Italian Update

New Loves, Old Problems!

Let's start with the Moto Guzzi.

We made a list of problems to take care of before the bike could be ridden to Second Sunday.

The tires were old and seriously worn.

Rick sourced new tires and had them installed. Unfortunately the installer got the front tire out of concentricity with the rim. This makes for a very bad ride.

We removed the front wheel and took it to Wheel Works, the nice guys there fixed the problem and gave it to us for free, along with a Merry Christmas.

When we got home we read the manual which states mount the front tire in reverse.

OK no problem, take the wheel back off and turn it around.

Next problem, the speedometer attachment catches on the wheel stud nuts and is dragged around..

Hmm!

Next job, pull the studs and turn them around through the hub.

Now we are getting closer.

It is where it should be.

As Jimmy Buffett sings, "The Wrong Way Is The Right Way Until You Lose Control"

Finally we were back in control.

One of the issues the previous owner discussed was a mysterious shut down after about 15 to 20 minutes.

He related this a s a heat problem.

We tend to take a more pragmatic view, so over a couple of brain food beverages we decided that the most likely culprit was the ignition switch.

After a lot of diddling we finally got the switch out of the bike and gave it a thorough cleaning.

The bike started and ran for about 30 minutes without problem.

OK moving on, the throttle was sticking and the brake pedal too.

The brake pedal was an easy fix, just a little emery cloth on the shaft and Bingo, smooth as silk.

The throttle cables were another story, we had the gas tank off and on a bunch of times to check cable routing and to give access to the top of the carbs.

The slides were removed and the needles checked.

Hmm X8 called for and X22 installed.

The engine RPM just raised up to about 4500 on their own.

No throttle twist, nothing.

Hmm... 

New needles, jets and cables have been sourced and ordered.

We will see what happens next with the Guzzi.

The Moto Morini arrived today after the trip down from Sonoma.

Watch for an update on the Moto Morini real soon.

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Ciao Bella

Norm