Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: sdcr on June 28, 2021, 11:11:47 AM
-
I’m interested in a 1976 850 T-3 advertised in the classifieds. Can those in the know, tell me a few details on these mid 70’s Guzzi’s?
Are they chrome bore engines?
Is the switch gear something that can be upgraded, with more modern components, without having an electrical engineering degree?
At a low, 22K miles, should this be a concern?
Any other weak areas of this machine?
Thanks.
-
Chrome bore as stock.
100K miles on my bike with original switchgear.
It's a tractor that runs forever.
-
My Convert had the same switch gear and while still fully functional, wasn't exactly intuitive, very little detent on the signal switch. I pulled them off and sold them for $300! The replacements are K&S from MG Cycle:
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_140&products_id=183
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_140&products_id=2592
Greg Bender sells plug-and-play adapters for these switches.
(https://i.ibb.co/1Rzn9rQ/switch-ks-to-molex-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1Rzn9rQ)
The two main areas of concern as I see it are: 1) chrome bores, 2) timing chain and tensioner. Both need to be taken care of if they haven't already.
-
Charlie, Ron,
Thanks for the concise answers, and advice.
If it had iron bores, I may have gone after it.
-
T-3s are a wonderful all around ride. Chrome bores are the only issue, although will admit a big one. Mine is a 75 and I haven't had switch issues except for need of contact cleaning a time or two. I am on my third ignition switch however.
(https://i.ibb.co/NpwJtQB/DSCN0485-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NpwJtQB)
GliderJohn
-
Are the chrome bores a problem only on the early models?
now I wonder how long my V7iii is good for ?
-
Chrome bores where used through the T-3 series than changed to iron. The Convert motor was iron however. Guzzi's later than that did not use the chrome bores.
GliderJohn
-
T-3s are a wonderful all around ride. Chrome bores are the only issue, although will admit a big one. Mine is a 75 and I haven't had switch issues except for need of contact cleaning a time or two. I am on my third ignition switch however.
(https://i.ibb.co/NpwJtQB/DSCN0485-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NpwJtQB)
GliderJohn
OK - Now THAT is one sweet vintage RIDE!! :thumb: :bow: :boozing: :cool: :wink: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
-
There aren't any drawbacks, except for the chrome bores, which are easy to swap out if you can get the parts.* The integral braking system is a major advantage. I just replaced my brake lines with steel braided ones, and now have almost too much braking.
(https://i.ibb.co/R97HcyY/IMG-20210512-132100261.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R97HcyY)
Moto
* https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=68_129&products_id=2129
-
The t-3 is my current favorite bike although I’ve never seen one up close or ridden one. They just seem to have it all going on. I’m installing a T-3 tank, seat, grab rail and tail light on my G5 just to get close to that look. I wouldn’t let chrome bores stand in the way John.
-
I'm running the original switchgear on my 1975 850 T. The 850 T-3 is a fantastic bike. Go for it.
-
I am on my third ignition switch however.
Those can be taken apart, the old waxy lube cleaned, wire brushed, deoxited, Vaselined, and reassembled in about 15 minutes. And.... you get to keep using the same key on the gas tank. Oh.. and it's FREE. (Guzzi content) :smiley:
-
From Chuck:
Those can be taken apart, the old waxy lube cleaned, wire brushed, deoxited, Vaselined, and reassembled in about 15 minutes. And.... you get to keep using the same key on the gas tank. Oh.. and it's FREE. (Guzzi content) :smiley:
My first switch had a total meltdown on it's base for some reason returning form the NM national. Plastic melted and all. Don't remember what was the problem with the second and the third and current one have been able to take apart and clean and continue. BTW the T-3 does not have a locking tank lid so that's not a problem. Other good news is that the T-3 is easy to hot wire.
GliderJohn
-
The 850T and T3 were the best all round Guzzis made imho, with a slight leaning to the T3 for it's improved braking and oil filtration. Once the cylinders have been replaced and a general restoration of the rest of the engine/gearbox/drive seals bearings etc has been tidied up you will have a great machine that will probably be all you will ever need. That's just my biased opinion though :grin:
-
The t-3 is my current favorite bike although I’ve never seen one up close or ridden one. They just seem to have it all going on. I’m installing a T-3 tank, seat, grab rail and tail light on my G5 just to get close to that look. I wouldn’t let chrome bores stand in the way John.
