79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild

Scout63

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Nov 24, 2016
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Starting a new thread for my Moto Guzzi project. I just finished my 72 Interstate restoration and don’t want to lose momentum. It is a 79 V1000 G5 I picked up a little unwillingly locally for $200.00 from the original owner who stuck it in a shed in 1987 and let it rust:

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


It came apart easily though and the crank, pistons, cylinders, heads and gears look and measure fine.

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


The wheels are spoked Borranis which seem pretty cool. I was very impressed with the quality of the bike (other than switchgear and too much plastic compared to the Norton) and the sense all of the systems make. Also, it was nice to be back using metric wrenches. I find it hard to believe that it will be as visceral as the Combat under way or sitting still though.

After vapor honing and rebuilding the engine and trans and blasting and priming the steel I’m going to mock it up and figure out a build type. I’m thinking mild cruiser with floorboards with a Dover white /2 BMW vibe. I picked up a Motogadget m-unit and can’t wait to play with it. I’ll probably keep the long pipes but re-core and ceramic coat them. I really like the aggressively loud Interstate pipes on my Norton and want to follow that look and sound.

Thanks for watching. I will appreciate any guidance, encouragement and opinions.

Ben
 
You managed to find buried treasure. I like The older Guzzi's a lot... The ones with traditional form.
 
Scout63 said:
The wheels are spoked Borranis which seem pretty cool. I was very impressed with the quality of the bike (other than switchgear and too much plastic compared to the Norton) and the sense all of the systems make. Also, it was nice to be back using metric wrenches. I find it hard to believe that it will be as visceral as the Combat under way or sitting still though.

After vapor honing and rebuilding the engine and trans and blasting and priming the steel I’m going to mock it up and figure out a build type. I’m thinking mild cruiser with floorboards with a Dover white /2 BMW vibe. I picked up a Motogadget m-unit and can’t wait to play with it. I’ll probably keep the long pipes but re-core and ceramic coat them. I really like the aggressively loud Interstate pipes on my Norton and want to follow that look and sound.

Thanks for watching. I will appreciate any guidance, encouragement and opinions.

Ben
Click to expand...

Borranis are standard.

Floorboards are available. About half the Tonti people want floorboards and the other half want the footpegs. The trick is finding the other camp so you can swap as no one ever seems to have the variation they want.

As for pipes just get some of these:

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild
 
I’m glad to hear that posters here also like Guzzi’s. GP you posted my first encouragement when I started the Norton project so thanks again. I knew the bike was worth all of the price but didn’t know what the internals were like. I love the bones of it but can’t warm up to the tank, seat and bars. Today I got to wondering whether a Motogadget tach (expensive but gorgeous and I ordered it today) will fit in my spare /5 headlight bucket and whether the bucket will work on the Guzzi.

Swooshdave - the bores look good but I haven’t mic’d them yet. The pistons have a thin layer of carbon up top but otherwise look ok. The compression ring is stuck on one. The crank journals measured no wear at all. Rods look and turn right and the shell bearings are smooth. Everything in the timing chest looks good. Frame and swingarm are solid. Shocks are toast. All rubber is shot. Switches are salvageable but horrendous. Distributor is nice. Wiring is brittle. Cases, heads, cylinders etc are pretty tarnished but nothing is broken. The u-joint is very rusty. I broke off one spark plug and one alternator cover bolt in the timing cover so those go to the machine shop for work when the valve seats and guides get checked. Forks look good but will need new tubes, dampers and seals. Carbs are 30mm flat slides and look typical. Wheels need love but no dents or major scratches.

Still sorting the Commando and the /5 needs new pistons and a bore job. Ben
 
I like the main jet carriers that incorporate accellerator pumps. Very nifty idea.
 
I assume you read up on chrome bores on the Guzzis? I think the G5 has steel lines (better).

Italian electrics are, ahem, garbage at best. Feel no guilt toss them in the bin.
 
Bores are iron. Even though the G5 is to me one of the ugliest of the big Guzzis, it has all the good parts - triple disks, borrani wheels, tonti frame, iron bores, 1000 cc motor.

I sprung for a Motogadget m-unit blue. I’ve been wanting to play with one for a long time. I’ll post the process. I bought it from Revival Cycles and their tech info is very good.
 
I installed an M-Unit blue for a client, not impressed. Especially on a simple classic bike.
 
Scout63 said:
Starting a new thread for my Moto Guzzi project. I just finished my 72 Interstate restoration and don’t want to lose momentum. ...I find it hard to believe that it will be as visceral as the Combat under way or sitting still though...
Ben
Click to expand...

Very few are.....

Nice find BTW....
 
Thanks Michael. It’s hard not to buy a bike when the owner says “ give me whatever you want I need it out of here today.” I offered $200 because I was embarrassed to pay less. At the time I really didn’t want another project but now I am excited about it.

GP - pros and cons of the M-unit? Kind of an expensive toy that won’t increase performance but I thought it would be fun. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Here are the steel parts freshly primed:
79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


Two sets of lower rails - one for floorboards, one for pegs. The headlight is an SP1000 part for tryout. Any ideas for frame and tank colors will appreciated. My wife hates red but likes blue. I’m thinking cream white frame - maybe same for the tank. I need to get it mocked up with suspension, wheels, engine and exhaust before tackling seat, tank and bars. I’m open to all suggestions.
 
Here are some tank options. In order stock tank, CB450, CB360. I like the 360 best.
79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


Here is a Dime City seat ( without cover) and repro early sportster fender.

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild

It looks like the fender would fit with some simple spacers. I would raise the seat a bit. My wife (who lets me have as many bikes as I want and has great taste) likes the tank color so it goes on the list. Is the gap between the seat and tank a problem?

I’m really trying to keep as much frame exposed as I can. Maybe simple triangular side covers in the style of the v7 sport tool boxes. Maybe leave the battery area open. I’m interested in everyone’s thought on that also.

Thanks - Ben
 
gortnipper said:
@Time Warp has good Guzzi experience and may have some insights.
Click to expand...

Scout63 said:
Maybe leave the battery area open. I’m interested in everyone’s thought on that also.

Thanks - Ben
Click to expand...

I saw your thread on the other site, keep up the good work but make sure that media is removed 110%.
Oddly enough I machined a new battery tray and clamps this week.

79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild


79 Moto Guzzi Rebuild
 
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