Every loop's got a silver lining.. |
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saultrader
Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Location: Gloucesterhire Status: Offline Points: 267 |
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Posted: 30 Jun 2015 at 17:43 |
Having done more or less everything necessary to make my recently imported 850GT work properly, I was pleased with the performance and had just fettled the front brake, re-oiled the fork and finally changed the oil. Being an inquisitive soul, I poured the old oil into my waste oil drum via a funnel with a filter. You can imagine my disappointment when I found a sizeable sliver of glistening chromium trapped therein. I've got over it now, I was warned, and have decided to seek advice and recommendations from my peers.
Stein-Dinse supply barrel and piston kits at a good price but have no stock until January 2016. Guzzi-bits can supply within a few weeks, the bits I need would cost just south of £600. Langcourt Engineering, just down the road in W-S-M, will strip and Nikasil coat my existing pots for just over £100 a cylinder. They would inspect the original pistons and advise on whether to replace or not but the bike has done less than 10,000 miles and I'm optimistic. All suggestions and opinions welcomed, especially from those with a spare set of usable barrels on their shelves. It's not my only bike and although I'd like to use it again this year, it's not crucial. Thank you for your kind indulgence, Phil. |
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Jerry atric
Senior Member Joined: 24 Nov 2014 Location: Wiltshire Status: Offline Points: 3367 |
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Commiserations. Sorry I can only offer sympathy
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v7john
Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2014 Location: West Wales, UK. Status: Offline Points: 703 |
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That's really bad news. I had this happen with my V7Sport many years ago. Sadly, the potential for damage caused by the hard chrome is high if bits of it have been circulating around the engine. At least there is more hope for your engine as it has a proper filter.
From memory the damage to my engine was; - The barrels and pistons obviously. - Chrome embedded in the main and big end bearings and all the crank journals scored. - Damage to the camshaft. - Wrecked oil pump. It really was a tale of woe but on the positive side the camshaft journals in the block did not have chrome pieces embedded in them. If they had it would have meant a new block or having the block line bored and new inserts fittted and machined for the cam to run in. Sorry to be such a pessimist but I think the whole engine needs to be checked over. I've heard good things about Langcourt Engineering and my V7 barrels will go there in due course as a preventative measure. |
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1972 V7Sport "The Racing Rhino".
1972 V7 700cc "The Fire Bike". 1954? Superalce 1954 BSA M33 (to be sold) Read my blog https://racingrhino.wordpress.com/ |
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Dave P.
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 5573 |
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Sadly John the 850GT has no proper filter.This was introduced I believe on the T3.I used to have an 850T,that had no proper filter either and was also equipped with chrome bores.Mine wore out at the top of the stroke but fortunately didn't lift or peel.I hope in Phil's case he has caught it in time.I must check my 850GT tomorrow,I should have done so immediately I bought it but stupidly I didn't.
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TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.
1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT. 1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet. |
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Dukedesmo
Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2015 Location: Leics Status: Offline Points: 856 |
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If you're looking for new parts, try HMB-Guzzi in Germany. I've been getting most my parts from them, very helpful & prices not bad especially given the current Euro exchange rate.
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Le Mans 2
Ducati 916 Ducati M900 |
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saultrader
Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Location: Gloucesterhire Status: Offline Points: 267 |
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Thanks for the sympathy and wisdom. I contacted HMB via email and they replied within 5 minutes to tell me that they haven't got any stock and won't have until January. Their part number is almost identical to Stein Dinse but their price is 239€ which is 30€ cheaper than S.D. I'm going to strip it in a week or two and I'll post pictures of the damage and let you all know how I get on with the repairs.
I've also got a 1967 V700 and there's no way that bad boy is getting an oil change anytime soon! |
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italianmotor
Senior Member Joined: 14 May 2014 Location: UK Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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I was in this situation over 20 years ago when I rebuilt my S3 after it started to strip its bores - the S3 incidentally was the first big Guzzi to get an oil filter in its sump. I had to shell out for a Gilardoni barrels kit for a V7 Sport (and STILL had to file down the pushrod tunnels!) but in those days it was £250 for both jugs, now they cost that each side. I am in the same situation again as I am very slowly restoring another 750 S3, so I'll also need another 2 x barrels/kit, not cheap! I too have used 750 barrels/pistons on the shelf that I could look at getting replated but in my opinion the small amount you save compared to new is just not really worth it. Funny, the two loops I have owned including a very early 700 had no signs of any problems in that area. Maybe when De Tomaso took over Guzzi things got cheap..
Edited by italianmotor - 03 Jul 2015 at 17:48 |
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Guzzi lover doing my own thing: http://www.italianmotormagazine.com
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jmee54
Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 1469 |
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When I imported my Eldorado, the first thing I did was order a Gilardoni cylinder kit. It took a while before they made a new batch, but I knew my bike had just been rebuilt by a respected guzzi guy with good chrome cylinders, so I rode it till they arrived.
I have the chrome cylinders and pistons on the shelf now, probably never to be used again. I am now importing an Ambassador, again with chrome cylinders (I believe) which should arrive at the end of the month. I have tried everywhere to find a Gilardoni set, UK, Italy and Germany, with no luck. With none expected till next spring I am now thinking of getting my cylinders replated. I believe the problem occurs when the bike is left unused for long periods. Mine could fall into that category and was started when bought by the seller, so it is a bit of a gamble! It is a California police bike so with a bit of luck the climate will have been kind to it. |
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Dave P.
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 5573 |
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Stein Dinse are showing them as being in stock for the V7Special,same as the ambassador.
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TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.
1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT. 1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet. |
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johnno
Senior Member Joined: 19 Jul 2014 Location: loughborough uk Status: Offline Points: 5582 |
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why are folk not keen on the above idea ,im just interested as if the company are good this is the way I would go . I know nothing of these bikes but you never know might go there one day . Hope the rebuild goes well for you
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1100 sport corsa , Yam R1, guzzi 650tt rider
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jmee54
Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 1469 |
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They are who I'm looking at, and contacted. I suppose it is just piston issues that is putting me off. I don't want to be spending my life searching for parts, when I can buy a matched set all in one go.
Basically I need convincing. I have a month of waiting before my bike arrives to make a plan. |
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jmee54
Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 1469 |
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Stein Dinse don't have any.
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Dave P.
Senior Member Joined: 12 Jan 2015 Location: Northants Status: Offline Points: 5573 |
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Fair enough.They are however advertising them with a delivery time of three days.
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TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.
1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT. 1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet. |
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jmee54
Senior Member Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 1469 |
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Yes, that is why I contacted them, but alas none in stock.
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saultrader
Senior Member Joined: 12 Dec 2014 Location: Gloucesterhire Status: Offline Points: 267 |
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Thanks again for your kind comments, advice and sharing your own particular experiences. I've still not decided whether to await the pleasure of the various suppliers and buy new stuff or to have my own barrels re-plated. I'm not desperate to strip down yet another running bike and even if I was there is a sufficiency of neglected Laverdas to satisfy that desire. There's also a handsome 1967 V700 that I haven't used for a few years, it's long overdue an oil change but I'm keeping my head in the sand as I don't want to be spending all of next year's pocket money on new cylinders!!
Please keep the suggestions coming. Phil. |
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