T3 California Restoration

[vintage53]

Outstanding!

[Pescatore]

I love the black&white contrast, especially on the seat. 

[Dave Swanson]

Thanks guys! 

The final pieces of the puzzle arrived last week.  I needed the saddlebag locks and HMB Guzzi had them in stock.  Pricey but not sure if I could have adapted anything else.  I am no Les P by a long shot.   

She is done - done except for tuning. 

[Scout63]

This thread and build are so wonderful Dave.  The photos are very helpful in finding what I like in T3s.

[vintagehoarder]

Sweet!!

[Dave Swanson]

I had my first opportunity to give it a check out ride today.  I spent a bit of time tuning the carbs and took off.  It runs SO GOOD!  Love it.

[LesP]

Another fantastic job (Save) Dave. 
Better than new.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

  If any of my bikes looked that good, I'd never ride them.

[Dave Swanson]

Break in miles are coming slowly.  The bike is coming more alive it seems as the miles add up. 

[vintagehoarder]

Congrats! They are great bikes. However, I never got on with the windshield -to much turbulence. I finally cut it down so i got clean air to the head/helmet (see photos).
I always thought the police livery looked really cool so I got black stripes from Stein Dinse. And who says a motorcycle always have to be black?!
It had open Dunstall pipes on it. Ridiculously loud.
Now sold.

Beautiful who did your windshield decal?

[Dave Swanson]

Beautiful who did your windshield decal?

I was surprised to see it on the windshield. 

[Tiki Joe]

Outstanding job once again as all of your rebuilds are.  Curious...if you don't mind sharing, what is your background?  I think you mentioned somewhere you're retired now...were in some sort of auto technician before?....I'm guessing an engineer as your bikes turn out perfect! 

[Klinkhammer]

Beautiful who did your windshield decal?

It was there when I bought it. I liked it, looked really cool!!

Dave! Your bike looks outstanding!!

[Dave Swanson]

A year later and I can put the T3 California into the done-done category.  It took awhile to get to this point but there were some extenuating circumstances.

I had one last niggle that was recently solved with a new set of distributor springs.  With all the parts I replaced on this bike I left the old distributor springs in.      The worn out springs did not allow the bike to accelerate smoothly and made it difficult to time with a strobe.  All good now.    I must say this bike is now  joy to ride!  The 850 isn't a powerhouse in this platform, but it sure is satisfying.  It purrs like a kitten, and rolls down the road so nice.   It is becoming a favorite.  I also replaced the "break in" headers with a new pair.  The old pair of headers got very hot even with 2 fans blowing when I was trying to time the bike with stretched out distributor springs.  I couldn't have that! 

[Luke]

I just took delivery of aT-3. The side covers have a California decal on them but I’m not sure that that is what it is. I read that the T-3 California was made from 77 to 80, does anyone know if this is true or if there is a range of VIN numbers that would indicate if it could be a California. The bike is rather rough and has been sitting for a while, it has floorboards, the tall handlebars and just a speedometer (police type) in the dash.  I don’t have any pictures yet, I took delivery late last night. Thanks in advance any helpful responses.
Luke

[Dave Swanson]

I just took delivery of aT-3. The side covers have a California decal on them but I’m not sure that that is what it is. I read that the T-3 California was made from 77 to 80, does anyone know if this is true or if there is a range of VIN numbers that would indicate if it could be a California. The bike is rather rough and has been sitting for a while, it has floorboards, the tall handlebars and just a speedometer (police type) in the dash.  I don’t have any pictures yet, I took delivery late last night. Thanks in advance any helpful responses.
Luke

I don't believe you can determine a T3 California from a regular T3 by the VIN.   Moto Guzzi may be able to help with that.  They are slow at responding though.

Since you have the sidecovers, floorboards, and tall handlebars I am leaning toward you having the California.   Does it have the police style side stand?

Pictures and VIN will help.  Start a thread in the general section when you are ready. 

[Tkelly]

The Cal has the floorboards and decals on sidecovers.The plain t3 has pegs and 850-T3 on covers,according to photos in recent Book by Fallon.