Topica Loopframe_Guzzi Archive


Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?

Author: EldoMike

Date: Aug 15, 2002, 2:39 PM

Post ID: 1710813486


Pictures!

Mike
www.classicguzzi.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Mitchell" <derby-@hotmail.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 4:31 PM
Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?


 You forget, I live in New York. My garage is the size of your utility
closet. Heat? The only heat in my garage comes from my wearguard coveralls
and my long johns.

As for the "help" (listening to Washburn's stories almost negates the
value
 of his vast guzzi knowledge), I think I lucked out with having a looper of
many years in my general vincity because of the good karma generated by
buying a loop that no one wanted (ugly fiberglass gas tank, important
guzzi
 parts replaced by Suzukayamahonda parts, rust, crud, etc). I have appeased
the motorcycle gods.

I have said before that I love the styling of old bikes (especially the
curves of a loop) but I see no problem in making them more
reliable/rideable/powerful. I am building the bike to the mind blowing
high
 tech standards... of the late seventies. just a couple of improvements -
the '74 eldo front end with the added second disc (I have a '71 Triumph
with
 a drum front and I prefer the disc) late model distributor with dyna (not
wanting to start a debate but my Triumph and my brother's cb750 came with
points - not a big fan), soon to be acquired bar mounted tach (to keep the
polished single instrument ambo dash) oil filtration/cooling issue to be
resolved later. The engine is a whole other story - a Mike Rich
creation -
 big bore kit, eldo crank, 40mm carbs, megacycles cam, porting etc. more
power to haul my large but lovely self. Tank/fenders/handlebars etc done
in
 bob-job style.

Right now - whole lot of words on an email and a pile of cleaned, coated,
polished and parts sitting in my garage. Can't wait for saturday to get
started on the assembly.

Chris M.
'71 ambo

 From: Paul Linn <paul-@attbi.com>
Reply-To: Loopfram-@topica.com
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 21:38:24 -0400

Not complaining at all. I restored my first 69' Ambo in my 12x10 storage
unit. Had to drag parts home that required any type of electricity
attention. No electricity and NO heat in winter sure made it fun. :)
Sure
 
 is fun trying to assemble a 4 speed with numb fingers. At least this time
I
 
 have electricity and heat now.

Paul
Richmond, Va
73 Eldo custom project
76 T3 basket
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Hawkes" <3haw-@bluefrognet.net>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?


 Hey Paul, don't complain too much. I installed a Nikasil piston kit
on
 
 my
 1969 Ambo in my 36 square foot shed in the dead of winter. Being
skinny
 
 
 comes in handy sometime. Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Linn <paul-@attbi.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: "Modern" Guzzis?


 Gee wish I had a garage to build my "modern" Guzzi in and people to
stop
 by
 and help. :) Guess I have to settle for the utility closet in my
apartment
 
 instead.

Paul
Richmond, Va
73 Eldo custom project
76 T3 basket
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Washburn" <guzzi-@aol.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 5:10 PM
Subject: "Modern" Guzzis?


 About Loops Vs. "modern" Guzzis: When I started my Eldo/SP
project
 
 I
 
 
 gave up my daily driver '73 Eldo in a partial trade for a new
Jackal.
I
 
 
 figured I needed a reliable ride to get to work during my
restoration.
 
 
 The Jackal has been that and more. No problems and great power
and
 
 
 
 
 handling. The longer wheelbase and raked front end make it so
stable
 
 
 that it is confidence inspiring at speeds that are only legal in
select
 
 
 Western states.

My plan was to sell the Jackal when the Loop was done but I think
it
 
 has
 
 
 earned its place in the garage. It is not as lovely as the Eldo
but
 
 as
 
 
 basic transportation, I am satisfied ;)

I took the Eldo down South to Winchester VA a few weeks ago with
the
 
 
 
 
 intention of making it to Asheville for the rally. My riding
companion
 
 
 was not feeling up to the long ride from Winchester VA. to
Ashville
 
 so
 
 
 we canned that plan and rode locally: Skyline drive the first
day,
 
 back
 
 
 roads the next two. Great rides on a great bike. The Eldorado
was
 
 
 
 
 terrific, well balanced, stable handling. His Kawasaki W650 could
walk
 
 
 away when the stoplight turned green but I have reached a calm,
meditative place in my life so it only bothered me a little (note
to
 
 
 
 
 self: bring Jackal next visit). I think the Stucchi seat provided
by
MG
 
 
 Cycle has broken in a bit. On the way home from Winchester to NY
I
 
 was
 
 
 able to ride the tank down to reserve, make a gas stop and go home
without stopping, 5 1/2 hours on the road with only a little
squirming.
 
 
 
Saturday I plan to be in Chris Mitchell's garage helping him start
assembly on his Loop. He wants a "modern" bike so it will have
dual
 
 
 
 
 disks, full oil filtration, 40 MM carbs, etc. He is starting down
the
 
 
 slippery slope and I plan to give him a hearty shove as a bon
voyage.
 
 
 
David in NYC




_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device:http://mobile.msn.com

Entire thread: