1974 Eldorao -- Got my first Loop Frame! - Update, rebuild complete,on the road!

[jas67]

The day started out like any work day, but, then I looked my Guzzi search on craigslist, and a 1974 Eldo popped up, with just under 25k miles.

It was being sold by the original owner's nephew, and even has the original PA title, which he kept when he got it transferred into his name after  his uncle passed.

The big ugly fairing has already be removed, but, I'm thinking that I'll refurbish the bags and keep them.   The lights even work!

It will, of course, need the chrome bore cylinders replaced or re-plated, and will need new exhaust.

Hmm, cigars, or LaFranc?

Loaded up, heading home:
IMG_0076 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0075 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

After removing the hideous fairing and bags.   The bags I'll keep, as they're pretty cool, but, they need to be painted.   I'm thinking black with white pinstripes to match the bike.
IMG_0114 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

The pinstriping and logos are pretty worn, but, I'm not going to touch them.   They're only original once.
IMG_0097 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

IMG_0098 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0099 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0099 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0095 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0096 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_0094 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[jas67]

Oh, and it even came with leg shields (crash bars with mounting holes and mount tabs below the foot pegs are present too):

IMG_0112 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[tazio]

Awesome!
Oh,man.You're gonna love it!!!

[Cam3512]

What a SCORE!  Welcome to the family.

Oh, LaFranc's...

[fotoguzzi]

SCORE!

DID iT COME THAT CLEAN? NICE

good choice to keep the original paint, worn is good..

[Demar]

So awesome!!!!!!  Big congrats!!!!! 

[Tom]

Congrats!  You'll love the leg shields for lengthening your riding season.  You might like the fairing too, during foul weather and grey winters.  Put some crush washers on the side cover knobs when you tighten them down.  They're expensive to replace.  The leg shields are worth money too.

[twowings]

Why not color-match the fairing and keep it? 

[Markcarovilli]

You did too good for your first loop.  Beautiful....

Mark

[Mark Harpell]

Very nice and I must say...I'm becoming enthralled with loops......That one is a beaut.....

[jas67]

Why not color-match the fairing and keep it? 

Because it is UGLY!

I've got a tall windshield, and barkbuster blizzard hand shields for my F800GT, which also has heated grips.   This combo makes it a great cold weather bike.

That said, I may give the leg shields a shot, along with the National Cycle Plexifairing that I have left over from my V7C.   It is less ugly than this beast.

[fotoguzzi]

sorry but for me the fairing and bags just work as a period piece.. I'd keep it as is.. maybe shorten the screen but the fairing says 1970's with authority.

[Farmer Dan]

Beautiful bike, Good score!  I would like to find the leg shields for my Eldorado.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

That is amazingly clean! It looked good in the ad, but now - Wow! "Civilian" disc Eldos (pegs, speedo/tacho dash, civilian 'bars, small sidestand) are one of the more rare variations of Loopframes.

[Kiwi_Roy]

What a beauty, loops are becoming really desirable, I wouldn't part with mine.
I would keep the paint just the way it is.

New cylinders of course unless it's been ridden on a regular basis.

[oldbike54]

 Jason , that big ugly fairing was probably made in Tulsa , there are people who will say that was the best touring fairing available at the time . So what exactly do you have against us poor old Okies 

 Dusty

[Tom]

He said it's "UGLEEEE".

[Shorty]

Very nice! Amal carbs. Wonder if it has an oil filter? Timing chain or gears? BTW do not throw that fairing away. You will regret it. Congrats.

[Tom H]

If your so set on getting rid of that UGLEEEEE fairing, instead of the dumpster, your could send it to me. I'd be glad to pay the postage!!!!!! Heck, I replace my police shield on my Ambo with that one!!! The Eldo says it needs the police shield.

Let it grow on you. It says Loop all over it!!!! It matches what I think are DB bags, probably the fairing is DB as well. I do have a soft spot for Wixom's though.

Now who do I have to off to get a find like that!! Sweet!!!

Tom

[rodekyll]

Jason , that big ugly fairing was probably made in Tulsa , there are people who will say that was the best touring fairing available at the time . So what exactly do you have against us poor old Okies 

 Dusty

I think he just said okies make ugly fairings.  I think it depends on how you place them.  ymmv.

[Zoom Zoom]

Very Nice!

John Henry

[bigbikerrick]

Congrats on a great loop!  The bags are DB for sure.I think that fairing may be a bates fairing from the 70s. They made a few different ,universal mount fairings, some with built in turn signals ,other without, like yours. I have one mounted to my wife's Magna, and it is sweet to ride behind. I think with the bags and fairing painted black, it would be a classy looking  touring package.
Beautiful bike!
Rick.

