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Title: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 21, 2011, 06:27:41 PM My brother and I spent the Sunday driving up to Pennsylvania and back to Virginia to look at a 1975 Moto Guzzi 850T. He is the one who needs a bike, but was undecided after riding it. I liked it a lot so I bought it. It felt great riding around the country roads in third gear. Definitely not fast by new Ducati standards, but adequate. It did well on the highway ride home. The speedo jumps around a lot so I'm not sure about my speed most of the time.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/1975_850T_01.jpg?t=1300761023) (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/1975_850T_02.jpg?t=1300760908) That windshield now resides in the darkest corner of the garage. Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Vindingo on March 21, 2011, 06:50:55 PM You can use that windshield for riot gear if the occasion ever arises...
and since you are already taking parts off (http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200909/moto-guzzi-850t-by-w_460x0w.jpg) Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ducatiz on March 21, 2011, 06:52:56 PM I love the small case guzzis. I have a K&N filter for that 850T if you want one..
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ChrisH on March 21, 2011, 07:01:29 PM You can use that windshield for riot gear if the occasion ever arises... and since you are already taking parts off (http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200909/moto-guzzi-850t-by-w_460x0w.jpg) That's a dam good looking bike! Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: monstermick58 on March 22, 2011, 01:15:08 AM I love the look of the old Guzzi's.
And that one looks in fantastic condition How many miles are on it? Mmick Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ungeheuer on March 22, 2011, 01:57:57 AM The speedo jumps around a lot so I'm not sure about my speed most of the time. Yup, they dont call those Veglia gauges "Vauge-lia" for nothing [laugh].Very nice looking example Travman (much improved by your screen mod too) [thumbsup] [thumbsup]. Damn. I want a Guzzi..... Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: DucHead on March 22, 2011, 03:08:08 AM Beautiful bike and nice score!! [thumbsup] [moto] [beer]
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Turf on March 22, 2011, 03:21:24 AM On my list of things to build is a Guzzi cafe'
that's a beautiful bike! Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: akmnstr on March 22, 2011, 06:22:12 AM Now that the windshield is gone, I don't think you need to do anything more. It is perfect as it is. In other words you'll just screw it up if you try to customize it. [clap] [clap]
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: bikepilot on March 22, 2011, 06:40:40 AM Looks like a great bike to cruise around on - I'm sure its fun and relaxed at the same time.
[thumbsup] Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: thought on March 22, 2011, 06:59:48 AM You can use that windshield for riot gear if the occasion ever arises... and since you are already taking parts off (http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200909/moto-guzzi-850t-by-w_460x0w.jpg) make this out of it asap :) Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: akmnstr on March 22, 2011, 07:57:54 AM NoOOOOOOOOO [thumbsdown]
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: pitbull on March 22, 2011, 09:45:40 AM very nice looking bike.........nice score.
I like a lot of the cafe guzzi jobs, but I that one looks to be in nice shape.........I think I would leave it as is and use it for cruising around Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Speeddog on March 22, 2011, 11:17:58 AM Ditch those ape-hangers, those foam grips, sort out that questionable looking front brake, and maybe those fork seals.
I suspect some lube in the speedo cable will help a lot. Then ride it. [beer] Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: mitt on March 22, 2011, 12:26:01 PM If it is any consolation, I would rather have your new to you guzzi than 90% of the other bikes posted on here [thumbsup]
mitt (old too) Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ducatiz on March 22, 2011, 01:09:21 PM FYI it has a dry clutch too!
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: triangleforge on March 22, 2011, 01:44:57 PM The timing of this is simply uncanny; just last night I had a dream in which I found -- buried in junk and weeds -- a Moto Guzzi. But not just any Guzzi -- a Moto Guzzi chopper!!! Full 1970s trim - lots of chrome, front wheel tall, skinny & spoked, fork raked way out, and a stair-step, diamond pleated vinyl saddle so your old lady can sit high & pretty, looking over the top of your head. A sissy bar. Ignore for the moment the part of the dream when a third cylinder appeared between the normal two -- that's probably just the burrito I had for dinner.
I now know that it was my part to have the vision, and yours to make it real. Be sure to take pictures. Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: NFJ79 on March 22, 2011, 02:11:05 PM (http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/200909/moto-guzzi-850t-by-w_460x0w.jpg) I likey!! Must be really easy to do valve work on the Guzzi. Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: NorDog on March 23, 2011, 06:50:13 AM Napoleon Dynamite: What kind of bike do you have?
Pedro: It's a sledgehammer. Napoleon Dynamite: Dang! You got shocks, pegs... lucky! You ever take it off any sweet jumps? Napoleon Dynamite: [Cut to Pedro jumping] You got like three feet of air that time. Nice bike, I would want to strip it down myself. But admit it, you NEEDED that bike. It's okay, you're among friends. We understand. ;) Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: spolic on March 23, 2011, 08:59:20 AM I thought that this was going to be a thread about yelling at kids playing music to loud.
