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V7 Classic to Cafe Conversion

foggy95

foggy95

Tuned and Synch'ed
Joined
May 24, 2010
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Location
Chester County, PA USA
I've been considering converting my V7 Classic to a V7 Cafe, and am wondering if anyone here has made this conversion, or has any knowledge of what would be involved. I have the parts manual printed out, and comparing parts/numbers, it looks to be feasible.

The clip-ons should bolt right on, and the other hardware on the steering head for the Cafe looks like it would bolt on in place of the Classic stuff also. I am concerned about the cables, Brake, clutch, throttle, etc. as the manual lists different part numbers for these. I would assume the Cafe cables would be a bit shorter, but I don't see where that should be a problem.

As far as the exhaust and footpegs are concerned, I'll leave them alone, at least for now, as I have Mistrals on the bike and they are much more upswept than the stcok Classic mufflers anyway, and will look OK with the Cafe styling.

I may change the footpegs at a later time, to get rid of the passenger pegs. I know that would require me to purchase mufflers made for the Cafe, as the mounting bolts would be different.

The solo seat will swap right over, that's for sure.

Thoughts/advice anyone?

Thanks!
 
I can tell you the muffler bracket for the Cafe is actually also designed for a passenger peg. Mine came with rubber plugs the holes where they would go. I think Guzzi thought that those who wanted to carry a passenger on their Cafe would buy the peg parts along with a Classic seat and do the conversion. So, I'm not sure it would be worth the effort for you to 'get rid' of your back pegs; either way you'll still have a rubber plug in an unused hole. The other footpegs and their position are identical to the Classic.

Rick
 
I've pretty much done the conversion except the mufflers and exhaust hangers/foot pegs. I did not use the stock cafe bars -- it wasn't even out yet -- but I have a set of Laverda Jotta replica bars, which are a little lower than the stock cafe bars, and the cables did not need any shortening or replacing. I did reroute them if my memory serves me.
 
I thought about doing the same thing for a while. In the end I fitted a lower set of conventional 'bars (LSL "sports tourer", part number LS01) and give a similar riding position to the cafe clip ones, but with more possibilities for adjustment. Cost me under $50. Maybe I've been living in Scotland too long, but I just wasn't willing to part with the extra money.

Based on my experience, I'd say you don't need to replace the cables. Save the cash and get a nice bar end mirror instead.

 
The problem I had when I took the Cafe version for a test ride was the relationship between the bars and footrests. With all the weight on my wrists and my neck bent back to see where I was going made me feel like the Hunchback of Notre Dame! To get a correct the riding position for me would have meant fitting reset footrests which I suspect would be quite expensive, and that's why I bought the Classic version. Good luck with the project though.
 
Paxo said:
The problem I had when I took the Cafe version for a test ride was the relationship between the bars and footrests. With all the weight on my wrists and my neck bent back to see where I was going made me feel like the Hunchback of Notre Dame! To get a correct the riding position for me would have meant fitting reset footrests which I suspect would be quite expensive, and that's why I bought the Classic version. Good luck with the project though.
Click to expand...

This is the same opinion I had. With a bad back already, and arthritis in my hands already (which comes free of charge when you hit the 71 year mark :lol: 0), I went the opposite way and installed bar risers and fatter grips with the use of slip on Grip Puppies. Now with heated grips which are fatter. If I had the funds which I don't :lol: I would put the up swept exhaust of the cafe, as skid plate, the Breva cast wheels with a set of MEFO MFE 99 Explorer tires, and have me a scrambler. :mrgreen:

Bill
 
Bill's idea of a scrambler is great. In the fashion of Triumph. I say keep the spoke tires, radically change the exhaust, add gaiters to the forks, and change the tank paint. Something like the attached picture. The only real bug in the change would be routing the exhaust.
triumph_scrambler%2006.htm
 

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  • Triumph Scrambler 06 1.webp
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hey guys,

i'm thinking of cafe'ing up my classic too but parts in new zealand are either insanely expensive for the new models (try ~$500USD for the cafe seat) and may or may not ever arrive depending on the whims of the distributor. Can anyone suggest a reliable website (pref US based as our dollar is stronger than against the pound) where i can order a cafe seat and maybe a few other goodies. Corsa Italiana in the UK looks great but a little pricey in new zealand dollars :?

thanks in advance!
M
 
$170?! next you'll be telling me you don't have to wait 4 months for a part under warranty :lol:
 
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