Is this a bad idea? T3-convert

[johnwesley]

School me

Found a T3 for sale that has a 1000 convert engine in it. Issue is the ther opens was pulled down 4 years ago and has set since then. I haven't seen the bike yet but should next weekend. And thing I really need to be in the look out for? I ass/u/me the convert engine is the same as the other 1000?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

School me

Found a T3 for sale that has a 1000 convert engine in it. Issue is the ther opens was pulled down 4 years ago and has set since then. I haven't seen the bike yet but should next weekend. And thing I really need to be in the look out for? I ass/u/me the convert engine is the same as the other 1000?

Could clarify what you mean here: "ther opens was pulled down 4 years ago".

Unless the camshaft and timing cover were changed to the T3 or similar parts, you won't have a tachometer drive or working tach.

[johnwesley]

Wow that's a screwed post. Phone must of helped me out with that. The top end was pull down and has been sitting for four years. No jugs, pistons, or heads. That is in a box.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Sounds like a full engine teardown for inspection/rebuild will be needed. Would need to be cheap to make it worthwhile, IMO.

[Tom]

Do some more research.  Unless you're a decent mechanic, the forum posts won't give you "all" the info you'll need to get a torn down bike back together.  Big question.....was the bike stored correctly?  Heavy humidity area?  See some the threads on reviving long sitting bikes.  You could gamble and fire it up without taking care of the seals in the trans., engine and rear-end then chase the oil leaks.  How long has the bike been sitting.  There are tips and ways to take care of this but getting your answers on one thread won't suffice.  Not to scare you but going on your info.  Good luck on the revival, if you take up the challenge.

[johnwesley]

Good thoughts some time cheap can be very expensive. The guy who has the Guzzis has gone to the Harley side so I have some items that can be traded. But even free can be to much, depending on the shape. The bike is in Tulsa so humidity is an issue. Be nice to find a cal II in good shape, that a man wouldn't mind trading for a hot rod Vw or 1250 sporty.

[EldoMike]

Well...I just so happen to have this Cal 2 Convert....

http://s106.photobucket.com/user/eldomike/library/1984%20Moto%20Guzzi%20Cal%202%20Convert?sort=3&page=1

[oldbike54]

 Don't buy from an Okie , we can't be trusted  Seriously , Tulsa is close by , do you need an inspection ? Or I could insult the guy and offer to haul it away for $50.00 , make any positive offer look good 

 Dusty

[Perazzimx14]

If the Cal II doesn't wet your whistle I have f/s

1972 Eldo
1975 850T
1976 T3
1977 Sporterized/bastarderized convert project
2012 V7 Racer

All but the convert are tagged on the road. All run and ride as they should and all have clean/clear titles in my name

[johnwesley]

Lot of nice bikes poping up on this thread


Got this from the owner today. He is suppose to get me some pics this evening
The bike was upgraded with progressive heavy duty shocks on back had clutch redone and trans  bearings replaced  has a heavy duty trailer hitch. Also has the upgraded timing gears.

He wants $800

[EldoMike]

I'll take it if you don't want it...

[johnwesley]

got some more info on the bike. He still has the 850 engine if I want it. It was pulled because the chrome bores were peeling. So the convert motor was installed and since they went to that much work, wanted to have new valve guides in stalled and have a valve job done. He also wanted to put new rings and freshen up the bores. Problem was he never got past the tear down part and that was 4 years ago. Since then it has sat in his shop. That was also the time the clutch and new timing gears were installed along with the tranny bearings. So none of the work has any miles on it, but it's also not tested. The carbs are suppose to have been rebuilt then too but never ran. I have a date scheduled to go look at it and I should have some pics before I make the trip. His shop is not by his house so it's a special trip to get the pics

 

[Perazzimx14]

got some more info on the bike. He still has the 850 engine if I want it. It was pulled because the chrome bores were peeling. So the convert motor was installed and since they went to that much work, wanted to have new valve guides in stalled and have a valve job done. He also wanted to put new rings and freshen up the bores. Problem was he never got past the tear down part and that was 4 years ago. Since then it has sat in his shop. That was also the time the clutch and new timing gears were installed along with the tranny bearings. So none of the work has any miles on it, but it's also not tested. The carbs are suppose to have been rebuilt then too but never ran. I have a date scheduled to go look at it and I should have some pics before I make the trip. His shop is not by his house so it's a special trip to get the pics

 

With either motor budget an additional $2,000 to $4,000 (and don't be surprised if it passed 4K) to get the mechanics back in order and road worthy. Cosmetics over and above that.

Be prepared in the end you'll end up with a bike that if your lucky will bring $3,500 to $4,000. If you do a $10,000 nut and bolt restoration you'll have a bike worth maybe $6,000 to $6,500 and you'll wait a long time for someone to pay that.

I don't want to scare you away from reviving an old Guzzi but don't want you going into it with rose colored glasses thinking that for a few hundred dollars you'll have a runner.

[johnwesley]

Money seams to just leak out of some bikes. I'm working one over for my Dad. Thought we stole it, paid a thousand for it and drove it home. I've done the whole fuel system, it ran well but had some exhaust issues and then the front forks locked up. By the time we are done it will be over 4,000 in it.

The air head is mine.
 

[chuck peterson]

beyotuful blue and cream....airhead!

for a first guzzi, i'd say find something real cheap from the red suspenders crowd with 200k on it...fiddle for a year or two, then find the big ticket "just right" one when you've tried a few models out...they are all so different, but the same...sport or tour? guzzi got em both

full on restore would just get me pissed i'm not riding

[johnwesley]

beyotuful blue and cream....airhead!

for a first guzzi, i'd say find something real cheap from the red suspenders crowd with 200k on it...fiddle for a year or two, then find the big ticket "just right" one when you've tried a few models out...they are all so different, but the same...sport or tour? guzzi got em both

full on restore would just get me pissed i'm not riding

Pretty sure I know what I want, cal II, G5. The one I'm looking at I know is a T3 and they are still a neat bike  put a few miles on one. No sport models for me. I with ya on the full restro, just not my style. I ride fairly hard and mod for practical reasons. Last build was a adv style sportster I took to the Arctic Ocean, dead horse AK and Inuvik Canada.  Cool ride and would do it again given the time. Figure the goose is a good all road ruff and tumble bike. Like the larger tank on the older bikes. 6+ gallons is good.