The things you find..

[Chuck in Indiana]

 I've always said if you look for trouble on an old machine, you *will* find it. 
An old friend suddenly decided he needed a loop after reading Nick's book about riding one in Canada, eh? So he bought an Eldo. Not bad looking, but barely running. He asked if I would take a look at it, and since he *is* an old friend, I said I'd at least tell him what he has. I really don't like working on other people's bikes.. it reminds me of work. Working on mine is play..
But I digress..
Here's the first thing I found:
2018-11-12_12-20-09 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
See the air filters? Both have been on fire. 
That probably explains why there are additional fuel shut off valves..oh.. the hoses say, "not for fuel.."
The chokes may not work too well.
2018-11-12_12-20-28 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The DPO said the clutch needs adjusted. Uh oh. Hopefully it doesn't need to be adjusted to the scrap pile.. free play at the lever and transmission is ok.
At least it has Gilardonis..

[EldoMike]

Throttle cable is toasted...

[bodine99]

OH-BOY!!!!!!! Good luck and keep us posted. Hope he has a good Guzzi slush fund!!

[pehayes]

Typical form over function philosophy.  The second pic of the tank paint, chrome, and seat fabric look wonderful.  Somebody was far more concerned about image than operation.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Chuck in Indiana]

Throttle cable is toasted...

Oh, yeah.. there's more. I should know better than to get into something like this.  There are three prick punch marks on the crank pulley, but they have no bearing whatsoever on where the piston is on the S cylinder.. so far I've not been able to get it "just right" so I can do a leak down test. One of the fears I have is since the petcocks have obviously been leaking, it's been run with a crankcase full of gas, trashing the bearings, etc.

[oldbike54]

 Please tell us that the PO paid your friend at least 500 bucks to haul this thing away 

 Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

Typical form over function philosophy.  The second pic of the tank paint, chrome, and seat fabric look wonderful.  Somebody was far more concerned about image than operation.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Yeah, I'm afraid it's a "lipstick and rouge" job. When I see black under the valve covers, I immediately think blowby.. that's another reason I'm trying to do a leak down.
2018-11-12_03-11-37 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The spacer on the intake manifold looks suspicious to me, too. Like it's maybe been really hot.
Oh. This would have been exciting shortly, assuming it will actually run..
2018-11-12_03-16-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

[pete roper]

Why is there a piece of cheese next to the battery? Is to stop the mice eating the wiring loom?

[dguzzi]

Was there a milk crate strapped on that?

[malik]

Why is there a piece of cheese next to the battery? Is to stop the mice eating the wiring loom?

It's cheesecake, Pete - the deal sweetener.

[acogoff]

     That is a mighty fine job of securing the battery and the tape should keep an electrical short from happening for at least 10 minutes of riding.

[Roebling3]

You! A notable scribe of fixit stories and beyond. Although mine is not a motorcycle story, I've felt your rising pain. If you need an intervention? - - that's what we're here for.
Good fortune,  R3~

[brider]

Somebody was far more concerned about image than operation.

This is why my bikes are never really pretty. I have very little patience for spit and polish, when the maintenance needs tendin'-to. Oh, I appreciate a pretty bike, until I see a cracked throttle cable and missing choke cables. Probably didn't think it really needed a choke circuit (then cap it off, for cripe's sake!).

[huub]

pretty  typical for the bikes i tend to buy.
keep looking , and you will find interesting repairs using wood screws , sticky tape and worm drive clips
wit a 40 year old bike you buy 40 years of bodged repairs from the previous owners...

[kidsmoke]

pretty  typical for the bikes i tend to buy.
keep looking , and you will find interesting repairs using wood screws , sticky tape and worm drive clips
wit a 40 year old bike you buy 40 years of bodged repairs from the previous owners...

I had a worm drive clip save my bacon on a late Sunday eve flyover run through the midwest plains. Nothing but a convenience store "hardware" section for assistance after my Guzzi rattled off an important fastener. Worked a treat. I did replace it however, upon completion of the journey. We all know rear brakes are over-rated anyway.

Looks like fun Chuck.

[lucian]

Keep up the good work Chuck.  You'll soon have more great friends than you can count.   

[Chuck in Indiana]

Why is there a piece of cheese next to the battery? Is to stop the mice eating the wiring loom?

They'd need some dental work if they tried to eat *that* loom    although surprisingly most of the electrics work. It looks like the throttle cable..brittle and cracked.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You! A notable scribe of fixit stories and beyond. Although mine is not a motorcycle story, I've felt your rising pain. If you need an intervention? - - that's what we're here for.
Good fortune,  R3~

Yeah, I may need an intervention. This is probably more than I want to take on for someone else..

