Author Topic: Convert Confession  (Read 699 times)

Offline Vecchio Lupo

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Convert Confession
« on: February 19, 2023, 05:39:19 PM »
Brothers, I come to you today to confess my asshattery. Ive been working on bringing back a 77 Convert that wasn't too far gone, only 5-7 years sitting. It really only had brake and carb issues, normal. I diid spend time and money putting it back in Guzzi trim and out of Harley costume. I did cut a couple corners. but through ignorance not laziness....I did not completely take apart the accelerator pump when I cleaned the carbs and now it stumbles and spits and yes I have to go back and re do what I should have done.

Here is the funny. While the bike is on my lift table and Im doing the service and resetting everything and doing function checks , everything is coming together fine. Hi/Lo is smooth, clutch engages correct , so Im pretty stoked, but its my first ever convert, so I only know what I read. I put her in low range and get ready for my road testing. Off the table, out the garage and here we go. She fires up, idles smooth, settles down and I pull away....easy...smoo th...little throttle..yes she picks up nice.  Im pretty darn happy and surprised with how responsive she is and the acceleration while not neck snapping, is respectable..about the same ( maybe a bit less ) as my 77 BMW R100, certainly comparable, Im happy.

Few days of neighborhood testing and I get a 15 mile loop of an errand and I start to wonder if Im happy with low range acceleration but not impressed, how sluggish is high range going to be? So...at the next light I went to shift into high range and as it turns out, I have been in high range the entire time. I must have hit the lever getting off. the table so all the time I'd been happy with the performance it was in high range. Guess what? I shifted into low range and took off...holy shit, talk about night and day, my 77 R100 doesn't have a chance in a drag race against a convert in low range up to about 65mph.

that's my confession and Im happy to be pleasantly surprised like that.
Moto Guzzi "Going out of business since 1921"
Italian motorcycles are like Italian women,...sometimes they stab you for no reason.
RIP Harold "Dutch" Prattini ,...you taught me more than you know.

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2023, 06:09:45 PM »
Glad to see your happy, that's what it's about.
"Pray through Carlo & your bike shall be healed"
Location: Planet Earth

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2023, 06:17:49 PM »
BETTER BE CAREFUL!
Now that your work table is empty you might have to get another Guzzi to keep it company🙂
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline John A

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2023, 07:08:48 PM »
Thanks, that made me smile!
John
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It is easier to fool people than it is to convince them that they have been fooled-Mark Twain
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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2023, 07:08:48 PM »

Offline Vecchio Lupo

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2023, 08:24:02 PM »
While Im admitting mistakes were made...just cleaned and took apart the accelerator pump units in the VHB30S and guess what? one of the ball check units was in backwards. So that explains all the hesitation and bogging at WOT.

Tomorrow is gonna be great, and as far as my empty table goes...finally going to start the sympathetic reworking of my very tired 1974 Honda ST90
Moto Guzzi "Going out of business since 1921"
Italian motorcycles are like Italian women,...sometimes they stab you for no reason.
RIP Harold "Dutch" Prattini ,...you taught me more than you know.

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2023, 08:48:36 PM »
 :gotpics:
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline Scout63

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2023, 09:53:56 PM »
Great report. It seems that Converts are finally getting their due. About time.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline vintagehoarder

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2023, 04:32:25 AM »
Fun bikes, I just left mine in high most of the time and was very happy wth it.

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Offline jkguzzi

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #8 on: February 20, 2023, 06:06:46 AM »
The only time I would use low range was for slow maneuvering on wet grass at rallies.

Offline TOMB

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2023, 09:50:37 AM »
In some Convert circles there's a standing joke because there really isn't any engine
braking be sure you have plenty of good heels on your shoes they might help

TOMB
« Last Edit: February 22, 2023, 06:44:53 AM by TOMB »
TOMB

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
1972 Eldorado new to me so "0" miles so far
1972 AMBASSADOR 169000 MILES
1978 G5 170000 MILES
1973 V7 SPORT 25000 MILES
1973 ELDORADO 300000+ MILES
1980 CX100 50 MILES
1976 CONVERT-62000 MILES AND BUILDING
1976 HONDA CB400F 27 MILES AND BUILDING SOLD

MGNOC # 2723

Offline TOMB

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2023, 09:53:25 AM »
Calling Chuck Peterson!

