold it, but I'll bet I could have made that front end decent with springs, damper, and fork brace.
My new to me Monza has all those and (probably) HH pads. The Kid is an x racer and *knows* his stuff. He told me I'd love it.
I'll bet he's right.

[John A]

Well Chuck you are probly back from the docs and are out shredding asphalt and tires, right?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well Chuck you are probly back from the docs and are out shredding asphalt and tires, right?

Naa, I have a late appointment. It'll be o dark thirty before we get back from Indy..

[kidsmoke]

Great Thread. Hope you get good news from the cutter, so you can ride this to dinner Sunday. Best o' luck.

[twowings]

Here's hoping it's good news...the next pic needs to be of you riding that sexy Monza! 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, the man said, "I wouldn't take off on a 300 mile trip, get there, and decide you didn't feel like riding back.. but sure, go ahead. The best thing he said was "PSA is a terrible test when you have a prostate, but once you don't.. it's the best. Your PSA is zero."
   
Now, to start building my strength back up. Thanks to all that have sent cards, called, posted on WG, etc. It's meant a lot.
Gotta love Guzzi Guys and Girls.

[Markcarovilli]

great news Chuck now get out and enjoy the nice weather...

Mark

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well, it was cool this morning, so Winter gear was called for. I wasn't waiting for it to warm up..
2016-04-19_10-47-45 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
It started the first roll over, naturally.. Dyna S and carbs. (Beetle content) 
Impressions:
It's little. The engine is a sweetheart. Front and rear suspension is firm but well damped. Brakes are typical linked brakes. The front needs a heavy hand. Probably new pads are in order. The riding position was much less "dedicated" than I expected. Even with my healing stomach muscles, I had no problem whatsoever keeping weight off the bars. Just enough smooth air to hold me up.  There are no twisties in Indiana.. the best we can do is follow a river, so I did that. Effortless. I don't care for the 404s, though. Pre ride, I checked them at 33 front, 36 rear. Much too high on the front. I though maybe the previous guy ran them that hard to keep it from plowing because it was oversize. When I came in, they were 34 front and 39 rear. I'll go with my standard 28F 35R the next time out and check them again. That said, they felt pretty hard.
Am I happy with it? Oh, yeah. A guy would have to really have to work to find a better balanced early 80s motorcycle. I could see myself riding this bike well into my 90s. 

[twowings]

Marvelous!  Good to see it being ridden...by you! 

[steamdriven NZ]

Pleased you are pleased 
It really is a 'think it and it does it' kinda machine.

Those crash bars are more protective than they look. I seriously tested mine some years ago and while it smashed the fairing, headlight, mirrors, fairing blade, indicators, removed the left muffler and bent the gear lever, it saved the tank and even the plug cap. Stood the bike up, bolted the muffler on, rearranged a few bits and removed others, managed to carry on to my destination and home. Tough crash bars. they moved back about 3/4" but held up well.

Hella used to make a generic headlight shell that is a bit more rounded and has curved side edges that fits the contours of the fairing a bit better than the sharp square ones fitted on US bikes I've seen pics of. Will do some research to see if they still make them and pass that on. They just look a bit nicer IMHO.

Different part number now but this is pretty much what I got.
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/Hella/Headlight/W0133-1619288.html
 I made a simple rectangular flat ally mounting frame for it to slip into, then used d/s foam tape on the flat top and bottom parts of the shell. Two holes either side for two small angle brackets and then you have adjustable up/down. Mounts to existing headlight mounts.

My seat cover ripped due age, I just got it recovered using patterned vinyl and after a week you can't even remember there was a difference. The originals go at the highly loaded point just where your thighs go over the edge and over a seam.

I have never run air in the forks, they seemed hard enough empty! I had to relay all my lights a few years ago because the voltage drop around their circuits  due age was getting too much. Simple wiring job that makes a difference for sure.

Glad to see another one loved   

Kev.

[Xlratr]

Good news! And that looks like a very well cared for bike. I'm sure it'll only get better :-)

..... I could see myself riding this bike well into my 90s. 

After that, maybe a Cali? 

[Unkept]

Fantastic news on the results Chuck! Looking cool on that Monza!

[Steph]

Here are my old Monzas 

Around 1988, my V50II and Monza
(By the way, paid £300 and £600 for them, those were the days!)



Around 1994, the Monza. Paid £600 for that one and added used Kawasaki GT 550 air shocks that improved the ride

[Chuck in Indiana]

Hella used to make a generic headlight shell that is a bit more rounded and has curved side edges that fits the contours of the fairing a bit better than the sharp square ones fitted on US bikes I've seen pics of. Will do some research to see if they still make them and pass that on. They just look a bit nicer IMHO.

This one has a Hella headlight in it. I haven't had the fairing off to see if it has relays hidden somewhere. Just received notification that my last decals are on the way, so I'll have all of them, now.. if and when I decide to do a total restoration.
One question. On the Lario, all the "motive unit" was painted. On this, only the swing arm is painted. Is that correct?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Good news! And that looks like a very well cared for bike. I'm sure it'll only get better :-)

After that, maybe a Cali? 

Naa.. I'm not a cruiser kind of guy. Maybe by then some 200 lb. electric sport bike? 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Fantastic news on the results Chuck! Looking cool on that Monza!

"Uh huh.. Uh huh.. Yeah..we bad.." 
Oh, that movie was probably before your time.

[Chuck in Indiana]

(By the way, paid �300 and �600 for them, those were the days!)

Like the $500 Eldo in the barn. Just put gas in it and go.. those days are gone.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

One question. On the Lario, all the "motive unit" was painted. On this, only the swing arm is painted. Is that correct?

That's the way all three Monzas I've worked on were - only the swingarm was painted.

[Chuck in Indiana]

That's the way all three Monzas I've worked on were - only the swingarm was painted.

Thanks, Charlie.. it appeared to be that way from the pictures I've been looking at. Kind of strange, but after all we're talking about Guzzi here. 

[Guido Valvole]

Yep, only the swingarm is painted on all (4 or 5) Monzas I've seen. The Hella light I have is 984 99040 044. Leaflet inside says "motorcycle light pattern, not for use in cars". Simple plug and play but I had the (Electrical Connection) relay kit already.

I was riding mine Sunday and then came home to check carb synch as I had to pull the carbs to install individual choke levers. Still have the stock airbox but jetting is spot-on so don't mess with it... Got that done, wasn't far out, and then time for a ride!

Hit starter button, nothing. Check starter relay, same as adjacent flasher relay. Both OK. Gotta be the switch. Disassemble and there's a wire hanging off in space, remnant of crimp attached. Other wire was soldered in by a previous victim. Today's project is to try to fix that. Price is right! Alternatives are around $100 so I'll go with cheap. Legendary Guzzi switchgear, ugh.

Monzas *are* small and light. This is good! And, Chuck, good to see you up and about.
cr