Refurbing my v65 SP (was '77 T3)

[frozengoose]

Would like to find a new rear fender as the original was cracked then poorly repaired. Also searching for a left side cover grill (black section that attaches to the cover itself). May need to go with standard V50/65 ones as SP parts are proving elusive...

The rear fender on my v65 also was broken, so replaced it with a steel one from a late 60's Triumph. The front came off a Honda. I think the Guzzi Nevada had steel fenders, I've seen a few on eBay.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Would like to find a new rear fender as the original was cracked then poorly repaired. Also searching for a left side cover grill (black section that attaches to the cover itself). May need to go with standard V50/65 ones as SP parts are proving elusive...

The rear fender on my v65 also was broken, so replaced it with a steel one from a late 60's Triumph. The front came off a Honda. I think the Guzzi Nevada had steel fenders, I've seen a few on eBay.

The (metal) rear fender from a V50 or V50 II will work also, I did that on customer Steve's V65SP.




A (chrome, metal) V65C front fender works from what I've read, never tried that one myself.

[egschade]

Has anyone tried one of these electronic ignition systems? I have new points on order with the tuneup kit but am thinking this might be better.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175098998173




or is the Dyna worth the extra $130?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/360531146262?epid=252134666&hash=item53f154b616:g:clgAAOxy9nhSKQ8V

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Has anyone tried one of these electronic ignition systems? I have new points on order with the tuneup kit but am thinking this might be better.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175098998173




or is the Dyna worth the extra $130?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/360531146262?epid=252134666&hash=item53f154b616:g:clgAAOxy9nhSKQ8V

If a seller can't get the models correct that the part fits, then I'm very reluctant to buy from them. The V35 and V50 77-79 had Bosch electronic ignition and no camshaft "nose" like the later V50 III, so it won't work on them. The Autoparts Premium unit looks like a Dyna S knock-off.

I bought a Dyna S for my V50 III, but haven't installed it yet. In my experience, they are very reliable on customer's bikes. Sometimes it's better to spend the extra $$ for a known brand, rather than a knock-off...

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'm a fan of the Dyna S on the small blocks. Never an issue. That certainly *looks* like a Dyna S knockoff, and it would most likely work. Until it didn't.  at night. in the rain. (shrug) 

[egschade]

I'm a fan of the Dyna S on the small blocks. Never an issue. That certainly *looks* like a Dyna S knockoff, and it would most likely work. Until it didn't.  at night. in the rain. (shrug) 

You forgot to add, "going uphill in a bad neighborhood" 

[s1120]

You forgot to add, "going uphill in a bad neighborhood" 

400 miles from home... 

[egschade]

Did some more wrenching on the V65 this weekend. Found out there was no air filter when I went to install a fresh OEM pleated element. Well, there WAS a K&N in there but completely dry so may as well have been nothing. Guess that's why they're called 'rock screens'.

With fresh gas and Sea Foam in the tank the bike is running pretty well. Not the low end torque of a big block but noticeably stronger than a V50.

Found the tach cable broken. Ordered a good cond. used one on FleaBay so hopefully all it needs is the cable replacement. I'll keep short shifting until I get the tach working.

Started going through electrical things and found I had 4 good bulbs with bad connections - cleaning and tightening the contacts got them working. Adding a relay for the horns and re-doing the starter relay are next.

[Matteo]

The rear fender on my v65 also was broken, so replaced it with a steel one from a late 60's Triumph. The front came off a Honda. I think the Guzzi Nevada had steel fenders, I've seen a few on eBay.

Looks good Jon

Giving mine a facelift

[frozengoose]

Looks good Jon

Giving mine a facelift

Hey Matt, I guess you finally found some side covers, among other bits, looks pretty sweet. How's it going in Los Anchorage.

[Matteo]

Egschade, Same here on rear fender, I may have the grill you need. I'll have a look tonight.

Jon, All good here the 650 has been a fun project. Bodywork would have been hard to repair so it's in a heap now.

[egschade]

Thanks Matt. I'm looking for the left-side grill but would consider buying whatever is in your 'heap'.

- Eric

[Chuck in Indiana]

Started going through electrical things and found I had 4 good bulbs with bad connections - cleaning and tightening the contacts got them working. Adding a relay for the horns and re-doing the starter relay are next.

While you are at it.. take *every* electrical connection apart, spray with Caig DeOxit.. accept no substitutes.. replace every suspect spade connector with a new one, remove the points plate and clean/lube the advance mechanism, etc. Your old small block will love you and give you good service.

[Matteo]

Thanks Matt. I'm looking for the left-side grill but would consider buying whatever is in your 'heap'.

- Eric

I'm finding everything but the side panels. I will send pics of what I have left

[egschade]

While you are at it.. take *every* electrical connection apart, spray with Caig DeOxit.. accept no substitutes.. replace every suspect spade connector with a new one, remove the points plate and clean/lube the advance mechanism, etc. Your old small block will love you and give you good service.

Thanks Chuck, that's the plan. Started with the blinkers which went from 0 to working with a little cleaning. Connector and fuse blocks are next. Waiting on a tune up kit from Harper's MG that includes ignition parts.

[huub]

Adjusted the valves (exhaust were tight), adjusted the enricher cables (not closing completely), installed new spark plugs. The bike now runs well enough for a shakedown ride or 3.

if the next time the exhaust valves are tight again, they are stretching , and will eventually break ( heads dropping off)
guzzi introduced a upgraded valve spring in 1990 ( actually 40% softer), to solve this issue.
instead of the original double spring it is a single progressive wound spring.
it can be retrofitted with a slight modification of the spring retainer.

i changed the exhaust valves on my V65NTX last weekend, the valves had stretched 1.6 mm
originally 93 mm, mine measured 94.6 mm
i think i caught them just in time.

[egschade]

Has anyone found a suitable spray can of Guzzi Red? The PO 'touched up' several panels with what looks like a generic red that isn't even close to matching...

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Valve failure carnage photos...
Head of the valve popped off, was hammered smaller by the piston and stuffed back into the exhaust port.




Didn't do the piston any good either.




Normal valve on the left, bulging ready to fail on right.




I used valves from MG Cycle, with Nevada/Breva 750 springs, seats and retainers.

Has anyone found a suitable spray can of Guzzi Red? The PO 'touched up' several panels with what looks like a generic red that isn't even close to matching...

Might be best to take a body part with original paint to an auto body supply retailer and have them mix an aerosol can of paint to match.

[Matteo]

I'm finding everything but the side panels. I will send pics of what I have left

The expendables^


Present form

[egschade]

Thanks Matt - appreciate you pulling the plastics out and taking pictures. From what I see my stuff is structurally in better shape though the paint isn't as good. Looks like it'll be less work to rehab what's already on the bike.

Just need to find that dopey grill for the LH side cover. There are V50 bits available on the market I can probably make work if nothing shows up.

[Cam3512]

Thanks Matt - appreciate you pulling the plastics out and taking pictures. From what I see my stuff is structurally in better shape though the paint isn't as good. Looks like it'll be less work to rehab what's already on the bike.

Just need to find that dopey grill for the LH side cover. There are V50 bits available on the market I can probably make work if nothing shows up.

Did you call MG Classics or Harpers for those grills?  Those guys usually have a stash of obscure old parts.

[egschade]

Did you call MG Classics or Harpers for those grills?  Those guys usually have a stash of obscure old parts.

No. Sometimes the obvious escapes me. Hamlin's didn't have any but for some reason I stopped there.

[Matteo]

Thanks Matt - appreciate you pulling the plastics out and taking pictures. From what I see my stuff is structurally in better shape though the paint isn't as good. Looks like it'll be less work to rehab what's already on the bike.

Just need to find that dopey grill for the LH side cover. There are V50 bits available on the market I can probably make work if nothing shows up.

Just bad timing on those grilles, my side panels were badly cracked. I believe I tossed them in the trash 2 weeks ago.

I used to have a V50III and sent the heads and manifolds to Ed Milich for valves, springs and flowing. Results were impressive no more valve float and strong pull through redline, I plan to do the same with these.
Cheers
Matt

[frozengoose]

I used to have a V50III and sent the heads and manifolds to Ed Milich for valves, springs and flowing. Results were impressive no more valve float and strong pull through redline, I plan to do the same with these.
Cheers
Matt

eg:  You might try Ed Milich for those side cover grilles, when I got some v65 parts from him, he said he had a warehouse full of old stuff.

Matt: I'll email you about those parts.

[egschade]

My two sons and I took a breakfast ride around Hunterdon Cty to see how the V65 fared on a longer ride. 65 miles and 2:15 hours later it coughed once but otherwise ran fine. Other minor quirks are the "air balance tube" missing from the front forks so they're on the soft side with occasional bottoming and the transmission breather blowing a little oil (for which I was warned).




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[Matteo]

My two sons and I took a breakfast ride around Hunterdon Cty to see how the V65 fared on a longer ride. 65 miles and 2:15 hours later it coughed once but otherwise ran fine. Other minor quirks are the "air balance tube" missing from the front forks so they're on the soft side with occasional bottoming and the transmission breather blowing a little oil (for which I was warned).




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I put 20wt in my forks, but I haven't ridden it out yet. Seemed to work in my V 50

Update: the heavier oil and fork brace worked out great!  Bike was surefooted and agile.

[Chuck in Indiana]

My two sons and I took a breakfast ride around Hunterdon Cty to see how the V65 fared on a longer ride. 65 miles and 2:15 hours later it coughed once but otherwise ran fine. Other minor quirks are the "air balance tube" missing from the front forks so they're on the soft side with occasional bottoming and the transmission breather blowing a little oil (for which I was warned).




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The cure for that is in this thread:
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89034.60
page 3

[egschade]

The cure for that is in this thread:
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=89034.60
page 3

Yes - that's what I was referencing when I said I'd been warned. I have the banjo and bolt on order.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My two sons and I took a breakfast ride around Hunterdon Cty to see how the V65 fared on a longer ride. 65 miles and 2:15 hours later it coughed once but otherwise ran fine. Other minor quirks are the "air balance tube" missing from the front forks so they're on the soft side with occasional bottoming and the transmission breather blowing a little oil (for which I was warned).




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Soft forks are likely due to sacked springs, not from from having zero pressure. Air pressure changes the firmness of the damping and not the springing of the forks. There's an air bladder in the top of the damper and when pressurized it restricts flow of oil in the damper.

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^ and the bladder will probably be blown out.  At least that has been the way of every old small block I've had. FAC dampers, Wurth springs and a Tarozzi fork brace will transform the handling.