New Convert Refresh / Project

[Turin]

I picked up this old girl Tuesday. 1977 Convert. It was set up as funeral escort bike in the late '80s. The guy who serviced her is the same guy I go to.  I've always wanted to try one and the price was right. Only thing wrong is that it sat for a long time, but we've all been through that before.

[Roy gardner]

Looks like a good usable example. Unusual front caliper mount, got any close up pics of that?
I recall reading in MGNOC magazine back in the day of some funeral outfits running the trans oil through the crashbars as well as the oil cooler, has that been done?

[yogidozer]

NICE! 

[Turin]

It's not going to need that much. My 850T was in seriously rough shape. My first bike was a T-3 that was is similar shape. As said, I know the service history of this bike. My guy who serviced it last year said it was a good running bike.

1 - oil and brake fluid change. Master cylinder needs new bellows. I have a spare stainless line and 4 piston caliper that I'm putting on the front.
2 - dropped the float bowls. a little varnish. time for a soak and a cleaning.
3 - clean tank and replace the petcocks and add in line filters.
4 - Already installed a new battery.
5 - Tires manufactured 2008. They'll suffice for tooling around the neighborhood. They have had very little use. Still wouldn't trust them for a long haul on the interstate due to age.

[bigbikerrick]

I am curious as to why would they run the transmission fluid through the crash bars, on "funeral bikes"?  Sounds like it would add alot of complexity to the bike.
Rick.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If the ATF hoses are original or more than 10 years old, then it might be a good idea to replace those. Not high pressure, but it stills sucks when one fails.

[Turin]

Standard crash bars. It was bought by Dave's Cycle Service in AZ who did the conversions, and then sold them to the funeral company, thus the funky but indestructible fairing mounts.  (this one was sold to a private party). Kinda funny, The 90 year old guy they got it from had etched the serial numbers into every part on the bike. levers, the works.

[chuck peterson]

I am curious as to why would they run the transmission fluid through the crash bars, on "funeral bikes"?  Sounds like it would add alot of complexity to the bike.
Rick.

Cooling the fluid for parade duty...probably not necessary

[Lannis]

Cooling the fluid for parade duty...probably not necessary

Any Guzzi I've ever ridden, Convert and standard, were the coolest-running air-cooled bikes ever.   Never had one get into "distress" like other air-cooled bikes when you were idling in 2-mph traffic for a mile in 90 deg  heat.   Can't imagine that oil or transmission oil coolers would be necessary for any of the Guzzis .... ?

Lannis

[Roy gardner]

Cooling the fluid for parade duty...probably not necessary

Correct, that was the folk lore of the day.