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Cali III Cafe Project

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MisterB View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 00:27
Yes he's hard work, but I only have him part time at the moment. He was 8kg last week at 8 weeks, while when we met his parents, his dad was the biggest golden retriever I've ever met, so Barney here has a lot of growing to do..
I hope to make a little video of him every week, to follow him as he grows up in his first year. Here he is yesterday causing mayhem as usual, and his teeth are needle sharp... ouch..
 
  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote exsmokingbiker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 08:58
nope she was fine she does a good job the last less than 3 seconds the cat brings them in and lets them loose for the dog to play with this one was around 4 in morning  only problem is she brings them in via bedroom window and walks over me with them
Originally posted by Dave P. Dave P. wrote:

Rusty appears to be wearing an expression of regret.
For all your engineering- ultrasonic and aquablasting needs see WWW.bike-aquablasting.co.uk
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fireflyr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 02:56
Originally posted by Brian UK Brian UK wrote:

Worst thing our last dog did was chew up a complete arm chair, plus the stair carpet.
 
My 6 month old shepherd just chewed up my NEW, SIGNED Guzziology!  I'm not sure he's going to make it...........
 
He's the shifty one on the left. 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 10:32
Now that is really bad. A chair is one thing, but Guzziology....
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
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MisterB View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 15:01
Barney is growing up fast almost 12 weeks old now, and he already weighs 25lbs..
  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote red leader one Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 16:20
Put this on furniture, kitchen door or wherever

http://www.boots.com/en/Vicks-VapoRub-100g_33381/

Their nose won't like it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote red leader one Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Jan 2017 at 16:27
Nice pup.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/billbollocks/graduationandgeneral027Medium2.jpg

The one on the right was our Badger.

When he barked even the Devil did a runner.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Feb 2017 at 19:40
No progress on the Guzzi, been busy with other stuff, though I have been idly considering if my next project could be supercharging a Guzzi?  Looks do-able I reckon..
Anyway, after fearing the worst when young Barney fell very ill, after treatment he bounced back amazingly quickly, and now he's getting on for 40lbs at 15 weeks old..
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Jul 2017 at 00:54
Photobucket have just changed their rules so that you have to pay them before they allow third party sites to link to your own photos on PB. If not, all your photos go missing, hence all mine have vanished.
 
At least Youtube still works, so here's the last update from back in April.. 
 
 
Since then progress has been glacial, due to other projects and my laziness.. But I've got a few days clear this week, so hopefully I can find the time to work on the Guzzi again.
 
As for young Barney, he's now 8 months old and just over 7 stone, and he's still growing.. Shocked
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 00:37
The Guzzi is by a long margin my longest running project, I haven't touched it for nearly a year, but now finally I can work on it once more. The long break has caused me to rethink a few things, and I'm already into changing some of the work I've done in the past.

Firstly, all the electrics have been removed and instead its getting an M-Unit from MotoGadget along with matching switches. I've got the M-Unit fitted to two of my other bikes now, and since I'm impressed with it, decided to add a third to the Guzzi. The only thing I don't like about it is the price.. £245 retail, plus you need to use momentary contact handlebar switches to (if you want to use all the function it has to offer).

Once that's been done, the next change will be to the seat unit.. I've reluctantly concluded that the Ducati SS900 Desmo seat its using now just doesn't look quite right.. its too long and slightly too narrow. I've not found anything out there that I like and would fit the frame rails so far, so decided to make my own..

I started by using CAD.. Cardboard Aided Design, and once I'd got something that looked about right, I drew a simple diagram and took it along to the Geoff, the local welder who made it in 2mm aluminium sheet. Though I lent a hand turning the handle of the shop rollers to add the curve to the seat hump.

You can see how it was made here https://youtu.be/wSCEiYSshMI









Still needs more work..


Edited by MisterB - 15 Mar 2019 at 02:18
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldrat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 08:38
Great to see it coming together, the bike looks great, and Im sure will be a stunner. Now that you are on the cosmetic stuff you’ll probably find that the build will suddenly become energised and take off, family commitments allowing.

