Intro and question about '74 Eldo discs

[xander18]

Hey everyone,

Excited to be a part of this board. I've lurked on and off for years, now I have cause to register.

I actually own no Guzzis! My dad owns 3 Eldos in various stages of disassembly, a V11 Quota and a V11 Jackal, and a V50-2 that I will make mine soon. More relevant, we talked a family member in California into the Guzzi club and he bought a lovely 1974 Eldorado police bike in Detroit (where I live). So the bike is now at my shop and I have the great fortune of turning some wrenches on it before it goes to CA. My daily rider is a CB750 DOHC and while a quality motorcycle it's no Guzzi.

I probably need a rotor and pads for the '74. The rotor is scored and I doubt it'll be thick enough if I get it turned. I also want to go dual disc up front so I would need another anyway. Is the Eldo rotor the same as the early 850T disc brakes or do I have to track down an Eldo specific rotor? How about pads?

I searched pretty extensively on this question and couldn't find much, I apologize if I'm rehashing known information.

[jrt]

Rotor is the same.  Not sure if they are available anymore, but there is probably at least a replacement.  Pads are the same as any other Brembo FO8 if the gear is stock.
There is a bit of work getting the Eldo to dual disc.  I just went through it.  You'll need to machine a spacer to put onto the non-disc side.  You will also need another caliper, longer brake bolts and new brake line to plumb it all in.
Greg Bender's site, thisoldtractor.com, has several thorough write-ups on the process, with pictures.

[guzziownr]

MG Cycle has SS disks that fit the Eldo.  Attractive and functional.

[Cam3512]

Or the original style.  Mildly attractive and much heavier.

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=110_134&products_id=1029

[xander18]

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the prompt and informative replies. I suspect we will go with an OEM looking disc as this is a largely original police bike and my friend wants to keep it that way. It won't be ridden hard and the dual discs will be more than sufficient. First I have to check with the guy signing the checks though.

Again, I apologize if I'm asking well known questions. As a sort of reward I'll offer up the pics I probably should've attached in the first place.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

In the early '90s I added a second disc to an 850-T. It didn't make as big a difference in stopping power as I expected. So it might not be worth all the effort on this Eldo. Maybe try braided stainless brake lines first?  Just sayin'

[xander18]

Yeahoo, I'm advising my cousin that the second disc should be considered if he plans on a lot of gear/luggage or a lot of riding with a second person. IMO that's the only thing that requires a second disc up front. Or if he wanted an Eldo track bike  But I wanted to present him with a reasonable assessment of the costs and the trouble required.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Why would you need dual disks, the original drum brakes work great.

I notice on mine the rear seems to take a lot of the stopping duty, different than my other bikes.

[Perazzimx14]

You cannot turn the brake rotor you need to get them Blanchard (SP) ground.

I went the floating EBC route on my 850T and am very happy with performance & weight reduction.

If you got the EBC center powder coated black 98% of people would not even notice its aftermarket + its stainless and will not rust all overt the place like the stocker. Since the bike is "largely" and not  "entirely" original the upgraded disc will not detract from the value. 

[Cam3512]

Dual disks up front makes a huge difference on the Eldo.  The stock MC is too big for the single, and lever actuation is like grabbing a 2x4.  Adding a disk greatly improves that resulting in better stopping.

This is the second spacer you need.  Moes sells them.  Kinda pricey, but a beautiful piece.  A friend bought one, and we converted his Eldo to dual disks.  Good luck finding one elsewhere.  MG Cycle will have everything else you need.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=170875962775&globalID=EBAY-US

[leafman60]

Call Curtis at Harper's Moto Guzzi


http://www.harpermoto.com/

[mtiberio]

ride the bike with one disc before doing anything. adding a second disc to the front end of a guzzi is the biggest waste of money anyone can do. that plus the the added unsprung weight (and it is quite non-trivial, rotor, caliper, pads) on the front axle assembly ruins the ride over bumps.

[Cam3512]

ride the bike with one disc before doing anything. adding a second disc to the front end of a guzzi is the biggest waste of money anyone can do. that plus the the added unsprung weight (and it is quite non-trivial, rotor, caliper, pads) on the front axle assembly ruins the ride over bumps.

I never noticed  a difference in the suspension with the additional weight.  I DID notice the bike stopped better.  Alot better.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If it has the original 15 mm master cylinder on it, replace that with a 13 mm unit from a Tonti Guzzi or aftermarket and stick with a single disc. More than enough braking unless it'll be towing a trailer, hauling a big mama and full luggage or tugging a sidecar.