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Gasoline & Oil Bikes builds a 60s-style seashore cruiser…
For 2001, Moto Guzzi launched the California Stone, a stripped-down Italian cruiser constructed across the firm’s 1064cc / 74-bhp V-twin, full with Magneti Marelli gas injection and self-adjusting hydraulic valves.
The previous Guzzi twin has been profitable the hearts of Guzzisti for many years. What’s extra, the California 1100, although showing fairly ungainly, was mild on its toes for a 250-kg machine:
“How can an Italian vintage outperform Japanese laptop design of their high-tech factories? Effectively, the Moto Guzzi California 1100EV handles amazingly nicely with a lot much less wobble and wallow than most Japanese cruisers of the time.” –MCN
When Matej and the crew of Prague’s Gasoline & Oil Bespoke Bikes obtained this 20-year-old Guzzi within the store, it had seen a lot better days. Nonetheless, the proprietor liked his previous Guzzi and wished to carry it again to life, shedding a few of unique cruiser’s awkward bulk for a extra traditional 60s model:
“We kinda constructed it with simply the picture of a sundown drive alongside the seashore, no racing, no dashing however nonetheless sufficient energy to go wherever you need.”
Mechanics, aesthetics, and efficiency have been all addressed. The Gasoline & Oil crew rebuilt the forks and shaft drive, changed the rear suspension, and tuned the ECU to work with DT1 filters and a brand new exhaust system.
“That allowed us to get 1300 figures out of 1100 engine.”
The tank was one of many larger jobs, a whole one-off unit constructed to work with the unique FI system. Different highlights embrace the customized aspect covers, fenders, saddle with color-matched grips, and customized fork covers with built-in headlight mount.
Customized foot controls hardly ever get the eye they need to; they’ll fully change the ergonomics and driving expertise. On this case, Matej and crew ditched the OEM ahead controls in favor of handmade mid controls and pegs.
The result’s a leaner, extra highly effective, and far more fashionable Italian cruiser:
“We name it “Mentol” [Czech for “Menthol”] for apparent causes. Regardless that there was a variety of work with all these customized components and shapes, the colour itself simply took it to a different 60s seashore bike stage.”
Under, we speak to Matej for the total particulars on the construct, together with extra photographs courtesy of Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography).
Customized Moto Guzzi California Stone: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
It’s a Moto Guzzi 1100 California Stone that was produced between 2001 and 2003.
• Why was this bike constructed?
With us it’s largely similar each time, which implies it was a buyer mission. He actually preferred his previous Guzzi but it surely was in fairly poor form when it arrived; we modified that.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
The unique form of the California was fairly cumbersome, sophisticated, and appeared actually heavy. Essential activity was to simplify it as a lot as attainable, to make it look mild and go for these traditional shapes that we like. So you may positively see some 60s in that bike now.
• What customized work was performed to the bike?
Let’s begin with practical stuff. Remaining drive renewal was wanted, trigger it was leaking, similar with entrance forks, and whereas we have been doing the suspension, rear shocks have been a must have. Airbox was dismissed and changed by pair of DT1 filters, which mixed with new exhausts led to ECU tuning, and that allowed us to get 1300 figures out of 1100 engine. And naturally some wiring was wanted as nicely.
Let’s go for appears. There are clearly enormous adjustments and the primary job right here was positively the fuel tank, which is totally customized, and contains the unique and bit bizarre injection system. Other than that we went for a traditional form with straight strains alongside the body, which simply felt pure to us. However this kinda disconnected the unique aspect panels from the remainder, so these are customized too, easy triangle form with rear brake pump hidden on one aspect and electrics (fuses, eu, and so on.) on the opposite.
The unique rear fender goes all the way in which behind the wheel, which positively wasn’t our purpose, so we caught to the shorter and sportier variant without having of chopping unique body. New leather-based saddle was in fact a method to go as nicely. Leather-based is shade matched with grips. Talking of grips, we removed the unique 24 mm handlebars housing and with assist of a Yamaha SR500 housing, we switched to traditional 22s by Renthal.
The Guzzi didn’t have a entrance mild in any respect when it arrived, so a brand new resolution was wanted and we went down that traditional highway but once more, giving the fork tubes bigger diameter covers and constructing a classy holder. Entrance fender was lightened as nicely, exhibiting us extra of these new Bridgestone Battlaxes.
What will not be apparent on first sight however is inherently necessary for the ultimate consequence are foot pegs and pedals. 100% handmade, transferring leg driving place from chopper ahead controls to straight sitting place — easy system with exhaust holders in pack.
Rims have been polished and engine valve covers obtained new paint and aluminium protectors.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
We name it “Mentol” [Czech for “Menthol”] for apparent causes. Regardless that there was a variety of work with all these customized components and shapes, the colour itself simply took it to a different 60s seashore bike stage.
• How would you classify this bike?
Yeah; classification is usually a drawback. Initially chopper/cruiser redesigned within the title of café racer simplicity however nonetheless appropriate for lengthy rides. We aren’t positive and actually why it is best to persist with bins and magnificence names? We kinda constructed it with simply the picture of a sundown drive alongside the seashore, no racing, no dashing however nonetheless sufficient energy to go wherever you need.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to journey?
Moto Guzzi is usually nicknamed because the Italian Tractor in our workshop, and it kinda sums it up. Low revving, rumble noise, turning proper when revved. It’s heavy however simply controllable, supplying you with a candy quantity of energy. I imply, you continue to can really feel the chopper vibes however in entire completely different bundle. Driving it’s simply pure chill.
• Was there something performed throughout this construct that you’re significantly pleased with?
After all it’s arduous to choose only one factor when every thing works collectively, however the fuel tank was an actual problem and we expect it turned out nice. And the brand new foot peg place was additionally fascinating half to construct.
Comply with the Builder
Internet: gobespokemotorcycles.com
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Youtube: Channel
Images: Jakub Frey (@jakubfreyphotography)
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