Topic: 1974 Moto Guzzi Eldorado

[Bankerdanny]

The Interceptors are much rarer than the Bonnie's, which is part of the disparity. They have also increased in value substantially the past 5 or 6 years. The one in the ad is especially clean.

[BomberMann650]

Jay, any inside information on the V11? For sale close to me.

I can tell you most certainly, you will not regret getting the v11.
They're built like trucks, and the big block guzzi's run like a raped ape on the road.
Guzzi has a long history of crafting excellent motorcycles.
I drool over my pals collection of guzzi's every time I'm at his place.  They are solid machines.  Treat them well, they'll last you a long time.
If they have an achilles heel, it's the exhaust piping.  Apparently the torsion of the motor against the well secured pipes can make for the occassional leak at the head.

[jas67]

Just an update.   The rebuild is complete.   It only needed, well, everything.



I'm not sure what the actual mileage was on this bike, but, the motor was very well worn out.  Thankfully, the original chrome bores were in good shape, so, no chrome flaked off to cause serious damage.    Still it took a 2nd undersize grind of the crank, cam and lifters were all reground.     Near bearings all around, new, nikasil, cylinders, pistons, rings, etc.    New valves & springs.    Rebuilt the carbs, new exhaust.   Transmission and final drive both torn down cleaned, a few bearings replaced, and near seals.     The u-joint was shot.    Some of the bearings were so bad that the caps had broken, and the needles fell out.   The yokes were pretty beat up, so, I ended up getting a new one instead of rebuilding the old one.

They say if you didn't spend more than the bike is worth to rebuild it, that you didn't do it right.    I guess I did it right.

It's a joy to ride, and makes some glorious sound under acceleration and up hills!

Next project on this bike is dual disk brakes up front.   I've got all the parts, plus, the forks on the disk brake bikes already have the mounts for the left side caliper.

I also scored a nice set of Wixom bags off eBay that just put on it this morning.

IMG_2829.JPG-1 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[seanbarney41]

super sweet...have always been fascinated by Guzzi's,  What's it like to ride?

[jas67]

super sweet...have always been fascinated by Guzzi's,  What's it like to ride?

It's kinda like a cross between a BMW airhead and a Harley.    It's heavier than an airhead, but, lighter than a Harley.   The 90 degree V-twin has a lot more character than a BMW boxer.

The single disk brake is barely adequate.   The 2LS drum on my R75/5 has more stopping power.   The problem is that Guzzi used too big a master cylinder for a two piston F08 caliper.    I've got all the parts to add a second disk.   Dual disks with that master cylinder should work well.    I'm  hoping to tackle that job tomorrow.

[DurangoCB]

That machine is gorgeous.  Talk about a head-turner.  Any video of what it sounds like or looks like rolling? 

[ekpent]

 Congratulations on doing such a fine job.

[jas67]

That machine is gorgeous.  Talk about a head-turner.  Any video of what it sounds like or looks like rolling? 

Not yet, but, I'll have to take some.

Congratulations on doing such a fine job.

Thank you!

[jas67]

Dual disk upgrade complete!   It stops much better now!, though, the lever is a little spongy.    It might still have  a little air in it the the system somewhere.   It was a real b**ch to get fluid flowing initially, even though the master cylinder was working fine before I drained the fluid out to add the line for the second caliper.

I added it by changing out the banjo bolt at the brake sensor for a double, so, now the right turn signal bracket won't go back on w/o either cutting it (the long part that engages a tab on the back of the bottom triple clamp to keep it from turning), or making a replacement that bumps out around the banjo bolt.   (I need to take pics of this if anyone really cares about the details).


IMG_2837 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
IMG_2836 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[Don R]

 That bike has serious style and I love the double disc. Your M/C will have the same pressure but more travel now because it's moving two pistons. On my 76F I liked that, it gave excellent braking feel.

   I had trouble bleeding that one too, Try the rubber bands on the lever overnight trick. I saw a picture taken at Yoshimura's shop and they had a racing brake setup assembled on the bench being bled that way. If it's good for them, it's good for me.

[jas67]

That bike has serious style and I love the double disc. Your M/C will have the same pressure but more travel now because it's moving two pistons. On my 76F I liked that, it gave excellent braking feel.

   I had trouble bleeding that one too, Try the rubber bands on the lever overnight trick. I saw a picture taken at Yoshimura's shop and they had a racing brake setup assembled on the bench being bled that way. If it's good for them, it's good for me.

I'll try the rubber band trick (or a zip tie).   Thanks!

[jas67]

The rubber band trick worked, I got 'em bled pretty well now.   The dual disk upgrade was well worth it.   And spring finally arrived!       :grin:

I do think that the Wixoms are the best looking bags on Loop Frame Guzzis!

FullSizeRender.jpg-3 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
FullSizeRender.jpg-4 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr
FullSizeRender.jpg-5 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr