Route 66 - an Aussie living the american dream on an italian bike. Year 2000 Moto Guzzi V1000G5

2000 was an interesting year for me. One of many for me I guess but it is the year I bought my first bike in the US, from Odessa Midland to be precise. George W Bush country. I bought it over the 'net when the aussie was 40 something cents to the greenback. It was halfway through the year. I planned to fly over after my Olympic Games commitments where done, prep the bike for the ride and head north through the bible belt to meet Route 66 at Amarillo and turn right for the first leg.

It was during US election time Gore Vs Bush. I did not come across many Bush supporters ...

I chose a Guzzi 'cos I knew them well and was sure any roadside repairs would not be a stretch. The V1000G5 I bought was a civilian footboard bike, 88mm iron bores from the factory. The most comfortable saddle I have ever used. A lot of miles in a short time but I cant admit to it being an 'Iron Butt' ride.
 

 
The ride is a story for another day but 6 weeks and some 18,900 miles later, in Venice Beach LA, I decided to freight the bike home.

The 'G' became my daily ride when I got it home to Sydney. I parked it about 12 months later, earmarked for some special attention. Early tonti framed guzzis are so nice to ride for a bike of their era and respond well to the cafe racer brush!


I did not anticipate blogging the transformation so I apologise for lack of 'before' and 'during' pix

Oops, pic before rims polished ...

There has been soo much done to this point, sorry if it becomes a brag list. I ditched the footboard frame rails in favor of Lemans 2 frame rails. All major frame components were media blasted then powdercoated an nice 'black' black. Triple clamps linished and polished, new steering head bearings. Fork sliders de-lugged linished and polished and re-fitted with FAC dampers. The new 996 switchgear was mounted on Tarozzi clip-ons with new clutch perch including choke lever (LM4/5) new tomaselli twist grip and nissan 5/8 mastercylinder with SS braided lines to the pair of re-con brembo calipers. The veglia instruments were rebuilt/calibrated and fitted with chrome bezels to suit the custom instrument console. I only had the front piece of the T instrument console, rest was fabricated. Time for a pic.

New headlight, custom headlight ears, new indicators ('81 model bike), clutch cable, throttle cables, twist grip, Speedo and tacho cables. Tarozzi fork brace.

Gearbox was stripped down only needing a re-shim for the selector drum and a new gearchange return spring and seals as a matter of course. 

Engine was stripped completely to clean the sludge trap in the crank. Mains were unmarked and new big ends were installed as a matter of course. Crank journals linished, cylinders deglazed, new true seal rings installed. New cam chain, new B10 cam with new followers.

Heads were ported slightly, just a clean-up really, and matched to the new manifolds for 36mm Dellorto carbs. The heads were then reconditioned including K-lining the guides, valve seats and valves ground.

SS braided lines for rocker lube installed. A lighter Lemans 4 flywheel was faced and fitted up with a new deep spline surflex clutch.

Dyna 3 ignition and Bosch GT40T coils mounted under the LH sidecover complete the engine build.

 

Tarozzi rearsets, custom big bore exhaust (OK it really had to be header wrap) conti styled reverse cone silencers placed in a nortonesque postition AND dunstall tips! LOVE IT. A good mix of Italian and British style.

Wiring was in progress in the shot above.

Koni rear shocks and mini indicators for the rear. The rear frame rails have been teased in to accept an alloy imola seat base.

Yes, I do need a new rear, and a new front tyre. The build is 95% done. I ordered alloy tank, sidecovers, imola seat and guards from the tank shop 3 years ago. I am still waiting ...