Poor mis-understood Convert on Ebay

[brider]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Moto-Guzzi-Other/113148191487?hash=item1a582862ff%3Ag%3A8OoAAOSwQsdbSPQX&_sacat=6000&_nkw=1976+moto+guzzi+convert&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=m570.l1313&LH_TitleDesc=0

"Running gears are broken, I've been advised that these units are available from used sources in Italy.
Motor runs..."

Note the miles @ 21k. Could be either the classic flywheel failure OR ATF pump hex-drive failure, or likely both. Poor thing has likely been abandoned all these years because of what the owner THINKS the fix involves. Scaring everyone away telling them it needs parts from Italy.

[Denis]

So it's listed as if it's in Florida, it has a Virginia title but the bike is in Pennsylvania.
Who's bike is it really?

Could be the rear gears are broken.

[NC Steve]

I saw this listing last night and wondered if Charlie Mellendore might know anything about it.

He's the go-to Convert guy in the VA/MD areas...

[brider]

My only point was that I interpret the writeup as secondhand knowledge reported by someone who assumed it was "running gears" because it just wouldn't move forward anymore. "Running gears" says to me they don't know WHAT it is, and not understanding Converts, they assume it's a tranny or rear end. Not likely to be either.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I saw this listing last night and wondered if Charlie Mullendore might know anything about it.

He's the go-to Convert guy in the VA/MD areas...

Nope, never saw it before now. Sadly, unless someone wants a "money pit" project (spend $3k on a bike worth $2k), it's likely a parts bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'd like to have the bags.. but not for $1100. 

[chuck peterson]

I like the patina this one has going on. Sort of a Matt black/stealth/invisible to radar/special ops look. Couple more years in the sun should do it. Buy it for the body work and put it all on a good runner and you'd have a pair with the Tetanus T3............

So many opportunities, so little time. This has all the bits and pieces for that Vert look and the stainless fenders lure you in against the rocks to think "can't by that hard to fix..."

[brider]

I like the patina this one has going on. "can't by that hard to fix..."

But it CAN'T be that hard to fix! Ad says it runs, if it's the flywheel you just need to find one of those, if it's the hex-drive in the front cover you just have to find one of those, all a man has is to do it ONCE and he won't be tempted to do it again, so your pain and frustration are already limited!

[JJ]

Nope, never saw it before now. Sadly, unless someone wants a "money pit" project (spend $3k on a bike worth $2k), it's likely a parts bike.

Agree that assessment 100%!! 

Should be titled:  "Guzzi BEATER of the Week!!" (lol)    "Caveat Emptor!!"

[Chuck in Indiana]

But it CAN'T be that hard to fix! Ad says it runs, if it's the flywheel you just need to find one of those, if it's the hex-drive in the front cover you just have to find one of those, all a man has is to do it ONCE and he won't be tempted to do it again, so your pain and frustration are already limited!

That's a good point. 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Could be either the classic flywheel failure OR ATF pump hex-drive failure, or likely both.

The seller says the engine cranks over via the starter and then fires up and runs.  If the flywheel failed at the weak points (where it bolts to the crankshaft) wouldn't that render the starter useless in cranking over the engine? 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The seller says the engine cranks over via the starter and then fires up and runs.  If the flywheel failed at the weak points (where it bolts to the crankshaft) wouldn't that render the starter useless in cranking over the engine?

Correct. So, the flywheel isn't the issue. Could be something as simple as the "hex piece".

[giusto]

The seller says the engine cranks over via the starter and then fires up and runs.  If the flywheel failed at the weak points (where it bolts to the crankshaft) wouldn't that render the starter useless in cranking over the engine?

Did you ask the seller a question via ebay and that was his response. If it cranks and engine starts and runs....could be mashed shifting dogs that wont engage...that's an easy fix. or hex key...coupler in the rear drive...rear drive....on and on

But 1100 for a running Convert...she deserves the attention

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Did you ask the seller a question via ebay and that was his response. If it cranks and engine starts and runs....could be mashed shifting dogs that wont engage...that's an easy fix. or hex key...coupler in the rear drive...rear drive....on and on

But 1100 for a running Convert...she deserves the attention

If the starter spins the engine, then the flywheel obviously isn't the problem.

$1100 is what I paid for my current one and that included delivery from NH. Didn't run, leaked everywhere. I never totaled up what I spent on it during the refurb, but it was at least $2k and probably 80 hours of my time. If one has to pay someone else to do the work, then the cash outlay could easily double. You really have to want a Convert bad in order to spend that sort of money.

[fotoguzzi]

But it CAN'T be that hard to fix!

, all a man has is to do it ONCE and he won't be tempted to do it again, 

thx, BTDT

[fotoguzzi]

Once all us old guys are gone this sort of bike will only be good as scrap metal.

[giusto]

  +1

[Lannis]

Once all us old guys are gone this sort of bike will only be good as scrap metal.

Every generation thinks that "they are the last".

Although I notice that even though no one now alive ever bought a motorcycle from the 1920s or 1930s when it was new, that if a Flying Merkel or Brough or Excelsior or JD Harley or Ace or Henderson from that era ever comes on the market, it tends to sell for a bit more than "scrap metal" value.

ANY motorcycle from that era, even a work-a-day Indian or BSA.   People buy them in any condition for big money, scrounge up parts, learn how they were put together, visit museums to find out what they looked like, have parts made, and then ride them in old-timer's events and trade them for 5 or 6 figures ...

The same will be true for a Guzzi Convert.   

Lannis (I have a strange sense of Deja Vu that I've made this argument before.   It still holds together, though ....)

