Blast from the Guzzi Past !

Garage Build Up begins

The bike was starting to take on a life of its own and was now a rolling chassis back in my garage.
Now the fine tuning of parts started and final assembly of the bodywork.
All bolts were changed to Stainless thanks to two companies, one is Shaw stainless who I cant thank enough for one off parts and the speed of delivery, excellent, small quality company. Thanks Chris for all the advice and help http://www.shawstainless.co.uk/

you can make out the engine /gearbox cover in this shot and this was made by a great friend and fellow Guzzi enthusiast Richard Bailey. I have only know Richard since being a member of the local Guzzi owners club (Herts branch), but his help has been invaluable and his engineering skills are second to none. His company in Hitchin (B and B engineering) are able to make pretty much anything that could be made in metal.
Richard has since helped out on numerous other parts that I needed adjusting, cutting down, brackets making (headlights) and just general friendship and interest in the project that has helped me keep going ! Thanks Richard.

 

The Rebuild begins

Terry at Stotfold Engineering allowed me to come into the workshop for the re assembly of the bike. I really needed to get involved in the build and was glad to have the opportunity.
The frame was powder coated at ' Full Range finishing' in Letchworth http://www.fullrangefinishing.co.uk/. These guys are really accomodating and I changed my mind after the first try at a satin black finish on the frame and took it back to be re coated in Gloss Black. I am glad I changed my mind as the frame now looks great.

Heres a series of pics of the bike gradually getting back together (over a series of lunch time visits and after work over last winter. (in a freezing workshop with no heating !!)

The rear sets are from a company in Norfolk called Barleycorn.  http://www.barleycorn.co.uk/  Barleycorn  Engineering is a small  company making parts and accessories specifically for vintage and classic  motorcycles. The rear sets are copies of an Italian design from the 70's.
Simon at barleycorns is also very accommodating and apart from being reasonably priced in the first place Simon was also able to provide extra length arms to help me make the rears sets fit the Guzzi.

Guzzi Porn !!!!!!!

Call in the Pros !

I then managed to get hold of a Ali tank from 'Johns Tank shop' The master craftsman of tank building in the country ! (cheers John) http://www.thetankshop.com/

And the seat unit and engine breather from HT MOTO .

After trying the parts out for size it became clear I needed to get the frame modified and chopped to fit some of the parts (seat) and another fantastic local company called 'Stotfold engineering'   http://www.stotfoldengineers.co.uk/  Thanks to Terry who worked on the frame and as well as fitting the seat also made brackets to suit the other parts fitted, great work Terry and thanks for the help. Terry also Built the wire wheels for me too and took care of some plating of various parts.
Terry was also kind enough to let me into the workshop at various times to work on the bike myself, thanks Terry.

The Strip down

So the bike was striped down and parts assessed. It turned out to be in excellent condition and I was really surprised with the way the whole bike had no rust or rotten fixings at all. Everything came apart easily.

 The Engine / Gearbox and final drive were then sent to NBS (Nigel) .http://www.motorcycleservicing.co.uk/index.htm

NBS are a well known UK Guzzi specialist in Staffordshire and he took care of the mechanical rebuild.

Project bike search !

So after the HT Moto inspiration I decided to look for a project bike to work on and make a cafe racer !

I found this MK2 Le Mans advertised in Spain. It had stood for 14 years and was in need of a lot of TLC !
A Guy called Deg, a fellow English,  Guzzi enthusiast had been offered the bike by a local dealer (where he lived in Spain) after being left there 14 years before by an owner that never came back to collect the bike.