Started On The '87 Guzzi Today

[Barry]

Looking good Bob and some familiar components there. I could easily develop a soft spot for a red Guzzi.

[nhmaf]

I still can't get over how clean these southwest bikes look - if that was up here, there would be rust and pitted chrome bits everywhere.
g
It looks great - I am sure that it will get sorted out quickly and be a blast!

The tough part is going to be that small front tire - the early 80s flirtation with small front tires to enhance turn-in/reduce gyroscopic effects was definitely misguided, and thankfully short-lived... but finding tires to fit those hoops is a PITA.   There are still enough cruiser style bikes around the 16" rears aren't as hard to find - but there are not alot of choices there either.

[Bob_Roller]

I posted on the Wild Guzzi forum this morning about tires .

I found Metzeler Lazertec tires, in 16 inch size, correct front tire, but the narrowest rear tire is a 130, the bike takes a 120 width rear .

One member posted about a shop that has Pirelli tires in the correct size, they are even local for me, 10-20 minute drive there .

Cost for the two tires including local sales tax is around $170US, then I need to get them mounted, they only sell tires, not mount them .

In a lot of cases, the good physical condition of the bike, is the reason the prices are higher in this area .

But on the down side, they tend to be higher mileage bikes as well .

[nhmaf]

Hey Bob!

Look at what I found in our areas CL ads today - do you want it?

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/3302265370.html

[Bob_Roller]

That's a great find !!!!!

I just checked the factory manual and from what I can tell, the Lario was the only Guzzi 650 that had a 16 inch front wheel, the rest were 18 inch fronts with single disc and 16 inch rear wheels .

Thanks for the heads up !!!

[nhmaf]

If you want it and the seller doesn't want to ship it to you, let me know and I'd be willing to pick it up and ship it to you.

[Bob_Roller]

Drained the vinegar out of the tank and pressure washed the interior of the tank .

I could not believe the amount of crap that came out .

Turned the tank upside down put the fuel filler cap on the tank and refilled it from the bottom fuel tap hole, I left the level of vinegar about an inch or so below the filler hole, so I know the very top of the tank didn't get treated with the vinegar .

I think I'll wait to put the POR 15 liner in the tank, until I get back to work, I can use a bore scope and look at the interior of the tank, just to make sure I got all of the debris out of it .

[SCJJR65]

Sweet lookin' Goose, Bob!!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

The fuel filler cap did not like the vinegar, got a leak after 4 days, drained the vinegar took the fuel cap off and the spring steel tabs that catch under the lip on the filler hole, corroded away and broke when I removed the cap .

Rinsed the tank out with water and got an awful lot of 'debris' out of it again .

Went to the local auto parts store and found a replacement fuel cap that will stand up to the vinegar .

Strained the vinegar with paper towels and a funnel, put it back into the inverted fuel tank, give it another 5-7 days and see what I have .

[Bob_Roller]

Drained the vinegar out of the tank this afternoon and flushed it with water from a garden hose .

I think I finally have gotten all of the rust out of the tank .

I've gotten about 6 cups of gritty rust out of the tank in total .

I'll take the fuel tank into work this week and have a look inside with a bore-scope to make sure it's clean before I put the POR15 sealer in it .

I'm 'blow drying' the tank now, I've got a hose connected to the outlet of a shop wet/dry vac and blowing into the fuel filler .

The air contains the cooling air from the motor, so it's about 100 F .

Does a quick job of drying the tank out .

This is my first time using white distilled vinegar (10% acid) to remove rust from a fuel tank and it does a great job, given a few weeks to work .

Won't harm the paint either if it gets on a painted surface and easy to dispose of when you're finished .

[Bob_Roller]

Finally got the POR15 sealer late last week, the company I ordered from, was out of stock on the 8 fluid ounce (237 ml) can of sealant .

The sealant was $11.25US, the shipping cost about $12US, a HAZMAT item, flammable, but it still was more cost efficient than getting the motorcycle kit from POR15, it's around $45US locally .

Got the sealant in the tank this afternoon, it was a bit more of an effort to get this tank fully covered as compared to the R65 fuel tank .

I'm going to let it sit for about two weeks to fully cure, I have the tank outside in the sun right now, if you're directly in the sun, the temps are still getting into the mid 90's F here still, air temp in the shade is around 70 F., worked up a sweat working on the oilhead this afternoon .

Removed the alternator drive belt yesterday, took it to the local auto parts stores to see if I could get a non-OEM part for a lower cost, but no luck, put the old belt back on this afternoon, so it looks like I go to the local BMW dealer after work tomorrow to get it .

So, hopefully I'll get the engine fired up for the first time on the Lario, or at least attempt to, before the end of the year .

[steve hawkins]

Looks in nice condition