[keener]

the thing is ..........its a really fricken  ugly motorcycle to begin with,........i dont get it, i would think you would be  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_
Guzzi has built some beautiful older  motorcycles and they are worth fixin and loving ...but these converts are pitiful and best forgotten

[chuck peterson]

the thing is ..........its a really fricken  ugly motorcycle to begin with,........i dont get it, i would think you would be  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_
Guzzi has built some beautiful older  motorcycles and they are worth fixin and loving ...but these converts are pitiful and best forgotten

Yup, pure junk. Why did I ever buy my leaking ugly 78 crappy paint job collection of rust and stainless fenders that needed a starter, flywheel, two diode boards, two gen rotors, three new brakes, left hand control switch, a zillion orings, scorched crank, new cylinders and Pistons, rotors, brake lines, throttle and clutch cables, front damper and springs, new rear shocks, paint, wheels, several 5gal containers of oil, brushes, and pinstripes to be any good at all......silly me, driving it for 120k after it was useless, oh well, never learn do I?

Have I told you about the 76 I picked up when the 78 was finished? Omg, what a waste, it was even worse.....yup, ugly bikes, don't touch em.......

Sorry I'm just sooooo sarcastic....I love a well sorted vert, they CAN look good if you buff them a little, but yes your starting w a brick outhouse...

[yogidozer]

I don't understand why MG doesn't have a Convert in their lineup.
Anyone who has ridden one, even for a short time, has liked them.
As a selling point, they could go with being unique.
Fit it with a good set of hard bags, quality windshield, and I think it would sell very well.
People like something that's not a "carbon copy" of everything else.....like cars are now, mostly

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't understand why MG doesn't have a Convert in their lineup.
Anyone who has ridden one, even for a short time, has liked them.
As a selling point, they could go with being unique.
Fit it with a good set of hard bags, quality windshield, and I think it would sell very well.
People like something that's not a "carbon copy" of everything else.....like cars are now, mostly

You are painting with a pretty wide brush. 

[yogidozer]

You are painting with a pretty wide brush. 
[/quote
You're right, I guess. Speaking for myself, I really enjoyed the one I tried.
Didn't think I would, because I prefer standard shift trucks/cars.
Would have been even better if Chuck wasn't slapping at my hand as I reached for the non existant clutch 

[Lannis]

Sorry I'm just sooooo sarcastic....I love a well sorted vert, they CAN look good if you buff them a little, but yes your starting w a brick outhouse...

I think that all of the Loops and the early Tontis are good-looking, business-like, heavy-duty-looking bikes.

I had a Convert for 7 months (didn't belong to me but I was baby-sitting it and it needed riding), and to me it was the weirdest and most uncomfortable bike I've ever been on.    I'm sure I'd have gotten used to the feeling that even with the throttle pinned, you felt like you were never going to get going ... but the raw discomfort was the bad thing.   Garden-tiller handlebars, floorboards, and the "passenger footrest" made into the bottom of the rear crashbar.   Fay and I couldn't go 25 miles without getting off of it and shaking the kinks out.   

It was a good solid high-mileage bike, but I'd have to change it in almost every way before I could use one ...

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

"Convert.. the answer to the question nobody asked.." was my first thought when riding one. 
The old man had a Buick Dyna flow in the 50s. Don't need another one.. 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

 I first rode a Convert when I was in my forties.  I didn't like it and didn't want it.  Rode one again when I was in my sixties.  Had to have it.  Never say never I suppose.

[yogidozer]

I first rode a Convert when I was in my forties.  I didn't like it and didn't want it.  Rode one again when I was in my sixties.  Had to have it.  Never say never I suppose.

guess it depends on where you ride.
I hate highway and city riding.
Backroads, looking for fly fishing or hiking places. My "Spot" wants to go ripping, missing all the good sights, my EV stays in 3rd.
A convert is a good sight seeing tool 

[nick949]

Having just completed a 2000 mile, 5 day ride in northern Ontario, including a 100 mile unpaved road stint https://youtu.be/U_ZK8Axc0Z8(for those that ain't seen it), I think I'm qualified to offer an opinion.

Damn fine solo touring bike!  I agree with Lannis that two-up it's a bit weird and scrunched, especially if you've been supersized from too many growth hormone infused burgers, as even with the little heel knob, I'll concede it's an odd relationship between the floorboard and the brake.

Solo though, it's a comfy couch with everything falling effortlessly to hand (or foot). I rode longish days and never once found it even slightly uncomfortable. The motor felt tireless and the transmission always worked seamlessly. To those used to modern bikes it may seem a little slow, but it will hustle off the line and up to cruising speed deceptively quickly. In the process it makes a lot of noise without seeming to be getting anywhere, but as soon as you ease off, the revs and noise drop and peace reigns.  Between 60 and 70mph it's entirely happy all day.

My Eldo was off the road, so the Convert was very much a second choice (ignoring the modern bikes which are no fun at all - far too reliable), but it did everything I asked for it and even obliged me with a roadside repair when it started to run rough and I had to clean the points. After that - flawless.  I returned with a new appreciation for it and I find I'm using it more and more - it is just so user friendly........... .and suitably funky.

Nick



click for full size

[Lannis]

Damn fine solo touring bike!  I agree with Lannis that two-up it's a bit weird and scrunched ...

Oh, you were doing so well, and then ...

especially if you've been supersized from too many growth hormone infused burgers, as even with the little heel knob, I'll concede it's an odd relationship between the floorboard and the brake.

it all went pear-shaped.   Wait, I don't really mean .... Oh heck with it ....

Lannis

[Dave Swanson]

I think a well sorted Convert is an attractive motorcycle.   I have always thought Convert fans are the lunatic fringe of Guzzidom.