Author Topic: ‘79 Spada Refresh  (Read 4666 times)

Offline Scout63

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‘79 Spada Refresh
« on: December 03, 2021, 04:51:37 PM »
Starting a brief thread on my refresh of Tom’s Spada. It’s in great original shape but needs updating.  I’ve already replaced the rear tire, cleaned the sump, replaced the chromed rocker arm covers, bought a battery, replaced the fork seals and dust covers (provided by Tom), flushed the fuel tank, installed new fuel lines, greased rear splines and replaced the fluids.  In process are carb and brake system rebuilds, front tire replacement, air filter replacement and engine and gearbox scrubbing. Yet to come are head and rocker arm gasket replacement, valve adjustment and points replacement. I took a peek at the bottom end from below and it looks great. Hopefully the whole process will take no more than two or three weeks.







Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2021, 05:37:58 PM »
 :popcorn:
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #2 on: December 04, 2021, 08:47:42 AM »
I thought he told me it needed a clutch?
Charlie

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2021, 04:32:11 PM »
I thought he told me it needed a clutch?

That I didn’t know Charlie.  I’ll check with Tom before I button it up.  I would think the clutch should be fine with 20,300 miles on it. I’m not looking forward to crabbing a bike for the fourth time in three months.  Thanks,  Ben
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Wildguzzi.com

Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #3 on: December 04, 2021, 04:32:11 PM »

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2021, 04:39:07 PM »
Further progress.  Front tire installed, air box cleaned, engine degreased.






Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline maquette

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #5 on: December 04, 2021, 05:21:08 PM »
I thought he told me it needed a clutch?

It was in the original ad Charlie. I explained to Ben that you and I talked about it and came to that conclusion.
Tom
Oriental, NC


'98 V11 EV

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2021, 08:51:17 PM »
Tom’s right Charlie. I’m glad.  I was feeling a little remiss in not checking the swing arm bearings, u-joint carrier bearing and clutch pushrod seals.  While I’m down there I’ll check the rear main seal. Now I can do it right.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2021, 07:18:19 PM »
It was a crabby Sunday.  Clutch plates are ready for replacement. U-joint carrier bearing and u-joint look great. Part of me wants to just rip it all apart, paint the frame and strip and vapor hone the engine.  The smart half says just put it back together with a good cleaning and have a solid runner with patina.





Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2021, 09:11:22 PM »
Flywheel off and re-marked. The rear main seal looks good but I will replace it and seal the cam plug. Calipers rebuilt with all new Brembo parts.  Right side carb rebuilt.








Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2021, 06:49:04 PM »
New clutch input hub oil seal installed. Clutch throwout bearing and pushrod inner body need replacing. Cam plug sealed. Carbs completed.











Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2021, 08:37:43 PM »
Nice work! its going to be a good, dependable ride.
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2021, 09:00:17 PM »
Nice work! its going to be a good, dependable ride.

Thanks Canuck. I’m walking a fine line of updating everything while it is crabbed but also keeping the cost down so that I can flip it towards a Lemans. It’s hard not to make everything right.  If I can keep my investment below about $3500.00 US, which is coming up soon, I should break even not counting labor.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2021, 09:08:48 PM »
Clutch inner and outer bodies and throwout bearing need replacement, new rear main seal, new flywheel bolts, clutch plates, intermediate plate and ring gear bolts, gearbox disassembled and flushed, bearings checked.  New gearbox output seal.


q
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2021, 10:38:05 PM »
Gearbox reassembly. Always my most difficult part.


q
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2021, 09:09:41 PM »
Gearbox complete. They always give me fits. 6 pushrod o- rings and new inner and outer bodies and thrust bearing.


Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #15 on: December 26, 2021, 08:46:09 PM »
Tried for an hour to fit the gearbox before realizing that I installed new 4mm clutch plates with an old style clutch hub.  Back to MG Cycle (virtually) to order a clutch kit. Now I have spare plates for the G5. Another day, another lesson.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #16 on: December 29, 2021, 10:22:05 PM »
Proper clutch hub installed, gearbox on, frame un-crabbed.  I’m always glad when the frame is back together.  Same feeling getting in over the Chatham bar.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline maquette

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #17 on: December 30, 2021, 07:20:05 AM »
Proper clutch hub installed, gearbox on, frame un-crabbed.  I’m always glad when the frame is back together.  Same feeling getting in over the Chatham bar.

