Subject: Loopy Weekend
Author: David Washburn
Date: May 11, 2003, 3:25 PM
Post ID: 1712951960
Went to look at a bike in Astoria Queens with former Guzzi Neophyte
Chris Mitchell. Chris has ascended a step in the pantheon to Guzzi Guru
because:
(a) I actually saw him riding a loop, and, (b) He had a neopyhte of
his own under instruction. The bike we looked at was in police trim
with Amal carbs and a front disk. It was amusing to see the owner
tickle the carbs to get the beast to go. The aforementioned owner
wanted some long green for his bike so Chris and I snickered behind our
hands and steered our neophyte away. The bike looked to be a "bitsa"
and its pedigree from Ghost Motorcycle sales did not add to the glamour.
After a grueling series of Mother's day brunches I made my way
sluggishly to the garage. Today I made ally spacers to take a little
freeplay out of the Eldo/SP throttle cables. Gordon at MG Cycle found
me the unusual cables to make my project go. He also had 8mm/6mm step
studs to mount the Moto Speziale delrin intakes.
I had to make six small pattern nuts to bolt up the manifolds as space
was very tight. I did that by drilling out 4mm (8mm O.D.)nuts and
tapping them out to 6mm. I proudly showed my handiwork to Tom LaNasa
and he pointed out that I could have used the stock 8mm bolts like those
on his CX as they have slotted heads -- Buy a loop Mr. Know-it-all!
I have the new sidecovers ready to go on the Eldo, they just need decals
and spacers to bring them out an inch to clear the new 36 mm carbs.
When I get the new carb venturis fitted I hope they will clear my garden
tractor battery otherwise I will have to spend real money for a gel
cell.
Tom and I started the bike last week but it did not idle happily. Tom
suggested lifting the needles a notch which we will do as soon as the
latest CARE package from Gordon comes in the post.
I am looking forward to another ride down to the shore to visit with Cam
and Keith. This time it will be on the Loop!
David