If the front end is sprung properly for the rider’s weight, 25mm is a non-issue. If stock springs, it can get dangerous quickly at stock ride height for riders over 180 lbs.
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V7 III Suspension Thread
- Thread starterGTM®
- Start date
Hippo-Drones
Cruisin' Guzzisti
I have Ktech fork internals sprung for my weight! 
Vagrant
GT Reference
the only spec I found was from someone here at 130MM. Assuming that's right raise to 120MM from the top? my first time playing with this front end stuff.
It's in the Service manual, see the Downloads tab above.
So I had a pair of Audace rear shocks lying around. I decided to see if they fit my V7iii. They are only a little heavier the the stock shocks. They fit! I took a bunch of Preload out and adjusted the dampening. They are about a half inch longer then stock. Really like where they put the bike. I am 225lbs with gear. They feel nice on the bike. The small bumps are barely notable and the big bumps lost there sharp edge. The back end pushed up makes the ride nicer in the corners.
So I have a set of shocks on order. I have to debate if I need them now. If I don’t I will do a store credit towards some other bauble. I want bags but I don’t know if the shocks with reservoir will allow bags. These shocks were an improvement over the stock V7 Shocks.
So I have a set of shocks on order. I have to debate if I need them now. If I don’t I will do a store credit towards some other bauble. I want bags but I don’t know if the shocks with reservoir will allow bags. These shocks were an improvement over the stock V7 Shocks.
Attachments
Nice, looks really sharp as well.
Sorry, but people have been doing silly things like this for decades... because it’s cheap and easy, I get it. There is no way a shock designed for an 800 lb bike with completely different swing-arm geometry can work even remotely decently without a massive spring and damping revision.
Even if it “feels OK” doing so can be not only dangerous, but amplify the overly soft front end for your weight.
I’m merging this with the suspension thread, but I can’t let it be without the above basic facts.
Even if it “feels OK” doing so can be not only dangerous, but amplify the overly soft front end for your weight.
I’m merging this with the suspension thread, but I can’t let it be without the above basic facts.
Blue on Black
Just got it firing!
Holy Guacamole!!!
So I haven't been riding much in the last 9 months or so, moved twice, new job etc... I now live on the Washington Idaho border in a much more rural area with lots and lots of gorgeous empty twisty roads. I have managed to get out a few times and enjoy them, but I feel like I haven't been getting all the responsiveness I should be out of my V7III, especially when hitting tight curves with any speed. I was about to just chalk it up to one of those 'cute' little quirks associated with Guzzis (ahem), when I stumbled on to threads suggesting dropping the forks 10-20 mm. I finally went out to the chaotic garage full of unopened boxes and found the tools to make this adjustment happen. I dropped them 15 mm, and also brought the handlebars back toward me about an inch to better accommodate my stocky short armed Scandahoovian frame.
Took the bike out on what I planned to be a 20 mile squirt outside of town, BUT the difference in handling was SO MUCH BETTER I ended up riding 120 miles! So much more planted in corners. I can only imagine what some more adjusting and improvements will do! Of course, then I'm going to want more power, gawd I see where this path is leading...and I love it! I am so re-STOKED on my little Moto!!
The pic is on the Snake River about 5 miles from Clarkston, WA
So I haven't been riding much in the last 9 months or so, moved twice, new job etc... I now live on the Washington Idaho border in a much more rural area with lots and lots of gorgeous empty twisty roads. I have managed to get out a few times and enjoy them, but I feel like I haven't been getting all the responsiveness I should be out of my V7III, especially when hitting tight curves with any speed. I was about to just chalk it up to one of those 'cute' little quirks associated with Guzzis (ahem), when I stumbled on to threads suggesting dropping the forks 10-20 mm. I finally went out to the chaotic garage full of unopened boxes and found the tools to make this adjustment happen. I dropped them 15 mm, and also brought the handlebars back toward me about an inch to better accommodate my stocky short armed Scandahoovian frame.
