Bikesure_adrianflux

Sticking with the Italian theme....

Y

yourguitarhero

Registered
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
64
Location
Linlithgow
Bike
S2r
I was on the hunt for a two up touring bike, something a bit more sedate and pillion comfy than my S2R800

Initially I bought a BMW R1200C on a whim because I liked how it looked. Nicely made bike but heavy and uncomfortable.
When selling it, a local guy proposed a trade which was interesting as it wasn't a bike I would have considered:

Moto Guzzi Nevada 750.webp

An almost immaculate FI'd Moto Guzzi Nevada 750

It feels very light and nimble for a cruiser. The motor is a very easy going one - feels totally flat all the way through the rev range. Not massively powerful, but it will sit at 80mph with both of us on it no problem.

My girlfriend finds it really comfy on the back as well.

- got a taller screen for it as well as some panniers to go on to get it touring ready

The only issue is a very wooden front brake. Supposedly I need to use a smaller diameter MC on it? Need to investigate that a bit more.
 
Smaller master maybe. Certainly other pads and a good scrub & clean of the disc and floating buttons. Nice bike. Love Many of the Guzzis.
 
I scratched a Moto Guzzi itch a few months ago, but I don't know very much about the "later" ones. I'm a round barrel Tonti fan.

As far as I can tell your bike will have a 4 pot Goldline Brembo caliper on it, but I don't know the year of your bike, so it might have a 2 pot Grimeca caliper which I imagine would be quite dire?
If it's a 4 pot Brembo then it ought to have a 13mm master for a single caliper. You would find a Brembo master of that size relatively easily if it hasn't already got one. Ducati and Aprillia use them, so the scope is fairly wide. I can't imagine Moto Guzzi fitting the wrong master though?
Looks like a late "Coffin" master, probably the same as used on the Ducati Scrambler?
As Lars suggested, a change of pads might cheer it up. I would recommend EBC HH sintered, along with a good wash of the disc with clutch and brake cleaner, but no abrasives. Keep the disc nice and clean during the break in period too.
Obviously do a fluid change, which is often overlooked and after all how do you know when it was last changed if you have just taken it on?
A braided line might also help if it hasn't already got one.
If you want to go further, you could try and find a 4 pad caliper with 65mm bolt centres. I put a pair on my Monster and it is a big improvement on the Goldlines.

If you want some more informed info look here.. https://www.guzziriders.org/ It's a nice little community, they'll be pleased to see you..
 
Caliper may just need a service. Sb similar performance to most of the small cc single disc Monsters I would have thought.
 
Moto Guzzi Brake Caliper.webp

Aye, that's the caliper there - the bike is a fuel injected model from 2011, one of the last Nevadas.
Supposedly the MCs fitted are 15mm which are meant for a dual brake set up? Supposedly a 13mm one works best...
The brake is really stiff and wooden. Seems to be a known issue on these bikes - other Guzzis have twin front disks and linked front and rears with balancing valves and they didn't get the simple set up right when they stripped it back to the basics.

I mean, I'll put new pads and fluid in and check the rotor and pistons anyway...
 
Yes, that's the 65mm centre Goldline or equivalent in black. You'll get a lot more feel and power with a 13mm master.
And a much better brake if you swap the caliper for a 4 pad one from a 999 of sumfink?
I think it's a 16mm master for twin discs?
For a pillion and luggage I would want a twin disc set up myself, but not bother with the Guzzi linked system.
My 850-T would have had a single disc originally, but they sold a kit to convert to two with a bigger master, which mine had from new.
It's a very good brake for a nearly 50 year old bike and is not linked as the rear brake is a mechanical drum. A rather large twin leading shoe jobbie which is very effective.
When Moto Guzzi claimed the best brakes of the time with their linked 3 disc system back in '75 or when ever it was , it begs the question, what were they thinking putting a single disc on a bike in 2011 with the wrong master!!??
 
Yep, that's the one, but make sure you get all the little pad clips if you buy one, preferably with the old pads still in it as they kind of hold everything together.
Check out the price of a set of pads as they are not cheap, but don't use the second-hand ones.
You'll need another brake line as the banjo is on the side of the caliper, not the top. I get all my brake and clutch lines here> https://www.motorcycleproducts.co.uk/hel-custom-braided-brake-lines/1/023803
The pistons are a little bigger on the 4-pad so it might be worth trying your original master to start with as there will be a little more feel to it, but maybe not enough. It will be easy to change the master later if you want to. As mentioned, one from a single disc Ducati Scrambler should fit the bill, or any 13mm master.
Bear in mind that seal kits for the older Brembo masters are next to impossible to find. You could even consider a radial for improved adjustability.
 
Nice one. (y)

Given it's likely weight it does seem a tad under-braked, though with a 4 pot Brembo it should be OK?

My 47 year old Guzzi has twin front discs with Brembo 2 piston calipers (big pistons though) and as per Gazza's post above , the brakes are remarkably good for such an old and heavy machine though, you do need all 4 fingers on the lever - no 2-finger braking on this one.

But when I got it the brakes weren't up to much due to (original, 1979 dated) squidgy rubber lines, corroded pistons, antique fluid and shiny pads but a good overhaul with Brembo ceramic pads has brought them up to date.

I also de-linked them as I couldn't cope with the front lever being just for the 1 disc and for that, I needed a larger front master cylinder and a smaller rear.
 
Last edited:
Mr Gazza said:
Yep, that's the one, but make sure you get all the little pad clips if you buy one, preferably with the old pads still in it as they kind of hold everything together.
Check out the price of a set of pads as they are not cheap, but don't use the second-hand ones.
You'll need another brake line as the banjo is on the side of the caliper, not the top. I get all my brake and clutch lines here> https://www.motorcycleproducts.co.uk/hel-custom-braided-brake-lines/1/023803
The pistons are a little bigger on the 4-pad so it might be worth trying your original master to start with as there will be a little more feel to it, but maybe not enough. It will be easy to change the master later if you want to. As mentioned, one from a single disc Ducati Scrambler should fit the bill, or any 13mm master.
Bear in mind that seal kits for the older Brembo masters are next to impossible to find. You could even consider a radial for improved adjustability.
Click to expand...
How much would you expect to pay for a Scrambler master?
Found one on eBay with the lever and in good condition for £59 (seller offer)...
www.ebay.co.uk

2025 Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle Front Brake Master Cylinder - 62441501A | eBay UK

Browse more DUCATI SCRAMBLER parts here! Our goal is to make the purchasing process as smooth and easy as possible, so you can focus on finding the parts and accessories you need. Product Images. To fitDUCATI.
www.ebay.co.uk
 
Does that model Scrambler have a single disc though?

If they're breaking a 2025 bike, somebody wrote their new bike off last year!!

Edit... Apparently it has 1 radial 4 pot caliper on a 330mm disc. It will probably work well with a 4 pad axial?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top