Subject: Re: 73 Eldo - runs good cold, bad hot, need advice...
Author: Ian Adkins
Date: Jul 23, 2001, 9:32 PM
Post ID: 1707616731
Ron,
Pinging would likely indicate bad timing? Besides....if you are running rich
you will see the indications on your plugs.
My bet is the timing. Either that or the mixture is too lean but if that was
the case you would be getting a back fire or a pop.
I have heard that these bikes like to run hot. I just came back from the
Ontario rally yesterday and it was a hot day. No problem with the bike. You
shouldn't have one either...even on the hottest of days if the bike is
properly set up.
Hmmmm....bought it from Harper's eh? Why am I not surprised the bike isn't
in a perfect state of tune. Call Mark at MG Classics. He'll get you
straight. Heck if you were close to me I would get you straight. When I
rebuilt my 70 Ambo I set the timing by eye and the bike has run perfectly
for over 500 miles. These things aren't hard to figure out....and shouldn't
be for the "experts".
By the way...the idle and mixture screws are for idle....not for running. if
you want to properly adjust the mixture you need to raise or lower the
tapered needles in the carb. However you shouldn't have too if the parts are
in good shape. Set everything to factory.
Yes..detonation can burn a hole in the pistons or damage the bike. Best to
sort it out before continuing running the bike.
Best of luck.....Ian
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Hornbaker <ro-@hksi.net>
To: Loopfram-@topica.com <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Date: July 23, 2001 6:41 PM
Subject: 73 Eldo - runs good cold, bad hot, need advice...
| Hi Everyone, First time MG owner here, first post. Just bought a consignment '73 Eldo from Harper's Moto Guzzi in Greenwood, MO (nice folks... http://www.harpermotoguzzi.com/), but I'm having some engine problems. I'll be calling them tomorrow, but wanted to get some advice from the list prior to that. The bike starts and runs good when cold. Took it out with my wife on back (I'm 215 pounds, she's 115) last evening in Kansas City, about 98 degrees, and after it warmed up it started running terribly: going up a gentle hill, it was pinging like crazy (on premium unleaded), and couldn't get above about 45 mph. I couldn't keep the idle going at stop signs without revving it, and the usual valve clatter was magnified by about 10X. Got it home (barely), and tried to adjust the idle, to no avail. I'm not a wrench, and don't play one on TV. Took both sets of screws in tight, then back out 1.5 turns, and tried to get it smoothed out from there. Once the bike cooled off for a couple of hours, it started running better again. Choke cable seems to have decent play in it when shut off completely, but I wonder if the choke could stick and cause too rich a mixture when hot? Any helpful hints on what to do/try next would be appreciated. I'm concerned most about the pinging, as I've heard that pre-detonation like that can wreak havok on piston heads and cylinder walls. Regards, Ron |