5.5 Guzzis'

Scudman · Jan 17, 2014

A tale of 5 ½ Guzzies’
First off the WARNING: If you are a purist please move on. There is nothing in here that you want to see. These are my projects. If you do not like them, build your own and post up. I will even offer assistance should you need it. The main objective is to clean up my garage of extra parts.
It started innocently enough. I had just finished a restoration on a 76 LeMans 1 and had some Dinars jingling in my pocket. What to do? Call my friend Dave to see if he had any Guzzis’ for sale. Sure enough he has one, and as an added bonus, a parts bike. After a 20 mile road trip the bikes are in the garage.


 Two Guzzi purchase. Lots of spare parts. Close to two somewhat complete bikes. One bike started life as a T3 The other has a 1000cc motor. There is one LeMans fuel tank and tail section. Two T3 fuel tanks with side covers. Inspired by the Café racer thread on this website it is decided to make 2 café racers. One for sale the other to keep. The leftover spares are sold off to offset the price of the projects. Wife complains about lack of parking space in garage.
The wheels will go to my friend who is building a Guzzi and wants spokes. I get the aluminum rims from his California. I also purchase a set of Bassa wheels from Ebay for $750 for the keeper. Not so happy with the 17” rear wheel. Still a good deal even with the large nail in the rear tire.

13.1 · Jan 17, 2014

Since you asked.........
Here is Baldy's post telling us how to post pictures on advrider.com from now on:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919

pennswoodsed · Jan 18, 2014

The phrase always piques my interest,carry on !
Regards,Ed

chollo9 · Jan 18, 2014

Nice pile!

Scudman · Jan 18, 2014

The hubs are sandblasted prior to assembly.

Bad news; broke about 10 spokes during disassembly. New spokes ($200) obtained from nice people in Germany (old man on tour). Assembled wheel should look like this;

Notice the polished ZX7 font end and the sand blasted rebuilt drivetrain. I got the complete ZX7 bike for $250 with a blown motor. One of the connecting rods decided to take a detour through the front case. Never found the piston on dis assembly. Would love to hear the story on that one. I just wanted the front end and brakes. As a bonus the bike has CR carbs.
The Guzzi Engine, transmission and rear drive all got cleaned inspected and resealed. No need to buy new parts, all is good. Gasket and seal set me back $140 from MG cycle. The brakes are a bit better as well. Cleaned calipers and put on new pads, all around, ($30). The fuel tank should be painted but I painted that particular tank 20 years ago when it was sold to Dave. The circle of part swapping is complete.

Scudman · Jan 18, 2014

DustyOne said: ↑

Since you asked.........
Here is Baldy's post telling us how to post pictures on advrider.com from now on:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919
Click to expand...

Thank you much. I am not allowed to attach pix at this time. Photo bucket will have to do

Scudman · Jan 18, 2014

I was never a fan of the rear brake bracket. Time to get busy.

The rear sets need to be made. More time to spend on the lathe. Lots of aluminum shavings.

Coloradical · Jan 18, 2014

Scudman said: ↑

Thank you much. I am not allowed to attach pix at this time. Photo bucket will have to do
Click to expand...

You don't need to attach pix. You have already done the hard part by uploading to a hosting site. All you have to do is link the images.

Either copy the "Direct" link from Photobucket, click the Insert Image button and paste the link in the popup box.:

or copy the Image "IMG" link from Photobucket and paste it here. When you do this you will see a link in the text box but the pic will appear when you preview/submit the post.

And the others (using your links):

flemsmith · Jan 19, 2014

I think mebbe I need a lathe..

Scudman · Jan 19, 2014

flemsmith said: ↑

I think mebbe I need a lathe..
Click to expand...

Word of advice on buying a lathe. Do not tell anyone you have it as your circle of friends will expand exponentially. As me how I know.