You've got a good eye. Many wouldn't see the aesthetic difference between the G5 and T3, let alone go to the trouble of upgrading the former to the latter. A good condition T3 (or T) seat, in particular, is now a rarity well worth taking care of. Many of those were tossed aside in order to mount the G5 Road Sofa instead.
Moto
-
Are the chrome bores a problem only on the early models?
now I wonder how long my V7iii is good for ?
they haven't put chrome bores in a bike since the late 70's maybe early 80's... not a concern for you.
-
I’m installing a T-3 tank, seat, grab rail and tail light on my G5 just to get close to that look
Wait a minute.., you are doing what? :azn:
Just messing with you, I love your project (and I also secretely want a T or T3 to add to my bikes)
-
I've had my '76 t3FB for about 15 years. It is a great bike, very capable and useful. I bought mine from Charlie T. in McAllen Texas, flew in, and drove it home to Wisconsin. It can handle modern highway speeds (and is very smooth at 70-75mph), and with a windshield is quite comfortable at speed. It really excels, though, on back roads, long cruises at 55-60.
I paid about $3k, and the bike had about 25k miles on it. The paint was worse than on the one you are looking at. Charlie had replaced the stock cylinders with Gilardonis, so I didn't have the chrome-bore issue to worry about.
I have had to wrestle with some electrical issues. I had the alternator fail at about 30k miles. Also had the diode board go out and a coil die, and I had to replace the starter motor.
If the bike has the original brake calipers with the chrome (caliper) pistons it is worthwhile to upgrade to the non-chrome ones because the chrome ones rust and get stuck. I actually just found it easier to purchase all-new caliper assemblies. It's also worthwhile upgrading the brake lines to SS. My switchgear was not in great shape, but was easily replaceable with better-quality aftermarket stuff from MG Cycle. My wiring suffered from the common "too short" problem and would pull itself out of the headlamp connection, and for that and some other reasons I eventually replaced it with a new loom from Greg Bender, who makes an excellent and fairly priced product. He can make the looms match the aftermarket switches. I also replaced the front and rear shocks with bits from MG Cycle.
Anyway it's a super-easy bike to work on, and it gets lots of looks and compliments (especially if you don't hack it up into a cliché café racer).
-
I’m going to look for a nice G-5, since it won’t have the chrome bore issue.
My first Guzzi was a 79 G5, and I never,, ever should have sold it. But I was young and dumb.
-
You've got a good eye. Many wouldn't see the aesthetic difference between the G5 and T3, let alone go to the trouble of upgrading the former to the latter. A good condition T3 (or T) seat, in particular, is now a rarity well worth taking care of. Many of those were tossed aside in order to mount the G5 Road Sofa instead.
Moto
Thanks Moto. The seat and a good rear grab rail are the hardest parts to find. I bought a repro from gutsibits in the U.K. but it was expensive and the wait was about five months. The quality is extremely high though.
Groover - I have all of the G5 parts boxed and waiting in case the originality bug bites. It would be a pretty easy swap back but I would have to refinish the old seat, wire in the stock dash, swap lower frame rails and refinish the old tank. I have to admit that the stock G5 looks better and better in the ads.
-
.....I have to admit that the stock G5 looks better and better in the ads.
Scout,
Is there a G5 advertised somewhere? I have not seen any lately?
John
-
I have several "rider quality" grab rails available and just sold an 850-T seat (to a guy in Italy). MG Cycle has new seats listed (but either out of stock or special order right now).
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=5732
-
Scout,
Is there a G5 advertised somewhere? I have not seen any lately?
John
I meant in the old period print ads. I haven’t seen one for sale recently. I’m sure there will be three for sale at the same time right after you pick up a nice T-3. I think that a clean example of either is a pretty good find.
-
I have both a 76 T3 and a 2019 V7iii. I love both, but when going from a modern bike to a 70s bike, the main difference is brakes. The T3 has the get up and go but you’ll need a bit more distance to stop. I would say though that it’s braking and handling are above average for a 70s bike. I got the Gilardoni cylinder kit first thing when I bought it 10 years ago, and it’s been problem free since. I also got the K&S switches just because I like the feel of modern ones.
-
A T-3 is more than capable of doing highway speeds and handles well on Alpine style roads. :thumb: