Convert 76

[Kiwi_Roy]

A 76 Convert, anything in particular to worry about?
I have longed to try a convert for a while now since a good friend keeps raving about his "Magic Carpet Ride"

[80CX100]

Hey Roy,     Some of the Converts had the stamped steel flywheel which was a weak link, but other than that it's basically the same as the G5, iron bore etc.

     Dave Richardson mentions it in guzziology and has a diagram showing how you can tell the difference looking through the timing hole.

     I know lots of people have had the stamped flywheels reinforced without issues,fwiw.

     I passed up a low mileage, low priced Convert barn find years ago, because of the flywheel issue, I still regret that one,lol. 

     Kelly

[nick949]

Not trying to influence you or anything Kiwi_Roy, but................ ......

https://youtu.be/PIat391vi2A

Good luck,

Nick

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Two possible failure points that need to be addressed IMO:
1. flywheel - early stamped steel bowl can fracture... or not. Dave Richardson attributes failures to engine/trans misalignment. I wasn't taking a chance and installed the heavy machined flywheel.
2. hex piece that drives the ATF pump - the pump is driven off the end of the cam by a 6 mm x ~ 30 mm hex section shaft. The "socket" it fits into on the pump coupling in early pumps is only 8mm deep, later pumps it's ~ 12 mm deep. My hex piece rounded off and left me stranded in Punxsutawney, PA. I upgraded to the later coupling with 12 mm socket, but the hex piece still fit loosely in that and the end of the camshaft. I had a custom hex piece made that is 6.2 mm and that fits snug in both the cam and pump.
 

[Markcarovilli]

Kiwi Roy

they do grow on you and Charlie has it covered for now.  Like sitting back on an old comfy couch and feeling the breeze....

Mark

[dxhall]

If you buy one, you’ll be eligible to attend the International Convert Meet next spring (date and place to be determined, but I’m thinking the Banff area in May).  I’ll be taking the Eldovert.

[ray bear]

Hi Kiwi Roy, only had a convert for less than a year but find it a very rewarding bike to ride and a keeper  . I also have an 850 Eldorado and a V7 sport  as comparison . However I would reccomend putting a master gauge on the ATF pump and check for pressure as my bike had been fiddled with by last owner and the spring seat (12 15 07 00)  that sits behind the spring and acorn nut had been left out and I was only able to get a maximum of 5 psi ATF pressure as the pump was bypassing back to the tank. I  was unable to find the correct part so experimented using a selection of varying sized ball bearings and also varying thicknesses of aluminium sealing washers on the acorn nut  to attain the correct spring pressure /oil pressure of somewhere around 25 to 30 psi that the converter requires and found that by increasing ball bearing sizes by only thousands of an inch I could raise the pressure dramatically and the first ball I used I was getting 65psi and after much fiddling and also having to linish the end of the spring and the alloy sealing washer I finally ended up with 28 psi. What I am saying is that a bike  with a well used alloy sealing washer on the acorn nut  that someone may have overtightened  may increase fluid pressure well above the makers spec and put undue stress on the 6mm drive key resulting in a premature failure  of which I read about in this forum  every nown and then . Ask Charlie. Also not too many revs for the first 10ks as I left my master gauge on the bike for a few rides and from cold it was easy to get pressure up around 40 to 50 psi  till fluid had warmed . So a spirited start to your riding day may well put a lot of load on the tiny pump drive.. My two bobs worth and Im sure others will chime in later .

[dxhall]

Did you make a permanent installation for the pressure gauge?  I’d like to see how you did it.

[JayDee24ca]

Roy, as you know from your adventures with the Eldo and others, there is nothing on a bike that cannot be fixed. Tin flywheel? Worn drive key? Weak ATF pump? Peanuts for a guy like you. 
JD

[Kiwi_Roy]

Roy, as you know from your adventures with the Eldo and others, there is nothing on a bike that cannot be fixed. Tin flywheel? Worn drive key? Weak ATF pump? Peanuts for a guy like you. 
JD

John,
       Its your fault I want a Convert in the first place, you and your "Magic Carpet Ride"
I have a line on a couple now.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Thank-you gentlemen for all the tips.

Roy

[ray bear]

Hi dx , yes I have set it up semi permanent using a longer banjo bolt an a AF banjo fitting , put a blanking cap on the AF fitting and can attach to it whenever




facebook sign photo
 

[Kiwi_Roy]

Hi dx , yes I have set it up semi permanent using a longer banjo bolt an a AF banjo fitting , put a blanking cap on the AF fitting and can attach to it whenever




facebook sign photo

I must remember that one 

[Bulldog9]

Love my Convert. Not a 'canyon carver' but a wonderful ride.

Others have covered the 'worrysome' bits.  I have the light drive plate so I sourced a spare heavy and light flywheel and starter ring for' just in case'  AFAIK both the original flywheel and allen key in the drive are original to the bike and never messed with or failed.

[mtiberio]

...

 "Magic Carpet Ride"

...

I believe I was the first to coin that term...

[JayDee24ca]

I believe I was the first to coin that term...

I wasn't sure who originated the term, Mike, but it sure is an accurate description. I think I first heard it from Bill Bruno, and it immediately struck me as fitting. Kudos to you, then.
JD

[Kiwi Dave]

I have the Moto Guzzi workshop manual for the V-1000 I-Convert, and a parts manual for the same.  I think they're genuine originals.

A small donation to the charity of my choice will induce me to part with them, as I can never envisage me ever owning another one.