Scudman · Jan 20, 2014

Lately I have a need to build a modern retro. Having the pleasure of owning multiple Guzzis the Eldorado came to mind. I wanted a reliable loop framed Moto Guzzi that had modern brakes, electrical system and handling characteristics. Keep in mind that at this time I have 2 ½ Guzzis in my garage. So the search began. Forgot to mention the ½ Guzzi already taking up floor space. I bought a T3 a few years ago that was just a frame engine and transmission. The transmission was needed to complete my friends 74 Eldo LAPD restoration project.
[FONT=&quot]First came the V7 parts bike with an extra 850 Eldorado lower end and 5 speed transmission[/FONT]

 Not pretty but a decent start point. At least some of the parts are there. The fuel tank has a bunch of holes in the bottom. The 850 lower end is reluctant to spin. Transmission is in sad shape. Front end is missing. Rear shocks are rusted heaps. The 700cc engine and tranny spin but I want more power so the 850 lump is the preferred choice. Best stock up on Evaporust. The rear fender looks like wood eaten up by termites over many years. Delegated to the trash bin along with the rear shocks. Note to self: Always tip the trash man at Christmas time. With all the parts that wind up in the trash bin one could mistake my dwelling for a junk yard. Worst of all is the frame has a bill of sale only. I thought that it was titled. A $150 mistake on my part. This is not working out. Will need more parts and money for the envisioned project. Wife notices a distinct lack of garage floor space. Complains mildly. Sheesh, you would think that I rebuild a bike drivetrain on her kitchen table again.

Scudman · Jan 20, 2014

[FONT=&quot]Time to start on the parts bike. Transmission is inspected and lo and behold some twat JB welded the front of the case. I must say it, WTF? Fortunately I have at least 2 spare cases that are decent.

[/FONT][FONT=&quot] The drivetrain is sand blasted and rebuilt. The swing arm is modified to accept a single shock. RAM clutch assembly ($630 MG cycle) is used for a need of rotational speed. Front end is from a Kawasaki 636 that is taking up space in the garage. One has to scrub off the speed once in a while. The frame lower rails are modified for a cleaner look. One of the frame rails needs to be cut to make room for the swing arm modifications. Obviously the frame will need to be strengthened to make it safe.[/FONT]

Scudman · Jan 21, 2014

Since I now needed a full top end a new search begins for the missing parts. As luck would have it I found not one but two Guzzi rust heaps close to my friends house in Central FL.
Got them both for the princely sum of $700 with a good Eldorado gas tank and tool boxes. For a measly $50 more I also acquired a Harley police seat. Things are looking up. The bikes were loaded onto the trailer by means of a front end loader and long chain. As a bonus I got to meet some nice people who have a large bike stash in their shed. The pictures shows myself with one of the beauties on site of purchase. BTW now there are 5 ½ Guzzis in my possession.



One of two scored Guzzis. You should see the other one if you think this one is a challenge.
[FONT=&quot]Good fortune smiles upon me. Turns out that the purchased Guzzies are 100CCs and the engines are not frozen. Two sets of Borani wheels that are in good shape. One 5 speed transmission and rear end that seem to be in good working order. One set of 29mm carburetors. The not so good is that one of the bikes is a Convert with a worthless gearbox and rear end. The torque converter hand granaded and split. Some twit removed the ID plate from the Eldorado frame making it useless. No matter as I had to cut the frame just to get the engine transmission assembly out. All 6 brakes frozen. Rust on all of the parts. Still a great purchase I tell myself. People tell me that there are drugs to alleviate my obsession. Good thing my hearing is failing from removing rust off frames with a grinder.[/FONT]

Scudman · Jan 21, 2014

Undressing the beauties. She was a bit coy at the beginning in all of rusty splendor but slowly she yields. The top, came off easily enough providing me with a view of her more desirable attributes. Her jugs were a joy to gaze upon as they are in decent shape even with the mud dobbers nests hidden within. Piston and rings all good. Getting to the bottom end was a messy affair with nasty lube all over my friends garage floor. Nasty dirty girl. The good news, her lower end is tight and not crusty. I have done worse. Con rods bearings are all in good shape. Running out of time I loaded the car up with the tank, seat and top end for the 300 mile ride south. The other parts are left with my friend (the one with the restored Eldo and 4 other bikes that we cobbled together). He actually owed me money on the rebuilt wheels, Kawasaki front end and machining of parts. No money exchanged hands as he paid for the 2 Guzzies. Wife in dark on latest purchase. No not need to share the details with her. The madness is under control. I can stop this at any time I tell myself over and over.

