850-T Brat Custom Build

[bassboy3313]

Hey guys! I recently picked up a 1974 Guzzi 850-T project for dirt cheap. This will be my first motorcycle build ever, which I am excited about. I have restored/built a few cars in the past with my current one being a late 70s BMW e21 gruppe 2 build. I wanted to try my hand at a cafe/brat style build, so here we are.

I bought the bike from a friend who has had it for awhile now. He got it in stock running form and rode it for a bit. He then decided to try his hand at working on it and making it a little cafe style with a hand made seat and such. From there it sat in the back of his shop for a good number of years until I asked about it.

Here is how he got it many years ago.


Here is how it looked when I picked it up and brought it home.




I want to give a huge shout out to Jake (judgefargo) for his build thread and the details he has posted. It is going to help me immensely with the electrical, gsxr front forks, etc. My plans for this bike includes gsxr front end, custom monoshock rear suspension, minimalist aesthetics while keeping the classic vibe going. I want this to be a balls out build to test the fabrication skills I have learned from my previous car builds. Stay tuned for updates!

 

[bassboy3313]

First steps of the tear down process and eyeing up how I will do the mono-shock setup.

 

[Trout]

Very Cool.
I'll be following this.

 

[V700Steve]

There is a way to beef up & brace the swingarm plus add a monoshock that goes to the cross member on frame where center tube stops. I opted for bracing and dual shocks on my LM3.
If you do a search you'll see how most do this mod.

 

[judgefargo]

Thanks for that Dave. Now I'm going to have to do the bike!! hehee

I'll tell you what. Lets try and motivate each other and see whom gets to ride the bike first! haha

Will be keeping an eye on this build, all the best,
Jake

Hey guys! I recently picked up a 1974 Guzzi 850-T project for dirt cheap. This will be my first motorcycle build ever, which I am excited about. I have restored/built a few cars in the past with my current one being a late 70s BMW e21 gruppe 2 build. I wanted to try my hand at a cafe/brat style build, so here we are.

I bought the bike from a friend who has had it for awhile now. He got it in stock running form and rode it for a bit. He then decided to try his hand at working on it and making it a little cafe style with a hand made seat and such. From there it sat in the back of his shop for a good number of years until I asked about it.

Here is how he got it many years ago.
View attachment 16067

Here is how it looked when I picked it up and brought it home.
View attachment 16068
View attachment 16069
View attachment 16070

I want to give a huge shout out to Jake (judgefargo) for his build thread and the details he has posted. It is going to help me immensely with the electrical, gsxr front forks, etc. My plans for this bike includes gsxr front end, custom monoshock rear suspension, minimalist aesthetics while keeping the classic vibe going. I want this to be a balls out build to test the fabrication skills I have learned from my previous car builds. Stay tuned for updates!

 

[bassboy3313]

Got the front end off and started gathering the gsxr front end parts. Currently just waiting on the steering stem bearings to come in the mail, otherwise I have everything else.

I ended up finding a 2009 Harley Street Glide front laced wheel with dual disc brakes locally, so I snagged it up. The axle size matches the gsxr perfectly. I want to reuse the Guzzi rim to match the rear, so I figured I would need custom spokes and nipples to relace the Guzzi rim and Harley hub together. As luck would have it, both wheels have the same size nipple holes and quantity. All that is needed are spokes and nipples for an 18" Harley laced wheel (the one I got is only 17"). Found a set of brand new 18" Harley spokes and nipples for $20 on ebay.

The only other thing needing is to redrill the hayabusa front rotors (gsxr rotors didnt have the extra meat for redrilling) to match the bolt pattern of the Harley hub.

Stay tuned...

 

[bassboy3313]

GSXR front end mock up fitment almost done

 

[bassboy3313]

So, in order run the stock laced rim up front with the GSXR front end, I am using a Harley-Davidson narrow glide front hub. It has the same 40 spoke, same axle size as GSXR and is dual disc as well. I then needed to redrill the hayabusa front rotors to match the Harley rotor bolt pattern. To do this I measured the ID of each rotor bore and had a centering jig 3d printed. Worked like a charm!

 

[bassboy3313]

For the monoshock setup, I ended up getting a Ducati 900ss rear shock as I have read others using it too. Well, looks like its too long at 13" eye to eye, unfortunately. I would have to weld the front mount to the underside of the cross bar, which would get in the way of the carbs and make more work than necessary.

From my research, it looks like an 00-01 CBR 900rr or 929rr rear shock is 11.25" long and would fit alot better in the space. So, I am on the look out for one of those to test fit.

 

[bassboy3313]

The point of no return has arrived!!!!

And the monoshock subframe modifications have started as well. Using 1/2" PVC, heating and bending to shape is a lot cheaper and easier to work with for the mock up stages than steel.

 

[Trout]

Hope you keep posting I'm really enjoying this.

 

[Garthy]

Looking good.

Are you worried at all about the back of the frame spreading around the swing arm pivots ?

I guess the battery plate and the lower gearbox mount bolt will tie it all together.

G

 

[bassboy3313]

Looking good.

Are you worried at all about the back of the frame spreading around the swing arm pivots ?

I guess the battery plate and the lower gearbox mount bolt will tie it all together.

G

Yeah it's still a work in progress, so as things pop up, I will address them.

 

[bassboy3313]

More mock up on the monoshock swing arm.

 

[judgefargo]

Cool mate, very cool.

I think we will be on the bike just about at the same time (yeah right!).
Shame we live a few thousand kms away! haha

Hope all goes well, keep those pics coming!

 

[bassboy3313]

So I have a dilemma with the gas tank. The gsxr forks hit fairly early in the turning radius imo. Blue tape shows where the forks hit. Looking for some advice on what to do. Either leave it and deal with the lack of uturns when done, dent the tank in for some relief of the forks or find a different tank that will gain some turning radius? Any thoughts/advice?

 

[GTM®]

The V7 (new and old repro) has a lot narrower front to help alleviate this issue.

 

[bassboy3313]

The V7 (new and old repro) has a lot narrower front to help alleviate this issue.

Hhmmm. I will have to look into that. Thanks!

 

[Tonerjockey]

If ya like the look/feel of the gsrx forks and that tank, & don't mind the reduced minimum turning radius, adding metal to the stops would prevent the fork/tank collisions.

This would also help prevent hand/tank impact.

Alex

 

[bassboy3313]

If ya like the look/feel of the gsrx forks and that tank, & don't mind the reduced minimum turning radius, adding metal to the stops would prevent the fork/tank collisions.

This would also help prevent hand/tank impact.

Alex

Yup, exactly. I am just not sure if the reduced turn radius it has right now would be ok to ride or not. I'd hate to get this tank all painted and fitted right, just to not be happy with the steering, you know?