'Ere Wayne....

These are quite nice and a lot lighter than stock.

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Neptunes. Made in NZ.

Pete

Handsome indeed. Happy Thanksgiving. (an American holiday celebrating the beginning of the end of our indigenous peoples)

Hi Pete, trouble with the stock bazookas was they stuck out past the back wheel, looked fugly with short seat and no guard.
Neptunes look good but still toooooooo long for me.


CC, Thanks giving will never catch on here!

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I don't think anybody can argue with ol' mate here, but when you hale from kikatinalong, about 500 miles beyond the black stump, I doubt if he has ever seen a boat?

You could use those teeny cans from the Ipothesys. They're very short.

To be honest bloke, all those off-the-shelf bitz look like shite to me. I prefer what I have already created, something different to what everybody else has. sanz wheels/guard/seat/battery box ..........etc.

ghezzi wrote:

To be honest bloke, all those off-the-shelf bitz look like shite to me. I prefer what I have already created, something different to what everybody else has. sanz wheels/guard/seat/battery box ..........etc.

Your Bellagio is the result of time, money, skilled help and some imagination. It works.
A low entry price probably helps. I'd be reticent at todays advertised prices.

Neptune....
nuh, not for me.

Actually Richo, I think I've been subconsciously developing my ultimate touring bike. Owned 40+ bikes. Six Guzzi's, 1 Ducati and about 35 Jap bikes. Both MkIII Le Mans I tourized by adding panniers etc. Two Cali's I sporterized by adding suspension/brake mods, SP1000 I left stock, Bella ................

The first MkIII I rode everywhere, non-stop. I short ride in Brisbane one night, ended in Sydney. 965km for breakfast. Rode 2,200km in 24 hours, got off the bike and went to work, mining underground. In the day it was small, light, nimble and relaxing at speed.

About 2004 I discovered Ghezzi & Brian's Fionda/Furia. I wanted the single seat version but with the low touring bars, no more clip-ons for this old man (57 model). Ended up buying a Ducati Hypermotard 1100S as it had the same suspension/brakes/wheels and weight as a G&B, except it turned an ol' fart into a young dickhead. Disappointing bit was the engine was the wrong way round and it had a chain thingy, but the quality of the suspension (once sorted) set a new benchmark in  my head.

The Ducati was so compliant on the rough back roads, but so nimble and quick in the tight stuff, all with the one setting. No fancy ESA (BMW electric adjustable susp) needed. This is why I have pursued the Matris R and BST's with such fanaticism, I knew the best was yet to come.

My ultimate bike was always going to be based on a Guzzi engine, the old pushrod 2V is nowhere near as refined as a GRiSO 8V, but I like a little bit of mongrel, adds to the feel. 76RWHP is more than enough to amble down any cop infested H'way at 120kph. When I take the long way round, I traverse every mountain possible, on a typical heavy & slow turning touring bike, that becomes very tiring for an ol' fart. Defeats the purpose if you want to go far.

Just ordered a Ventura system for Bella, 10litre sports pack for long 1 day rides and a 31 litre bag for weekenders ................................. so I can do the next Cabal, on the Oxley!

I've got a bog stock Bellagio in at the moment, well apart from the Neptune pipes and they really are a very, very nice motorbike. I have a feeling that sticking a well tuned 8V in the chassis might over tax it without some extra bracing and it needs better suspension but they really are a lovely thing. I'm not big on the whale penis tank or the bobber type seat but that stuff is fixable as Wayne is proving.

Pete

I largely agree Pete.  I did a short test ride on a Bellagio about 4 years ago.  Lovely feel to the engine and fair handler with plenty of clearance for a cruiser style of bike.  I did not like the seating position and far preferred the upright naked style of my Ape Shiver at the time.  I also thought the brakes were a bit ordinary compared to what I was used to.  However, I clearly did not have the imagination or talent and sheer passion shown by Wayne in creating his now very formidable Bella.  

Having recently had the privilege of riding Bella down the magnificently varied and twisty Mt Lindsey Hwy, she is everything Wayne says about her and more:  a quick and superb handling lightweight sports tourer that totally meets her design brief, ie, to remain comfortable, quick and poised while gobbling up average Aussie backroads and mountain twisties, yet leaving the rider refreshed and even giggling at the ease with which the task was accomplished.   I would love a Bella in my garage, but that is not possible - she is a unique personal creation, a one-off, and that's the point. I'm also looking forward to her next round of improvements.

Big thanks also to Wayne for his deal on the re-valved shock and Ohlins spring.  The resultant improvement to my GRiSO is just what I was hoping for.  Also looking forward to next year's Cabal on the Oxley.