TOMB
TOMB

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
1972 Eldorado new to me so "0" miles so far
1972 AMBASSADOR 169000 MILES
1978 G5 170000 MILES
1973 V7 SPORT 25000 MILES
1973 ELDORADO 300000+ MILES
1980 CX100 50 MILES
1976 CONVERT-62000 MILES AND BUILDING
1976 HONDA CB400F 27 MILES AND BUILDING SOLD

MGNOC # 2723

Offline Vecchio Lupo

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2023, 10:22:40 AM »
WOW!!  turns out that with a reversed check valve in the accelerator pump, the engine really doesn't run as it should. With that remedied it pulls so much harder from the basement to the attic even at WOFT. Now I can just live in fear of my flywheel breaking before I change it out for a cast piece.  (Yes I have a cast flywheel to fit, but I just got her going and don't want to lay her up just yet)

My vision for this bike is changing slightly, originally I was going to do an L.A.P.D. tribute/Replica, Ive collected most of what I need, but Im going to wait and see what the bike tells me what it wants to be in the fall when paint and changes should be made.

Here are the pics..check my accidentally matching Moto Guzzi helmet I picked up in Mandello Del'Lario at the Open House in 2018. Then there is the Metallic turd BMW stablemate with Vesco fairing, also a 77 (coincidence) and my little 74 Honda ST90 that needs love and money showered on it.

Thanks for all the encouragement and good vibes. I have owned at least 20 Guzzi examples over the last 40 years (yes, I have the sickness) and in the late 80s I purchased the remnants of an old Triumph/Norton/Guzzi shop and in 1991 I convinced/bamboozled Moto America into selling me a Moto Guzzi Franchise...That lasted 3 years, I lost a ton of money, but it was all my fault. Im a better enthusiast than dealer. Very happy to be here.





Moto Guzzi "Going out of business since 1921"
Italian motorcycles are like Italian women,...sometimes they stab you for no reason.
RIP Harold "Dutch" Prattini ,...you taught me more than you know.

Offline Moparnut72

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2023, 11:57:34 AM »
I need to quit reading this thread. I have had the opportunity recently to purchase a Convert for some really low money. It has what appears to be a slipping clutch. I passed because I need another project like I need another hole in my head and I don't need another motorcycle. Two are enough and I know how things can get out of hand, I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk
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Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2023, 01:40:13 PM »
Nice! Looks like you have a few other toys, what’s that green truck?

I need to quit reading this thread. I have had the opportunity recently to purchase a Convert for some really low money. It has what appears to be a slipping clutch. I passed because I need another project like I need another hole in my head and I don't need another motorcycle. Two are enough and I know how things can get out of hand, I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk
slipping clutch? Never heard of that one. Maybe it’s the hex key driving the ATF pump wearing out .
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Offline Vecchio Lupo

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2023, 01:48:01 PM »
Nice! Looks like you have a few other toys, what’s that green truck?

That Green truck is my 1989 VW Transporter Double Cab with 1.9 Turbo Diesel. I got it when stationed in Germany, from the Forestry Service . I love it, but its been in SC for 2 years and I can tell that the humidity and the coastal sea air will reduce it to dust, I must sell it west of the rockies very soon. I drove it for 7 years in Germany with no real deterioration, but 2 years in Charleston and OMG, it has to go out west.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2023, 01:50:51 PM by Vecchio Lupo »
Moto Guzzi "Going out of business since 1921"
Italian motorcycles are like Italian women,...sometimes they stab you for no reason.
RIP Harold "Dutch" Prattini ,...you taught me more than you know.

Offline Vecchio Lupo

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2023, 01:53:19 PM »
I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk

IM a nutcase for British Seagull out board motors. I buy them and I don't even have a boat. I just love the simple engineering.
Moto Guzzi "Going out of business since 1921"
Italian motorcycles are like Italian women,...sometimes they stab you for no reason.
RIP Harold "Dutch" Prattini ,...you taught me more than you know.

Online chuck peterson

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #16 on: February 21, 2023, 03:54:44 AM »
Welcome to the choir! Glad you got a runner!

I’ve always thought Verts were underrated, and misunderstood. The wrong advance springs will hobble the poor beast

The owners manual clearly states…

To check max acceleration
Apply brakes
Open throttle fully
Release brakes


I suspect many 1/4 times by the magazine reviews were not done that way!!!! Guzzi says 13-14 seconds but I’ve seen 17 seconds in some reviews..

For the two verts i had, about 140k, i only used high range on interstate hiway droning

Lo range was magic from idle to 80, and fwo at 55-60 was surprising….great fun to wave w your left hand while pulling away!  :bow:

"I'd like to thank all my friends who have kept my Guzzi's going, but mostly...TOMB."
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Online lazlokovacs

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2023, 06:56:48 AM »
low in the city for me and high the rest of the time....

absolutely love my eldovert

Offline Moparnut72

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Re: Convert Confession
« Reply #18 on: February 21, 2023, 08:29:15 AM »
IM a nutcase for British Seagull out board motors. I buy them and I don't even have a boat. I just love the simple engineering.
I have one Seagull. It is a tiny one with a short shaft, I think it is 1/2 hp. I can point the boat into a very mild breeze with the motor at a slow idle and go backwards.
kk
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Amiga computer shop owner: "Americans are great consumers but terrible shoppers".

 

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