| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
Calijackalbob 
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Bellagio Cafe Racer Evolution
Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 18:44 |
I bought a Guzzi California Jackal intending to turn it into a Cafe Racer, but fell in love with it the way it was. (underneath the dowdy hepco boxes.) Didn't want to mess with it. Besides, the draconian Singapore laws would probably make most mods illegal. Not worth the risk. Soooo, I started lusting after the V& racer, then saw a few Bellagios converted to cafe racers on the interweb and got the bug. Got the Bellagio and here is the beginnings of the evolution of a Moto Guzzi Bellagio into a V940 Cafe Racer.
and if that don't work, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MAxHAa1E5M
Edited by Calijackalbob - 17 Feb 2016 at 02:47
|
 |
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 19:08 |
My Bellagio, before going under the knife.
And then, there were clip ons...... and bar end mirrors,......... and soon to be sporting this V7 seat
Stay tuned for updates
Edited by Calijackalbob - 12 Sep 2017 at 17:29
|
|
tonewuk
Moderator Group
Joined: 30 May 2014
Location: WEST BROMWICH
Status: Offline
Points: 314
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 21:09 |
|
|
|
jmee54
Senior Member
Joined: 28 Nov 2014
Location: Cornwall
Status: Offline
Points: 1409
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 14 Oct 2015 at 21:24 |
|
I've always thought the Cali tank lets the Bellagio down - looks to porky.
|
|
GU221
Senior Member
Joined: 29 Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 367
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 15 Oct 2015 at 00:49 |
Um.... back to you. Been off the net for a while. What were all those questions on other threads?
The V7 tank, btw, can be painted without any problems. Never heard of your "expansion" theory? It looked to me as if the lacquer between the tank and the "chrome" was the problem.
|
|
Bellagio 940T
T3
|
|
tonewuk
Moderator Group
Joined: 30 May 2014
Location: WEST BROMWICH
Status: Offline
Points: 314
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 16 Oct 2015 at 21:21 |
 GU221 wrote:
Um.... back to you. Been off the net for a while. What were all those questions on other threads?
The V7 tank, btw, can be painted without any problems. Never heard of your "expansion" theory? It looked to me as if the lacquer between the tank and the "chrome" was the problem. |
Ethanol was the problem,Rotting the tank.Some folks reported up to 10mm expansion. Thats why you can get the tanks cheap
|
|
GU221
Senior Member
Joined: 29 Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 367
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 17 Oct 2015 at 00:44 |
tonewuk wrote:
GU221 wrote:
Um.... back to you. Been off the net for a while. What were all those questions on other threads?
The V7 tank, btw, can be painted without any problems. Never heard of your "expansion" theory? It looked to me as if the lacquer between the tank and the "chrome" was the problem. |
Ethanol was the problem,Rotting the tank.Some folks reported up to 10mm expansion. Thats why you can get the tanks cheap |
Extraordinary. No ethanol in the fuel in these parts. Yet the chrome peeled off all the tanks with no discussion on rotting tanks or expansion. Lots of painted plastic tanks on early models with no probs. Just the chrome ones with that lacquer underneath.