I love watching fabrication vids so thanks for taking the trouble. Thats some bending machine in that workshop. 

I’m a big fan of Motogadget stuff, in terms of reliability, it’s been great but the one weakness (?) I’ve come across is that the wires in the switches are so fine that any movement (rotation) of the switchgear assembly can snap them at the connection point, so make sure that you give yourself enough slack for a trim and refit.


If I was to make my seat again, for comfort, I’d have a shallower radius along the left and right side rather than the steep 90 degree drop above each frame rail as in use the edges can dig into your inner thighs when your feet are down.

So if you yet have to upholster the seat, then can I suggest that you really pad over the corners along those two edges to effectively take the ‘sharpness’ off of the sides of the seat.  This is something that you only discover after the build!

Keep up the good work and keep us posted.  I’ve been through the entire process and thought about and overcome several design problems with my own build, so if here is anything that you might want to chat about (2 heads are better than etc) drop me a PM.

I’m sure that you have a lot going on in your head and that you already have ideas about how it will end up  but if I can help with my own experiences of finding solutions just ask.

Things like..
Do you want your seat to be quickly detachable? if so I can run you through my solution and which parts you’d need.

Are you keeping the rear indicator stalks or looking for a cheap but neat solution.

How’s your wiring going to exit the bars? There’s a simple and nifty solution.

What are you doing with the rear frame tails, chopped? if so how will that look with the angle of the rear seat. 

Etc etc.

Best of luck

Brian





1976 "Zagato" Gootsi cafe racer
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 14:25
I've been busy with other project bikes, so the Guzzi went on the back burner, though part of that could have been because I wasn't happy with the seat and some of the compromises I'd made. I'm now trying to revisit those areas until I'm happy with the bike. A case in point being the electrics, which I ripped out and starting again using the clever M Unit. Though I'm not using the MotoGadget switches, as they need the bars drilling to thread the wires through the bars..hardly seems worth it to pass them through a few inches of clip on.

Geoff the welder always does a great job, he's so quick too, the seat took about half an hour, with me slowing thinks down by filming progress. He made the stainless battery box for the Guzzi and welded my home made billet alloy swing arm last year, which turned out better than I had any right to expect... that's on YT too.

The switches I'm using don't need to have the bars drilled, though you have to wire them up yourself, something I'm struggling with as the contacts are so small and close together in the housing. Also the clip-ons came with the bike, having been powder coated silver.. so I want to change them for chrome ones at some point, hence I didn't want the wiring running through them.

The seat will be held down by a couple of bolts, I don't need to go to the extra work to make it a QD seat.

The 70's style indicators may not stay, I may look for some a little more discrete, not sure yet.

As for the seat upholstery, I'll probably have the whole thing covered in vinyl, rather than painting the alloy or polishing it. With the Guzzi seat rails being so low, it'll need plenty of foam to give me enough leg room with the rearsets. I left plenty of room between the seat rails and the seat 'skirts' to allow for the foam / vinyl to wrap around underneath.. which should (I hope) give a more rounded appearance, to match the alloy tank.

Still unsure how to fit the rear light /plate, and I'll probably have to fit taller rear shocks to give enough rear tyre clearance. Bit its being built on a shoestring budget, so that may have to wait. (recommissioning my old Ducati is currently taking every spare penny).

The rear of the seat rails have been cut already, and alloy bungs have been hammered into the ends.. interference fit.. they have threaded holes which is how I mount the rear indicators.

Thanks for the offer of help, I may need it sooner rather than later lol..   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oldrat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2019 at 15:34
Originally posted by MisterB MisterB wrote:

I've been busy with other project bikes, so the Guzzi went on the back burner, though part of that could have been because I wasn't happy with the seat and some of the compromises I'd made. I'm now trying to revisit those areas until I'm happy with the bike. A case in point being the electrics, which I ripped out and starting again using the clever M Unit. Though I'm not using the MotoGadget switches, as they need the bars drilling to thread the wires through the bars..hardly seems worth it to pass them through a few inches of clip on.