 :gotpics:
Tom
Oriental, NC


'98 V11 EV

Offline Pescatore

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #18 on: December 30, 2021, 10:51:22 AM »
Gearbox complete. They always give me fits. 6 pushrod o- rings and new inner and outer bodies and thrust bearing.

You're my hero for getting your hands in that box.
How does it shift now that it's bolted to the engine?
2008 Norge 1200
1991 V65GT
1980 CM400T
MGNOC Member
Ascolta sempre e solo musica vera
E cerca sempre se puoi di capire

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #19 on: December 30, 2021, 09:40:29 PM »
Front wheel installed, front calipers installed, front brake lines replaced.  Battery installed with new hold down straps, new starter battery line built and fitted. New ring terminal on positive battery line. Frame bolts all tightened up.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #20 on: December 30, 2021, 09:43:33 PM »
You're my hero for getting your hands in that box.
How does it shift now that it's bolted to the engine?

I just hooked up the shift lever tonight Pescatore. It shifts great through the gears. The boxes are pretty simple, just fiddly and there are a bunch of thrust washers and shims that have to go back in.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #21 on: December 30, 2021, 09:44:57 PM »
Also I swapped footpeg brackets and hardware with Steve in Maine.  He sent me a great set of Bubs that I might install just to listen to them.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #22 on: January 02, 2022, 10:40:05 PM »
Swingarm bearings cleaned and greased with new oil seals, driveshaft, ujoint and boot cleaned, new rear drive large oil seal, fabricated new battery ground cable, rear splines cleaned and greased, rear wheel and brakes on, Koni rear shocks cleaned up and installed.  I can’t get the top cylinder head bolt plugs off either side so that I can replace head gaskets.  Ugh.


Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #23 on: January 03, 2022, 07:07:06 PM »
Heads off. There’s a strange chip in each exhaust valve. I’m going to have my excellent machinist Hans check the guides and sort the heads and valves. Pistons and cylinders look good.




Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #24 on: January 03, 2022, 08:03:45 PM »
Heads off. There’s a strange chip in each exhaust valve. I’m going to have my excellent machinist Hans check the guides and sort the heads and valves. Pistons and cylinders look good.

Strange that both exhaust valves would have the same chip?
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #25 on: January 03, 2022, 09:02:55 PM »
Strange that both exhaust valves would have the same chip?

I know. Maybe it’s just carbon flaking off.  I may have chipped one with the spring compressor.  One was definitely chipped before though.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #26 on: January 03, 2022, 11:09:34 PM »
I know. Maybe it’s just carbon flaking off.  I may have chipped one with the spring compressor.  One was definitely chipped before though.

Curious to hear what your machinist says. I took my Ducati 860 Heads to a good machine shop before Christmas and was told the damn Ducati guides I had installed two years and 2000 miles+ ago are worn out! I am going with Kibllewhite guides and seals this time.
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #27 on: January 04, 2022, 06:35:39 AM »
Curious to hear what your machinist says. I took my Ducati 860 Heads to a good machine shop before Christmas and was told the damn Ducati guides I had installed two years and 2000 miles+ ago are worn out! I am going with Kibllewhite guides and seals this time.

Weird. I don’t know much about heads, but I would think that guides should last a while barring oiling problems. Maybe grinding compound got in there?  Doesn’t sound like something you would do Canuck.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #28 on: January 04, 2022, 10:06:37 PM »
Strange that both exhaust valves would have the same chip?

I dropped the heads off at the machinist today.  The chips were burnt exhaust valves.  I ordered new valves and to be safe new guides.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Canuck750

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Re: ‘79 Spada Refresh
« Reply #29 on: January 04, 2022, 10:26:35 PM »
Weird. I don’t know much about heads, but I would think that guides should last a while barring oiling problems. Maybe grinding compound got in there?  Doesn’t sound like something you would do Canuck.

I had the heads done at a reputable shop in town that I have used for over a decade, they told me the valve seats had been so poorly cut in the past that new seats had to be installed, new valves and new guides, now I did use the Ducati guides and since then I have learnt that OEM guides are just crap, still two summers of riding and the valves have a ridiculous amount of play in them.

The valve stems mic to spec so its definitley crap guides, perhaps they were contaminated, I will never know. The new Weisco piston kits are in transit from Australia so hopefuly the engine will have a new lease on life,... again, and my wallet is lighter once more. I thought BMW parts were expensive, Ducati prices are just silly.

On previous Guzzi head rebuilds I have always used new guides, springs and valves, in comparison they are pretty cheap.
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

 

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