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1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado!

That battery hold down bracket looks awfully close to the positive
Cable side!
 
It is pretty close but it can’t move. I have to press it down on to the top of the battery. I might wrap that area with electrical tape too for extra protection. I could also grind away the sides of the bracket around the + side. I’ll see how it looks after the paint dries. :thumbup
 
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bergmen said:
Man, that is gorgeous! This motorcycle was really well taken care of. Great find!
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I have to give credit for finding it to a fellow barfer, Norcalspowpoke! He seriously handed this deal to me, and I'm very thankful! :party
 
buellistic said:
That battery hold down bracket looks awfully close to the positive
Cable side!
Click to expand...

This! I know of a BMW 650 that burnt to the ground from a battery positive shorting to ground. That is a beautiful old beast. I rode one after replacing a head gasket for a friend. I found very industrial. :laughing
 
Dropping a random nut / bolt down through the frame once you have it all buttoned up.

If it lodges between + and the clamp there could be conflagration.
 
love the old huge batteries on some old bikes, myself.

was it too hard to find a stock size replacement?

also love the NorCalslowpoke connection, and that you’re riding the super-classy black/white Ambassador already, so cool ... :thumbup
 
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I asked for the stock battery and this is what the battery store sold me. The one that was in the bike was a lawn mower battery. I’m sure this one is smaller than stock.

Ok so I cut away some metal from the cage, attached the positive lead from the back of the post and covered the post with the plastic cap that came with the battery. I’ll cover the positive lead with a rubber boot as well. I’m calling it good enough! Thanks for the input everyone.

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Actually I like this better. I’ll get the rubber boot at the parts store later.

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So after 24 hours the tank is looking a bit better. I pull out 2.5 gals of vinegar and shook the tank around a bunch. I refilled it and I'm going to give it another 24 hrs. Bummed because I wanted to ride the bike, but it will give me time to pull the wheels off and inspect the wheel bearings and brake pads. :thumbup
 
Ok so adjusted the points, checked the timing, pulled both wheels to inspect bearings and brakes. Brakes look great, bearings needed servicing. This bike uses tapered roller bearings in both wheels. Never seen that before. Cleaned and packed with fresh grease and reinstalled. I think the bike is ready to go once the tank is clean! Don’t want to rush the tank but I’m itching to ride this thing!!
 
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Today I got the tank "finished". For now anyway. I drained the vinegar and soaked the tank in warm water/baking soda for 20 mins and then rinsed with warm water a few times and then really attacked the inside with the pressure washer. Then I dried it with a heat gun and rinsed one more time with a mixture of acetone/marvel mystery oil, and then fogged it with stabil fogging oil. I let that stuff sit for a bit and then after cleaning the petcocks one more time I got the tank back on the bike and put fuel in it.

Some chunky stuff came out of the tank. It was seriously coated with rust and varnish inside. I'm impressed with how clean it came out.

First pic is varnish tank turd, second is how it looks now.

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Glad the vinegar trick is working well! :thumbup Worked wonders on my TLR.

This is probably the best vintage "find" you have acquired yet. Does this mean your Triumph project is going to get "rehomed" to another barfer? :teeth :gsxrgrl lol
 
Damn Daniel.

Rock the build brother.

So cool. :thumbup
 
Wait a minute, the post of the clean tank it from yesterday eve, pics looked to have been taken in the afternoon...it already 2p.m. THE NEXT DAY and we still don't have pics of you riding it!? That is a BARF travesty right there.... :)

Cool buy, thing looks like a euro harley in every way. Bet it sounds nice too!
 
I know its ridiculous but I had to go to work today. I did however hit AAA on my way home and got it registered so its officially rideable now. And its raining, and everyone knows I'm a fair weather biker. :laughing

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to ride it!
 
I just took it for a spin! Super fun bike. Fuel lines are leaking somewhere so need to replace them but it is a blast. Will be looking for some slightly louder pipes. Somehow it seems appropriate on this bike.
 
1962siia said:
I just took it for a spin! Super fun bike. Fuel lines are leaking somewhere so need to replace them but it is a blast. Will be looking for some slightly louder pipes. Somehow it seems appropriate on this bike.
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Dunstall used to do wonders for Norton Commandos, I wonder if there are anything like those around?

Dan
 
I just took it for a spin! Super fun bike.
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Alright! That's what I'm talking about, good to hear you got it out for a quick one. Good thing it was quick with the leaky fuel lines though. Thanks for the update.
 
Got a 8 mile loop in today. Solved the fuel leak with a new hose clamp. The bike is fun. I’ll probably be fiddling with the carbs and points all the time but it feels good! Timing is spot on and advance mechanism is working properly. I’m calling it good to go! Hoping to get a decent 50-100 mile ride in this week sometime. Woot!
 
that's freaking cool.

for the tanke de-rust plan is there any point that you can pause the process before getting to the "fog with anti rusting stuff?"

i ask because i have rusty tanks also, but free time with kids work and life is pretty limited. 1 hour per weekend if i'm lucky for tasks that aren't yardwork... i know. first world problems.
 
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