LUCKY STARS ALIGN AND T-3 QUESTIONS

[Tkelly]

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Interesting how good things can happen when you least expect. One day last week as I scanned W.G, I noted a basket case V-7 Sport project for sale. Curious as to what the experts thought, I was mildly surprised to see that Bill, one of our Wisconsin Guzzi rider members, was buying the lot.

   Around the same time another member, Steve, emailed that he was interested in looking at Deb’s V-7 Special which we were selling for the last couple of years with no success. Steve and Lori, his girlfriend, rode here, 2-1/2 hours, last Tuesday on his Norge. After lunch and thawing out, we went for a ride and Lori, a former Harley Ironhead Sportster rider, fell in love with the Guzzi and a deal was agreed upon.

   Meanwhile, Bill had picked up the Sport project and reluctantly posted his restored T-3 for sale. I had ridden the bike and was very impressed a couple of years ago. Long story short, I paid Bill the asking price and rode it home, 25 miles, on a 43-degree but sunny day. Bill’s first grader, Corinna, drew me a picture of the bike and signed her name, so I am naming it after her. The freezing ride home was so enjoyable that I stayed out in my barn changing oil before hitting the hot shower. Someone once told me that the 850 motor was the smoothest running Guzzi made, and this lives up to it. Can’t wait til spring. Thanks to Bill, Steve, Deb and the Minnesota V-7 Sport guy, whoever he is.

Anyone know if the T-3 can power a Bilt heated vest or if some modifications are necessary? Also, the clutch lever needs a gorilla-like grip; is there an adjustable lever available or some other solution?

[dxhall]

I’ve been messing with clutch pull on my ‘90 LMV.  I looked at softer springs but instead installed a set of Surflex springs, hoping they would be easier to pull but not sacrifice positive engagement.  Big mistake.  When the instructions said,“don’t worry about the fact that the surflex springs are longer than the stock springs,” I should have realized that it would be f—— impossible get them adjusted properly.  I’m replacing the surflex springs with a set of the soft springs from MG Cycle.  I think that’s your solution.

[Tom H]

The clutch could be stiff from the cold, for instance the lube in the cable could be a bit thick. Or just could use some lube. Also ask what springs were used.

Enjoy!
Tom

[acogoff]

    The alternator does not have much excess power, But I run my Gerbing vest by just cycling the on/off switch. On about 45 seconds the first time to get things a bit warm and after that about 30 seconds on when I feel the need. The clutch pull should not be that hard. Just check the usual slidy/ turny places for stiffness. There are not that many of those places on a T3.

[Dave Swanson]

Great news Tom!  That is a super nice looking T3!!  We will have to get our T3s together next year. 

I always thought the reason for the crowbar sized clutch lever was to help a bit with the clutch pull. 

Get one of these and pump it all winter!   

[jwinwi]

Tom,
John Hemenway has installed at least one hydraulic clutch kit on his bike. Like this: https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2554

[pehayes]

Good day Irish.

Make sure the clutch cable routing has the 'softest' or 'smoothest' curves possible.
Lubricate the barrels at each end of the clutch cable.

Upgrade to an AGM battery.  They tend to rest a few tenths of a volt higher than flooded cells.
Upgrade to an LED headlamp and tail lamp to reduce alternate draw and leave more for your vest.
The headlamp may need an adapter ring (of which I have a spare) to take a standard LED bulb base.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Frenchfrog]

and also optimise the charging system with an adjustable voltage regulator....https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_161&products_id=1110

[jhem68]

Congratulations Tom!

I wanted that T3 but couldn't find room in the garage with the other 5 Guzzi's. I'm very pleased to see that it stayed in WI.

That should have a 20A alternator and that is adequate for running a heated vest on open road rides. Same as an airhead BMW with the common advice being that you turn the vest off when commuting through towns and turn it back on when leaving the city limits and running open road RPMs. Idling around town and or multiple stops and starts might not work out so well. Or upgrade to a EME 450 alternator set up (as I have on my 850T and Convert) and you'll have no further concerns. LED lights will ease the load and make up for adding an E-vest if keeping it stock is your preference.

About that stiff clutch pull............... ...MG cycle has a hydraulic slave and master set up you could try, or a RAM clutch. Pyro and I have had a number of discussions on this subject. I've 3 different approaches on that issue in my garage, if you are ever in my area stop by and feel free to sample a test pull.

John H.

[czakky82]

@ Tkelly: Ha! Well said! I’ll let Corrina know your new bike’s name.

FWIW the clutch springs are somewhat fresh and the cable has been lubed this year.

[Scout63]

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That’s a great looking T3. My favorite setup. Great story.

[Tkelly]

 Thanks for all the compliments but all I did was buy it.Bill built it intending to keep it forever but had to make room for his v7 sport project.I owned a couple of these with bags,foot boards and Windjammers back in the day and never thought of them as cool looking,kind of Guzzis DC3 or Chevy sedan.This one is the first bike I ever bought based on looks,I see it as kind of a primitive Griso.The reliability factor is icing on the cake.

[Canuck750]

Excellent looking T3!!

[injundave]

What a sweet looking T3. Congratulations on your purchase.

My T3's clutch is lightish, not as light as some and much better than others. I have paid much attention to keeping the cable lubed and putting a little grease on the barrel-shaped fittings at each end of the cable but particularly at the clutch lever. I also spent some time getting any curves in the cable as smooth as possible.

Enjoy your new machine.

[John A]

Looks like you got a nice one Tom

[Turin]

The T-3 is a fantastic bike and one of my favorite Guzzi's. Love the bub exhaust system. That looks really sweet. Congrats!

[Kiwi_Roy]

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Anyone know if the T-3 can power a Bilt heated vest or if some modifications are necessary? Also, the clutch lever needs a gorilla-like grip; is there an adjustable lever available or some other solution?

It probably has a Bosch alternator like my Convert, its barely able to keep up around town with a Gerbing Vest and Gloves on full, the motor turns over so slow. I'm sure the T3 is spinning quite a bit faster.
I fitted a Voltmeter so I can keep a close eye on the Voltage, on a long run yesterday I found if I turned the headlight off while waiting at the lights it never dropped below 11.8 Volts. You have to be very careful with a Convert because you cannot bump start it.
A simple $3 Voltmeter takes all the doubt away, https://duckduckgo.com/?q=battery+Voltmeter&t=osx&iax=images&ia=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Falexnld.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2F040b41fa-8b88-4726-8a69-db722c80089d.jpg

[czakky82]

You have all LEDs except the turn signals and headlight, I don’t like LED headlights. I have a bulb if you want one.

I like the comparison of a T3 to a Chevy!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Congrats, Tom.. that is the absolute best Guzzi to buy.. one that a well known Guzzi Guy like Bill built.  Corinna's a beauty.