Yes a 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado 850 and if you think I had drama's with my 850 Norton any were overshadowed by this one.
The same bike as the video posted of the 1974 Eldorado but that one would have a single disc front brake.
This one came out of Wallkill New York, original paint, Police dash, floorboards,pedals and gas cap.
Now a nikasil bore 949cc and the gearbox internals are from a 1983 G5 1000, I machined the engine case/block for an oil filter, these engines are a chrome bore non oil filter model, if and when the chrome detaches it all but destroys the engine.
The only parts remaining from the original engine are, the case/block, crankshaft, one cylinder head and the duplex timing chain sprockets. (and sundry covers)
New valves,guides,springs.
Later rocker units for 1000/88 mm bore engines.
Later push rods and followers.
NOS oil fed camshaft.
1993 GT1000 connecting rods.
Stock crank that I added 180 grams of Mallory metal to suit the heavier pistons.
Billet oil pump.
IWIS duplex timing chain.
Even though the engine is non oil filter stock the gallery was cast in but not drilled, I plugged one 8 mm hole, drilled the vertical oil feed (150 mm or so) and added a mid 1970's oil filter pan and drilled and tapped one M8 thread to suit a later oil filter front bearing.
Gearbox is the original 1973 case with 1983 clusters and all new bearings.
Fully shimmed and final checked by bore scope for shift positions being even.
New universal, drive shaft , coupling, the final drive has new bearings and new ring and pinion with a custom machined 4140 pinion spacer spacer.
I think two days to do the final drive.
Wheels have NOS taper roller bearings and also custom 4140 spacers to set them, instead of the stock spacer and numerous shims.
These bikes come standard with 2.15" x 18" Borrani's with stainless steel spokes and brass nipples which I stripped and re laced/trued.
As far as the engine, with the rocker covers off and two wood blocks under the sump, I should be able to support the engine, remove one block, slide the loop frame under, replace the block, support the other side and slide the frame the rest of the way, then lift it to attach it via the two mount points, one at the front engine cover, the other under the gearbox.
It should just clear the lower frame rails and top frame support pressing with mm to spare.
I count myself lucky to be hands on with these bikes so can compare what Norton, Ducati and Moto Guzzi were doing back in the early 1970's.
None of them have much if anything in common engineering wise.
The Ducati's I believe had input from Colin Seeley frame design wise, big taper roller steering head bearings and 38mm forks along with 28mm swing arm pivot tubes and that was from 1971.
The courier should arrive with some bits for the engine and need to machine four 8mm to 6 mm step studs to suit the engine case and later oil pan fixing and then it can go back into the frame.
Then it is more time on the Mk2a.
Like any older motorcycle, all those romantic dreams are of little use if in the present they are not reliable for peace of mind.