Subject: Re: Hello!
Author: halc-@comcast.net
Date: Aug 16, 2005, 10:00 AM
Post ID: 1719304831
Here are some random thoughts on the rebuild question:
This is a huge project. A couple of question to ask yourself.
How much do you want to $pend?
How much time do you have?
What do you want to get out of this as far as the bike is concerned? show bike, custom, stock?
So now you have decided to "clean it up". And you pulling the motor/trans.
It has been sitting for 10 yrs. Chrome is porous and corrodes very quickly. 90% chance the cylinder walls are pitted.
Guzzi used natural rubber products. So most of the rubber is cracked, dried up.
Pistons & cylinders and gaskets - $700
Head work - $100-200
Rear engine & trans seals - $20 (4 hrs in -4 hrs out) most likely needed.
Rear end seals and drive shaft boot - $60
clutch and clutch spline - $250 ( as long as you are there.) may not be needed
battery - $25-125
air filter - ??
drain all fluids ( forks, rear end, engine) $25
carbs clean & rebuild -$50-70
gas tank sealer - $50
petcock seals - $10
cables - $100
Tires - $200
Electrical - ???
But the good thing is the bike was free. The paint looks great. I didn't see any rust anywhere.
A few of us the list would check the cylinders for flakes of chrome. If the cylinders are acceptable, change the oil, wash it and start it. Why fix something that isn't broken (yet)
Whatever you decide to do it will be fun. John Chicoine has a tool kit he has made to work on loops, MG Cycle has some special tools made by Steve Brenton also available. I have a set. If you are serious about rebuilding this bike you'll need some of the tools.
Slotted socket for crank nut - MG - Cycle
Front fork tools - MG Cycle
John Chiccoine has some tools
Super Spanners are $45. The double wrench set for the swing arm and triple trees are $55. All three are $90. Prices include shipping.
John
-------------- Original message --------------
| Thanks everyone for the responses. Now I've got some dumb questions. Here's the biggest: How/Where do I start this project? The bike's been dusted off, I've got me reference materials (Guzziology is on the way), and I'm excited to start. First off: I'm not in a hurry to get the bike out this season. My gut feel is to strip everything off the bike that I possibly can in order to get it as clean as possible. I've been told to open up the cylinders and check the chrome before I even think about turning it over. Does it make any sense at all to pull the engine while I'm at it and give it a good cleaning while I'm at it? As silly as the walkthrough is, I'm looking at this (http://www.motoguzzishop.com/Big_Daddy/Big_Daddys_Top_End_Rebuild.htm) and thinking that I'd be able to do the same thing to inspect the chrome. Am I on the right track? One last thing... while I'm taking things apart (or putting it back together) I'm thinking that these (http://www.stainlesscycle.com/loop.html) would be nice to have. Anyone have any experience with this set and have any advice?
I've looked them over quite a few times. It seems like all the metal is there and there's no real bad spots... but... what to do about the finish? I'm really warming up to the idea of leaving the bike with a vintage look rather than a showroom floor look... but, I'd like to do what I can to shine those suckers up!
I was *just* going to ask that. Thanks for the pre-emptive answer!
I'm going to hold you to that!!
I can't name her till I've spent some more time with her. It'll come. |