More Guzzi Ramblings, 7…

So why did my alternator bracket fail?

Well have a look at this picture, this was taken back when I fitted the supplied kit, do you see the small anti shake lock washers under the nyloc nuts in the centre?

Scrambler Cycle Alternator kit

Well they have both disintegrated causing the cradle to bounce around, and then the support bracket to brake, the rear washer had disappeared completely, and just half of the front one remained. I have now bolted it down firm without lock washers using just nylocks and Loctite, it is all now much firmer.

The broken barrel stud has also now been fixed, and the bike is once again back together and ready for the Rabbit rally in a couple of weeks time. That will leave me one last camp of the year, in the shape of the Moto Guzzi Club “Red Kite” camp over on the edge of Wales.

 

 

More Guzzi Chronicles, 5…

1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado

It was a perfect sunny autumn day here in the UK, so nothing for it but to drag out the Guzzi Eldorado for a run in the sun, first I removed the fairing from the bike, then wheeled it out into the sun, where it burst into life at the first kick of the key!
Then it was on with my lid, and out into the commercial part of town for some industrial style pictures, the bike running great following the recent top end rebuild. Just a couple of small jobs to do now, balance the carbs, oil change, that sort of thing. It feels great to be riding a loop frame Guzzi again, they are so cool.

Out in the backstreets

850 Guzzi Eldo

Looking for Eldorado…

Now here’s a funny thing, I own two 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado’s, the first one I bought is over in the US, and came out of Alabama. The second is here in the UK with me, and I bought it from just up the road in Oxford. So it is surprising, well to me anyway,  that the VIN numbers are just 31 units apart.

I would like to have both bikes here in the UK, so I need to get over to the US again soon, and get the Guzzi on the boat and shipped over here, I was kinda hoping it would be on its way by now, but that hasn’t happened, so I have to get busy with the whole plan.

Alabama Guzzi

Nice Patina

Cool side bags

Twin leading shoe brake

Guzzi Eldorado and Bates Fairing just 31 units apart

More Guzzi Chronicles, 4…

I started fitting the Bates fairing today, this came with my bike, but was not fitted, and had no fittings etc, not sure whether to keep it on or not.

Guzzi Eldorado and Bates Fairing

Bates USA fairing

First fitting

Should it stay, or should it go?

 

There is more Moto Guzzi madness here…   The Racing Rhino

 

More Guzzi Chronicles,4…

So my Guzzi Eldorado is all back together, and ready for an MoT. But! I have bought three new clutch cables, from two different sources, and none of them fit the lever end, the barrel nipple is too big?  I do happen to have two old original Moto Guzzi cables and these fit with no issues, so I have had to refit an old cable for now. I shall try to order a cable from the US and see if that fits? I wonder if any others have had a problem with these new cables?

Eldorado V850

 

More Guzzi Chronicles, 3…

It runs!!

well after I sorted out the wiring it does. in fact it started right up at first push of the start button, and sounds pretty good. I just need to do a bit of tidying up, cables, wiring, etc, the usual stuff. I feel I need to order a new wiring loom from Greg though.

Eldorado 850

Police Dash

YSS Suspension

Borrani Rims

 

More Guzzi Chronicles, Again…

As I keep plugging away at the Guzzi Eldo, it continues to get closer to the end, and once more back on the road. The Gilardoni kits are fitted, the Scrambler alternator kit is fitted, most of the wiring is sorted, new YSS rear shocks, new coil, etc. Things are coming together, and maybe this weekend I can have it running once again? We shall see.

Guzzi Eldorado 850

Going back together

Alternator kit

YSS shocks

The Sunday Retreat