..... Guzzi's coming home!
16th July
Back over the weekend with message from NBS to call back, rang this morning.
Headline - T3 FIXED
Report
Root cause - contaminated fuel due to sealant used to "fix" tank
Consequentials:
Gummed carburettors
Poor combustion, fouled plugs
Inlet valve sticky and sooty
Solution.
Clean 2nd hand tank fitted
Carbs cleaned up, jetted as per supplied by ALLANS.
Heads lifted and fettled
Other problems
Air leak on RH manifold, causing slow return to tick over after closing throttle.
No obvious cause,
Solution - extra gasket fitted cured problem.
Throttle cables
Sticking, sliders not returning properly
Solution - clean carbs and tidy cables
Coils and Ignition
Wrong polarity - fixed and timing reset
Not surprised - swapping polarity part of my trouble shooting
(Note asked NB to confirm LH cylinder is also correct)
Charging system
Failed contact in connecter block between rectifier/regulator and alternator loom
(factory items faulty!) - fixed.
Front brake
Spongy - bled and now fine
Drive Box
Leak from drain plug sorted.
ROAD TEST
NB reports very responsive, pulls strongly, returns to tickover, he thinks it's "quite a lot better than a standard T3". Spark plugs correct colour.
ALL GOOD!
Next Steps
NB to get MOT done and arrange return
Reflections
Since completing re-assembly, have struggled with multiple and variable problems. Some of these were isolated and solved (eg loose 2nd plugs, approximations in ignition timing, etc.)
Replacing standard Del Ortos with Mikuni led to major distraction in trouble shooting, assuming this as being root cause in fact a major red herring.
Sealing fuel tank assumed to be successful when in fact it caused additional problems
Failed to trace fault in charging circuit - should have been more systematic in testing ALL circuit components. Won't trust factory supplied stuff as much in future.
Although I was contemplating replacing fuel tank, had been anxious as a 2nd hand item might have been as bad and a new one a very expensive punt. In fact I would still have been left with all the other issues to track down and sort.
So all in all I think I was right to pass the task over to a professional rather than carry on in enthusiast mode - especially as enthusiasm, gumption and confidence had all taken a bit of a battering.
Cost
Collect and return
£240
Parts and labour
£400
Total money spent on this major upgrade (almost new bike really)
Not sure of exact amount but less than £5000
RESULT!!
