Project motorcycles Moto Guzzi V1000 G5
Updated: 2012 Jan 05
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
This is a 1978 Moto Guzzi V1000 G5 project bike that I purchased on December 8, 2011 from Tom Short in Phoenix, Arizona. It is nearly complete, mostly original, and generally speaking has not been subjected to butchery nor cheap and silly “fixes” . It has, however, been thoroughly neglected since it was last registered in 1994. Tom bought it a few of years ago (2008, I think) and was planning to use it as a parts source for a disc brake Eldorado conversion. Since Tom is moving to Germany to marry Sue, he sold it to me (Thanks, Tom!). Tom has had it covered in his back yard since he bought it. Prior to that, it had been stored in a garage.
I've no idea what my end goal will be with this Moto Guzzi.
Love notes
I found the following Post-it note and envelope inside the Windjammer. Both badly aged and extremely difficult to read, but a testiment to love notes written on scraps of paper throughout the ages. Way too cool to simply toss in the trash :>
I found this Post-it note inside the pocket of the Windjammer. It reads:
“Cuddles, Look for white envelope in your pocket, left side of bike. Luv ya! Scoots”
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
And here is the white envelope that was also located inside the pocket of the Windjammer. It reads:
“Cuddles, I love you bunches ♥ Ajcalie (?) See ya about 3:15 p”
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
2011 Dec 08: Photos
Photos from the day of purchase. It also came with the fuel tank, both side covers, and two additional Samsonite bags.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
2011 Dec 10: Removal of ancillaries.
I decided to remove a few of the parts just to make initial work on it a bit easier. Off came the Vetter Windjammer fairing, Samsonite luggage and rack, and the seat. A few photos of what it looks like now.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.
2011 Dec 20: Fluids, hoses, breather, and cables.
I drained the oil from the rear drive, transmission, and engine. After draining the engine, I pulled the sump for a thorough cleaning (the sump was exceedingly filthy inside, though the rest of the crankcase appears clean). I replaced the oil filter and also ensured the oil pressure relief valve would blow at 60 PSI. Amazingly, it was right no target and didn't require any clean-up.
I filled the engine, transmission, and rear drive with fresh fluid. My plan is to perform several quick rounds of warming up the engine, transmission, and rear drive, then drain and replace with fresh oil.
I replaced the high pressure hoses that feed the cylinder head. A previous owner had already replaced the original hoses (which are prone to leakage) with rubber hose and hose clamps. I replaced the rubber hose with transmission oil cooler line and new hose clamps.
I removed the original air filter contraption and replaced the breather with a V7 Sport/850-T/Le Mans style breather from my stash of parts.
I replaced the old, frozen throttle cables with a pair of new cables from my stash of parts.
I set the valve clearances to factory specs.
2011 Dec 22: Carb cleaning.
Cleaned up both carbs today using my standard old bucket of carb cleaner. Both carbs were extremely gummed up and required considerable patience to disassemble and clean. Luckly, everything came apart nicely and I only needed to use a couple of carbs kits, new gaskets, etc.
2011 Dec 23: Initial start-up!
I reassembled the cleaned carbs, installed a good battery, installed a good used pair of NGK spark plugs, and hooked up my test fuel tank. She fired right up and blew copious amounts of rust colored debris out both mufflers. The exhaust cleared up after a few minutes and then the engine just sat there and idled just as pretty as could be. I let it run for 20 minutes on the center stand with it in gear and then drained the oil from the engine, transmission, and rear drive. I know, a person really isn't supposed to run it in gear on the center stand because it can be hard on splined components. But, it is more important to me to get the old oil and dirt out than worry about the very minor wear I may impart to the clutch input hub, etc.
2012 Mar 10: Brake bleed attempt
I fit a new oil pressure switch.
I fit new “choke” plungers for the enricher circuit on the carburetors. I also hooked up the original cable actuated lever for opening and closing the plungers.
I attempted to pressure bleed the rear master cylinder and associated brakes. No go. Everything is just completely clogged. All I accomplished was making a giant mess by spilling an entire bottle of brake fluid. I will need to rebuild all of the calipers and master cylinders.
