Restoration of 78 T3

[jlewis3323]

I am new to the group and am in the process of restoring my very first Guzzi 78 T3. I have restored BMWs and Ducati's but never a Guzzi. I know there are some experts in this group that help me in the redoing of this bike. Pretty much an original bike. I have had the motor gone through bore scoped, checked cylinders, compression, oil pressure and all looks good. Changed oil and filter and the old oil did not look bad at all. Started the bike and it runs strong, shifts good and no odd sounds or vibrations.

Would like to get you thoughts on the following
- Proper colors for the bike. This bike was poorly repainted with spray can in god awful blue. Was told most 70 bikes for US were Black or Brown. Are there any Paint Codes for the T3 and widths of the Pin Striping shown in Factory Brochures?
- Any initial mechanical areas that should be looked at further?
Thanks. Look forward to learning more about these great bikes.

My current bikes:

- 88 Ducati 750 Passo
-72 BMW R75/5
-71 BSA BT25
- 12 Ducati Multistrada
- 2000 Vespa 150

[Perazzimx14]

Do a search on chrome cylinders. If the cylinders are still chrome budget for a set of Gilardoni replacements before you even hit the starter button

[Kiwi_Roy]

Welcome to the forum, some T3 experts will be along soon.
I just finished a 72 Eldorado, a great project with plenty of help from here.

[Chuck in Indiana]

78 was the last year for the T3, and had all the improvements including an oil filter. As mentioned, though, it still had chrome bores, and if it has spent much time sitting.. it has..  they will flake, and trash your engine. It's not a matter of if, but when.
It's a fine bike to restore.. a good "do everything" machine.

[Perazzimx14]

Not to discourage you as these bikes are worthy of restoration/revival or resurrection but you will most likely end up upside down on your investment. I started a T-3 last October and it is on the road an mechanical fine. Cosmetically I could easily drop another $1,500 into paint re-chrome and some other goodies. I have about $5,500 into the bike and if I could get around $4,500 I'd be pretty darn happy.

Here is a small list of what was done to date:

 New tires and tubes
 Cylinders Nikasil coated at Millennium Plating. New rings and top end gaskets (USA supplies of Gilardoni's were sold out this time last year)
 All 3 calipers refinished and rebuilt w/ Brembo rebuild kits
 New braided SS brake lines
 Frame, swing arm and batter tray powder coated gloss black
 Wheels soda blasted
 New steering head bearings and races
 New steering lock
 New swing arm bearings, races and seals
 New seals in the rear drive (inner and outer)
 All drive splines are in very good/excellent condition
 U-joint rebuilt
 Bow style timing chain tensioner
 New alternator seal
 Seat recovered
 New headlight bucket wiring harness. Main harness is in perfect unmolested condition.
 Starter refurbished
 New diode board and regulator
 New plastic side covers trim pieces
 New batter try mat
 New K&N pod filters
 Carbs cleaned and rebuild
 New clutch, brake and throttle cables
 Master cylinders refinished and rebuilt
 Electronic ignition
 Bub exhaust
 New petcocks
 New plug wires and plug ends
 Lots of other little stuff has been replace, refurbished or rebuilt.

MG Cycle, Harpers and Moto International are three great parts resources

[jlewis3323]

Many thanks for the quick responses to my query on restoration of my 78 T3. Have noted all comments and will use them as a guide going forward.

Anyone have knowledge of Paint Codes for these bikes?

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't think you'll find paint codes for Guzzis..but this will bump it to the top in case I'm wrong.

[canuck750]

I just finished a 75 750S3, basically a T3 in a nice jeans with a low cut top and the accompanying attitude.

These are solid lumps but it all wears out eventually. To get it dependable and safe I would budget at least $3K (brakes rebuilt, wheel bearings, steering head bearings, Giladorni cylinder kits, Valve job for the heads, gaskets, seals, maybe a U joint and U joint carrier bearing, hopefully the transmission bearings are sound, new tires, tubes etc...... If you go all out and do a full rebuild you can burn through $7K in a heart beat. I don't think a T3 is going to be worth $8 ~ $10K for a very long time but neither will most Eldorado's and that didn't stop me from 'investing' in a rebuild of one.

Best of luck with your project. Lots of help to be found here on any topic.

[LeRoy]

If you need the factory manuals and other reference material for your restoration, just send me a PM. I'll send you a CD with all the 850 T-3 manuals (Base big block manual, Parts Manual, Owner's Manual) as well as wiring diagrams, copies of period adverts and brochures, a number of how-to procedures and a bit of Guzzi history. All in one CD and no charge. Just send me a PM with your full name and mailing address.

This same offer is open to all WildGuzzi members. I have individual CDs for the 850-T, 850 T-3, V1000 Convert, V1000 G5, 1000 SP, California II, California III, the V-7 Sport and 750 S, 850 Le Mans, Le Mans II/CX 100, Le Mans III, Le Mans 1000 (IV and V), and a general small block CD. I'll ship anywhere in the world at no cost. Just let me know what you need along with your full name and mailing address in a PM.

[injundave]

3 years ago I did a full, everything apart restoration on my 1975 T3. This included powder coating, paint, chrome, replacing all fasteners with stainless, new bearings/seals throughout, new pistons/rings, nikasil bores etc, etc, etc. I did all the wrenching myself and spent $7000. These are New Zealand dollars, probably about 4,700 USD. I had already had the bike for 5 years and loved it. When I finished it was as close to new as I could get apart from non-standard mufflers and pod air filters. I now love it even more and regard the money spent as my best motorcycle investment ever.

Do yours properly and you will never regret it. Good luck. Incidentally I painted it black because you don't need a paint code for black!

Dave

[elvisboy77]

Not sure of paint codes, although the manuals may have something.

I think they came in bright red, black and an army sort of green.  Certainly someone on this site could provide pics at least....

[v7john]

This is my favourite colour for a T3

Just get close enough. When are you going to park it next to another?

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^^^ that's a beauty, John..

[oldbike54]

^^^^^^ that's a beauty, John..

 OH MY YES ! However one does wonder how he carried that giant tent 

  Dusty

[v7john]

Kate who owns the bike split luggage carrying with a friend riding a Norge (possibly?). Kate has a modern Guzzi as well but this is her baby. I think it was a "blank cheque" sort of restoration. The photo doesn't do it justice.

[keuka4884]

That's a beautiful green v7. Rare too. Was that a euro color only?
I have seen the 78's in red, green, black, and brown. The brown is fugly. There may have been euro colors like that green that didn't make it to the USA. I love the LM1 in savoia blue, a euro color.
I have a 78 T3 with chrome bores. I went back and forth between having the original cylinders Nikasil plated at Millenium Technologies (keeping it an 850) or getting Gilardonis to make it a 950. I have decided to keep it an 850 and let Millenium recoat them. A major part of my decision was related to the throttle pull. The only aspect of the 850 I do not like is the heavy throttle pull. MG Cycle recently restocked 1.1 kg springs for the VHB carbs. That made my decision easy. Keep it an 850 with the VHB carbs and lighter return springs. If I had gone with the Gilardonis I would have put in PHF carbs with the lighter springs. 

[jlewis3323]

Many thanks for your kind offer for the 850 T-3 Manuals.
My mailing address is:
John Lewis
3323 Dominica Court
Punta Gorda, Florida 33950
Best-John Lewis

If you need the factory manuals and other reference material for your restoration, just send me a PM. I'll send you a CD with all the 850 T-3 manuals (Base big block manual, Parts Manual, Owner's Manual) as well as wiring diagrams, copies of period adverts and brochures, a number of how-to procedures and a bit of Guzzi history. All in one CD and no charge. Just send me a PM with your full name and mailing address.

This same offer is open to all WildGuzzi members. I have individual CDs for the 850-T, 850 T-3, V1000 Convert, V1000 G5, 1000 SP, California II, California III, the V-7 Sport and 750 S, 850 Le Mans, Le Mans II/CX 100, Le Mans III, Le Mans 1000 (IV and V), and a general small block CD. I'll ship anywhere in the world at no cost. Just let me know what you need along with your full name and mailing address in a PM.

[canuck750]

This is my favourite colour for a T3

Just get close enough. When are you going to park it next to another?

That is the best looking T3 I have ever seen, the colour is perfect for the bike!

My brother-in-law had a 76 KZ900 painted about the same shade that really stood out with all the polished alloy but it didn't look half as impressive as this T3 pictured.

[unclepete]

That's a beautiful green v7. Rare too. Was that a euro color only?
I have seen the 78's in red, green, black, and brown. The brown is fugly. There may have been euro colors like that green that didn't make it to the USA. I love the LM1 in savoia blue, a euro color.
I have a 78 T3 with chrome bores. I went back and forth between having the original cylinders Nikasil plated at Millenium Technologies (keeping it an 850) or getting Gilardonis to make it a 950. I have decided to keep it an 850 and let Millenium recoat them. A major part of my decision was related to the throttle pull. The only aspect of the 850 I do not like is the heavy throttle pull. MG Cycle recently restocked 1.1 kg springs for the VHB carbs. That made my decision easy. Keep it an 850 with the VHB carbs and lighter return springs. If I had gone with the Gilardonis I would have put in PHF carbs with the lighter springs.

A quick question : I have Gilardoni cylinders on the 850 T3 that i brought home last July ; they have a small Gilardoni stamping underneath . Is there any way to tell from the outside which size they are ? I assumed they are 850 until I read this post .