Machinations

[Scout63]

In the interest of showing off my new bikes, here is the tangled history of my last five weeks.

I picked up forum member Tom in NC’s ‘79 SP several months ago for a quick project that was not so quick but very enjoyable. Simon Tack hauled it up to Cape Cod from NC.  I pulled the rear Konis off the bike for use on the hereinafter mentioned v7 Sport project.





In order to get the v7 Sport project from forum member Harry in Toronto, I had to also buy his ‘79 CX custom and take a literal ton of parts. I sorted out a myriad of customs and travel issues and picked everything up in early March.







I did a quick sort of the CX and sold it to forum member Chad in NC, who will have Simon pick the bike up soon.  I pulled the rear Ohlins from the CX for later use, but they are going to another forum member to make his drool worthy SP even more perfect.

The money from the CX contributed to my purchase of a ‘77 Ducati.  The SP, which was not moving at all, got thrown in to sweeten the Ducati deal, or rather to help convince the seller to also sell me a ‘77 LM1 project. The LM is about 90% complete on a very nicely done frame up restoration, and includes all the parts for completion. It needs main harness installation, fairing fitment and of course sorting.  I picked up both bikes yesterday with a long 600 mile day of driving.





The common thread seems my inability to keep from taking on more projects, but really is this forum which has made me some great friends over the past several years.  It’s such a great community.

[spmoto]

Nice score there Ben! The LM looks really nice. Someone swapped out the bell-cranks for flat tops on the carbs. Not a bad thing as the little cables in the crank tops are unobtanium. I think the throttle pull is a little lighter also with the flat tops. However, if you're going 100% original you may want to put out feelers for bell crank's. Someone on here may have some, unfortunately I don't.
Steve

[Turin]

Very nice!

[cliffrod]

There's taking on new projects as a matter of convenience & opportunity or simple lack of focus.   Then there's trading up to more significant projects.  When you pass through regular bikes to top tier bikes, that's just normal progress.     You've assembled a very nice group of bikes to have in the garage.  That's not a simple or cheap achievement.

Unless these new bikes & projects are just scattered around your back yard, under blue tarps flapping in the wind with pieces scattered on the ground, I think you're probably safe from any ADHD diagnosis..... 

[Scout63]

Nice score there Ben! The LM looks really nice. Someone swapped out the bell-cranks for flat tops on the carbs. Not a bad thing as the little cables in the crank tops are unobtanium. I think the throttle pull is a little lighter also with the flat tops. However, if you're going 100% original you may want to put out feelers for bell crank's. Someone on here may have some, unfortunately I don't.
Steve

I didn’t notice that Steve.  I’ll have to pay attention to the details when I start finishing it.  I think I would like to make it as correct as possible.  Ben

[blackcat]

Nice score there Ben! The LM looks really nice. Someone swapped out the bell-cranks for flat tops on the carbs. Not a bad thing as the little cables in the crank tops are unobtanium. I think the throttle pull is a little lighter also with the flat tops. However, if you're going 100% original you may want to put out feelers for bell crank's. Someone on here may have some, unfortunately I don't.
Steve

Personally I like the Bell-cranks over the flat tops and with lighter springs they are equal or better than the flat tops with the same springs.  And it’s easier to remove and install the slides.  In terms of the cables, I need to investigate making my own cables or having a set or two made.

[Scout63]

Personally I like the Bell-cranks over the flat tops and with lighter springs they are equal or better than the flat tops with the same springs.  And it’s easier to remove and install the slides.  In terms of the cables, I need to investigate making my own cables or having a set or two made.

Making your own cables is not too hard Blackcat.  Venhill sells supplies, or a you can buy kits from Revival Cycles.

How does one get bell cranks?

Ben

[s1120]

Seems like you have had a crazy year but you sure got some top line bikes to show for it!!!  I hope you have at least one ready to ride now that the season is here!!  If your out and about on your home turf, and you see a strange guy waving from a mini van, or hopefully see a chrome tank cali stone that will be me! 

[blackcat]

Making your own cables is not too hard Blackcat.  Venhill sells supplies, or a you can buy kits from Revival Cycles.

How does one get bell cranks?

Ben

I just ordered a little kit on eBay for not much money.

Cant remember seeing any on eBay for quite some time but you can buy the parts and put a set together. But that is a maybe.

https://www.dellorto.co.uk/product-category/dellorto-motorcycle-carburettors-parts/carburettor-parts/phf-parts/

[spmoto]

You could start right here on the swap meet. The bell cranks are the same on the 36's and 40's. You could also try Moto Guzzi Classics, Harpers and Cycle Garden. Mike Tiberio might know of or have some also.
For clarification regarding cables, I'm referring to the short slide cables inside the bell crank assembly itself, not throttle cables. they're about 2-3 inches long with swaged ends.
Steve

[blackcat]

Yes, the 76mm cables.

https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/dellorto-motorcycle-carburettors-parts/carburettor-parts/phf-parts/phf-internal-cable-76mm-long/

[Scout63]

Seems like you have had a crazy year but you sure got some top line bikes to show for it!!!  I hope you have at least one ready to ride now that the season is here!!  If your out and about on your home turf, and you see a strange guy waving from a mini van, or hopefully see a chrome tank cali stone that will be me!

Please wave Paul. No one here really gets motorcycles.  I do have the Norton and SR running well.

Interesting Coda - I showed the SP to an interesting new rider last weekend after I had committed to trade it. He ended up buying it from my buyer and is picking it up in NY this weekend - probably ended up with my title.  My seller made a little money and he sold me the LM for a little less.  It all worked out. The end buyer is in the Boston area and I can help him work on the SP hopefully.

[s1120]

Please wave Paul. No one here really gets motorcycles.  I do have the Norton and SR running well.

Interesting Coda - I showed the SP to an interesting new rider last weekend after I had committed to trade it. He ended up buying it from my buyer and is picking it up in NY this weekend - probably ended up with my title.  My seller made a little money and he sold me the LM for a little less.  It all worked out. The end buyer is in the Boston area and I can help him work on the SP hopefully.

Ya, not really a motorcycle place. Some nice back roads though if you can miss the traffic. Surprising the amount of Guzzis I see out there though. Ive seen far more on the cape, and south coast then I have at home in NY.