Wildguzzi.com
General Category => Bike Builds, Rebuilds And Restorations Only => Topic started by: motormike131 on September 08, 2017, 01:19:11 PM
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/bAt5Ja/Moto_Goose_34.jpg) (http://ibb.co/bAt5Ja)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/frL5jF/Shocks_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/frL5jF)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/iEG0Ja/Shocks_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/iEG0Ja)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/hrw0Ja/Wild_Cat_17.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hrw0Ja)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/i19y4F/Guz_1.jpg) (http://ibb.co/i19y4F)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/m76NWv/Guz_2.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m76NWv)
Good Day... got this from a estate sale a few weeks ago. Claimed to be a one owner, 38,000. $1600.oo.
It came with the solo seat and a home made passenger pad that also lifted up to become a backrest for the rider. I sourced a proper saddle quickly knowing the other half would not be pleased with a .. pad.
We did a 5 day weekend ride..back roads, freeway. Always fired straight away..no engine issues. I'm still learning the proper shift in relation to engine speed. Same issue with my Cushman...let the engine speed slow down.. then shift. Not a bike I'd take to the Tail of the Dragon..it runs into real estate quickly on the left side.
So far I'm pleased with the bike and entertaining the idea of a proper paint job. The " barf blue " isn't working for me. These came in black, white and red. Here locally there are a couple of very nice black ones.. I'm not a fan of white.. Red..?
On this section there's a red one posted. Very nice. I'm lean'n towards red, with match'd red on the bags, fared, pin stripes, with white walls. I discovered it sat low.. then found a pair of " c " clamps on the lower section of shock springs, held in pace with a hose clamp..?.. I pop'd the clamps off and now the bike sits better.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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Motorbike.......her e the house clamps somehow binding the bags? I'm sure someone with more knowledge of these bags will chime in.
I did mine in red and white.......
Tim
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The " C " clamps didn't contact the bags. I'm told these are Wixton (sp?) bags and fare'n.. period correct for this year. Last weekend between the freeway and Ma Natures heavy downpour (only 7 miles) the fare'n was welcomed.
Others locally have chimed in... I should drop the old generator.. get a Alternator kit from Scrambler Cycle..and other opinions... get rid of the bags.. keeps the bags.. don't paint... :smiley:
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Probably before I went much farther with this bike I would want to check the cylinders for chrome bores. There is a lot of information on this board. Search "chrome bores" to get started.
Brian
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Still crunch'n $$$ for a mild restoration.... won't pull the engine .. runs well... headers need replacement... $$$.... paint.. (red-white) $$$$... seat cover.. $$$.... white wall tires... $$$....usual misc $$$.... so based on what these are hammer'n for on ebay ... with the purchase price, $1600.. and all of the above $$$$.. I should break even .. value Vs expense (insert laugh track here).
Based on our two up 600 mile labor day weekend.. mixed freeway and country roads.. it's a capable machine and worth the time and $$$$.
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Seriously, what bmc said above is right on target. Before you start making aesthetic upgrades, you should ascertain whether the bike is mechanically sound. It may be running well now, but keep in mind that your bike was built before Guzzi began using the Nikasil/Nigusil (nickel/silicon carbide) cylinder plating in the late 70's. Your bike came with OEM chrome plated cylinder linings. Over time, these inevitably begin to flake off and send chrome particles/flakes/clumps into the engine oil, where they clog oil passages, lodge in plain bearings, score pistons and do all manner of mischief that essentially wrecks an engine. Many vintage loopframes like yours have been converted to modern Nigusil-plated Gilardoni cylinder-piston kits, which are readily available.
It would be prudent to take off one, or better, both cylinder heads, rotate the pistons to bottom dead center and examine the bores. If they are smooth and flawless, the Gilardoni conversion will likely have been done. You are good to go. If you see any flaking or irregularities, stop everything and change the cylinders ASAP before you get a chrome-induced engine seizure.
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Seriously, what bmc said above is right on target. Before you start making aesthetic upgrades, you should ascertain whether the bike is mechanically sound. It may be running well now, but keep in mind that your bike was built before Guzzi began using the Nikasil/Nigusil (nickel/silicon carbide) cylinder plating in the late 70's. Your bike came with OEM chrome plated cylinder linings. Over time, these inevitably begin to flake off and send chrome particles/flakes/clumps into the engine oil, where they clog oil passages, lodge in plain bearings, score pistons and do all manner of mischief that essentially wrecks an engine. Many vintage loopframes like yours have been converted to modern Nigusil-plated Gilardoni cylinder-piston kits, which are readily available.
It would be prudent to take off one, or better, both cylinder heads, rotate the pistons to bottom dead center and examine the bores. If they are smooth and flawless, the Gilardoni conversion will likely have been done. You are good to go. If you see any flaking or irregularities, stop everything and change the cylinders ASAP before you get a chrome-induced engine seizure.
No need to remove a cylinder head. Just remove one sparkplug, poke a "magnet on a stick" in until it touches the cylinder wall. No attraction = chrome, very slight = Nikasil, strong = iron liners. If it's chrome, it's bad - there is no such thing as "good" chrome bores IMO. They will all flake eventually, usually sooner than later.
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I'm betting the cylinders haven't been changed, considering the bodge on the shock springs. That's a new one on me, and I've seen some bodges. :smiley:
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Oh.. a nicely done 70' Ambo on ebay hammer'd for nearly $7500.oo... no sale.. but.. it does give me the incentive to restore mine. Of course.. I'll have almost that into it.. :)
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That looks like a great buy for what you paid for it!
Replace the cylinders if they are chrome and enjoy it, they are fantastic motorcycles.
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Oh to be in a country where you find deals like that.
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Here is what happens when the chrome starts to come off of the cylinder walls, it ends up being pumped throughout the system, with disastrous results, this pump is now NFG as well as the rest of the engine! DonG
(http://thumb.ibb.co/ha2dYm/IMG_2062.jpg) (http://ibb.co/ha2dYm)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/mE3rm6/IMG_2028.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mE3rm6)
upload image no signup (http://imgbb.com/)
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Nice find, Yes, check the cylinders. That seat looks OK to me, I have a stock one with an aftermarket cover if you're interested. :popcorn:
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No need to remove a cylinder head. Just remove one sparkplug, poke a "magnet on a stick" in until it touches the cylinder wall. No attraction = chrome, very slight = Nikasil, strong = iron liners. If it's chrome, it's bad - there is no such thing as "good" chrome bores IMO. They will all flake eventually, usually sooner than later.
I would drop the oil pan and look for metal particles, that's also a good indicator on the condition of the engine.