I've just read an interesting thread about converting a Bellagio into a V7 Cafe Racer Style Bike.
This is a great guzzi site and has been a massive source of guzzi wisdom to me so i thought it was about time I made a contribution and wrote a thread.
Hands up all those who’ve liked the style of the new V7’s from Guzzi but wanted something with more stage presence and based around the large block 1100cc engine. Having been obsessively involved with Guzzis for the last 25 years I decided to build a bike that would fit the bill.
I started with a low mileage 2002 Moto Guzzi California Aluminium Sport bought from HBC Auctions. It was lightly damaged but came with Isle of Man number plates. I didn’t fancy the hassle of reregistering for the UK so I bought a Frame from Reboot Guzzi with a UK V5 for the exact same model and year and transferred the engine etc over.
Frame Modifications include;
Tank mounting points relocated to suit a V7 Café Classic tank
New side panels mounting points welded to the frame to locate the V7 side panels
Lower Frame rails modified for a custom one off side stand and location point for the rear master cylinder. The original mounts for the foot pegs and gear shift were ground off
New rear shock mounting points were machined and located further forward to facilitate a shorter swing arm.
Rear foot rest mounts were added
New mounting points for the rear V7 mudguard added
Mounting points for the seat have also been fabricated. It is removed by a spring loaded pull switch.
Suspension
Standard front forks rebuilt with new seals and fresh quality fork oil
Rear Shocks replaced with new TEC shocks. These are excellent quality alloy shock with, remote reservoirs, multi adjustable preload and 14 click variable damping.
A Standard sebac steering damper is fitted.
Performance
The engine was serviced and kept as standard.
The air box has been removed and replaced with K&N Filters
The exhaust silencers are Tergamonni Carbon fibre and feather light but sound fantastic with a wonderful burbling sound. I had some special adaptors made by pipewerks to give a more upswept look.
To compensate for the exhaust I’ve fitted a fuel compensator from Finebau Forge and the bike runs really well from tickover to the red line.
The external fuel pump has been replaced by a tank mounted one so meters of hose plumbing and filters have been removed and hidden as a compact unit inside the tank.
Controls
The handlebars are alloy from a GSXR600 SRAD and modified to suit the marzocchi 45mm forks.
The rearsets are also a TEC item and fit the Guzzi without any modification.
Electrics
The wiring loom has been kept as standard.
Upgrades include led rear light and indicators. The handlebar switches have been chrome powder coated. The brake light switches are the banjo bolt type.
A Finebau Forge fuel compensator has been plugged into the injection circuit but is easily removed as a 5 minute job.
The battery is a high capacity Odyssey gel type.
Brakes
The brakes have been delinked.
The front 4 pot brembos are operated by a radial master cylinder with stainless braided hoses.
The rear is a 2 pot brembo with a special floating calliper bracket, as seen on many high end race replicas. All the discs are Brembo but the rear has been reduced to a 240mm item to look less bulky and save weight.
Swing Arm
The alloy swing arm is a custom made by Metmachex.. The drive arm was machined from solid billet with a cut out so a wider tyre could be fitted. It is based on the lemans 5 swing arm so reduces the wheel base of the original bike by 50mm. This makes the machine far more nimble than the cruiser. I specially commissioned 5 of these swingarms and they cost a small fortune to make but add to make this bike truly unique. There are loads of pictures of the swingarm being manufactured on their facebook page . The original UJ was in excellent condition and mated to a new drive shaft.
Bodywork
Tank, and side panels are from a Moto Guzzi V7 Café Special and came from a new bike which was being customised by Moto Strada. Ive made some minor tweaks to the side panels to make them fit the Tonti Frame. The rear mudguard has been chopped down to make it look a bit more sporty and a led rear light and indicators added. The front mudguard is carbon fibre and painted gloss black to match the style of the bike.
Cosmetics
I spent a considerable sum getting all the steel work powder coated at LSN coatings at Castleford. This company is very professional and do a cracking job. The frame is done in a beautiful graphite metallic. The wheels and alloy parts were done in custom chrome powder coating. This includes Yolks, fork sliders, instrument lights, alternator cover, rocker covers, battery tray. This actually gives the look of polished alloy but without any maintenance. You’ll save a fortune on solvol .
To add a bit of contrast to the chrome and gloss the headlight bowl and the clocks have been coated is a textured satin black.
I also purchased some high temp satin black textured paint from Frost’s and refreshed the engine cases and rear drive box. I’ve also done a couple of other plastic parts in the same paint.
Overall the contrast between textures and colours has worked quite well and has given the bike a subtle factory finish look but more importantly a durable finish.
90% of the fasteners have been replaced with stainless.
I just hope the pictures upload properly
