Old fuel, gummed carbs etc

[Bixxer Bob]

Started work on the Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 yesterday.  It's been standing with old fuel in the tank and carbs for at least three years.  The old battery, the size of one from a small car (Guzzi obviously weren't taking any chances) was knackered so fitted a new one.  Opened the fuel tap, lifted the choke levers (one on each carb) hit the starter, three cranks and up she fired!!  Afte just a little coaxing with the throttle, she picked up, cleared her lungs and roared.  A lot of brown smoke to start with but she soon cleared out and runs nicely.  So much for old fuel woes,  you can't beat tractor engineering!!

Charging circuit is knackered though, need to start fault-finding....

[John Stenhouse]

Still have a soft spot for Guzzis, had a Spada 1000 for a bit it was fabby. Still tempted to try a Cali for the summer.

[iansoady]

The old battery, the size of one from a small car (Guzzi obviously weren't taking any chances) was knackered so fitted a new one.

Just wondering if you followed the advice in your recent post and fitted a Motobatt?

[Chris Canning]

Started work on the Guzzi Le Mans Mk1 yesterday.  It's been standing with old fuel in the tank and carbs for at least three years.  The old battery, the size of one from a small car (Guzzi obviously weren't taking any chances) was knackered so fitted a new one.  Opened the fuel tap, lifted the choke levers (one on each carb) hit the starter, three cranks and up she fired!!  Afte just a little coaxing with the throttle, she picked up, cleared her lungs and roared.  A lot of brown smoke to start with but she soon cleared out and runs nicely.  So much for old fuel woes,  you can't beat tractor engineering!!

Charging circuit is knackered though, need to start fault-finding....

Probably still full of 4 star instead of the crap they sell now!!.

[Bixxer Bob]

The old battery, the size of one from a small car (Guzzi obviously weren't taking any chances) was knackered so fitted a new one.

Just wondering if you followed the advice in your recent post and fitted a Motobatt?

Nah,  as I said at the start, it's the size of the battery in a small car, dimension-wise anyway.  It's 26 AH and I  found one at the lawnmower shop for £37.  Bargain!!

[Timbox2]

There was a fantastic article in Feb 2011 CMM, about a guy who has had a Mk1 from almost new and has modded it with allsorts of stuff. Ive still got a copy if you want me to scan it for you John.

[Bixxer Bob]

That'd be good thanks Tim, cheers!

[threepot]

So I'm told..we can blame supermarket chains for the reduction in petrol quality. They put pressure on manufacturers to reduce price..hence omission of additives etc

[John Stenhouse]

Not really, I think you can blame our lords and masters, they were the tits who decided to make fuel go further and give it a spurious green credential by adding ethanol.