Author Topic: Convert Wanted  (Read 1822 times)

Offline Dave Swanson

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #30 on: October 30, 2026, 02:12:54 PM »
That's a very solid looking unit.  My vote is no to Windjammer.  I think installing one requires cutting those rare unbutchered wings.   :sad:

Welcome to the highest level of Guzzi enlightenment! 
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1970 Ambo
1971 Ambo
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S- Sparklehorse
1998 V11 EV HDM
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Cent
2022 V85TT
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Offline TN Mark

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #31 on: October 30, 2026, 04:20:39 PM »
That's a very solid looking unit.  My vote is no to Windjammer.  I think installing one requires cutting those rare unbutchered wings.   :sad:

Welcome to the highest level of Guzzi enlightenment!



No need to cut the Convert wings with a Vetter Windjammer fairing. They come off easy enough.

Online elrealistico

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #32 on: October 30, 2026, 05:25:39 PM »
Neat. Convert is the only thing I would be interested in right now, should a good one come up for sale in my area that was at least running. Mostly for the novelty and uniqueness of it
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #33 on: October 30, 2026, 06:14:17 PM »




It's in my garage!

Looks great CONGRATS!
MGNOC#23231
The Living: 1976 Convert, 2007 GRiSO, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742, 2023 V85 TT
The Departed: 2017 MGX, 2014 Norge GT, 2004 Breva 750, 2008 1200 Sport
In Stasis: 1978 XS750, XS1100SF

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #34 on: October 30, 2026, 07:11:06 PM »
If one is going to run heated anything on a Convert, then I'd definitely look at maximizing output of the stock Bosch charging system and installing an LED headlight and taillight bulbs to minimize the load. Either that or install an EME high output charging system.
Charlie

Offline fotoguzzi

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #35 on: October 30, 2026, 09:33:51 PM »
You scored Man!
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #36 on: October 31, 2026, 07:07:11 AM »
Numbers of mentions on the charging system. Some previous owner swapped all the bulbs with Superbright LED units including the dashboard. I've got an Odyssey 925 that will fill the battery box. If not equipped, I'll drop in a 14.4 VDC regulator from EME and clean all the existing connectors.

Only additional electrics will be heated grips and GPS AND a voltmeter to keep me informed of actual conditions.

Meanwhile, so many people mention just dropping the bike in high range and leaving it there for everything. I assume low range is there to allow the engine to spin up some and keep the lead box filled with sparks. It is my intent to use low range except for highway speeds with that goal in mind.
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Offline Dave Swanson

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #37 on: October 31, 2026, 08:27:16 AM »

Meanwhile, so many people mention just dropping the bike in high range and leaving it there for everything. I assume low range is there to allow the engine to spin up some and keep the lead box filled with sparks. It is my intent to use low range except for highway speeds with that goal in mind.

I leave mine in low most of the time since most rides are around town where 45 mph zones are common.  I like the extra punch of low around town.   Of course when a ride out of town is planned I select high.   

And as I am sure you have heard, long term shifting on the fly is best path toward a gearbox rebuild.   

Convert innards.




Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1970 Ambo
1971 Ambo
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S- Sparklehorse
1998 V11 EV HDM
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Cent
2022 V85TT
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #38 on: October 31, 2026, 08:45:28 AM »
I rarely use low range, only when in urban areas and on mountainous backroads. My Kuryakyn battery gauge shows at least one green LED at all times, except when I have the LED "ditch lights" on.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2026, 08:46:02 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline brider

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #39 on: October 31, 2026, 09:06:09 AM »
I'm with Charlie, I only use Lo for fun on short stretches or on slow, steep roads. Lo range at the hi-end of road speed seems just like it's spinning too fast with no load, not like you're accelerating and will hit the next gear. Hi emphasizes why the Convert is really loved; smooth, linear acceleration like a giant moped.
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Wish'd I'd never sold:
'72 Red Eldo
'74 White Eldo LAPD
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #40 on: October 31, 2026, 09:18:38 AM »
I'm usually in urban areas. Bikes are my only transport. Most of the time posted is 45 MPH or less. Low range seems like an ideal candidate for these areas. But I'll keep an eye on the voltmeter. If there was a tach (like the T3) I'd routinely cruise between 3,500 and 4,500 RPM. This always kept the T3 well charged and after 135,000 miles the engine and gearboxes still seem "happy".
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #41 on: October 31, 2026, 09:36:08 AM »
Numbers of mentions on the charging system. Some previous owner swapped all the bulbs with Superbright LED units including the dashboard. I've got an Odyssey 925 that will fill the battery box. If not equipped, I'll drop in a 14.4 VDC regulator from EME and clean all the existing connectors.

Only additional electrics will be heated grips and GPS AND a voltmeter to keep me informed of actual conditions.

Meanwhile, so many people mention just dropping the bike in high range and leaving it there for everything. I assume low range is there to allow the engine to spin up some and keep the lead box filled with sparks. It is my intent to use low range except for highway speeds with that goal in mind.

