Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?
Author: Robert Hawkes
Date: Aug 17, 2002, 7:43 AM
Post ID: 1710824194
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Yes, up front work is crucial, a bit difficult for me because I am still relatively new at what to look for but with this list and some books I am getting there. Thanks for your insight. Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Greg Field
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 10:16 AM
Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?
Bob:
I wish it was as easy as just looking at them. When I got Maude, I went through everything except the rear end and gearbox and made everything right, before I even drove it. It was a low-mileage bike, but most of the miles had been on dirt roads in Iowa, and maintenance had been neglected.
I pulled the heads because I was warned by the PO that it smoked a bit. Chrome was shot on the cylinders, so I replaced them. The intake boot was cracked in three places, so I replaced it and the airbox with individual K&N filters. I then replaced the timing-chain tensioner, all the rubber hoses, and lubed and tightened everything. Then, I drove it for two years before swapping the motor and everything onto another frame that I had powdercoated. At the same time I added footboards, dual-disc front end, a windshield, and the longer Koni shocks from my broken LeMans 1000, and converted the engine to run gears. I also changed out the clutch because the original had 30,000 miles and I was in there (it still worked OK).
For the next three years, I didn't have to do anything to it except tuneups (valves, points, synch carbs) about once a year, one gen belt, many tire and oil changes, and lubing cables until Tuesday when I tore down the driveline for a look. All the splines still had a little lube (I used that BMW grease Dave Richardson then recommended, though he no longer does) and were in great shape.
So I've got some time and money in the bike, but I spent the time up front getting things right, and it paid off. I've been lucky, I guess. Someday, something major will blow (I'm guessing it will be the tranny), but until then, I'm just gonna ride it and not worry.
I've bought another low mileage, somewhat neglected Eldo, and I'm slowly doing the same "lube everything and make it right before you ride it." When I have it up and running, I hope it, too, will stay that way for a long time.
GF
On Saturday, August 17, 2002, at 03:48 AM, Robert Hawkes wrote:
Greg,
You write books about Guzzis. You just look at a Guzzi and they behave (OK, I have an active imagination). I have to work at it.
Just two weeks ago my starter quit. I was bummed but I just took the solenoid apart, cleaned the contacts put her back together and she was ready to go. The week before that I noticed my battery charger light was still on 'red' indicating that the battery was not charging. Took a look and it was just that the cable on the positive side was a bit loose.
I hope you didn't take my remark the wrong way (maybe I was too strident, sorry) it's just that there are little things, at least on my bike, that can make it unreliable unless I do regular preventive maintenance. I was suprised when you reported all those miles you had ridden with minimal maintenance. Believe me, I'm jealous! Bob
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<DIV><STRONG><FONT color=#000080 size=4>Yes, up front work is crucial, a bit
difficult for me because I am still relatively new at what to look for but with
this list and some books I am getting there. Thanks for your
insight. Bob</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000080 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=-@cwizard.com href="mailto:gre-@cwizard.com">Greg Field</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=Loopf-@topica.com
href="mailto:Loopfram-@topica.com">Loopfram-@topica.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, August 17, 2002 10:16
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: "Modern" Guzzis?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>Bob:<BR><BR>I wish it was as easy as just looking at them. When
I got Maude, I went through everything except the rear end and gearbox and
made everything right, before I even drove it. It was a low-mileage bike, but
most of the miles had been on dirt roads in Iowa, and maintenance had been
neglected.<BR><BR>I pulled the heads because I was warned by the PO that it
smoked a bit. Chrome was shot on the cylinders, so I replaced them. The intake
boot was cracked in three places, so I replaced it and the airbox with
individual K&N filters. I then replaced the timing-chain tensioner, all
the rubber hoses, and lubed and tightened everything. Then, I drove it for two
years before swapping the motor and everything onto another frame that I had
powdercoated. At the same time I added footboards, dual-disc front end, a
windshield, and the longer Koni shocks from my broken LeMans 1000, and
converted the engine to run gears. I also changed out the clutch because the
original had 30,000 miles and I was in there (it still worked OK).<BR><BR>For
the next three years, I didn't have to do anything to it except tuneups
(valves, points, synch carbs) about once a year, one gen belt, many tire and
oil changes, and lubing cables until Tuesday when I tore down the driveline
for a look. All the splines still had a little lube (I used that BMW grease
Dave Richardson then recommended, though he no longer does) and were in great
shape. <BR><BR>So I've got some time and money in the bike, but I spent the
time up front getting things right, and it paid off. I've been lucky, I guess.
Someday, something major will blow (I'm guessing it will be the tranny), but
until then, I'm just gonna ride it and not worry.<BR><BR>I've bought another
low mileage, somewhat neglected Eldo, and I'm slowly doing the same "lube
everything and make it right before you ride it." When I have it up and
running, I hope it, too, will stay that way for a long
time.<BR><BR>GF<BR><BR><BR>On Saturday, August 17, 2002, at 03:48 AM, Robert
Hawkes wrote:<BR><BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE><B><?color><?param 0000,0000,8080><?bigger>Greg,<?/bigger><?/color></B><BR><B><?color><?param 0000,0000,8080><?bigger>You
write books about Guzzis. You just look at a Guzzi and they behave
(OK, I have an active imagination). I have to work at it.<?/bigger><?/color></B><BR> <BR><B><?color><?param 0000,0000,8080><?bigger>Just
two weeks ago my starter quit. I was bummed but I just took the
solenoid apart, cleaned the contacts put her back together and she was ready
to go. The week before that I noticed my battery charger light was
still on 'red' indicating that the battery was not charging. Took a
look and it was just that the cable on the positive side was a bit loose.<?/bigger><?/color></B><BR> <BR><B><?color><?param 0000,0000,8080><?bigger>I
hope you didn't take my remark the wrong way (maybe I was too strident,
sorry) it's just that there are little things, at least on my bike,
that can make it unreliable unless I do regular preventive
maintenance. I was suprised when you reported all those miles you had
ridden with minimal maintenance. Believe me, I'm jealous! Bob<?/bigger><?/color></B><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE>
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