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1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 7:00 pm
by Norvilbob
Greetings all,

I have a feeling I might have joined the Forum and posted questions a few years back when I first bought my '74 750 GT?......if not, here I go again (and my apologies for any repetition).

I bought the bike from a guy in Wisconsin, as a fully restored machine (sight unseen, given that I'm in South Australia).....if only the sales pitch and photos matched my expectations! Several years later my re-restoration from absolute scratch is almost complete: bike repainted to my standard (no powder coating used - yuk), engine, gearbox, wheels, forks etc etc fully rebuilt, now onto the wiring (which fried within a minute of me starting the bike). It seems that cutting wires inside switch-gear in order to disassemble the bike and then just twisting them together and shoving it all in with a bit of insulation tape here and there on reassembly isn't such a good idea. Things short out and melt apparently. Note to self: trust no-one in future.

Steve has provided excellent quality parts throughout the restoration and I've mildly customised aspects such as braking and clutch operation (twin disc front end, modern Brembo master cylinder and hydraulic clutch) in order to make the ride more enjoyable in modern traffic. Engine now has Carillo Rods, new crankpins and bearings and Wiseco Pistons.

Subsequently, as I finish the project, I'll be pestering everyone with trivial questions very shortly!

Regards,
Rob
From Down Under

Some photos of the restoration progress so far below

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Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2018 10:31 am
by BevHevSteve
welcome aboard Bob

Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:44 pm
by Norvilbob
Thanks Steve - now all I have to do is figure out what I'm doing wrong in attaching photos! :)

Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:50 pm
by Norvilbob
OK - here I go again. Hope you can see the photos this time.
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Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:52 pm
by Norvilbob
Nope - OK, I'll do one at a time...
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Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 8:53 pm
by Norvilbob
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Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2018 9:41 pm
by TPDukeGT
Hi Rob from a fellow GT restorer in Victoria,

Tasty photos and am on board with you as far as the subtle mods are concerned. Frame looks a treat as does the finish work on the rear hub (recently finished my hub/sprocket assembly). Frame, swingarm and accessories are being 2-pac'd this week.

Just curious re your initial post regarding engine work. Have you done this all yourself or have you used a local source at all? Mine needs a freshen up, though not to the extent of the Carillos, and wondered if you had any pointers?

Cheers, Tom

Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2018 3:02 am
by Norvilbob
Hi Tom,

Sorry for the slow response, I've been working some crazy hours lately and no time to deal with the important things in life - like Ducatis!

The engine work has been done partly by myself (the basic stuff), but I had the crank built by a friend (who's no longer doing them) and the head machining work done by a motor engineer - who I'm only partly happy with (but it all turned out OK in the end). I'll post more information later. If you'd like to email me at [email protected] I'll provide a more comprehensive response as time permits.

Regards,
Rob

Re: 1974 750GT Down Under

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 6:52 pm
by TPDukeGT
G'day Rob - know all about that work in the way of more important things mantra....

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