Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: RogerGuzzi on January 22, 2015, 11:28:35 PM
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Here is my newly acquired 1977 Moto Guzzi V1000 Convert. Sooo, what do you think? Yes, it is need of a cosmetic overhaul, but it runs fine. There is a slight oil leak (not yet taken a close look). Otherwise, it revs well and pulls strongly. There is a slight hesitancy, intermittent around 50 to 55 mph (sorry no tachometer!). Perhaps a carburetor rebuild will help? Basic things need taken care of - seat, tank and panels paint, clean up engine, controls, wheels, instrumentation, etc. But should I stop at surface cosmetic improvements, or go for a partial or even full restoration, or (gasp!) think about a custom job, perhaps a cafe racer? The handlebars are too high and far back for me, so the least I'm considering is flatter handlebars with a more forward leaning riding position. In any case, I'd really appreciate your thoughts, advice, opinions, etc. especially if you are familiar with this model.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jFWiXKzERWg/VMHYkUa2API/AAAAAAAABDY/V4hVpmxleRk/w529-h705-no/IMG_1040.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rf2_BKQeMFk/VMHbEDJCG1I/AAAAAAAABEg/HOxwuhFri8A/w529-h705-no/IMG_1045.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eQkXl2ZuEoQ/VMHbAUE59tI/AAAAAAAABEA/4RUMl2n_dL8/w529-h705-no/IMG_1046.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5Ho840q_T0U/VMHbAQKJRqI/AAAAAAAABEE/593BjRY9Sp4/w529-h705-no/IMG_1047.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rpWqPJ85vRk/VMHbDo9YdRI/AAAAAAAABEc/ltsQxNkru_U/w529-h705-no/IMG_1041.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iw0QD_J7bwE/VMHbDv5TcxI/AAAAAAAABEY/vDs-ye_k6yk/w529-h705-no/IMG_1042.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ff3z3pQg6LY/VMHbDUooreI/AAAAAAAABEk/uxFbcn27IGg/w529-h705-no/IMG_1044.JPG)
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I think you made a great choice!
I may be a little bias, however, as I picked one up myself a year back...just going to do a light cosmetic repair-as-necessary change-some-gaskets kind of thing I said. Next thing I know I'm looking at a frame with just a wiring harness in it. "You'll regret it if you don't paint that when you have the chance" a friend says, so out comes the harness and on goes new paint. Well, one thing leads to another, and it isn't long before I catch a glimps of myself in a mirror hunched over the instrument cluster hand painting the various icons and lettering on the dash face with white model paint.
Having a lot of fun though...and now I know exactly how many o-rings are in the transmission!
You have a great bike there. Lots of good advice available on this board so ask your questions as required.
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It's a good choice.
Put some proper exhaust on it and your hiccup will probably go away.
Otherwise make it yours. It's not going to be a resto piece (nobody cares if a Convert is stock or not), but probably an unsatisfactory café racer, too. These are best as urban commuters and long distance runners. Make it safe, do the cosmetics any way you want to, and eat some miles.
Here's my '76 with about 180k on it, bought in '79:
(http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd10/rodekyll1/complete3.jpg) (http://s226.photobucket.com/user/rodekyll1/media/complete3.jpg.html)
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Gas and go. Cosmetics as you feel like it. NOT another damn Cafe! ::(
Nick
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A fine machine! Fix her up and let her eat some miles!
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my "72":
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/8735991152_2f396e136f_b.jpg)
a bike I built and flipped last year:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/15665964595_39388bb87d_b.jpg)
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Thank you for the advice everyone! Okay, cafe racer is out (seems impractical for this model anyway). But yes, I do want it looking nice - not showroom, but so I am proud to bear up the Guzzi tradition. Now, about those exhausts... ???
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a bike I built and flipped last year:
Great job! I hope you don't mind if I pester you occasionally for advice! :bow
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Check https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MGconvert/info.
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Yup, lose those handlebars!Converts are great bikes. ;-T DonG
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Thanks Charles, that looks like a great group. I just joined.
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Great choice! As other have already suggested, I'd focus on reliability and safety items first. Fix the all the lights, carb kits, check brake functionality, make sure that battery charges properly, etc. then ride it a lot and they you'll know what to do and what not to do on it. Good luck, and congrats!
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Great job! I hope you don't mind if I pester you occasionally for advice! :bow
It is easy when you buy a basket case with the paint done...
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Great ideas, folks. So where do I start? Handlebars, exhaust, paintwork, seat? What do you recommend?
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I'd get it her on the road, carbs, charging system, tires, brakes, and dump those silly bars. Maybe a little rattle can action and ride awhile. Then decide.
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Roger: You have the basis for a very nice ride. As suggested, attend first to the mechanicals and get the bike ready for better weather riding. A few ounces of Chevron "Techron" in the fuel will clean out any old fuel contamination. Personally, with an older bike purchase, I like to drain a tank and flush it and dry fully and clean the filter before any serious riding. Then, patiently and deliberately, one item at a time, start removing wheels, tank, seat and see to making them cosmetically better. The seat will require a re-foam after 37 years and a new cover will do wonders for it. The fenders will polish up nicely as will the aluminum wheel rims. Intersperse riding with "prettying-up". Harper's should have any decals, emblems, or seat cover you need.
By mid-summer, we'll expect upgraded photos.
Ralph
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Great ideas, folks. So where do I start? Handlebars, exhaust, paintwork, seat? What do you recommend?
