Old Guzzi's Dont Die! / Strada Salvation,now with Video

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

Doing as I'm told(there you go Noobrider and i.p.phrealy

Introduction - How I got my Guzzi

On the 14th of March this year, I became the proud owner of a Moto-Guzzi.
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t1.0-9/10152402_10203580018611206_7014074879482618_n.jpg
specifically noobRider's 750 Strada, after his deliberations in this thread; Moto Guzzi Strada R.I.P. ?

Another dream come true... well almost! Tef had suggested I do a Guzzi V50 as a 'project' before I started
The Pup-Project; but just getting my licence seemed just a dream back then, and I had never even seen a Guzzi, wasn't until we went over to the Vic Biker's Pub, in May 2011, that I met one in the metal for the very first time. And its owner foolishly let me sit on it!

https://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w269/teflons-torque/XX-Forum%20Posts/100_0440.jpg

It felt so right! Looks like a propper motorbike too. I wanted one there and then but it took until September 2012 for me to get my licence. When having insisted I wouldn't want a 'big-bike'.... I started Guzzi Spotting! mostly on e-bay... frustrating myself looking at bikes I had no chance of affording, even project bikes! But to dream. Dreams are so safe, so comforting... not real.. but we kept bumping into them!

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1148824_649811675043753_310597979_n.jpg

This one belonged to Dave, at the Antelope Rally last year. There's just something about them...

THEN noobRider posted his troubles in Moto Guzzi Strada R.I.P. ?. His Strada dying with an exploded Universal Joint.

https://i1235.photobucket.com/albums/ff426/zedheadchap/R0izK4i.jpg

Tef, was trying to convince him to fix it; but I spotted my name in his post!

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

Exitement!

OK, so I had my Guzzi. It was taxed and tested, and broken. First things first... I joined the Moto-Guzzi Owners Club. Next I ordered the Guzzi 750 manuals from Gutsibits. Then set about cleaning my new toy.and insured it Tpft with the track records we have had with the bikes in the garden.

https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Moto%20Guzzi%20750%20Strada/DSCN0509_zpsdd82b2ff.jpg https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Moto%20Guzzi%20750%20Strada/DSCN0500_zps44324648.jpg
As for fixing it? Well, we know from noobRider, that the universal joint broke, and bent the drive shaft, which in turn smashed part of the swing-arm and the gearbox housing. Unfortunately, on the small-block guzzi's, the swing-arm is cast alloy, and pivots on the gearbox, not the frame.

noobRider's mechanic had suggested it needed a replacement drive-shaft and universal joint; replacement swing-arm and either a replacement gearbox, or a gearbox rebuild with a replacement casing.

Of these only the drive-shaft and universal joint is available new, and costs over £200. The rest would have to be replaced with reconditioned or second hand parts; which for such an uncommon model, could be difficult to source!

Tef had suggested to noobRider it might be possible to rebuild the broken swing-arm and gearbox casing with aluminium weld. But when we looked closely, how close the swing-arm pivot is to the smashed metal, none of us thought it would work.

I started making enquiries as to which of the other small-block Guzzi's shared the same parts, and scouring e-bay.

A complete V50 engine, gearbox and swingarm turned up locally, and we went over armed with a tape measure. It looked promicing. But, I discovered that the out-put shaft of the V50 gearbox was a different diameter to the spiggot bush in the 750 flywheel, the V50 had different diameter mainshaft bearings, and a different number of splines on the out-put shaft. Oh, and the swing arm is an inch shorter. So.. not so promicing then! So much for the famed Guzzi interchangeability!

However, Guzzi-bits came back with something helpful.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Moto%20Guzzi%20750%20Strada%20parts/P4170182_zps243f327f.jpg
they had a good used Shaft and Universal joint in stock,
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Moto%20Guzzi%20750%20Strada%20parts/P4170179_zps8b8cfbfa.jpg
and a good used 750 gearbox end-casing.
AND for not too unreasonable a price. Well... Tefs still not found his 750's brake float pins... so he doesn't REALLY need the money he's set asside for his insurance just YET....
So, I got them; so they dont sell them to some-one else! And they arrived last night.

NOW, I have got to start twiddling spanners. And plan at the moment is to drop the cradle.
Small-Block Guzzi's, the engine, gearbox and back suspension are a convenient single sub-assembly that drops out the bottom of the bike on just eight bolts... in thoery... one I'll test this week-end, hopefully!

Then the swing arm can be removed to see if it might be repaired.

Then, I can split the gearbox from the engine, to work on it. Basically, I need to rebuild the gearbox, into the new housing.

Then? Well, lets see how I get on with that for now!
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Real bikers build their own Renovated and Riding a 1986 Honda CB125TD-C called the Pup. Full Licence 13/09/2012, 1994 Moto Guzzi 750 Strada
Can-Do Girl that does spanners TOO!
TheSmiler: binning it is better than going around a roundabout the wrong way

_mjs_ · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Karma :

'Get a shaft drive they said, no maintenance needed they said...'

Should be a good thread this Thumbs Up

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Previous Bikes: 2006 Honda XR125L > 2003 Yamaha DT125R > 1996 Honda CB500
Current bikes: 1997 Kawasaki ZZR 600 E5 > 2006 Honda Varadero XL125V

BenR · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Karma :

Looks like a nice bike, good that you're saving it from the scrappies I should imagine that's going to be quite an epic job though. Odd that it looks smaller than the super dream.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

noobRider · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2012 Karma :

Epic thread. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with her, though I'm squirming with embarrassment at the state of some of those bits you're taking off her. In my defense, she was regularly serviced while I had her, she was worse when I got her back from the mechanic that last time than when I took her in, and I was going to give her a spring clean before this happened, honest.

I'm also thinking that my mechanic was taking the piss a bit with me, or maybe he just hasn't got your motivation.
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

_mjs_ · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Karma :

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

331X2 · Crazy Courier Joined: 10 Jul 2013 Karma :

Good effort all round, looking forward to seeing it back on the road. Nice to see that us DIY type folks sometimes have the motivation to get stuck into the jobs that the pro's can't be arsed with, as Shaft said in the original thread, its just nuts and bolts Thumbs Up

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Posting to follow the progress Thumbs Up

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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

STONEY! · Brolly Dolly Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Karma :

Whilst your at it check the gear lever return spring they get brittle and snap, common guzzi problem although not sure if this model is affected.

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Moto%20Guzzi%20750%20Strada%20parts/P4290210_zps27a2d3e3.jpg

Thanks to Gutsibits should have this delivered by thursday
____________________
Real bikers build their own Renovated and Riding a 1986 Honda CB125TD-C called the Pup. Full Licence 13/09/2012, 1994 Moto Guzzi 750 Strada
Can-Do Girl that does spanners TOO!
TheSmiler: binning it is better than going around a roundabout the wrong way

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Tef...

https://www.snakepit.org/coreytaylor.gif

Mrs...

https://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/files/2009/04/susan-boyle.jpg

i.p.phrealy · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Oct 2012 Karma :

That's a terrible slight on Snowie. Tut Tut

and a massive compliment for Tef! Laughing

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it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

Bunny Lingus · Traffic Copper Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Great thread & cool pics. Guzzis absolutely rock despite their idiosyncrasies like the dodgy spring loaded side stand & the alternator thing that soaks up the water from the front wheel when it rains. I remember my V50 mkII used to make the entire front wheel brown with brake dust & I had to tap the left side panel to get it to start & the ep80 stink it made when ragged. Cool! You've made me want to buy one - they're a labour of love but you'll never stop loving 'em. Thumbs Up

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Bunny Lingus & The Flipside Faggots

Tamsin · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Mar 2014 Karma :

I always thought tef was a lot lardier..... Laughing

Good show though, definately watching this with interest..

SnowTigeress · Brolly Dolly Joined: 23 May 2010 Karma :

Cogs & Dogs
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3922_zps612524ff.jpg
Well, the Swing-arm turned up on time. But, need to sort this cog-box out.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3924_zps536e6102.jpg
According to the book, box comes apart from the front; and first job, that big nut has to come off.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3926_zpsdab0835c.jpg
The broken end of the UJ and a broken socket extension makes a convenient shaft locking tool, with the box in first.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3930_zps25020870.jpg
That nut be BIG! 36mm... well TEF tells me that's VERY big! He doesn't have ANYTHING so huge!
And to get over the end of the shaft I needed a 'deep' socket.
Luckily some people have bigger tools than Tef... and Nick sorted me out with something better fitting!
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3933_zpsea83aa25.jpg
Nuts off; time to get screwed... sorry, get the screws OUT!
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3937_zpsbb0b280b.jpg
Quick Smack
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3939_zps9f4c3da2.jpg
Bell-Housing off.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3940_zps2293ff5b.jpg
Next nut's not so big; but THIS is why previous owner mechanic broke the end casing.
This shaft holds the two casings together; held in by that nut, and a retaining plate on the end casing.
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3942_zps9f5f4bea.jpg
There you go, the nut off. Who called this the 'Stubborn two-ton torque nut of doom?" Oh, that's right, every-one who has tried taking a Moto-Guzzi Gearbox to bits!
Pah! I dont know what they were sewating over... Took me all of ten minutes!
I just took it round the corner to local engine reconditioners and got THEM to do it Smile

Thank-You cylinder Rebores, Nuneaton!
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3946_zps6c397758.jpg
Main casing then lifts off, leaving ALL the shafts in the end casing. SCARY!
https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3951_zps50133d81.jpg
See, these are the retaining plates, once these are undone...

https://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x349/snowtigeress/Strada%20Stripdown/DSC_3955_zps98472709.jpg
The gear-shafts and selector mechanism can be pulled out of the end casing.

And that will do for today
____________________
Real bikers build their own Renovated and Riding a 1986 Honda CB125TD-C called the Pup. Full Licence 13/09/2012, 1994 Moto Guzzi 750 Strada
Can-Do Girl that does spanners TOO!
TheSmiler: binning it is better than going around a roundabout the wrong way

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Just to note, I suspect you massively underestimate what can be fixed by aluminium welding if the welder is good enough.

I remember seeing one of my Dads outboard motor propellors that had hit a rope rebuilt using aluminium welding by a firm in Aberdeen. It had been little more than a stump when he brought it in to them.

I've also seen someone weld a cracked Brough Superior piston skirt back on.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Snowie, can I just say your word to picture ratio is very good, and your ability to write is also very impressive. This is a genuinely interesting and informative thread.

Now, if you could get your partner to take a leaf out of your book from time to time...? Wink

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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

noobRider · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Sep 2012 Karma :

Very cool looking into the Guzzi gearbox Smile

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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

Aff · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 May 2011 Karma :

Posting for updates.

Good work so far.
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Current Bikes:Honda 929RR Fireblade, Honda CD200 Benly (Project), Stomp Z2 140
Electric Bike Project

andyscooter · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 May 2009 Karma :

nice thread but when does tef make the tea Laughing

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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

Fisty · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Karma :

Shagged land rover. Check
Caravan. Check
Patch of wasteland coverd in crap. Check.

Teffers is a pikey.

Great thread so far!! And if mike hasn't got sockets above 36mm then he isn't a real man!!
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret