1974 Police Eldo Rejuvination

[Dave Swanson]

This will be a Cliff Notes version of a build thread.  I will hit the highlights as I work my way through this bike to make it reliable and roadworthy again. 

This bike came from the estate of Bob Farris, a local long time Guzzi enthusiast.  He was the Illinois state rep for MGNOC years ago and traveled to Europe for the 75th Guzzi anniversary.

The bike hadn't seen the light of day for 25 years or more, and was one of the Eldos that really caught my eye when I would stop by to visit. 

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to have one of Bob's Loops.  It will not be given a total restoration, but will be spruced up and refreshed where necessary. 

The day I brought it home - August 12th, 2023.

[Dave Swanson]

Current state.

[kballowe]

[vintagehoarder]

Nice piece good luck!

[Dave Swanson]

All the tins, which I believe to be original paint, polished up well after lots of elbow grease.

[Dave Swanson]

Upon teardown and inspection it became obvious why Bob parked this so long ago.

[Dave Swanson]

I am very pleased with how the OG mufflers cleaned up.

[Sprouty115]

I'm in!

[Dave Swanson]

The generator mount threaded holes were in bad shape so I opted for a helicoil repair.

[Dave Swanson]

I was able to upgrade my police lighting with the help of Moto Guzzi Classics.  Thanks Mark

NIB Grote spot lamps (5 3/4"), and police turn signals.  Fronts are dual sided.  One side amber, the other side red.

[Cam3512]

Count me in!

Cam

[Dave Swanson]

Due to the last ride this bike had with one of the rods hammering away many moons agp, at the very least the crank was in need of a re-grind.   



While commiserating with Joe Walano (The Guzzi Doctor) he offered a complete bottom end that was donated to him years ago from a crashed Eldo!  Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth I immediately accepted his gracious offer and drove the 100 miles to his shop to pick it up.  Joe is in the process of moving his shop and is culling what he doesn't want to move to the new place, therefore perfect timing for the both of us. 

Upon tear-down of this donor engine I found the bottom end to be in fine shape.  The crank is on it's standard grind.  The main bearings are in great shape, and the shell bearings are almost usable.  A gracious and generous gift to the project indeed.   

[brider]

It will not be given a total restoration, but will be spruced up and refreshed where necessary. 

That's quite a "spruce up". I'd hate to see what you charge for a total resto. 

I wonder if that's the same Eldo I saw Bob ride to the MO rally back in '95-'97? Great job so far. I wonder how that low-end bearing failed? I didn't know they were prone to that...how many miles? Chrome cyls?

[Dave Swanson]

That's quite a "spruce up". I'd hate to see what you charge for a total resto. 

I wonder if that's the same Eldo I saw Bob ride to the MO rally back in '95-'97? Great job so far. I wonder how that low-end bearing failed? I didn't know they were prone to that...how many miles? Chrome cyls?

The speedo shows 35K.   It could be the bike he rode to the rally back then.  No one around here can remember Bob riding it for the past 25 years, so the time frame lines up. 

It did have chrome cylinders, but no evidence of chrome contamination.  The likely culprit would seem to be oil starvation, but I haven't found the smoking gun. 

The spruce up is now out the window.  Ha!  But, all the tins will retain the original paint, so will not be a total restoration.   

[brider]

So I wonder what Bob's opinion was of riding on chrome cyls? I know there are opinions that run the full range of "kiss of death for the engine at first start-up" to "anecdotes of flaking chrome far exaggerate the reality", so maybe he just figured it wasn't worth NOT riding the bike for. I wonder myself because I have an old Ambo with good chrome cyls, and wonder if I should get it running as-is.

One of the phrases I remember Bob saying when I looked at his stable (considering buying an Eldo, passed because it had Amal carbs.....what a dummy!), and commented on the nice (non-chrome) patina of most of his bikes was "Chrome don't git ya home".

[Dave Swanson]

So I wonder what Bob's opinion was of riding on chrome cyls? I know there are opinions that run the full range of "kiss of death for the engine at first start-up" to "anecdotes of flaking chrome far exaggerate the reality", so maybe he just figured it wasn't worth NOT riding the bike for. I wonder myself because I have an old Ambo with good chrome cyls, and wonder if I should get it running as-is.

One of the phrases I remember Bob saying when I looked at his stable (considering buying an Eldo, passed because it had Amal carbs.....what a dummy!), and commented on the nice (non-chrome) patina of most of his bikes was "Chrome don't git ya home".

It could be close to 30 years ago that this bike was parked up after its last ride.  If Bob had gotten it running again 10 or 20 years ago without changing the cylinders it would have certainly met it's demise.  BTW Bob did have a set of new Gilardonis set aside for one of the Eldos. 

The worst possible scenario for chrome cylinders is a long period of non use.  Today there is NEVER a good reason to run the chrome cylinders unless you want to destroy the engine for some reason.  With the old chrome cylinders it is not a question of if they will fail, only when. 

My Amal Eldo.   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The worst possible scenario for chrome cylinders is a long period of non use.  Today there is NEVER a good reason to run the chrome cylinders unless you want to destroy the engine for some reason.  With the old chrome cylinders it is not a question of if they will fail, only when. 

 

[Dave Swanson]

I wonder myself because I have an old Ambo with good chrome cyls, and wonder if I should get it running as-is.

And there is no such thing as good chrome cylinders.   

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

And there is no such thing as good chrome cylinders.   

I agree 100%.

[Dave Swanson]

The rotor was well above the minimum thickness requirement so off it went to TrueDisk 

Great workmanship, super fast turnaround, and the price can't be beat - $50

[Dave Swanson]

The wheels were too crusty to leave alone so they were taken apart and cleaned up.  Truing next.

[spmoto]

Found this thread just as we were hit with our first snowstorm of the year. Perfect timing. Kinda wish I had scooped up a project bike. Living vicariously isn't bad though, and it's cheaper. Great work Dave, and super photography. What are you using for a camera?
SM

[Dave Swanson]

Found this thread just as we were hit with our first snowstorm of the year. Perfect timing. Kinda wish I had scooped up a project bike. Living vicariously isn't bad though, and it's cheaper. Great work Dave, and super photography. What are you using for a camera?
SM

Thanks.  Glad I can be of assistance. 

My IPhone 14 Pro's camera is so good I rarely take the good camera out of the bag. 

[Dave Swanson]

Trued, new rubber, and  balanced.  Aahh!  I always love having the wheels finished.  Its a good milestone.

[Dave Swanson]

New Gilardonis going in.

[bigbikerrick]

Very nice, Dave! What brand tires are those? Are they tubeless?
Rick.

[Dave Swanson]

Very nice, Dave! What brand tires are those? Are they tubeless?
Rick.

Those are Heidenau  K34.  I did not seal the rims therefore they have inner tubes. 

[Dave Swanson]

New timing chain and upgraded chain tensioner.

[Pescatore]

I wish I were a fly on the wall, right next to long beard dude.
Impressive attention to details.

[Dave Swanson]

Forks are ready for assembly.  New Wirth progressive springs, dampers, and seals.  Should ride nice.