Dr Gil Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 I'm jazzed and I wanted to post here first. You guys have been such a help with the rebuilding of my Le Mans that I crashed back in August that I thought I owed you at least that (plus beers whenever we meet). I'm not quite done yet but the last bits and pieces arrived with today's post and I've got them installed (thank you Teo Lamers). Not only will my reconstructed Guzzi be as pretty as the old crashed Guzzi but actually has also gotten some improvments in the rebuilding process (more about that later). But I don't want to go on too much. I just wanted to post and say that "I'm very close." I may get to actually ride my Le Mans (albeit illegally...DMV issues still to be resolved) possibly as early as tomorrow. I fired up the bike for the first time today since going through the "cracked timing chain cover" ordeal (see the thread in "tech topics"...I won't bore you with it here). I admit to being a bit nervous about bringing the engine up to temp. I'm not sure I could have dealt with another setback. It's been 6 MONTHS dammit and I've been over my head much of the time. I needed something positive to happen. It did. After re-installing the fuel tank I cranked 'er up this afternoon. A bit of a wait to get fuel to the system and bless her heart she fired right up...with NO discernable leaks. Oh joy, oh rapture! I cranked her up again this evening and still nothing and the engine sounds smoother (there was a bit of a disturbing knock on the first fire up). Tomorrow I button the bike up. Front fairing, mirrors, hook up heated grips and plug in turn signals and then I think I'll take a ride. I will admit to you guys about being a bit nervous about this first ride. I've not had the bike on the road since the accident and am worried (and here I'm pretty sure I'm just being an old lady in my agonizing about it) about endless transmissions, clutches, tracking problems, overheating, breaking down under a load, etc., etc. It will be good to put those fears to rest. I'll leave you with a couple pics "as of now":
richard100t Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 I must admit you did a fine job! I love the red valve covers with that champagne tank.
Guest ratchethack Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Congrat's again, Gil! Bet y'er a far better Guzzi owner now, having gained much valuable knowledge. No doubt you've been able to sleep better than you'd have been able to for the last 6 months if you'd have let some unknown shop far away wrench on it, with who knows what urgency tracking parts, suffering who knows how many months of "storage" in terra incognito. She's much more truly yours now! That, and you can be lots more confident that there isn't half a Big Mac in y'er timing case...
Dr Gil Posted January 24, 2006 Author Posted January 24, 2006 Congrat's again, Gil! Bet y'er a far better Guzzi owner now, having gained much valuable knowledge. No doubt you've been able to sleep better than you'd have been able to for the last 6 months if you'd have let some unknown shop far away wrench on it, with who knows what urgency tracking parts, suffering who knows how many months of "storage" in terra incognito. She's much more truly yours now! That, and you can be lots more confident that there isn't half a Big Mac in y'er timing case... 75538[/snapback] Somewhat true RH...while I do feel "closer" to my bike now I sometimes wonder if regaining the time lost in the saddle wouldn't have also made me "closer" to it. 6 months is a long time to do without. I'm sure you're right though...and that's the way I'm determined to view it. Down the road I think this experience will stand me in good stead. Some of the fear and mystery of working on the Guzzi is gone...and that's probably a good thingie. As for sleeping better...ahh, well that's another issue. I think I must be one of your more "sensitive" sorts of guy. I can't tell you how many times I've awoken in the middle of the night and agonized about some current aspect of the rebuild I was worried about. But it was time well spent. I seem to do some of my best problem solving when half asleep and feeling the pressure.
orangeokie Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Doc I know well the feeling of putting a bike back together. I know you are excited to get her back on the road. I'll bet you feel really good about your personal knowledge of her most intiment secrets. BTW . . . did you reconnect the kickstand switch?
Guest golden goose Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 I love it! Someone else with a Golden Goose saw the light and fitted the red Rosso covers. It really sets her off, doesn't it?
Dr Gil Posted January 24, 2006 Author Posted January 24, 2006 Doc I know well the feeling of putting a bike back together. I know you are excited to get her back on the road. I'll bet you feel really good about your personal knowledge of her most intiment secrets. BTW . . . did you reconnect the kickstand switch? 75540[/snapback] I have every intention of doing so orange guy but alas my connections have been severed and I can't suss it out. I have purchased the replacement parts but can't figure out how they are mounted nor can I figure out how the electrics connect. I have two bare wires that are connected together (ala' hotwiring) under the tank but lack the connection I need for the replacement plug in. I fear I must order one and then remove the tank, etc. Meanwhile if someone could send an upclose pic of how the actual, mechanical switch is mounted at the sidestand it would be helpful. I WANT a kill switch...it's just that I've never actually seen one (the root of my problem) and have no idea how it's configured.
Dr Gil Posted January 24, 2006 Author Posted January 24, 2006 I love it! Someone else with a Golden Goose saw the light and fitted the red Rosso covers. It really sets her off, doesn't it? 75541[/snapback] Yeah, I love 'em too...the bike had the red covers before the crash and I can't even begin to describe the hassle/obsession and expense necessary to replace them. I wouldn't have even attempted it if I didn't love the look SO much! p.s. "Golden Goose"...I love it!
dlaing Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Just don't paint a pontiac FireBird on the hood errr, tank! Source for the phoenix body painting image http://www.futureclassx.com/bodypaint/alwu...rd/phoenix1.jpg Warning linked actual photo is more detailed and may get you in trouble the R rated police. copywrite Mark Greenawalt http://www.futureclassx.com/
todd haven Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Good work, Gil Let's see that unit back on the road. What a long, strange trip it's been. Enjoy.
DeBenGuzzi Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 yeah you might want to add one of these too. ya know just in case right.
docc Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Here's a pic of the side stand switch installed. If it's not what you're looking for , I'll have another go.
DeBenGuzzi Posted January 24, 2006 Posted January 24, 2006 Here's a pic of the side stand switch installed. If it's not what you're looking for , I'll have another go. 75559[/snapback] didn't the accident happen from the sidestand possibly being left in the down position and the sidestand kill switch not engaging? or did I misinterpet that in your story?
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