As daily classics I always drive twins with an electronic ignition, valves operated by rocker arms and a cardan. It never needs maintenance and I can do that myself. The fact that those things usually have a tub is for practical reasons. After all, I also drive in rain, cold and snow. Fortunately, not out of something as pathetic as toughness. I just don't drive a car. And not even that out of principle. Mine has been on stands for over four years. I just can't afford such a thing. All the more so because I think that such a so-called 'automobile' should weigh at least two tons for safety reasons and the standard consumption of a General Motors 'small block' with two double Rochester carburetors is detrimental in these times.
Oh yeah; riding a motorcycle is also just more fun than driving around in a pedal bin. Even if that's a 1976 Buick Le Sabre. The Moto Guzzi SP III that I've been abusing for a while now looks like a plastic rocking horse and is living proof that not everything that comes from Italy is beautiful. Moreover, the once intended BMW killer, a comfortable long-distance touring machine, is ergonomically at best adapted to two malnourished southern Italians of 65 meters each. But yeah; who can force an Italian to think rationally?
When something strange happened again recently with the electricity, I became very happy. To be able to measure the misery from front to back I removed the butt, side panels, tank and fairing. And I immediately fell in love with my rocking horse. Because under those plastic burnoes was a beautiful, slender Italian beauty. After all, the Tontiframe was used throughout the entire Guzzi construction line, including the Le Mans models.
The malfunction was caused by old-fashioned copper worm. Happy, I reassembled the Tupperware and decided to browse online at TLM's used parts site. Then I called some friends who have more modern, but just as emphatically packaged engines. We made arrangements to remove fairing and marvel at the beauty beneath that plastic. Because wouldn't the world be a better place if motorcycles were also subject to a burnoes ban? Long story short: motorcycles are just like people these days: you shouldn't necessarily want to know what's under their burnoes because a few exceptions prove the rule.
But still: Beneath a burnoe usually no beautiful, long legs stick out. Liver-colored, stainless steel aftermarket dampers hung under the SP. Not from the trusted Japanese brand 'Keihin', but from the obscure British brand 'Keihan'. They would be replaced by original, chrome-plated steel ones. When they were mounted, they turned out not to fit under the original cases. On a motorcycle from another country, that would be surprising. Out of sheer wantonness I then made a set of short mufflers that I had recently. With the blind rivet nut pliers. Yes.
That did wonders for the looks and the sound and is the first step in the transformation of the SP. Because it is definitively stripped of the burnoes and gets a tight top at best. If we stay in the clothing corner for a moment: sometimes meddling and the urge to regulate do have advantages. This summer was the first that I didn't ride exclusively in shorts and flip flops. Because that is no longer allowed. And now let that have turned out fantastic!
Firstly, jeans keep the engine heat away from the calves. And secondly, based on a summer, it quickly saves forty centimeters of plaster or half a can of bandage spray. In addition, you are also protected from the annoying 'psccht' sound when a bare calf hits a hot exhaust. It's something with those hot summers. Fortunately, it is now winter again. At least: sort of. So it's burnout time again.
Plastic mess off .... making molds .... cutting iron ...
Little welding. ..
Sorry for all the duplicate photos
Beautiful! On the right track!
Converting .. making a beautiful racer
A good start is half the work!
..
T5
With some attention and time you can drive a cafe racer.
Costs a few cents but fun to do.
Standard t5 tank extends and no plastic parts.
Stylish!
And Dolf, I also enjoyed it for 6 years. More cosmetic stuff done. Don't use it anymore, as I can do anything on the Harley Trapson. So sold…
Monster bike….
Hi Paul! Good to hear! And in terms of 6 years: nowadays most marriages are shorter
'Beautiful' story Dolf, thank you. Is it love, yes. Brand dependent, differs from person to person. One friend of mine swears by everything that starts with M and ends with uzzi, while other buddies of mine modify such a 2-wheeled cart into a suitable tailor-made fat coat. To each their own and I love watching, talking and hanging out with this group of real riders! Hold on!
Let's just keep having fun!
Dolfie salfie you are once again busy kicking different motorcyclists in the shins, we have learned that we have to take a motorcyclist like him or nowadays she or lhbti and accept the whole alphabet as motorcyclists, motorcyclists are just like other people you never get all noses in the same direction, dolf accept that a motorcyclist can be different from you, by the way have a good motorcycle year 2023 😂😂
But I continue to be amazed! and 2023 starts with a mild autumn, so it will be a great year for all of us!
Italians and electricity is not a happy combination, but to use a photo of a Japanese bicycle as an illustration 😉
Shhhh. Do not tell anyone. Was my Diversion 600
Wonderful story again.
I myself always drive (good, good, good) with protective motorcycle clothing. The only concession is jeans and a jeans jacket in the hottest days of the summer. Don't feel like looking like a scraped 'sun tomato' after slipping or otherwise biting asphalt. Copper worms are tricky guests. As a preventative measure against this, it works incredibly well to spray plugs and other connections with silicone spray or to 'soak' them full of old-fashioned thin Dinitrol. Where there is no moisture, much less problems there. Have extensive experience with it and can recommend it to anyone. Protecting cable harnesses in predictable critical places against bedsores is also something that really pays off!!
Brrrrr, I'd pull it out and start over...
Suddenly good.
Be ahead of all misery.
(The Jinny mentioned in the caption, the one and only)
Craftsmanship is mastery. But as an old wtb'er, all those strings make me so nervous!
Yes again nice story ri then recently back on my USA powered unit, never actually had any problems with extra plasters or something like that, think that the exhaust bends are bent a bit tighter or that the Italians drive a bit more wide-legs.
Still beautiful rolls from the Italian pipes with or without burnt skins
Yes plastic clogs really double Vout just leather sturdy shoe
Beautifully worded again R. But ” burnoes a few exceptions”? Actually think irresponsibly a lot; soon there will only be diesels driving around, and no more enthusiasts on Guzzis or id, because that is no longer technically possible 😉
I totally agree with you. Live and let live. Everyone's choice. That's why I step into the 4 seasons suit with bright yellow system bumper hat and motorcycle boots on my R1200. When my sweetheart wants to step on the back, such a set also goes on.
I actually only go on horseback in a short box and (garden) clogs on the AWO team.
On the side valves and Salira I always ride in jeans… but with clogs.
Only the Yam and the Viffer are ridden with a little more foot protection, but stiff in jeans.
If it was good for cowboys on their mustangs and other shot game…then it is also fine on a steeled pony.
But that's me; wear what you want, but don't bother another with morals.
Live and let live
I understand. Moreover, clogs are officially approved safety footwear according to the Arbo