|
|
Bellagio 940T
T3
|
|
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 16:11 |
Intro. My back story.........Ive been sporadic, posting bits and pieces, doubling up posts and stuff, in this and other guzzi forums............. time to start a dedicated page for my Moto Guzzi Bellagio Cafe Racer Evolution.Hi.My name's Peter - Cali Jackal Bob.I've owned over 100 bikes. Started riding at 10 or so years old with a "Grand Prix" - home made minibike with a pull start lawn, mower engine. Great memories of that bike, like when I did a jump and one of the handlebars snapped off when I landed,.... still managed to stay upright! Other dirtbike riders saw and expressed their amazement. Apparently I'd got about 10 feet of air under me before I touched down. They were not so brave to fly so high. (I also Got run off the road by cops, who nearly drove me off a cliff! After the "GP" I moved onto a Honda Cr 125 Elsinore 2 stroke which was too much for me at the time, so I swapped it for a Honda XR75. That was fun. I did a long jump one day, about 20 feet airborne and when I touched down, the nuts that held the seat on came loose and the seat fell off mid air which resulted into a nut crunching landing. Anyway, followed up with (not in this order) among others, Suzuki DR175, Honda CB750,
 CG125, cb125, 250, 400, 900, CX500,ST1100, Kawasaki Gt750, Z250, Z400, Z750, Z650, Z1100b, Zephyr 750, VN1500,
Yamaha Xj900, Xs250, 400, 650, ...... all Jap bikes til my BMW R11001R which I bought for all the wrong reasons, just because I hadn't had one before. had an interesting boxer engine and I could afford it.  It wasn't the most sexy bike, but it was reliable. It was a great bike and I loved it, as I did all my bikes before, but I wasn't IN LOVE with it.I got sideswiped by a dickhead in a car who decided he wanted to be in the space i was riding in more than I was entitled to it. Killed the BMW, busted my foot and collarbone and left me looking for a replacement. My criteria for a new bike were, must be big. Large capacity engine, impressive, different, a head turner, plenty of power........ I looked at Triumph Rocket 3, Honda Valkyrie, an ST1100 streetfighter, Vmax, Yamaha MT01, (love the V Twin and sporty Muscle bike look) but wanted to do a cafe racer. Can you imagine a Valkyrie with Clip ons and a bum stop seat?Anyway. I bought a Moto Guzzi Jackal, fully intending to make it into a cafe racer, but the draconian laws in this country make any "unapproved" modifications (whether they Improve the bikes handling or safety or not) punishable by jail or ridiculous fines, made me rethink screwing with the Jackal. That's ok though. I soon found the California to be perfect the way it was. (after stripping off the touring saddlebags and fly screen.) I didn't have the heart to meddle with perfection. I was smitten. I loved the Jackal, but more importantly, I was in LOVE with it...... so It became a Bobber. I got the Guzzi Virus. I was in LOVE, infected, addicted, totally enarmoured of the Moto Guzzi brand and as the "Harpers Guzzi" Tshirt says,.... Guzzis are like potato chips,.... you cant just have one." I rediscovered my (Fleeting back then, ) admiration of the Moto Guzzis I saw (few and fa between in Australia)...... the Le Mans 850, Sport 1100, V7 and all the other gorgeous Guzzis that I saw too seldom to form a real attachment to. I started looking for another Guzzi, but being in a tiny, postage stamp sized country (singapore) with less than 100 MGs on the island, there is little choice. . . . . and what is available is incredibly expensive. A new V7 Racer cost $29000 SGD. So I looked for something older. There is jack sh*t here, a hand full of Grisos, the odd Stelvio, Norge, V11s and a bunch of too expensive V7s. Nothing much on the 2nd hand market. Like I said, there are only about 100 Guzzis in the country.Came across a 750 Breva, which I thought would be a nice cafe racer conversion,Did a photoshop mock up,.....  but the gearbox was stuffed. Would have cost in excess of $12000 SGD and would still have been a tired , rusty old bike....then a mate told me of a Bellagio he knew of for sale. I went to see it on my Jackal. so,...... being inspired by the Bellagio (and other Guzzi) Cafe Racers on the internet, I bought the Bellagio.
Edited by Calijackalbob - 12 Sep 2017 at 18:07
|
|
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 16:11 |
|
|
|
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 16:24 |
spenta a lot of time trying things on and then taking them off again so I could ride it in the meantime,..... it's got to be PERFECT before I commit to anything......
Here it is with the chrome stripped off the plastic tank and the seat (Not fitted correctly yet) and the original handlebars and (honda) mirrors.
Got new clip ons off Ebay. A bargain and really nice at only $35USD and some cool bar end mirrors from china, also off ebay at $35 UDS
and best of all, they thoroughly transform the bike from a bike with identity crisis,..... "Am I a cruiser or a street racer?" into a beautifully handling, naked sports bike. Reminds me of the Ducati Monster I test rode some time ago. I think in this guise, it is a perfect competitor in the market for the Monster....... only so much cooler because it is a Guzzi!
Edited by Calijackalbob - 14 Sep 2017 at 08:27
|
|
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 16:25 |
Still haven't gotten around to changing the tank yet. The plan is to get the tank fitted right, make the V7 bum stop racer seat fit and get the necessary tail end, under seat mudguard/tail light - signal bracket designed and fabricated before getting a chrome paint job on the tank. In the meantime I got number plate relocator from MG Cycles in the US. and a (Sidemount) number plate holder from Ebay (China) $25 USD and got rid of the original Bellagio number plate light and bracket.    Really unclutters the arse end.Haven't wired it up yet. It was a real pain getting the 3 wires into the 10 feet of wire heat shrink wrap. Had to scotch tape them to a chop stick and thread them through, the wrap broke twice before I was done. Oh well, .... a bit of black insulation tape hides the joins. Anyway, can't wire it up til the tank and seat is fitted and the under seat mudguard/tail light - signal bracket is designed, fabricated and fitted.In the meantime, I have a concern,.............(mentioned elsewhere in this forum.... But I'll repeat myself here.)I bought a plastic V7 tank that was replaced after the chrome cracked up. It has been unused for a year or more. I need advice on is this:I removed the fuel pump and found petrol residue, a thick brown goo, the colour and consistency of honey inside the tank. My concern is that it may have clogged up the internal fuel pump and filter and made them unusable. It's a major issue because, I need to be certain the fuel pump will work properly when the tanks are switched, that it won't clog the injectors, ...... and, because I am cutting up wiring, from the Bellagio pump to make it fit the V7 pump, I want to be sure everything is working right before I switch tanks - pumps, cut wires and commit to the new V7 tank. Is there a way of 1. Testing the fuel pump and filter before installing them on the bike.2. Cleaning the fuel pump and filter without damaging them, 3. Should I soak them in solvents, petrol, ethanol, thinners, detergents..........I would love to be able to fix any problems before I switch tanks/fuel pumps, cut wiring, etc,.... want to do the switch and be riding it the same day.Any advice appreciated.
Edited by Calijackalbob - 14 Sep 2017 at 08:37
|
|
Calijackalbob
Senior Member
Joined: 05 Sep 2015
Location: Singapore
Status: Offline
Points: 101
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 16:26 |
|
Another question I have is regarding Power commanders and similar fuel enrichment systems.
This question is psted elsewhare, but here it is again......
I just fitted K&N pod filters to my Bellagio, removed the airbox, ( it's getting the cafe racer treatment, going to be sporting a V7 tank and seat, so the airbox had to go)
.......... anyway, It now sounds awesome. Love the induction roar. It's a tiny bit more hesitant to start, but otherwise runs beautifully. Can't tell if it's got more power or not, but sure sounds faster.
Being concerned about the possibility of running lean and burning valves, I'm looking into getting a "Boosterplug" ...... an alternative to a Power Commander. Wondering if anyone has tried one and how it affects the running of the engine. Is it worth it? The Bellagio is, as I said, running fine with the K&Ns and stock exhaust.
As I understand it, the booster plug / power commander just gives the ECU an underestimate of the ambient temperature, thus prompting the ECU to deliver a richer fuel to air mix.
The boosterplug is cheaper than the PC. Seems to do the same thing with less complications. Anyone used one? Any testimonials, advice for or against?
|
|
vmaxer
Senior Member
Joined: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Devon
Status: Offline
Points: 1743
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 19:46 |
Calijackalbob wrote:
I just fitted K&N pod filters to my Bellagio, removed the airbox, |
According to one well known Guzzi internet expert who I'm sure we all know, that's a sure way to balls everything up. Best of luck. This is a bike Guzzi should be making.
|
|
Guztave
Senior Member
Joined: 30 Nov 2014
Location: Exeter
Status: Offline
Points: 425
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 21:06 |
|
Who is that Vmaxer - I interested in doing this to my Sporti. So any information would be useful
|
|
vmaxer
Senior Member
Joined: 04 Jan 2015
Location: Devon
Status: Offline
Points: 1743
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01 Nov 2015 at 21:18 |
Guztave wrote:
Who is that Vmaxer - I interested in doing this to my Sporti. So any information would be useful |
His name is Pete Roper I think he said that removing the airbox on the later bikes causes problems. Maybe not so with the Sport.
|
|
