Subject: RE: Checkin in
Author: Ambo-@netscape.net
Date: Jul 26, 2003, 9:26 PM
Post ID: 1713926098
Hi Pete,
Sounds like an enjoyable day except for the running out of gas part!
I had a semi-fun day even though the bike only shows three more kilometers than before. Kilometers?! In the morning, the dude who bought the Gravely garden tractor I sold on Ebay came up from NC to pick it up. After he left I push mowed a while then wound some more string on the trimmer - boy the excitement! It was getting a bit too hot for comfort working outside, so I sat in the nice cool shop and pondered what to do. The little baggy with two new Falcone clutch throwout bearings (Thanks Gordon!) sat on my work bench, so I decided to finally make some progress on the customer's bike. After a half-hour of fighting to get the old one out it finally released it's grip after liberal application of the "electric fire wrench" (heat gun), vise grips and a pry bar. The new one fit in without any fuss and the cover and cable were back in place quickly. Spurred by this accomplishment, after lunch the petcocks from my Stornello were swapped in to temporarily replace the leaky originals and a front brake cable was adapted from a used Ambo one.
I flipped on the left petcock, "tickled" the carb a bit, then pulled in the compression release and kicked it around until the little arrows on the flywheel and case aligned. Another heave on the kickstart lever resulted in a slow, rhythmic thumping not unlike that of the tractor that left earlier. Great! Put the petrified seat back on and dropped it down onto the wheels, pulled in the clutch and engaged first. Eased out the clutch and the old beast lunged forward and rolled along through my yard under it's own power for the first time in nearly twenty years. Overall gearing seems quite tall, so it's not under I get out onto the road that second is necessary - this thing is supremely torquey. Front brake lever comes way back to the grip, but the rear is powerful and progressive even though the heel activated pedal takes some acclimation. Up and down the road and around the yard I go, feeling like a kid with a new minibike. Might have been only a few more kilometers showing on the speedo at the end of the day, but it was definitely a kick to ride. As soon as the owner supplies me with a new seat and I get it mounted, more kilometers will accumulate quickly. Maybe even ride it on the Nostalgia Run this year and to the Moto Fest! Obligatory Loop content - wish I had one of these to go with the Ambos! Cheers,
Charlie.
p.s. Took some pics today, will post then a.s.a.p. so y'all can see this thing!
Pete <plsch-@aol.com> wrote:
| The loop has been in drydock for a few months ( too many excuses ) got the carbs put back on after dropping in replacement needle valves and enricheners. ( Thanks to Bob Hawkes for removal tips. Worked great Bob) Runs like a top now. Beautiful Saturday afternoon. Took it out to Carlisle ( Bike show this weekend), cruised with some Harleys, ran out of gas a block from a gas station ( I have GOT to put a a proper secondary petcock in the tank someday) , ran down to Gettysburg through some apple orchards, had a milkshake and watched the tourists. Back up Rt 15 to home. Guzzi ran great except when I starved it for fuel. Man this is a great machine!!! Next step, buy a solo seat from Mark. Hope you all had some fun this weekend too! |
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