Took the bike out on what I planned to be a 20 mile squirt outside of town, BUT the difference in handling was SO MUCH BETTER I ended up riding 120 miles! So much more planted in corners. I can only imagine what some more adjusting and improvements will do! Of course, then I'm going to want more power, gawd I see where this path is leading...and I love it! I am so re-STOKED on my little Moto!!
The pic is on the Snake River about 5 miles from Clarkston, WA
Vagrant
GT Reference
the Conti RA3 will be just as much change more for the better. With both done it's not the same bike.
Blue on Black
Just got it firing!
Hot on sorting this bike after getting wise to the potential. Just ordered a Matris front spring kit. Remember reading on here about the RA3s. The Speed Demons were less than sufficient on the wet slimy roads where I used to live but seem a little better here in dry country. I'll try some Continentals to compare.
Louisv97
Cruisin' Guzzisti
Hey Todd, how much longer can the shocks be made? I'm looking for a little bit more legroom.I just got in from testing a new affordable alternative for the rear twin shocks. As shown below, they are built to order for your weight and riding style.
Purchase info and specs are available here; https://gtmotocycles.com/products/gtm-s2w-ifp-twin-shocks - I will honor the introductory sale pricing through the end of the year. For the price, I am pretty impressed. Nice build quality, and after a tweak of the spring preload to correct sag, and a quick balance of the damping to match the stock forks, I rode my hilltop test loop. I first rode the stock KYBs as a baseline, then these. Difference was remarkably better. Firm, but plush and compliant. They took the sharp edged bumps and reflector hits very well. No more hard kick in the seat.
Are they top shelf good? No... but as an affordable alternative, or those that just want a good replacement to the stock shocks, these get two thumbs up.
They can be had for all model small (and big!) blocks back to the late 60's. The model list is below the pic.
I added the specs on the first post of this thread.
V 35 C 350 : 82-87
NTX 350 : 86-90
V50 V50 II V50 III V50 Monza : 77-85
V 5 C 500 : 82-87
V 65 FLORIDA 650 : 82-87
V 65 GT 650 : 82-87
V 65 SP 650 : 82-87
V 65C 650 : 82-87
NTX 650 : 86-90
V 65 650 : 92-87
V 7 SPORT 700 : 67-77
750 S3 : 75-79
750 SP / TARGA : 90-93
NTX 750 : 91-94
NEVADA 750 : 98-09
NEVADA 750 : 10-13
750 BREVA ie : 03-10
V7 / V7 II : 08-16
V7 III : 16+
V9 : 16+
T 3/4 850 : 75-82
T3 CALIFORNIA 850 : 75-82
850 LE MANS I / II : 76-80
850 LE MANS III : 81-85
T 5 850 I / II / III : 83-87
CONVERT 1000 : 75-82
G 5 1000 : 79-85
SP 1000 : 77-82
SP 1000 II / III : 83-87
1000 LE MANS IV / V : 84-88
GT 1000 : 87-93
STRADA 1000 : 93-94
CALIFORNIA 1000 : 82-93
CALIFORNIA 1000 II : 81-87
CALIFORNIA 1000 III : 87-93
CALIFORNIA 1000 III INJECTION : 93
CALIFORNIA 1100 CARB/INJECTION : 94-97
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION : 97-00
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION : 01-02
CALIFORNIA 1100 EVOLUTION PI : 02
CALIFORNIA SPECIAL 1100 : 99-00
CALIFORNIA JACKAL 1100 : 99-01
CALIFORNIA STONE 1100: 00-01
CALIFORNIA STONE 1100 : 01-02
CALIFORNIA SPORT 1100 : 01-02
CALIFORNIA STONE METAL 1100 : 02-03
TITANIUM SPECIAL SPORT 1100 : 02-03
ALUMINIUM SPECIAL SPORT 1100 : 02-03
CALIFORNIA 1100 : 03-05
CALIFORNIA TOURING / CLASSIC 1100 : 06-08
CALIFORNIA VINTAGE 1100 : 06-13
CALIFORNIA 1400 : 13+
20mm with no issues.
KonaDoc
Just got it firing!