Why not with a full set of factory manuals, copies of brochures, period ads and lots of "How-to" documentation? I have compiled a CD with all of this for the Convert. Send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll drop a copy in the mail to you. No charge. Anywhere in the world.
The same offer applies to any other WildGuzzi list member, worldwide. I have individual CDs for the following models:
850-T
850 T-3
Convert
G5
1000SP
Le Mans 850
CX 100/Le Mans II
Le Mans III
Le Mans 1000 (IV/V)
California II
California III
750 S/S3
a small block compilation
and a couple others I've forgotten.
PM me your name and mailing address and I'll send a CD in the mail. No cost, shipping worldwide.
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One more thing that I haven't seen mentioned yet. Greg Bender's Thisoldtractor site has a wealth of information on all things Guzzi, as well as a section that details his own resurrection of a Convert. The first link is the general link to his Moto Guzzi pages, the second takes you to his Convert project.
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi.html
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/projects_i-convert.html
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Pipes and handlebars are the first things I'd ditch. Take a good look at Greg Benders green connie that's on the link above. That is perfection!!! No need to go that far, but find a nice color (I like pearl white on those tanks) paint her and show her off!
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Despite some negativity towards cafe racers on the part of my Guzzi brothers, my 'vert is in that trim, and I like it.
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/Taurragon/P1010750_zps2b0bc32d.jpg) (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/Taurragon/media/P1010750_zps2b0bc32d.jpg.html)
I'm got a set of La Fraconis for it and a 1/4 fairing, which I'll put on once it is warm enough to work in the garage.
Rich A
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my "72":
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/8735991152_2f396e136f_b.jpg)
a bike I built and flipped last year:
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7572/15665964595_39388bb87d_b.jpg)
The 72 very nice........ was wondering is that seat real leather? If so who built that one if you don't mind me asking?
Ciao
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Make her run right first, then concentrate on ergos and other bits that you see fit. Make it a project bike over many years, but one that doesn't keep you off the road. When you take it slow you have lots of time to think about things and do it right the first time around. That's a nice looking canvas.
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Despite some negativity towards cafe racers on the part of my Guzzi brothers, my 'vert is in that trim, and I like it.
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g166/Taurragon/P1010750_zps2b0bc32d.jpg) (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/Taurragon/media/P1010750_zps2b0bc32d.jpg.html)
I'm got a set of La Fraconis for it and a 1/4 fairing, which I'll put on once it is warm enough to work in the garage.
Rich A
That's not a cafe racer, that's beautiful. Looks like a bike that a rider built for riding! Love the tank styling and paint.
Lannis
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By mid-summer, we'll expect upgraded photos.
Greg Bender's Thisoldtractor site has a wealth of information on all things Guzzi, as well as a section that details his own resurrection of a Convert.
Thank you everyone for the great advice! I have download the factory manual. And Greg Bender's site is great. I will be borrowing a lot from it!
I hope I can meet Ralph's expectations! I am currently restoring a BSA, but hopefully I will find some time (and money!) to dedicate to the Guzzi. Just trying to decide where to start... Paint or seat, paint or seat, paint or seat? ???
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The 72 very nice........ was wondering is that seat real leather? If so who built that one if you don't mind me asking?
Ciao
ebay chinese knockoff of a harley solo saddle. search on part # 52004-25. It claims to be leather, a buddy of mine says it is the chicken mcnuggets of leather (re-constituted). I don't know, it does have memory foam, and is the most comfortable saddle I have ever had. I paid $105 for it. I just searched ebay, here is one you can get for $140+shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Police-type-Solo-Seat-Knuckle-head-Pan-Head-Shovel-head-dark-brown-/371246426915
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Do all the mechanical work first, make it solid and reliable mechanically, then make it pretty. that way you don't have to worry about buggering up the paint etc. when fixing stuff.
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my "72":
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7324/8735991152_2f396e136f_b.jpg)
Con-do? Con-dor? (Eldorado or Ambassador roots?)
That is the coolest Guzzi bitsa I've ever seen and one I would be very happy to have in my garage.
;-T
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Con-do? Con-dor? (Eldorado or Ambassador roots?)
That is the coolest Guzzi bitsa I've ever seen and one I would be very happy to have in my garage.
;-T
Agreed. Stylish, classic bike with modern accoutrements. Must be a blast to ride.
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Con-do? Con-dor? (Eldorado or Ambassador roots?)
That is the coolest Guzzi bitsa I've ever seen and one I would be very happy to have in my garage.
;-T
"Eldovert" is the name commonly used.
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"Eldovert" is the name commonly used.
+1
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You obviously know what you're doing mate ;-T
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Nice project. Make certain of the condition of your u joint and bearing. Very bad to have fail on the road. Search old posts for Hinz 57. Lots of convert info.
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Great ideas, folks. So where do I start? Handlebars, exhaust, paintwork, seat? What do you recommend?
I don't think that those bars will work unless they're behind a big fairing; otherwise you'll just be a sail, hanging on for dear life at speed.
I'd find some bars that look like they'd suit you, and try them.
At the same time, as has been mentioned, put on a proper exhaust. Those open drag pipes won't let the bike run right, and will annoy more people than they will impress with their racket.
Service it, change the appropriate fluids, oil the pivoting things, and ride it for 10,000 miles before you change anything else. By then, you'll have an idea of what the bike "wants" to be!
Lannis