Project Guzzi

Rushy

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OK first of all let me start by saying the title is more than a bit OTT and you are not going to see some drop dead gorgeous cafe racer/ bobber / or Mk1 Lemon restoration …its just a few mods i'm considering on my 2009 MG V1200 Sport 8v.

There are many of things I like about the bike, the styling, the quality of the finish, the quality components like Marchesini wheels, the old tech engine mixed with the high tech dash and the fact that you don't see one every time you go for a ride. In fact since I bought it in August I have yet to see another period , except for a new example in a Guzzi showroom.

Unfortunately that last fact also means that it's quite hard to make changes to the bike because there are hardly any aftermarket components for it and nobody dealing in them.

So right now I am in dilemma mode. Do I spend quite a bit of money and time trying to improve the things I don't like.. namely;

1) Riding Position
2) Cosmetic updates to personalise her
3) The fuelling
4) The handling
5) the way the fuelling makes the handling worse
6) The sound, I have already fitted a Carbon GPR pipe

Or do I just put the cash towards moving on to something else ? :nenau

Right now I am thinking that even though most of the money I spend wont be recuperated come selling time I quite like the idea of keeping her and making her my own.:blast

I don't really have many pictures of the bike so here are a couple .....the Rover belongs to Grandad .:p

DSC08150-2012-01-14at15-33-561.jpg


Low down
untitled1-1.jpg


This kind of shows the standard tank

2011-09-03at10-45-31.jpg


Here are my ideas…they are not quite plans yet.

Problem : Riding Position -The bars are a little too wide and far away resulting in a very strange stretch which can be a bit uncomfortable on a days ride

Fix : Many owners seem to do a swap with the bars from an Aprilia Mana which improves things but they are not cheap. Fatbar Renthals are another option . However , the standard fitted bars are Fat bars with a lovely 'striped' black anodised finish which I really like so I'm thinking bar risers only at first. I was considering the Rox risers for an F800GS to lift and bring back but they are a bit 'industrial' looking for the Guzzi.

Problem : Cosmetic updates - this is not a problem really, just a personal choice except for the minor lacquer damage on the very front of the mudguard. This prompted me to consider getting it painted . I then happened upon a spare tank with a few scratches on it so that got me thinking of getting that repainted too but with a nice white speed stripe along the top and have the mudguard done the same.

I have so far fitted a Carbon GPR can for looks and to release a bit more of the Guzzi sound but would like to also add some nice levers, probably Titax, and possibly some Rizoma parts, Bar end weights and mirrors, if I can get stuff to fit.

Problem : The fuelling & the way it effects the handling - this is the big expensive one. Like many fuel injected twins in particular she suffers a little from poor fuelling at small throttle openings and some occasional surging. Its only really a big distraction when closing and then opening the throttle if you are adjusting your speed when cornering. Adjusting the throttle in this manner is unpleasant but also exaggerates the torque reaction from the engine so you get the little trademark 'lurch' just when you don't want it to happen.

Fix : Fit a Power Commander V …oops but Dynojet UK don't list the bike. In fact they had never heard of my bike and wanted more info' on it. They have now offered to fit one for free ( I pay for the PC V obviously) if I ride the bike up to them. BUT more investigation reveals that the Guzzi uses a 'closed loop' system so the PC V will only do its bit at throttle openings of 40% and above . Below that the Guzzi's own Lambda kinda takes over and makes the ECU do its own thing.

I could try to get an ECU remap but nobody in the UK seems to have done any such work on a Guzzi V1200.

A guy in the US is offering a full solution. A PC V to fit the V1200 , Dynojet Autotune with Lambda sensor ( the Autotune remaps the bike real time to allow for temp & air density variations, bike mods like a new pipe , filter etc and the way you are riding, this also means that you shouldn't have to fork out for loads of dyno time) plus an ECU flash which remaps it and 'turns off' the bikes own Lambda so the PC V will operate throughout the throttle range. This is not cheap , circa $1100 bucks and I would have to post my ECU to the states and wait for it to return PLUS i could be stung on import tax. I will still have to get someone with a VDST to do a TPS reset when the ECU is refitted.