Very cool bike. Riot shield. [laugh] Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: DucHead on March 23, 2011, 09:39:29 AM Now that you removed that windscreen, send it back to the flying nun.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: LA on March 23, 2011, 05:40:49 PM (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/1975_850T_01.jpg?t=1300761023)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/1975_850T_02.jpg?t=1300760908)[/quote] Way, Way cool bike. It has sooo so much potential. Hell, to ride it much like it is ain't bad either. I'd love to have it. [thumbsup] LA Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: KRJ on March 23, 2011, 07:53:41 PM Cafe`to the death, Strip it and Rip it. Clip on's, rear set's, and all Balls... Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ollie on March 23, 2011, 10:31:17 PM (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/killagram/The%20Davida%20Guzzi/full_0305_857_ret1_KatGuzDock.jpg)
old guzzi's do make pretty cool cafe racers Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: justinrhenry on March 24, 2011, 04:03:19 AM it's a shame windshields are so ugly because they really do make riding more comfortable.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 24, 2011, 01:05:46 PM After I own this bike for a while I may decide to do some minor customization. The obvious direction to take is the cafe racer. However, right now I'm leaning towards something like this "roadster" style bike below. The only big changes I can see on this bike are an earlier V7 Sport style tank & seat, lower handle bars, grips, and silver frame. Besides that it appears to be a very clean stock T3.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/T3_Roadster1.jpg?t=1301000499) (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/T3_Roadster2.jpg?t=1300988193) Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Speeddog on March 24, 2011, 01:47:41 PM There's one more brake on the front, that'd be a good first upgrade.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 24, 2011, 02:25:55 PM You are right about that and a second disk up front is definitely on my to do list . The bike above is a 850-T3 which I believe stands for triple disks. Mine bike is a simple 850T which has only a single disk up front and a drum in the rear. AFAIK, the only differences between the T and the T3 are the brakes.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ducatiz on March 24, 2011, 03:13:07 PM The T3 has a funky brake design. The foot pedal (rear brake) circuit controls the right front caliper and the rear. Hand master controls the left.
Sort of an early attempt at enhanced braking. Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 24, 2011, 05:30:30 PM I've heard about the linked brakes on some Guzzi's. Sounds like a lot of people find a way to unlink them and go with a more traditional braking system.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ungeheuer on March 25, 2011, 02:42:51 AM (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/T3_Roadster2.jpg?t=1300988193) I started to write words about how beautiful that is... but in the end I decided to just go the drool... [drool] [drool]Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 25, 2011, 04:16:33 AM I know and the reason I posted it was because it really isn't a very complicated bike to build. It is just a very clean looking Guzzi with great details.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: IZ on March 25, 2011, 04:20:05 AM Nice Trav!
It will be a sweet cafe for sure! Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: geoffduc on March 25, 2011, 11:57:36 PM I started to write words about how beautiful that is... but in the end I decided to just go the drool... [drool] [drool] I'll second that.. [thumbsup] But those alloy rims... [bow_down] takes me back to my youth... :'( You see theres nowt wrong with being an old man... [moto] [coffee] Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: ducatiz on March 26, 2011, 04:11:39 AM Old man?
Sounds like you got a hardon REAL FAST for that bike. Old man my ass. Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: Travman on March 27, 2011, 07:33:50 AM There is no source for the V7 Sport style tank shown on the bike above. So recreating a bike similar to that one might not be as easy as I thought.
Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: mitt on March 27, 2011, 04:24:57 PM There is no source for the V7 Sport style tank shown on the bike above. So recreating a bike similar to that one might not be as easy as I thought. Find an old school motor head that can suck (collapse) your existing tank into something like in the cafe racer... mitt Title: Re: I've turned into an old man... Post by: triangleforge on March 28, 2011, 08:28:12 AM Travman -- have you contacted Powersports Outlet (used to be Encore Performance) here in Prescott, AZ? I don't know if he's still got 'em, but they were fabricating their own tanks out of aluminum until a few years ago; this bike's been in the shop at their first location for as long as I've been in town, and the concrete tank form is still there. I know they've also got a pretty amazing Guzzi boneyard & dusty storeroom full of old parts at that location.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4524347266_51bced3c02_b.jpg) Contact info is here: http://www.epfguzzi.com/ (http://www.epfguzzi.com/) - see if you can get Jim Knaup on the phone; he's the owner and knows better than anyone what's in his hoard at the old location. Matt Kellerman, who'll probably answer the phone, is the shop manager (and very fast racer) and will be far more familiar with the inventory at the new shop. |