[Two Checks]

At least the B&S fuel shut off valve is a quality piece. I use em on all my bikes. Cheeper n better than oem.

[larrys]

I love learning the stories of old machines. They will tell you their life history as you take them apart. Looks like a decent project.
Larry

[blackcat]

Yeah, I may need an intervention. This is probably more than I want to take on for someone else..

I have no problem helping someone with their project provided they are actually doing the work while I advise them. If they don't want to get their fingers dirty, then maybe an old bike is not a good choice for them.                           

When you purchase an old bike, you have two choices, fix it yourself or pay a pro to work on your project bike, but bring plenty of cash.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I have no problem helping someone with their project provided they are actually doing the work while I advise them. If they don't want to get their fingers dirty, then maybe an old bike is not a good choice for them.                           

When you purchase an old bike, you have two choices, fix it yourself or pay a pro to work on your project bike, but bring plenty of cash.

He gave me a blank check, but I told him I really *don't* want a job. I'm guessing it will need the engine rebuilt, carbs rebuilt, new harness, new clutch, etc. I haven't even looked at the rear drive, drive shaft, u joint.. but they are "probably" ok. Tires look good except for being weather checked. I haven't looked at the date on them, but they are probably from when this last ran. Several years ago..
I'll look a little further before telling him to come get it.

[blackcat]

He gave me a blank check, but I told him I really *don't* want a job.

Blank check? Ship it to Charlie, as that is what he does and we know that it will be delivered back to him as a better than new finished bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well well.. something good for a change.  I took the crank pulleys off, cleaned them up, marked the timing marks and put a mark at TDC on the right so I could do a leak down on it. Oriented them correctly. 
Both cylinders are ok. The left is 80/75, the Right (shown) is 80/76. Kinda surprised me, really..looking at the color of the heads.
2018-11-13_11-50-49 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

I'll give the owner a call and see what he wants to do. If he wants a "restoration" I'll see if Charlie wants to do it.

[Lannis]

I'll give the owner a call and see what he wants to do. If he wants a "restoration" I'll see if Charlie wants to do it.

Charlie hasn't commented on this old loop yet ... he's probably sprinkling holy water at the door to his shop, hanging garlic braids around, burning candles and incense, and chanting incantations to make sure that this bike doesn't get onto his HF lift by any means ... !

OR maybe he's just itching to get his hands on it, and it'll be a Cinderella story ....

Lannis

[Toecutter]

Not making excuses for the original owner... but sometimes, on a loved old ride... things start to slip. I'd hate to think what  you guys would have said about my trusty old CB750, had you seen it before I decided to truly rebuild it.

Trailer plug replacement for the ignition switch... (female plug wired in place of switch... plug in pigtailed "male" end to act as key), beercan and hose clamp fixes for exhaust holes, carb screwdriver required to unlock seat lock, endless roadside wiring "temporary fixes", rattlecan touch-ups to prevent rust...


Sometimes, things go sideways on a bike as you own it, and those "temporary" fixes turn out to work "just fine", so you leave them. And then, one day, you realize that what you see as a beloved, reliable old friend, is someone else's "ratbike".

[Cam3512]

Temporary fixes are fine, we've all done them.  But then get it done right.  Too much at stake on 2 wheels.  Ever see anyone flying  a Rat Airplane? 

[Perazzimx14]

So a word on the filters if they are K&N call K&N and they will replace them for free shipping included. Unconditional million mile warranty. I've gotten 2 set replace that were on old Guzzi's I bought.

[Toecutter]

So a word on the filters if they are K&N call K&N and they will replace them for free shipping included. Unconditional million mile warranty. I've gotten 2 set replace that were on old Guzzi's I bought.

That include fire damage, though?

Temporary fixes are fine, we've all done them.  But then get it done right.  Too much at stake on 2 wheels.  Ever see anyone flying  a Rat Airplane? 

No, but not really the same. Plenty of ratty old cars on the road, and plenty of ratty old UTVs banging through the bush, too.

Like I said, not making excuses, just offering a different perspective on it.

[wrbix]

Ever see anyone flying  a Rat Airplane?

Actually I have, older gent with an Ercoupe - enough of an oil leak that the nose wheel was dripping with W100, he was on his own maintenance schedule according to him, whatever that meant. Did not see that plane around much longer, but neither did I see an NTSB report....so I guess that’s good.