Sweendog Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Looking good! Is it me, or does it seem like those Italians liked them some FAT welds? =D Link to comment
sardineone Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 The twin loop frame has evolved into a dated design. The difference on a Moto Guzzi is they have a good example of a dated design! A striking example of this is when I look at the 71' Kawasaki 500 on display at a local bike shop. When compared to my 86' Moto Guzzi LeMans frame they are the same basic design only the Kawasaki frame looks suitable for a Schwinn bicycle. Link to comment
Guest Kakugo Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Glad you found the headlight because I was really having a tough time tracing it. During my searches I came into contact with these chaps: Agostini-Mandello del Lario. Apparently they are the ultimate source for Moto Guzzi parts and, given time, they can find or make anything. Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 "the Kawasaki frame looks suitable for a Schwinn bicycle" and felt like it! Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 1, 2011 Author Share Posted July 1, 2011 Thursday June 30th.... Dirty motor needs a bath...Local DIY... After the bath with Purple Power not bad.... Removing transmission from block to do inspections.... and of course there are problems...a little to much oil in the clutch housing and a real BAD set of teeth on the ring gear/flywheel....Ouch.. that will have to be replaced... New ring gear $450.00....Thank you again E-Bay ... found nice one from a 1970 MG Ambo on E-Bay at 2:00 am this morning for $50.00. Checked the part numbers on the V7 and Ambo...same part numbers...SOLD should get it in 7-10 days from California. Link to comment
OoPEZoO Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Sweet.....gotta love it when you can actually find a deal on Ebay. Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 I'm enjoying the heck out of this thread Bill. Great job! Link to comment
doc47 Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 How do you do the wrinkle finish? Mine turn out that way when I'm not trying..... Keep us tuned. I get to do a restoration and not get my hands dirty! Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 Friday July 1st..... Checked out of the office at 3:00 today for a long July 4th weekend...Went to the shop to see what I could accomplish tonight.... Cleaned out the transmission housing and removed inner clutch gear to get to the transmission seal to pull it and replace it...Wouldn't you know I forgot the tranmission seal in my seal purchases...Oh well at least it ready for the new one..... Next on the agenda was to clean up the clutch/flywheel compartment of all the nasty junk in it so I could get to and replace the rear crank case oil seal.... Kinda nasty looking... Removing the lock plates for the bolts going to the rear crank seal plate.... Gotta Love an electric impact driver.... Removing crank seal bolts.... I knew I could use a seal puller for something else... Loosening up the crank seal plate... Now to use a puller to finish pulling the crank seal cover plate off.... A look inside....Crank and inside motor looks real good....That's a HUGE CRANK !!!!! A few errands to run in the morning then back to work...I going to get some BBQ right now I'm hungry.... Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Saturday July 2ed..... Looks like I lost my readers...Oh well that's what happens on a long weekend and all of you are riding and I'm just pulgging away.... I was installing the rear crank cover oil seal last night... Job completed buttoned up and waiting for the new ring gear to get here so I can put the clutch in. When the transmission seal gets here I will be able to put the transmission back on the engine and hopefully are the new engine parts will be happy living as one again... What I wanted to accomplish today was to put the new seals in the front of the motor.... Gotta clean up and get past this nasty section first.... Alternator pulled of now I can get to the seal..... Area cleaned up and new seal installed....This was the easiest job I have done on this bike as to date...I wish more of this restoration would go this easy.... Clean up of valve cover and starter is going well.... Cleaning head fins.... Only way I know how....Bronze brush and a lot of back and forth.... Winding down for today sent 16 hours on this restoration....Getting tired good time to stop.... Todays parting shot....Engine is starting to slowly clean up......... not bad but a long way to go...Till the next post...Hope you enjoy it !! Link to comment
ltljohn Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Looking great Bill, can't wait to see it finished. Link to comment
Highway41 Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 That old aluminum is looking really sharp. Coming along very nicely. Bill Link to comment
NCStephen Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Haven't lost me.. nice job you are doing! NCS Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 I wanna see pic of the 74 750 four !!!! Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Thanks John and Bill....Bill you need to stop by the shop and help me pull wrenches.... Link to comment
barryNmarin Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I don't think you've lost anyone Bill. If they are like me they are just speechless at the amazing makeover you are doing. I'm spellbound and following each one of your posts wishing I had the talents you possess to restore a classic machine to its youth again. Link to comment
Sweendog Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Awesome work so far! I can't wait to see the motor fully cleaned up and re-assembled. =) Link to comment
Firefight911 Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I don't think you've lost anyone Bill. If they are like me they are just speechless at the amazing makeover you are doing. I'm spellbound and following each one of your posts wishing I had the talents you possess to restore a classic machine to its youth again. what he said since I'm speechless!! Beautiful, riveting, and what's next?! Link to comment
Jon_from_AutoZone Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Hey Mr. Jones, I joined the forum so I could follow along in your adventure too even though I see you on a daly basis coming into the store Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Yeah, what Barry said. Just because we're not saying anything doesn't mean we're not reading. Say, Bill, what are you using to clean out all the housings? Inquiring neophytes want to know. Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Way too cool Jon....You get points for that one.... Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 what are you using to clean out all the housings? Purple Power concentrated degreaser, 0000 bronze wool, and bronze brushes...Bronze brushes and bronze wool will not scratch the alum. surface like SS brushes and steel wool....After cleaning follow up with lots of water to flush out the Purple Power because it will crust over the metal surface if left on...Use latril or plastic gloves also because Purple Power left on your hads will burn you and blister your skin and it does not heal quickly...Don't ask how I know this... Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 wishing I had the talents you possess to restore a classic machine to its youth again. Truly.....no talent and I say that with honesty...Just will, patience, research, and knowing the correct people to ask dumb questions to. Harbor Freight so I can afford tools (cheap) to do it with and most of all a great wife that has put up with me for over 26 years that does not mind me doing this at all even though most of my friends would say it keeps me from bugging her.... Just take your time, take lots of pictures, buy lots of zip-lock bags and most of all if something does not look or feel right.... keep doing it over and over until YOU like it!!!! Link to comment
