nu guzzi loopframe project

[apozzo]

Hi guys!
I'm Stefano and I'm writing from Italy.
I've seen many cafe racer forums during the last 2 years! But 2 weeks ago I've found this during my search and today, after some little doubt (connected to the language:o) I've decided to make the registration and now I'm here, trying to speak about my cafe racer passion!
One years ago I've found (searching on the net) a moto Guzzi V7 850GT (in America this model was called Eldorado or Ambassador). I've no words to describe the bike conditions....the only useful parts were the motor, the frame and the wheels ...this pictures shows the bike conditions when the courier left the "package" at my home:







Many time is passed from that moment and I've made a lot of works on the bike:

- I've completely rebuilded the motor with new heads, new gaskets, new valves and valve springs, new rings.
- I've completely rebuilded the clutch with new plates and new springs.
- I've completely rebuilted the gearbox with new bearings and gaskets.
- I've adapted a front Ducati Monster reverse fork;
- I've bought the missing parts: carbs, steering bar, headlight ecc. ecc. and I've personally made the special parts: the 2 front flanges to mount the brake disks, the seat, the exhoust sistem (pipes + silencers) and many many little parts that would be boring to describe.





















Now the bike is this:







What do you think about? I've many many doubts about the rear parts.....I don't know how I can go on!!!! The first idea was a fender but I'm not sure......what do you think about a (fiberglass or metal) "appendix"?

Really best reguards
Stefano

[SeanF]

Hello Stefano

I think some sort of tail piece would look nice, something to visually balance the rear end.

Nice job resurrecting the dead!

Cheers,
Sean

[apozzo]

Originally Posted by SeanF

Hello Stefano

I think some sort of tail piece would look nice, something to visually balance the rear end.

Nice job resurrecting the dead!

Cheers,
Sean

Hi Sean!
You're telling a really really true thing: this bike was died! When I've seen it the first time I didn't know if I had to cry or laugh!!!!
I'm seriously undecided about the rear part!
The first time my idea was a small fender that started under the seat to end near the number plate.....something like this:





However, some week later, I've began to think about a sort of appendix to cover the final part of the frame. This part started just over the seat to finish at the end of the frame.....something like this:



In this case the problem is the seat! Infact, for me it's too long (I've choose a 2 place seat.....) and so adding a tail piece could make the bike too long in the rear side......what do you think about?

Reguards
Stefano

[flemsmith]

And your english is great, don't worry about it at all. How about a description of how it runs/rides? And mebbe a little more about the choices you made along the way. ignition, rear shock choice, can't tell that you're running air cleaners or not. Anyway, thanks, it looks cool, and yes I think a different tailpiece would look good, but so would a bobbed fender.

roy

[apozzo]

Originally Posted by flemsmith

And your english is great, don't worry about it at all. How about a description of how it runs/rides? And mebbe a little more about the choices you made along the way. ignition, rear shock choice, can't tell that you're running air cleaners or not. Anyway, thanks, it looks cool, and yes I think a different tailpiece would look good, but so would a bobbed fender.

roy

Hi Roy!!
I can tell you that I've still not tested the bike at the moment! I've to complete the wiring and so at the moment I can only start the engine.....
Last week I've started the engine and let me say that it's a bomb!!! With the 2 handmade exhausts the engine scream in a fantastic way....I would never stop it!! My only doubt is connected to the strong vibrations I feel when the engine is running.....what do you think about? I think the problem could be connected to a not perfect calibration of the carbs.....Is It correct?
About your questions, I can say that the ignition is the original one while the rear shocks are different....I've mounted 2 shocks taken from a CB 900 bol d'or....they are 365mm from hole to hole against the 330mm of the original shocks.....in this way I've tried to raise the rear zone to give it a sportive character! For the same motive, I've lowered as much as possible the front fork.

Reguards
Stefano

ps
another image......

[IMG=http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/2434/img2398fk.jpg][/IMG]

[Euromad]

Beautiful job! Front and rear small chrome fenders would look very nice. A tail section would work too. I guess it depends on whether you want the tank shape to be dominant visually or if you want the tail section to move your eye from the tank to the rear of the bike. Either way it is an excellent build! Congartulations

[apozzo]

Originally Posted by Euromad

Beautiful job! Front and rear small chrome fenders would look very nice. A tail section would work too. I guess it depends on whether you want the tank shape to be dominant visually or if you want the tail section to move your eye from the tank to the rear of the bike. Either way it is an excellent build! Congartulations

Really thank you Euromad!!!
In this last days I'm making some test with cardboard and I've to say that I begin to love the 2 (alu - chrome - black???) fenders! The bike completely changes her look and everything seem more harmonious!
I agree with your opinion about the tank! Infact I'm choosing (perhaps) the rear fender option because I love this tank and It must be put in evidence as much as possible!
Coming back to the fenders, yesterday I've bought on Italian ebay the front one (25 euros including shipping coast).....



while 2 days ago I've bought 4 bullet indicator lights (40 euros including shipping coast)......



What do you think about?

Finally, the last parts I need to end the bike: I'm searching for 2 ambassador/eldorado battery covers.....but they are really hard to find!



Reguard
Stefano

[apozzo]

Hi guys!
Last week I've lowered the front headlight. Then I've reduced the front fender from 21" to 18", cutting and re-welding it.
Here 3 pics....







Reguards
Stefano