A bit of advice on old jap bikes please

[Posh Tourer :P]

All true - but I would be shunned by civilised Moto Guzzi society...

Seriously I HAVE been eyeballing the 65's / 80's coming up on tard me.... You could not buy an old guzzi for some of the prices and they come with panniers... sort of sport touring cafe racer??

Ie something that is still a BM but with a lot of weight chopped and much upgraded suspension on it...... And a bikini fairing and dropped (slightly) bars.... It would be fun though playing with the suspension to get it right - with the shaft drive too... if you get the 65s they are twin shock, so perhaps less choice around but cheaper.... The 650 engine is narrower and wont fit parts from the rest of the BMW range, so parts supply is harder. The R45/65 arent nearly so interchangeable.... The gearbox is identical, but frame, tank etc were quite different. The R80s are more likely to be ex police so may well be shagged out.... But you could get a monoshock one which handles much better...

They are very easy to work on and reliable, so you could just buy one and bend the cylinders up?? Or just become part of uncivilised guzzi society.... (if you arent already).

Seriously though, if you end up doing one like that I would be very interested to see how it goes.....

[Ixion]

Just stick Guzzi badges on the beemer. If anyone questions the non sticking up cylinders, point out to them that its a common effect of old age , and tell them you cant afford Viagra for it.

[MacD]

The SRX's are an option, but they're already most of the way there, just add a seal cowl as in the picture. If you want something with a possible traditional Brit look, how about the Z400/440 - upright parallel twin engine with lots of room for work on the appearance? An old one of mine is still in use as a commuter and occasional adventure bike!

[Paul in NZ]

I'm definately on the scout guys and it comes down to CHEAP so if you find anything CHEAP let me know...

[TLDV8]

The CX 500 in the link on the previous page went for $565...

$1100 and climbing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Conti...42313658QQrdZ1

[HenryDorsetCase]

there was a completely bitchin' BMW in a Cycle World last year. full custom racebike style with the emphasis on weight reduction and cafe racer cred.

Also there was a cool one on "The L Word" last week. (crap show except for the boobs n bush and chicks gettin' it ON!)

the photo attached isnt the one I was looking for but its very cool.

the one I had in mind had a red frame, jacked up motor, nice suspension and not much else. really cool, and quick too apparently.

[James Deuce]

Yeah,CX500,make a look alike and sound alike Guzzi.Get someone else to ride it to the Guzzi rally,then stand around feeding the flames of abuse.

I'm up for abuse.

[Bonez]

Yeah,CX500,make a look alike and sound alike Guzzi.

Hmmm, apperently mine with it's manky two into one sounds like a Ducati so making a CX sound like a Guzzi would be quite trivial indeed.

Personally I think it sounds like a CX500 though.

[98tls]

at least the CX wouldnt have that horrid dry clutch Ducati clatter....that used to piss me off no end....

[T.W.R]

at least the CX wouldnt have that horrid dry clutch Ducati clatter....that used to piss me off no end....

it used to be fun hauling up to an intersections with contis booming away getting the attention then sitting there with the clutch screeching away then modifying everyones ear-drums as you peeled off into the distance Big block Bevels & conti pipes rock

Strippng down a CX though would be a fun undertaking could make a mean looking Monza or Lario replica out of a CX.

There was a 86 CX400 custom for sale in the local BSE couple of weeks ago for $400 AIWI that would have been a good base to work from.

As for tricking out a boxer BM, got an article on a R100S that had been stripped down & turbo'd something like 120hp+ and enough tit to keep the likes of 888 dukes etc honest. the motor is an ideal turbo candidate as it's so lowly stressed

[98tls]

it used to be fun hauling up to an intersections with contis booming away getting the attention then sitting there with the clutch screeching away then modifying everyones ear-drums as you peeled off into the distance Big block Bevels & conti pipes rock

Strippng down a CX though would be a fun undertaking could make a mean looking Monza or Lario replica out of a CX.

There was a 86 CX400 custom for sale in the local BSE couple of weeks ago for $400 AIWI that would have been a good base to work from.

As for tricking out a boxer BM, got an article on a R100S that had been stripped down & turbo'd something like 120hp+ and enough tit to keep the likes of 888 dukes etc honest. the motor is an ideal turbo candidate as it's so lowly stressed

HA HA....i hear ya mate.....contis rock indeed..no disrespect intended...as an avid bevel drive fan can agree there is no better noise...just had problems way back with a ducati clutch being excessiavly noisy.

[T.W.R]

HA HA....i hear ya mate.....contis rock indeed..no disrespect intended...as an avid bevel drive fan can agree there is no better noise...just had problems way back with a ducati clutch being excessiavly noisy.

got a bite had more issues with the heavy action of the clutch and then there was the Laverda clutch like a workout at the gym

but mmm Contis

there's a pic of the R100S turbo, just dug it up

[FROSTY:Me]

hey Paul--have a look at the xj650 on tard me--theres a couple there that you could have dirt cheap

[98tls]

yea i bit....basterd.......recently put a TLR 6 spring clutch into my S....jesus its hard on the fingers after a while..had thought i had the worm drive adjusted right but at the end of Arthurs pass i decided id fucked up....

[riffer]

Are you sure I has to be a japper?

If its a project you really want, you may want to start with a 1972 Sportster in pieces already:


Could be a good start point for an XR750 clone?

But if it were me, I'd be starting with this XS650.