Author Topic: Very early Convert (Read 5550 times)

TOMB · « **on:** June 05, 2018, 12:35:32 PM »

Today I started to do some overdue maintenance on this rare gem.
How's this for early.
Engine serial # 8. That's not a typo
Convert transmission serial # 1. That is not a typo.
Paper trail / combined stories verify total info.
Past history indicated that this probably in the first batch brought over for police testing and the numbers were created for tracking.
The bike is legally registered in Ct. and the state had to issue a also known as (AKA) serial # to follow proper serial sequences. Correct number of characters.
Additional info for this bike.
The Speedo looks like any typical Convert but with these changes.. it's aluminium, the spoilers are aluminium, the hyd. . fluid tank is the the left side cover not under it.
The front brake master cyl. Is triangular in shape..
Even the saddle bags are different. They look like the saddle bags that came in production bikes but open from the side similar to the G5 bags.
TOMB

rodekyll · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2018, 12:46:34 PM »

Very cool! Does it have a 2-speed gearbox? The legend is that the very first ones didn't.

Also, has it had the flywheel and pump drive fixes? I wouldn't want to run it with the stamped driveplate and early pump drive.

Groover · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2018, 01:08:56 PM »

Sounds like a very interesting one!

Antietam Classic Cycle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2018, 02:31:13 PM »

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2018, 02:31:13 PM »

TOMB · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2018, 02:57:34 PM »

Yes it has a 2 speed trans, Right now its running a 5 speed and rear diff so the 2 speed can get resealed and the owner can continue to ride it.. He has the 2 speed at his house so he can source the seals etc.
The light weight flywheel was replaced some time ago . This bike in its original form has a Eldo rear diff. a regular universal (T3 type ) and not the driveshaft like the production universal and the driveshaft is the rear portion of the universal, and linked brakes

For those who might want to change over to a 5 speed just acquire the everything from the flywheel to the rear diff . the diamentions are the same.. Its a lot of work but doable. You will also need a different front cover as you wont need the pump for the auto. A T3 will bolt right up but you wont have a tach drive.

Picture to follow

TOMB

rodekyll · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2018, 03:05:47 PM »

Can you tell what rear gears it's running?

TOMB · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2018, 03:26:21 PM »

I also have a Convert . I've ridden this early Convert and it rides the same as mine.
I was going through his original parts sorting out what I need to chance the bike back to its original condition and had the rear diff in my hands but didn't check the teeth count. I'll verify as we go forward and up date.
The owner told me today that he has to have his shoulder operated on so the change back takes the rush off me at least for a while. But in the Convert form it will work out better after shoulder surgery

TOMB

Yeahoo Whoyah · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2018, 03:45:38 PM »

Quote

has it had the flywheel and pump drive fixes? I wouldn't want to run it with the stamped driveplate and early pump drive.

I'd like to know more about this issue. I'm guessing the risk of failure is limited to the loss of forward motion? Of course that's not a good situation, but it's not a grenade blowing up other components, right?

rodekyll · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2018, 05:00:04 PM »

The pump issue results in no forward progress. A flywheel coming undone can also take out the torque converter, seals, and booger the end of the crankshaft. BTDT got the t-shirt greasy.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2018, 06:29:06 PM »

pretty big tease.. don't you have a camera?

TOMB · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:28:04 PM »

Yes I have a camera. But i also have other priorities.
Pictures soon.
TOMB

yogidozer · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:44:38 PM »

Quote from: TOMB on June 05, 2018, 09:28:04 PM

Yes I have a camera. But i also have other priorities.
Pictures soon.
TOMB

warming your breakfast plate is one of them

azguzzirep · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2018, 11:25:19 PM »

Rumor has it that Don Van Zant in CA has #1. I used to have #13 or 16. Can't remember. It was Phoenix police bike.

TOMB · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2018, 01:05:03 PM »

Here is a couple of pic.

how do i deactivate

Notice the master cylinder and the first picture the speedometer in the second picture does have the aluminum housing as I indicated yesterday third pictures should show you the serial number on the engine look close towards the left side of where the number normally would be you'll see the number 8 as I indicated yesterday and the 4th picture notice the oil pan the pressure relief valve is not like the production model the pre-screen is held on by a long threaded angular piece of tubing of some sort and the pan is not finished to production standards it's actually quite rough the way it's machined enjoy more pictures to follow.
Pic. Are out of order .
TOMB

mtiberio · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2018, 01:22:11 PM »

I want an early 2 speed box. Supposedly they had straight cut gears.

TOMB · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2018, 02:21:16 PM »

Mike I 'll keep a look out for a early trans. What's the easy way to identify. Special markings?
TOMB

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2018, 03:45:50 PM »

patiently waiting for the wide shots of the whole bike.

rodekyll · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2018, 05:40:17 PM »

I'm assuming that it's so old that he's got to colorize any pictures he takes of it. That could take a while.

I think my '76 had that same master cylinder. It's refreshing to see an instrument pod with all the screws intact.

TOMB · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2018, 05:56:59 PM »

Fotoguzzi

Here are the pictures .

The left side cover is from a T3 as I indicated the orginal side cover is the tank for the Hyd. fluid.

The rear diff is the deep sump like a Eldo and has linked brakes.

This bike will be returned to the Convert status when the owner gets the Auto trans system resealed.

The instrument panel still has the original screws as the instrument cluster is Aluminum, as are the sopilers.

More pic to follow as time allows.

Please read my post above for more info.

Due to the original serial number there isn't a Mfg. plate on the steering neck. All paperwork has been verified by DMV, and issued a AKA serial # by the St of Ct.

TOMB

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2018, 06:33:04 PM »

that is pretty dang cool!
be sure you replace the 3 o-rings in the torq converter housing when you put it back to stock.

TOMB · « **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2018, 07:48:50 PM »

Thanks for the info. I'll pass it on to the owner for the to do list
TOMB

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2018, 08:34:49 PM »

new o-rings will help keep the ATF pressure up, they get hard and flattened over time.
there is a Convert workshop supplement to the T3 service manual that will really help with that.. try thisoldtractor.com for a free copy.

mtiberio · « **Reply #22 on:** June 07, 2018, 07:12:17 AM »

Quote from: TOMB on June 06, 2018, 02:21:16 PM

Mike I 'll keep a look out for a early trans. What's the easy way to identify. Special markings?
TOMB

no freaking clue. Low #?

TOMB · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2018, 10:14:17 AM »

The convert of the story above and one that's slightly newer

how do you delete

F-22 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2018, 10:30:04 AM »

That master cylinder looks so familiar, but I don't know where to put it. Is it perhaps Scarab? I think I saw one on a 70's MV Agusta 350. Or perhaps a Malanca.

And those Guzzi engines on the floor in the background really remind me of my workshop.

TOMB · « **Reply #25 on:** June 07, 2018, 03:54:05 PM »

F-22.
2 eng. are convert type .one from a SP and the other is from Convert but the front cover was changed and the eng . Was fitted with a 5 speed.
The other eng. Is from a 96 1100i and comes with the fuel injectors.
TOMB

F-22 · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2018, 10:45:06 AM »

I mean, they are also standing like that in my garage...

My T5 project. Engine had 70000km, but clutch splines were completely ruined. I disassembled the bike, and never got around to get it back together. Probably this winter, though.... I plan on making it look like a T3, just with the square fin engine (although I am also thinking about milling and rounding the cylinders a little bit, to make it look like like a round fin engine).

TOMB · « **Reply #27 on:** June 27, 2018, 04:53:04 PM »

As promised

Hopefully these match the way i,m typing the information.

the engine serial number is #8

The Transmission is #1 see pic above.

The torque converter is welded to the starter ring, no flange , The torque converter on the right is from a production Convert.
Notice the difrence in the collar that the seal rides on . Thicker wall thickness on the left one which is from trans #1

The Hyd. drive in the front cover is a flat type drive and not the hex drive on production converts.

The clutch arm attachment on the rear of the transmission is a welded bracket and not cast like production Converts .Its totally machined and welded.

The clutch basket is totally machined Aluminum

Please notice the castings are very rough finished and painted inside and out with aluminum paint.

More surprises to follow as things are disassembled.

A big thank you to Chuck Peterson for todays assistance. (old time convert rider ) and boy does he know a lot about Convert leaks.
Picture of Flywheel to follow soon

More pictures as the disassembly continues.

TOMB

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #28 on:** June 27, 2018, 05:11:30 PM »

very interesting, thx for the pics!

TOMB · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2018, 05:19:40 PM »

Rodekyll

In responce to your earlier question the gearing is 9-34 stamped on the rear end case just under the attaching point to the swing arm .

TOMB

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Author Topic: Very early Convert (Read 5550 times)

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