More digging reveals that the ECU is the same model as fitted to some Ducatis and Aprilias so it may be possible to speak to a UK based company who has experience of them and see if they can offer an appropriate remap, doable but I bet they've never done a Guzzi.

I am also considering an open airbox/BMC filter mod to help her breathe.

Problem : The Handling
Fix : Right now this is just a set up issue. I returned the bike to standard settings last month and went for a test ride which did seem to improve things but my test ride complete with tools and a note pad didn't allow me to experiment with setting due to the extremely cold weather and icy conditions. I may get it set up by Revs in Birmingham and then if needs must, and funds allow, Wilbers front and rear may follow at a later date. The fuelling fix will help with the handling too.

Problem : The sound - this is not a problem at all, I just want to release more of the Guzzi beat. The new can sans baffle is good but I am considering removing the cat and giving it to some guys who can make a "y piece" in stainless to replace it. The airbox mod should help too.

To be fair these problems are just areas of improvement really and then she will be my bike. So those are the ideas, some , none or all may come to fruition in the coming months . All suggestions welcome.

I'll keep ya posted :thumb


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...............
Problem : The Handling
Fix : Right now this is just a set up issue. I returned the bike to standard settings last month and went for a test ride which did seem to improve things but my test ride complete with tools and a note pad didn't allow me to experiment with setting due to the extremely cold weather and icy conditions. I may get it set up by Revs in Birmingham and then if needs must, and funds allow, Wilbers front and rear may follow at a later date. The fuelling fix will help with the handling too.

.............


.

If you fit a Wilbers up front I think you may find the handling get worse................. :thumb

FWIW I didn't get on with the handling of my Griso when I first got it. I did a lot of reading up on the interweb and found some settings that seemed to work ok but the rear was always too harsh. I was also going to take it to a suspension specialist to get them to look at the set up but a couple of thousand miles later and it had softened off and is pretty much spot on now - it's a Sachs shock, is that what yours has?

Looking forward to seeing how you get on - I like the colours on the fairing, maybe you could carry on that colour scheme across the rest of the bike (ie top of tank and mudguard white with red/green pinstripe) :nenau

Andres
 
Looking forward to seeing how you get on - I like the colours on the fairing, maybe you could carry on that colour scheme across the rest of the bike (ie top of tank and mudguard white with red/green pinstripe) :nenau

Andres

You read my mind....was also thinking that the white main speed stripe may start at the front of the tank same width as the fuel cap and then meet the fuel cap in a semi circle and end there . The pinstripes however would be just wider than the cap and come towards it in green, circle the cap and turn to red half way round before returning to the front in red IFYKWIM .:confused:

Shock is a Sachs too and the forks are Marzocchi,was thinking of Wilbers springs in the front and a change in fork oil weight. Seems to have a reluctance to turn. Need to try on standard settings when the weather improves and maybe drop yokes down the forks a smidgeon*........;)


*technical turn often used by mechanical numptys like me
 
Have a word with John Warrington in Malton, he's a top bloke and I've seen good results with his "Rapidbike" units to improve fueling
http://www.jwmotorcycles.co.uk/

As regards the handling, perhaps just the change of handle bars and a few more miles in comfort would help, it's amazing just how much something like changing the riding position can change the whole feel of the bike.

And for the styling, how about a welding mask or just turn your back to it:D



Of course you can save all the hassle and trade it in for a Ducati;)

:kissy2
 
As your in Cheshire why not take it to Maxtons in Frodsham to see what they recommend on the suspension front.
Getting new fork internals and a new rear shock from them transformed the handling of my Guzzi V11.
 
Bin the tailbag and can you street fighter it (Get rid of the little fairing). The engines are a gorgeous lump of metal. If I had the spare cash I would love to add a Guzzi to my meagre collection. Its just so different.
 
Have a word with John Warrington in Malton, he's a top bloke and I've seen good results with his "Rapidbike" units to improve fueling
http://www.jwmotorcycles.co.uk/

Had a quick look and what do you know, he does sell units for some Guzzis including the earlier V12 Sport but not the newer model like mine. Worth a call for sure:thumb2

As regards the handling, perhaps just the change of handle bars and a few more miles in comfort would help, it's amazing just how much something like changing the riding position can change the whole feel of the bike.

