Hi everyone. Starting a Nevada to Cafe racer project

[hybridfiat]

Im embarking on a project to turn a very ordinary 1997 Nevada into a Cafe racer. Ive done some research and think I can source most of the bits needed to do a respectable job without overcapitalising.
HOWEVER; Ive hit a snag. The Nevada has 18" front wheels and 16" rears giving it the "rearing horse" look that so many of us despise.
This creates a problem when getting the asthetic balance correct in terms of the horizontal lines, with front to rear height being so far out. :
Can anyone offer a solution to my dillema that isnt going to break the bank?
The pic is the model and year of bike I have but not mine.
Ill post some pictures when I can.
Cheers guys

 

[onetruepunk87]

You could try sliding the fork tubes up in the triple tree. That would lower it's stance a little bit in the front end.

 

[VonYinzer]

You could try sliding the fork tubes up in the triple tree. That would lower it's stance a little bit in the front end.

Don't do this.

Look into an 18" rear wheel from another model Guzzi that will mate right up to the shaft drive. Thats your best bet IMO. You could also have someone like Buchannans lace an 18" hoop to the stock hub (or find the pieces and do it yourself if you're comfortable with that).

Long story short, because of the bike you've chosen to start with I have a hard time believing it'll be cheap or simple. It can be done though.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[VonYinzer]

Soooo... I hate to seem negative but after looking at that bike some more, you may be better off selling the Guzzi and finding a more traditional or "standard" bike. Not to say you couldnt build a cafe styled machine from that base but the amount of fabrication and modification will be EXTENSIVE to say the least.

 

[onetruepunk87]

Can anyone offer a solution to my dillema that isnt going to break the bank?

Not saying it's the best solution, nor have I ever ever done it, but it's free. I've seen it done on several CM400's builds to lessen the cruiser stance. Why wouldn't it work here? Pleading ignorance here, I'm still fairly new to bikes.

 

[VonYinzer]

Not saying it's the solution, nor have I ever ever done it, but it's free. I've seen it done on several CM400's builds to lessen the cruiser stance.

It can be done but there are reasons why it doesn't help anything.
One, the real issue is the fact that the rear wheel is a 16". No amount of dropping the forks through the trees will change that.
The other issue is that dropping the forks down through the trees changes the steering angle and the response of the rear suspension. It may be slight, but in the end it can be detrimental to the bikes performance, which is what building a cafe is all about right? Making a bike lighter, quicker and better in the corners?
I'm really not trying to be shitty. Just trying to help the PO end up with a bike he can actually ride and will really be happy with. Lots of mistakes made on part over the years can be helpful to others. Haha...

 

[onetruepunk87]

Got ya, thanks for the explanation. Not trying to fight either. I've only been riding/wrenching for a year now, still a lot to learn. I agree that it's not the best candidate for a cafe job.

 

[hybridfiat]

Thanks for the replies. I could'nt answer them immediately as I dont have computer access at night.
The fork solution will help as long as I only drop it 25mm. The change in angle will not affect handling significantly. But it does not really alter the look of big front small rear.
The rewiring to a larger rim at the back is the best option and the one I will investigate. Im commited to having the rear wheel rechromed anyway as it is a mess having been left outside in the rain and salt spray. This will set me back several hundred dollars.
Ive sent a request to Buchannans for a quote on relacing or at least supplying a new 18" rear rim or 16" front.
Im short so a 16" front rim appeals to me.
The bike was very very cheap ($450) but is whole. It needs clip-ons, a seat, a tank (GPZ1000 1984 has the right shape and size) Dunlop TT100 tyres (it needs tyres anyway) and a couple of mods to the frame to accommodate pegs and the cables shortened (I know a good custom cable firm). Ive the spray painting gear left from my customising a Fiat X1.9 and I am a welder/fabricator so none of this is an issue. I am a Guzzi lover so really I have no choice but to press on rewardless.
Again thanks for the replies.

 

[madmatt1]

I will definitely be watching this one- no offense, but that bike (stock) is one ugly-ass mofo. I can't wait to see the metamorphosis take place!

