Restorations
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
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
1975 Moto Guzzi 850T stripped for action
1975 Moto Guzzi 850T arrives for restoration
Last summer we took delivery of this true moto simpatico. Our instructions were to revive, restore and upgrade – to prepare for future touring. Now that the rebuild has begun in earnest, it’s time to start to tell her remarkable story. She is a much-loved, well-travelled and very tired old girl. Bought new in Johannesburg … Continue reading
Gilera lives!
Wiring sorted (well, the dodgy bits by-passed), fresh oil, and this is how she sounds without laying a spanner on her. Gilera 175 Giubileo Almost tempted to stick that single seat back on her and run her as is for the summer. Mmmm. Pretty fruity for a little ‘un, eh?
New shocks from Agostini in Mandello
In truth the frame of the Spada Royale, with its wafer thin original matt paint, should be given a bare-metal respray. But it’s spring already! – I want to ride her, not strip her – so we will have to make do with a touch-up and a tidy up. That said things are looking pretty … Continue reading
Moto Simpatico at Influx Magazine
Had a visit from Mike Fordham, maestro at Influx Magazine. Cool guy and very ‘simpatico’. This was the result. www.influx.co.uk He’s done a great job of the photos. The Sport 15 looks peachy. Can’t see how the others could be bettered without a time machine or a bit of plastic surgery. (Now, where’s my Dremel?)
Beat that, Joe Lucas
Inside the headlamp of our 1957 Moto Guzzi Lodola lurks this little gem of an automotive logo. Aprilia (not the modern bike maker) was Italy’s Lucas, and had a similar reputation (Prince of Darkness and all that). But this unusual logo is a little period design treat.
Insulating behaviour
My dad used to call it insulting tape. When you see what people hide under it, you can see what he was getting at. This Gilera is supposed to have a ‘mystery’ electrical fault. Mystery it ever worked, more like. (Note: dreaded pre-insulted spade connectors in the background. Two insults for the price of one! … Continue reading