Agreed.... this is the first mod I will be doing as it cheap, easy and could help with both comfort and handling...

And for the styling, how about a welding mask or just turn your back to it:D

Of course you can save all the hassle and trade it in for a Ducati;)

Look , I know you have a 748 in the garage but you also bought a Multiturd which isnt exactly known for its beauty & good looks now is it ? ...and you were being so helpful too:pullface

;)


.
 
As your in Cheshire why not take it to Maxtons in Frodsham to see what they recommend on the suspension front.
Getting new fork internals and a new rear shock from them transformed the handling of my Guzzi V11.

Thanks , I forgot about Maxton, never been there TBH but I kinda know John at Revs..

:thumb2
 
Bin the tailbag and can you street fighter it (Get rid of the little fairing). The engines are a gorgeous lump of metal. If I had the spare cash I would love to add a Guzzi to my meagre collection. Its just so different.

I know what you mean but the lines are wrong for a cafe. I also want to keep it practical, did you notice the discreet pannier rails? I have the boxes from the Guzzi Norge and panniers on a cafe just doesnt work :eek. The earlier 2001 to 2006 V11 Sport is closer to what you are thinking of from a modern big Guzzi ;

GuzziV11Sport.jpg
 
Look , I know you have a 748 in the garage but you also bought a Multiturd which isnt exactly known for its beauty & good looks now is it ? ...and you were being so helpful too:pullface

;)
.

Does your face always go green while eating your heart out:p


Let me know if you're going to contact John, I'll have a word first and get a deal sorted out:thumb
 
Interesting what you say about the fuelling. I recently had a test ride on a new Stelvio. I wanted to like it, but the low speed fuelling was dreadful - I thought Guzzi were supposed to have sorted this out on the 2011 models?


Regards,
Mike
 
Interesting what you say about the fuelling. I recently had a test ride on a new Stelvio. I wanted to like it, but the low speed fuelling was dreadful - I thought Guzzi were supposed to have sorted this out on the 2011 models?


Regards,
Mike

Mines not dreadful at all I just feel it could be improved. I test rode a 990 ADV a few years back, now that was dreadful !!! It wouldn't hold a steady 30mph in any gear high than second.

On mine there is a bit of a flat spot in the midrange and the most annoying aspect is what happens when you momentarily shut off and then quickly re-open the throttle, it surges which exacerbates the 'twisting' to the right action applied to the bike by the transverse V twin engine layout.
 
Ready for the painters

Here is a shot of the front of the bike showing the white aerofoil 'screen' on the black cowling.
DSC08183-2012-02-15at22-30-10.jpg


In this shot you can see the damaged paintwork on the leading edge of the mudguard.
DSC08181-2012-02-15at22-29-42.jpg


Mudguard off....
DSC08184-2012-02-16at10-39-221.jpg


I have decided not to go with a speed stripe along the whole length of the mudguard. Instead I am going to have that wedge shape recessed area in the middle of the mudguard filled in with white paint to kind of follow on from the white screen . Around the edge of the white I am going to have a pinstripe around it that will start at the top left as you look at the image in green come down and around to the front of the recessed bit and then return up the other side in red. All to repeat the tricolore theme and to sort of follow on from the screen above as suggested by Andres.

I am going to have a similar thing done on the top of the tank as I suggested in my earlier post. The white speed stripe will start from the front of the tank near the headstock and go back only as far as the fuel cap . Green pin strip on one side coming around the fuel cap and then airbrush fade into red before returning to the headstock.

Will post some pics when I get them back :thumb
 
Only my opinion but,
beware - there's a similar paint job used on some Ducati or other- maybe one of the Monsters :nenau last thing you want is a Guzzi looking like a Duc :pullface

As for the "twisting" throttle reaction, you'd probably get used to that quick enough and it's never going to go completely. :nenau

Pretty Bike - will watch this with interest and a touch of lust too! :thumb2
 


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