[jas67]

Jason Jay, that big ugly fairing was probably made in Tulsa , there are people who will say that was the best touring fairing available at the time . So what exactly do you have against us poor old Okies 

 Dusty

I'm sure it is a great fairing for cold weather, but, for me, vintage bikes are a fair weather thing.   I've got my F800GT outfitted pretty nicely for cold weather, and pretty much park everything else during the winter.

Very nice! Amal carbs. Wonder if it has an oil filter? Timing chain or gears? BTW do not throw that fairing away. You will regret it. Congrats.

From what I'm told the Amal carbs (model 930) aren't great, but, are correct for late Eldos.    If they give me any trouble, I'll likely replace them with VHB29's, and, of course, keep them on the shelf.   As for the other questions, I'm not sure, I'll find out as I dig into it.

If your so set on getting rid of that UGLEEEEE fairing, instead of the dumpster, your could send it to me. I'd be glad to pay the postage!!!!!! Heck, I replace my police shield on my Ambo with that one!!! The Eldo says it needs the police shield.

Let it grow on you. It says Loop all over it!!!! It matches what I think are DB bags, probably the fairing is DB as well. I do have a soft spot for Wixom's though.

Now who do I have to off to get a find like that!! Sweet!!!

Tom

The fairing definitely won't be just discarded.   It is in excellent condition, I'm sure I can get something for it to help replenish the bank account.    For now, it is safely up in the loft above my shop.

As for shipping it to California, I'll bet the cost would be huge, as this fairing is huge.    It seemed as wide as my car in my rear view mirror with the bike up on the trailer.

Congrats on a great loop!  The bags are DB for sure.I think that fairing may be a bates fairing from the 70s. They made a few different ,universal mount fairings, some with built in turn signals ,other without, like yours. I have one mounted to my wife's Magna, and it is sweet to ride behind. I think with the bags and fairing painted black, it would be a classy looking  touring package.
Beautiful bike!
Rick.

I was thinking Bates on the fairing as well.     I dunno why, it isn't like I know these old fairings well, but, for some reason, I think I may have seen one before.    Yes, black paint would definitely be better.  In fact, that is my plan with the DB bags, along with white pinstripes to match the Eldo.

[Kev m]

Ha ha, I got the email last night, but judging from the number of typos in the OP (even a lot by your standards) I'm guessing I had no idea how excited you were. It's nice to know that someone can have 30 bikes in their garage and still get as giddy as school girl for another one.

I have to agree with a few of our fellow Guzzi nuts about the fairing, it looks period correct, and I kinda like it with those bags. I know how tempting it is to run that naked because it's so good looking, but I'd be torn personally.

So you going to tackle the cylinders yourself or give it to Charlie? If the former, I might have to make a trip out there to "help" (i.e. drink a few beers, and poke fun at you the whole time).

[Green1000S]

Congrats👍 Great looking Eldorado !

[Travman]

Congratulations. Hopefully we can meet up one of these days for a loop frame ride.

I have been very happy with mine. It is probably the best bike at enjoying a ride without ever going over 60 mph.  Also it has been completely reliable. It starts every time even if it has sat for months.

Let me know if you have any questions about the cylinder swap. I should have made a YouTube video when we did it.

[Perazzimx14]

Nice looking specimen you picked up. I'd suggest that if Gillardoni's are available get them in lieu of plating and new rings. With the Gillardoni's you get all new parts. Also stick with the 850 kit. The 1000cc kits really don't add a lot to the bike unless you want to start cam, head and carb modifications to get more air/fuel flowing. Even if you do you've only got so much brake to stop. Lots of go and little whoa is not a good combo.

You'll enjoy the Loop it is a true motorcycling experience. Like driving a backhoe that handles well. When shifting chop throttle, pull in clutch, toe or heel the shift lever and hold down, let clutch out, roll on throttle then lift foot off shift lever. If you do it properly you will be rewarded with smooth shifts. If you do it improper the Eldo will let you know.

Someday I'll get another.

[Groover]

Great addition, congrats!

[Triple Jim]

Really nice Guzzi.

What military generator is that?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Very nice! Amal carbs. Wonder if it has an oil filter? Timing chain or gears? BTW do not throw that fairing away. You will regret it. Congrats.

Engine number 58532 onward were chain, Jay's is in the 612xx? range so definitely has a chain. Filter didn't come along until the late 850-T, so it won't have one.