This Blog is about my quest to
WHO: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Patrick Roush, I have been a Moto Guzzi zealot for the last 20+ years because of my ’74 850-T. It has been an extension of my personality and focus of an obscene amount of time, consideration and resource. This journal may also appear at ( www.motointernational.com ) out of my appreciation for my coworkers and customers who explore their worlds through their own bike.
The bike that people know me for. My ’74 850-T.
WHAT: In this chronicle, I will be building a custom Moto Guzzi essentially as parts assemblage. I will be using the matching engine block and frame from a 1976 Convert, and a conglomeration of other parts from A T, T3, Lemans 1, and V7 Sport. Other custom touches will be built by hand. In other words, this will be a modern classic in form and function. The bikes I will be pulling from are, for the most part, long gone. There are still a surprising number of these venerable machines languishing in chicken coops and carports. I have scavenged the bits and pieces for the last 15-20 years. The style of the bike shall echo the aesthetic of a 1000S with stripped down “racer” gestures.
1975 Moto Guzzi 750s3
1974 Moto Guzzi 750s
WHERE: The background you’ll see in the pictures will not actually be in the workshop at Moto International, rather, it is my secret lair; the Garaj Mahal.
WHY: Owning a V7 S has been a dream of mine for many years. However, with limited means and lousy timing, it has always been a pipe dream, until now. When completed, the Guzzi will be given to the new owner in exchange for a 1973 Guzzi V7 Sport. Several years ago at the Vashon Island TT, I struck up a conversation with a fellow who wanted to restore a V7 Sport the he had. Over the years, he decided that for various reasons it would be unrealistic to try and restore it. What he really wants is a lean and low Guzzi in the Café Racer style. After seeing pictures of the 850-T that I have owned and customized for the last 20 years, he decided that there was a better way to get what he wants. Thus, we arrived at an agreement: I build him the bike of his dreams for it; I get the bike of my dreams!
The ’73 V7 Sport in question
HOW: This bike is being built entirely from my own personal resources and is solely to benefit my client and myself. Over the years, I have acquired and cataloged frames, motors, spare parts and everything in between for maintenance, possible projects, and of course to be able to replace crash damage (knock on wood).
Again, I will be sharing the pictures, post, and general revelry with the Moto International website as well, so my customers can see what is possible.
Disclaimer of soulful intent: “Patrick’s rules of thumb concerning parts bikes”
For what is worth, my tolerance for parting out a bike is pretty specific. I hate parting out a bike, it seems entirely soulless but there are times when nothing else is practical. First, if the frame is cut/damaged in a way that I cannot be 100% certain that it is sound, it’s done. Secondly, if there is no title and the cost to remedy the situation (and pain in the ass) offsets the bike’s value, it’s done. However, I rarely throw away good parts.
Further, one more thing about me: I always try to offset any cost of a “parts” bike by immediately getting the amount of cash I have into it back in selling parts to friends or on Ebay. Again, I catalog what I eventually might need for future projects, spares, helping out friends, or being a virtual savings account.
Building a Moto Guzzi 