Author Topic: Another addition to the stable (Read 10737 times)

Mr Nick · « **on:** June 27, 2018, 17:16:51 »

I have been quietly rooting around for a while now looking for my next purchase - the SV was a stop-gap project (and for sale just now in case anyone was interested), but I wanted something a bit different and biggish.

Thanks to the wonder that is fleabay, I now own this:

A 1989 Moto Guzzi 1000 SPiii. She's still with it's old owner while we await her transportation, but should be with me soon as the chaps I've got in do a run up here at least once a week.

Basic history: 1 owner from new until last year - off the road since '96 (family); bought early last year and put back on the road and been on continental and highland trips since then, but still under 25k miles. Totally original & unmolested (like me...).

I checked the 'how many left' site and there are now a whole 4 of these bikes on the road in the UK (it was one last year!) - don't think I'm in much danger of meeting another on the road.

Ridaz · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2018, 17:52:45 »

Looking forard to watching it progress

Rusty Nuts · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2018, 18:13:52 »

I've never seen such a heavily faired Guzzi. That screen deserves its own post code.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2018, 18:36:19 »

Yeah, 'expansive' is a fair description of it. I think there was an optional chair lift to the top of the screen!

The fairing covering all the mechanicals is one thing that the period reviews commented on. I'm wondering if there's any way to lose the lower 2/3 of it and not compromise the look or the rigidity of the remainder? I suspect the diagonal sharp line of the top part might make that a non starter.

It is a child of the eighties - some crap influences are to be expected.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #4 on:** June 27, 2018, 18:40:48 »

Quote from: Ridaz on June 27, 2018, 17:52:45

Looking forard to watching it progress

Not sure if I'm intending doing a lot to her to be honest - there's very little jumping out at me as needing work done. I'm looking at re-doing the fork legs as I see what looks like a bit of flaked paint, and the scuffs on back edge of the right fairing could do with fixing. The dark/light/dark paint scheme makes that a sight harder to pull off, but there is the trim line that I can probably use to get away with not quite perfect fade-ins.

I don't envisage ending up with a pile of parts on the ramp this time around.
You know that's still a possibility though.

TLPower · « **Reply #5 on:** June 27, 2018, 19:22:21 »

That looks mega, I'm sure Wurzel had a topbox that would suit it.

wurzel · « **Reply #6 on:** June 27, 2018, 20:42:04 »

...I want that screen!
My maligned top box is a tardis in its own right....

tallpaul · « **Reply #7 on:** June 27, 2018, 21:52:11 »

I concur about the screen. It looks like you could use it to rest your forehead on while you are riding. No buffeting would be experienced! There's something I always find appealing about Guzzis. Looking forward to this...

Mr Nick · « **Reply #8 on:** June 27, 2018, 22:10:18 »

I hadn't really considered whether it was the original screen or not as the old reviews spoke of it being a bit 'in your face': quite clearly it isn't now I actually look...

I see that the correct ones are available in some places in the states, and Wemoto list standard & tall screens for £40, so I do have options it seems.

wurzel · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2018, 22:39:45 »

Well if you do change the screen you could make a good sized greenhouse from that one...

Griff2 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2018, 11:42:27 »

Don't forget to keep a spare starter motor in the luggage

Mr Nick · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2018, 00:41:15 »

My V50 was on it's 40 year old original starter as far as I could tell, and I only changed it because I took it apart & some bits went wheeeee past my ear...

I'm reading Guzziology now and the SP3 came with the Valeo starter that was man enough for the big valve 1000: it out performs the other brands because it runs reduction gears, but you don't run it for more than 5 seconds without a wee rest or you kill it.

TLPower · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2018, 05:19:46 »

A wee bit like me then...

Mr Nick · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2018, 17:09:34 »

As much as 5 seconds???

TLPower · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2018, 19:51:49 »

Never.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2018, 16:45:08 »

New bike arrived Friday courtesy of motorcycledeliveryuk.

I took the fairing off today just to get a better look at the beastie:

It's pretty much what I was expecting condition-wise: everything original & one-restored. Frame looks generally fine so not seeing the need to do anything major.
There's a few things that will be dealt with over the closed season - few chips on one fork stanchion so they could be away to the chromers:

Bit of corrosion on the fork sliders so powder coating in order; same with the footpeg hanger.
Wheels are a little scruffy, especially the rear - have to think about what to do as I'm not sure whether powder coating is an option with the black & silver

I will be doing a full service as I can't be sure when the filters were all done. Oil filter is a sump off job as it lives inside - not a serious job as it's just a rake of allen bolts to drop it. The air filter: well, that's a different story...

I have no idea so far as to how to change that - it's between the cylinders & under the frame. Might be the carbs have to come out? I'll do some digging around first.

SuzukiSte · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2018, 22:00:46 »

keep them pictures coming.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2018, 21:36:55 »

Will do.

Tonight I had another look at the air filter housing: I can see why so many get converted to the dual outlet K&N ones!
I now have the old filter element out, and pretty manky it is too. The sequence seems to be: seat, tank and side panels off; battery out; battery tray out; unbolt & remove the front battery strap; loosen the carb to airbox hose jubilee clips; prise the hoses out of the airbox; remove bolts that hold airbox parts together; pull airbox back into battery space; remove filter. Like this

I did disconnect the carb completely which wasn't necessary, but it made getting the airbox hose out.

Re-assembly *may* be the reverse of removal...

Seeing the state of the air filter, I'm not trusting the oil filter as I'm not seeing any evidence of the dirt on the sump having been disturbed any time recently, and the oil is pretty grotty looking. The original owner did say he'd done the oil before parking it, but did suggest changing it: the last owner said he'd changed it over the winter, but has done about 1,000 miles since and, if the filter's not been done, then the crap in the sump wouldn't have been cleaned out. I have a full service kit on its way to me so might as well.

Mr Nick · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2018, 20:59:43 »

Service parts arrived today so air filter & plugs replaced, along with the speedo drive inner cable as that broke at the weekend.
Oil filter fitted (mileage & date written on it) and I also fitted a device called a Stahlbus drain valve:

This replaces the sump plug and allows you to drain the oil without risking stripping the threads in the sump. It's just a case of remove the cap, push in the drain hose & wait for the oil to empty into a suitable container:

I have a set of stainless allen bolts on the way to replace the current manky ones holding the sump on, so I'm stuck here in terms of the oil, but I think I'll go check the valve clearances meantime...

SuzukiSte · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2018, 23:11:44 »

I like the idea of the drain plug can you get them for any bike?