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Well, check this out! Andre recently registered on our forum and we were all absolutely taken aback by the sheer beauty of this cafe racer project! He has now owned this dual existence machine (road use and classic racing) for seven years now and I for one couldn't wait to hear the bike's story. Like so many other similar projects this glorious piece of metal had some rather more humble beginnings...over to Andre...


"Dear All, I’m a belgian guy expatriate/retiree in South of France. Involved in motorcycles since the 60’s, starting with 50cc (already Italian!), and still have only Italian bikes in my garage mainly Ducati’s from the 80’s.

Why I Guzzi then ? Well, incidentally, during a visit to a garage sale, I bought some spare parts for my Ducati and the guy ask me if I was interested by an old T3 laying in a corner of his garage. I wasn’t that interested, since the T3 was in a very bad shape, so I decline the “offer”.

Few months later the same guy phone me and told me that if I passed by I could have the T3 for free, since he was moving to another part of the world. There are offers you cant refuse right! ...and finally that T3 landed in the corner of my garage and the process of a new project arose.

The idea at the back of my mind was to make with that a Café Racer – with a strong engine and the less accessories possible because I would also use it occasionally on the track for vintage racing sessions.

The Tankshop in Scotland was the ticket for a nice/long tank and seat. Even if later I didn’t use the seat since it didn’t fit the rear frame tight enough to what I was dreaming of. New Marzocchi fork in 38 diameter from a later model, modifications to the freshly sandblasted frame, all electric parts under the tank – the engine was completely overhauled, balanced, lightened. Le Mans I heads with larger lead free valves were installed with a twin spark 40mm dell orto carburettors with bell mouth.

New wheels front in 17 inch – to quick flipping – and 18 on a 3.5’’ wide, which was only possible if the rear fork was enlarged to allow the150/70 tyre to be installed. Large 300mm twin floating discs and Brembo "Oro" 4 pistons calipers.

I added a small Le Mans I fairing – one open for the light beam and another one closed for racing purposes including a quick release mechanism to ease the change from road bias to racing spec.

After a running period, I was quite pleased of the choice of camshaft that was installed, since the bike spins from 2000 rpm up to 8500 rpm efortlessly and without any problems. It’s really pleasant to drive it here in the twisted small roads of the Cevennes area of France, in a big thunder from the exhaust pipes.

Being new in the Guzzi world on that time, I was quickly impressed by the very secure Tonti frame and each time I drive it a I get a big grin on my face under the helmet!

Today, I’m completely dedicated to this brand, and have an idea for a new member in my garage with the name "Sport i", but that will be another story!

André"
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Images:

Thank you so much Andre for sharing your beautiful cafe racer with us! If you would like to us feature your bike on this site in the same way, click here: GO download the form,and e-mail the answers, with some images, to info@guzzista.com ...simple as that!

If you are enjoying Squadra Guzzista and know of Moto Guzzi fans who would also enjoy it, please recommend this site by sending them this link: GO

Further Reading

More featured bikes / Lars' awesome cafe racer / Doug's cafe racer / A visit to the Ace Cafe / An album of cafe racers /