1974 Police Eldo Rejuvination

[Dave Swanson]

[Cam3512]

Awesome!

[Huzo]

Thanks Jim.  Try as I might, I still can't quite make it to your level!     But I keep trying.   

Well…
Someone like me cannot tell the difference.

[Dave Swanson]

I have 2 red, 1 blue, and these 2 amber spot lamps.  I prefer the look of amber, but easy to change out and experiment.

[kballowe]

HEY !

How about a video "walk around" ???

Please.

It's too nice to just tease us with a picture now and then.

 

[Dave Swanson]

HEY !

How about a video "walk around" ???

Please.

It's too nice to just tease us with a picture now and then.

 

Good idea.  I will work on that.  Until then, this will have to do.

[Dave Swanson]

The talented painter and sheet metal repair specialist down the street from me finished the police boxes today.   Now for the nerve wracking job of drilling new mounting holes. 

There are many police Eldo/Ambos out there, but very few with actual police sheet-metal boxes.  Stoked!

[Vagrant]

The talented painter and sheet metal repair specialist down the street from me finished the police boxes today.   Now for the nerve wracking job of drilling new mounting holes. 

There are many police Eldo/Ambos out there, but very few with actual police sheet-metal boxes.  Stoked!

That beauty needs to be in a glass bubble.

[Dave Swanson]

Went after it pretty hard this weekend.  It is finished, except for bleeding the front brake and first fire.   Greg Bender's wiring harnesses were perfect.  And his amazing instructions enable success every time if you follow them to a T. 

[Sprouty115]

Stunning!

[kballowe]

You should park that one in the house.  Add track lighting.  I'll donate a can of Pledge and a stack of micro fiber towels.
Invite us all over for a look-see.  Oh, and a BBQ.

[Dave Swanson]

You should park that one in the house.  Add track lighting.  I'll donate a can of Pledge and a stack of micro fiber towels.
Invite us all over for a look-see.  Oh, and a BBQ.

Now that sounds like a night to remember!  HA! 

[Dave Swanson]

A long time ago Guzzi eagle tank water slide decals were applied with the eagles flying backward to this bike.  Luck was with me as there was no clear coat applied to them.  Yesterday I carefully removed the decals and this morning I applied the best available tank decal/sticker that mimics the factory silkscreen perfectly.  These "shadow" decal/stickers haven't been made for quite a long time.  I was lucky to have found 1 set.  I figured this bike deserved correct (as I can make it) forward facing eagles. 

[Sprouty115]

I can't take my eyes off it...

BTW, given the choices, how did you decide on what seat to put on it?

[Dave Swanson]

I can't take my eyes off it...

BTW, given the choices, how did you decide on what seat to put on it?

This is a true original police solo seat with steel pan.  It was with the bike since day one, therefore an easy decision.   

Originals are very hard to find nowadays.  But there are some nice repops of course.

[Sprouty115]

This is a true original police solo seat with steel pan.  It was with the bike since day one, therefore an easy decision.   

Originals are very hard to find nowadays.  But there are some nice repops of course.

Ah, that makes sense...thanks.

[Dave Swanson]

A friend stopped by with his little pup to check out the bike. 

[Dave Swanson]

Guzzi does symmetry like no one else.

[Dave Swanson]

We are finally getting some decent weather for break in up here.  150 miles on it now and it is flawless.  Dropped the oil upon return from this morning's 100 mile ride.

[Pescatore]

Stunning bike.
Did you polish the engine? It's so shiny.

[kballowe]

We are finally getting some decent weather for break in up here.  150 miles on it now and it is flawless.  Dropped the oil upon return from this morning's 100 mile ride.

Dave -

That's a GREAT picture !

How about some more pictures ?

 

[Dave Swanson]

Dave -

That's a GREAT picture !

How about some more pictures ?

 

Better late than never.

[DaGootz]

Better late than never.

Awesome job here Dave. I just picked up a 1974 Eldo Police last week and just getting started on getting it fired up and test ride. It's been sitting for about 8years. Turned over by hand well. Lots of little things missing or just wrenched on terribly but that's why I got a good deal on it. I'm retired so a have some time to wrench this upcoming winter. I'm getting after it now while the weather is good. I just joined Wildguzzi so if you don't mind I may be asking some questions on the '74 Police if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it. I'm a Beemer guy and this is my first Guzzi and I've always wanted a Eldo Police, and here I am. Thanks

[Dave Swanson]

Awesome job here Dave. I just picked up a 1974 Eldo Police last week and just getting started on getting it fired up and test ride. It's been sitting for about 8years. Turned over by hand well. Lots of little things missing or just wrenched on terribly but that's why I got a good deal on it. I'm retired so a have some time to wrench this upcoming winter. I'm getting after it now while the weather is good. I just joined Wildguzzi so if you don't mind I may be asking some questions on the '74 Police if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it. I'm a Beemer guy and this is my first Guzzi and I've always wanted a Eldo Police, and here I am. Thanks

Congrats on your new project.

Whatever you do with it the first cardinal rule is to NOT get it running.  It most likely has the original chrome bores on the cylinders which will flake.  It is not an if = they will flake.  That combined with no oil filter can result in the engine becoming a nice base for a glass topped coffee table.

