Thanks Jonathan, especially considering it was all done first take, I was wondering what people would think of the video. It helps that it was edited so well by the classic motorcycle channel 😉
I have had 4 guzzis..1979 SP1000-1980 V50 ll-2004 V11 sport-2007 RED Norge GT 1200, which I currently own ...I have 40 years behind bars on guzzis One little thing:: GUZZI pronounced the way you would say PUT-SEA,, like you would say pizza. It’s like saying two separate words.When there are 2 “Zs”,There is a chop in the middle of the word just like in the word pizza..It’s not pisa as in the leaning Tower of Pisa, it is peat-zzaah! like saying two separate words..GOUT. ZEE... now that I have condescendingly overstated my point. I love your bike..Do you have any issues with the rear tire gripping the leading edge of your license plate as your suspension bottoms out? you mentioned the large gap between the rear tire and the frame on newer bikes because of the single shock, I used to road race motorcycles ,eight years, TZ 250, RDs,ect..One of my fellow competitors got into a tank slapper on his TZ 250, His leg somehow got pulled in by the rear tire into that gap below the seat, and broke his leg in eight places. Miraculously, he coasted to a stop in that contorted predicament without falling. To this day, those gaps still make me nervous. I put a proximately 160,000 to180,000 miles combined on my 4 Guzzis over the last 4 decades...they all had a common fault, that oil pressure sensor that screws in to the block between the cylinders. I’ve had to replace them on every one of my guzzis.. my 1979SP 1000, the lifters were all heavily pitted where they meet the camshaft, I was changing my oil pretty much every 1000 - 1500 miles with 20/50 Castrol..That machine did not idle much either. I didn’t use it as a commuter, that was my Saturday/Sunday / long distance long weekend go out and get lost machine..100 miles was a short ride, 250 miles was about average, I did do a 740 mile day once.. that’s the day I learned the hard way how critical it is to drink a lot of water on a long day...so I would change the oil sometimes every two weeks/1000 - 1500 miles, so I was surprised to see the hard-facing wearing off of the lifters at 35k miles... I have had many motorcycles since 1968, dirt, Street, touring,road racing, trials, trail bikes, dual sports. The most uncomfortable motorcycle in the history of the universe is the GUZZI V11 sport..I tried everything to civilize that machine enough to be able to ride it at least 100 miles. I drilled the upper triple clamp and mounted perches for Honda CB 400 F bars, I installed Buell Ulysses foot pegs which are 1 1/2 inches lower, they slip right on with no mods,I bought a Corbin seat which put my balls to sleep within five minutes due to the hump structure built into that seat right behind the gas tank , I tried foam grips.... That machine had me limping after just a half an hour. It seriously injured my knees. I never had trouble with my knees in my life, until I rode a V11 sport.., after two years, I finally realized that it was not a grand Turismo machine or a touring machine..I gave up, sold it, and bought my Norge which is one of the most comfortable motorcycles I ever owned next to my Goldwing.. my knees recovered... I know any Japanese 600 sport bike would have my V 11 sport and my Norge for lunch. But I don’t care. I’ve had jap sport bikes, they have personality, they work perfectly..they are entertaining, ..But -they are detached,impersonal.... they have no soul. guzzi’s are a living thing...Not only are they some of the most beautiful things...they are alive.... One tip I pass on to fellow moto junkies that I learned when I was a Honda mechanic. A bulletin came straight from Honda to all service departments..about using dry gaskets during engine assembly. Honda said to get a can of silver / aluminum paint. I use rustoleum aluminum paint, I have been using the same quart can since 1973.Do not stir the Paint. Use a screwdriver to dig the thick paste from the bottom of the can of paint.. apply that thick paint to any dry gasket such as a base gasket, head gasket, valve cover gasket, side case gasket ect.. any gasket that is supposed to be oil tight. ....work that paste by hand into the gasket both sides, and install the gasket still wet on the engine. Not only should it never leak, but when you need to take the engine apart, it will come right apart..I have been using that silver aluminum paint on my valve cover gaskets and any other gasket that is not specialized / different..I have been doing this since 1979 starting with my SP 1000. I have never had to buy another valve cover gasket since..They don’t stick to either surface when you take things back apart, which is the major cause of gaskets ripping. no more scraping off the old baked on gaskets , or having some of the tailings from the scraping ending up inside the engine...
Absolutely love it, you've made it look fantastic!! I went to Doncaster Cushworth's in the early 80's to buy a Le Mans and came away and bought a Reliant Robin instead Hahahahaha! What a fool............
How...you can't imagine my regrets to sell my Moto Guzzi! I have some 5 différent model and il have a Daytona in 1996....such a chame to sell it! poor of me
Stunningly clean build. Attention to detail is exquisite. Sound is symphonic. Your presentation is engaging and interesting. Your Guzzi is 100%. -- Bravo!
I have been a biker for most of my life (have owned two Moto Guzzi le Mans in the distant past) and just wanted to say that I identify with your outlook (as a newly-qualified 74-year-old). Only problem is that I would feel very guilty to my two talented hip replacement surgeons if I fell off and messed up their craftmanship!
fantastic job, i had an lemans 2 'in the years', they should had the motogaget electrics and the electronic ignition in those days (you had the boyer brandson convertion still in the original place worked better than original, but not that good ) the seat and tank match beautifull , i wonder if the tank is an ducati GTV 500 tank ?
Beautiful example, super clean build, wish I saw this before I did mine. Converted a G5 into full cafe, suspended motor, you'll need the 1100 sport front cover, still available. 07' GSXR USD front set up, not too difficult to make work, some machining involved on the stem and a spacer, only problem with that setup is a front fender, stock fender is for a 16" front, braking is out of this world now. You can run 1100 sport down tubes and aftermarket under gearbox X pipe. Suggest a EME charging system, helps clean up the charging clutter. Be wary of the Tab classics LeMans tank, they require a hell of a lot of playing with to get to seat right, think I used KTM tank bungs that was the answer, stock MG tank rubber bungs are too small. And they attach with a bungie cord at the back, yeah a bungie cord. Used aircraft cable and couplers and a clear fuel line to line the cable. Mike Rich heads, 1100 sport cam 36mm carbs, Dyna coils. Super fun canyon carver.
I've started doing a similar thing with my 1980 Benelli 900 Sei, I installed a bank of six 22mm Dellorto carbs and a modified six into six Silentium exhaust, Tomaselli clip on bars and Tomaselli q/a throttle. I fitted a Telefix fork brace and modified a pair of Tarozzi rearsets to fit the Benelli that were made for a Guzzi Le Mans Mk II.
Very nice work. FYI I also own a Guzzi LM2 since new and about 10 years ago I decided to do a full blown cafe racer conversion together with a famous German CR conversion company. But somehow, 2 years ago I began to like the bike less. Maybe the authentic feeling and look were lost, although still lots of fun. So I changed it back to full original (except tuned engine) and I fell in love with the bike again thereby figuring out for myself that I could not improve on Tonti’s genius. Anyhow, I do not want to discourage anyone from these type of very satisfying CR projects, but I find interesting to see how your feelings can change over time.
I've actually got a story behind this build myself. In the early 80s, I owned a red mk1 le mans with gold wheels. I always wanted it back again, and the way I've built this bike is very much with that in mind. Also, I haven't changed any of the original steering geometry of the frame and most of the suspension components are all original, just with upgraded modern internals. But the main thing I guess, is that I enjoyed the restoration process and having personally touched and know about every single nut bolt and washer of this bike makes it very special to me 😉
I`ve always considered powder coating etc to be an unnecessary waste of time and yes, what seems like a straight forward modification can lead to a load of knock on effects adjustment - wise in a build. I had one of the 1st Le mans` produced, with a single seat featured as standard on the first 500 made. It was ok but a bit of a tractor to be honest. A friend had an ex production racer, which had a huge amount of low down torque, and was really the bike that Guzzi should have made.
Lovely bike. I really enjoyed the logical and comon sense approach to this build. Great investment for putting a huge grin on your face. Well done. Nick Australia
Great video! Excellent straight forward advice that he passes on. There is nothing like building your own bike the way you want to do it and then enjoy riding it. That's what it's all about.
I'm lucky on my rebuild having spares and the bike for 36 years. I know how things should have been done but this bike is amazing for first off build. It is hard to divide grubby hand work from body finish work. If you can find original Tomaselli Racer levers not repops buy em so comfortable.
A 'enry cole free zone. How refreshing posh old 'enry not dropping 'is h , g and t's which he must have forgot after attending slough grammar ( eton college)
@@gustavmeyrink_2.0 Sadly there is not much money for TV broadcast programmes on motorcycling. Just one search on RU-vid has tonnes of superb channels .. this is a good channel but I think my favourite is 'Fortnine' a young man from Canada he is highly intelligent .. his analysis of the business structure of the failing Harley Davidson is and remains a masterclass. Then we have the slow witted Henry Cole with all the advantages of his birth which I think is a con.
@@gustavmeyrink_2.0 I like Dan and he always whispers! bjut that is soon forgotten as his observations are worth listing to. Pleased you agree about Fort9 .. he is indeed on his own terms .. My favourite quote from the wise Miss Piggy is '"Don't eat more than you can lift" Now that is the crux of the biscuit.
Great choice on using paint on the frame instead of powder coating, what folks don’t realise is when you damage/chip powder coat the moisture travels under the coating and rusts the whole lot, also if you ever have to remove powder coat shot blasters hate the stuff, it’s really difficult to remove and you can cause excess damage to the joints etc.
What a cool bloke Nick is he really should have his own motorcycle show on the telly and I'm absolutely sure everyone will agree with me . Most enjoyable video about bikes I have seen bar none . The fact that I love Guzzi and cafe racers don't matter . It's the passion the dream realized the attention to detail and the sound advice given to anyone thinking of starting a project themselves .
Hey man!! This ist a really beautiful looking Guzzi! I ride a Le Mans 2 since 37 years and I was never a friend of too extreme customized Guzzis. But after looking to your piece of sugar, i'm beginning to change my mind.......!!🤔 Greetings from Germany!
Hi, thanks, Iam a fan of Std guzzis too, my first guzzi was a red mk1 le man's in 1983. But because they are so expensive now, I couldn't afford to buy one like my old bike I loved. So I built this as a kind of replacement for my old mk1. Thanks for the lovely comments 😉
Brilliant video,, I'm the owner of a 2008 speed triple and I've changed loads of stuff and never will ever get the money back from it but I won't be selling it,,, like you I just enjoy modding,, from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated thank you ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
Lovely job Nick some lovely touches. Not sure how you get on with the 35mm forks. What mileage are you getting out of the Conti tyres? I didnt know they had a made a street legal version.
Dear Nick, what a great solution you have found at 13.06 with the frame modification on the front of the engine! Did you have this new distribution case custom made or is it a modified standard available part? I am mighty curious. Congrats with such a tasteful and refined build. regards, Ben van Gelder
Hi and thanks for the question. It's a trick I picked up from HT Moto in Germany, you need to use the later guzzi V11 timing cover, this has the upper frame mount, then modify the frame to fit it 👍
AN AMAZING BIKE , The attention to detail taken is a credit to you . A long time a go a chap I knew ,said he use to Jenolite all metal cycle parts a good coat of red oxide and 3 coats of Valspar enamel paint or Humbrol and then polish it with Braso metal polish and wax polish . When it must been 30 years later I saw him at a small classic show with 2 of his bikes and I asked and how many times have to painted those , he replied never . Keep in up and enjoy your ride .
Great looking bike an a nice video. Didn't know you could make a Spine frame from a Tonti. BTW Can you tell me who did your black anodising? I am doing a cosmetic upgrade to my 1100 Sport and am planning to have the frame plates anodised.
Not sure about the V7 breather system. But, if a guzzi engine is pumping oil into a breather then there's 2 things that could cause it, 1) breather system is blocked or non return Valve (ball valve) is stuck or not working. 2) the engine is worn and your getting blow by, allowing the crankcase pressure to build up, this will force oil out to thd breather system. Either one of those two is what's wrong, you just have to investigate to find out. I would do a compression test on your cylinders to see what they are, if it's down on the Std pressure, you've found the problem. If the pressure is good, then it's likely to be the breather system itself. Let me know how you get on 😉👍
gorgeous bike, thank you for your time! how do you make sure your bike is still safe to ride with changes in weight, balance etc? also how tall are you? your setup looks perfect with the changes you've made
Iam 5ft11, the main changes haven't changed any of the original bikes geometry, it's mainly the seat and handlebar position that's changed a little, it's not as radical as you might think 😉
What a fantastic video, I couldn't look away and wanted more. Very well explained , great picture and sound quality. Absolutely amazing bike and fills me with motivation. 10/10
Hey, our friend Dave from DTR makes these tanks, we're working on a video with them now. Check out DTR on Instagram, his name is Dave, here's the link: instagram.com/dtrmetalart/
Hi, the tank was originally made in Germany by HT moto, the one fitted to the bike is currently a fibreglass tank, but Dave at DTR is currently making me another one in aluminium, Iam sure he can make you one 😉
My knee jerk reaction at first was that I hope you didn't destroy a perfectly good 850 Le Mans for this project. After watching the video I will say that you sir have built perhaps the most beautiful and likely best engineered "cafe" Moto Guzzi front to back in existence!
