It was suggested to me that instead of having 20 something threads with different projects, to just do one thread, & lump everything in here. Seemed like a good idea to me, so here it is. This will be something like the poor redneck version of 'jays garage' hahaha I have many projects to fool with this winter, from old unfinished ones like the VW powered guzzi, to new ones like next years touring bike, a 75 harley flh, also have a WW2 wla project, a 35 Indian chief bobber, and many more.... So anyhow, today I worked on the 54 Guzzi Airone I got at Barbers. I got it to make spark, so I thought I'd see if it would run. Has an odd magneto, the points spin, & the cam is the inside lip of the mag body. I saw this once before, on a 1919 BSA I worked on once. next, I checked the oil. only thing in the tank was some sludge, so I pulled it out to give it a good douche. I usually use diesel, but didnt have any, so I just used stale gas. Took about 20 flushes to get it clean. I'd flush the motor also, but I dont see any kind of drain plug anywhere. I'll just change the oil often I guess. the carb wasnt too fulla crap, but I need to find the correct one for it later, as I dont think the original carb would have 'made in czechoslovakia' cast into the top. But it should run with it. Slide was real sticky, so I chucked it up in the lathe & gave it a good polish. clutch wasnt working, was missing a couple parts for the adjustment, so I found a couple doodads & made em work. seems to be ok now. I really like the frame, its made from a bunch of flat pieces hand rivited together but I hated the seat, so I snagged one off of a panther, & stuck it on here. it mounts too far forward, but it sure looks 1000% better. They were available with solo seat & p-pad, so Im gonna be hunting for that also. I only had enough fresh gas to fill the carb (all my gas went bad while I was gone, its all crap nowdays) so I filled the carb, & gave it a few kicks, & got a pop. A few kicks later, & it fired up & ran! No smoke, no funny noises, so I guess I need to go get some gas, find a tire for the front (they had inflated the tire for the auction I guess. the next day, the bike was at my vendor spot, & the tire just decided to blow. 2 guys were right next to it emptying trash cans, it scared the shit outta them! ) then see if it'll go down the road.... Doug
way better than Jay's garage. You make me feel like such a panzy for riding a G/S I can't wait to see the flh pics. A friend's got a '74 (that he got in '76) and I drool over it every time I see it.
That Guzzi just gets more and more interesting. I applaud your resolve to keep it as it is but make it mechanically sound. It has more pizzaz with less sparkle.
Damn, I guess that bike wasn't in the auction area on friday when I went through. Probably just as well 'cause my wife would have wanted to bid for it as she is a closet guzzi fan. Nice work getting it running, unrestored is always more interesting than a freshly restored one. I got to take a '28 Norton Model 19 for a spin at Barber, always fun to ride something new.
wow, how did you see that, with all the junk on there? I have been trying to straighten up the shop a little bit, as it still has remnants of 'panhead build fury' scattered everywhere, theres even parts still imbedded in the walls. But yes, thats a fresh 80" bonneville motor, waiting patiently for me to install it in the chief. I'll get around to that soon also, stay tuned.... Doug
Gotta thing for big flat jugs ! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=483455 Tried to contact you about the UL, but then found out you were in fukistan or somewhere. BTW - Nice Guzzi !
Looking forward to watch your projects progress, really dig the old bikes. I have 2 79 Shovelheads and 1 76 Ironhead.. Roger
heres a video of the guzzi running. it actually runs pretty good. Tomorrow I will try to stick a tire on the front & take it for a spin <object width="560" height="340"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NbtOC6r-FO4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></object>
that is one cool sounding bike you have there. sounds like it is about to stall but it just keeps chugging along. very cool.