**************************************************************************
Next Project. An older restoration (2005) to be refreshed and polished up.
Needs to have tank rust cleaned and coated, carburetors rebuilt, and maybe an oil leak fixed.
**************************************************************************
This bike was acquired from the widow of Tom Christian, who did the 2005 restoration.
He had it painted, had the entire drive train redone with Gilardoni cylinders, heads done,
had the transmission rebuilt by Zydeco Racing, replaced all seals, etc.
When I got the bike these parts were off and it had been sitting for maybe 7 years.
I also inherited all of Tom's Guzzi spare parts and hardware.
Also the driver and service manuals, and all of the receipts for what he did.
**************************************************************************
To get the Eldorado, I agreed with the widow to buy both of Tom's Guzzis.
The other one was a 2004 California EV, which I took to Mike Reeve who was interested in that exact bike.
What were the chances of that?
**************************************************************************
Here's how I found it.
**************************************************************************
The only picture I took of both Guzzis on the trailer is this selfie!
**************************************************************************
When Bo was here I hung all the parts on it temporarily. It was the first time I saw it put togther.
**************************************************************************
Stripped back down and ready to get to work. First thing is to pull off the carburetors.
**************************************************************************
This bike was left sitting for years and the carburetors are really gummed up with dried fuel.
The old gas evaporated into a lacquer and the slides were stuck. Here's a before.
**************************************************************************
Here's after a lot of soaking and cleaning. Will order new parts as needed including jets.
**************************************************************************
Clean carbs and new parts ready to assemble.
**************************************************************************
These are Delorto VHB 30Cs. Not what would have come on the Eldo originally.
They also had size 40 slides, which maybe came off an 850-T (later loop).
With those slides, Charlie recommended using 850-T jetting 142 main/50 idle.
So I'm trying that and we'll see how it runs.
**************************************************************************
Carburetors installed with new velocity stacks and K&N filters.
**************************************************************************
Changing all fluids - engine case, tranny and rear drive.
Oil looked fine, gaskets in good shape, oil pan bolts all had anti-seize.
Also checked valve lash & spark plugs, which were good.
All adding to the evidence that this was a well maintained bike.
Started soaking the gas tank in Evapo-rust to see if that would do the job (foreground).
Been soaking for 3 days now and still significant rust, so will see...
**************************************************************************
Gas Tank...
After 3+ days of soaking in Evapo-rust, it looked like patches of rust still remaining.
But Charlie said it looked to him like the remains of a previous sealer that failed.
I never would have seen that if I hadn't removed the rust first. So that's not great...
I'll have to try some paint remover to see if I can get it off. I've ordered a boroscope on Amazon so I can see inside.
Somehow I have to get it all off. Then will have to decide if I seal the tank or just leave it clean metal.
**************************************************************************
I installed new battery with home made battery holder bracket to fit standard size.
When I started testing the lights, it was not what I expected, so I need to go through the wiring.
**************************************************************************
Police bikes had extra lights and functions, which varied and were often modified.
Normally, the toggle switch on the lower right switched between two modes - normal front turn signal operation, and rear flashing lights.
So I guess the idea is once you pulled someone over, you switched the rear flashers on and you wouldn't need the signals.
Meanwhile, the front flashers, the ones you put on in a chase, were operated by a right handlebar switch.
The pull switch on the left turns on the huge, original Deitz spotlights. Pull switch on the right is a kill switch.
**************************************************************************
This bike came with a replacement left hand multi-function switch, replacing both the original left and right "snuffbox" handle bar switches,
(see my Ambassador), a common modification even back in the day I think, as the originals were not reliable.
The front and rear flashers, which would have probably been separate blue or red lights, are patched into the two-element bulbs in the turn signals.
So the turn signals do both the flash and turn function. So where the police would have had 2 sets of lights fore and aft, I have the one set of turn signals.
**************************************************************************
The previous owner had bypassed the dash toggle switch and hooked up both front and rear flashers to the high beam passing trigger switch on top.
Also the tail light was on the same circuit. So no rear lights unless I'm flashing! Strange. I need to re-wire it.
**************************************************************************
I have the original schematics, but they show the original switches and standard police setup. So I have to decide what I want.
**************************************************************************
There was no way to isolate the tail light with this wiring set up, but I found an unused lead coming off the replacement switch,
which happened to be exactly what I needed. It powers on when you have the two position light switch in either the parking or headlight mode. Perfect.
I ran a new lead all the way back from the tail light to the headlight bucket and picked up the new lead there, which now lights the speedometer.
(The speedo light was also on the passing circuit!) So now with the switch in park position I have tail light only, then headlight/tail light when full on.
I left both the front and rear flashers connected to the trigger switch for now. But I could see moving them over to the toggle switch instead.
**************************************************************************
Gas Tank Part Deux...
I bought a cheap endoscope for $38 that works with an iPhone/iPad and scoped around inside.
The bluish surface is clean metal, the rusty red is failed coating that remains.
..and just think of the money I'll save on colonoscopies!
**************************************************************************
Time to get nasty.
Will fill with a gallon of paint remover with Methylene Chloride and rotate for a few days.
Then rinse with acetone and see where it stands.
I've got the tank protected with shrink wrap and will use gloves, goggles, mask, etc.
**************************************************************************
Well, the paint remover was a disaster. I used Zip Strip, which I realized while pouring had a viscous additive to make it stick.
When I tried to rinse that out with acetone (mistake) it turned the additive into ectoplasmic gunk wads.
After a lot of rising with water (which I should have used to begin with) I managed to get it all out.
The M.E.K. was seriously toxic and the fumes intense. I swirled that around for 2 days then cleaned it out with a pressure washer.
At the end of the day, I got some of the previous coating out, just what was peeling to begin with. But what's left seems fused to the tank.
So I ordered the Caswell Red tank sealer and I'm just going to go ahead and seal it up.
Here's everything I used. In the future, I would just go with Evapo-rust, and if necessary to remove old coatings, M.E.K.
**************************************************************************
Here's the Dragon's Blood sealer.
Swirled it around for 5 minutes and drained the excess. Checked the inside with my endoscope and it looks thuroghly coated.
Gas Tank back on. Time to try it with the rebuilt carburetors...
Well, it started. However, it races when I give it throttle. Seems like the throttle is sticking.
Will take the tank back off and check it out.
**************************************************************************
Lubed checked all the throttle cables, removed and cleaned up the throttle grip, and disassembled the cable splitter to clean and lubricate .
Throttle seems good now, snaps back. But after reassembly I tried again with same result. Motor racing to about 4000 RPM. Tried changing the jetting, but no difference.
So it's time to step back and re-check throttle operation and carburetor jetting and settings. I still suspect throttle is maybe too tight.
But at least it started!
**************************************************************************
So I order new throttle cables to eliminate that. Got them on and still the slides were not seating when I rolled off slowly. Hmm...
So I was thinking maybe the throttle return springs were the problem. Looked on line to order some new ones.
But I was speaking with Charlie and he reminded me I had an Ambassador sitting there and I could take the throttle springs off. Duh.
The springs from the Ambo were a good 3/4 inch longer and stronger. So I swapped throttle springs. That did it!
Charlie says people were using "hardware store" springs as replacements a few years ago and maybe that's what I had. Wimpy, Wimpy, Wimpy.
Now the idle is good at standard mixture settings and jetting. Just took it for my first ride, 4 miles. It's surprising how much bigger it seems than the Ambo.
The 850cc of course, the Lafranconi pipes, the police bars. But I don't think there's a big weight difference. Yet it feels like a Harley to me.
Best of all, the Ambassador doesn't seem to mind the smaller springs at all. Just took it for a ride and it feels like a sport bike in comparison.
Lots left to do. But here's two ridable Guzzis.
**************************************************************************
This Eldorado came with extra long shocks and springs to support a very large rider.
There was also a used pair of standard height shocks I may be able to use. Here's a comparison:
Long Shocks
Standard Length
After taking a short ride on this used pair of standard height shocks, I can tell they are shot.
So next week while I have new tires put on, I will order new shocks and springs as well.
UPDATE: Decided to go with the long shocks for now, afterall I'm not exactly a featherweight.
Once the new wheels and hard bags are on you won't notice the high rear fender clearance,
and it's a few hundred I don't have to spend now.
**************************************************************************
Here are the Borrani Wheels. Guzzi originally specified tire sizes about 100cm front (actually 4 inches), 110cm rear.
I'm goint to up that to 110 front, 120 rear, which is commonly done today because they and fill the fenders and looks better.
Front Wheel
Rear Wheel
**************************************************************************
Here is the windshield. It looks to me like it may be original to the police bike. Will research.
I found this in rough condition with other old parts that looked like they had not been restored.
The windshield is "Lexan". I cleaned it up a little and it's actually usable.
**************************************************************************
New Tires. Went with larger size both front and back. 110/90 and 120/90. They look better in the frame,
and the ride is vastly improved. It tracks much better, like your stuck to the road. Every test ride gets better!
(Forgot to take off my wooden lift frame, but I remembered before I rode it!)
**************************************************************************
The Gran Tourismo-style hand grips were reproductions and the throttle side grip was mushy and coming apart.
These reproductions felt soft and blimp-like compared to the originals I have on the Ambassador. Didn't like them.
I found an old pair of grips in the box of parts that I thought were some old generic set, but on further investigation
they turned out to be Italian Ariete waffle style hand grips that were probably originally on this bike.
So I cleaned them up and they look and feel great.
Reproduction grips, after being cut off.
Italian Ariete waffle style hand grips. Guzzi started using them for the late Eldorados and beyond.
**************************************************************************
Went out for a ride and the shift linkage came apart leaving me with no shifting. I got it in gear and rode home in 2nd.
It was an easy fix but I decided to go ahead and change out the bushing, which was very loose and on my list of repairs.
Turns out the company that makes the brass bushings, ASB, was close by in CT.
Suspecting the correct size bushing would still be too loose, which turned out to be the case, I bought one undersize
and reamed it out until I had a snug fit. Result was better, but still a bit loose. Not sure how you could get it any tighter...
**************************************************************************
Got out the chrome and aluminum polish and went to work. I was suprised how easily the chrome shined right up.
Took off the dash and removed all the lights and switches and went at it with the aluminum polish.
Also put the original bags on with the chrome support frame.
Suddenly it looks like I'm on track to enter the Eldo into the Barnstable Vintage Bike Show Sept. 24
**************************************************************************
Wanted to get some sort of box on the rack, similar to a police radio or other police-looking equipment
and something I could also use for stowage, since the bags are a little bit of a PIA to open/close.
Then I found this vintage police box on eBay! Got it for $46! Awesome. Will go at it with some polish.
**************************************************************************
I decided to restore the orginal windshield bracket (see above) that came with the bike, probably outfitted by Miami police.
The go-to company for custom replacement screens is Gustafsson in St Augustine, FL. But order is delayed due to hurricane Jose!
So I took the bike to the Barnstable show without screen or police box, since I think it needs both installed, or neither.
**************************************************************************
The completed Eldorado with restored windscreen and vintage police equipment box.
**************************************************************************
Friction sirens like the ones many PDs used in the day are impossible to find. But I won this vintage 12v siren on eBay for $39, untested.
Hooked it up and it sounded great. So I will wire it up this winter maybe to try and simulate the original.
**************************************************************************
Siren cleaned, repainted, polished and mounted in the same location as the friction siren mount.
Made a black painted mounting strip bracketed to the frame footpeg loop with coated ubolts.
**************************************************************************
Found period running lights on eBay. I liked the raised fins on either side.
Mounted two on the saddle bags, wired to tail light ciruit. There was an indentation clearly intended for lights.
And mounted the other two on the police box, wired to the brake light circuit.
And I got a vanitiy plate. MPD stands for Miami Police Department, it was a 1974 Miami Police Bike.
**************************************************************************
My 1974 Police Eldorado.
Both the siren and the police box are set up for "quick release" using battery tender banana plugs to detatch.
Although un-mounting the siren and the police box takes a little work!
