Dreaming of El Dorado

[swooshdave]

I had contacted someone about trading my 1954 AJS 500 basket case for a 1973 El Dorado project with apparently 10k miles (or a broken odometer). I was going to give the Guzzi to my brother as he always wanted a Loop. Every time we see one at Barber there is much lusting going on. But my brother is space challenged (lots of space, too many bikes) and doesn't want something else now. So I turned down the deal. The bike is in NC and I'm in OR so it would be challenging.

Then a friend of mine posted this picture of a different bike. It might as well have been a pinup. Now I'm hooked again.



I've got about $2k into the AJS. Am I nuts to get a project El Dorado for that much? Now too be honest I never try to make money on bikes, it's strictly a money losing hobby but I also don't want to be too upside down on it.









I still don't have a clear picture of the frame. I did get pictures of the matching frame and engine numbers. Thoughts?

[Dave Swanson]

To clarify, the basketcase in the pictures is in NC?  For sale for 2K?   

And just to help matters along.  Here's mine.

[Cam3512]

That's rough.  Keep looking.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I wouldn't limit myself to just an Eldorado, Ambassadors can be had for less, look nearly the same (or better with early battery covers and speedometer only dash) and really aren't that much different performance-wise.

[swooshdave]

To clarify, the basketcase in the pictures is in NC?  For sale for 2K?   

And just to help matters along.  Here's mine.

I’ll take it for 2k. 😜

[swooshdave]

The bigger challenge is that I haven't found a taker for the AJS. Nor do I expect one. So if I need to trade to get out from under it I will.

Price range for El Dorado basketcase? I know people fight over halfway decent sheet metal.

[jas67]

That's rough.  Keep looking.

+1.

Oh, and here's mine.   It looked pretty much like you see w/o the wixoms, and with a single disc up front, when I bought it.   Price was $3,500.   With allegedly 25k miles on it, but, turned out, more like 125k or 225k.  I knew going in that it had chrome bores, but, didn't know how worn out the engine really was.   I put another $8k into included the wixoms, and dual disc conversion.   It is one of my favorite bikes to ride, and certainly the pick of my vintage bikes for all day rides (with either other airheads being close runners up).

[swooshdave]

+1.

Oh, and here's mine.   It looked pretty much like you see w/o the wixoms, and with a single disc up front, when I bought it.   Price was $3,500.   With allegedly 25k miles on it, but, turned out, more like 125k or 225k.  I knew going in that it had chrome bores, but, didn't know how worn out the engine really was.   I put another $8k into included the wixoms, and dual disc conversion.   It is one of my favorite bikes to ride, and certainly the pick of my vintage bikes for all day rides (with either other airheads being close runners up).

Complete bike for $3500 but worn out? 125k on chrome bores? (Has to be a lie according to the experts!).

So you completely rebuilt it and have $11.5k into it? And that basket case is a bad deal?

[Dave Swanson]

Complete bike for $3500 but worn out? 125k on chrome bores? (Has to be a lie according to the experts!).

So you completely rebuilt it and have $11.5k into it? And that basket case is a bad deal?

It might take 11.5k to make that basket top notch 😎

[swooshdave]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1922017541235604/

This looks like a deal!

[jas67]

Complete bike for $3500 but worn out? 125k on chrome bores? (Has to be a lie according to the experts!).

So you completely rebuilt it and have $11.5k into it? And that basket case is a bad deal?

I didn't say mine was a good deal.   It seemed like it was going into it, but, it ended up being a lot more than I thought it would be.

At least now, I know it is done right, and with frequent oil changes, will outlive me.

[swooshdave]

I didn't say mine was a good deal.   It seemed like it was going into it, but, it ended up being a lot more than I thought it would be.

At least now, I know it is done right, and with frequent oil changes, will outlive me.

So knowing what you know now would it have mattered if you started with a $2k basketcase?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1922017541235604/

This looks like a deal!

 

[canuck750]

I love my Eldorado, its a 1972 model, it is the first Guzzi and the first Italian bike I have owned and look what that turned into!

I would budget around $5K to go through the entire bike and make it safe and trustworthy, these are very tough bikes.

[Cam3512]

Every "nice" loopframe eventually costs $10+K.  Either now or later.  I'm on #3.

[canuck750]

Every "nice" loopframe eventually costs $10+K.  Either now or later.  I'm on #3.

