Convert Confession

[Vecchio Lupo]

Brothers, I come to you today to confess my asshattery. Ive been working on bringing back a 77 Convert that wasn't too far gone, only 5-7 years sitting. It really only had brake and carb issues, normal. I diid spend time and money putting it back in Guzzi trim and out of Harley costume. I did cut a couple corners. but through ignorance not laziness....I did not completely take apart the accelerator pump when I cleaned the carbs and now it stumbles and spits and yes I have to go back and re do what I should have done.

Here is the funny. While the bike is on my lift table and Im doing the service and resetting everything and doing function checks , everything is coming together fine. Hi/Lo is smooth, clutch engages correct , so Im pretty stoked, but its my first ever convert, so I only know what I read. I put her in low range and get ready for my road testing. Off the table, out the garage and here we go. She fires up, idles smooth, settles down and I pull away....easy...smoo th...little throttle..yes she picks up nice.  Im pretty darn happy and surprised with how responsive she is and the acceleration while not neck snapping, is respectable..about the same ( maybe a bit less ) as my 77 BMW R100, certainly comparable, Im happy.

Few days of neighborhood testing and I get a 15 mile loop of an errand and I start to wonder if Im happy with low range acceleration but not impressed, how sluggish is high range going to be? So...at the next light I went to shift into high range and as it turns out, I have been in high range the entire time. I must have hit the lever getting off. the table so all the time I'd been happy with the performance it was in high range. Guess what? I shifted into low range and took off...holy shit, talk about night and day, my 77 R100 doesn't have a chance in a drag race against a convert in low range up to about 65mph.

that's my confession and Im happy to be pleasantly surprised like that.

[guzzisteve]

Glad to see your happy, that's what it's about.

[fotoguzzi]

BETTER BE CAREFUL!
Now that your work table is empty you might have to get another Guzzi to keep it company🙂

[John A]

Thanks, that made me smile!

[Vecchio Lupo]

While Im admitting mistakes were made...just cleaned and took apart the accelerator pump units in the VHB30S and guess what? one of the ball check units was in backwards. So that explains all the hesitation and bogging at WOT.

Tomorrow is gonna be great, and as far as my empty table goes...finally going to start the sympathetic reworking of my very tired 1974 Honda ST90

[fotoguzzi]

 

[Scout63]

Great report. It seems that Converts are finally getting their due. About time.

[vintagehoarder]

Fun bikes, I just left mine in high most of the time and was very happy wth it.

[jkguzzi]

The only time I would use low range was for slow maneuvering on wet grass at rallies.

[TOMB]

In some Convert circles there's a standing joke because there really isn't any engine
braking be sure you have plenty of good heels on your shoes they might help

TOMB

[TOMB]

Calling Chuck Peterson!

TOMB

[Vecchio Lupo]

WOW!!  turns out that with a reversed check valve in the accelerator pump, the engine really doesn't run as it should. With that remedied it pulls so much harder from the basement to the attic even at WOFT. Now I can just live in fear of my flywheel breaking before I change it out for a cast piece.  (Yes I have a cast flywheel to fit, but I just got her going and don't want to lay her up just yet)

My vision for this bike is changing slightly, originally I was going to do an L.A.P.D. tribute/Replica, Ive collected most of what I need, but Im going to wait and see what the bike tells me what it wants to be in the fall when paint and changes should be made.

Here are the pics..check my accidentally matching Moto Guzzi helmet I picked up in Mandello Del'Lario at the Open House in 2018. Then there is the Metallic turd BMW stablemate with Vesco fairing, also a 77 (coincidence) and my little 74 Honda ST90 that needs love and money showered on it.

Thanks for all the encouragement and good vibes. I have owned at least 20 Guzzi examples over the last 40 years (yes, I have the sickness) and in the late 80s I purchased the remnants of an old Triumph/Norton/Guzzi shop and in 1991 I convinced/bamboozled Moto America into selling me a Moto Guzzi Franchise...That lasted 3 years, I lost a ton of money, but it was all my fault. Im a better enthusiast than dealer. Very happy to be here.

[Moparnut72]

I need to quit reading this thread. I have had the opportunity recently to purchase a Convert for some really low money. It has what appears to be a slipping clutch. I passed because I need another project like I need another hole in my head and I don't need another motorcycle. Two are enough and I know how things can get out of hand, I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk

[fotoguzzi]

Nice! Looks like you have a few other toys, what’s that green truck?

I need to quit reading this thread. I have had the opportunity recently to purchase a Convert for some really low money. It has what appears to be a slipping clutch. I passed because I need another project like I need another hole in my head and I don't need another motorcycle. Two are enough and I know how things can get out of hand, I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk

slipping clutch? Never heard of that one. Maybe it’s the hex key driving the ATF pump wearing out .

[Vecchio Lupo]

Nice! Looks like you have a few other toys, what’s that green truck?

That Green truck is my 1989 VW Transporter Double Cab with 1.9 Turbo Diesel. I got it when stationed in Germany, from the Forestry Service . I love it, but its been in SC for 2 years and I can tell that the humidity and the coastal sea air will reduce it to dust, I must sell it west of the rockies very soon. I drove it for 7 years in Germany with no real deterioration, but 2 years in Charleston and OMG, it has to go out west.

[Vecchio Lupo]

I got up to 30 outboards a few years ago.
kk

IM a nutcase for British Seagull out board motors. I buy them and I don't even have a boat. I just love the simple engineering.

[chuck peterson]

Welcome to the choir! Glad you got a runner!

I’ve always thought Verts were underrated, and misunderstood. The wrong advance springs will hobble the poor beast

The owners manual clearly states…

To check max acceleration
Apply brakes
Open throttle fully
Release brakes


I suspect many 1/4 times by the magazine reviews were not done that way!!!! Guzzi says 13-14 seconds but I’ve seen 17 seconds in some reviews..

For the two verts i had, about 140k, i only used high range on interstate hiway droning

Lo range was magic from idle to 80, and fwo at 55-60 was surprising….great fun to wave w your left hand while pulling away! 

[lazlokovacs]

low in the city for me and high the rest of the time....

absolutely love my eldovert

[Moparnut72]

IM a nutcase for British Seagull out board motors. I buy them and I don't even have a boat. I just love the simple engineering.

I have one Seagull. It is a tiny one with a short shaft, I think it is 1/2 hp. I can point the boat into a very mild breeze with the motor at a slow idle and go backwards.
kk