Reviving the Beast: First Ride on our $400 '75 Moto Guzzi Cafe Racer

Reviving the Beast: First Ride on our $400 '75 Moto Guzzi Cafe Racer #motoguzzi #caferacer
Welcome back to our channel, bike lovers and speed enthusiasts! After a gap of 3 1/2 long months, the moment we've been eagerly waiting for is finally here - the first ride on our $400 1975 Moto Guzzi 850-T Cafe Racer Build! 😍 🏍️
In this episode, we triumph over the main challenge that was keeping our Moto Guzzi off the streets - the dreaded no-spark issue. As we know, a bike without spark is like a bird without wings. But no hurdle is too high for us, and we were determined to bring our beloved '75 beast back to life.
Sit tight and join us on this journey, as we navigate through our troubleshooting process, unveil the unique solutions we used to overcome this problem, and finally, ignite the engine that has been silent for too long. 🛠️ 💥
Then, as the sweet sound of success rings through the air, hold onto your helmets as we take this vintage beauty for its maiden voyage around the yard. You'll feel every rumble, hear every roar, and share the rush of exhilaration as we bring this classic back to the road where it belongs. 🏁 🎉
So rev up your enthusiasm and tune in to witness the revival of our vintage Moto Guzzi 850-T. From a forgotten gem to a fully functioning Cafe Racer, this motorcycle transformation is one you definitely won't want to miss!
Remember to hit the like button if you enjoy this video, and subscribe to our channel for more motorcycle adventures and epic build transformations. Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on this bike's first ride, we love to hear from our fellow motorbike enthusiasts.
Keep the rubber side down, and enjoy the ride! 🚀🏍️
#MotoGuzzi #CafeRacer #MotorcycleBuild #FirstRide
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[@torehornkjl1452]

Bringing old neglected bikes back to life is awesome. The Guzzi look great. Well done.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks it was a lot of fun.

[@ianross225]

I have a badly neglected (25 years) T3 Cali. It’s complete but needs a full “recommissioning”. I rode it on a big trip from the UK to Spain and back through France in 1990 and it performed superbly two up. To my great shame the only big trip it ever did. They’re quirky bikes but have a charm that is hard to explain. It has decent (lazy) power handled well and the 3 (linked) discs stopped it perfectly. You’ve given me inspiration to get this old classic up and running. Keep up the great work!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Send me pics of yours and your address and I will come help you get it sorted. [e-mail]

[@nigelcox7477]

A glorious machine… and a fitting partner to your Stelvio. For me, I’d want the rear suspension 1” higher, plus a deeper seat and flatter bars, but each to their own. A fabulous, characterful bike. 👍😎❤️✅

[@motorcyclerewind]

I originally wanted to paint it the same color as my wife’s Stelvio. Rosso Competizione. I hear you on the suspension and the bars. This was built in a budget. I paid $400 for the bike. Bought a starter and Guzzi gauges. Homemade seat. Traded a tank for the XS650 fender and headlight. All in about $650. Rattle can paint with 2K clear. Damn gauges blew my budget. 😂

[@nigelcox7477]

@@motorcyclerewind ah now I understand… hell of a lot of bike for $650, so I’ll forgive it most things! Great job on the bike, especially the rattle-can tank - nice.

[@RealBesty]

Whenever I see a Guzzi I’m reminded of my CX500, seeing its heritage :)

[@motorcyclerewind]

I know Guzzi built a tractor like CX500. 😂

[@timhicks2154]

Hard work and elbow-grease is infinitely more admirable than cheque-book restorations

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed. I am not an expert but I love knowing, “I did it!”

[@user-dm6te4zb3c]

I really like your bike philosophy - use what you’ve got and learn along the way! Keep up the good work….

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks. That philosophy works for me. Thanks for watching.

[@jiltedjohn9294]

Not everyone gets Guzzis but for those that do they really get under your skin, me included.

[@motorcyclerewind]

It definitely has a great sound to it.

[@richardbranton190]

My uncle had one back in the 80s and I remember the day he hit 100,000 miles. He just made a road trip form Indy to Charleston SC

[@az-cafe-moto]

Such an awesome looking and sounding motorcycle.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks. It has been pushed in the corner for over three months. I forgot how much I liked it.

[@dirk-dianapoppe2029]

Great job Luv those old guzzis

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks. This is the first one I have owned.

[@daigriffiths399]

Me again 😄You're missing a small piece of felt that sits in the top of the points cam. Wet it with a bit of oil; see the cutout on the side? It flings oil out onto the heel of the points. Also; do NOT trust those timing marks because the factory weren't too clever with them. You're far better off finding TDC, rotating back whatever the advance is for that model of bike and making your own mark. The factory markings are usually 1/2 to 1 tooth out. You may also need to check the rear drum brake. It usually ends up with one of two problems; a cracked liner or knackered seal allowing grease onto the brake shoes. Also be aware that the UJ support bearing is smaller for the 850-T than all of the other Tonti frames, all of which use the same size support bearing. If you don't like the brakes, the factory did a 'fitting kit' for a second disc, basically a disc and l/h caliper. Over the last forty years I have owned an 1980 SP1000 (sold) and a 1981 V1000G5 (my favourite - I covered 205,000 miles on that before it was stolen and torched) and still have a 1980 850-T3 California, another 1980 1000SP, a 1982 850-T3 and a 1993 California 1100ie and I'd guess enough parts to build at least one more!