Scudman · Jan 22, 2014

Back to crust pile one. Took the ½ 850cc Eldo engine apart. This one has no shame, nasty, dirty, top end off to parts unknown, connecting rod stiff due to rusty crank bearings. Cylinder studs rusty, distributor frozen. Timing gears rusty but usable. There is this grey gook oozing out of every oil orifice. Hard to get rid of. Cleaned the case using wheel cleaner. Still not good enough. There will be sandblasting in my near future. The good news, the crank is still in good (not great) shape. Will be serviceable. Bad news, the crank sludge trap plus is tight. Real tight, as in ½ breaker bar not long enough tight. Even with Map torch on full nuke setting too tight. What to do. Get out the impact. Son of a biscuit. The plug, made of cheese (mozzarella), rounded off. Mierda, now what? Better to walk away before more damage is done.

Bongolia · Jan 23, 2014

Scud, you're a new hero. Keep up the grinding.

Scudman · Jan 23, 2014

The sun comes up and a new plan is hatched. First the center of the plug is drilled using a .5 drill. Next I take a small drill and drill a series of holes through the plug and not the crank threads. After about 10 holes a chisel is used on the plug driving the bit of plug towards the center hole. As the plug has been weakened the theory is that it should break away from the threads at the drilled location. Incredibly it works and the plug has been removed without damaging the crank threads. Happiness all around. Of course taking it to a machine shop should yield the same results but where is the adventure in that.
To recap what has been done;
1 One finished bike ready for sale at the vintage show
2 1 engine and transmission in parts scattered around the garage.
3 1 frame in need of some welding and paint.
4 Above frame is a rolling chassis with a single rear shock and Kawasaki 636 front end. Pictures soon.
5 1 Eldorado frame, engine and transmission in parts somewhere in the garage.
Good thing it is cool outside and nice to work in the garage without sweating. I need to finish the Eldorado for the Barber vintage weekend this October. I want to ride it there from South FL.
It will need to have the oil passages modified for the later model oil pan with filter.
The electrical system needs to be upgraded to a 40 Amp (500+ Watt) alternator. DIY on how to build the brackets coming soon. I need to have heated grips and juice for heated vests. You never know, the temperature may dip into the 50s'.

The electronic ignition needs to be designed and built. More on that DIY later.
Wife inquires about the frames and parts stacking up in the garage. I mumble something about idle hands are the devils playground. She mumbles something about finishing one project at one time. I point to the finished bike and say it is up for sale. She is not convinced.

DRjoe · Jan 24, 2014

Great thread, keep up the good work

Scudman · Jan 24, 2014

My partner in crime shows up with two previous builds that will be entered in the Dania Beach Vintage Bike Show tomorrow. They will not win any one category as they fit none. Still it will be fun to watch peoples reaction to these homebuilt "Frankenbikes".

Back to the nasty business at hand. Since this build is to update the older version of the Eldo engine and make it more reliable, the cases will be modified to accept the later oil filter sump. There is a nice write up right here on this great website about how to modify the early 850cc case. I do not have a floor drill press so the case was taken to my friend AKA Dennis the toolmaker. Dennis is the pickiest human on this planet. He lives in the world of .0001". Utter perfection is his goal and he nails it every time. Sometimes I hate him. He drilled and modified the case on his large Bridgeport milling machine. Outstanding work as always. If you need this upgrade shoot me a PM. Total cost $200 + shipping. I had the later front bearing and oil pan from the earlier Guzzi purchase. Note the transfer center punches in oil passages. They are straight and dead on center.

Scudman · Jan 28, 2014

Glad to say that I was wrong on the entered bikes. The Steam punk Cafe got second place in the 80 and newer Cafe Racer class. I am pleased. The saga continues with the other Cafe Racer under construction. It is a roller so pushing it around the garage is much easier.

Ignore the Eldo in the background. It just slows my progress down.
The parts for the sandblasting have been washed and this weekend they should be done. Then reassembly of the Eldo drive train shall start. Need to buy the gasket and seal kit first.

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