True words indeed, still its my all time favorite Guzzi. I have sold my LeMans MKI, V7 Sport, 750 S3 and 1000S but I will never sell my Eldorado.

[JC85]

Man, you guys are mean. Showing off all of your beautifil Eldorados to a guy who wants one so badly, but doesn't have one. That's like dancing in front of a kid in a wheelchair.  Oh, here's mine, by the way.  as an aside, could someone explain to me how you guys post larger pics?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Every "nice" loopframe eventually costs $10+K.  Either now or later.  I'm on #3.

It depends on how much of the work you can do yourself.

[Cam3512]

It depends on how much of the work you can do yourself.

I meant to say you are the exception to that rule.

[Turin]

Don't forget Ambos and V700's ! Mine is in what I call nice enough condition.

[bigbikerrick]

image uploader


Here's my 73 civilian Eldorado. I like to switch around between the DB, and Wixom bags.
Rick.

[jas67]

So knowing what you know now would it have mattered if you started with a $2k basketcase?

No.

For $1,500 more, I got an original disc-brake bike, somewhat rare, only the latter part of 1974.   It was already in good shape cosmetically, and unlike a basket case, i knew everything was there and at least functioning, seller was riding it occasionally, and much to my horror started it up and rode it around, while I cringed at the thought of chrome flakes killing the oil pump.   

Just know going into it that to do it right, you're likely looking at spending $6-8k to do it right.

The entire drivetrain was torn down and gone through.   I paid a good friend/machinist to do the engine and transmission.  He also helped me with the final drive.  The crank was sent out for a 2nd under regrind.    The cam and lifter were sent to Delta Cam for a regrind.   All new bearings, seals, etc.   Gillardoni piston/cylinder kits.   I got new stainless-steel exhaust from MGCycle.   I went with the "big-hole" cigar style, as I like the way the look more than the correct "slash-cut".  I added a second brake disc with I new (EBC, I think) rotors and new calipers (could've got away with buying one caliper, but, calipers don't cost a lot more than the rebuild kits, which I'd have done to the existing one anyway). I also added a Scrambler Cycle alternator conversion kit.

Parts cost was the majority of this.   I have to go back and look, but, I don't think that total labor exceeded $1,000 by much, and that includes third party work like the crank regrind.

[Dave Swanson]

as an aside, could someone explain to me how you guys post larger pics?

I use Postimage

[T4halo]

This old Ambassador was $1500. Probably put another $2300 into it. I really like riding this bike.

[swooshdave]

While I can always buy something in this case I’m stuck with a trade. And finding someone willing take on an AJS is a needle in a stack of needles.

As long as most of the parts are there I’m not afraid to put it together.

[Don G]

Well I paid $1200 CDN for this crusty lump, missing lots of pieces, but I had a plan to turn it into an Ambovert anyway. I am leaving it crusty looking as  I like the patina, this is an area that will quickly suck up all of your savings, the cost of paint and chrome is now out of sight.  DonG

[jas67]

Here's my 73 civilian Eldorado. I like to switch around between the DB, and Wixom bags.
Rick.

The Wixom bags look "just right" on a loop.

[T4halo]

image uploader


Here's my 73 civilian Eldorado. I like to switch around between the DB, and Wixom bags.
Rick.

Those Wixoms are great. So sell me the DB’s.

T4

[bigbikerrick]

T4Halo, I think the shipping on the DB's would be pretty expensive. Those things are HUGE!  You would not believe the hours of work I put into those bags to make them pretty. I re fiberglassed the joint between the two halves to make them much stronger, and get rid of the aluminum trim. ( I still have it intact) I also put a layer of fiberglass on the complete insides with special re inforcement at all the mounting holes, with nylon grommets so the bolts never touch/ wear on the glass. I re did the gel coat on the outside to smooth everything out. All new hardware with keys and new hinges was found and installed. They were painted with automotive urethane base coat/clear coat.I have all the original tail lights for the bags intact, but I installed LED lights on the bags for better lighting. The insides were lined with black "dash mat" type carpet.
Rick.

[normzone]

Ooh, this is painful.

Comments about not being able to afford one, or having one and never going to sell it, just make me wish I'd kept mine.

But if I went there I'd buy a mechanically restored or just good enough example from one of the masters.