Centauro Cafe Project Help

[HadaDaytona]

I purchased a 1997 Centauro to convert into a Daytona / Cafe Bike. After researching forums I’m ready to contact the members that have been down this road. Beyond belts, gears and a pump any suggestions would be welcome. The route I’m planning for now is to use a front fairings off a 1100 Sport with the rectangular headlight and its fuel tank. The fairing bracket will also be used. The back half fairing , seats and bracket may also be procured if a deal is out there.

These items appear to be a somewhat easy fit .??? What about handlebars ? The donor bike has a different air box, instrument cluster and things I have not considered. Before I start down this rabbit hole $$$ any advice would be appreciated.

Note : I bought the bike as is cheap. I have a video of it running. Fairings are all off the bike. I pulled the spark plugs and manually turned over the engine to verify the belts are still intact. Having owned a 1993 Daytona I got this pipe dream of converting a Centauro into something fun. Now the dream has started….

[Lucky Phil]

1 hour ago, HadaDaytona said:

I purchased a 1997 Centauro to convert into a Daytona / Cafe Bike. After researching forums I’m ready to contact the members that have been down this road. Beyond belts, gears and a pump any suggestions would be welcome. The route I’m planning for now is to use a front fairings off a 1100 Sport with the rectangular headlight and its fuel tank. The fairing bracket will also be used. The back half fairing , seats and bracket may also be procured if a deal is out there.

These items appear to be a somewhat easy fit .??? What about handlebars ? The donor bike has a different air box, instrument cluster and things I have not considered. Before I start down this rabbit hole $$$ any advice would be appreciated.

Note : I bought the bike as is cheap. I have a video of it running. Fairings are all off the bike. I pulled the spark plugs and manually turned over the engine to verify the belts are still intact. Having owned a 1993 Daytona I got this pipe dream of converting a Centauro into something fun. Now the dream has started….

Half the stuff you've mentioned is unprocurable these days and if you can buy it extremely expensive. ( Sport fuel tank, fairing etc) You'll need a rear seat frame or the equipment and ability to modify the Centy one. There's a million things before you get to the engine itself, the parts for which no longer exist in reality so it's buy bespoke cam gears, oil pump, etc. Remember Guzzi made less than 3000 of these engines in total across the Centy and Daytona models. The 8 valve engine isn't like the 2 valve big block engine with regards to longevity. The heads are a high wear item as are the cam drive and oil pump gears and oil pump. 

The project you're thinking of is about 10-15 years too late to be a practical, rational idea. I know I've half done it and am currently building a 95mm bore 8 valve engine which makes so little sense I'm considering abandoning the idea. By the time it's finished it will probably have cost me $8000 in parts and thats with me doing all the machining and labour with the exception of a crank re grind.

 Read this.

 

Edited Sunday at 03:28 AM by Lucky Phil

[HadaDaytona]

Phil, I was told you were the guy to answer my questions.

Question #1. If I procure a 1100 Sport fuel tank, does it matter if it is off a carbureted or a FI model ?

My screen saver is a black Dr John Daytona. When I open my computer 🫶 something always comes over me. 
I once read a Sport Bike article comparing three expensive European bikes to a Honda 600cc. The premise was why not spend half as much for the Honda and get better performance and handling. In the end the writer said, because when you get up in the morning in your boxers and kick open the garage door with your cup of coffee in hand you say “ Damn that’s a good looking bike”!

I am prepared to bail on this project and have a Centauro restoration. I however find the coffee experience looking in the garage at a Daytona amazing. Wish me luck 🤞in my procurement of parts. 

 

 

[Lucky Phil]

5 hours ago, HadaDaytona said:

Phil, I was told you were the guy to answer my questions.

Question #1. If I procure a 1100 Sport fuel tank, does it matter if it is off a carbureted or a FI model ?

My screen saver is a black Dr John Daytona. When I open my computer 🫶 something always comes over me. 
I once read a Sport Bike article comparing three expensive European bikes to a Honda 600cc. The premise was why not spend half as much for the Honda and get better performance and handling. In the end the writer said, because when you get up in the morning in your boxers and kick open the garage door with your cup of coffee in hand you say “ Damn that’s a good looking bike”!

I am prepared to bail on this project and have a Centauro restoration. I however find the coffee experience looking in the garage at a Daytona amazing. Wish me luck 🤞in my procurement of parts. 

