Is a 70s Eldorado worth buying?

[texasmoto]

https://www.facebook.com/share/19QL6xBKfd/

This came up for sale near me. I know that I absolutely should not so please talk me out of it

[Fontain25]

You really should buy it.

[jrt]

Dude (I'm assuming dude) has a Vincent?  My observation is that the Guzzi isn't very original, if that matters, but if they can maintain a Vincent, then the Guzzi is like a cool glass of water.
Check the cylinders, though.  If they are original, walk away.

[Turin]

Some silver pinstriping would make it look really slick.

[DoubleGuzzi]

.. has a Vincent?

1st thing that I noticed. 

[guzziart]

https://www.facebook.com/share/19QL6xBKfd/

This came up for sale near me. I know that I absolutely should not so please talk me out of it

Yeah, buy it!  Then spend another $6-$8K sorting it out because in it's 50+ year life it has had a dozen owners who turned into "mechanics" and cobbled it for you.  

......old rubber, leaks, funny noises, stinks, smokes

[chuck peterson]

Nothing here to see

[Moparnut72]

If I were closer I would have to do some serious soul searching. The second thing I noticed was the beautiful black bike in the background.
kk

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Regarding the pretty loop, use a scope to sneak a peek inside the cylinder walls…no serious scarring no foul…starts easily runs nice no leaks or serious noises?

Ask Mark Etheridge about chrome bores..I just saw a video where he guffawed about the chrome bore scare.

A scope look inside the bores will tell you little. Been there, done that. IMO, there is no such thing as a "good chrome bore".

Mark (being in the arid West and not humid East) doesn't see the sheer number of flaking chrome bores that those of us in other areas do. Those from the humid East, especially ones that have not been used regularly, will have flaking chrome. Here it's not a "scare", it's reality! Downplaying the issue is doing a disservice to the Guzzi community as a whole.

I've never opened up a Guzzi with chrome bores that didn't have some level of deterioration. I've lost count, but it's got to be nearly 30 at this point. The latest one. Yeah, nothing wrong with these, ignore those crescents of missing chrome and the rest of the areas where it's worn through. Just run 'em. 

[cliffrod]

A scope look inside the bores will tell you little. Been there, done that. IMO, there is no such things as "good chrome bore".

Mark (being in the arid West and not humid East) doesn't see the sheer number of flaking chromes bore that those of us in other areas do. Those from the humid East, especially ones that have not been used regularly, will have flaking chrome. Here it's not a "scare", it reality! Downplaying the issue is doing a disservice to the Guzzi community as a whole.

I've never opened up a Guzzi with chrome bores that didn't have some level of deterioration. I've lost count, but it's got to be nearly 30 at this point. The latest one. Yeah, nothing wrong with these, ignore those crescents of missing chrome and the rest of the areas where it's worn through. Just run 'em. 

Well, for some reason "Add image to post" isn't working, so here's a link: https://flic.kr/p/2qM85Ld

Agreed 100%.

I often think about the local tire shop owner.  Many years ago, we were talking as a Camaro left with new tires and quickly lit ‘em up.  Chuck says “that’s music to my ears!”   When someone says you don’t need to worry about it, like a tire salesman’s opinion about squealing your tires sometimes, it’s good to think about their position in the discussion….

The thing with chrome bores and whatever your opinion is- when it happens to your bike, no one else will pay to fix it.  The naysayers will just lump into the “well, sometimes that happens” category and  move on.   It’s not their bike so it’s not their problem.   

Plan on doing it, consider it to be the price of admission and know that it’s fixed.  For all of the minutiae that is regularly obsessed about within the Guzzi scene, addressing the chrome bore issue as an absolute necessity would seem to be a simple matter.

[Turin]

So, if it has gilardoni or cast iron bores, you should absolutely buy it. If not, leave yourself some negotiation room. 

[chuck peterson]

Nothing to see here either

[Walter]

This bike was for sale 2 previous owners ago for $3750 for several months.  A friend of mine bought it (I don't know what he ended up paying for it), in running condition and then had his mechanic take care of minor issues.  He then traded it to the current owner.  I've heard it run but have not ridden it.  Sounded nice.  I don't know the cylinders status though.

[elrealistico]

Eldo or Ambo is on my list if space and time align--or the T140 is out of commission for long

[bronzestar1]

I had a '74 Eldo LAPD that had been converted to run off an alternator and a car battery, dual-disc front brakes, and had the "big bore" kit done to it so no worries about the original cylinder liners.  Very cool and comfortable bike to ride.  Looks like that one has a drum brake front end and a generator?  I'd pass... 

[guzziart]

Hey Texasmoto......
Here ya go.....https://youtu.be/A4MfrdC81Qo?si=wJr6bQ0GslkidojT