Roy's Eldorado Adventure

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

That's probably an original, there have been several updates since due to issues with the spring breaking.

[Kiwi_Roy]

That's probably an original, there have been several updates since due to issues with the spring breaking.

I thought to myself, "how would Charlie know it's an original", later when ordering, the new style have 3 coils.

I think I need another generator bracket, just the bottom half. I painted mine and I think it went out with the garbage.
If anyone has one laying around please let me know.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I think I need another generator bracket, just the bottom half. I painted mine and I think it went out with the garbage.
If anyone has one laying around please let me know.

Buy one of the new, heavier made ones and add the extra support back to the distributor bolt as shown on Greg's website. Use studs instead of bolts to attach it to the engine case.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I already loctited a pair of 8 x 30 exhaust studs into the block, a friend Ed Walton told me to do that before he passed away.
He had a nice ex LAPD and several other nice Guzzis

He also told me to go with an alternator but I kind of like the old school generator, it's come 130,000 miles, should be good for a few more I reckon.

I will check Greg's out.

[normzone]

That pawl spring looks familiar, I had one of those special two-piece ones after about 80K or so.

"signs of previous violence"  - I like that. The crime scene was untouched when you got there.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I will check Greg's out.

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_generator_bracket.html

[Kiwi_Roy]

In the last week while waiting for the new shift return spring I have had the gearbox apart half a dozen times checking on stuff. Today I read Pete Ropers tutorial on shimming the gearbox so of course I had to pull it apart again to add a 0.025" shim in the shifter drum. I don't know if I have it in the right end but I dare say taking up the slack is better than nothing, I didn't have any other shim material but 2 shims (50 thou) locked up the drum.
I think I'm pretty familiar with the gearbox now.

Last week John D. of Grand Forks BC got in touch to say he had the generator bracket I need. Not only did he send the bracket free of charge he also included a generator, regulator a brand new belt and side covers so needless to say I'm very pleased with that, thanks John.
Canuck750 is also sending me some parts, hopefully I have all I need now.

A question re the exhaust, it's pretty grungy so I want to paint it, eventually I may purchase a new one but funds are a bit tight.
Any recommendation on something I can apply myself?
Thanks
Roy

[Chuck in Indiana]

Good for John.  ;-T I've used BBQ paint, semi gloss, on the Lario exhaust to good effect. From memory  ::) it was Rustoleum.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Thanks for the tip Chuck, I will check it out.

Further on I put the gearbox together for the last time but I notices there was a small amount of end float (about 0.5mm) in the clutch shaft. It turned out the bearing was set into the housing so it was below flush, Jim aka Canuck750 suggested that wasn't correct and advised me to use some bearing fix, so I fabricated a shim and installed it between the bearing and the bearing stop along with Loctite. I find a cold chisel in the vice is the quickest way of making an inside hole, in even up to 1/8 steel plate, believe it or not the end result was quite round and reasonably concentric.

Torqued everything up one last time and slapped it back on the motor.

Of course I left out the little plate that pushes on the clutch but that was only a practice run ;D
Soon had it back together with no spare parts and trundled it out to meet the frame.

Reunited at last

Now If I can just get my spokes back in I can shop for new shoes.
Oh I have to put my painters hat on next.

[canuck750]

Looks great Roy! Quite the transition from a tired and unloved heap to another saved classic
Cheers
Jim

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

 ;-T ;-T

[Maaka]

Kia Ora Kiwi Roy

Just letting you know that I have just purchased a  worn looking 73 Eldorado, 20,000 on the clock, and is shipping its way to NZ soonish, so most interested in your thread and rebuild here.
Maaka
Maungaturoto

[Kiwi_Roy]

Kia Ora Kiwi Roy

Just letting you know that I have just purchased a  worn looking 73 Eldorado, 20,000 on the clock, and is shipping its way to NZ soonish, so most interested in your thread and rebuild here.
Maaka
Maungaturoto

Hi, I noticed your intro, welcome to the forum. I'm sure the 20,000 is more like 120,000, just a little worn for a Guzzi.
As you can see there are several experts here who have patiently helped me along with the rebuild, parts are readily available both new and recycled.
My bro Kiwikev is just down the track from you, he along with his son got infected after paying me a visit ;D

[Kiwi_Roy]

It's been a while, I have been busy with other things.
I do have the wheels re-laced.
I started out using a jig that a friend had made to re-do his wheels, the idea is to clamp the components in perfect alignment then replace the spokes but unfortunately his wheels were different from mine.
With the help of Canuck750 I made a different arrangement so I could spin them between a couple of forks.


I plan on making these tubeless, hopefully that will work out

I made a feeble attempt at painting the tin bits via rattle can, fortunately one of the guys in the club is a professional painter. he took charge
and rescued the bits before I could do irreparable harm, when I get those back I will have no excuse.

I have been tinkering with the switches, what a piece of c---- those pillbox switches are, I need to come up with something better than that.

[normzone]

That frame/engine image "Reunited at last" - talk about time travel, you just took me back 33 years.