I keep my convert in low most of the time unless I'm going to be riding at speeds of 50 mph or higher for any length of time.  But low is fine even for speeds up to 55&60 without being close to redline. At 60 in low range, the motor is spinning around 5K. Redline is 6500. Of course it's not a great idea to take a 50 plus-year-old motorcycle and hold it at high RPMs for a long period of time. But running up to 50 in low even for extended cruising at that speed is fine.

I also find that low range gives you better off the line acceleration and even a little bit of engine braking in off throttle situations. Not much but it's there. No question that you can keep it in high range and lope around in the 20 to 50 mph range without problems, but I like higher RPMs and feel like it is almost just idling in many situations in high gear.

The sound of the Convert through the Bassa exhaust and h pipe crossover is GLORIOUS.....

Hoping for good weather next week and to get some serious miles on the old girl next week

MGNOC#23231
The Living: 1976 Convert, 2007 GRiSO, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742, 2023 V85 TT
The Departed: 2017 MGX, 2014 Norge GT, 2004 Breva 750, 2008 1200 Sport
In Stasis: 1978 XS750, XS1100SF

Offline nick949

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #42 on: October 31, 2026, 10:30:08 AM »
In case anyone missed it or, if they did, fancied a bit of a ride-along on a lovely Convert, here's one of my more recent videos.
It's just a few minutes of back roads riding with my overlay narration.

https://youtu.be/eioKP7VO2pc

Nick

Offline n3303j

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #43 on: October 31, 2026, 10:31:34 AM »
It's all your fault!
'98 MG V11 EV
'96 URAL SPORTSMAN
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Offline Dave Swanson

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #44 on: October 31, 2026, 10:55:39 AM »
Cheap entry asking price, which if you are a good negotiator, you might end up getting the seller to pay you to come get it.   :grin:

It comes with Windjammer which ought to seal the deal for Tom Kelly.

https://www.facebook.com/share/18g4EBTKfr/



Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1970 Ambo
1971 Ambo
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S- Sparklehorse
1998 V11 EV HDM
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Cent
2022 V85TT
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Online chuck peterson

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #45 on: October 31, 2026, 11:05:59 AM »






Go full throttle in low range at 50, lots of room until 82. Perfect for New England, not so for a long day in the saddle across the Great Plains

Somewhere is the old charts showing rpm vs speed vs range/gear
"I'd like to thank all my friends who have kept my Guzzi's going, but mostly...TOMB."
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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #46 on: October 31, 2026, 11:11:46 AM »
This one (along with several other Guzzis) is coming up for auction the day after Thanksgiving. I'm planning on going to the auction and may come home with something, most likely another Eldo.  :wink:



Charlie

Offline Tkelly

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #47 on: October 31, 2026, 02:29:58 PM »
For cold weather,nothing beats a Windjammer.

Offline n3303j

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #48 on: October 31, 2026, 02:37:35 PM »
For cold weather,nothing beats a Windjammer.
Haven't ridden behind a Windjammer. Many cold miles behind Plexifairing 3. At speed the 3 pulls warm air upward over the warm engine. The wings keep your hands dry in the rain. Visually the Windjammer just overpowers the visual lines of the early Tonti machine. The bike looks nose heavy unless you are also carrying massive panniers and a top case. The transparent 3 just disappears and shows off the pleasing design of the Guzzi machine.
'98 MG V11 EV
'96 URAL SPORTSMAN
'77 MG 850T3 FB

Offline TN Mark

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #49 on: October 31, 2026, 03:13:03 PM »
I had three different converts over the years. I think I only used Low once just to make sure it worked. I just left it in High and rode the bikes everywhere.

Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #50 on: November 03, 2026, 11:59:23 PM »
FWIW, I have a Windjammer with brackets and wiring harness along with a luggage rack, king & queen Seat and 4 Lollypop turn signals

If anyone wants them shoot me a PM.

I'll eventually get around to listing and pics, but as the windjammer on the Convert keeps coming up, I figured I'd throw it out there.
MGNOC#23231
The Living: 1976 Convert, 2007 GRiSO, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742, 2023 V85 TT
The Departed: 2017 MGX, 2014 Norge GT, 2004 Breva 750, 2008 1200 Sport
In Stasis: 1978 XS750, XS1100SF

Offline TN Mark

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #51 on: November 04, 2026, 02:03:42 PM »
My first Convert was silver with a silver Vetter Windjammer fairing. Loved that bike.

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Convert Wanted
« Reply #52 on: November 04, 2026, 02:38:04 PM »
My first Convert was silver with a silver Vetter Windjammer fairing. Loved that bike.

So was mine! Also had Harley 'bags and trunk. Kept the 'Jammer, ditched the bags for soft luggage. Repainted it Audi 4000 Quattro blue. Sold it to Mike Tiberio.
Charlie

 

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