De restauratie van mijn Moto Guzzi California II

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After 21 years my good old Guzzi needs a total overhaul. In October 2002 the combination was in a truly abominable state. Besides rust on most plated and painted parts on the entire bike, the following defects - from top to bottom, front to rear and left to right - can be found:

oil temperature meter housing broken off
seat: cover torn and deep cut in polyether inner
stearing damper bracket broken
starter motor doesn't work
gunk in tank & carburettors
engine has no compression
main bearing oilseal leaky
clutch sticks
front tire rotten
front brakes stick
final drive oilseal leaky
rear tire flat
exhaust rusted through
sidecar fender torn
battery rotten

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Furthermore, the flexible brake lines need replacement, and the entire brake system needs to be overhauled. The paint on tank, side covers and mudguards is damaged and faded, so these parts need to a new coat of spray paint (colour??). The sidecar body is dusty but OK, but it is plain black and I want to repaint it in the same colour as the bike. The paint on the bike frame is fair, but in need of some tough-ups, the swing arm and centre stand will be powder coated. The sidecar frame, and the cadmium coated parts of the sidecar rigging need powder coating as well. The rear- and sidecar shock absorbers need a fresh coat of paint. Practically all plated parts are corroded, some may clean up with a good polishing, others will need re- plating or replacement. Much of the aluminium of engine, gearbox and final drive has ugly white spots and stains, maybe these can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper, maybe I will have them particle-blasted, I still need to decide.

Now that I'm at it, I would like to reduce the width of the rig by about 80 mm and improve some of the sidecar mountings (everything is well fastened, but not always very elegantly). I will replace the original panniers with leather "NATO" saddlebags, so the luggage racks will be adapted accordingly. Most important are obviously the overhaul of engine and clutch. I'm not sure whether I'll do that myself (fun to do and saves money), or have it done (saves time). Maybe I can work out some intermediate solution with a friendly Guzzi dealer.