Subject: RE: Who's doing a Ambo/Eldo project, rebuild,upgrade etc
Author: Ray Hale
Date: Feb 11, 2005, 5:34 AM
Post ID: 1718373498
Wow,
maybe the question should have been who *isn't* doing the Ambo/Eldo
project! I picked up my 73 Eldo civilian about 2 years ago. It was
complete and original and running (loosely defined). Last time it was
tagged was in '82 with 29k on the clock. I paid too much for it but I
had pulled the trailer all the way from Florida (1000 mile round trip)
and was determined to own an Eldo...now! I'm pretty sure I bought from a
middle-man, who obtained the bike, retitled it, and sold. Oh well. I had
the fever.
Turns out the gas tank was toast. It had more holes in it than any
bladder I've ever seen, including in junk yards. Only thing holding gas
in was the paint. No kidding. Thankfully, Mark was able to find me a
really nice tank.
Clutch parts with splines were all like vampire teeth. I'm looking at
RAM clutch.
Jugs were unusable due to worn chrome lining. I bought Gilardoni
Nikasil.
Exhaust system thin and leaking. Not sure yet.
Seat and fairing...toast. Will run windshield and Mark's solo seat &
pillion.
Amazingly, everything else was pretty good. All electrics worked. I rode
it a few miles just to satisfy myself that I actually owned an Eldo, not
just the several boxes of parts it would soon become.
I've stripped it completely down (every nut and bolt, every part),
except trans and rear drive (yet), and replaced or repaired everything.
List is huge, as is the bill.
Waiting for funds for exhaust, clutch, and paint. My son will do the
paint and maybe teach the old dog some things. I've worked on something
almost every day since I purchased. Now, I have to sit out in my shop
and stare for long periods to find something that needs doing, while I
wait to win the Lotto. I think that's progress.
This bike will be the best I've ever built, both mechanically and
aesthetically. Not that I've done a lot but it requires more than one
hand to count them. For sure I wouldn't be this far in the project
without this list. When I built my first bike in the late 60's (42 HD
flattie) I only had a few friends to annoy and occasionally a mechanic
at the dealer who was in a decent mood from time to time.
Ray
pax sine tedio
73 Eldo "19"