Author Archives: admin
Better lights for the Chott
Desperate for some extra lumens during the night sections of long distance trials like the Lands End, I have fitted a modern headlamp – which takes H4 bulbs. Problem is, alternator produces 55w in total so a standard bulb (55w/60w) would drain the standard battery in no time. I have a bigger capacity gel battery … Continue reading
Laverda Chott clutch clean-up – part 2
Clutch all clean and plates oil-free once more. That still leaves the question of how the oil got in there in the first place. The O-ring in the clutch basket ‘lid’ and the oil seal on the shaft are both good. Even though the handbook says use 20w/50 engine oil in the gearbox, I have … Continue reading
Laverda Chott clutch clean-up – part 1
In preparation for the Lands End Trial, I entered something down here call the Coast to Coast. What a mistake! It was well-organised and the people – competitors and organisers alike – were friendly and helpful. But it was way too hard for me and it broke my heart (though nothing on the bike, fortunately) … Continue reading
Sluggish Ducati starter syndrome
This is an old Ducati favorite. Bike doesn’t want to turn over and is a poor starter. Many’s the good battery blamed unjustly for the problem. And it’s not the starter motor either. It’s the cables. Apparently they build up resistance over time. But to be honest, fitting such spindly cables in the first place … Continue reading
New legs for the Elefant
The main fork tubes on the Elefant were in a terrible state. One of them had lost so much of its gold anodising that it actually looked a little like a real Elephant leg. At first I thought I would replace the whole fork. A bit of research revealed that lots of trail bikes of … Continue reading
1975 Moto Guzzi 850T restoration – gearbox strip
Hopes that life in the sealed environment of the gearbox – away from the dirty air and oil that had done all the damage to the engine – might still be hunky dory were short-lived. The magnetic filler plug’s spiky metallic hairdo pointed to horrors within even before I’d drained the old oil. … Continue reading
California Replica arrives for recommissioning
When this ‘California’ arrived for recommissioning and attention to the cosmetics, it was immediately obvious that all was not what it seemed. The buddy seat, screen, panniers, high bars and and footboards give it much of ‘the look’, but the instruments, front/rear mudguards and the 1000cc motor are all from a Spada. The side panel … Continue reading
Elefant cosmetics
The main frame is pretty clean, but the surface corrosion in the sub-frame was an offence to me so it’s been blasted and repainted. I used Halfords wheel paint (‘steel’) which isn’t a bad match if you are not being too anal. My priority was to get … Continue reading
1975 Moto Guzzi 850T restoration – engine strip
This was an almost standard bike and so has spent its whole life without anything approaching proper filtration of its air and oil. Such refinements did not arrive until the next iteration of the T line – the 850 T3. Evidence of the harm all that dirty air and oil can do is everywhere. … Continue reading
Cagiva Elefant 1993 900AC
Just arrived! Great-looking bikes, in my humble opinion.This one has got a carbed version of the two-valve Ducati motor much-loved in 900SS/Monster 900 form. Needs a bit of love but otherwise sound I think. Obvious stuff: one fork seal is well-blown; previous owner had been running it with a slash-cut exhaust (!); clutch deafeningly … Continue reading
