Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive
 

Subject: Re: 73 Eldo - runs good cold, bad hot, need advice...

Author: Zerhackermann .

Date: Jul 24, 2001, 7:42 AM

Post ID: 1707620949

I just got back from the BMW national in Oregon. I spent 2 days riding my
Ambo through eastern WA and Oregon. The bike seemed completely unaffected
by the heat. Fried my rear tire, but the motor was fine.
Timing set by eye and I'm still tracking down carb probs...but she's still
pulling like a train.

Damn and I just put that white wall on the back a couple months ago. Damn
that desert sun.




 From: Ian Adkins <adk-@gte.net>
Reply-To: Loopfram-@topica.com
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: 73 Eldo - runs good cold, bad hot, need advice...
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 00:29:15 -0400

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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


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