New Moto Guzzi Door Mats Available Now
Just something about Morini 31/2"S.
Tell me about it. I'm already obsessing over the (very needy project) 3 1/2 Strada I picked up a few weeks ago.
Did you buy that bike recently in Madison Heights, VA? One of my neighbors has one, just about as cherry as that one. He says it belongs to his Dad. You know the story "One of these days...... I'm gonna restore that bike!"Probably not a good project to start for anyone over the age of 50.......
The ad is down now. How much was he asking for it?
Yes, I did. It belonged to Doug's dad, Ron. I'm not sure what age has to do with it - I'm 56 and (unless something catastrophic happens) should have it done within two years. Canuck750, Warren R. and the customer I restored a '74 3 1/2 Sport for are all helping to make it happen a bit quicker than I had originally thought, so it could be sooner if "funding" allows.
Well, if more than one person is working on it..... theoretically...... it could get done during multiple human lifespans. Glad to hear you bought that. I remember the day. Expensive compared to it's contemporary competitors, but very cool bikes.Doug told me that was a project that his Dad was hoping to start for many years. I looked at it, but decided I might not live long enough to get it done. Did you see Ron's little Moto Guzzi 125 two stroke enduro?I bought my 750 Nevada from Doug. It must have been just a few days before you bought the Morini. I own land just on the other side of the creek from Doug. I met Ron once when we had a trials event on my land. Both are good people.
I don't think it's really as daunting of a project as you make it out to be. The engine turns over, has compression, the transmission shifts through the gears and the clutch works. Engine oil looks fresh. I may not need to do anything mechanically other than a cam belt change and thorough service. The rolling chassis will be completely "restored" though, with a few changes.
I hope you are right. Mechanical issues are always the most satisfying and least problematic to me. I was thinking more in terms of aesthetics, derrusting the tank, missing switch gear, electrics, etc. All fun, but only if one has time and space. I looked at it and thought "Hmmm....no garage space, no knowledge on my part of any aspect of this bike, 4 other bikes I don't ride enough already, house projects, and surgery coming up...... hmmmm.... don't do it Ed! 95% complete Nevada is more within your realm of actually accomplishing." I didn't even bother asking the price. Sound like karma helped the bike find a better home.
Derusting the tank: 24 hours with milkstone remover inside, flushed, dried and done. No switch gear is missing. The wiring harness is mostly intact, even if wasn't reproduction harnesses are readily available. Biggest hurdles for me are/were gauges (bought a tach on ebay, have a speedo), front brake caliper (very hard to find but canuck750 has one) and sidecovers (my customer has a spare left-side and a pair that can be used to have repros made in ABS). The rest is "small stuff". "A man's gotta' know his limitations" and this project is well within mine. I've become quite familiar with Morinis since the total restoration of the customer's 3 1/2 Sport from a basketcase. https://www.flickr.com/photos/98421140@N05/albums/72157696971789835Starting on the same customer's second (of three) 'Sports now. This one will be much easier since it was a complete bike, not missing a lot of engine parts like the first.
