Author Topic: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.  (Read 3404 times)

Offline Gusable

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #30 on: October 16, 2022, 11:38:39 AM »
I’ve really enjoyed reading this write up! Nice bike!
1994 California 1100

Offline bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #31 on: October 18, 2022, 04:10:34 PM »
Thank you, Gusable, I appreciate the kind words.
Rick
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline Canuck750

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #32 on: October 18, 2022, 06:31:52 PM »
Your painted parts look great! as does the rest of the bike, nice work!  :thumb:
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 bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #33 on: October 18, 2022, 10:43:28 PM »
Your painted parts look great! as does the rest of the bike, nice work!  :thumb:

Thank you,Canuck!
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Wildguzzi.com

Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #33 on: October 18, 2022, 10:43:28 PM »

Offline bigbikerrick

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  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #34 on: November 15, 2022, 03:16:18 PM »
Today , I decided to take a look at the distributor, the points looked great, no pitting present, but the gap was a bit small, so I set the gap on both, and then hooked up the timing light . The timing was quite retarded on both cylinder, so I set it to the proper slow speed advance. after marking the appropriate marks on the flywheel with white paint, I checked the advance at 5-6K rpms, and it went to where it should advance to.
Now I find the bike idles much better, I had to readjust my carb balance, and idle speed. The bike now idles very smoothly, and runs strong.
 
  Next, I plan to replace the funky stock air box with individual K&N pods, and install a V 7 sport breather in place of the oem one.
Rick D.
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #35 on: March 16, 2023, 11:43:18 AM »
Since I got the Convert, I have tried a couple of rattle can high heat paint on the mufflers, and have not been 100% happy with the results. The most heat resistant paint I found is the VHT flat black header paint. The only thing I dont like is that the flat finish, while durable, after a few weeks turns into a dark  grayish color, and I really wanted a gloss or semi gloss black finish.
  The mufflers are a period correct set made specifically for the Guzzi in the 70s by a company called " Alphabet's Headers" and they have a nice mellow rumble, so I wanted to preserve these. Some day I will pony up the bucks to have them properly ceramic coated, but for now ,I found a rattle can product that seems very good. Its a VHT paint made for engine blocks, that is supposed to be chemical resistant,and resistant to heat up to 500 degrees. ( the flat black VHT header paint works up to 2000 degrees) and so far, the finish has held up very well on the mufflers, and its a nice glossy black color.  I tested the "chemical resistance" , after cured, with a rag soaked in lacquer thinner,and it did not wipe the paint off. Good Stuff !
Rick
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline Canuck750

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #36 on: March 17, 2023, 08:07:41 PM »
Since I got the Convert, I have tried a couple of rattle can high heat paint on the mufflers, and have not been 100% happy with the results. The most heat resistant paint I found is the VHT flat black header paint. The only thing I dont like is that the flat finish, while durable, after a few weeks turns into a dark  grayish color, and I really wanted a gloss or semi gloss black finish.
  The mufflers are a period correct set made specifically for the Guzzi in the 70s by a company called " Alphabet's Headers" and they have a nice mellow rumble, so I wanted to preserve these. Some day I will pony up the bucks to have them properly ceramic coated, but for now ,I found a rattle can product that seems very good. Its a VHT paint made for engine blocks, that is supposed to be chemical resistant,and resistant to heat up to 500 degrees. ( the flat black VHT header paint works up to 2000 degrees) and so far, the finish has held up very well on the mufflers, and its a nice glossy black color.  I tested the "chemical resistance" , after cured, with a rag soaked in lacquer thinner,and it did not wipe the paint off. Good Stuff !
Rick

Thanks for the research and report! I have had mixed results with low gloss black ceramic coating on mufflers and would not go that route again. Good to know that the VHT when cured is so durable.  The black ceramic coating I had done scratches very easily, not worth it IMHO.
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 bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #37 on: June 01, 2023, 05:37:13 AM »










I had a transmission oil leak, and decided to go ahead and replace all the seals, gaskets and "O" rings in the transmission, and Torque converter system. I also replaced the rear main seal with a viton one, as well as the flange gasket, which was seeping a little oil.
Rick.
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Online Dave Swanson

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #38 on: June 01, 2023, 09:15:55 AM »
Good going.  I will use this as a reference when I tear mine down.
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

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Offline bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #39 on: June 01, 2023, 07:20:26 PM »



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testing out the new National Cycle Plexifairing today. Much better than the Pacifico pathfinder fairing from the 70s, that was on there. Lighter, and no buffetting.
Rick.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2023, 07:21:36 PM by bigbikerrick »
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Online Turin

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #40 on: June 05, 2023, 09:15:03 PM »
Nice Connie!
I love the red.
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline bigbikerrick

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  • 73 Eldo, 98 V 11 ,12 Ural Gear Up, 76 Convert,
  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #41 on: October 14, 2023, 03:45:07 PM »







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I took the opportunity to convert my rear wheel to tubeless, before mounting a new tire. Sikaflex 291 marine urethane used, after cleaning up the rim with a wire brush on the drill, and degreasing with brake cleaner spray. Tire much easire to balance without the innertube!
Rick.
« Last Edit: October 14, 2023, 03:46:11 PM by bigbikerrick »
"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

Offline bobbyfromnc

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Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #42 on: October 18, 2023, 11:23:06 AM »
I have enjoyed this read very much. Very nice bike. Each bike is even better when there's a great story that comes along with it. BK

Offline bigbikerrick

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  • Location: Southeastern corner of Arizona, right next to "Old Mexico, and New Mexico"
Re: 76 Convert restoration/refreshening.
« Reply #43 on: October 21, 2023, 06:39:28 PM »
Thank you for the kind words, Bobby. The Convert project has been alot of fun. Even though I had to re do the rear wheel. I had a tiny leak at one of the spokes, so I am re sealing that. The front wheel sealed up 100%. No big deal, easy fix.  Its a good time to polish up the rear wheel and spoke nipples, as well as painting the rear brake caliper bracket, and a good cleaning/detailing of the swingarm, and pipes, etc.
Rick

"You meet the most interesting people on a Guzzi"

 

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