mikie

If you bring your bike to a good body shop, they should be able to computer match the paint and get you some.

That may be true. However, I wouldn't pay a dime more than $11,750!!!

I asked about the springs, and Randy told me the front spring is borderline good, that it doesn't really need changing at the moment unless I really have a desire to put in a stiffer spring. While I don't recall the front sag number, I do recall it being within spec. The bike really did feel okay in my 70 or so miles in the mountains, but I'll see if the extra click makes the difference in dive. It might've been a stretch of about 100 yards of extremely bumpy road that I had to traverse. Next week I'll push the zip tie up after going over those bumps. I generally ride my Speed Triple on those roads, and I've always liked the way it handles. The Guzzi is just different, and I have to acclimate myself to it. I must say the MG does handle about 100 times better than my CB400F even though it weighs about a ton more!

See, this is why I didn't start a Cafe Sport registry. We're just too good looking and rare.

He's wanting $6500!!! A bargain at twice the price.

Bike felt good, a little more planted in the turns, a bit stiffer than before, and soaked up bumps well. But y'know, it didn't really feel all that bad prior to the new setup, so I'm thinking that not too much was changed. I don't recall the front sag, but the rear was 34.5. When I got back I checked the zip tie I put on the forks and I was using most of the travel, so turned up the front compression one click on each side. We'll see how it is next weekend.

I'll tell you my impressions, but you'll have to let me have your GB500 in exchange. Always liked those bikes. Actually, the springing was okay for my size. He was recommending changing out the springs both front and back to a few people before me, but I was lucky. He set the sag, fiddled with preload, rebound and compression, made sure the bike was properly balanced. Took about 20-30 minutes. The rear wasn't too far off, but the front was much too soft, but now they're both good. When I had the Speed Triple done it was only $25. Oh well, inflation.

I had my Cafe Sport done today by a professional suspension tuner at a clinic at ProItalia. Just judging by the short ride I went on afterwards it felt like a different bike (in a good way). Tomorrow I'll ride up in the local mountains with some friends, and I'm really looking forward to it. I had the same done to my Speed Triple after riding it stock for about six months, and the difference was amazing. I vote for having a pro do it as well. Cost me $40 and it was money well spent IMO.

I'm +1 with fotoguzzi, as it's always seemed to me that the Cafe's sweet spot is hit at around 1500 mph. Of course, the V7 Sport is older technology, so I try not to exceed 1100 mph on that one.

I used to have a Ducati GT1000, and the swingarm on that one is wider than most. Ducati makes a wider stand for the Sport Classic line, and I tried to fit it to my Cafe Sport and voila! it works. Those stands go for a bit over $100 USD.

Congratulations on your success! I always marvel at posts such as this, as I'm confident that if I tried to do a similar task, my bike would likely end up with a salvage title .

All the research I've done suggests that out of the eighteen imported into the US, there are only seven left in this country due to a little known secret society (see the DaVinci Code) that have dedicated themselves to returning the US Cafe Sports to the Vatican so they can claim the world's entire collection of the forty six remaining. Anyway, that's what I've read, so it must be true. Those of us who still have our Cafe's must guard them with our lives.

Haven't had a V11 for about four years until I recently bought a Cafe Sport, so have only lurked around here occasionally until lately. This site continues as a delightful place where opinions are accepted or not, and a wealth of information can be had about these fine machines. There is a "however", though. I can't help but notice that stickies were developed for Scuras, Rosso and Nero Corsas, and even the rather homely by comparison Tenni gets its own forum. But there's nothing for the Cafe Sport, probably the nicest modern Guzzi ever built !!! Could this be because it's such a rare and exotic example of the breed, only owned by the privileged few and the object of envy by the hoi polloi? Or perhaps due to the fact that in the mountain twisties it is capable of running circles around all other modern Guzzis? Just sayin...

Hmmm. I think I'll be holding on to my Speed Triple for now.

Hmmm. I don't think I'd trade the Ducati for it, Jim. But if you twisted my arm really hard I might be pushed to trade you for this one.

Excuse me for dredging up a moderately old thread, but allow me to voice my humble opinion on this bike; BITCHIN'!!! It looks similar to my GT, though, so I'm biased.

Thanks for the good thoughts. Hadn't really thought of the V7 as a "Nero", although of course it is that color. A pic of it with a Nero Corsa would be cool - good idea, Frank. I'll probably not ride either of these classics nearly as much as I do my late model machines, but I'm looking forward to taking them to the various vintage bike rides we have in this area.

It belonged to a friend of mine who I used to ride with when I lived in Canada. He's decided he's too old to ride now (82) and phoned to ask if I wanted to buy this and the Daytona. Of course I said yes immediately. This bike was bought by my friend in '74 from the dealer who used it for a year as his personal bike. It's totally original and pretty much "show" quality. My friend also included some add-on's for the bike, including period correct hard luggage and mounts, windscreen and rack. Also driving lights, a workshop manual, and some NOS pieces he acquired "just in case". I always admired this bike when we rode in the 80's, so he gave me first crack at it for a reasonable price.

Well, not exactly a V11; however, after a two year sojourn away from the ranks of the Guzzisti, I felt it was time to reutrn. So I got this.

More horsepower is never enough.

I've had the Pazzo's on another bike that I recently sold, and I can't praise the quality strongly enough. They're like fine jewelry on the bike. And CTS Moto is usually pretty generous in group buys.

I've always been a big fan of the Tuono, but I think that (lack of) parts availability might be similar to what we all have now with our Guzzi's. I've had a number of second bikes since buying my LeMans, and recently sold a Kawasaki Z1000 and am replacing it with a new Triumph Speed Triple. Similar type of ride to the Tuono, but a little less expensive and good aftermarket for trinkets.

I've been using Marsee bags for years, mostly magnetic, and bought a strap-base 19 litre bag for the LeMans. Great quality, fits well, and doesn't slide around at all.

I've ridden both new and old ones, and they fit my 5'11" body well. One of the reasons I like the S3 is that it feels small and does the twisties quite nicely.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I've managed to ride a couple of speed triples, and don't find them at all uncomfortable. YMMV.