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'78 V50 find for a newbie

Nago

Just got it firing!
Joined
Feb 7, 2022
Messages
5
Location
Austin, TX
Hi All! I am a newbie to the Guzzi world. I found a pretty cherry 1978 V50 with 1561 original miles. It is pretty much intact with the exception of cracked side covers. It came with the owners manual and tool kit. For the time being I just want to clean it up and keep it stock. The PO had some work done to it to prepare for sale, cleaned up the carbs (?), new air filter element, oil change and recoated the fuel tank.

When I got it I noticed there was some fuel that had leaked but after cleaning that up, I started it right up. I rode it around the block a few times, then I washed it, taking care not to go crazy spraying anything excessively. The next day it wanted to start but then seemed like it wasn't getting fuel. I put a small amount to quick start fluid in the cylinders and it started right up again and idled pretty smooth for a while then stalled like it was fuel starved.

Now I have the battery out, tank and air box off. I don't want to take the carbs off and dig into them yet as I have no idea about parts availability, specifically Dellorto rebuild kits and other rubber bits, etc...... Also wondering if there is a better way to run the fuel to the carbs than the X fuel line that joins the petcocks.

Sorry for this sort of generalized post but looking forward to getting to know this group and riding this cool little Italian gem!

BTW I also tinker with vintage VWs and Honda 4s.
 

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Nice find. Behind the fuel connectors on the carb there have plastic screens. Check that they are clean. If clean there are screens over the inlet tubes on the fuel petcocks. They may be blocked. The X fuel feed works OK as long as the lines don't develop leaks. If they do I replace with double banjo fittings that can be obtained from Harper's Moto Guzzi or MG cycle. I like using the cloth covered fuel lines that BMW airheads use and you migh be able to source locally if there is a shop that works on old VW bugs.
 
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Sidepanels are easily fixed with gauze wire/plastic body filler/epoxy glue. For broken lugs I found best solution was to make steel inserts from old (large) binder clips.....and once fixed, only pull the lug when removing the whole panel ;)

IMG 1062 IMG 1084 IMG 1085
 
Basically you start with some thin steel paper/binder clips (see in picture how they look 'before'). Angle grind them apart to make two thin sheets of flat steel plate; mark out the plates - so they fit the profile of the plastic (& the missing bits) lugs; mark out the centre point for the 16mm hole same as the original hole.

Now get a 16mm core drill, clamp the steel plate on piece of wood, and drill out the 16mm holes; then cut out the marked out shape; dress the edges & rough up the plates to 'latch' with epoxy resin. (Important to drill the holes first because you need plenty of flat plate to clamp it all down).

IMG 4108
Rough the plastic around the lugs and clean with alcohol/meths.

Epoxy glue the plates onto the side panel one at a time (carefully aligning angles etc); then fill the gap between plates with epoxy resin; keeping the hole free (either by letting epoxy harden bit first & cutting or by putting a removable '16mm ish' bush covered in cling film).

When epoxy sets (5 mins) just dress it again & paint if required.
 
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