Subject: 72 Eldo Update & Questions
Author: Guzzi-@aol.com
Date: Dec 19, 2003, 3:03 PM
Post ID: 1715550300
Hey Everybody,
I've been off of the Eldo project for over a year,
mostly due to health, but started back in last weekend.
I don't know if y'all remember but this bike sat for years
and the piston rings stuck to the chrome cylinders. Then
the heads and cylinders welded themselves to the studs.
We eventually got all apart and fitted used jugs & slugs with
new rings.
Then the next big problem was the rear motor mount which,
after cutting through the spacers on either side, I was
able to remove from the frame, but the bolt was still stuck
in the trans. Last Saturday I decided to pull everything off
and get the trans on the work bench, then successfully got
the dang bolt out. Put everything back together cleaning
up all the stuff I couldn't get to before.
I just got off the phone with MG Classics who said they have
the spacers to replace the ones I cut up.
I had previously taken the heads to MotorWerks in Wilmington, IL,
who after pressing in the valve guides went out of business
before fitting the valves. Is it a big deal to ream them myself or
is this better left to a pro? Do the valves need to be "lapped"?
I'm pretty handy but no machinist.
Other than that the carbs are done (choke pistons were frozen)
and I replaced the starter solenoid last year and spun the engine
but can't seem to find the starter relay. The wiring is a real mess
from the tank back but the main mission is to get the engine
together, start it, then get it charging and worry about the details
later.
Anyway, I'll report back to you folks as things slowly progress.
Al Sloan
Hinckley, IL