azkaisr Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Haven't lost me, I was just waiting for tomorrow when I could say "nice job finishing it all up but what took you so long" Link to comment
hopz Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Most excellent work, and photos! Everyone appreciates your work and your journey. I admire it, since I've been there myself. Link to comment
Jon_from_AutoZone Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 hopefully that seal we found will work out. Any luck on that o-ring? Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 hopefully that seal we found will work out. Any luck on that o-ring? Got it !! Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Sunday July 3rd..... Working indoors today....Carb cleaning... Air conditioning while I work....This can spoil me.... Polish and clean then start over again... Getting there slowly but surly.... Comparison.... Link to comment
Richard_D Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Great work as usual Bill. Do you do windows ? Link to comment
Highway41 Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Thats called elbow polish. Appreciate the invitation to come by but if I do don't trust me with anything more than a brush. I'm still waiting on a phone call from somebody at Tech Day whose valve is now inside the combustion chamber. When does the motor go back in? Bill Link to comment
Huzband Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Tell the truth, Bill. You went to Italy & shot this new motor at the factory. On second thought, no you didn't They don't ever look that good when new. You're doin' great! Link to comment
barryd Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 This bike is going to look better than it did when it left the factory. Where do you get the bronze brushes and bronze wool? Link to comment
Huzband Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 This bike is going to look better than it did when it left the factory. Where do you get the bronze brushes and bronze wool? Probably at Harbor Freight. Look up cheapskate in the dictionary & you'll likely see his picture. Link to comment
Jon_from_AutoZone Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 hopefully that seal we found will work out. Any luck on that o-ring? Got it !! where did you find it? Link to comment
Bernie Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Probably at Harbor Freight. Look up cheapskate in the dictionary & you'll likely see his picture. Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Do you do windows ? That's what windshield wipers are for Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Where do you get the bronze brushes and bronze wool? Bronze Brushes....Harbor Freight... Really !! 50 cents each... Bronze Wool....Ace Hardware...not real cheap... Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 where did you find it? A Friend in his stuff Link to comment
BFish Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Bill, it is a blast to follow your progress. Now that i have an a/c'd workshop and a harbor freight just up the road i need to take something apart and make it look better. May not run, but hey, you gotta look good on the dock! (fishing concept). Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Look up cheapskate in the dictionary & you'll likely see his picture. Ok Danny and Bernie....notes have been taken and names written down....As soon as I can find some free impliments of harm.... Link to comment
BIWOZ Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I am in total awe and admiration and respect ... wow! I can't even slice a loaf of bread straight, so I'm just blown away by your abilities. I love this thread. Thank you. Link to comment
tallman Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Look up cheapskate in the dictionary & you'll likely see his picture. Ok Danny and Bernie....notes have been taken and names written down....As soon as I can find some free impliments of harm.... Have implements, will travel. Also, have condiments, will travel, for food. Link to comment
MarkShelley Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Looking forward to following this thread. The Tonti framed bikes sure are pretty. Here is mine. You could call this `Beauty and the Beast` Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 You could call this `Beauty and the Beast` Looks similar to my 86 California II Love the way the seat trim is inverted Link to comment
MarkShelley Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 Love the way the seat trim is inverted The wife doesn`t! Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Monday July 4th.... What I really wanted to accomplish today was to clear coat the frame and all the other painted parts...Got to the shop at 6:30 am and I am happy to say Mission accomplished.... Everything clear coated....Shop is a wreck but I told you that once I get going I'm relentless....Parts look like laundry hung out to dry.... Saw these two pics next to each other as I was scanning through todays pictures. Thought they made for a unique view... Difference in what 7 days make..... Motor in truck ready for bath and cleaned up motor.... Maybe by the end of the week the transmission seal and the ring gear/flywheel will be in and I can button up the motor... Link to comment
Quinn Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Can I send my bike down to your house for Summer Camp? ---- Link to comment
Matts_12GS Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Truly.....no talent and I say that with honesty...Just will, patience, research, and knowing the correct people to ask dumb questions to. Harbor Freight so I can afford tools (cheap) to do it with and most of all a great wife that has put up with me for over 26 years that does not mind me doing this at all even though most of my friends would say it keeps me from bugging her.... Just take your time, take lots of pictures, buy lots of zip-lock bags and most of all if something does not look or feel right.... keep doing it over and over until YOU like it!!!! don't let him fool you. The biggest thing Bill has with these bikes is vision. In the same way a sculptor can see what's "hidden" inside a piece of marble, Bill can see what's inside one of these grimy machines. He's a lot of fun to watch going through old bike shows and swap meets. It's fun to drop by the shop and see what he's got done since the last time. I guess tonight I better take some pictures of my little project and tie it back into this one ;-) Link to comment
Knifemaker Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 I guess tonight I better take some pictures of my little project and tie it back into this one ;-) Without pics.......................... Link to comment
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