My favourite big bore Italian Bike. Job well done. I met a fella at the 1975 Daytona 200 who had a stock 1974 LeMans and I was fortunate to take it for a good run ; was quite a thrill for a 20 year old. Even Honda was inspired to built a similar design in 1978 called the CX 500 which they eventually turbocharged.
Oasis: someone who knows about what he he is riding and he's such a gear head watch at 17:44 ish where he is momentarily distracted by someone giving it the berries in the background but doesn't miss a beat, why don't i sit next to people like this on planes.
Lovely bike Nick..thankyou for the video. I thought the point about maintaining the finish over a long build is well made. Have experienced the same thing, thought I'd share a tip. Rip a bed sheet up into inch strips and 'bandage' the frame..protects it really well when installing engine. Also the advice about pre thinking project, research and cost is really excellent if you dont want to waste money. Thanks again and congratulations on a great bike.
Just purchased a set of those Continental Classic Attack tires for my 74' V7 Sport. They look smaller especially the profile but can't wait to get it on the road and see how they feel and perform. Thank you for sharing your beautiful bike and the information presented in your well thought out video. Cheers.
Hi jeff Yes they do seem to be slightly smaller size, I had to move my front mudguard down to suit. But I think you will be impressed by the tyres performance 😉
@@19bus65 Sadly, I have to report that the guy who worked on my beloved V7 Sport took ME for a ride and ripped me off. The bike ran for a few days then wouldn't start and is now leaking everywhere. I paid way too much, waited over 2 years and got a fraction of what I paid for. Now the bike sits with no one local that even knows the brand, let alone a passion for what the bike represents amongst enthusiasts. I'd have to trailer it a few hundred miles and pay thousands more to get it back where I started from. Financially I'm broke and in a time where fuel costs are going to cost me more than ever before just to get it to the closest shop, not to mention their shop rates. While it was running though, the tyres seemed to offer a more agile ride...something that takes getting used to. Unfortunately, time wasn't on my side in that regard.
nick sharp would love to find out more about frame mods, it totally makes sense. Also electrics. Not very good with internet and your knowledge would save me a lot of research and less mistakes 🙂
@@joeqvarnstrom2625 you will need to use the Internet. Rear frame to gearbox bracket, get in touch with 'Bormi racing parts' Italy, they make the brackets. Frame mods, you need a few metal working tools, welder, etc and sus it out as you go! Electrics, I had a custom wiring loom made up, electrics are the only thing I font touch.
nick sharp The welding and bracket i can do. Who supplies the required timing cover? Will check out that mob in Italy for other goodies though, thanks.
@@joeqvarnstrom2625 OK, you need a timing cover from the V11, sport carb or similar bike, these guzzis use the different timing cover, try teo lamers in holland, good source of second hand spares, or e bay.
Wonderful build Nick. Great attention to detail, resulting in a fabulous looking and sounding bike. Well done The Classic Motorcycle Channel too. So nice to see an "interview" done so well, just allowing Nick to talk naturally about his passion, without interruption. 10/10.
Thankyou very much for your kind comments, much appreciated. Iam glad you like the content, to be honest, there's loads more detail I left out, but happy you like it, thankyou 😉
It looks absolutely stunning. No question about it. I'm very fond of spoke wheels instead of mags but then again this is personal taste. I'd probably had fitted a set of Kineo wheels.
@@caferacer850 I know....they are a lot of money. They cost me $3,000, I fitted them on my Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber. Are they worth the money? yes, considering a nice set of wheels will cost a bit under that plus the benefit of true tubeless tires. However, it all boils down to money or lack of. Trust me I wrestled with the decision to buy them for a long time and had to wait for them to be made for more than 5 months.
That’s a great bike. I think we are about the same age so the Guzzi Le Mans and Laverda Jota and Mirage were the grail Italian bikes when we were young. The round barrel Guzzi engine has a presence, beauty and sound that is unique, nice job mate.