[@motorcyclerewind]

This is one of my favorite things about this channel. Is people willing to share their knowledge. Because Lord knows I need it. 😂 Thank you for sharing I really appreciate it.

[@bradthebikeboy]

@@motorcyclerewind you need to check the timing cylinder to cylinder too - often there's quite a lot of variation. and then once you've pulled the split plate out and elongated holes, plus the hole in the base plate that the end of the points screw goes into, you need to recheck the points gap after adjusting the timing. well worth the time. i mark the flywheel teeth with different colour paint for each mark - tdc, idle, max adv - to make it easier.

[@sprezzatura8755]

Beautiful job! I prefer cafe type handlebars, but that's a taste issue. She looks like a 1st-gen LeMans which is one of my all-time favorite bikes.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Right on! I just looked up the 1st Gen Le Mans our seat gives the Le Mans a good tip of the cap. With where the seat meets the tank. I was just trying to bridge the gap between the seat and the tank. Thanks for watching.

[@timhicks2154]

Nothing more satisfying than bringing an old Guzzi back to life. Done a few myself.

[@motorcyclerewind]

This one was loads of fun.

[@mikebarbeau8569]

Guzzi... awesome bike...great show!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks

[@wellshutchins6885]

I bought a new 850T in1975 - kind of a metallic brown with gold stripes. It was one of my favorite bikes but I had to sell it towards our first house. I tried to recapture it by purchasing a new '22 850 V7 Special this year but it's not the same. Its nice and retro but I liked my '75 better.

[@motorcyclerewind]

The brown and gold is really cool. Find an old one and recapture it. Thanks for watching.

[@donsanders9863]

In my 20’s I had a ‘71 750 Ambassador. I loved that bike! Especially when I got out on the highway, it just wanted to run and run. I’m retired now and still want another one. Guzzis have so much character.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Don, they sure do! I really enjoyed bringing this one back to life. Thanks for watching.

[@hugieflhr03]

It sounds like a Briggs&Stratton! Looks cool though

[@motorcyclerewind]

Need to attach a mower deck to it. 😂😂🏍️🚜 thanks for watching.

[@philipwegmann4591]

I very much enjoy this channel, not because it promises that builds will always be easy, but because it shows that they're within reach with some hard work. Thank you!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks Philip, I am no expert just a guy in his garage. If I can do it anyone can. Just have to put in the work. Thanks for watching.

[@mikebarbeau8569]

Beautiful home!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thank you!!

[@Turleyswheels]

Looks amazing mate once again you know your stuff another one saved 👍👌

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks.

[@stephenschneider9209]

Nice job on that. Looks bad ass.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Came out really good and was a blast doing it. Thanks for watching.

[@firestorm755]

Can I just say your house looks awesome, love the covered deck running around and set under the trees it's just fantastic.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks we love it too! We only wanted two things. Keri wanted a wrap around porch and I wanted a shop. This house ticked all the boxes. Thanks for watching.

[@johnjordansailing]

I loved that bike as a young man. Perhaps the coolest machine on the road in it's day. That one you have there looks fantastic!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks, it came out really good. Had loads of fun putting it back on the road.

[@michaeltruscott9443]

I just love Moto Guzzies

[@motorcyclerewind]

This was a fun build. Thanks for watching!

[@alpineprojectsgarage]

Looks like a fun one to work on and ride. Looks great!

[@motorcyclerewind]

This one has been a blast. Not bad for a $400 motorcycle. Thanks for watching.

[@jorgemercatali9319]

Super cool man !!!! Great job congrats

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks. I really enjoyed getting this guy back together. Thanks for watching.

[@jamesthompson6086]

Fantastic job!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks it was a lot of fun. Thanks for watching

[@manylch7964]

Fabulous restoration. Agree it would be better to change those high handlebars that don't really fit the aesthetics. It's not a cruiser.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed. I was planning on leaving that for the next owner. You guys have me thinking about changing them now. 😂

[@richardsanders3567]

I’d get rid of the ape hangers replacing them with some flatter bars and it needs some classic clocks or something

[@motorcyclerewind]

I believe these are the stock bars. I am putting the stock gauges on without the dash that came on this bike. Thanks for watching.

[@waltermachnicz5490]

I do believe these are stock bars. I forget if there was a factory windshield and bags set up or after market but the "sit up and beg was normal." I liked lower bars but not to narrow so my 71 Honda CL350 felt ideal(first new bike, 34,000 miles). Then 72 Suzuki T500 22,000miles. The 73 GT550 55,000 miles. Decided wanted shaft drive went after MotoGuzzi vs BMW. Wound up on the BMW partly on feel (transmission/clutch I think) and partly dealer experience. I owned a used Benelli for a year (still waiting for parts when sold) also reason to skip Ducati. Did enjoy test riding MotoGuzzis!

