Author Topic: My 74 Eldorado build (Read 9039 times)

toolittletime · « **on:** June 30, 2017, 08:56:49 PM »

First off let me say that this would have been impossible without this forum and the many helpful members, especially Charlie from Antietam Classic Cycle....and Greg Benders fantastic site. The bike was given to me last year by my best friend of 30 years, Joe L, shortly before his death, with the understanding that I would bring it alive again. He was the second owner.....first was his brother in law Harold who bought it new in Dothan AL.

My purpose was not to make it a show queen or an authentic restoration, but rather a nice looking, good running bike. Of course I did new Gilardoni cylinders...pistons ...etc. Mostly new chrome everywhere, since it was pitted beyond repair. New seals , and bearings pretty much everywhere. Tires and all rubber parts. New wiring harness with all the relays from Greg Bender. Stripped the engine down and removed the crank....amazing how much junk came out of it. The paint job I did myself, and may in the future have the tank redone by a pro. Started it earlier in the week, and it fired right up. This morning I had to remove and reset the distributor 1 tooth, so as to have more room to advance the timing. I had it running so good that I had to take it for a ride.

Here's a before pic.

And an after.

I have also posted a video of my first ride today.

Check it out on youtube https://youtu.be/JMjwooayLks

Thanks for all the help, and I am sure I will be back for more............... ....Tim

Psychopasta · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2017, 09:09:33 PM »

Congratulations! Great job!

- P

canuck750 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2017, 10:20:32 PM »

Looks great

Lannis · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2017, 08:10:47 AM »

Looking and sounding good! Now all it needs is road time .... !

Lannis

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2017, 08:10:47 AM »

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2017, 08:51:03 AM »

Tom H · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2017, 05:17:59 PM »

Nice job!! Like the Eldo Joe!

Tom

Turin · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2017, 11:42:07 PM »

I like the Tomato red and white combination. Looks and sounds great!

toolittletime · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2017, 01:13:13 PM »

After taking her out several times in the past week I have racked up an impressive 75 miles.

Still running perfectly and starts up immediately with one push of the starter button. I checked the cylinder temps with my IR gun at the same location on each side and they are within 5 degrees of each other. Still idling nicely..... I will shortly check all of the bolts for tightness, but at what point should I re torque the head bolts? Anything else ??
Thanks..........Tim

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2017, 04:42:08 PM »

Quote from: toolittletime on July 06, 2017, 01:13:13 PM

After taking her out several times in the past week I have racked up an impressive 75 miles. Still running perfectly and starts up immediately with one push of the starter button. I checked the cylinder temps with my IR gun at the same location on each side and they are within 5 degrees of each other. Still idling nicely..... I will shortly check all of the bolts for tightness, but at what point should I re torque the head bolts? Anything else ??
Thanks..........Tim

If you've had it completely apart, retorque timing cover, oil pan and intake manifold bolts along with the head nuts. All of those gaskets compress, so it's a good idea to snug 'em down again. Doesn't hurt to snug up the exhaust nuts while hot as well.

IMO, you almost can't retorque the head nuts too often for the first 500 miles. Without knowing your sequence thus far, I'd say "after five complete heat/cool cycles". That is, get it up to operating temp and let it cool back to ambient temp five times, then retorque and adjust the valves. After that, 500 miles or so.

toolittletime · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2017, 09:00:06 PM »

Torqued the head bolts......reset valves.....had to add a windshield....the tall one from MG Cycle, and it is the perfect height, with the solo seat. Also found a tail bag I had for wallet, cell phone, etc. This bike reminds me a lot of my 69 Triumph Bonneville.

Tim

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2017, 10:37:28 PM »

JoeW · « **Reply #11 on:** July 18, 2017, 05:27:32 PM »

I like your color choices and accents, the shocks and horns!

Bucky · « **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2017, 08:44:09 PM »

Beautiful job.

Diploman · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2017, 08:30:06 AM »

Very fine update to this beautiful vintage machine. Congrats!

nashopolis · « **Reply #14 on:** September 09, 2017, 06:16:13 PM »

Looks great - thanks for the inspiration!

vintagehoarder · « **Reply #15 on:** September 09, 2017, 06:20:26 PM »

Sweet, beautiful!

toolittletime · « **Reply #16 on:** September 19, 2017, 07:55:27 PM »

I recently added some pin striping to the tank. First I lightly sanded the tank with 1500 paper wet, and then applied the additional wider vinyl pin striping.
After that 2 or 3 coats of this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spray-Max-2K-Spray-High-Gloss-CLEAR-COAT-3680061-FREE-SHIPPING-/132330112247?vxp=mtr

Looks fantastic now, like a real professional finish.

Should have done this to begin with............... .....Tim

Joshua · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2017, 12:19:44 AM »

Looks great, very unique paint scheme, I'm a big fan!!

Well Done!

toolittletime · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2017, 03:04:47 PM »

Just got my brake pedal and shifter back from the chrome guy. He did an excellent job, with a turn around time of about 10 days. Charged 200.00 for both pieces, + postage. Since I have not had any chrome work done in 20 years, it sounded like a fair price to me. Both pieces were in bad shape. He will give you an estimate if you send him pictures of the stuff you want chromed. No personal insolvent with the guy, but just wanted to pass on his name and web site if you need anything chromed, he will do an excellent job.
Got the new rubbers for the shifter from MG Cycle.

[urlhttps://spokanemetalfinishing.com/][/url]

His name is Kim Degenstein.

Tim

canuck750 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2017, 05:04:59 PM »

Pin stripes on the tank look great :1:

mcdammitt · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2017, 03:05:16 PM »

Love seeing another Eldo on the road again! Great job

Garmst · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2018, 02:50:56 AM »

Howdy,
did you change main bearings? I am looking for used undersize mains to fit to my crank. It is just at lower limit and no need to grind.

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Author Topic: My 74 Eldorado build (Read 9039 times)

canuck750

Wildguzzi.com

canuck750