| Project: 1986 Moto Guzzi V65 |
The finished product...
The starting point...
This one started out as a relatively
intact example of an '86 Guzzi V65. It
said "Lario" on the side, but has 2
valve heads, not the original Lario's 4
valve heads. It did not run when we
brought it in, due largely to a weak
battery and improper carburetor
adjustments.
I never cared much for '80's
motorcycle styling, especially the
"spoiler" rear end and the visual
angularity of the whole package. The
bodywork had to go.
intact example of an '86 Guzzi V65. It
said "Lario" on the side, but has 2
valve heads, not the original Lario's 4
valve heads. It did not run when we
brought it in, due largely to a weak
battery and improper carburetor
adjustments.
I never cared much for '80's
motorcycle styling, especially the
"spoiler" rear end and the visual
angularity of the whole package. The
bodywork had to go.
I had a vision for this one, so
we tore into it. These are
very simply constructed
bikes (don'cha just love 'em
that way?) and we were able
to lift the top of the bike off
the engine and drive train
largely intact. We referred
to the bottom end as our
"Italian Wheelbarrow."
we tore into it. These are
very simply constructed
bikes (don'cha just love 'em
that way?) and we were able
to lift the top of the bike off
the engine and drive train
largely intact. We referred
to the bottom end as our
"Italian Wheelbarrow."
The engine and swinging arm paint were stripped and those
parts refinished in "faster" black. The lower frame was
removed and powder coated. The headers were refinished
in high heat paint (very effective in both cost and
appearance). The front end was dis-assembled and rebuilt
and the lower forks were finished in "faster" black.
parts refinished in "faster" black. The lower frame was
removed and powder coated. The headers were refinished
in high heat paint (very effective in both cost and
appearance). The front end was dis-assembled and rebuilt
and the lower forks were finished in "faster" black.
After screwing around with
the Del Lorto cabs for a
while, we decided to
modernize with a new pair of
Keihin PWKs. We replaced
the throttle cables, grips,
rebuilt the front master
cylinder, replaced the rear
master cylinder, replaced the
brake lines and retained the
stock linked rear to front
brake system. The lighting
was all replaced, new clip-on
bars and bar end mirrors
were fitted.
the Del Lorto cabs for a
while, we decided to
modernize with a new pair of
Keihin PWKs. We replaced
the throttle cables, grips,
rebuilt the front master
cylinder, replaced the rear
master cylinder, replaced the
brake lines and retained the
stock linked rear to front
brake system. The lighting
was all replaced, new clip-on
bars and bar end mirrors
were fitted.
Emgo slash cut mufflers finished out the exhaust
system (very cost effective) but not without some
modification to the baffles. As stated above, the
bodywork had to go. We liked the tank, so that
stayed, but was refinished in black with red
pinstripe and new Moto Guzzi tank lettering. New
bodywork was custom made for this project. The
bug screen started out as a tail section, but
found its way to the front of the bike ("no matter
how many times I cut it, it's still too small...). We
fabricated a new front fender, aluminum mesh
side cover panels, and tail section.
It all came together quite nicely, hmmm?!
system (very cost effective) but not without some
modification to the baffles. As stated above, the
bodywork had to go. We liked the tank, so that
stayed, but was refinished in black with red
pinstripe and new Moto Guzzi tank lettering. New
bodywork was custom made for this project. The
bug screen started out as a tail section, but
found its way to the front of the bike ("no matter
how many times I cut it, it's still too small...). We
fabricated a new front fender, aluminum mesh
side cover panels, and tail section.
It all came together quite nicely, hmmm?!