 

 

In practical terms, no. EFI versions need a different fuel tap with larger connection threads and also a return fitting for the pressure regulator which the carb bikes don't have. The fuel level sensor types are different as well depending on the model. Carb bikes have float sensor and EFI bikes thermistor so connection flange differs. Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it and can find an "expert at tank welding and fabricating but as I said not "practically" possible.

Phil

[GuzziMoto]

I can add that it is possible to adapt a V11 Sport / Lemans rear subframe and seat / bodywork, but if it is anything like my Daytona with a V11 Sport seat / subframe on it you will need to fab up some sort of adapter as while the frames are very similar they may not be identical. Going with V11 Sport / Lemans parts may be easier to source as there are more V11 Sports / Lemans out there then most other Guzzi's. You might even be able to adapt a tank and fairing from a V11 Lemans to your project.

Edited Monday at 07:02 PM by GuzziMoto

[gstallons]

Like Jim Carrey said in Dumb and Dumber "so there's a chance" !

Edited Monday at 04:11 PM by gstallons

[Lucky Phil]

5 hours ago, gstallons said:

Like Jim Carrey said in Dumb and Dumber "so there's a chance" !

There's an old saying that comes to mind "just because you can doesn't mean you should" These type of projects just about always end up going nowhere simply because the time it takes to try and assemble parts takes so long and the modifications so labour costly the person naturally runs out of enthusiasm.

Remember the person here that was going to build the Titanium framed version of my bike complete with a Dynotec built engine? Never eventuated, as I knew it wouldn't because it just gets too hard and too expensive esp when you need to pay people for some of the specialised work. Better to pick a more achievable project maybe based on a Griso or something. I'd never attempt to build my bike again now if I needed to start sourcing parts etc.

Phil

[audiomick]

@HadaDaytona listen carefully to Phil's advice, and then ignore as much of it as you choose.

Phil knows what he is talking about, not doubt. On the other hand, it is a great project. The substance of the Centauro is good, and deserves to look like a sports bike. If you have the money and the perseverance, go for it.

 

[gstallons]

I hear ya brother . I have spent a lot on tuition and didn't get a diploma , just a hardass education.  With this education you can't tell anyone what did or did not work . They have to find out on their own . 

[docc]

21 minutes ago, audiomick said:

@HadaDaytona listen carefully to Phil's advice, and then ignore as much of it as you choose.

Phil knows what he is talking about, not doubt. On the other hand, it is a great project. The substance of the Centauro is good, and deserves to look like a sports bike. If you have the money and the perseverance, go for it.

 

Let's ask the other inmates on the ward if we are really crazy to do these Guzzi things we do . . .    

[gstallons]

The Centauro .....it's lines do  nothing for me. The tank , body panels , seat , etc. It's just not there . 

 Any Moto Guzzi requires a lot of thought before major surgery .  Personalizing , yes . that's understood . 

Edited Tuesday at 12:24 AM by gstallons

[docc]

Remember, Marabese Design (Rodolfo Frascoli) "drew" the Centauro from the Dondolino. The whole thing makes sense knowing this.

Just as Luciano Marabese "drew" the V11 Sport from the Gambalunghino.

[Lucky Phil]

39 minutes ago, docc said:

Remember, Marabese Design (Rodolfo Frascoli) "drew" the Centauro from the Dondolino. The whole thing makes sense knowing this.

Just as Luciano Marabese "drew" the V11 Sport from the Gambalunghino.

One of these two bikes in the images was shaped by function and the other was a styling exercise. Guess which is which.

 

Phil

[Kevin_T]

I hope you restore the Centauro as it was. Don't know how rough it is but it's a great looking bike. I own  a V11 and a Centy and the Centauro just always gets more positive comments when I'm out riding it (that's the truth). Took a while for looks to hook me I really like it now.

[pete roper]

Centy was granddad of Griso. How could I not like it?

Certainly it’s appearance was ‘Challenging’ when it was launched but it was a brave move by a cash strapped company.

Certainly it would be easier to start such a project from one of the ‘CARC’ platform bikes but because of their large, long swingarm all such ‘Specials’ end up looking like shit in my book. I still haven’t seen a ‘Custom’ CARC bike that looks better than  a stock or lightly modified Griso.

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 03:30 AM by pete roper