Thank you - I can smell the paint.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I have been tinkering with the switches, what a piece of c---- those pillbox switches are, I need to come up with something better than that.

I've said it before: One man's "piece of crap" is another man's "has worked fine for 46 years and 107k miles".  ;) Wire in relays and keep the contacts clean and they'll last virtually forever.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Mine never had relays, the current heated some of the posts so much they melted the plastic, I tried but it's beyond hope.


Sent from my shoe phone!

[Skeeve]

Where can I get 4-3/8" SS spokes?

I'm sure they're pricey, but Buchanan's is where everyone goes who wants a spoke wheel built right the 1st time...

[Kiwi_Roy]

I bought mine from MG Cycle, just a bit over $100 per wheel c/w nipples.


Sent from my shoe phone!

[SmokyBC]

What a project! I admire your perseverance.  :bow

I just did barrels and pistons, carb rebuild, and ignition wires on my '73 Eldorado. I fired it up today, for the first time in 7 years. It runs!

[Kiwi_Roy]

It's about time I updated you guys.

I converted the wheels to tubeless and had new rubber fitted

so she's back on her wheels.
http://s1304.photobucket.com/user/Kiwi_Roy/slideshow/72%20Eldo/Sealing%20Wheels

It must have taken me 3 hours to get the carburetor cables back together, I found I had to remove them all and connect them to the splitter first, of course you old Loop owners know that, mine came in a box.
I'll do the static timing this evening and I should be counting down to launch (firing up the motor) tomorrow evening.
Still have quite a bit to do like bolting the sump on correctly.

Oh. I almost forgot, I went to paint up the rear end and found I couldn't turn it. As it happens the pinion is toast, half the metal is gone along with teeth on the crown wheel. The mind boggles as to how the PO was riding it, must have been like a gravel crusher going down the road. This was the last thing I expected I mean how can you trash a rear end and not notice?

So needless to say I'm on the lookout for a new rear end, a buddy loaned me one for now but I will have to give it up ASAP

[Kiwi_Roy]

Big event tonight, after burning the midnight oil for several days I announced that the bike would be started for the first time in 30 years at 8:15 PM.
Seven friends turned up for the event, we stood around BSing for a while until I could put it off no longer,

I had the ignition hot wired and a small fuel tank, I turned the fuel on, no leaks, that's a good sign.
Opened the choke, Jumped the starter solenoid and she burst into life in less than a revolution, firing on both.

After letting it warm up for a while I was able to close the choke so I let it high idle for a few minutes then shut her down and we all went to the local for a celebratory beer.

[balvenie]

Onya Roy

[Kiwi_Roy]

A question for the experts.
The thread in the heads where the exhaust nuts screw into feels as though it's almost to the point of stripping so I didn't do them up very tight.

Is there a good fix for that?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A question for the experts.
The thread in the heads where the exhaust nuts screw into feels as though it's almost to the point of stripping so I didn't do them up very tight.

Is there a good fix for that?

I use these header nuts with lockring:



They seem to be just a little larger diameter than the originals so are tighter in the threads. The lockring helps keep them from loosening.

[hooah54]

Wow...great job...I have enjoyed viewing the last five pages. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

Finally late on Sunday evening I got the tinware on and took her for a short ride





She still has a ways to go but at least for now with all the new bits not on the scrap heap

Many thanks to Charlie of Antietam Classic Cycle and Canuck750 Jim for their generous offers of advice
John Chicoine for rebuilding the Uni joint and petcock parts
John Dymond in Grand Forks for sending me some parts I needed
Moto Lobo Rob for the loan of a back end when I really needed one
Allan for the great paint job
MG Cycle just for being there with the parts for all these old girls

I still need a new back end if anyone has one lying around to replace the shattered original, the same rear end fits many Guzzis of that era.

Charlie said "You need a rear drive with 8/37 gears, so that narrows it down to three units that will fit: Eldorado, 850-T and V700. The last is in a different housing, the "starburst", but will work perfectly, it just won't be "correct"."
Thanks Charlie

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Lookin' good! 

You need a rear drive with 8/37 gears, so that narrows it down to three units that will fit: Eldorado, 850-T and V700. The last is in a different housing, the "starburst", but will work perfectly, it just won't be "correct".

[Kiwi_Roy]

Sorry, more questions.
The bike came cluttered with numerous rusty scrap iron brackets adorned with a mixture of lights and do-dads. I threw most of it away just keeping anything that looked remotely OEM
In the box of bits came a number of old Lucas direction indicators, it looks like I might be able to use these but I couldn't figure out where they mount at the front. I know the cop bikes had a light bar.
Could someone show me a detail picture of the civilian setup.

I assume the rear indicators attach to the license plate holder under the plate holding screws, is this correct?


The left hand side cover is drilled with a pair of holes that look like they were for a decal, what goes on there?

Thanks
Roy


 

[canuck750]

Looking good Roy!

Great job saving another Guzzi.

Cheers

Jim