Paul LeClair new project and 1982 Mirage 1200 TS Series 2 FOR SALE

There were some problems with chrome-plated cylinders in the 1970s- the chrome would flake off particularly when not used for long periods, but Moto Guzzi starting using its own Nikasil called Nigusil in the early 1980s, and switched to Nikasil in the late 1980s; there have never been problems reported with either.

One more recommendation: I highly recommend Dave Richardson's terrific book "Guzziology," available on Amazon. It contains everything there is to know about all aspects of every Moto Guzzi from 1966-2011.


This is 100% correct. Nicasil is not a known problem, Chrome from
The 70’s definitely .
 
A large hose clamp snugged up around the base of the oil filter will prevent it from coming off. If it starts to loosen up the clamp adjuster will come in contact with the sump and prevent it from turning any further. One of the many quirky but tried and true tricks.
 
Paul: What is the powder coater you use in Calgary ? Out here in the hinterlands away from
previous resources I need that recommendation as I'm getting the 1970 750S resto starting
this winter. Thanks.
Greg
 
bloody hell, what a knowleadgeable bunch re Guzzi's...... thanks for all the info.

I have a several hundred dollar parts order just aced with MG Cycle, including new cam belts.

I have a pair of new Michelin Road 6 tires ordered from FortNine together with EBC HH brake pads.

I have a bunch of other stuff ordered from Curtis at Harpers Moto Guzzi.

Was a real challenge getting the brake discs off the wheels, but now accomplished, wheel bearings are all out, wheel weights are peeled off, weird rear wheel cush drive is out and off. Wheels are ready to go to the powdercoaters as soon as I peel the semi petrified tires off the rims. Stopped at the powder coaters and picked up colour samples, have a decison to make on colour. Going to have to source new brake disc fasteners, I wrecked most of the stock fasteners getting them off, had to resort to a MIG welder to weld nuts on to several of them. The brake discs are all in the ultrasonic tank at the moment.

not going to do anything about ordering upgraded oil pump/gears until I actually get it apart and see what is in there, hoping I will luck out and find upgraded bits, fingers crossed. If not I will order, although saw comments on Guzzi forums that the upgraded gears not presently easily available.

having fun, there will now be a lull while I wait on parts orders, powdercoaters, etc. Bloody hell, I hope the thing will run after I rectify all the fuel leaks.........
 
Paul: What is the powder coater you use in Calgary ? Out here in the hinterlands away from
previous resources I need that recommendation as I'm getting the 1970 750S resto starting
this winter. Thanks.
Greg
this time around I am trying https://www.calgarypowdercoatings.ca/ Have not used them before but they came highly recomended, and they are promising quicker turn around time than some of the other shops at the moment. Will report back on results. Previously I have used Top Gun https://www.topguncoatings.com/ especially for ceramic coating of internal engine parts.

I can also recomend you talk to the people at https://valleymetal.com/ they did a fabulous job of the show chrome done on my recent Gilera 150. Have not tried them for powder coating. Family run, nice people, very responsive.

I went with the shop I am trying this time for the most boring of reasons, convenience, as I drive right by it on my way to work and back. I stopped in on my way home yesterday, they had a wall of powdercoated metal tag colour samples which I helped myself to, and the pricing for a pair of motorycle wheels is about the same amongst the couple of shops I called. As they have been in business the longest of all the local powder coating shops they must be doing something right, we'll see.

Greg, where did you move to in British Columbia? Wolfgang has developed quite a network of resources he might be able to point you to, I htink he might have quite a good local to him painter.
 
Paul: Thanks for the references. I have moved to Kimberley and as of two weeks ago visited the esteemed
Mr. Haerter buying lots of parts for my 750S resto. Nothing like visiting him and Margot and the treasure
trove of parts which does absolutely nothing to curb impulse buying ! I forgot to ask about metal polishing
and chrome in Calgary as recently I have used Victoria Plating in Victoria,B.C. Moving from Vancouver has
certainly limited access to a lot of services hence Plan B in Calgary....Lethbridge (?) I asked Wolfgang about
painters in Nakusp and area and he told me prices are in the stratosphere so probably little change in the
future. Another reason to utilize Calgary,I can hang out a bit with your pal and mine Joe Haseloh.
 
Here's one for the Guzzisti. Maybe it'll inspire Paul to great heights with his quality of resto of his Guzzi

It's a 1920's (ish) 500cc 4-valve race bike. A recent acquisition by a mate. I love the leaf spring handlebars and wooden handgrips.

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Is that a mechanical disc brake on the front wheel, complicated friction damper front suspension as well, what a bike.
 
The brake is basically a V-belt pulley on the front wheel, and it has a rubber V-block shoe that gets pressed into it via a bunch of cables and levers. I suspect it's an evolution from similar brakes that ran on the rear wheel V-belt pulley of belt driven bikes of the previous decade. Given the large diameter of the V-groove pulley, it probably worked reasonably well.
 
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A lovely machine.
Guzzi used the same engine layout from 1921 to 1978 and has been keeping on with it's transverse V twin.
If only Laverda had persisted with its excellent 750 twin layout rather than enter the rat race and perish.

Paul
 
for Kleindorf, Calgar Powdercoaters did a lovely job on the pair of Guzzi wheels, and one additional part I added to the order. $208 all in, turn around was about a week. New MIchelin Road 6 tires being mounted and balanced today

for Cam, the Guzzi that followed me home is gettting a refresh, not a resto. I had to refinish the wheels as they were really scarred up. Leaving the rest of the cosmetics alone. New wheel bearings, swing arm bearings, headstock bearings, new cam belts, new fork seals, all new fluids (Amsoil) and filters and new tires and new EBC HH brake pads, new fuel lines, new clutch cable,all new electrical relays, etc, etc. Fix the various leaks. Remove all the USA emissions stuff, evaporative cansisters with charcoal filters, a bunch of hoses and fittings and valves, all now off the bike. One heck of a deep cleaning, the bike was very grimy. Thorough setup and tune up, dial in fuel injection and valve clearances, set suspension settings back to stock. Not really doing anything cosmetic other than clean and polish, have resisted the urge to do bare frame bare crank cases rebuild. A lot of rusty fasteners, some of the unique fasteners are soaking in EvapoRust, the rest being replaced with stainless steel fasteners where appropriate.
 
Pete Roper is the guy to talk to with MG. He’s probable most famous for his ‘wind age plates’ which controlled oil starvation at the pump during hard acceleration. I managed to find a used one of these long ago for my V11 Sport. Definitely did what was designed for.

The windage plate is a great idea. The oil pump gears are only suspect if the bike was neglected for oil changes.

Jim
 
current progress, just about to take steering stem apart for new bearings. Getting the massive swing arm bearings out was a real challenge. Old cam belts were paper thin, new cam belts are in place but not yet tensioned, shopping for new tensioner roller bearings. Wheels are freshly powdercoated and new Michelin Road 6 mounted and balanced. Lots more on the to do list.
 

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