Moto Guzzi Cali Cafe Racer Build thread
Discussion
I'd always say have a go, if you get in a mess, you can always take it to a wheel builder. I've just got my wheel stand home, very pleased with it, pity I dont have any wheels to lace now lol..
The front disc spacers are finally done, I took them off the original mag wheels, and luckily they were about the correct thickness for the new forks and calipers. I had to reduce the diameter by 10mm and widen the hole a bit for the stainless wheel spacers, still thats a lot less work than making them from scratch. It was asking a bit too much to expect the spacers to be spot on in the new front end, and sure enough I had to use a washer to space the calipers out to get them centred on the disc, they were about 2mm out. I wont leave it like that as using washers is a big no no, I'll machine some little spacers later.
One of the favourite parts I've bought so far is this toggle for the tank strap, lovely bit of kit. The tank strap has to be sized and a hook pop rivetted onto the strap, but need to make the buckle at the other end yet.
Its almost on its wheels now, the tyres turned up today (Avon AM26s) but I'm still waiting on the inner tubes and rim tape.
My plan for a hydraulic clutch conversion are starting to come together, as I'm swapping an old roll of roofing felt for a mint Brembo clutch slave cylinder
The front disc spacers are finally done, I took them off the original mag wheels, and luckily they were about the correct thickness for the new forks and calipers. I had to reduce the diameter by 10mm and widen the hole a bit for the stainless wheel spacers, still thats a lot less work than making them from scratch. It was asking a bit too much to expect the spacers to be spot on in the new front end, and sure enough I had to use a washer to space the calipers out to get them centred on the disc, they were about 2mm out. I wont leave it like that as using washers is a big no no, I'll machine some little spacers later.
One of the favourite parts I've bought so far is this toggle for the tank strap, lovely bit of kit. The tank strap has to be sized and a hook pop rivetted onto the strap, but need to make the buckle at the other end yet.
Its almost on its wheels now, the tyres turned up today (Avon AM26s) but I'm still waiting on the inner tubes and rim tape.
My plan for a hydraulic clutch conversion are starting to come together, as I'm swapping an old roll of roofing felt for a mint Brembo clutch slave cylinder
Well today it finally sat on its own wheels, still need to sort out the wheel spacers and a brake caliper for the rear wheel, but bodged a couple of spare spacers I had for now. Then I had one of those strange incidents that leave me baffled.. I knelt down to fit the front wheel, trying to line up the spindle with the first spacer, and the spacer fell to the floor.. need three hands for this job.. I fished around for the spacer, couldnt find it. I stood up, had a look around my feet, no spacer. I had a good hunt around, no spacer, I moved everything in the blooming room, no spacer.. god knows where its gone, it only fell a foot, so it could hardly have bounced off somewhere.. must have a black hole in there, its the only explanation. I'll have make another, in the meantime another spare spacer (a bit too narrow) would make do.
At least I didnt lose this cool replacement choke 'enrichener'.. since I wont be using a std teardrop S&S air filter with its choke lever, this little gizmo takes its place..
At least I didnt lose this cool replacement choke 'enrichener'.. since I wont be using a std teardrop S&S air filter with its choke lever, this little gizmo takes its place..
dmulally said:
I'm going through the motions of buying one of these out of the states at the moment. 9000 miles for $2000. Does that sound like a good deal?
Also, what carby are you going to use? There are weber manifolds still sold new floating around online.
very good, what are the costs of importing and taxing though?Also, what carby are you going to use? There are weber manifolds still sold new floating around online.
$2000 sounds about right for a low milage Ironhead, assuming of course that its in good condition. Prices are going up here for older HDs, will be worth about £2500 or maybe a little more in the UK. Dont know the costs involved in importing a bike from the States, and the risk if you havent seen the bike yourself.
The carb is an aftermarket S&S Super E.
The Guzzi is still in the garage waiting for me to finish it. I put it on hold once I got the Ironhead, as I cant afford to do both at the same time. I've got a couple of other bike projects on the go too, so I'm not running out of things to do just yet.
The carb is an aftermarket S&S Super E.
The Guzzi is still in the garage waiting for me to finish it. I put it on hold once I got the Ironhead, as I cant afford to do both at the same time. I've got a couple of other bike projects on the go too, so I'm not running out of things to do just yet.
dmulally said:
Apache said:
very good, what are the costs of importing and taxing though?
I'm in Australia so it's probably not much use to poms. To get a car out here is $3000. To get a bike here is $800. Import taxes are 10% which I'm hoping to be creative on with the receipt. Loving the way both these bikes are looking - can't wait to see them both finished.
If you ever need some inspiration on guzzi cafe racers, have a look at some of the bikes done by these guys.
http://www.kaffee-maschine.net/html/en/html/home.p...
If you ever need some inspiration on guzzi cafe racers, have a look at some of the bikes done by these guys.
http://www.kaffee-maschine.net/html/en/html/home.p...
Yes I've seen the Kaffee Machine bikes, very nice, I think they sell for something like 20,000 Euros or more.
Well, this morning I've been to a local engineering company who are going to cut me a big imperial thread on a cylinder of 7050 alloy. Once thats done, I'll take the lump of alloy to Jeffs workshop and we'll machine it to make a new slave cylinder for the hydraulic clutch conversion. Its all getting a bit more involved than I expected, buts that ok, I like doing this stuff.
Talking of which, when I get around to working on the Guzzi again, I think I'm going be a little more adventurous with the changes I want to make.. I've been offered a brand new Eaton supercharger, just the right size and its cheap, so maybe sdomething like this may be possible..
Well, this morning I've been to a local engineering company who are going to cut me a big imperial thread on a cylinder of 7050 alloy. Once thats done, I'll take the lump of alloy to Jeffs workshop and we'll machine it to make a new slave cylinder for the hydraulic clutch conversion. Its all getting a bit more involved than I expected, buts that ok, I like doing this stuff.
Talking of which, when I get around to working on the Guzzi again, I think I'm going be a little more adventurous with the changes I want to make.. I've been offered a brand new Eaton supercharger, just the right size and its cheap, so maybe sdomething like this may be possible..
Apache said:
dmulally said:
Apache said:
very good, what are the costs of importing and taxing though?
I'm in Australia so it's probably not much use to poms. To get a car out here is $3000. To get a bike here is $800. Import taxes are 10% which I'm hoping to be creative on with the receipt. 
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff