Alpino Re-commission

P

paperroad

New member
Location
New Zealand
Hello all, I'm new to the forum and a proud owner of a 1977 Alpino with 30,000ks. This is literarily a 'barn find' that hasn't been started for 10+ yrs. Apparently it was running fine before being parked up. I've oiled the cylinders and cams (which look great). The existing engine oil looks new and the engine turns over, no probs.
My first step in this restoration is to get the engine running.

Here's some questions....

1. Is the battery -ve earth?

2. The cam chain tensioner guide is old and broken. Where can I get another?

3. What valve clearances (cold)?

4. Any precautions I need to be aware of before attempting to start her?

5. Workshop manual suggestions?

I don't usually use forums, so happy for any feedback if I stuff up protocols etc.

Cheers Pete
 
hello Pete, welcome to the forum

in answer to your questions

1) Battery is set up as negative earth

2) we have new 500 cam chain tensioners in stock, in Brisbane. You could probably source one as well from DAM Laverda in Melbourne

3) I use 0.15mm on Inlets and 0.20mm on Exhausts

4) nothing out of the ordinary, engine turns freely by hand by the sound of it, may pay to give the carbs a decent clean out, spin engine over with plugs out to prime the oil system, drink some DB and give it a go

5) I may have a spare hard copy, very used so read crumbling, may also have an electronic copy, will check

good luck
Red
 
G'day Pete. Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the barn find. I hope it lives up to expectations and isn't full of nasty surprises.

I have pdf copies of the Laverda 350/500 workshop manual. But at around 30MB combined, they may be too big to email. I could put them on a memory stick or CD and mail them if you cover the cost. Maybe a drop box would work - I dunno, never tried that.

As for starting it - what Red said, apart from the DB. I'd suggest a shot of something stronger.  ;)
 
Thanks Red and Dellortoman,  your advice is appreciated, however I'd happily substitute DB for Coopers. Funny thing, Coopers is cheaper in NZ than QLD.... But I'm sure either beer will get the bike started.  Red, if you've got a legible hard copy manual that'd be great and the tensioner guide. I'll PM you. Cheers
 
You can also get manuals from 'e-classic bike .com". They seem to be based in Motueka but sells on Ebay and ships from various places. Not particularly cheap but the one I got for my RGS is a good quality reprint of the original manual.
And invaluable  8)
 
Hello Pete, welcome.
You have come to the right place if you need info on LAVs !

Linda's Alpino had not run since 1978 and had less than 1,000kms on it when we purchased it back in 2008.
It came from the UK and the original owner had fallen off it at low speed with very minor damage, had the bike repaired and then put it in his garage where it staid.  When he passed away in 2007 his family sold it.  It had the original tyres on it, mildly scuffed.

When we finally took delivery in AUS, I lifted the head and inspected the barrel and the valves/cams just to be sure, flushed the engine with new oil and fitted a new cam chain and tensioner, once again just to be sure.  REDAX supplied a gasket set which was used where required.
I checked all wiring connections and remade some where there was corrosion, replaced the wheel bearing and did a clean and regrease of the head stem bearings, plus I made a new section of loom to install the Sache ignition from REDAX.
The carbies were stripped down and ultrasonically cleaned and all new jets and needles installed, plus gasket kits.
Oh yes, I flushed the petrol tank and gave it a hand full of fasteners to loosen any gunk in there and then flushed again. Soaked the fuel taps for a couple of days in carby cleaner and was amazed at the crap which came out.  New fuel lines as well.

If you are going to do the work then do it properly.  Much easier and far less expensive than a stuffed motor.  More satisfying as well, but everybody has their own way.

We tried a Lithium battery, which starts the motor OK a couple of times, but went back to a sealed AGM battery for reliability.

Beautiful little bike to ride, and looks very nice as well.

I can supply you with electronic copy (PDF) of Parts List and Workshop Manual if required.  Send me a PM.

happy riding.
 
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