There is a wealth of information shared on the following FB pages.
Loopframe Guzzi 67 -76 Twins Only

Moto Guzzi 850 & 750 Eldorado Loopframe Box Case

Both pages are very well moderated by some of the most knowledgeable peeps on the planet.  I highly recommend joining these private pages. 

[DaGootz]

Congrats on your new project.

Whatever you do with it the first cardinal rule is to NOT get it running.  It most likely has the original chrome bores on the cylinders which will flake.  It is not an if = they will flake.  That combined with no oil filter can result in the engine becoming a nice base for a glass topped coffee table.

There is a wealth of information shared on the following FB pages.
Loopframe Guzzi 67 -76 Twins Only

Moto Guzzi 850 & 750 Eldorado Loopframe Box Case

Both pages are very well moderated by some of the most knowledgeable peeps on the planet.  I highly recommend joining these private pages.

Looks like I'll have to rejoin FB then....Ughhhh.
So even with 33kmiles I should tear it down to inspect, or just save and get a bore kit? My very good friend builds automotive and motorcycle race engines and has a very extensive work shop capable of boring if anyone offers a sleeve/piston set for it. I could save a lot that way too.

[Dave Swanson]

Tear down  for overall inspection. The cylinders may look good but don't trust them if they are the original chrome bores. . The best route is replacement cylinder/piston and ring sets. Gilardonis if you can get those.m
 
Put yourself on the waiting list. They are in stock from time to time.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6076

Also contact Harpers.  Curtis Harper will be a huge help finding parts for your project.

Suck it up and get on FB.  You can ignore all your old girlfriends and just focus on the Guzzi pages

[DaGootz]

Tear down  for overall inspection. The cylinders may look good but don't trust them if they are the original chrome bores. . The best route is replacement cylinder/piston and ring sets. Gilardonis if you can get those.m
 
Put yourself on the waiting list. They are in stock from time to time.
https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6076

Also contact Harpers.  Curtis Harper will be a huge help finding parts for your project.

Suck it up and get on FB.  You can ignore all your old girlfriends and just focus on the Guzzi pages

My old girlfriends are just that....OLD, like me...LOL! Thanks for the Harper suggestion, cool website, much appreciated.
Well, I gave in and took your suggestion yesterday and tore down the top end. Everything looks great from minimum wear to carbon build-up, or lack of.....pristine actually and the valves are sealing nicely. I emailed Andrew from MG Cycle and he said the same with regard to the chrome lined cylinders. I'm looking hard at the Cycle Garden Big-Bore kit right now and I have an order in for an estimate for Millennium to Nikasil my cylinders. I noticed MGCycles had a Big Bore kit listed but it just lists it for the 850T3 and not specifically the Eldo, so not sure if it's the same. Okay, so I'm on my way to a new top end, just gotta save my pennies, or hook up with an old RICH girlfriend on Facebook.
BTW- My bike doesn't have choke cables, it has the adjusters and the internals for the choke, just not the cables. Did the Police bike not have cables or are mine just missing. I was looking at the individual chokes available for the VHB's at MGCycle. To go cables I'd need everything from the handle bars to the VHB adjusters. Thanks for your help so far, much appreciated.

[Dave Swanson]

My old girlfriends are just that....OLD, like me...LOL! Thanks for the Harper suggestion, cool website, much appreciated.
Well, I gave in and took your suggestion yesterday and tore down the top end. Everything looks great from minimum wear to carbon build-up, or lack of.....pristine actually and the valves are sealing nicely. I emailed Andrew from MG Cycle and he said the same with regard to the chrome lined cylinders. I'm looking hard at the Cycle Garden Big-Bore kit right now and I have an order in for an estimate for Millennium to Nikasil my cylinders. I noticed MGCycles had a Big Bore kit listed but it just lists it for the 850T3 and not specifically the Eldo, so not sure if it's the same. Okay, so I'm on my way to a new top end, just gotta save my pennies, or hook up with an old RICH girlfriend on Facebook.
BTW- My bike doesn't have choke cables, it has the adjusters and the internals for the choke, just not the cables. Did the Police bike not have cables or are mine just missing. I was looking at the individual chokes available for the VHB's at MGCycle. To go cables I'd need everything from the handle bars to the VHB adjusters. Thanks for your help so far, much appreciated.

Myself, I would stick with the standard bore.  They run down the road very well as 850.  I never wanted to get involved in crank balancing that is required with a big bore, also the extra complication.  The Eldo does not need a big bore. 

Over the years many owners have deleted the choke system.  If you never ride in cold weather you can get by without a choke, but I always set mine up stock with choke. 

[DaGootz]

Myself, I would stick with the standard bore.  They run down the road very well as 850.  I never wanted to get involved in crank balancing that is required with a big bore, also the extra complication.  The Eldo does not need a big bore. 

Over the years many owners have deleted the choke system.  If you never ride in cold weather you can get by without a choke, but I always set mine up stock with choke.

Thanks, got my cylinders and heads over to my buddy that builds engines for a living and we mic'd the cylinder and valve guide bores.....not good, plus the rings were wore out, so looks like top end time for the ole gal. Who do you trust for Guzzi headwork?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Another source for parts. These cylinder kits are excellent quality as well, every bit as good as the Gilardonis at a lower price. https://www.crustycycle.com/products/moto-guzzi-cylinder-complete-83mm-850t-t3-eldorado-850gt