Geoff the welder always does a great job, he's so quick too, the seat took about half an hour, with me slowing thinks down by filming progress. He made the stainless battery box for the Guzzi and welded my home made billet alloy swing arm last year, which turned out better than I had any right to expect... that's on YT too.

The switches I'm using don't need to have the bars drilled, though you have to wire them up yourself, something I'm struggling with as the contacts are so small and close together in the housing. Also the clip-ons came with the bike, having been powder coated silver.. so I want to change them for chrome ones at some point, hence I didn't want the wiring running through them.

The seat will be held down by a couple of bolts, I don't need to go to the extra work to make it a QD seat.

The 70's style indicators may not stay, I may look for some a little more discrete, not sure yet.

As for the seat upholstery, I'll probably have the whole thing covered in vinyl, rather than painting the alloy or polishing it. With the Guzzi seat rails being so low, it'll need plenty of foam to give me enough leg room with the rearsets. I left plenty of room between the seat rails and the seat 'skirts' to allow for the foam / vinyl to wrap around underneath.. which should (I hope) give a more rounded appearance, to match the alloy tank.

Still unsure how to fit the rear light /plate, and I'll probably have to fit taller rear shocks to give enough rear tyre clearance. Bit its being built on a shoestring budget, so that may have to wait. (recommissioning my old Ducati is currently taking every spare penny).

The rear of the seat rails have been cut already, and alloy bungs have been hammered into the ends.. interference fit.. they have threaded holes which is how I mount the rear indicators.

Thanks for the offer of help, I may need it sooner rather than later lol..   

Can’t wait to see how you progress with this build. 
Best of luck

1976 "Zagato" Gootsi cafe racer
BMW GSA
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MisterB View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 20:51
While I've been stuck at home recently, I decided to go poke the Guzzi with a stick and do a bit more work on it. Bought some Motogadget handlebar switches which will work well with the M-Unit I'd fitted already, only to find an unusual problem stopped me in my tracks. The wiring for the switches has to go through the bars, which means they need to be drilled. So I started drilling, and drilling and drilling, only to realise that the clip on bars were solid, which meant I couldn't fit my new expensive switches.

But no, it was cheaper to change the clip ons than look for other switchgear, and that's what I did. Only problem was the only ones I could find to fit the 40mm forks were a naff gold colour. I removed the gold anodising using caustic soda in water. Works surprisingly well..




Despite spending a fair amount of time making the alloy seat unit, I had to admit it didn't look quite right on the bike. The main problem was that to gain enough clearance above the tyre, I had to cut the rear of the seat back too much, which made it look much worse than when we first made it from my cardboard template. So I knew it couldn't stay on the bike, but what else to fit in its place that would look 'right'?

Well, as some of you may know, I post my builds on youtube, and in the last video about the Guzzi, I mentioned that I was looking for a new seat unit that would suite the bike. I was surprised when a viewer named Bill contacted me to say he had just the thing I needed.. I handmade alloy seat unit made by John Williams of The Tank Shop, which was made to fit a Guzzi just like mine. Bill had decided on a change of plan for his Guzzi, and so the seat unit was surplus to requirements. Did I want it? You bet I did, and it arrived in a large box today. It came complete with a separate seat base which I'll need to get upholstered, and I'll have to sort out its mounts etc, but it looks much better than my homemade version. Sadly the polished alloy finish will have to be painted, along with the rest of the bodywork when I'm happy with the look of the bike. Not sure what colour scheme to go for, but given the sloth like pace of this build, I'll no doubt have a lot of time to think about that..

Barney the dog isn't as impressed as I am with the new seat..


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MisterB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 20:56
Surprised a package arrived a few days ago, given the current situation. A pair of Hagon Nitro shocks made with the length and spring rate that would suite the bike. They have adjustable pre-load and damping, and are polished stainless steel. I chose to have the springs powder coated black, and the alloy parts anodised silver (there are a few different options)..

The body and spring are much fatter than a typical shock, something to bare in mind when fitting to an old bike. In my case I knew there could be a problem having talked to Hagon, but I just needed a slightly longer spacer to move the silencer out a few mm. You can see the difference between the YSS shocks I originally fitted and these in the photo below.





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