[@achimrotard901]

I don't think these are stock bars, but your (nice)seat isn't stock anyway , so you can fix some flatter bars which are much better fitti g to thevroadster style xou did to that bike.

[@timhicks2154]

The only thing I really don’t like on Guzzis are the points. The first thing I fit to the nearest bin.

[@motorcyclerewind]

😂 I don’t mind points so much. I understand the dislike for them.

[@gp92510]

Oh yeah

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for watching.

[@Turleyswheels]

I love the sound I had a bmw 850 and they sound so different

[@motorcyclerewind]

I really like this motorcycle. Thanks for watching.

[@jeffgreenfield7025]

Please put some points grease on there ! The plastic tab is gonna wear fast without it..

[@motorcyclerewind]

You got it. The next Guzzi video will show it! Thanks for watching.

[@firestorm755]

Should be fairly easy. Pull the valve covers. Piston at top and both valves closed must be TDC on compression. Once verrified you could put a paint dab on the mark

[@motorcyclerewind]

You’re right. The only challenge is to love the fly wheel to see the timing marks you have to use the back wheel to rotate the engine. Shaft drive problems. 😂 not hard just different than every other motorcycle I have worked on. The great thing is I love learning new stuff. Thanks for watching

[@davetheglidingbum]

As a former MK1 Le Mans owner. I enjoy your content. One tiny point. Cafe Racer = Clip-ons.They are uncomfortable to ride and some blame the trend for collapsing the British motorcycle industry. Nevertheless Cafe racer bikes had Clip-ons..

[@motorcyclerewind]

I agree clipons or clubman bars. But these bars are way more comfortable. Especially when you get to be my age 😂 thanks for watching.

[@n6dl321]

I imangin that the rust served as virtual sand paper for the point rub nub.

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s about what happened. Thanks for watching.

[@richardbranton190]

Believe it or not I'm trying to buy a moto guzzi today. If he could find the title I would have taken it home today

[@motorcyclerewind]

I know where the title is to this one. 😂

[@richardbranton190]

@@motorcyclerewind LOL I'm sure you do but this one is $500. How much do you want for that one when it's finished

[@mikebarbeau8569]

Amazing how much corrosion under points cover!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

😳

[@michaeltruscott9443]

I'll buy it

[@motorcyclerewind]

Already sold it. Thanks for watching.

[@flir67man84]

I’d say swap to led headlight and send it!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Tryin’ to make me spend money. 😂

[@97delkron]

I wouldn’t bother with tuning until you get air box back on. If you tune first then add air box it will change

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed. I have filters for it. Thanks for watching.

[@daveco1270]

Nice. I'd ditch those handlebars, they're too high for the bike. Other than that, it looks great.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Agreed. But they are the original bars and I’m a cheap skate!!😂

[@Paulfarmer-en4vh]

Tdc mark is advanced. Check the video

[@mikebarbeau8569]

Originally designed as a jeep engine...meant to last!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thats crazy.

[@tnash2698]

Lean. Slow idle down.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@MrGaryjames1]

for gods sake grease the distributer lobes and put a dollop on the points heals please

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thats a good idea. Thanks for watching!

[@MrGaryjames1]

@@motorcyclerewind no worries the points heals will grind away without a bit of lube back in the day there used to be a felt pad that you oiled that sat on the lobe to prevent the points gap from closing up

[@RealBesty]

S=sinister, D=dexter..? :) 🇮🇹

[@motorcyclerewind]

😂thanks for watching.

[@deanfehr9445]

Beautiful bike. It does not look that old

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s the budget makeover we did on this motorcycle. Here is that video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGGnf517f5WdsKc Thanks for watching.

[@TheZl9000]

Good looking machine but the roto tiller bars gotta go.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I agree. This was a budget build. My wife and I made the seat and sewed the cover.If. you want a good laugh check out that one. When I start a project I set some rules and do my best to stick to them. This one we did the seat, our own fab and paint work. Helps me stay focused and spend less money. Thanks for watching

[@touchthesun2448]

Good bike for $400. Did you sell it yet?

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yes I would this guy for $3,500. Thanks for watching.

[@touchthesun2448]

@@motorcyclerewind I have a 94 100 Sport... it's a beast

[@motorcyclerewind]

Those are very cool.

[@jamesbosto9191]

How much you for it

[@motorcyclerewind]

It sold for $3,500. Thanks for watching.

[@user-rv5ud2cd8i]

If it is air cooled it is great. If liquid cooled it is shit Carl

[@motorcyclerewind]

It’s sir cooled. Thanks for watching.

[@kentherron]

WOULD YOU WANT A FORTUNE FOR THE GOOSE🪿??🤠🇺🇸 5:22

[@motorcyclerewind]

I sold it for my asking price of $3,000. It was a great motorcycle.

[@thurstonhowelliii9501]

Hideous hamdle bars takes away from the lines of the bike.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Funny thing is these are the original bars. The riding position is so comfortable I didn’t change them. Bars are an easy swap for its next owner. Thanks for watching.

[@thurstonhowelliii9501]

@@motorcyclerewind Of cporse they are thr original bars. My point was you altered the original look of the bike. Anyways, I enjoy watching your videos.