850-T cafe project build |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Posted: 04 Jun 2016 at 23:55 |
Hi, kids. I recently started a project build with a 1975 850-T. I began
with a well-running, fairly intact example which strikes a balance
between too 'basket case' to bother and too restored or stock to ruin.
Link to detail I am capturing in a blog is below (read bottom up; latest post is fresh paint!).
Good bones to start with; the plan for this project lies somewhere between restoration, refurbishment, re-freshening, re-imagining and a 'factory' cafe. A reliable driver with a clean, understated aesthetic. At this point the frame is about to come off the engine; I estimate that completion is about 6 months away. So far so good, but may be leaning on the forum community soon as reassembly progresses. http://850tcafe.blogspot.com/ |
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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This was my starting point:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DUi7fSTeCoQ/VzehWXvU6SI/AAAAAAAAA4I/yPb-P7zliLc_BUYKJ14REG5Fx71crYCtACKgB/s1600/rt%2Bside%2B2015.jpg Edited by Stomp944 - 16 Jun 2016 at 02:48 |
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Here's what it looks like now:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tHNn5wnVdFU/V1TIgFkMA5I/AAAAAAAABHI/85o-XCu8wUwonYSVi1fS9VI_AzY5v2LKACLcB/s1600/frame_almost%2Boff.jpg Edited by Stomp944 - 16 Jun 2016 at 02:49 |
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Slightly bobbed fender and tank paint complete; this sets the intended look for the finished project:
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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GU221
Senior Member Joined: 29 Nov 2014 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 367 |
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Keep pics coming. Glad you are not making a café from an original 850. They are getting scarce.
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Bellagio 940T
T3 |
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italianmotor
Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2014 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Should be interesting. I agree about chopping up a nice 850 T, they're lovely bikes as standard and rare.
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Guzzi lover doing my own thing: http://www.italianmotormagazine.com
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Barry
Senior Member Joined: 02 Mar 2015 Location: Oxford Status: Offline Points: 2811 |
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But you don't necessarily have to 'chop' a Guzzi to make it a café racer, do you?
(he asks, cautiously, because there's this 850T...) |
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italianmotor
Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2014 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Just an expression Bazza, not literally chop as in cut it in half. You know me, I'm not precious, and no bikes are sacred and people can do what they want, but the 850T as a standard roadster is a great bike and in my opinion one of the best Guzzis ever made, nice engine, and great discs + drum brakes combination.
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Guzzi lover doing my own thing: http://www.italianmotormagazine.com
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johnno
Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2014 Location: loughborough uk Status: Offline Points: 5582 |
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look forward to more reports on this bike ,like the colour
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1100 sport corsa , Yam R1, guzzi 650tt rider
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red leader one
Senior Member Joined: 07 Oct 2014 Location: Cullercoats Status: Offline Points: 4466 |
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I know we're biased but any Guzzi seems to look good in any colour.
Or do the blokes on here just have good taste? |
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Brian UK
Moderator Group Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 17641 |
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Isn't that the Guzzi racing green? You know, the one designed to cause nausea in all the competitors.
With respect to the late, great John Maris.
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Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
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jmee54
Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 1469 |
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You'd probably need to reserve judgement till you see my Ambassador! |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Yes, agree regarding heavy mods to a perfectly good stock example. I spent several years seeking a bike with a balance between too crusty to bother and too good to ruin. I found it; a little beat up and not stock but a good runner.
Cutting down fenders may not define 'cafe', and certainly my usage of the term to describe this project is somewhat loose. If left as is they would look fine; since I planned to paint, I thought that left stock length they would not look right. I first photoshopped a photo for an idea of how it would turn out. While there was a little hesitation to cut the fenders, I'm really happy at how they turned out. I ended up taking 6" off the rear and off the bottom of the front, and 1" from the leading edge of the front. |
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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The aftermarket side covers got paint and new badges too.
Note, poor lighting in photos; actual grey base color is lighter than it appears. |
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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Stomp944
Falcone Joined: 04 Dec 2015 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 32 |
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Likely a few weeks at this point from sorting wiring, painting the frame and starting reassembly.
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Sean
'75 850-T |
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