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 ?
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.
I don't really have many pictures of the bike so here are a couple .....the Rover belongs to Grandad .
Low down
This kind of shows the standard tank
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
.
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 ?
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.
I don't really have many pictures of the bike so here are a couple .....the Rover belongs to Grandad .
Low down
This kind of shows the standard tank
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
.