How much shorter can the shocks be made? Looking to get better than just tippy toes at a stop. Also, I will be installing a Hepco_Becker center stand.
doc
doc
20mm shorter - see the video posted earlier in this thread. You will have issues adding a center stand on a lowered bike.
Do the shocks use Clevis or Eyelet mounting?
Thanks
Thanks
Bolted on GT 2WS shocks today, along with Ferodo Platinum pads and Guzzi Tech LED headlight, not that the latter two are relevant.
Took a test drive- so big caveats are that the parts aren't broken in and the owner is at the point where placebo effect is most likely...
The 2WS are single rate springs instead of progressive. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I appreciated the price point.
I live and ride on a few highways and secondaries that have huge frost heaves every couple hundred yards...not that it ever freezes for more than a few hours around here...The new shocks do a much better job at smoothing small to moderate imperfections. On the big heaves that popped both front and back (and rider) into the air...well that still happens, but there's only so much that a pair shocks can do! I expect they'll get even better as they break in, but offer a solid thumbs up and recommendation for folks that are interested in incremental improvement without dropping the coin necessary for Matris magic. Oh, and brake pads seemed to deliver much more bite- which is to day normal- even though the Brembo pads I took out looked to have a fair bit of metal content. They had the feel of ceramic though, which has no place on a bike in my old fashioned book.
Took a test drive- so big caveats are that the parts aren't broken in and the owner is at the point where placebo effect is most likely...
The 2WS are single rate springs instead of progressive. Not that there's anything wrong with that- I appreciated the price point.
I live and ride on a few highways and secondaries that have huge frost heaves every couple hundred yards...not that it ever freezes for more than a few hours around here...The new shocks do a much better job at smoothing small to moderate imperfections. On the big heaves that popped both front and back (and rider) into the air...well that still happens, but there's only so much that a pair shocks can do! I expect they'll get even better as they break in, but offer a solid thumbs up and recommendation for folks that are interested in incremental improvement without dropping the coin necessary for Matris magic. Oh, and brake pads seemed to deliver much more bite- which is to day normal- even though the Brembo pads I took out looked to have a fair bit of metal content. They had the feel of ceramic though, which has no place on a bike in my old fashioned book.
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I recently have been commuting more on my V7 III and wanted to upgrade the stock rear shocks to handle to bumps better and was looking for the cheapest way to do so.
Todd mentioned to me about the K-Tech V7 I-III EM Twin shocks.
I purchased them and was well worth it. The smoother ride is definitely an improvement for more confident riding over the original bumpy stock shocks.
I also upgraded the front fork springs only at the same time to enhance the front suspension.
Here are my upgrades:
https://gtmotocycles.com/products/k-tech-v7-i-iii-em-twin-shocks
https://gtmotocycles.com/products/fork-springs-only
Todd mentioned to me about the K-Tech V7 I-III EM Twin shocks.
I purchased them and was well worth it. The smoother ride is definitely an improvement for more confident riding over the original bumpy stock shocks.
I also upgraded the front fork springs only at the same time to enhance the front suspension.
Here are my upgrades:
https://gtmotocycles.com/products/k-tech-v7-i-iii-em-twin-shocks
https://gtmotocycles.com/products/fork-springs-only
Thanks for the purchase and post Ray. Important to note also that Ray’s weight is on the light side (~140 lbs), so my direction for him was valid. I don’t often recommend just fork springs if you are over 175 lbs and/or you ride on the sporting side for fun. Commuters are often looking for something opposite of performance, which I can of course be of help per above.
Thanks again Ray(!).
Marc Shapiro
Just got it firing!
Hey. When you lowered the front end. Did you just loosen everything off and lower it? Tighten back up and go for a ride? I’ve never touch my suspension.
Vagrant
GT Reference
The 3 is simple, if u have a Center stand put it on it and put a jack under the engine. Loosen the two bolts that hold the one side drop jack down 1/2" retighten. You might have th lush down a bit. Do other side next. Have a small ruler, or some type of measuring device. If you drop it too far jack it up and a Light tap with a wood block will drive the tube back down.