 

[hybridfiat]

Thought Id pop this in. The frames are almost identical in terms of shape and angles so it really is just the rim sizes that are an issue.

I forgot to add I have aftermarket mufflers that were on my Breva so the front pipes will be extended slightly and angled and the new mufflers pointed up at the correct angle with the new muffler mount acting as a peg mount too.

 

[hybridfiat]

I really should stop this, I forgot to add that this is a carby engine and it will lose the shitty airbox and get Velocity stacks with wire screens or pod filters. The bike will not be my daily rider I have a Breva for that.

 

[hybridfiat]

This is a similar bike to mine with an example of what Id like to acheive.
Note that the modifier has not changed the wheel size only the height of the forks. The wheel size disparity has been disguised by putting inserts in the rims.

 

[onetruepunk87]

I stand corrected, should make a great platform then. I'm on board.

 

[hybridfiat]

Thanks onetruepunk87, the shape of the Nevada has been cleverly created using add on bits like tank and seat. They draw your eye and make your mind see a curve and tilt to the frame that isnt there.
It is the same Tonti inspired frame they have used for nearly every bike in their range.
Only the new bikes like the Griso are significantly different.

 

[hybridfiat]

Found a tank. Suzuki GS. Fits like it was made for the bike.

 

[interceptor]

That looks a lot better.

 

[trek97]

Im really liking the powerhouse stance of it now. It looks like a badass brute ready to charge.

 

[manolon6]

A really great transformation... from a spanish caferacer forum.
I hope all this information will help you...

http://www.pruebaweb.clubcaferacer.net/foro/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1483&sid=6ca4a73309288fd9b9a0c47c3f70d896

 

[hybridfiat]

Thanks for the encouragement.
Yes the stance is much better.
That Spanish Guzzi is awesome.
The little bike shop I found the tank in was packed with gear. In the back was a frame and wheels, obviously under repair/restoration. When I asked, the guy said he was doing a Cafe Racer from a Honda CB 750.
Everyone's doing a Racer it seems.
Next up are clip-ons and getting the bike running to identify engine, clutch and gearbox problems before stripping it down and repainting everything.

 

[hybridfiat]

Im getting there very slowly.
So far Ive obtained a tank. Suzuki GS from the 80s. Good nick and fits like it was made for the Guzzi. Even the rubber mounts will line up perfectly.
The adjustable clip on bars are on their way.
The seat will be a 3mm aluminium plate with a lip to overlap the frame with a ?fiberglass tail.
I want to keep the whole seating arrangement as low as possible. Im short you see.
The battery will be a Lithium 12cell. I think I can source one in Oz.
The headlight has to move back about 30mm, to 'balance the eye' so Im going to have to lose the nice alloy mounts it is on.
The meshed trumpet intakes will get ordered next ($55) although a friend is encouraging me to go with P&N type pod filters.
Im not sure I want to outlay $203 just for filters.
Im open to a convincing argument.
The rearsets will be expensive, ($300 incl PP) plus Ill have to move the rear brake cylinder to match a V7 Guzzi, Ive not found a propriatry set to match the Nevada. Im happy to do that, it isnt hard.
The wheels are becoming an issue, mostly because of cost. Ive set a budget on this project and they will blow it out of the water if I go with a new rim and spokes for the front which has some surface rust and Id like to change to 17".
$600 is the cheapest Ive found so far, then theres a new tyre ($150)
So Im going with black powder coat for both wheels ($120) and the old tyre that has plenty of meat. If some day in the future I can afford it Ill change them.
Next week I get the engine started and running, it has been started recently despite it sitting in a shed in Sydney for 8 years it ran well. I want to do a compression test on it though. Then; out it comes and the clean up starts. A carby kit through both carbs, respray the engine. Alter the frame and remove all offensive brackets, unused appendages etc, shift the rear brake master cylinder and powder coat the frame, (I may as well do it at the same time as the wheels as Ill get a better deal.
The tank and wheel guards will be done in Guzzi red to match my Breva. A bit dearer than doing it with a tin but there you go.